Mr. Harvey to Mr. Seward.
Sir:The accompanying copy of a note from our consul at Funchal has just reached this legation. The United States sloop-of-war St. Louis is in port and undergoing repairs, after a cruise of four months; but even if she were in a condition to put to sea immediately, it is hardly necessary to say that a sailing ship is not adapted to the service of pursuit, which is now required. In fact, except for the moral effect of exhibiting our national flag in foreign waters, the presence of this description of vessels is of no practical value whatever. The piratical cruisers which have infested the ocean during the last two years, destroying commerce and pillaging promiscuously, have been encouraged by the impunity with which their ravages have been perpetrated, and the knowledge of our imperfect means of defence, as well as our inability to inflict proper punishment for their criminal proceedings. It is quite probable the Georgia and others of that class of cruisers will now renew their hostile operations on this side of the Atlantic.
I am quite ignorant of the condition of the United States steamship Kearsarge, which was recently at Brest for repairs, and which is the only public vessel within reach at all fitted for the exigency; nor am I informed of the orders under which her commander is acting; still I shall at once communicate to him the facts which have come to my knowledge.
It is quite desirable that the commanders of all the ships-of-war that are sent to this and neighboring places for the protection of commerce should keep the [Page 276] diplomatic agents informed of their movements, so as to give better efficiency to the same; and I venture to suggest, as the result of some observation and experience in this matter, that the naval orders to commanders should be modified in regard to the limitation of their cruises within particular parallels of latitude, and that they should be generally instructed to go wherever the public interests demand their presence, upon sufficient information from our diplomatic or consular representatives.
If a rendezvous or point of concentration were established, where the condition and the movements of all the ships-of-war intended for these and the neighboring waters could be ascertained at a moment of need, it would be of substantial value. The want of a more perfect organization and concert in the small naval force abroad has been and is still felt. Stern and constant requirements at home have necessarily limited attention to this point, but the present indications of a renewal of outrages will doubtless attract notice to it immediately.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State.