Mr. Bigelow to Mr. Seward
Sir: I have this moment received the following despatch from our chargé d’affaires at Madrid:
“The privateer Stonewall will probably leave to-morrow.”
“PERRY.”
I have not received a line from Mr. Perry by post, nor have I received any information of any kind from any of our naval officers, except that Commodore Craven had received the substance of the despatch which 1 sent to Mr. Sandford on Sunday. I presume the Niagara was at, or in the neighborhood of, Ferrol before this, but I have no notice of her arrival there, nor indeed any positive assurance that she has sailed for that port.
I hope, however, this mail may take to you fuller intelligence upon all these points. Permit me to suggest that it would be a great convenience, and, possibly, a great advantage, if our vessels on this station were instructed to notify the legations of the United States in countries with which they are in communication when they arrive in port, and, if practicable, the day of their departure, if possible, a few days in advance. If the Stonewall gets off, it is some consolation [Page 225] to reflect that notice of her intentions has preceded her, and that the note of preparation has been sounded.
It is possible she may have to go to Lisbon to complete her equipment, as was stated by one of the sailors to be the commodore’s intention. In that case, our minister at Portugal may be more successful in detaining her than Mr. Perry has been.
I am, sir, with great respect, your very obedient servant,
Hon William H. Seward, Secretary of State, &c., &c., &c.