Mr. Bigelow to Mr. Seward
Sir: Reports having reached me from various quarters that the rebels were counting upon having the ram Cheops the consort of the Stonewall at sea, and under their control within the current week, I asked Mr. Drouyn de Lhuys today what value I may attach to these reports. His excellency thanked me for giving him an opportunity of stating the exact situation of that matter for the information of my government. Arman had applied for an authorization to send the Cheops to Prussia, and had produced a bill of sale of the vessel to the Prussian government.“I was unwilling to be caught again as in the case of the Stonewall,” said Mr. Drouyn de Lhuys, “and I told Mr. Arman that that was not sufficient; I must have proof of the highest official character from the Prussian government, not only that the vessel has been purchased by them, but had been taken into their possession.”
I thanked his excellency for his forethought, and begged him to see that the sale was completed by an absolute and unconditional delivery. He said he should; that the delivery must be made to some officer of the Prussian government fully authorized to take possession of her in its name, or she should not leave Bordeaux.
He then made a memorandum of the matter, and said he should meet the minister of marine in the council of state to-morrow, and would impress the subject upon him anew.
I availed myself of the occasion to refer to the use made of the Rappahan-nock, and to a new report that she was about to be sold; His excellency informed me that the minister of marine had recently told him that there had [Page 245] been no arrivals on board of the Bappahannock to speak of. I replied that our consular agent at Calais had advised me that twelve were brought on board last week. His excellency took a note of this also, and promised to speak again to the minister of marine upon the subject. But he assured me that I need give myself no trouble about her going into the service of our enemies.
His excellency then spoke of my despatch in reference to the steamer Ark, seized by the rebels in Mexican waters; said the outrage ought not to have been tolerated, and promised to communicate the case to the department of war and marine, that orders may immediately issue for more vigor and vigilance in the enforcement of neutrality,
I am, sir, with great respect, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, &c., &c., &c.