Mr. Pike to Mr.
Hunter
No. 166.]
United States Legation,
The Hague,
May 17, 1865.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of your despatches of the 21st, 22d, 24th, and 28th of April,
Nos. 228, 229, 230, and one not numbered; also your two despatches of
May 2, Nos. 230 and 231, (also No. 232,) the latter containing the
gratifying intelligence of the continued improvement in the condition of
the Secretary of State and the Assistant Secretary.
The rapid progress of military events during the month of April has taken
everybody by surprise for their remarkable completeness. Europe views
our final triumphant successes with the liveliest interest. They have
alike disappointed the hopes and falsified the confident predictions of
the ruling classes here, with few exceptions. The question now uppermost
with all is, “What will become of the intrusive emperor of Mexico?”
On the reception of the news of the surrender of Johnston with the
remaining forces of the rebellion I addressed a note to the minister of
foreign affairs, of which I enclose a copy.
I have the honor to be, with great respect, your most obedient
servant,
Hon. William Hunter,
Acting Secretary of State, Washington.
Mr. Pike to Mr. Cremers
United States Legation,
The Hague,
May 15, 1865.
Sir: I beg to call your attention to the
fact that the insurrection which has for some time past existed in
the southern States of the Union has been finally quelled, and that
the so-called confederate government has ceased to exercise or
possess any controlling authority in any part of the United States.
Its seat of government has been seized, its armies have been
destroyed or captured, its military and civil officers are prisoners
or fugitives.
It is under these circumstances that I beg to suggest to your
excellency the revocation of the orders heretofore given to the
Netherland colonial authorities to grant certain privileges to
vessels sailing under the so-called confederate flag, and the
usefulness of instructing those authorities to regard all vessels
making use of this flag in future as pirates.
You will allow me to observe that this suggestion nas a -direct
practical bearing upon the interests of the United States at this
moment, inasmuch as an iron-clad steamer called the Stonewall lately
left Europe on a tour of depredation upon American commerce, and is
supposed to be now in the West India seas, under the confederate
flag.
I beg, at the same time, to call your excellency’s attention to the
proclamation of the late President Lincoln, issued on the 11th of
April last, in which he gave notice that the United States
considered the time had arrived when they were entitled to claim the
same friendly rights and hospitalities for their naval vessels in
foreign ports which they themselves are willing to concede to those
of all maritime nations, but which have been refused in many cases
during the progress of the slaveholders rebellion.
I avail myself of the occasion to renew to your excellency the
assurances of my high consideration.
His Excellency E. Cremers, Minister of Foreign Affairs.
