Mr. Perry to Mr.
Seward
No. 168.]
Legation of the United States,
Madrid,
February 20, 1865.
Sir: I had the honor to send you telegrams on
the 17th and 18th instant, through our consuls at Liverpool and
Queenstown, which will reach you a week previous to this despatch.
I enclose to-day copies of the series of my telegrams on the subject of
the Stonewall from the night of the 9th to the night of the 18th
instant, 22 in number, a part of which ought to have accompanied my
despatches Nos. 166 and 167, as will be seen by their dates and
contents.
I am happy to inform you that since my protest of the 9th instant I find
the current of this business changed in all quarters, and I trust it is
no longer premature to announce that the career of this formidable ram
as a vessel-of-war hostile to the United States is now definitively
closed.
[Page 496]
On the morning of the 10th instant I saw Mr. Mercier, the French
ambassador and put in his hand a copy of my protest of the night
before.
He had on his table also a copy of the letter I addressed to Mr. Bigelow,
chargé d’affaires at Paris, dated the 8th instant, (enclosure with
despatch No. 165, marked D.) Mr. Mercier was evidently moved by these
papers; he defended, however, the ground that the Spanish government
were bound to allow all those repairs which belonged to the navigabilité or seaworthiness of the ship. I
maintained the distinction between an iron-clad ram and a wooden ship of
the ordinary build, fit for peace or war; but above all, I said,
pleasantly but firmly, that the United States were resolved to put an
end to this fitting out of naval expeditions in Europe to be used
against us in America. The case of the Stonewall lay between France and
Spain. The ship had been built, manned and equipped in the waters of
France, till it took the full form of a formidable armed expedition
against the United States, organized and completed in France, except so
far as belonged to the repairs of the ship sought to be made in Spain.
It struck me that in so far as the ambassador could magnify the
theoretical importance of the work doing in Spain, by just so much would
he diminish the part of responsibility belonging to France in this
enterprise. I hoped that instead of persuading the Spaniards, as he
sought to persuade me, that they could put this machine of war into good
working order without engaging their responsibility with the United
States, he would consider whether it would not avoid a good many
disagreeable complications if we could stop this expedition entirely,
just where it is. He said that Mr. Drouyn de Lhuys had sent him no
instructions, and there had been plenty of time to send him a telegram
if the minister had wished him to take any part in the matter. I
inquired whether Mr. Bigelow would have enjoyed a sufficient dergee of
contact with Mr. Drouyn de Lhuys to have impressed the latter with the
circumstances of this case, as we looked upon them and as he (Mr.
Mercier) well knew they would be regarded in the United States. Mr.
Mercier gave his testimony to the zeal and ability of Mr. Bigelow, and
was certain he would not have left undone anything that could be done. I
most heartily concurred in the same opinion, but nevertheless urged Mr.
Mercier to himself write to Mr. Drouyn de Lhuys, giving him his ideas of
the matter in case that minister might wish to take any action.
That interview closed cordially, without Mr. Mercier’s giving me any
definite reply, the whole being conducted in the tone of a frank and
friendly morning call, with as little of an official air as
possible.
On Friday, the 17th instant, Mr. Mercier sent to the Spanish minister of
state (Mr. Benavides) a little note enclosing a telegraphic instruction
from Mr. Drouyn de Lhuys to Mr. Mercier, informing him that a commissioni rogatoire had issued from the French
government to inquire into the circumstances of the abduction of several
French sailors by the Stonewall, as was alleged, against their will, and
directing him to request the Spanish government to detain that ship
until this business could be settled. I saw the original note and the
telegram as it was deciphered and sent to the Spanish state
department.
Mr. Benavides informed me, on the 18th instant, also, that I was under
obligations to Mr. Mercier for many good offices in this business of the
repairs of the Stonewall; that he had recently seen him several times,
and talked with him in a manner much to favor my pretensions in this
matter.
Mr. Mercier, however, has not himself communicated a word to me about his
action, since our interview of the 10th instant, which was as
related.
On the 11th instant I received from Mr. Bigelow the letter marked B,
in-forming me that no assistance was to be expected from the French
government. This letter was written on the 8th instant, the day previous
to my protest. The repairs on the Stonewall were diminished, in fact, as
reported to you in my No. 166, of 14th instant. On the 15th they were
completed, leaving her in such state, that on the evening of the 17th I
received the telegram No. 10 from
[Page 497]
Ferrol, winch explains itself, and was transmitted
in substance to you through Mr. Dudley, at Liverpool, and to Mr.
Bigelow, at Paris, and Mr. Harvey, at Lisbon, the same evening.
On the 18th instant I had a very satisfactory interview with Mr.
Benavides, in which I sought and obtained from him the promise that
nothing more should be done on the Stonewall.
He requested me to put the substance of what I said into writing, which I
did immediately afterwards in the note of the same day, (copy enclosed,
marked 0,) and I had the satisfaction to send you the telegram No. 23
through our consul at Queenstown, announcing the general result in time
for the steamer which sailed a week previous to the one which bears
this.
Mr. Benavides informed me that the naval officers at Ferrol also reported
that the Stonewall could not go to sea without more extensive and more
thorough work being done upon her, but that I was right, and the work
could not be done.
He had told Mr. Mercier that he did not know how he could very well give
an order to detain the ship merely because he requested it, but that the
ship could not leave port with the Niagara stopping the way, even if she
were seaworthy, which she is not; and meantime he might write to Mr.
Drouyn de Lhuys to send on the commission
rogatoire in an official form, and it should be executed.
But, I said, you have just notified me that the 24-hours rule would be
enforced in the sailing of the Stonewall and the Niagara. Mr. Benavides
replied that that was the rule adopted by all nations in such cases, but
in answering some observations of mine on the rule, I noticed that Mr.
Benavides was not fully convinced that it would stop the Niagara if the
Stonewall should get under way, only he hoped that in no event would
there be any fighting between the two ships within the Spanish
jurisdiction.
He mentioned the admiration of the Spanish naval officers on inspecting
the Niagara, and was so good as to congratulate me on the success of my
labors to detain the Stonewall, and render her career abortive.
I took advantage of the moment to say how painful it had been to me,
after nearly four years of war, in which there had been no complaint,
and after fourteen years that I had been in personal contact with her
Majesty’s government, to be obliged to throw myself into open conflict
with him, in a case where I well knew that this government had no
interest or sympathy to satisfy, but was only animated by a wish to get
rid of an unwelcome visitor as promptly as possible.
Mr. Benavides said that was exact. I remarked, however, that it was the
inflexible determination of my government to put a stop to the fitting
out of armed vessels in Europe to make war against the United States,
and though I knew that this ram had chosen the ports of Spain as the
scene of her preparations, much against the pleasure of the Spanish
government, yet he must see that I had no course open but to perform my
duty.
Mr. Benavides said that I was right, and my government was right; that he
had no sympathy at all with the insurgents in rebellion against the
government of the United States, and that no more work should be done on
that ship.
I have also seen Mr. Banuelos to-day, who has confirmed this promise by
informing me that, in view of my note and telegrams of the 18th instant,
an official letter had been sent from the state department to that of
the navy not to allow any more work to be done on the Stonewall.
I enclose for your information copies of the telegrams received in this
legation on this subject from the 12th to the 20th instant, (enclosure
D,) Also enclosure E, three letters from the consular agent at Oorunna,
giving valuable information. Enclosure F, two letters from Mr.
Fernandez, at Ferrol, one of which marked private, in which he informs
me that he was performing his
[Page 498]
duties under the severe affliction of the loss of his wife by death on
the 2d instant, will call your attention.
I trust that the most just claim of this old and valuable servant of our
government for relief, presented to you in Mr. Koerner’s despatch No.
74, of January 21, 1864, and again by me in No. 148, of December 11,
1864, will not be passed by unheeded. His services on this occasion have
been excellent. You will notice his testimony to the effect that the
vigilance exercised by the authorities over the
Stonewall has been vigorous and effective.
Enclosure G, a private note from Mr. Banuelos, also confirms for you the
fact that no transshipment of effects from the tender Louisa Anna Fanny
to the Stonewall was allowed. The former then sailed for Bermuda,
according to the accounts of the authorities which I saw at the state
department in Madrid. If the Sacramento could have been at her post she
would not have escaped. I am told that this ship is at last nearly ready
to sail from Lisbon.
With sentiments of the highest respect, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington.
[Enclosure A.—Despatch No. 168.]
Case of the Stonewall at Ferrol.—Telegrams sent out
by Mr. Perry, from February 9, at night,
to February 18, at night, 1865.
No. 1.
[Telegram.—February
9, at night.]
His Excellency the Minister of the United
States, Lisbon:
Has the Sacramento sailed? Let her lose no time. I am afraid the
ram will be off tomorrow.
No. 2.
[Telegram at 9 1/2 a. m.,
February
10, 1865.]
M. le Chargé d’Affaires des Etats Unis à
Paris:
Le corsaire Stonewall s’en ira probablement demain,
No. 3.
[Telegram at 9 1/2 a. m.,
February
10, 1865.]
[Official service.]
His Excellency the Minister of the United
States, London:
The confederate iron-clad ram will probably start again for
Ferrol to-morrow.
No. 4.
[Telegram at 9 1/2 p. m.,
February
10, 1865.]
To the American Minister, Lisbon:
If that ship cannot move forward immediately to help Captain
Craven on the scene of action, she certainly is in a most
unfortunate condition.
No. 6.
[Telegram at 4 p. m., February 11,
1865.]
James E. Harvey, Minister of the United States,
Lisbon:
Niagara has just arrived at Corunna. Let the Sacramento lose no
time in going to join her. The corsair badly damaged is still at
Ferrol. Lose no time.
[Page 499]
No. 7.
[Translation.]
[Telegram at 4 p. m., February 11,
1865.]
Sr. Fernandez, Consular Agent of the United
States at Ferrol:
Send a reliable person aboard the frigate to inform him
immediately.
PERRY, Chargé
d’Affaires.
No. 8.
[Telegram at 4 p. m., February 11,
1865.]
To Captain Craven, abordo la fragata de guerra
Niagara, en Corunna:
Welcome, captain. The Sacramento coming round from Cadiz has
stopped at Lisbon for repairs. I have used every exertion to get
her started again. Better send her a telegram direct from
yourself.
The Chargé d’Affaires,
PERRY.
No. 9.
[Translation.]
[Telegram at 9 o’clock a. m.,
February
12, 1865.]
United States Consular Agent at
Corunna:
Why don’t you communicate to me the arrival of a vessel-of-war at
your port? What vessel is it? Who commands? Has the captain
received a telegram from me?
The Chargé d’Affaires,
PERRY.
No. 10.
[Telegram at 9 a. m., February 12,
1865.]
M. le Chargé d’Affaires des Etats Unis, à
Paris:
The Niagara has arrived at Corunna. The Stonewall at Ferrol
commencing repairs. The Sacramento at Lisbon making repairs.
Your telegram not official has been received.
No. 11.
[Telegram at 10 o’clock p. m.,
February
12, 1865.]
Al Capitan Craven, aborda la fragata de guerre
Niagara, Corunna:
The ram is fathering her helm-ports, reported to need three days,
but keep a sharp look out at night; she is fast. The agent at
Ferrol, Antonio J. Fernandez, is trustworthy. No news from the
Sacramento.
No. 12.
[Telegram at 10 o’clock p. m.,
February
12, 1865.]
Mr. Harvey, Minister United States,
Lisbon:
Has the Sacramento started? Captain Craven expects ber at
Corunna.
No. 13.
[Telegram at 1 p. m., February 14,
1865.]
Mr. Harvey, American Minister at
Lisbon:
For God’s sake get the Sacramento off immediately. The Stonewall
will be ready to sail to-morrow. A second steamer under English
flag has just entered Ferrol, very suspicious. Supposed consort
of the Stonewall.
[Page 500]
No. 14.
[Telegram.–February 14,
1865.]
Mr. Harvey, American minister, Lisbon:
The new-comer is a blockade-runner with men, ammunition, and
supplies for the Stonewall.
No. 15.
[Telegram at 3-o’clock p. m.,
February
14, 1865.]
M. le Chargé d’Affaires des Etats Unis à
Paris:
A blockade-runner steamer under English flag has entered Ferrol
with men, ammunition, and supplies for the Stonewall. This ship
will be ready to sail to-day. The Niagara is vigilant. The
Sacramento is still at Lisbon in spite of all my efforts,
No. 16.
[Translation.]
[Telegram.–February
14, at night.]
To the Consular Agent of the United States at
Ferrol:
Orders have been given not to allow the transshipment of men,
munitions, and supplies from the Louisa Ann Fanny to the
Stonewall, and that she should not better her condition in these
respects while in Spanish waters. Watch over its execution.
No. 17.
[Telegram.–February
14, at night.]
Capitan Craven, abordo del Niagara,
Corunna:
Peremptory orders have been sent to prevent the Stonewall from
taking any men, ammunition, or supplies from the Louisa Ann
Fanny, or from any other quarter, while in Spanish
jurisdiction.
[No. 18.]
[Telegram.–February 16,
1865.]
Captain Craven abordo la fragata Niagara,
Ferrol:
I have been notified that the 24-hours rule will be enforced in
the sailing of Niagara and Stonewall. The Louisa Ann Fanny has
gone to Bermuda, by official accounts.
No. 19.
[Telegram.–February 16,
1865.–Translation.]
To Fernandez, U S. Consular Agent at
Ferrol:
Orders have been given that 24 hours must
elapse between the sailing of the Niagara and the
Stonewall. The English steamer has been to Bermuda according to
official news. Notify Captain Craven.
No. 20
[Telegram.–Madrid, Friday night,
February
17, 1865.]
[Official service. To Secretary of State, Washington.]
Thomas Dudley, United States Consul,
Liverpool:
The repairs granted to rebel ram at Ferrol are finished, but she
is reported incapable of service. I oppose more work. Her
commander starts for Paris Her constructor expected from
Bordeaux. Niagara vigilant. Sacramento not arrived.
[Page 501]
No. 21.
[Telegram.–February 17,
1865.]
James Harvey, American Minister,
Lisbon:
Repairs on Stonewall limited; since finished is reported in very
bad condition; cannot go to sea; leaks badly; her commander
starts for Paris; ber builder expected from Bordeaux. Consul
says will have to be abandoned. Niagara vigilant. Where is
Sacramento?
No. 22.
[Telegram.–February 17,
1865.]
M. le Charge d’Affairs des Etats Unis à
Paris:
Limited repairs on Stonewall are finished; reported,
notwithstanding, in very bad condition; cannot go to sea; leaks
badly; her commander starts for Paris; her builder is expected
from Bordeaux; consul says will have to be abandoned. Niagara at
Ferrol; Sacramento not arrived; letter by mail.
No. 23.
[Telegram.–Night of the 18th of
February, 1865.]
[To Secretary of State, Washington.]
Eastman, American consul, Queenstown,
Cork:
Spanish minister will not allow more work on Stonewall. The ship
is wholly unseaworthy. Her commander has started for Madrid.
Slidell is also expected here.
B.
Legation of the United
States, Paris,
February 8, 1865.
Dear Sir: I was gratified to learn by your
telegrams of Monday and to-day that the Stonewall can be detained a
few days; that will suffice for the frigate Niagara, Captain Braven,
which I presume left Dover on Monday to reach Ferrol.
The French government decline to meddle with the Stonewall in Spain.
Their theory, to which they will naturally adhere as long as
possible, is that she was a Danish vessel till she went into
confederate hands, and that it is for Denmark and not for France to
intercede with Spain for her detention.
As no assistance is to be expected from this quarter, you will need
no suggestions from any one to use every proper influence with the
Spanish government to detain the Stonewall, at least until you hear
from our government.
I do not know the relative strength of the two vessels, but the
result of a conflict between the Stonewall and Niagara might be
sufficiently uncertain to make it bad policy to risk one
unnecessarily. Upon that point, however, Captain Craven is a
competent authority. The Stonewall carries one 300-pounder and two
120-pounders, I am told, in addition to any guns she may have
received the other day from the Duke of Richmond.
I remain dear sir, your very obedient servant,
Hon. Horatio J. Perry, Legation of the United States.
[Untitled]
Legation of the United
States, Madrid,
Sunday, February 12,
1865.
Dear Sir: I send my despatch of February 8,
with enclosures, for Mr. Seward, through you, as the shortest way of
giving you an idea of the affair here. Pray do not let it miss the
Cunard steamer of this week, as I know the Spanish government has
made up a large package to be sent to Mr. Tassara at Washington, and
our side of the question ought to be there by the same steamer
without fail.
I am preparing the enclosures of another despatch, bringing the
history down to to-day, and will send it also through you, if it can
be done in time so as not to miss the steamer by passing a day in
your hands.
[Page 502]
The Niagara is on the ground at Corunna in good time. The Stonewall
has been obligea to lighten ship to get at the work she requires to
be done, and is delayed. Perhaps she will not be so prompt to leave
now the Niagara bars the way. But I am not content with the
Sacramento. It looks a good deal as if she was afraid. He started on
the 4th from Cadiz, where he has been idle for near two months, but
I found him putting in at Lisbon for repairs, and when he heard the
corsair was an iron-clad, Mr. Harvey sends me word he would need ten
days for his repairs. I trust the news of the arrival of the Niagara
will have the effect to make him move on. I have had bad reports
from Cadiz about the loyalty of some of the officers of this ship.
Have you ever heard anything of the kind?
Yours faithfully, &c, &c,
John Bigelow, Esq., &c., &c., &c., Paris.
P. S.;—I have your letter in which
you inform me that nothing is to be hoped from the French
government. I am afraid Mercier’s intervention or conversation
on this subject here has been positively injurious; he sustains
a point de vue entirely distinct from my
own, as do most other Frenchmen.
[Enclosure C, with No. 168.]
Note of Mr. Perry to Mr. Benavides.
Legation of the United States at
Madrid,
February 18, 1865.
Sir: I have the honor to transmit enclosed
copies of telegrams, received from the consular agents of the United
States at Ferrol and Corunna, from which it appears that since the
repairs done to the rebel iron-cladram Stonewall are finished, she
is still found to be incapable to do service as a vessel-of-war on
the high seas. The difficulty consists, as I am informed, not in the
damage or breakage of any particular part sustained by accident in
her previous navigation, for these have already been repaired, but
in certain radical defects and incompleteness in her construction.
She needs to be wholly rebuilt, the defects of her construction
remedied, and what was left incomplete supplied, before she will be
fit for service.
For this purpose her builder is expected from Bordeaux, and what was
not permitted by the imperial government to be done in the ports of
France, it is hoped may now be accomplished at the naval arsenal of
Ferrol. I respectfully submit to your excellency that this phase of,
the question now clearly apparent, takes this ship entirely out of
the provisions of the 3d article of the royal decree of June 17,
1861, and places her unmistakably within the scope of the
prohibition of the 1st article of that decree.
It has been my duty to protest and reserve the rights of my
government entirely in the matter of any and all repairs to this
iron-clad ram, but I do not hesitate to say that the repair of any
accidental damage sustained in navigation is one thing, and the
reconstruction of this vessel, or the completion of her
construction, in a Spanish port, would be quite another, and a much
graver thing under every light in which it can be viewed.
The first kind of repairs have been granted to this ship, and
completed, as I understand, in obedience to a theory or principle
not acquiesced in by me, but which your excellency will not fail to
defend with recognized ability in the intelligence that it involves
no offence, certainly no intentional offence, to the government of
the United States.
But would your excellency defend the rebuilding or completion of this
ram in Spanish ports by any argument under any theory either of the
general relations of peace and friendship which her Catholic Majesty
professes towards the government of the United States, or of those
duties of so-called neutrality which Spain imposed upon herself in
the royal decree of June 17, 1861?
Is there any difference of principle between the total building of
this ship in a Spanish port and the partial building and completion
of the vessel which it seems her owners find it convenient to
undertake within this jurisdiction?
If this steam ram is not, and never has been, capable to undertake
hostilities against the United States, and seeks now to be put in
condition for the first time in a Spanish port to commence those
hostilities, what does it matter practically to my government, or
theoretically to the principles involved, whether she has been built
from her keel upwards at the same port?
It would hardly be complimentary to the clear perception of your
excellency to insist further in these reflections; I beg, therefore,
to submit the facts in the firm conviction that the repairs of these
damages which the naval authorities of her Majesty considered might
be fairly attributed to the accidents of navigation. Being already
furnished, your excellency will not, at least, grant me the
assurance that nothing more shall be done, and that the faults or
incompleteness of the original construction of this machiné of war
shall not be supplied or remedied in the ports of her Catholic
Majesty.
On my own part I shall take a most sincere pleasure in transmitting
such an assurance
[Page 503]
promptly
to my government, as calculated, in my opinion, to attenuate the
importance of the disagreement marked by my protest of the 9th
instant.
I avail myself of the occasion to renew to your excellency the
assurance of my most distinguished consideration.
His Excellency the Minister of State of
her Catholic Majesty.
No. 1.
[Telegram.—Ferroll, February
15, 9h. 12m. a.
m.–Translation.]
The Consular Agent of the United States to the
Chargé d’Affaires.
The Niagara in this port. The Stonewall to-day, they say, will be
ready. I received telegram—am informed.
No. 2.
[Telegram.—Ferroll, 13th
February–Madrid, 4h. 25m. p.
m.]
Stonewall through with repairs. Niagara getting ready. I am
ignorant of the day of departure of the first.
No. 3.
[Telegram.—Ferroll, 17th
February, 4h. 45m. p. m.]
Stonewall unable to go out. Much water. Her commander goes to
Paris. Her builder is expected from Bordeaux I think she is
abandoned. Niagarain port, We receive telegrams.
No. 4.
From the Consular
Agent at Corunna to the Chargé d’Affaires of the United
States.
[Telegram.—Corunna, February
18.]
The confederate captain of the Stonewall has gone to Madrid and
Paris.
No. 1.
[With No.
168.—-Translation.]
[Telegram.—Corunna, February 12,
1865.]
To the Chargé d’Affaires of the United
States:
I have just come back from an absence caused by important matters
of duty, which I will communicate to you seasonably. The
telegrams from you on yesterday are received.
FUENTES, Consular Agent of the United
States.
No. 2.
[Telegram.—Corunna, February 13,
1865.]
I have been to the Lisargas islands. There we found fragments of
a vessel which I think North American, and that her crew is on
board the Stonewall. Particulars by mail.
[Page 504]
No. 3.
[Official
despatch.–Telegram.—Corunna,
February
12.]
Perry, American Chargé d’Affaires:
Pledges were given by the French government to our late minister,
Dayton, that the ram should not be transferred to the rebels.
Cannot Bigelow, at Paris, obtain the intervention of French with
that of Spanish government to arrest the ram now fitting out at
Ferrol, or to detain her until her case has been thoroughly
investigated.
CRAVEN, Commanding the
Niagara.
Memorandum—This was answered
immediately to the effect that Mr. Bigelow and myself had
already done everything which could be done, and that there
was no reliance to be placed on anything except his
guns.
No. 4.
[Telegram.—Vigo, February 13,
1865.]
To the United States Minister:
The Niagara has just reached Corunna.
No. 5.
[Telegram.—Ferrol, February 14,
1865.]
To the Chargé d’ Affaires of the United States
of America:
Stonewall will be ready to-day. English steamer came in called
the Louisa Ann Fanny. Very suspicious. We watch her.
No. 6.
[Telegram.—Corunna, February 14,
1865.]
Perry, American Chargé d’ Affaires:
I have this moment received information of the arrival at Ferrol
yesterday of an English blockade-runner, named Louisa Ann Fanny,
with men, ammunition, and other supplies for the Stonewall.
No. 7.
[Telegram.—Ferrol, February 15,
1865.]
To the Chargé d’Affaires of the United
States:
The Niagara at this port. The Stonewall, they say, will be ready
to-day. I received the telegram.
No. 8.
[Telegram.—Corunna, February
15.]
Hon. Horatio Perry, Chargé d’Affaires of the
United States of America:
Niagara left for Ferrol last night. All your surmises stated in
your communication of the 9 th are true.
[Page 505]
No. 9.
[Telegram.—February,
1865.]
To the Chargé d’ Affaires of the United
States:
Stonewall repairs finished. Niagara getting ready. I am ignorant
of the day of departure of the first.
No. 10.
[Telegram.—February 17,
1865.]
To the Chargé d’ Affaires of the United
States:
Stonewall unable to go out. Much water. Her commander goes to
Paris. Builder is expected from Bordeaux. I think she is
abandoned. Niagara in port. We receive telegrams.
No. 11.
[Telegram.—Corunna, February
18.]
Mr. Perry, Chargé d’Affaires of the United
States:
The captain of the confederate Stonewall has gone ta Madrid and
Paris, it is said, to buy another vessel for the south.
No. 12.
[Telegram.—Lisbon, February
18.]
Horatio Perry, American Legation,
Madrid:
Has Stonewall been allowed to repair at Ferrol, as alleged in
Spanish papers?
No. 13.
[Telegram.—February
20, 12.15 p.m.]
To the Chargé d’Affaires United States,
Madrid:
No news. Stonewall the same. The Sacramento is expected.
[Enclosure E, with No. 168.]
Consular Agency of the
United States, Corunna,
February 8,
1885.
Honorable Sir: I beg leave to
acknowledge the receipt of your telegram of the 4th instant.
Pursuant to your instructions, I have protested with the utmost
energy before the proper authorities of Corunna and Ferrol, The
captain general of this province informs me that he has
forwarded copies of my protest to the minister of war at Madrid
and captain general of marine at Ferrol.
The Stonewall is now at Ferrol, for which port she left
yesterday, with the object of getting her repairs executed at a
private arsenal. The above-mentioned privateer is seriously
damaged by a leak on her bows, and she has a crew of about
eighty men. I shall be happy to act upon your excellency’s
instructions.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. G. FUENTES,U. S. Consular
Agent.
His Excellency the Minister of the U. S.
of America at Madrid.
8 o’clock, p. m.
I have received this moment a telegram from the captain
general of marine at Ferrol, informing me that, in regard to
the repairs of the Stonewall, he will act according to the
instructions he has received from his government.
[Page 506]
[Translation.]
Consular Agency of the
United States of America, Corunna,
February 2
1865.
I have the honor to inform you that yesterday afternoon there
entered this port, with serious damages, the confederate screw
steamer Stonewall, arriving from Copenhagen. This is a
ship-of-war, iron-clad, and with a ram. She was purchased a few
days since at Copenhagen, and has on board the officers and crew
of the ship of the same class, the Florida. It is probable she
may go on to Ferrol, at which place she will remain some time
for the repair of the serious damages. There is also a
possibility that her presence on this coast may relate to the
burning of a vessel which, arrested by a storm, got aground
among the Lisargas islands, and which, according to all the
notices that have reached me, combines all probabilities that
she is North American. I am engaged in elucidating all that is
positive in this respect, and in season, in fulfilment of my
duty, will bring to your knowledge the result of my
investigation.
I salute you, consul, with my most distinguished
consideration.
ANTO. GRA. FUENTES, Consular
Agent.
CONSUL of the United States, Vigo.
[Translation.]
Consular Agency of the
United States of America, Corunna.
February 13,
1865.
I have the honor to bring to your knowledge that, on the 14th of
January last, a ship grounded on the greater island of Lisargas,
which had been burned—apparently of about two thousand tons,
coming from the southward. The ship, which had been noticed at
some distance, was completely abandoned, and had no crew. Having
heard she belonged to the United States of America, I went at
once to the scene of the disaster, and, from the fragments
picked up by residents on the island, who declared they had seen
the North American flag floating among the waves—because of the
combination of colors painted on a shield which formed part of
the poop of the shipwrecked vessel, by her build, and the cargo
of timber she contained—I in fact satisfied myself that the
vessel burned was doubtless one of the ships which come
periodically to the ports of Cevaca and Ferrol with spars and
timber for the Spanish government.
The cruiser Stonewall having come to this port a short time
afterwards, and which might, perhaps, be the author of the
destruction of said vessel, I determined to visit the
confederate ship incognito, and gather some data that might, in
one case or another, be useful to the government of the republic
which I have the honor to represent. This plan 1 could not
successfully carry through; but I satisfied myself, from the
surprise and confusion manifested by the crew of the confederate
vessel, on listening to well-dissembled interrogatories, that
they had been the cause of the disaster anticipated, and that
the crew of the vessel fired was then on board in the hold.
This was the cause I was not at my post on
the arrival at this port of the United States frigate Niagara,
Captain Craven. All your telegrams have been received. The
confederate cruiser continues at Ferrol, repairing damages. It
is supposed she has obtained leave of the government for this
purpose.
I salute you with the most distinguished consideration.
The Chargé d’Affaires of the United
States at Madrid.
The steam-ram Stonewall was built at Bordeaux, and left the
above-named port with a Danish crew; was transferred to the
rebels at sea, with her present armament on board. The
Danish coat-of-arms is still attached to the stern of said
vessel. She was, by avowed intention, looking after the
United States frigates Niagara and Sacramento, when a severe
leak about her stern obliged her to enter this port for
repairs. Forty men from a private ship-yard are doing the
repairs, aided by shipwrights from the arsenal at Ferrol.
The decks of the Stonewall are of wood, with plating of iron
one inch thick beneath.
[Enclosure F, with No. 168.]
Ferrol,
February 13,
1865.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge
the receipt of your kind letter of the 9th instant. In reply to
the same I beg you to allow me to manifest to you that, being a
faithful servant of the wise government of Washington during
twenty-eight years, I am disposed to make all kinds of
sacrifices in the present circumstances to fulfil my duties, and
assure you I do not rest.
[Page 507]
I have also to inform you that my worthy friend Mr. Palm,
engineer at this dock-yard, (and a true American,) renders me a
great service in obtaining many particulars regarding the
Stonewall, and in sight of your telegram, I send him to Corunna
to see the commander of the Niagara, to give him knowledge of
all. The Stonewall, according to the general report of her crew,
was built at Bordeaux, and went to Copenhagen; armament and crew
were furnished by an English vessel, whose name I have not been
able to ascertain; and said vessel will be ready for sea in
course of three or four days, and I will be disappointed if she
does not fall into the hands of our ships, and with more reason,
as it is the intention of the captain to destroy all merchant
vessels she may find in her way to America.
Sorry you have taken the trouble to send me the letter of credit;
the expenses at present are only for telegrams to you.
I beg you, sir, to acknowledge my gratitude for your kind
attention to my just claim, and hope justice will be made to me
by our government, to whom I sincerely wish prosperity and
victory, and remain, sir, your most obedient servant,
Horatio J. Perry, Esq., United States
Chargé d’Affaires, Madrid.
[Enclosure G, with No. 168.]
Mr. Banuelos to Mr. Perry.
Ministerio de
Estado,
February 16,
1865.
Dear Sir: I have been waiting for you
two hours. I wish to see you a moment, and will be en ministère
this evening, not being able to go to Rue d’Alcala to present
mes homages a Mme. Perry.
No transshipment allowed à ce soir.
Yours, sincerely,
