No. 182.]
Legation of the United States,
Madrid,
April 1, 1865.
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington.
Commodore Cratèri to Mr. Perry
United States Ship Niagara,
Corunna,
March 25, 1865.
Dear Sir: After lying in the harbor of
Ferrol some six or seven weeks, and there thoroughly completed her
equipments and supplies, enlisted and drilled her men, the Stonewall
on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week made her appearance outside
and directly to the north of this harbor, but the state of the sea
was not favorable for her purposes, and while the Niagara and
Sacramento were on their way out she returned
to her old anchorage—the first time on the plea of having again
sprung a leak; the second on the pretext that her ballast had
shifted and that her gun had gotten loose.
On yesterday morning, the weather being remarkably calm and the sea
perfectly smooth, she again made her appearance, and with feelings
that no one can appreciate, I was obliged to undergo the deep
humiliation of knowing that she was there steaming back and forth
flaunting her flags and waiting for me to go out to the attack.
(I dared not do it.) The condition of the sea
was such that it would have been perfect madness for me to go out.
We could not possibly have inflicted the slightest injury upon her,
and should have exposed ourselves to almost instant destruction—a
one sided combat, which I do not consider myself called upon to
engage in.
This afternoon I have learnt that the Stonewall was last seen at an
early hour this morning steaming to the westward.
I am now on my way out, and shall proceed towards Lisbon. I have the
honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. H. J. Perry, Chargé d’affaires, &c., &c., Madrid.
