Mr. Perry to Mr.
Seward
No. 189.]
Legation of the United States,
Madrid,
April 21, 1865.
Sir: I beg to enclose copies of Mr. Beravides
notes to me of February 12th and April 5th, on the subject of the recent
visit of the Stonewall iron-clad pirate at Ferrol, which papers will
complete the series of documents on this subject.
A good many consular letters, advices, &c, not considered material to
your full understanding of this subject, and to its history in the
archives of the Department of State, remain on file in this
legation.
With date April 14th, at Tenerife, our consul, Mr. Dabney, informed me
that the Stonewall had called at that port and remained 24 hours, having
made the run from Lisbon in three days; that she received 130 tons of
coal, and sailed again on the 1st instant, and Mr. Dabney infers from
what was understood to have been said by some of her officers that she
started for Bermuda. She only carries coals for five days steaming, so
that she will be obliged to depend upon her sails to make the
voyage.
As soon as this information reached me last evening I sent you a telegram
in the following words:
“Iron-clad Stonewall sailed April 1st from Teneriffe, supposed for
Bermuda.”
But I may be allowed to hope that the same news may have been anticipated
[Page 524]
to you through some other
channel, as Mr. Dabney had an opportunity to communicate with Mr. Adams
at London about a week earlier than he could with Madrid.
With the highest respect, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington.
[Translation.]
Department of State, Palace,
April 1, 1865.
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that,
according to the report given-by the captain general of the
department of Ferrol to the minister of marine, the Stonewall left
that port on the 24th of March last, at half past ten o’clock in the
morning, accompanied by her Majesty’s frigate Conception.
At noon, the frigate being within the following limits—Cape Prior
north 53 east, Corunna light south 32 east, and the Stonewall about
one mile ahead, about west-northwest of the meridian—the Conception
stopped her engine, lowered and raised her ensign with a cannon shot
to signify to the confederate vessel the extent of the
jurisdictional zone, and then steamed back slowly to the mouth of
the port of Ferrol, where she remained to watch the movements of the
Stonewall, which vessel came back about two p. m., hoisting Spanish
colors at the foretop, as a signal for communication.
The commander of the Conception says: “They sent the mate to me to
ask permission to return to. the entrance of the harbor and
communicate with shore. I refused permission, and said as they had
repaired damages and gone out without new accidents, they could
continue on their course. The boat went back, but soon returned,
insisting on the demand. I again refused, and added, it was an abuse
of hospitality. I afterwards steamed a little north of meridian, and
finding the Stonewall nine or ten miles north, at four o’clock I
returned to this port, (Ferrol,) where I anchored at half past
four.”
In communicating to you these details, as another proof of the desire
of the government of the Queen, my lady, to comply strictly with the
duties of neutrality imposed by the royal decree, and to preserve
and cultivate the good relations existing between Spain and the
United States, I repeat the assurance of my distinguished
consideration.
The United States Chargé
d’Affaires.
[Untitled]
Department of State. Palace,
February 12, 1865.
Sir: I have received your two notes of the
5th and 9th instant, in which, after informing me of the arrival of
the iron-clad steamer Stonewall, with three guns, 300 horse-power,
and 79 men, at the port of Ferrol, you request the government of her
Majesty the Queen not to permit the said vessel to repair, nor to
take coal and provisions, only enough to last her while in this
port.
In the present case the government of her Majesty must adhere to the
decree of the 17th of June, 1861, the object of which was to prevent
Spaniards from interfering in the struggle now going on in the
United States, as all private interest is stimulated by the hope of
gain. It was to be feared they would take part on either side.
In consequence of this the government of her Majesty has ordered
instructions to be given to the captain general of the department of
Ferrol not to permit other than necessary repairs to the steamer
Stonewall, to be determined by the commander of engineers, so as to
make her seaworthy, but not to improve or increase her sea-fitness
or military efficacy.
In reference to your remarks about the arrival of the Stonewall at
Ferrol, I must say she came with papers in due form, without the
least indication that she wished to take on articles contraband of
war; whereas examinations of her damages show she put in under
stress, for certain safety.
This being the case, the government of her Majesty could not
disregard the voice of humanity in perfect harmony with the laws of
neutrality, and does not think they are violated by allowing a
vessel only the repairs strictly necessary to navigate without
endangering the lives of the crew.
I hope you will be satisfied with these lawful reasons for the
resolution in regard to the Stonewall, and will accept the
assurances of my most distinguished consideration.
The United States Chargé
d’Affaires.
