Papers Relating to Foreign Affairs, Accompanying the Annual Message of the President to the First Session Thirty-ninth Congress, Part II

Mr. Welles to Mr. Seward

Navy Department, Washington, October 4, 1865.

Sir: I have the honor to inform you that it is proposed by this department to despatch a steamer to Havana, about the 20th of this month, for the purpose of bringing the Stonewall to the United States. In informing you of this purpose, I take occasion to suggest that an inquiry be made of the Spanish minister at Washington, whether the Harriet Lane, a vessel belonging to this government, which had been seized and held by the rebels, or other property recently in the possession of the rebel government, that may be in the waters of Cuba, will be surrendered to the United States at the same time. If so, arrangements can be made for the removal of the same to some one of our own ports. The Harriet Lane you will remember as a vessel belonging to the United States navy and captured by the insurgents at Galveston, Texas.

Very respectfully, &c,

GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy.

Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State.