Mr. Hunter to Mr.
Tassara
Department of State, Washington,
October 21, 1865.
Sir: I have the honor to communicate a copy of
a letter of this date, addressed to this department by the Secretary of
the Navy, on the subject of the insurgent ram Stonewall, which is now at
Havana in the custody of her Catholic Majesty’s authorities, for
delivery to the proper officer of this government. It appears that the
United States steamers Rhode Island and Hornet, the former under command
of Alexander Murray, will leave here on Monday next for the purpose of
receiving the Stonewall. Any communication which you may have occasion
to address to the captain general of Cuba on the subject will be borne
by Commander Murray, as indicated by Mr. Welles.
I am, sir, with high consideration, your obedient servant,
W. HUNTER, Acting
Secretary.
Señor Don Gabriel Garcia y Tassara, &c., &c., Washington.
Mr. Welles to Mr. Hunter
Navy
Department,
October 21, 1865.
Sir: Referring to the subject of the
surrender of the ram Stonewall to the United States, I have the
honor to inform you that the United States steamer Rhode Island,
accompanied by the United States steamer Hornet, will sail from
Washington on Monday next for Havana for the purpose of bringing the
Stonewall to Washington.
Commander Alexander Murray, commanding the Rhode Island, is charged
with the duty of receiving the Stonewall from the Spanish
government, and has been authorized and directed to reimburse all
reasonable expenses that have been incurred by the Spanish
authorities in
[Page 578]
connexion
with the surrender and custody of that vessel, among them the item
of sixteen thousand dollars referred to in the note of Mr. Tassara
addressed to the Secretary of State on the 14th of July last, and
communicated to this department.
As you may wish to communicate with the minister of Spain, or with
the consul general of the United States at Havana, with regard to
the delivery and reception of the Stonewall, I advise you of the
proposed departure of the Rhode Island, by which vessel any
communication that you or the Spanish minister may have to send to
Havana can be transmitted.
Commander Murray’s orders have reference to the reception of the
Stonewall only; and if any additional instruction from you to the
consul general, or from the Spanish ministers to the authorities at
Havana, is necessary to insure the delivery to Commander Murray of
the Stonewall, it should be sent to the department in season to be
forwarded by the Rhode Island on Monday next.
Very respectfully, &c,
GIDEON WELLES,Secretary of the
Navy.
Hon. William Hunter, Acting Secretary of State.
