Mr. Wood to Mr. Seward
Sir: I should have stated, in connexion with your despatch No. 106, that this government never acknowledged the belligerency of the confederate rebel States, would never have permitted the Staerkodder, or Stonewall, to leave this port had her character been known, and never would have permitted her to coal in a Danish port. It was on my suggestion that Consul Hansen put himself in communication with some one or more of the former crew of that ship, though the [Page 178] information thus elicited and communicated has not been wholly borne out by the judicial investigation and examination. I believe now that the department has all the facts of the case, if my despatches have been duly received.
I remain, &c., your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State.