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

Mr. Seward to Mr. de Geofroy

Department of State, Washington, January 18, 1865.

Sir: Referring to previous correspondence between yourself and this department, relative to the construction in the ports of the United States of vessels destined to cruise against the commerce of France under letters of marque issued by President Juarez, of Mexico, I have the honor to enclose for your information a letter of the 3d instant, with the accompaniments from the Attorney General’s office.

I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration, sir, your most obedient servant,

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

Mr. L. de Geofroy, &c., &c., &c.

Mr. Pleasants to Mr. Seward

Attorney General’s Office, Washington, January 3, 1865.

Sir: By direction of the Attorney General, I have the honor to transmit you herewith a letter from the United States marshal for the eastern district of Louisiana, Cuthbert Bullitt, esq., in reply to instructions addressed to him by this office, relative to the alleged construction in New Orleans of vessels “destined to cruise against French commerce under letters of max que issued by Mr. Juarez, of Mexico.”

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

M. F. PLEASANTS, Acting Chief Clerk

Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State.

Mr. Bullitt to Mr. Speed

Office U. S. Marshal, Eastern District Louisiana, New Orleans, December 23, 1864.

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your esteemed favor of the 3d instant, with a copy of a letter from Mr. L. de Geofroy to the honorable Secretary of State, in which he alleges “that there are vessels being constructed in this port destined to cruise against French commerce under letters of marque issued by Mr. Juarez, of Mexico.” I have made every effort to discover if there is any foundation for this report, and called on the commanding general as well as the French consul in regard to it. They agree with me that there is no ground for the complaint.

With much respect, your obedient servant,

CUTHBERT BULLITT, United States Marshal.

Hon. James Speed, Attorney General of the United States, Washington.