Mr. Morris to Mr. Seward.

No. 272.]

Sir: Having on a previous occasion reported the reply of Fuad Pasha to my application for permission for Admiral Farragut’s flag-ship, the Franklin, to pass the Dardanelles, I have now the honor to transmit inclosed translated copies of my two notes on this subject, and also the circular dispatch of his Highness Fuad Pasha to the representatives of the powers parties to the treaty of Paris of 1856.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

E. JOY MORRIS.

Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.

Mr. Morris to Fuad Pasha.

Highness: The flag-ship of Admiral Farragut having arrived at the Dardanelles, I have the honor to solicit that permission be granted to said vessel to pass the straits. Although vessels of war of the size of the Franklin are excluded from the straits by the existing treaties, exceptions have been made from time to time in favor of such Vessels, when having on board a prince of royal blood. Hereditary dignities do not exist in the United States. If these exceptions are exclusively confined to princes of the blood, the historical personages of the United States cannot profit by the same, and an invidious distinction will thus be established against them by the Porte.

Admiral Farragut is the officer of highest rank in the American navy, and the most distinguished. His achievements in the late civil war greatly contributed to the salvation of his country and to the preservation of the American Union against its enemies. [Page 118] His fame has become cosmopolitan, and he has been received in all the courts of Europe with princely honors. Sovereigns have granted him extraordinary honors, regarding rather the facts of his history than his rank.

Admiral Farragut having been received with such distinction elsewhere, I venture to hope that his Majesty the Sultan, with his usual appreciation of distinguished exploits and services, will accord to him the exception heretofore only made in favor of princes.

The admiral desires to bring the Franklin to Constantinople exclusively for purposes of courtesy to a power with which the United States has always maintained the best relations, and with which it seeks to remain on the most friendly terms.

I beg your Highness to do me the honor to submit these considerations to his Majesty the Sultan, and to assure him that the concession of the desired permission will be regarded as a compliment to the American people, and to one of its most faithful and distinguished servants.

I avail myself of this occasion to renew to your highness the assurances of my perfect consideration.

E. JOY MORRIS.

Mr. Morris to Fuad Pasha.

Highness: I have had the honor to receive the note by which you inform me that his Majesty the Sultan has granted permission for the passage of the Dardanelles to the flag-ship of Admiral Farragut. This exception to the provisions of the treaties relative to vessels of war which are allowed to pass the straits in time of peace will be esteemed as a proof of regard for the republic of the United States, and for the gallant officer who so worthily sustained the honor of its flag during the recent civil war. It will give me much pleasure to communicate this friendly proceeding to my government. It will, I am sure, have a tendency to improve the good understanding so happily existing between the two countries.

I avail myself, &c., &c.,

E. JOY MORRIS.

Circular dispatch of Fuad Pacha to the representatives of the poivers parties to the treaty of Paris of 1856.

The flag-ship of Admiral Farragut having arrived at the Dardanelles, the United States legation, admitting the principle of the closing of the straits as established by the treaties, has expressed to us the desire that the said vessel should be permitted to pass through the straits to Constantinople. The dimensions of the naval vessel in question are, it is true, beyond the limitations stipulated in the treaty of Paris; but his Imperial Majesty the Sultan, wishing to testify his regard for the great American republic, and to see this magnificent frigate, has for this purpose, and in a manner altogether exceptional, granted the requested permission. I have deemed it my duty to bring this fact to the knowledge of the representatives of the powers parties to the above treaty, and I beg them to take notice of the exceptional character of the granted authorization, which, I have no doubt, they will find sufficiently justified.

FUAD.