No. 4.— Case of the Stonewall at Lisbon.
Mr.
Harvey, United States
minister, to Mr. Seward,
Secretary of State.
Lisbon, March 28, 1865.
[425] Sir: I have the honor to inform you that the rebel cruiser Stonewall, a most formidable iron-clad ship, *entered this port on Sunday evening, the 26th instant, having left Ferrol the previous day. As the flag which was flaunted from her mast-head was entirely unknown here, and somewhat resembles that of the Russian service, she was generally supposed to belong to that navy; and, in fact, the real character of the vessel was not ascertained positively until, the next morning, when certain individuals, calling themselves officers, published their disloyalty in the streets in gray uniform and arrogant language.
As soon as I was informed of the identity of the craft, immediate steps were taken, personally, to have her ordered out of port, and they were followed later in the day by a formal note to Duke de Louie, now inclosed, (marked A,) which will explain itself.
Assurances were given without hesitation that the vessel would be required to depart within twenty-four hours; and I have occasion to know that the orders were at once made, and the notice officially communicated to the Stonewall.
Large inducements were held out to procure enlistments in Lisbon. As much as £10 sterling monthly wages, and £15 bounty were offered, but only one misguided and dissipated victim was secured, and he by a process of kidnapping. The fact only came to light too late to be visited with the penalty which I should certainly have assisted in seeing enforced.
[426] *I also communicate herewith, marked E, a copy in translation of the note of the Duke de Loulé, in reply to mine of yesterday’s date.
These papers and this general statement concerning the cruiser Stonewall since her presence in the Tagus will enable the President and the Department to appreciate understandingly the official proceedings which were adopted to meet an exceptional and vexatious emergency.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. Wm. H. Seward,
Secretary of State.