Notice was given to the French as well as to the British commission at the first moment when this necessity was announced to this government. The French commission was received here with all the hospitalities of the government, and as soon as the exigency referred to had passed, they were sent forward to the field of observation. You may make these explanations to M. Drouyn de l'Huys. You may say to him that this government cannot admit that in either of the transactions I have thus reviewed, it has been either unjust, discourteous, or unfriendly to the government of France. This government avoids with equal care the putting unfriendly constructions upon the proceedings of the government of France and on other foreign states, and the giving of accidental offence on our own part to all foreign nations. Pursuing this course, we calmly abide events which must determine whether, in spite of our devotion to peace, the field of war on this continent must be enlarged. I am, sir, your obedient servant, WILLIAM L. DAYTON, Esq., &c., &c., &c. WILLIAM H. SEWARD. Mr. Seward to Mr. Dayton. [Extract.] No. 594.] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, June 27, 1864. SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your despatches as follows of the 8th of June, Nos. 483 and 484, and of the 10th of June, No. 485, all of which relate to the "Rappahannock," and to the ships which are building at Bordeaux and at Nantes for the insurgents. After a careful reading of these papers, I am authorized by the President to approve of all that you have said and written to M. Drouyn de l'Huys concerning those vessels. I agree with you, that what Mr. Drouyn de l'Huys has now said and written on that subject is less decisive in regard to the prevention of the vessels from going into the hands of the insurgents than his former verbal assurances, and less emphatic than this government has a right to expect. It is proper for me to remark, however, that Mr. Geofroy seems to understand the purposes of his government in respect to the vessels, and he has certainly given me expressions just as decisive as the earlier verbal assurances of M. Drouyn de l'Huys, which were accepted by yourself and by this government. Under the circumstances, we indulge a hope that before this time you will have received from him a full and distinct guarantee in reply to your note of the 7th of June, a copy of which is appended to your No. 484. I can conceive that the proceedings of the French government might be legal, so far as we are concerned, and yet that it might desire to practice reserve in regard to the future destination of the vessels. any case, it is not easy to see that you can do more than to persevere in the course of proceedings which you have hitherto pursued. * I am, sir, your obedient servant, In WILLIAM H. SEWARD. WILLIAM L. DAYTON, Esq., &c., sx., &c. No. 595.] Mr. Seward to Mr. Dayton. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, June 28, 1864. SIR: Mr. Geofroy has to-day submitted to me a despatch which has been received from M. Drouyn de l'Huys, in which he states the fact of the sale of two ships, the Yeddo and the Osacca, which Arman built for the insurgents, to alleged neutrals, to be delivered in Holland, substantially on the same terms as those which M. Drouyn de l'Huys made in communicating that transaction to yourself, as you have related them to us in your despatches. In the absence of full and definite information about the names, condition, or character of the alleged purchaser, the terms of his contract or the other circumstances of the alleged sale, this government is not prepared to pronounce its acquiescence in the disposition of the subject which has been made by the French government. We are to be understood, therefore, as maintaining in regard to France all the protests we have heretofore made concerning those vessels, and reserving all the rights and remedies in respect to the vessels themselves which belong to the United States under the law of nations. At the same time we willingly believe that the French government has taken proper care to guard against the vessels being used for making war upon the United States. SIR: I have the honor to send you herewith a translation of a letter received by my son from M. Dufour, surgeon-in-chief of the government hospital at Cherbourg. A telegram received the night before last, from our vice-consul at Cherbourg, states that Gowan, the seaman of the Kearsarge, most dangerously wounded, having a compound fracture of the leg, is dead. I am, sir, your most obedient servant. Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State, &c., &c., &c. Surgeon Dufour to Mr. Dayton. WM. L. DAYTON. CHERBOURG, June 23, 1864. SIR: I am happy to give you favorable news of the three men of the Kearsarge, who were confided to my care, and whom you saw during your visit at Cherbourg. The one whose thigh and leg were seriously injured is in as satisfactory a state as possible, and I hope to be able to avoid an amputation, the result of which, as it would have to be made very high up, would be very uncertain. The sergeant whose arm was amputated is not doing badly; the last (the third) will certainly recover. Be pleased to communicate this information to M. your father, and say to him that everything which solicitude and most lively sympathies can impose in the way of care will be given to the wounded which the fight has brought us. Be pleased, also, to believe in the great pleasure I will have to complete your acquaintance when I shall go to Paris. If you need any further information write me. Believe me your very devoted. I shake you cordially by the hand. DUFOUR, 1st Surgeon-in-chief of the Navy, President of the Board of Health. Among the men of the Alabama, the one whose fore arm was crushed gives me much anxiety; the others much less. No. 498.] Mr. Dayton to Mr. Seward. PARIS, June 30, 1864. SIR: I have the honor to send you herewith translations of two communications received from the three Japanese ambassadors, who have been residing in Paris for some time past, but who have now left on their return to Japan. Accompanying these you will please find the original communication from the Japanese ambassadors to your excellency, referred to in one of the translations enclosed. I am, sir, your obedient servant, Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD, &c., &c., &c. WM. L. DAYTON. Japanese Ambassadors to Mr. Dayton. [Translation.] To his excellency the Minister of the United States of America in France: We have to make to you the following communication: In the Magrato country of Japan was committed the unlawful act of firing cannon into an American ship, which caused great regret on account of the amicable relations of the two countries. By the express order of his majesty the Taicoon of Japan to apologize for this act, and to enter into negotiations as to the steps to be taken in order to quiet the revolutionary sentiment of the Japanese people, we left Japan in our twelfth month of the last year (in Europe, February, 1864) with the view of obtaining, upon arriving in the capital of the United States of America, an audience of his excellency the President, and of having an interview with the minister of foreign affairs, and now we are here at Paris, capital of France. We have now an important matter to set before our government, and we are obliged to return from here to Japan, but, in conformity to the order which will be given later by our government, it is possible that we will return to Europe, and that we will reach your country. It is desirable that you should understand this, whilst we will communicate the details in writing to the minister of foreign affairs of the United States of America. Set forth with respect and consideration. The 11th day of the 5th month of the 4th year of Bunkin. IKEDA TSIKOEGO-NO-KAMI. P. S.-It is requested that the sealed letter herewith be sent to the minister of foreign affairs of the United States of America. Japanese Ambassadors to Mr. Dayton. [Translation.] To his excellency the Minister of the United States of America in France: Some time since we begged you to ask of your government the date of the completion of the vessels-of-war, which have been requested of your government, and to send the answer to the place where we might be at the time, and our secretary spoke to your sccretary about the matter; but as we return from here to Japan, we beg you to send directly to Japan, to our address, the answer which you may receive from your government. Set forth with respect and consideration. The 11th day of the 5th month in the 4th year Boen-Cun. IKEDA TSIKOEGO-NO-KAMI. Mr. Dayton to Mr. Seward. No. 499.] PARIS, June 30, 1864. SIR: Upon the suggestions of Captain Winslow, now in Paris, I have written a letter to the minister of marine, expressing my thanks and high appreciation of the humanity and kindness shown to the wounded at Cherbourg by the surgeon and provost surgeon of the navy hospital at that port. Enclosed I send you a copy of the letter. I am, sir, your obedient servant, Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State, &c., &c., &c. WM. L. DAYTON. PARIS, June 29, 1864. MONSIEUR LE MINISTRE: After the late combat between the Kearsarge and Alabama, off Cherbourg, the three wounded men of the crew of the Kearsarge, and all the wounded men of the crew of the Alabama, in our possession, were placed in hospital at Cherbourg. Since that time they have received the constant care and attention of Monsieur Dufour, surgeon-in-chief of the marine, and of Monsieur Aubin, surgeon of the second class, provost to the hospital of the marine. I beg, as well in behalf of these unfortunate sufferers as of my government, to express my thanks and high appreciation of the humanity and kindness which have marked the conduct of Messrs. Dufour and Aubin in the discharge of their professional duties in behalf of these unfortunate men. I have the honor to be your most obedient servant, The MINISTER OF THE MARINE, &c., &c., &c. No. 501.] Mr. Dayton to Mr. Seward. WM. L. DAYTON. PARIS, July 1, 1864. SIR: Captain Winslow, of the United States ship Kearsarge, which is yet at Cherbourg, came to Paris some days since with a view, as he informs me, to consult some distinguished occulist residing here. He has been received by the Americans of Paris with great attention and respect. A dinner, attended by many Americans now here, was given to him and two of his officers on yesterday, which passed off with much eclat. The naval guests have made a most favorable impression on all those with whom they came in contact. I was yesterday telegraphed by Mr. Pike from the Hague, "Prussian corvette Yeddo is reported arrived in the Weiser." The newspapers have recently been alleging a sale of these vessels at Bordeaux to Prussia. It may be so. I am, sir, your obedient servant, Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD, &c., &c., &c. WM. L. DAYTON. No. 597.] Mr. Seward to Mr. Dayton. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, July 2, 1864. SIR: I have received your despatch of the 13th of June, No. 488, which informs me of the arrival of the Alabama at Cherbourg, and which is accompanied by the protest you delivered on that occasion to M. Drouyn de l'Huys. This proceeding is approved. I have laid your communication before my colleague, the head of the Navy Department, and I shall be able, before the departure of the mail on Monday next, to give you information of his views in regard to naval demonstrations in European waters. I am, sir, your obedient servant, SIR: Your despatch of the 13th of June, No. 489, has been received, together with the papers annexed to the same. I have submitted to the President the correspondence which has taken place between certain Mexican prisoners of war and yourself, and have the pleasure to inform you that while your reply to these gentlemen is approved, the President is deeply affected by the sentiments of respect and affection for the United States which the Mexican officers have so thoughtfully and eloquently expressed in their communication. I am, sir, your obedient servant, WILLIAM L. DAYTON, Esq., &c., &c., &c. WILLIAM H. SEWARD. No. 599.] Mr. Seward to Mr. Dayton. [Extracts.] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, July 2, 1864. SIR: Your despatch of the 17th of June, No. 491, was received and immedi ately submitted to the Navy Department. I give you a copy of a note which |