No. 50%.] Mr. Dayton to Mr. Seward. PARIS, July 8, 1864. A copy of the despatch of Mr. Mansfield to your department, dated 10th of February last, was transmitted by me, according to instructions to the minister of foreign affairs, as stating more explicitly the character of injury suffered by Mr. Mansfield, and the reparations demanded. Herewith I transmit to you a translation of M. Drouyn de l'Huys's answer to his and your last communication. I am, sir, your obedient servant, Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State, &c., &c., &c. WM. L. DAYTON. Mr. Drouyn de l'Huys to M. Dayton. [Translation.] Memorandum. JULY, 1864. The minister of foreign affairs of the Emperor has examined the letter of Mr. Mansfield to Mr. Seward, which M. the minister of the United States has been pleased to communicate to him. This paper has enabled M. Drouyn de l'Huys to account better than he had been able to do up to the present time, in the absence of all information of the occurrence relative to M. the consul of the United States at Tabasco. It appears from it that Mr. Mansfield, without valid reasons, and simply in consequence of false imputations, has been taken from his consulate, imprisoned, and maltreated; and that, though at the time he was writing he had been permitted to return to his consulate, still he was not permitted to go away from it, nor to resume his official functions, nor to put himself in relations with his fellow-countrymen. The proceedings of which Mr. Mansfield complains have, without any doubt, a most regretable character, since this agent engages his word that nothing in his conduct, nor in his language, has been of a nature to justify them. M. Drouyn de l'Huys congratulates himself, however, upon learning that the first information which was given to him by Mr. Dayton is not confirmed; and that it is not at Vera Cruz, as was at first supposed, that the American consul, after having been sent there, had been shut up and condemned to one year's imprisonment. If, indeed, this had been so, it would very probably have been for the French authorities to furnish the explanations which the measures taken, apparently, if not by themselves, at least with their assent, admit of. It appears, on the contrary, from the despatch of Mr. Mansfield, that he has not quitted Tabasco, and that it is solely from the authorities of this city that an account is to be asked for the proceedings of which he has been the object. But these authorities were Mexican; they were not constituted with the concurrence of the French forces, who have not occupied Tabasco, and they do not act with their support. No participation in their acts could then be ascribed to these latter, who, if they have momentarily shown themselves at Tabasco, (of which the government of the Emperor is as yet ignorant,) have never established themselves there, and have never been able to intervene in any manner whatever in the events of this locality. Hence it does not appertain to the government of the Emperor to judge of the facts which have taken place there; much less can it be responsible for acts emanating from an authority, more or less regular, over which it has exercised no control. It can only deplore the acts of violence with which the accused Mexicans are reproached, and it is not to be wondered at; moreover, that at a point where internal struggles still continue, one of these illegalities should occur-one of these violations of international law of which Mexico has so sadly multiplied examples for a number of years past. This is the fruit of the anarchy to which this country has so long been a prey, and a reason for every one to wish the establishment and consolidation of a more moral and a stronger government. There is reason to think, moreover, that the position of Mr. Mansfield must have changed a short time after the period at which he wrote, for the Mexican chiefs who at that date, that is to say, in the month of February last, occupied Tabasco, were no longer there in the month of May, having evacuated the place. Whatever the case may be, and although the French consul at Vera Cruz has evidently not been able, up to the present time, to transmit the information upon this affair which had been asked of him, the minister of the Emperor, at Mexico, will be written to again concerning it, as he will be requested to proceed as far as shall lie in his power to an inquiry into this regretable occur rence. No. 601.] Mr. Seward to Mr. Dayton. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, July 8, 1864. SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch of the 20th of June, No. 492. I thank you sincerely for the very interesting and detailed account which you have given me of the engagement between the Kearsarge and the Alabama, which ended in the destruction of that troublesome piratical vessel. I approve of all that you have done in relation to that affair, and especially of your instructions to Captain Winslow in regard to the captured crew of the Alabama. This government regards with eminent satisfaction the heroism and skill which were exhibited by Captain Winslow, and the officers and men under his command, and the whole country awards to them tributes of praise and gratitude. Nevertheless we hear, with deep regret, that Captain Winslow, without waiting for your reply to his inquiries on the subject, paroled and released most of the prisoners which fell into his hands. The President's disapproval of that important proceeding will be made known to the captain through the Navy Department. It will be your duty to inform M. Drouyn de l'Iuys of that disapproval in order to prevent injurious inferences which otherwise might be drawn from the transaction. You will at the same time inform M. Drouyn de l'Huys that this government does not regard the Alabama, nor any other vessel wearing the same character, as belonging to a recognized or lawful belligerent. I am, sir, your obedient servant, WILLIAM L. DAYTON, Esq., &c., &c., &c. WILLIAM H. SEWARD. No. 602.] Mr. Seward to Mr. Dayton. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, July 11, 1864. SIR: Your despatch of June 22, No. 493, has been received. I have communicated to the Secretary of the Navy the information it contains concerning the naval engagement between the Kearsarge and the Alabama. I have also imparted that information in preparing an instruction to Mr. Adams for a representation which he is expected to submit to the British government. I give you confidentially a copy of that instruction. I am, sir, your obedient servant, WILLIAM L. DAYTON, Esq., &c., &c., &c. WILLIAM H. SEWARD. No. 603.] Mr. Seward to Mr. Dayton. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, July 11, 1864. SIR: Your despatch of the 24th of June, No. 495, has been received. It gives me information that the Yedo sailed on the 23d of June, under the French flag for Amsterdam. Although I confide in M. Drouyn de l'Huys's assurances of the good faith of the French government in regard to the sale and departure of that vessel, I shall nevertheless feel much solicitude until I hear of her arrival at her alleged destination. I trust that, before any new surprise can be encountered in Europe, the Niagara and the Iroquois will be in European waters, and I cannot doubt that their crews, together with the Kearsarge, will be sufficient to protect our interest in that region. I thank you for the information you have given me concerning the tone of the government press of France in regard to the naval engagement which resulted in the destruction of the Alabama. It is unpleasant to have such a demonstration that those who desire to enjoy the imperial confidence think it not inexpedient to manifest an unfriendly spirit towards our country. We shall, however, be none the less wise, and therefore none the less safe, because we know who in European society are to be regarded as our friends. I am, sir, your obedient servant, SIR: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch of the 24th ultimo, No. 494, relative to the case of Mr. J. H. Mansfield, our consul at Tabasco, and to express my approval of your proceedings therein related. You will urge upon the minister for foreign affairs the importance attached by this government to prompt explanations concerning so serious a matter. I am, sir, your obedient servant, WILLIAM L. DAYTON, Esq., &c., &c., &c. No. 508.] WILLIAM H. SEWARD. Mr. Dayton to Mr. Seward. PARIS, July 13, 1864. SIR: In answer to your question contained in despatch No. 594, as to whether it is advisable to send another ship-of-war into European waters, I would say, that it should be determined by the condition of things, or, in other words, the military wants at home. While a heavy ship-of-war, furnished with the new armaments and improvements with which our ships are now generally constructed, is never without use in European waters, adding as it does to our prestige, and opening the eyes of foreigners to the maritime strength of our country, yet I am bound to say that I do not see any necessity, at the present moment, for an increase of force in European waters. Our force is already much beyond what it has been at any time heretofore, since my arrival in Europe, while the force of the confederates, so far as I know, is less. We have now the Niagara cruising in the channel, the Sacramento at the port of Cherbourg, and the Kearsarge now off Dover. The confederate force, so far as we have reliable information, is nothing. The destruction of the Alabama has much changed the condition of things here. The Rappahannock is yet detained in the port of Calais. She has been seized, and if information from our consular agent at the port of Boulogne be reliable, the vessel is about to be sold, under some judicial proceedings, for certain debts or expenses of the captain. It is said that a new confederate vessel (the Robert Lee) is expected in European waters at an early day, but of this vessel I have no knowledge whatever. I can add nothing of importance to what has been said heretofore, in respect to these remaining corvettes in the course of construction at Bordeaux and Nantes. As the Yeddo has in good faith (so far, at least, as we are concerned) gone to a neutral power, (Prussia,) we may have a reasonable hope, at least, that the Osacca will follow in due time. But I do not mean to depreciate at all the general importance of having a naval force in these waters as weighing upon the question of a disposition or otherwise to interfere in our affairs. The Dictator, for instance, might exercise a most useful influence, without there being occasion for military force here. I would add here that, in a conversation had yesterday with your secret agent, he informed me that all the confederate naval officers had been ordered home, and that nine of them left for Halifax by the Cunard line last week, and others are to follow by instalments. Some of those leaving last week, he says, carried despatches. He adds that from one hundred to one hundred and fifty of them have been scattered through England and France. He tells me that they now admit that they have been foiled in all their purposes in respect to getting *vessels out of France. Of the value or reliability of this information you can jndge quite as well as I. He informs me, further, that some of the officers from the Rappahannock went down to Cherbourg, prior to the fight between the Alabama and Kearsarge, with a view to take part with the Alabama, but the French authorities would not permit them to go on board. Of this I have no doubt. Your telegram to me in cipher was duly received, and after a great search the office copy of the cipher was found, or at least enough of it to enable me to read your telegram, and send it, as you request, to Mr. Pike. The last despatch in cipher from this office, which I found, is in the days of Mr. Crawford, about fifty years ago. Despatches in cipher from your department, may, perhaps, be found among the records of a later date, though I have seen none. Attached hereto is an item cut from this morning's Galignani. The facts stated I have referred to in this despatch. I am, sir, your obedient servant, Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD, WM. L. DAYTON. Secretary of State, &c., &c., &c. [From Galignani ] A letter from Calais states that the confederate vessel the Rappahannock, at present in that port, lately had a judgment pronounced against her by the Chamber of Commerce of Boulogne, for commercial debts of the captain. It appears that when the huissier, charged to affix the notice of sale, made his appearance on board the vessel, the captain warned him off without delay, as no such errand should be performed there. The huissier had nothing else to do but to retire, and draw up a proces-verbal of the circumstance. The Vigre de Cherbourg announces that the confederate vessel General Lee has received orders to be in the channel by the 15th instant. No. 510.] Mr. Dayton to Mr. Seward. PARIS, July 13, 1864. SIR: Your despatch, No. 592, refers to a prior despatch of mine, No. 486, in which I state that a private communication had reached me, stating that a new but entirely unofficial effort was to be made by England and France to bring our war to a close. I know of nothing which could specially lead to such a belief; but the party who made the statement I know to be in constant communication with the government here, and even with M. Drouyn de l'Huys, and he gave me the statement, not as a rumor, but as a fact entirely reliable. He said at the same time that should I speak to M. Drouyn de l'Huys on the subject, he would deny all knowledge of it; as well he might, having no official knowledge of it, and no official action being in the first place contemplated. SIR: I have the honor to enclose herewith a translation of a communication just received from the French minister of the marine and the colonies, being an acknowledgment of the receipt of my note of thanks to Messrs. Dufour and Aubin, surgeons at the navy hospital at Cherbourg, for their kindness to our sailors after the late fight between the Kearsarge and the Alabama. MONSIEUR LE MINISTRE: I received the letter which you did me the honor to write to me on the 29th of June last, on account of the care given at the navy hospital at Cherbourg to the American sailors who were wounded in the fight between the Kearsarge and the Alabama. |