Earl Russell to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty. FOREIGN OFFICE, October 13, 1865. MY LORDS: With reference to my letter of the 2d of June last, prescribing the course to be taken by her Majesty's several authorities in all ports, harbors, and waters belonging to her Majesty, whether in the United Kingdom or beyond the seas, in consequence of the recognition by her Majesty's government that peace was restored within the whole territory of which the United States of North America before the commencement of the civil war were in undisturbed possession; and with reference more particularly to that passage in my letter, in which it was laid down that confederate vessels departing, in pursuance of requisitions to be made by her Majesty's authorities, from any ports, harbors, and waters belonging to her Majesty, in which at the time of the receipt by those authorities of the fresh orders such vessels might be found, should then, and for the last time, have the full benefit of the prohibition theretofore enforced against pursuit of them within twenty-four hours by a cruiser of the United States lying at the time within any such ports, harbors, and waters, I have the honor to state to your lordships that her Majesty's government are of opinion that it is desirable that her Majesty's naval and other authorities at home, and in her Majesty's possessions abroad, should be formally apprised that, as full time has now elapsed since my letter of the 2d of June for giving effect to the provisions of that letter, all measures of a restrictive nature on vessels-of-war of the United States in British ports, harbors, or waters, are now to be considered as at an end, and that it is the desire and intention of her Majesty's government that unrestricted hospitality and friendship should be shown to vessels-of-war of the United States in all her Majesty's ports, whether at home or abroad. I have addressed a similar letter to the secretaries of state for the colonial, home, and India offices, and also to the lords commissioners of her Majesty's treasury. I am, &c., Mr. Seward to Sir F. Bruce. RUSSELL. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, October 31, 1865. SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of yesterday's date, enclosing a copy of a letter addressed by her Majesty's principal secretary of state for foreign affairs to the admiralty and other departments of her Majes-ty's government, directing that all measures of a restrictive nature on vessels-ofwar of the United States in British ports, harbors, and waters, are now to be considered at an end, and apprising them that it is the desire and intention of her Majesty's government that the most unrestricted hospitality and friendship. should be shown to vessels-of-war of the United States in all her Majesty's ports, whether at home or abroad. In reply, I have the honor to state that, having received through Mr. Adams a copy of the order referred to, I have instructed him to express to Earl Russell the satisfaction with which this gov-ernment regards the action of her Britannic Majesty's government. I have the honor to be, with high consideration, sir, your obedient servant, WILLIAM H. SEWARD.. Hon. SIR FREDERICK W. A. BRUCE, &c., &c., &c. Sir F. Bruce to Mr. Seward. WASHINGTON, November 3, 1865.SIR The attention of her Majesty's government has been called recently to the construction of several vessels prepared for the reception of a powerful armament, which are reported to be destined for service on the North American lakes. In view of the convention which exists between the United States and Great Britain determining the armed force to be employed by the parties to it on the lakes, I am instructed to bring the subject under-your notice and to request your to be good enough to furnish me with the explanations which it seems to require. I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration, sir, your most obedient, humble servant, Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD. FREDERICK W. A. BRUCE. Mr. Seward to Sir F. Bruce.. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, November 4, 1865. SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of yesterday, in which you inform me that the attention of her Majesty's government has been called recently to the construction of several vessels prepared for the reception of a powerful armament which are reported to be destined for service on the North American lakes, and that in view of the convention which exists between the United States and Great Britain determining the armed force to be employed by the parties to it on the lakes, you are instructed to bring the subject under my notice, and to request explanations. I have the honor to inform you, in reply, that any vessels of the character referred to which may be in course of construction by the United States are intended exclusively for revenue purposes, and that their armament, if any, will not be allowed to exceed the limit stipulated in the conventional arrangements. I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration, sir, your obedient servant, WILLIAM H. SEWARD. Hon. SIR FREDERICK W. A. BRUCE, &c., &c., &c. Mr. Seward to Sir F. Bruce. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, November 27, 1865. SIR: I have received information from the consul of the United States at Nassau of the presence in that port of certain steam vessels under so-called confederate register-namely, the Kate Gregg, the Coquette, and the General Clinch. The consul states that the Kate Gregg and the Coquette had been flying the English ensign for some time until the receiver general forbade it. It was supposed that the persons having charge of these vessels and others similarly situated might attempt to procure British registers. The receiver general said of the Kate Gregg that she was still under so-called confederate register, and that he should not of his own accord give her any other, unless instructed by the governor to do so. I have the honor to inform you that the officers commanding cruisers of the United States have been instructed to capture any vessel found on the high seas which has belonged, or which there is probable evidence to suppose has belonged, to rebels. I will thank you to cause her Majesty's provincial authorities to be informed of the course which it is proposed to pursue, in order that they may not unadvisedly attempt to give British registers to such vessels belonging to enemies of the United States, and so, if it be deemed desirable, they may prevent unnecessary embarrassment. I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration, sir, your obedient servant, WILLIAM H. SEWARD. Hon. SIR FREDERICK W. A. BRUCE, &c., &c., &c. FRANCE. No. 566.] wire. Mr. Dayton to Mr. Seward. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, SIR: I herewith enclose you the copy of a memorandum, received by me from a gentleman in Paris, showing that the confederates have recently given a very large order to the house of Silvee & Co., London, for insulated telegraphic The information comes to him from one of the partners in the house, and is, I presume, reliable. The wire is intended for use in exploding torpedoes, or vessels filled with powder, beneath federal ships, and its delivery should be prevented, if possible. I will give this information to Mr. Morse, our consul at London, in the hope that he, through some of his agents there, may find out the name of the ship which carries it out, when, and to what port she sails. I am, sir, your obedient servant, Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State, &c., &c., &c. [Memorandum.] WM. L. DAYTON. PARIS, November 19, 1864. A large order for insulated telegraphic wire has been given by the confederates to Silvee & Co., London, with the intention of using it to explode torpedoes, or vessels filled with powder, beneath federal ships-of-war. The order is a very large one, and our agents should endeavor to prevent it arriving in a southern port. Mr. Dayton to Mr. Seward. No. 567.] : Legation of the United States, Paris, November 25, 1864. SIR I enclose you a printed copy of a note recently addressed, it would seem, by the rebel commissioners abroad to Mr. Drouyn de Lhuys and to the other representatives of other courts in Europe. I know nothing of it, except from seeing it in print. My attention has not been called to it by Mr. Drouyn de Lhuys. The manifesto referred to you will doubtless recollect as an emission from the rebel Congress of last year; at least, I believe that was its date. I have been much annoyed by the unfriendly spirit of the government press of France since the election. The Patrie, in its issue of yesterday, throws out the suggestion that, inasmuch as Mr. Lincoln will not receive the vote of a majority of the electors of all the States, it will not be possible to recognize him as the President of the United States. A conjoint effort of the English and, I am sorry to say, of the French press is being made to ward off the influence and effect of the late election. If there is anything in the English papers which seems calculated to belittle its consequences, and encourage the south to hold out in the hope of recognition, it is sure to be translated and copied into the French journals. This is the case, I observe, with a piece from the London Press, (supposed to be Lord Palmerston's organ,) copied this morning into the Moniteur. But it is needless to trouble you with these things. I have referred to them only because I have been myself disappointed. The result of the elec tion does not seem to have brought about that spirit of fairness which I had anticipated. I am, sir, your obedient servant, Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C. WM. L. DAYTON. The following collective note has been addressed to the French minister of foreign affairs by the diplomatic representatives of the confederate government in Europe. The note transmits an official copy of the manifesto of the congress of the Confederate States: "PARIS, November 11, 1864. "SIR: The undersigned, commissioners of the Confederate States of America, have the honor, in conformity with instructions from their government, to present to your excellency a copy of a manifesto published by the congress of the said States with the approbation of the president, who was requested to send copies to his commissioners abroad, in order that they might communicate them to the foreign governments. The undersigned communicate, at the same time, a copy of the preamble and of the resolutions of the congress annexed to the said manifesto. "The feelings, the principles, and the views which have inspired and still inspire the Confederate States are set forth in this document with all the authority appertaining to the solemn declarations of the legislative and executive branches of their government, and with a clearness which leaves no room for either comment or explanations. It is therein declared, in a few words, that all they ask for is that there shall be no interference with their peace and internal prosperity, and that they may be allowed peaceably to enjoy their undeniable rights of life and liberty as well as that of laboring for their happiness. Those are rights which their common ancestors have declared to be equally the inheritance of all the parties who subscribed the social compact. Let the north cease to attack us, and the war will be at an end. If any questions exist which require to be settled by means of negotiations, the Confederate States have always been and still are disposed to enter into communication with their adversaries in a spirit of equity and of noble frankness, and to submit their cause to the enlightened judgment as well as the solemn and sacred arbitration of Heaven. "The undersigned very respectfully solicit the attention of the government of his Imperial Majesty to this frank and complete explanation of the attitude and views of the Confederate States. They will, moreover, simply observe that since the publication of this manifesto our enemies have continued to make war with a recrudescence of ferocity, with a still more glaring contempt for all the laws of war between civilized nations, and by more audaciously violating the obligations of international law. After having thus fulfilled the instructions of their government, the undersigned tender to your excellency the expression of the sentiments of distinguished consideration with which they have the honor to be, your excellency, your humble and obedient servants, "J. SLIDELL, A similar document, with the necessary changes, has been presented to all the cabinets of Europe, Constantinople excepted. Mr. Slidell handed in person to M. Drouyn de Lhuys the above. Bishop Lynch will hand to the Pope the copy intended for him. No. 1.] Mr. Pennington to Mr. Seward. LEGATION OF THE UNITED States, Paris, December 2, 1864. SIR: I perform the painful duty of announcing to the Department of State the sudden death of the Hon. William L. Dayton, envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary of the United States to France. Mr. Dayton expired yesterday evening at nine o'clock very suddenly of apoplexy. I will be guided by my circular instruction, and will respectfully await further instructions from the department in reference to the performance of the functions of my office. I hasten to communicate this sad event to the department. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State. No. 2.] Mr. Pennington to Mr. Seward. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, Paris, December 7, 1864. SIR: In my despatch, No. 1, of Friday, December 2, I hurriedly communicated the melancholy fact of the sudden death of the Hon. Mr. Dayton. He was apparently quite well up to the time of his death, and died so calmly that the person sitting by his side did not think him dead but sleeping. His physician says nothing could have been done for him, it was positive apoplexy. I communicated at once the sad event to the minister of foreign affairs, the doyen of the diplomatic corps at Paris, and to the grand master of ceremonies of his Majesty, the Emperor and Empress, through the Duc de Bassam, grand chamberlain to their Majesties, and to their Imperial Highnesses the Prince Napoleon and Princess Chlotilde, and her Imperial Highness the Princess Mathilde, through their respective aide-de-camp and chamberlains. By authority from the Emperor suitable honors were paid to the remains of the minister of the United States to France, in addition to the religious service held over his remains in the American chapel in the city. The services at the chapel were conducted by the Rev. Mr. Sunderland, the pastor of the American chapel, assisted by the Rev. Mr. Cleveland, of Connecticut, and the American Mr. Lamson of the American Episcopal church at Paris. A few remarks were also made by Mr. Bigelow, our consul, and also by Mr. Laboulaye, member of the Institute of France. The Emperor had sent to represent him the Baron de Lajus, and Prince Napoleon, his aide-de-camp, Brigadier General de Franconnière, and the services were attended by his excellency Mr. Drouyn de Lhuys, the Duc of Cambacériès, grand master of ceremonies, the heads of the foreign missions and the members of all the diplomatic corps. The ceremonies gave general satisfaction, and also convincing proof of the estimation in which Mr. Dayton was held. Enclosed I send you slips cut from the daily journals of Paris. His remains will be taken early next week to Havre, and will be escorted by several distinquished Americans living in Paris to that place, and leave for America in charge of Mr. Brooks, vice-consul of the United States at Paris, in the steamer Lafayette, which leaves Havre for New York on next Wednesday, the 14th instant. In accordance with my circular instructions, I have assumed the duties of chargé d'affaires of the United States, ad interim, and will be obliged if you will cause to be forwarded to me an authority to draw and appropriate the contingent fund of this legation, in the same manner as was allowed to Mr. Dayton. I am, sir, your obedient servant, Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD, W. S. PENNINGTON. Secretary of State, &c., &c., &c. |