I, the undersigned vice-consul of the United States, do hereby certify that the foregoing copy is true and faithful.

SIR: I have supposed it might be of interest to you, or to the Navy Department, to learn something in detail as to the present conduct and future prospects of the rebel steamer Florida, now in the roadstead at Brest.

I had, some days since, an application for aid in behalf of a French shipper, who had a heavy and just claim for damages against this vessel, and which claim, he was advised by his counsel, could be enforced against her in law. This claim, properly prepared, could detain her in port, as alleged, for some six months at least. To become better informed upon this question, and other matters as to the ship, I requested Mr. Bigelow, our consul here, to go with the claimant to Brest. This he immediately did. I am not yet able to say whether any legal claim can be enforced, or whether the vessel can be detained to answer for it. Our vice-consul at Brest, a most intelligent gentleman, doubts if it can be done; but, in the mean time, I learn through a letter from him, and another from Mr. Bigelow, that the Florida is yet in the roadstead, awaiting permission to be taken into a government dock or basin for repairs. The mere commercial accommodations at Brest are, it seems, not sufficient for her purpose. In the mean time it is supposed that the French are consulting with the British authorities with a view to a joint action or understanding as to what the two governments should do in such cases. Captain Maffitt, of the Florida, says he came into a French port for repairs instead of an English one, because, by the rule adopted by England, he was excluded from entering another of her ports for three months after he had left Bermuda, which time had not yet expired. He represents the copper on the bottom of his ship as badly torn by her striking against a rock, or some obstacle, in making his escape from Mobile. He wishes to copper her bottom, re-calk her, repair her machinery, and get coal. Our vice-consul at Brest thinks it very important that she be taken into the basin or dock-yard for repairs, which he thinks, from their necessary character and extent, will detain her at least four or five months. It is ascertained that her shaft is so badly sprung, or at least out of line, that it has raised her deck. Early and extensive repairs are, it is said, indispensable; and Captain Maffitt says the machinery of her engine is of such a nature as to make it necessary to send to England for workmen, the French artisans not understanding it. He complains that Brest "is a dreadful slow place;" says "they promised to have the dock ready for his ship some days ago, and that it is not ready yet." The men were getting ready to land her powder on Monday or Tuesday last, and knocking out the heads of some casks to put it in. The Florida consumed the last of her coal in coming to Brest. By the way, the Anglo-Saxon, which she burned in the channel, was loaded with coal; and Captain Maffit told Captain Cavarly (when he asked the privilege of bonding his vessel) that coal was contraband of war, and he would burn her as quick as if she were loaded with gunpowder. But it is not to be doubted that the Florida will claim the right to coal anew in the French port. I am informed that the crew of this vessel are of all nations, but mostly English and Irish; not more than two Americans in the whole, and they both Boston boys taken off a prize. Mr. Maffitt, having been long on the coast survey, says he is well acquainted with the ports and

harbors of the north as with the cabin of his ship; that but for the failure of Lieutenant Reed (the man who entered Portland harbor and ran off with the Caleb Cushing) to co-operate, he would have gone to some of the principal northern ports and burned them; "but," he added, "I will wake some of them up there yet." The above statements come directly or indirectly from Captain Cavarly, of the Anglo-Saxon.

I have to-day had a conversation with M. Drouyn de l'Huys upon the subject. He says they are much annoyed that the Florida should have come into a French port. But having recognized the south as belligerents, they can only deal with the vessel as they would deal with one of our ships-of-war under like circumstances. They will give her so much aid as may be essential to her navigation, though they will not provide her with anything for war. I stated that she was a good sailer, and really needed nothing in the shape of repairs to machinery, &c., &c., to enable her to navigate. He said that if she were deprived of her machinery, she was pro tanto disabled, crippled, and liable, like a duck with its wings cut, to be at once caught by our steamers. He said it would be no fair answer to say that the duck had legs, and could walk or swim. But he said that, in addition to this, the officers of the port had reported to the government that the vessel was leaking badly; that she made water at so much per hour, (giving the measurement,) and unless repaired she would sink; that this fact coming from their own officers, he must receive as true. They said nothing, however, about her copper being damaged, but reported that she needed calking and tarring, if I understood the French word rightly. I then asked him if he understood that the rule in such cases required or justified the grant of a government dock or basin for such repairs, especially to a vessel like this, fresh from her destructive work in the channel, remarking that, as she waited no judicial condemnation of her prizes, when repaired in this government dock, she would be just at hand to burn other American ships entering or leaving Havre and other French ports. He said where there was no mere commercial dock, as at Brest, it was customary to grant the use of any accommodations there to all vessels in distress, upon the payment of certain known and fixed rates; that they must deal with this vessel as they would with one of our own ships, or the ships of any other nation, and that to all such these accommodations would be granted at once. Under these circumstances, you may, I suppose, take it for granted that the Florida will remain at Brest for repairs-long enough, probably, for you to get a vessel-of-war over here. She not unlikely means to connect herself with the two iron-clad rams at Liverpool; and if so, I fear they would have power enough to go into any of our ports. The question will naturally present itself, had you best institute a blockade of the vessel in this port? I have given you the facts, and this question will be for the consideration of the Navy Depart

I am informed that the Florida was saluted by a British national ship when she entered Bermuda. When she entered Brest, no formal salute was given, but I learn that a French ship lying there dipped her colors. I am not familiar with the distinction in these maritime courtesies, and only state the facts. I am informed that Captain Maffitt was short of hands, and held out large inducements to the crew and to some officers of the Anglo-Saxon to join his ship, (to wit, a bounty of $50, and $20 to $22 per month,) but although they were generally foreigners, none of them yielded to the temptation.

Herewith I enclose you a slip cut from the Moniteur of this morning, indicating the policy of the government on this question.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

Hon. WILLIAH H. SEWARD,

Secretary of State, &c.

WILLIAM L. DAYTON.

No. 392.]

Mr. Seward to Mr. Dayton.

DEPARTMENT OF STATE,

Washington, September 7, 1863. SIR: Your despatch of August 21 (No. 336) has been received. The explanation of Mr. Drouyn de l'Huys, in regard to the views of the Emperor's government concerning the Central American states, are unexceptionable; and I shall take pleasure in making them known to the parties in whose names the inquiry was instituted.

I have read with much interest the statement you have given me of the remarks which Mr. Drouyn de l'Huys made informally to you concerning the position of the imperial government in Mexico. If we were now authorized to regard them as guaranteed by the Emperor, it will go far to relieve a solicitude, not only here, but in Europe, which I cannot but believe is becoming as inconvenient to France as it is to the United States. Before this despatch will be received you will, probably, have ascertained, in compliance with a previous instruction of mine, whether we are authorized to understand Mr. Drouyn de l'Huys as speaking by authority in the explanations he has thus made.

SIR: Your despatch of the 20th of August (No. 334) has been submitted to the President, and I have the pleasure of stating that the explanation made by Mr. Drouyn de l'Huys, concerning the Moniteur article, is entirely satisfactory. I am, sir, your obedient servant,

SIR: Your despatch of August 27 (No. 339) has been received. We await with much concern the action of the imperial government upon your note protesting against the bailing of the Florida at Brest.

SIR: Your despatch of the 27th of August (No. 338) has been received. You will inform Mr. Drouyn de l'Huys that his prompt, efficient, and friendly proceedings in regard to the ram which is being built at Liverpool are appreciated. by the President.

I regret to say that reports of our consul at Liverpool leave little room to doubt that Mr. Bravay's pretences to interfere in regard to these vessels, as an agent from the Pacha of Egypt, are false and fraudulent. The consul writes that he had telegraphed to the consul general at Alexandria, and so it is probable that the truth will be ascertained. Should Mr. Bravay be proved to have been engaged in an attempt to deceive the French government, you will doubtless make a proper representation of the case.

The Florida, you have doubtless seen, has been seized by private French claimants who have demands for damages against her. The claims in France are, I am told, more than equal to the value of the vessel. After consulting with our vice-consul at Brest, it was thought best for the government of the United States not to interfere or mix itself up in the question. The vessel has gone into dock, and will be there probably for a considerable time. They have landed some seventy-five of their crew and shipped them around to the English coast. They (the crew) were not, it is said, communicative, but those who did speak of their destination all agreed that they were bound for Liverpool to take charge of two confederate steamers awaiting them there.

These are doubtless the iron-clads from Laird's yard which have been stopped by order of the government, as I am this morning informed by our consul at Liverpool.

I should add that Captain Maffitt has been required by the consignee of the Florida to make a deposit for the expenses to be incurred in repairs, and has deposited 40,000 francs; some evidence of the extent of repairs contemplated. I am, sir, your obedient servant,

Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD,

Secretary of State.

WILLIAM L. DAYTON.

No. 345.]

Mr. Dayton to Mr. Seward.

PARIS, September 14, 1863.

SIR: On Friday evening and the morning of Saturday last the report that the Emperor had acknowledged the south was general. The bourse became very much excited, and a fall in the public funds occurred, greater than has been known is so brief a space of time for some years. It was said that Mr. Slidell had made a cession to the Emperor, of Texas and part of Louisiana as a consideration for the acknowledgment. I immediately went to the foreign office. Mr. Drouyn de l'Huys at once said that the report was wholly groundless; that nothing new had occurred since our last conference. He further added that within the last twenty-four hours a series of false reports had been put in circulation upon this and upon other subjects. He could not understand for what object, but they were certainly intended for no friendly purpose towards us. He said he had given orders to Comte Treilhard, director of the press in the

ministry of the interior, to contradict such reports, and, if possible, trace out and punish the authors of them; that there had been a conspiracy to spread false news. Later in the afternoon of Saturday a public notice, signed by the prefect of police and the minister of finance, was put up at the bourse, denying the truth of the several reports in circulation. This it would seem quieted the excitement. This agitation at the bourse has had at least one good effect; it has brought home to the knowledge of the government the serious view taken by capitalists and others of the probable consequences of a recognition of the south.

Mr. Drouyn de l'Huys has promised me a note in writing on this subject, a copy of which, or its translation, I will send herewith if received in time.'

In the course of conversation reference was made to the almost universal report that our government only awaits the termination of our domestic troubles to drive the French out of Mexico. This idea is carefully nursed and circulated by the friends of secession here, and is doing us injury with the government. The French naturally conclude that if they are to have trouble with us, it would be safest to choose their own time. M. Drouyn de l'Huys referred to these matters, and said the Emperor had recently asked him if it were true, as the public journals alleged, that the United States had made a formal protest against the action of France in Mexico, and he had told him that no such protest had been made. I told him that, so far as I was concerned, I had received no orders to make such formal protest. That relying on the constant assurances of France as to its purposes in Mexico, and its determination to leave the people free as to their form of government, and not to hold or colonize any portion of their territories, my government had indicated to me no purpose to interfere in the quarrel; at the same time we had not at all concealed, as he well knew, our earnest solicitude for the well being of that country, and an especial sensitiveness as to any forcible interference in the form of its government. He said that these were the same general views held by you to M. Mercier, and reported by him to this government. I told him that France must well understand that we did not want war with her; to which he answered that she did not certainly wish war with us.

When I referred to the rumored cession of Texas and part of Louisiana to the Emperor, he, in denying the fact, said these rumors were diabolical. He added that France wanted no territory there.

I enclose you a slip cut from Galignani, containing the substance of what is, I presume, a semi-official exposition of the government as to its action in respect to the rebel ship Florida at Brest.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWALD,

Secretary of State.

WILLIAM L. DAYTON.

From Gatigwin's Messenger.

PARIS, September 14, 1863.

The Constitutionnel, in a long and elaborate article, of which we subjoin the salient points, vindicates the conduct of the French government, which has been charged with showing uudue favor to the confederate cruiser Florida, and argues that the reception that ves-el has met with at Brest is in strict conformity with the duties of France as a neutral power. The fact is unquestionable that the French government, in allowing the Florida to refit at Brest, without permitting her, as the Moniteur declares, to re-enforce her armament, is acting in a manner perfectly consistent with the principles of the strictest neutrality. Again: is this course of action contrary to the special prescriptions of the declaration of neutrality made by France at the outset of the war? By no means; and on this point again demonstration is easy. What does the declaration in question declare? It com