She had a full cargo of cotton, even her cabin being filled, and was proceeding to Liverpool, having been despatched on this voyage by the well-known firm of Wilson & Co The ship has an English register, a transcript of which I have seen, is about 1,500 tons, and has a crew of fifty-two men. While in this port she hoisted none but the English flag. This information has been given to me by a perfectly competent and reliable gentleman of my acquaintance at this place. I am also informed that the British and United States flags are painted upon the partitions of the companion-way or entrance to her cabin, the ship having been built, it is said, to run between Liverpool and Charleston Captain Butcher, who commanded the Alabama on her trial trip, commands the Southerner, and has been for several years employed by Messrs. Wilson & Co. I think this information, which I have not the slightest reason to doubt, will quiet our apprehensions concerning this vessel, at least until she has discharged her cargo of cotton. With sentiments of very high respect, I have the honor to be, sir, your most obedient servant, Hon. WILLIAM L DAYTON, EDWARD L. KINGSBURY, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary, &c., &c., Paris United States Consul No. 359.] Mr. Dayton to Mr. Seward. PARIS, October 8, 1863. SIR Mr. Drouyn de l'Huys not having received the diplomatic corps last week for business, I this morning have had a long conversation with him upon various matters. In the first place, I left with him the copy of a letter recently written by Captain Maffitt, of the rebel steamer Florida, at Brest, to Captain Bullock of the rebel navy, as to the discharge of part of the crew of the Florida, &c., a copy of which letter was enclosed to me by our consul at Liverpool. A copy of the same is hereunto attached. My object in showing this letter was to prove, first, that Captain Bullock was yet in the rebel service, and, secondly, that the crew in question, or part of it, had been voluntarily discharged from the Florida; that if this vessel was, therefore, incapacitated for want of a sufficient crew, it was not the act of God, but their own act, and they were suffering from a self-inflicted impotence. This was to answer the principle suggested by Mr. Drouyn de l'Huys in conversation, that their necessary wants for purposes of navigation, not of war, they were entitled to have supplied. I reminded him, too, of the fact that if he carried out this principle to its full extent, if the term of service of a crew were known to be about expiring, a captain might run his ship into a neutral port anywhere, discharge his crew, and then reship, in the same port, a new crew for hostile purposes; that, under these circumstances, the captain of the Florida might claim the right to ship a crew of French sailors at Brest. I told him that sailors for an enemy's ship-of-war were contraband, as much so as soldiers for its armies. I could not conceive, therefore, that France could fairly maintain her neutrality, and yet permit these things to be done in her ports. It is probable that I shall put these and some other views upon this subject, of the aid given to the Florida, in writing before she is permitted to sail. They may be of service as matter of future reference. The neutrality of France, he said, would be maintained, and that his whole purpose was to settle these questions upon proper principles of international law. I should add, that I learned from Liverpool that these men, owing to some difficulty with the confederate agents, have not yet signed the shipping articles. In the mean time this government is holding the question under consideration. I am, sir, your obedient servant, Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD, WILLIAM L. DAYTON. Secretary of State. [Enclosure.] CONFEDERATE STATES STEAMER FLORIDA, SIR: Herewith I send you a list of men discharged from the Florida, with their accounts and discharges. Many of them have asked for transfers, and others for reference to you, or to a confederate agent. I would request you to provide them situations in the service. I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Captain J. D. BULLOCK, Confederate States Navy, Liverpool. J. N MAFFITT, Commander, Confederate States Navy. Mr. Dayton to Mr. Seward. No. 360.] PARIS, October 8, 1863. SIR: The minister of marine has been absent for some days, recently, and this has been assigned to me, by Mr. Drouyn de l'Huys, as a reason why my communication as to the rebel ships now being built at Bordeaux and Nantes had not been definitely answered. I left some additional evidence with him this morning, to wit: Copy of contract between Arman and Bullock for building two iron-clads, dated 16th July last. Copy of letter from Emile Erlanger to Voruz, senior, dated 9th June last. Copy of letter from Mazeline & Co. to Voruz, senior, dated 23d June last. Copy of letter from O. B. Jollet and L. Babin, and E. Dubigeon and Fils, to Voruz, 10th June last. Copy of agreement between Bullock and Voruz, dated 17th September, 1863, increasing the number of cannon contracted for, from 48 to 56, and the number of shells from 5,000 to 12,000. Mr. Drouyn de l'Huys did not intimate any doubts as to the facts charged, and the minister of marine, he said, had informed him that in granting the authorization to build and arm these vessels, he did it as a matter of course, as he had done in like cases before, supposing that the representation in the application that they were intended for the China sea, &c., was true. But Mr. Drouyn de l'Huys said that he, the minister of marine, entirely agreed with him, that no violation of the neutrality of France should be permitted, and he (Mr. Drouyn de l'Huys) said I might be assured that it would not be. I told him that in a matter of so much importance, I did not like that it should rest upon my report or recollection of a conversation merely, and that it would be agreeable to me if he would put his answer, in reference to these vessels, in writing. begged him, in such writing, to state to me not general principles only, but to apply them to the particular case, and let me know what the government would do in respect to those vessels now being built at Bordeaux and Nantes. He said he would do so, cheerfully, and communicate it to me at an early day. I They are hurrying on the construction of these vessels as fast as possible, but there is no chance of their completion in less than two or three months. I am informed that three millions of francs have already been paid, and assurances have been given by the rebel agents that if increased funds will expedite their completion, the funds shall not be wanting. I am, sir, your obedient servant, Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State. WM. L. DAYTON. No. 361.] Mr. Dayton to Mr. Seward. [Extracts.] PARIS, October 9, 1863. SIR: In the conference with Mr. Drouyn de l'Huys had yesterday, I communicated the general views expressed by you in despatches Nos. 395 and 400. I brought out your views, however, in the course of a general conversation about Mexican affairs. I asked of Mr. Drouyn de l'Huys what character of test was to be adopted, with a view to learn the wishes of that country (Mexico) as to its form of government. He said that the vote of the entire country, and of all its departments, whether the French were or were not in their possession, would be taken, and if upon its registries it should appear that a large majority of the whole population (Spanish and Indian) were favorable to a monarchical form of government, he supposed that would be sufficient. He thought there would be no difficulty in applying this test, and showing a large numerical majority in favor of the Archduke, and that form of government. Mr. Drouyn de l'Huys went on to say, that the dangers of the government of the Archduke would come principally from the United States, and the sooner we showed ourselves satisfied, and manifested a willingness to enter into peaceful relations with that government, the sooner would France be ready to leave Mexico and the new government to take care of itself, which France would, in any event, do as soon as it with propriety could; but that it would not lead or tempt the Archduke into difficulty, and then desert him before his government was settled. He added, that France could not do that. He said, that the early acknowledgment of that government by the United States would tend to shorten, or perhaps, he said, to end all the troublesome complications of France in that country; that they would thereupon quit Mexico. I told him that, without having any authority from my government to say so, I should scarcely suppose that France, under the circumstances, would expect the United States to make haste to acknowledge a new monarchy in Mexico, but I would report his views to the government at home; not suggesting, however, that any answer would be given. In the course of conversation, he took occasion again to repeat, voluntarily, their disclaimer of any purpose to interfere with Texas, or to make or seek any permanent interest or control in Mexico. He said that our situation, as a next neighbor, entitled us to an influence there paramount to that of distant European countries, and that France, at her great distance from the scene, would not be guilty of the folly of desiring or attempting to interfere with us. He spoke highly of the conduct of Mr. Corwin, our minister in Mexico, who was reported to him as not having intrigued or interfered in these matters, but that he had always acted loyally and in good faith. Before leaving Mr. Drouyn de l'Huys (assuming the purposes of the Emperor to be as he represented them,) I asked him why he permitted so many false reports, as to his policy, to be circulated both in Europe and America. I told him that it seemed to me the interests of both countries demanded that they should cease, and that a frank avowal in the Moniteur would end them. He said there were objections to using the Moniteur for such purposes, but that there were his despatches, which might be published. I told him that the world. was given to looking at despatches as savoring too much of diplomacy. He then said that the Emperor, at the opening of the "corps legislatif," would have a proper opportunity, and he did not doubt that he would then declare his policy in Mexico, in conformity with the declarations heretofore constantly made to us. I am, sir, your obedient servant, Secretary of State. Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD, WILLIAM L. DAYTON. No. 411.] Mr. Seward to Mr. Dayton. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington October 9, 1863. SIR: Your despatch of September 24, No. 350, has been received, together with the copy of a note which you addressed to Mr. Drouyn de l'Huys, on the 22d of the same month, on the subject of armaments and vessels which are being prepared in certain ports of France. That note is, in its letter and spirit, fully approved. It is hardly necessary to inform you that the President awaits with much solicitude the decision of his Imperial Majesty's government upon the application you have made, and that he cannot but regard an adverse decision as pregnant with very serious consequences. I am, sir, your obedient servant, SIR: Your despatch of the 25th of last month, No. 352, describing your proceedings in relation to Mr. Partridge's course respecting French interests at Salvador, has been received and is approved. I am, sir, your obedient servant, SIR: Your despatch of the 24th ultimo, (No. 351,) relative to the Southerner, has been received, and a copy thereof sent to the Secretary of the Navy. I am, sir, your obedient servant, WM. L. DAYTON, Esq., &c., &c., &c. WILLIAM H. SEWARD. Mr. Dayton to Mr. Seward. No. 363.] PARIS, October 16, 1863. SIR: In further confirmation of the fact charged against Mr. Arman, naval constructor at Bordeaux, that he is extensively engaged in building war-vessels for the rebels of the south, I yesterday left with Mr. Drouyn de l'Huys what purports to be the copy of a letter from Mr. Arman to "Monsieur Maury, ContreAmiral des Etats Confedérés d'Amérique," (Rear-Admiral of the Confederate States of America,) dated 12th June last, a translation of which I herewith enclose to you. The evidence against Arman was complete without this letter; but it seems to me that this precludes him from any pretence to be made to his own government, that when he applied for authority to arm these vessels, he was ignorant of the purposes to which they were to be applied, or that the agents for their construction having represented them to be for use in the China seas, he supposed such representations true. He here offers to Captain Maury, of the confederate navy, to construct, within a very short time, six iron-clad ships, with double turrets, of the force and character therein described, and at the prices therein stated. We had already produced to Mr. Drouyn de l'Huys the copy of an agreement, dated subsequent to this offer, (to wit, 16th July,) between Captain Bullock and Arman, for building two vessels, in addition to the four contracted for by the agreement of the 15th of the preceding April. We thus have the clearest possible evidence that Arman, and those employed by him, are building at least six vessels-of-war; and it is not improbable that contracts may exist for others. It is due to Mr. Drouyn de l'Huys to say that he has not questioned the entire sufficiency of the evidence. In another despatch I enclose to you a written answer from him, as well as one from the minister of marine. I am, sir, your obedient servant, Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State. Monsieur Arman to Captain Maury. WM. L. DAYTON. BORDEAUX, June 12, 1863. MONSIEUR L'AMIRAL: I come to submit to you the definitive plan of a gunboat battery, made out upon the programme which Monsieur the captain of the frigate Jamsen has made known to me, and upon which I have already furnished to him some summary information. To attain the end which you have proposed to yourself, to carry upon the deck two ironclad turrets, (blokaus blindés,) enclosing, each, two cannon of heavy calibre, I have been obliged to cause the primitive plan to undergo several important modifications I have been obliged to carry the displacement from 1,280 tons to 1,358 tons, and, besides, to calculate that, upon a normal supply of 180 tons of coal, which shall be completed at departure by 30 tons, producing an overcharge of 7 centimetres, in fine, the weight of the plating, (Windage,) calculated firstly at 320 tons, is raised to 389 tons. These changes produce the distribution of weight as follows: |