Mr. Dayton to Mr. Seward.
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 it would not be. I told him that [Page 789] 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. I 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.
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.