Mr. Dayton to Mr. Seward
Sir: In a conference with M. Drouyn de l’Huys on Saturday last he informed me that the officers or persons who had heretofore been pressing the French government to permit the departure of the Rappahannock from Calais had informed him that they would abandon all further effort to that effect, and leave her to rot where she lies. I am informed that she is now not seaworthy, and that her officers, with the exception of Captain Fontleroy, have left her. Under these circumstances I have written to Captain Winslow, of the United States sloop Kearsarge, in the channel, a letter of which I herewith enclose a copy.
I shall endeavor to see the captain of that ship personally, if possible, within a day or two. The four clipper ships at Bordeaux and Nantes are now all launched, and I am informed that both Arman and Voruz (the builder and iron founder) express their conviction that these vessels will be permitted to go out as vessels of commerce. Indeed, M. Drouyn de l’Huys informed me, in our last interview, that Arman had recently seen him, and, protesting that they were commercial vessels of the ordinary character used in the China seas, said they would assert their right to depart even against the government, and if opposition were made they would present this question in the courts of justice. M. Drouyn de l’Huys says that should this be done, the courts taking cognizance of the question and deciding against them, the government would be without remedy; its hands would be tied up by such a decision. I told him, in reply, that I did not believe Arman dare present the question in a court of justice; but, if he did, I thought we could, without difficulty, prove his hand-writing to that paper, wherein he admitted that he was building these vessels for the Confederate States. Much other conversation passed on this subject, all leading to a conviction, in my mind, that M. Drouyn de l’Huys had not yet definitely made up his mind to the course of action which would be adopted in respect to these clipper ships. On the one hand, I am disposed to believe that they are willing, in good faith, to carry out their declaration that no such ships shall be equipped in their ports to depredate on our commerce. On the other hand, Mr. Arman is an important and influential friend of the government, and his ship yard is said to be the most extensive in France. They are, not unnaturally, unwilling to do anything which can seriously affect his business and the business of other ship-builders connected with him in these matters. * * *
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward Secretary of State, &c., &c., &c.