Mr. Dayton to Mr. Seward
Sir: I was on Saturday telegraphed by our consular agent at Cherbourg that a confederate vessel (supposed to be the Florida) had just anchored in that harbor. Some two or three hours later in the day he telegraphed me as follows:
“The rebel steamer is the Alabama, with thirty-seven federal prisoners. She has captured ship Rockingham, of New York, and a bark, off Cape of Good Hope.
“EDWARD LIAIS, Vice Consul.”
I immediately telegraphed Captain Winslow, of United States ship Kearsarge, now at Flushing. Captain Winslow has replied to me that “he will be off Cherbourg about Wednesday.” * * * I likewise immediately enclosed to M. Drouyn de l’Huys minister of foreign affairs, a note of protest of like character as that made in the cases of the Florida and Georgia, a copy of which is herewith enclosed. I thought under all the circumstances it might be better not to neglect this, though the policy of the French government had been announced in the case of the other vessels. But I remembered that on one occasion when, in the course of conversation about these vessels, I said to M. Drouyn de l’Huys they needed but one ship more (the Alabama) to make the French ports a rendezvous for the entire rebel navy, and I thought she would next be here, he hastily said, “M., I will not permit that vessel to come in.” It is just to say that this was not said by him, nor received by me, as a deliberate promise; it seemed rather an impulse, an outbreak of annoyance at the use their ports were being put to, which he truly remarked could not be the result of accident, but was obviously intended to beget trouble between France and the United States. Still the character of this vessel is so obnoxious, and so notorious, that it is possible they may exclude her; but, if otherwise, it is well to know and understand that they will apply their rules in the most extreme cases. If they act upon these principles they can scarcely complain if we, in return, when occasion shall arise, apply the same to themselves.
If any increase of our naval force on this coast is contemplated, as your late despatch informs me, I hope that as little delay in sending it may occur as possible. The arrival of the Alabama will spread universal dismay among American shippers in these seas and all engaged in American trade.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward Secretary of State, &c., &c., &c.