Mr. Dayton to Mr.
Seward
No. 532.]
Paris,
September 1, 1864.
Sir: Our indefatigable consul at Nantes writes
me that an agent at St. Nazaire and Belle Isle is now essential to
enable him to communicate promptly with the United States vessels on the
French coast, and that the use of the telegraph is occasionally
indispensable. He asked me if he would be allowed for such necessary
expenditures. To this I have answered as follows:
“There is no doubt but that you will be allowed for such necessary
expenses as you incur in the employ of agents at St. Nazaire, Belle
Isle, or elsewhere, and for telegrams. It is only necessary that the
right to spend money for these things be prudently exercised and proper vouchers be
taken by you when you make payment.”
Any expenses he may incur in these matters will doubtless be small in
amount.
You have in your department copies of all the papers in reference to
those vessels at Bordeaux and Nantes. If our ships-of-war should seize
them at sea, does it seem to you that France would have any just ground
of complaint? I ask, because it is not to be doubted, if seized while
under the French flag, before delivery to the confederates, there would
be rightly or wrongly a serious question made by this government—a
question which might lead to hostilities between the two countries.
I send you herewith copies of two letters lately received—one from our
consul at Nantes, the other from Captain Rodgers, of the Iroquois.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, &c., &c., &c.
Commander Rodgers to Mr. Dayton
United States Ship
Iroquois,
St. Nazaire, France,
August 28, 1864.
Sir: The Iroquois anchored off St. Nazaire
on Friday night, and entered the port yesterday morning. I shall
sail at midnight for Bordeaux.
Our consul at Nantes joined me here last night, and has given me much
useful information.
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I have seen, while passing them, the two rebel corvettes which are
lying in the basin here, and have caused them to be closely
observed. They are very formidable looking vessels, apparently of
about eighteen hundred tons, able to carry heavy batteries, fully
rigged, likely to sail and steam well, able to keep the sea for a
long time, and will probably be superior in force to the greater
part of our own cruisers. They seem to have been fitted with a view
to make comfortable their officers and men, to be specially adapted
to remain a long time on the ocean, and to make great havoc among
our merchant ships. No expense seems to have been spared in their
construction. It is believed here that their guns have been made at
this place, and no one appears to doubt their having been built for
the rebels. Mr. Montagnie keeps you so well informed of the details
of their equipment, that it is unnecessary for me to dwell upon
it.
I am much obliged by your letter of the 25th instant, which I had the
honor to receive last night. If I meet either the Shanghai or San
Francisco at sea, even upon their trial trips, under the French
flag, I shall do my utmost to capture them, unless otherwise advised
by you.
It will, however, not be easy for the Iroquois to look after the
vessels at Bordeaux, St. Nazaire, and Calais; nor is it easy to keep
up communication with our consuls at Nantes and Bordeaux, both
somewhat remote from the sea, while the French authorities are so
sensitive as to the presence of our ships-of-war in their
waters.
After leaving Bordeaux, I shall return to Belle isle to communicate
with the consul at Nantes, probably three or four days from the
present time.
I have the honor to be, with great respect, your most obedient
servant,
C. R. P. RODGERS, Commander United States
Navy.
His Excellency William L. Dayton,
Minister Plenipotentiary and Envoy
Extraordinary of the United States of North America at
France, Paris.
Mr. John de la Montagnie to
Mr. Dayton
No. 48.]
United States Consulate,
Nantes,
August 29, 1864.
Sir: In continuation of my reports
concerning the rebel ships at St. Nazaire I learn that, one day last
week, thirty-five tons of the bituminous mixture for firing steamers
was put on board the San Francisco, and during a day her machinery
was kept working. She also sailed about the dock. I am informed, by
a person who was aboard, that the machinery worked well, giving
satisfaction. This coal was put on board from the wharf, the vessel
coming along side of it. She now occupies the outside position in
the dock, and could go to sea in five or ten days, if pressed.
I am informed by a French pilot, who is now on board the Iroquois
permanently, and who, at my request, with the consent of Captain
Rodgers, went on board the Shanghai yesterday at 11 o’clock, that he
was informed by the keeper that Mr.———, (he could not recall the
name,) the American in command of the work on the ships, (doubtless
Hansenson,) had given him positive orders to let no one on board
while the northern corvette was in port; that the ships would both
be ready to sail in a month; that they were to have nineteen cannon,
120-pounders; two were to point through tie stern lights of the
captain’s cabin, eight were to be on each side, and pivot on the
forecastle deck. He said they had not been, and would not be, sold;
they were confederate ships. This keeper did not know my informant
was pilot of the Iroquois, nor that he had any connexion with me. I
give this information as I received it. He must be
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mistaken about the calibre of the
cannon. I omitted to say that the keeper added that they were to go
to Sweden for their guns.
As soon as it was known at St. Nazaire that an American war ship was
in sight, the ports were all closed, and mats were hung along the
wharf side of the ship. The gate upon the shore plank was shut, and
orders given to admit none but workmen aboard. This Frenchman only
got on board through the name of his cousin, who rigged the ships.
The rigger’s name is Mogart, of Cherbourg. The pilot said Mogart
said that he was working for and paid by the confederate
authorities. The pilot could not tell me from whom his cousin Mogart
received his pay. Could you, sir, send me a copy of the diplomatic
correspondence for the last year, which contains Mr. Seward’s
instructions to Mr. Adams concerning the iron-clads of England? I
have not yet received a copy, and had promised it to Captain
Rodgers, thinking I had one. He desired to know what had been the
determination of our government about that matter.
I am, sir, very repectfully, your obedient servant,
Hon. Wm. L. Dayton, United States Minister at Paris.
