Mr. Dayton to Mr. Seward
Sir: I saw M. Drouyn de l’Huys on yesterday. He received me in a very cordial manner, but said, smilingly, that I wrote him a sharp despatch, in allusion to that I had sent him the day before, enclosed to you in No. 542. I said no, but I had answered temperately a sharp despatch he had sent to me from the minister of marine; and I added that that despatch had surprised me very much, as there was certainly nothing in my letter, to which this despatch from the minister of marine purports to be an answer, to justify it. M. Drouyn de l’Huys then said, they certainly intended to watch those vessels at Bordeaux and Nantes as closely as possible; and he thought that this letter from the minister of marine, stating that these vessels should not be delivered to the confederates, put the matter in the best shape for me. I told him I thought so, too, and was satisfied, and had so informed the commanders of the Niagara and Sacramento.
I then read to him a letter from Captain Rodgers, of the Iroquois, complaining that the authorities at Bordeaux had not returned his salute; but stated, at the same time, that I did not wish to make it the subject of diplomatic correspondence. He said he would mention the matter to the minister of marine; but as it subsequently appeared that they had no guns at Bordeaux with which to return the salute, that, he supposed, would be a sufficient answer, to which I fully assented.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, &c., &c., &c.