Mr. Seward to Mr.
Clay
No. 41.]
Department of State,
Washington,
October 23, 1863.
Sir: I enclose a copy of a despatch of the 29th
ultimo, No. 16, from William Edwin Phelps, esq., our consul at St.
Petersburg, in relation to a proposed expedient to evade the foreign
enlistment act of Great Britain, and to a reported proposed sale of two
steamers there for blockade-running or privateering.
I will thank you to bring these matters to the knowledge of Prince
Gortchacow, and to request him to apply the remedy, if needed.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Cassius M. Clay, Esq., &c., &c., &c.
Mr. Phelps to Mr. Seward
No. 16.]
Consulate of the United States
of America,
St. Petersburg, Russia,
September 29, 1863.
Sir: I am informed by a merchant, who is
largely concerned in the importation and sale of English war
materials, that certain shipbuilders in England have solicited and
obtained from parties in this city a number of orders for war
vessels, with the intention of using them [the orders] as proof of
[pretended legitimate] destination, in case the British government
should enforce the foreign enlistment act against the steamers now
building for the confederate service. I suppose that you are
constantly informed of everything ordered in England for his
imperial Majesty’s government, and as no one else can make use of a
war vessel, the fraud can be easily detected.
I have also heard a rumor that two more steamers are about to be sold
here for blockade-running or privateering, but as yet I have not
been able to trace it to any reliable source.
With sentiments of high respect, I am, sir, your most obedient
servant,
WM. EDWIN PHELPS, United States
Consul.
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington.
