Papers Relating to Foreign Affairs, Accompanying the Annual Message of the President to the Second Session Thirty-eighth Congress, Part III

Mr. Dayton to Mr. Seward

No. 422.]

Paris, February 15, 1864.

Sir: A printed copy of the diplomatic correspondence of last year has reached me. I do not see that there is anything in the correspondence between us, as published, with which this government can justly find fault.

The rebel ship Florida has, as you are doubtless aware, left Brest, and will probably soon be heard of on the ocean destroying our commerce. The United States sloop-of-war Kearsarge, which had lain off the roadstead for a long time watching her, was absent when she left. The Kearsarge had gone to Cadiz, where she yet is, for, as I have been informed, coal, provisions, and repair of her boiler or machinery. Why these things were not attended to while the Florida was laid up with her machinery out, I do not know; but it would seem, from a letter just received from our consular agent at Brest, of which I send you a translation, marked No. 1, that it was not likely she could have prevented the escape of the Florida if she had yet been off that port.

The Rappahannock is still at Calais, and in want of engineers, firemen, and a competent crew; but in other respects she is, I believe, ready for sea. I send you the translation of a letter just received from our consular agent at that port, marked No. 2, which will give you the last news I have about this vessel.

The Georgia was at Cherbourg about a week ago. Since that I have had no advices from her, but presume she is yet in port. She may, however, have gone, as her repairs, I am informed, were completed some days since.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

WM. L. DAYTON.

Hon. William H. Seward &c., &c., &c.

February 16.

P. S.—I have received this morning a telegraphic despatch from our consular agent at Cherbourg, advising me that the Georgia left that port last night. I immediately telegraphed our consular agent at Cadiz to inform Captain Winslow, of the Kearsarge, of the departure of both this vessel and the Florida.

D.

No. 1.

[Translation.]

Mr. Kerros to Mr. Dayton

Consular Agency of the United States, Brest, February 11, 1864.

Monsieur l’Ambassadeur: As my letter of the 8th instant caused you to expect, the Florida went to sea in the night of the 9th and 10th instant.

Yesterday morning she was no longer at her anchorage. I might have informed you of it, but as she had before several times got ready to make trials, either inside or outside the roadstead, I wished to be certain of her departure before announcing it to you. It is very probable that she has escaped the Kearsarge. The passes of this harbor are so numerous that a blockade, in order to be efficient, would require the aid of an entire squadron. The presence of the Kearsarge will, nevertheless, not have been useless. She will have kept the Florida at anchor for several months, and this is something.

If I learn anything positive as to the presence of the Kearsarge in our parts I will write to Captain Winslow.

I am, with respect, your excellency’s very obedient servant,

KERROS.

His Excellency M. the Ambassador of the United States, Paris.