Mr. Seward to Mr.
Dayton
No. 485.]
Department of State,
Washington,
February 24, 1864.
Sir: Recurring to that part of your despatch of
the 26th ultimo, No. 406, which relates to the absence of national
cruisers to look out for the piratical vessels of the insurgents, I now
transmit a copy of a letter of the 20th instant from the Secretary of
the Navy on the subject, from which it appears that a scarcity of seamen
has heretofore caused the deficiency referred to Seamen, however, are
now secured.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
William L. Dayton Esq., &c., &c., &c.
Mr. Welles to Mr. Seward
Navy
Department,
February 20, 1864.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of your letter of the 17th instant, enclosing an extract
from a despatch of Mr. Dayton of the 26th ultimo, relative to the
efforts that are to be made, according to rumor, by the
secessionists next spring, and expressing regret that of the great
number of our ships of war enough could not have been spared to look
after the small rebel cruisers now in French ports, &c.
In connexion with the remarks of Mr. Dayton I may be permitted to
state that it is not the want of ships that prevents a more vigorous
pursuit and a more strict surveillance upon the movements of the
rebel cruisers at this time, but of
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seamen to man them. It is a cause of regret
that our seamen have (under the promise of large bounties and the
refusal to credit, in ordering the draft, to the respective
localities those who have entered the navy) enlisted in the army,
and thus left us without men to man our ships.
Very respectfully, &c.,
GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the
Navy.
Hon. William H. Seward
Secretary of State.
