Mr. Seward to Mr. Dayton
Sir: Your despatch of February 3, No. 408, has been received, together with a copy of the protest which, on the 2d instant, you addressed to M. Drouyn de l’Huys against the anticipated proceedings of the French government in permitting the Rappahannock to depart upon her work of piracy against the extended commerce of the United States. In making this protest you have anticipated and executed in a very proper manner a recent instruction of this department, and your proceeding is, therefore, fully approved. You will, of course, make this approval known to M. Drouyn de l’Huys, and when doing so you will say that the President deems it not unbecoming to express his profound regret that a necessity for so serious a complaint has arisen in our intercourse with France—an intercourse in which everything on our part has been intended to be conducted in the spirit of an earnest and sincere friendship— which is believed to have been hitherto equally beneficial to both countries.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
William L. Dayton Esq.