Mr. Seward to Mr. Dayton
Sir: Having noticed that the authenticity of the report of the insurgent secretary of the navy, a copy of which accompanied the instructions to you, No. [Page 56] 453, of the 4th of January last, has been questioned, diligent inquiries have been made upon the subject. I am sorry to say that they have resulted in ascertaining that the supposed report was written by* * * * * * * * * This was just at the time when journals of a late date from Richmond had reached the north and the genuineness of the report was implicitly believed; my own convictions were of that character, and were so strengthened by the fact that public documents from the same quarter had always reached us in the same way. It seemed that the author of the surreptitious report was chiefly actuated by a desire to create the impression that he had means of communicating with the insurgent capital superior to those of his professional brethren, and superior enterprise in availing himself of them. Should a statement of the truth upon this point be found necessary, you can make one, with such reserve as may be deemed advisable.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
William L. Dayton Esq., &c., &c., &c.
(Same to Mr. Adams.)