Mr. Harvey to Mr. Seward.
Sir:The United States steamer Sacramento arrived at this port on Saturday evening, and I had a conference this morning with her commander in regard to his movements, with reference to the rebel cruisers now afloat and depredating upon our commerce. The orders of that officer confine his cruises to the coast of Europe, where the services of his ship are not as much required as among the mid-ocean islands, to be guided by information received here. He is anxious to do all that a sense of duty demands, and in an emergency would be governed by imperative circumstances for justification in departing from the strict letter of orders, which are the law to every proper and obedient officer.
[Page 325]There are frequent occasions when it might be proper for the minister at Lisbon to advise a cruise in the direction suggested or elsewhere, without having sufficient data to justify him in assuming a responsibility which might seem to conflict with the standing instructions of the Navy Department to its officer. And herein lies the difficulty and embarrassment of restricted orders for this distant service, which cannot foresee the contingencies that have so often occurred to the public disadvantage, and that have very recently been repeated in the equipping and arming of a new rebel cruiser called the Shenandoah at the Desertas of Madeira, under the supposed command of R. Semmes, formerly of the Alabama.
It was well known in Liverpool that a steamer called the Sea King was to be converted into a hostile cruiser, and that another steamer called the Laurel was to proceed to an appointed rendezvous, with the armament to be transferred at a fitting opportunity. That information was in my possession long before either vessel left England, but every effort on my part to communicate with one of our vessels-of-war failed, mainly from the want of knowledge of their whereabouts, and the criminal enterprise succeeded, with abundant means at our disposal to prevent it.
In saying that, I refer to the fact that the Niagara has been practically tied up for several months at Flushing, Antwerp, and the British colonies, and, as is understood, waiting for the orders which are to regulate her future movements. There is no present necessity or even good use for a vessel-of-war in that part of Europe, while there have been constant and urgent reasons for one or two war steamers plying between this port and the Azores, Madeira, Teneriffe, and Cape Verde.
I have on several occasions ventured to suggest a plan of organization for the naval force now in Europe, predicated upon my personal experience and observation. The pressure of more imposing duties has not hitherto allowed it to receive attention; but it is quite obvious that unless some system be adopted by which greater efficiency will be given to this force our commerce will be exposed to renewed outrages, and the government to the reproach of having abundant resources for its protection, without seeming to have the disposition or the wisdom to apply them.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State.