Mr. Perry to Mr.
Seward.
No. 118.]
Legation of the United States,
Madrid,
August 3, 1864.
Sir:Our government has had occasion frequently
to complain to that of Spain of the treatment received by our vessels in
passing the forts of Tarifa, in the Straits of Gibraltar; and American
ships have been more than once pierced with shot from these forts
because they were either slow or careless in complying with the
regulation that all vessels must show their flags on passing within
range of the guns of the forts.
I take pleasure, therefore, to enclose the copy of a circular note
addressed to me by Mr. Pacheco on the 31st July, in which he advises our
government of a very favorable change in the orders given to the
officers commanding the forts of Tarifa and Isla Verde, and from the
tenor of which it is to be hoped that the act of firing into the hulls
of unarmed merchantmen in time of peace will not again be repeated.
It may be well to publish these new regulations for the information of
our ship’s captains trading to the Mediteranean.
With sentiments of the highest respect, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
[Translation.]
Circular.
Department of State, San Ildefonso,
July 31, 1864.
Dear Sir:Having brought to the knowledge of
the Secretary of War the action taken on various occasions near the
government of her Majesty by some
[Page 94]
foreign representatives, accredited to this
court, with the object of introducing some favorable modification of
the rules observed at the fortresses of Tarifa and Isla Verde, to
oblige vessels navigating the jurisdictional waters of those
fortresses to hoist the flag of their nations, a practice which they
often neglect, alleging a very improbable ignorance in vessels which
so repeatedly pass the straits, the aforesaid secretary replied to
me, under date of 21st ultimo, that the department in his charge,
and at that date, had issued to the captain general of Andalusia,
who has under his immediate command the fortresses of Tarifa and
Isla Verde, the instructions following, to which, in future, the
commandants of the said fortresses will adhere.
1. “To every vessel which, on crossing the line of said fortresses,
within range of its cannon, does not show the flag of her nation,
(the Spanish flag floating over the fortress,) notice shall be given
of the neglect she is falling into by discharging a cannon loaded
with powder only.”
2. “If, after the lapse of 10 minutes, she should not have hoisted
her flag, a shotted gun shall be fired ahead and across her
prow.”
3. If, notwithstanding these two indicated notices, and the lapse of
another 10 minutes, she omit to hoist her flag, a third discharge
with balls shall be fired at her masts.”
In bringing the preceding dispositions to your knowledge, so that you
may give a translation of them to the government of the American
Union, the Queen, my sovereign lady, flatters herself that the
cabinet of Washington will find in the measures adopted a fresh
proof of the sentiments of deference which her government entertains
for the nation you so worthily represent.
I avail of this occasion to offer to you the assurances of my
distinguished consideration.
The Chargé
d’Affairs of the United States.
