Mr. Dayton, United States minister, to Mr. Seivard, Secretary of State.
Sir: My dispatch No. 387 incloses to you a copy of a note recently sent to Mr. Drouyn de Lhuys, in reference to the rebel vessel called the Rappahannock, lying at Calais. I now beg to inclose to you a translation of Mr. Drouyn de Lhuys’s reply. I should add that in the course of conversation had with him yesterday he admitted that this vessel was, in his judgment, an exceptional case, inasmuch as she was not driven in by stress of weather or necessity, but came voluntarily, to complété her equipment; and that, in this respect, her case was unlike the’ case of either the Florida or Georgia. He said, further, that he understood the minister of marine agreed with him in this view, but nothing has yet been done. I am daily expecting some orders from the minister of marine in reference to this vessel.
I am, sir, &c.,
Hon. William H. Seward,
Secretary of State.