Mr. Dayton to Mr. Seward
Sir: In answer to your question contained in despatch No. 594, as to whether it is advisable to send another ship-of-war into European waters, I would say, that it should be determined by the condition of things, or, in other words, the military wants at home.
[Page 127]While a heavy ship-of-war, furnished with the new armaments and improvements with which our ships are now generally constructed, is never without use in European waters, adding as it does to our prestige, and opening the eyes of foreigners to the maritime strength of our country, yet I am bound to say that I do not see any necessity, at the present moment, for an increase of force in European waters. Our force is already much beyond what it has been at any time heretofore, since my arrival in Europe, while the force of the confederates, so far as I know, is less. We have now the Niagara cruising in the channel, the Sacramento at the port of Cherbourg, and the Kearsarge now off Dover. The confederate force, so far as we have reliable information, is nothing. The destruction of the Alabama has much changed the condition of things here. The Rappahannock is yet detained in the port of Calais. She has been seized, and if information from our consular agent at the port of Boulogne be reliable, the vessel is about to be sold, under some judicial proceedings, for certain debts or expenses of the captain.
It is said that a new confederate vessel (the Robert Lee) is expected in European waters at an early day, but of this vessel I have no knowledge whatever. I can add nothing of importance to what has been said heretofore, in respect to these remaining corvettes in the course of construction at Bordeaux and Nantes. As the Yeddo has in good faith (so far, at least, as we are concerned) gone to a neutral power, (Prussia,) we may have a reasonable hope, at least, that the Osacea will follow in due time. But I do not mean to depreciate at all the general importance of having a naval force in these waters as weighing upon the question of a disposition or otherwise to interfere in our affairs. The Dictator, for instance, might exercise a most useful influence, without there being occasion for military force here.
I would add here that, in a conversation had yesterday with your secret agent, he informed me that all the confederate naval officers had been ordered home, and that nine of them left for Halifax by the Cunard line last week, and others are to follow by instalments. Some of those leaving last week, he says, carried despatches. He adds that from one hundred to one hundred and fifty of them have been scattered through England and France. He tells me that they now admit that they have been foiled in all their purposes in respect to getting vessels out of France. Of the value or reliability of this information you can judge quite as well as I.
He informs me, further, that some of the officers from the Rappahannock went down to Cherbourg, prior to the fight between the Alabama and Kearsarge, with a view to take part with the Alabama, but the French authorities would not permit them to go on board. Of this I have no doubt.
Your telegram to me in cipher was duly received, and after a great search the office copy of the cipher was found, or at least enough of it to enable me to read your telegram, and send it, as you request, to Mr. Pike.
The last despatch in cipher from this office, which I found, is in the days of Mr. Crawford, about fifty years ago. Despatches in cipher from your department, may, perhaps, be found among the records of a later date, though I have seen none.
Attached hereto is an item cut from this morning’s Galignani. The facts stated I have referred to in this despatch.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward Secretary of State, &c.,&c., &c.