Mr. Seward to Mr. Pike
Sir: The time seems to have come at last for you to go upon active service. For the purpose of information I give you a copy of three despatches which have been just now received from Mr. Dayton, and of my reply thereto of this date. It will be your duty to ascertain the truth about the sale of the two vessels, Yeddo and Osacco, which Arman, the ship-builder at Bordeaux, built for the insurgents, and now represents that he has sold, at their fair value, to a neutral, to be delivered in Amsterdam. It will be your first duty to take care that these vessels are not even despatched from a port in the Netherlands, or otherwise permitted to fall into the hands of the insurgents; and for that purpose, if necessary, you will address yourself to his Majesty’s government. Further, if it shall become necessary, the Kearsarge, which is now in European waters, and the Niagara, which will soon be there, will be subject to your requisition. You will examine all the circumstances, and advise us whether, in your opinion, it will be needful to increase our naval force in the German ocean. The diplomatic correspondence, of which a copy is herewith sent you, will give you the substance of the representations which we have thought proper heretofore to address to the British and French governments against the equipment and clearing of hostile expeditions. You will draw from that source such arguments as you may have occasion to address to the government at the Hague.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
James S. Pike, Esq., &c., &c., &c.
[Note.—The enclosures above referred to are published elsewhere in this correspondence.]