Mr. Dayton to Mr. Seward
Sir: I have supposed it might be of interest to you, or to the Navy Department, to learn something in detail as to the present conduct and future prospects of the rebel steamer Florida, now in the roadstead at Brest.
I had, some days since, an application for aid in behalf of a French shipper, who had a heavy and just claim, for damages against this vessel, and which claim, he was advised by his counsel, could be enforced against her in law. This claim, properly prepared, could detain her in port, as alleged, for some six months at least. To become better informed upon this question, and other matters as to the ship, I requested Mr. Bigelow, our consul here, to go with the claimant to Brest. This he immediately did. I am not yet able to say whether any legal claim can be enforced, or whether the vessel can be detained to answer for it. Our vice-consul at Brest, a most intelligent gentleman, doubts if it can be done; but, in the mean time, I learn through a letter from him, and another from Mr. Bigelow, that the Florida is yet in the roadstead, awaiting permission to be taken into a government dock or basin for repairs. The mere commercial accommodations at Brest are, it seems, not sufficient for her purpose. In the mean time it is supposed that the French are consulting with the British authorities with a view to a joint action or understanding as to what the two governments should do in such cases. Captain Maffitt, of the Florida, says he came into a French port for repairs instead of an English one, because, by the rule adopted by England, he was excluded from entering another of her ports for three months after he had left Bermuda, which time had not yet expired. He represents the copper on the bottom of his ship as badly torn by her striking against a rock, or some obstacle, in making his escape from Mobile. He wishes to copper her bottom, re-calk her, repair her machinery, and get coal Our vice-consul at Brest thinks it very important that she be taken into the basin or dock-yard for repairs, which he thinks, from their necessary character and extent, will detain her at least four or five months. It is ascertained that her shaft is so badly sprung, or at least out of line, that it has raised her deck Early and extensive repairs are, it is said, indispensable; and Captain Maffitt says the machinery of her engine is of such a nature as to make it necessary to send to England for workmen, the French artisans not understanding it. He complains that Brest “is a dreadful slow place;” says “they promised to have the dock ready for his ship some days ago, and that it is not ready yet.” The men were getting ready to land her powder on Monday or Tuesday last, and knocking out the heads of some casks to put it in. The Florida consumed the last of her coal in coming to Brest. By the way, the Anglo Saxon, which she burned in the channel, was loaded with coal; and Captain Maffitt told Captain Cavarly (when he asked the privilege of bonding his vessel) that coal was contraband of war, and he would burn her as quick as if she were loaded with gunpowder. But it is not to be doubted that the Florida will claim the right to coal anew in the French port. I am informed that the crew of this vessel are of all nations, but mostly English and Irish; not more than two Americans in the whole, and they both Boston boys taken off a prize. Mr. Maffitt, having been long on the coast survey, says he is as well acquainted with the ports and [Page 767] harbors of the north as with the cabin of his ship; that but for the failure of Lieutenant Reed (the man who entered Portland harbor and ran off with the Caleb Cushing) to co-operate, he would have gone to some of the principal northern ports and burned them; “but,” he added. “I will wake some of them up there yet.” The above statements come directly or indirectly from Captain Cavarly, of the Anglo Saxon.
I have to-day had a conversation with M. Drouyn de l’Huys upon the subject. He says they are much annoyed that the Florida should have come into a French port. But having recognized the south as belligerents, they can only deal with the vessel as they would deal with one of our ships-of-war under like circumstances. They will give her so much aid as may be essential to her navigation, though they will not provide her with anything for war. I stated that she was a good sailer, and really needed nothing in the shape of repairs to machinery, &c., &c., to enable her to navigate. He said that if she were deprived of her machinery, she was pro tanto disabled, crippled, and liable, like a duck with its wings cut, to be at once caught by our steamers. He said it would be no fair answer to say the duck had legs, and could walk or swim. But he said that, in addition to this, the officers of the port had reported to the government that the vessel was leaking badly; that she made water at so much per hour, (giving the measurement,) and unless repaired she would sink; that this fact coming from their own officers, he must receive as true. They said nothing, however, about her copper being damaged, but reported that she needed calking and tarring, if I understood the French word rightly. I then asked him if he understood that the rule in such cases required or justified the grant of a government dock or basin for such repairs, especially to a vessel like this, fresh from her destructive work in the channel, remarking that, as she waited no judicial condemnation of her prizes, when repaired in this government dock, she would be just at hand to burn other American ships entering or leaving Havre and other French ports. He said where there was no mere commercial dock, as at Brest, it was customary to grant the use of any accommodations there to all vessels in distress, upon the payment of certain known and fixed rates; that they must deal with this vessel as they would with one of our own ships, or the ships of any other nation, and that to all such these accommodations would be granted at once. Under these circumstances, you may, I suppose, take it for granted that the Florida will remain at Brest for repairs—long enough, probably, for you to get a vessel-of-war over here. She not unlikely means to connect herself with the two iron-clad rams at Liverpool; and if so, I fear they would have power enough to go into any of our ports. The question will naturally present itself; had you best institute a blockade of the vessel in this port? I have given you the facts, and this question will be for the consideration of the Navy Department.
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I am informed that the Florida was saluted by a British national ship when she entered Bermuda. When she entered Brest, no formal salute was given, but I learn that a French ship lying there dipped her colors. I am not familiar with the distinctions in these maritime courtesies, and only state the facts. I am informed that Captain Maffitt was short of hands, and held out large inducements to the crew and some officers of the Anglo Saxon to join his ship, (to wit, a bounty of $50, and $20 to $22 per month,) but although they were generally foreigners, none of them yielded to the temptation.
Herewith I enclose you a slip cut from the Moniteur of this morning, indicating the policy of the government on this question.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, &c.