Papers Relating to Foreign Affairs, Accompanying the Annual Message of the President to the First Session Thirty-eighth Congress, Part II

Mr. Seward to Mr. Dayton

No. 395.]

Department of State, Washington, September 11, 1863.

Sir: Your despatch of the 27th of August (No. 338) has been received. You will inform Mr. Drouyn de l’Huys that his prompt, efficient, and friendly proceedings in regard to the ram which is being built at Liverpool are appreciated by the President.

I regret to say that reports of our consul at Liverpool leave little room to doubt that Mr. Bravay’s pretences to interfere in regard to these vessels, as an agent from the Pacha of Egypt, are false and fraudulent. The consul writes that he had telegraphed to the consul general at Alexandria, and so it is probable that the truth will be ascertained. Should Mr. Bravay be proved to have been engaged in an attempt to deceive the French government, you will doubtless make a proper representation of the case.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

William L. Dayton, Esq.