Mr. Harvey to Mr.
Seward
No. 316.]
Legation of the United States,
Lisbon,
February 5, 1865.
Sir: Information from various sources and
directions has reached this legation within the last ten days, all
tending to show that several rebel cruisers are afloat in these and the
neighboring waters, and that a serious hostile demonstration against our
commerce is meditated. Copies of the notes and telegrams on this subject
are communicated herewith, in the order that they were received.
The United States steamer Sacramento left here about a month ago for
Cadiz, principally to take in stores deposited there, and at the same
time to make some necessary repairs. As soon as I was made aware of the
facts above stated, a telegram was sent to her commander, inquiring if
the ship was ready for efficient service, and upon receiving an
affirmative reply, he was requested to come here immediately. It is to
be presumed he is now on his way to this port.
The United States steamer Niagara is supposed to be in one of the ports
of Belgium or Holland, and as her services are not needed in that
quarter but are imperatively required hereabouts, I deemed it proper to
telegraph Mr. Sanford at Brussels yesterday, requesting him to give that
information to Commodore Craven.
The steamer Ajax, referred to in Mr. Moran’s note, put into the Tagus on
the 3d instant, owing to stress of weather. From inquiries made
yesterday, I am led to believe that she is an intended blockade runner
and not a cruiser.
The ram mentioned in Mr. Montagnie’s despatch has not yet appeared
here.
Immediate steps will be taken in regard to the representations made by
Mr. Bayman at Funchal, but it will be necessary to proceed with a
certain degree of prudence, as this government, under any pressure,
might be inclined to follow the example of the larger powers, and apply
a rule to our vessels-of-war which, under existing circumstances, would
be far more injurious to the public interest than the impertinent
proceedings to which attention has been called.
My first endeavor and duty, in the midst of these complications, and with
but a single ship-of-war at hand, must be to protect our exposed
commerce, and, if possible, to punish the armed depredators.
I venture to suggest, as Lisbon is a much more available point than Cadiz
for the information by which the movements of our ships-of-war in these
waters must be to a great extent determined, that it would be a material
economy of time and of money if the supplies intended for them were
stored here, so as to be quite at hand in case of emergency. Whatever
naval force can be spared for Europe should be so disposed in all
respects as to give it the fullest vigor and efficiency. The want of
systematic organization has been and is still seriously felt
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward,
Secretary of State.
[Page 103]
Mr. Moran to Mr. Harvey
My Dear Sir: I write privately to say that
there is a double screw propeller now in the harbor of Kingstown,
Ireland, which is, no doubt, intended to be used as a rebel gunboat.
She is called the Ajax, has but one funnel, painted white, and a
black hull. She has iron beams, and is very strong. I cannot learn
her tonnage. She has eighty berths, with tables to let down from the
ceiling of saloons to accommodate that number of persons; and
although she has no guns on board, she has ample room at the bows
and stern for pivot guns; and though she has no portholes, her
bulwarks are low enough for guns to range over them, and she is a
three-decker. Her crew are all in a state of mutiny, and say she is
going to Madeira. There are two or three rebel officers on board.
She has two masts, but no yards, as she only uses mainsails. She has
four boats swung on davits painted white. Her coal is in bags. Her
engineer says she is to be used as a gunboat. If we should not stop
her I will telegraph to you. She took arms and iron plating on board
at Glasgow.
I give you these facts for your own use, so that you may have one of
our vessels on the lookout for the Ajax about Madeira. The rebels
recently sent away a large number of men from London on a screw
steamer of theirs called the City of Richmond. She may be intended
to meet the Ajax.
Ever truly,
[Telegram.—Lisbon, January 27,
1865.]
[Untitled]
Benjamin Moran, Esq., Legation of the United
States, London:
Your letter has been received. You should notify Niagara, which is
probably at Antwerp. Mr. Sanford, perhaps, knows her
whereabouts.
[Telegram.—Nantes, January 30,
1865.]
[Untitled]
American Minister, Lisbon:
Ram Olinde, built at Bordeaux, and transferred by Danes to rebels at
Houat island, here; sailed for Lisbon on Saturday.
[Telegram.—Lisbon, January 31,
1865.]
[Untitled]
Captain Walke, war steamer Sacramento,
Cadiz:
Have your repairs been completed, and is your ship ready for
efficient service?
[Untitled]
[Telegram.—Cadiz, February 1,
1865.]
United States Minister, Lisbo:
Sacramento is ready for efficient service. Have answered by
letter.
[Untitled]
[Telegram.—Lisbon, February 2,
1865.]
Captain Walke, war steamer Sacramento,
Cadiz:
Your letter just received. Come here immediately.
[Telegram.—Madrid, February 4,
1865.]
[Untitled]
Minister of the United States, Lisbon:
The confederate cruiser Shanandoah is in the harbor and asks for
repairs. Notified our ships.
[Page 104]
[Telegram.—Lisbon, February 4,
1865.]
[Untitled]
Hon. H. S. Sanford, United States Minister,
Brussels:
Inform Commodore Craven that several vessels, reported to be rebel
cruisers, are hereabouts, and, unless restricted by orders, his
services are urgently needed.
[Telegraph.—Lisbon, February 5,
1865.]
[Untitled]
E. S. Eggleston, Consul of the United States,
Cadiz:
Has Sacramento started? If not, tell Captain to come here
immediately.
Mr. Bayman to Mr. Harvey
United States Consulate,
Madeira,
January 31, 1865.
Sir: On the 3d instant the steamer Alice
arrived, five days from Cork; burden, 450 tons; forty-seven men, all
told; bound to Nassau; took 150 tons of coal, and sailed the 6th
instant. This vessel came in under the rebel flag, afterwards
lowered by order of the governor. I enclose copy of my
correspondence upon the subject.
On the 28th instant the steamer Fannie arrived, ten days from
Glasgow; 390 tons, fifty men, all told, two passengers; took 200
tons of coal, and sailed to-day. Also under the rebel flag, which
was ordered to be lowered, as well as that of the steamer
Confederate States, just arrived, thirteen days from Nassau, 279
tons, fifty crew, twelve passengers; reports in ballast, bound to
Liverpool.
These three steamers are paddle-wheeled, painted white, and said to
go 15 knots the hour.
Have had no correspondence with the government regarding the Fannie
and Confederate States, as the policy pursued towards the rebel
vessels will not be altered without orders from Lisbon.
If there be any vessels of war within reach of your telegram, it is
well to let them know that this place is likely to be frequented by
the rebel ships bound to and from Nassau.
I should state that the steam power of the Alice was 200 horse; the
Fannie, 250; and Confederate States, 140.
I have the honor to remain, sir, very respectfully, your obedient
servant,
His Excellency James E. Harvey,
United States Minister, Lisbon.