I have received a reply, a translation of which is enclosed herewith. The
decision of the Navy Department to defer for the present the employment
of storehouses on shore, renders it unnecessary to prosecute the subject
further, and I have notified the Italian government accordingly.
Hon. William H. Seward,
Secretary of State.
[Translation.]
Mr. Minister: I have communicated to the
ministry of marine the contents of your note of the 26th September
last, in relation to having magazines in the port of Cagliari to
receive the United States naval stores, which are to be removed from
the depot at Spezia, on account of the transformation of the gulf of
Spezia into a military establishment for the royal marine of
Italy.
In view of the amicable relations existing between the two countries,
and in consideration of the exceptional circumstances that the
United States of America have no possession in Europe, and their
great distance from the Mediterranean does not permit them to
provision directly and opportunely their ships in that sea, the
government of the King has no objection to granting the permission
desired. But you will recognize, Mr. Minister, in making this
concession we are obliged to return to the King’s government that
liberty of action which its own interests and the maintenance of
maritime neutrality demand. It is my duty then to fix the following
conditions:
The privilege accorded to the United States to rent magazines at
Cagliari for the stores of their naval station in the Mediterranean
can at any time be revoked by the government of the King, and the
marine of the United States will be held to evacuate the aforesaid
magazines within a delay of three months after notice given to the
legation of the United States at the court of Italy.
In case of a rupture between the United States and any European
power, the magazines of Cagliari must be evacuated immediately after
the declaration of war.
The United States will not be entitled to indemnity for the
evacuation of their naval magazines at Cagliari.
Ships-of-war of the United States marine will conform to the
provisions of the royal decree of 6th of April, 1864, hereunto
annexed, in regard to the neutrality of the ports of the Italian
Kingdom.
In case that ships-of-war of the United States should have to remain
in the port of Cagliari beyond the time fixed by article 12 of the
said decree, they will be required, except in case of forced
stoppage or of damage, to obtain the authorization of the King’s
government.
The provisions of the before mentioned decree relating to belligerent
ships will be applicable to the military marine of the United
States, whenever the United States shall be at war with any other
power, or in case ships-of-war or privateers (armis en course) of
the separatists should make their appearance in the
Mediterranean.
I shall be glad, Mr. Minister, if, while appreciating the necessity
of these conditions, you should find no difficulty in accepting
them.
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I hasten to add that the government of the King will be happy to be
able to give proofs of its friendship towards the United States in
according to the federal marine all facilities that may be
consistent with its duties.
I take with pleasure, Mr. Minister, this occasion of renewing to you
the assurances of my high consideration.
Mr. Marsh,
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister
Plenipotentiary of the United States of America.
