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

Mr. Seward to Mr. de Geofroy

Department of State, Washington, February 11, 1865.

Sir: Referring to the correspondence which has occurred between the French legation and this department relative to the alleged construction, in the ports of the United States, of vessels-of-war intended to cruise against the commerce of France under letters of marque issued by President Juarez, I have the honor to enclose for your information a copy of a letter of the 7th instant, together with its accompaniment, from the War Department.

Accept, sir, the assurances of my high consideration.

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

Mr. L. de Geofroy, &c., &c., &c.

Mr. Dana to Mr. Seward

War Department, Washington City, February 7, 1865.

Sir: Referring to your communication of the 25th, and to the reply of this department of the 26th of November last, relative to the alleged construction in United States ports of vessels intended to serve as privateers, under letters of marque from President Juarez, of the Mexican republic, I am instructed by the Secretary of War to transmit a copy of a communication on the subject from Major General McDowell, commanding the department of the Pacific, to whom a copy of your letter was sent with directions to take all necessary precautions to prevent the arming or fitting of vessels intended to be used in depredations on French commerce.

I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,

C. A. DANA, Assistant Secretary of War.

Hon. W. H. Seward, Secretary of State.

General McDowell to Mr. Stanton

Headquarters Department of the Pacific, San Francisco, January 6, 1865.

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of a communication from the State Department to you, enclosing the translation of a note from the French minister, dated the 12th of November, 1864, relative to the alleged construction in United States ports, and especially in that of San Francisco, of vessels intended to serve as privateers under letters of marque from the President (Juarez) of Mexico; on which letter was indorsed your orders to take all necessary precautions to prevent the arming or fitting of vessels-of-war intended to be used in depredations on French commerce.

On the receipt of these orders I immediately sent for the French consul, and inquired of him whether he knew, or had any cause to believe or suspect, that any vessel was being constructed, armed, or fitted out in this port for the purposes before mentioned.

He replied that he knew of none, unless it was the Colon.

The Colon is a steamer, said to have been built by the Peruvian government, and which I have and have had under guard for several months past. The seizure was reported to you some time since.

I asked the consul in what way he connected the Colon with any operations against the French. He replied, only because the captain was a friend of the Mexican General Vega, and that he had every reason to believe that General Vega had in his possession letters of marque to be issued to parties in this place, but that he had been unable to fit out any vessels.

I have been and shall continue to be strict in everything concerning vessels leaving this place, or of being built in these waters, which can in any way be converted into privateers, either against our commerce or that of foreign nations.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your most obedient servant,

IRWIN McDOWELL, Major General, Commanding Department.

Hon. E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War, Washington, D. C.