No. 202.

Mr. Moran to Mr. Fish

No. 203.]

Sir: I have the honor to state that on the 22d instant I received your telegram of the preceding day instructing me to inform Mr. Washburne by the first opportunity that the United States steamer Shenandoah, now at Havre, would receive orders to be at his disposal on the surrender of Paris to convey him to Bordeaux; and yesterday morning I received your telegram of the 24th instant, instructing me to get from Mr. Stevens the dispatch of the Secretary of the Navy to Captain Wells and send it to Mr. Washburne.

I at once sought an interview with His Excellency Count Bernstorff, and learned from him that he would cheerfully transmit a small parcel for me to Paris by a special courier who would leave London for Versailles in the evening. I accordingly wrote a note to Mr. Washburne, incorporating in it copies of your above-mentioned telegrams, and inclosed to him the dispatch of the Secretary of the Navy to Captain Wells, as well as the dispatches received from you for him by Mr. Stevens since Friday last.

The Prussian courier left this place for Versailles last evening about 8 o’clock, and I am encouraged to hope that Mr. Washburne will receive your telegraphic messages, placing the Shenandoah at his disposal, and the various dispatches which I sent with them, in a very few days.

I had the honor to telegraph to you yesterday a brief report of my action on the subject, in fulfillment of your instructions, and I now beg to inclose herewith copies of your telegrams to me, of my note to Mr. Washburne, and of my cable message to you.

I have, &c.,

BENJAMIN MORAN.

[Telegram.]

To Moran, Chargé, American Legation, London:

Inform Washburne by first opportunity that the Shenandoah is at Havre, and will receive orders to be at his disposal on the surrender of Paris to convey him to Bordeaux or elsewhere. He can order to Antwerp or Ostend, or where he prefers, to meet him.

FISH.

[Telegram.]

To Moran, Chargé, American Legation, London:

Get from Stevens dispatch of Secretary of Navy to Captain Wells, Send it to Washburne.

FISH.
[Page 432]

Mr. Moran to Mr. Washburne

My Dear Mr. Washburne: Early on Sunday morning, the 22d instant, I received the following telegram from Mr. Fish, and as Count Bernstorff will send a special courier to Versailles this evening, I avail myself of his kindness and forward the message to you at the earliest opportunity.

“Washington, January 21, 1871.

“To Moran, Chargé, American Legation, London:

“Inform Washburne by first opportunity that the Shenandoah is at Havre, and will receive orders to be at his disposal on the surrender of Paris to convey him to Bordeaux or elsewhere. He can order to Antwerp or Ostend, or where he prefers, to meet him.

“FISH”

And at 3 a. m. to-day, I received a second telegram, as follows:

Washington, January 24, 1871.

“To Moran, Chargé, American Legation, London:

“Get from Stevens dispatch of Secretary of Navy to Captain Wells; send it to Washburne.

“FISH.”

In compliance with Mr. Fish’s instructions in this last telegram, I this morning obtained from Mr. Stevens, the dispatch agent here, the dispatch in question, addressed both to Commander Wells and yourself, and send it herewith.

I also add copies of telegraphic correspondence which has passed between the honorable the Secretary of the Navy, Commander Wells, and Mr. Stevens, in regard to the fact of the Shenandoah having been placed under your orders. This correspondence has not, however, come to me officially, and is contained in copies of two letters, addressed by Mr. Stevens on the 23d instant, to the Hon. George M. Robeson, Secretary of the Navy. The Shenandoah is still at Havre, where she awaits your orders.

Asking an early reply to this note, and that you will command me in all things, I am, &c.,

BENJAMIN. MORAN.

[Sent at 4 p. m., January 25, 1871.]

London.

Fish, Secretary of State, Washington:

Will send your telegram of 21st and dispatch of Secretary of Navy for Captain Wells to Mr. Washburne, by special Prussian courier, this evening. The cipher telegram from Baron Gerolt goes for ward to-night.

MORAN.