No. 202.
Mr. Moran to Mr.
Fish
No. 203.]
Legation of the United States, London,
January 26, 1871. (Received February
9.)
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.,
[Telegram.]
Washington, January 21. (Received January 22, 1871, at 3.45
p. m.)
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.
[Telegram.]
Washington, January 24. (Received at about 3 a. m. January
25, 1871.)
To Moran, Chargé, American Legation, London:
Get from Stevens dispatch of Secretary of Navy to Captain Wells, Send it
to Washburne.
[Page 432]
Mr. Moran to Mr.
Washburne
Legation of the United States,
London,
January 25, 1871.
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.,
[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.