Letter

Bradford R. Wood to James Campbell, April 1, 1865

Author

Bradford R. Wood

Recipient

James Campbell

Date

April 1, 1865

Type

Letter

Language

English

No. 1.

Mr. Wood to Mr. Campbell

Legation of the United States, Copenhagen, April 1, 1865.

Dear Sir: Confederate agents have been prowling around this city, and, I suppose, looking out for some vessel that will do for a pirate, and which they would expect to get out as a merchant vessel and arm at sea.

I have been informed that Waddell, the captain of the late Florida, is here, and that he has dropped the remark that he might go to Sweden; in other words, go where he could find such a ship as he wanted.

I am not sufficiently acquainted with Swedish ports or Swedish commerce to indicate what place he would go to, but have thought it advisable to apprise you of what I have heard. As it is no longer as easily as formerly to equip pirates in England, the confederates are now, I think, turning their attention to the smaller maritime powers.

I remain, very truly, your obedient servant,

BRADFORD R. WOOD.

Hon. Mr. Campbell, United States Minister, Stockholm.

P. S.—I should think Gothenburg a port, or one of the ports, most likely to be visited by the confederates. W.

Topics

19th Century Diplomacy Reconstruction

Sources

FRUS u2014 Papers Relating to Foreign Affairs, Accompanying the Annual Message of the President to the First Session Thirty-ninth C View original source ↗

U.S. Department of State, Office of the Historian. Papers Relating to Foreign Affairs, Accompanying the Annual Message of the President to the First Session Thirty-ninth C.