William L. Dayton to William H. Seward, October 8, 1863

Mr. Dayton, United States minister, to Mr. Seward, Secretary of State.

Sir: The minister of marine has been absent some days recently,, and this has been assigned to me by Mr. Drouyn de Lhuys as a reason why my communication as to the rebel ships now being built at Bordeaux and Nantes had not been definitely answered.

[287] I left some additional evidence with him this morning, to wit: copy of contract between Arman and Bullock for building two iron clads, dated *16th July last; copy of letter from Emile Erlanger to Voruz, sr., dated 9th June last; copy of letter from Mazeline & Co. to Voruz, sr., dated 23d June last; copy of letter from O. B. Tollet, and L. Babin, and E. Dubigeon and tils, to Voruz, 10th June last; copy of agreement between Bullock and Yoruz, dated September 17, 1863, increasing the number of cannon contracted for from forty-eight to fifty-six, and the number of shells from five thousand to twelve thousand.

Mr. Drouyn de Lhuys did not intimate any doubt as to the facts charged, and the minister of marine, he said, had informed him that in granting the authorization to build and arm these vessels he did it as a matter of course, as he had done in like cases before, supposing that the representation in the application, that they were intended for the China sea, &c., was true. But Mr. Drouyn de Lhuys said that he, the minister of marine, entirely agreed with him that no violation of the neutrality of France should be permitted, and he (Mr. Drouyn de Lhuys) said I might be assured that it would not be.

I am. sir, your obedient servant,