Drouyn de L’huys to William L. Dayton, August 25, 1863

Mr. Drouyn de l’Huys to Mr. Dayton

Sir: I have received, with its accompaniments, the letter which you did me the honor to write to me of the date of the 22d of this month on the subject of two iron-clad vessels which are being constructed at Birkenhead, near Liverpool.

Since the interview, which you are pleased to recall to me, a French merchant, M. Bravay, has addressed himself to my department, to make known to me that these vessels had been purchased through his agency on the account of the Pacha of Egypt. He claimed at the same time the support of the embassy of his Majesty in England in order to be able to send them to Alexandria.

I have answered that the ships in question having a foreign destination, the French agents had no authority to intervene in this circumstance with the British administration, and that it belonged only to the Egyptian government to make to the English authorities the justifications necessary to authorize the going out of these ships. I have written in the same sense to the embassy of the Emperor at London, as well as to the consul of his Majesty at Liverpool.

Accept the assurances of the high consideration with which I have the honor to be, sir, your very humble and very obedient servant,