Drouyn de Lhuys to William L. Dayton, October 22, 1863

Mr. Drouyn de Lhuys, minister of foreign affairs, to Mr. Dayton, United States minister.

[293] Sir: I have the honor to announce to you, as a sequence to my letter of the *15th of this month, that M. the minister of marine has just notified Mr. Voruz of the withdrawal of the authorization which he had obtained for the armament of four vessels in course of construction at Nantes and Bordeaux. Notice has also been given to Mr. Arman, whose attention has been at the same time called to the responsibility which he might incur by acts in opposition to our declaration of the 18th of June, 1861. These measures testify, sir, to the scrupulous care which the government of the Emperor brings to the observance of the rules of a strict neutrality. It is in order to give to your Government a new proof of our disposition in this respect that we have not hesitated to take into consideration the information, the authenticity of which you have affirmed to me.

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