Dryer to R. C. Wyllie , His Hawaiian Majesty’s, July 24, 1861

[Untitled]

Sir: I have the honor to enclose herewith copies of two despatches from the Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State of the United States, and of two proclamations (April 19 and April 27, 1861) issued by his excellency Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, announcing the blockade of the ports of several of the southern States, and making known that all persons acting under the pretended authority of the aforesaid southern States, or under any pretence whatever, who shall molest vessels of the United States or their cargoes, shall be considered and dealt with as pirates.

You will observe, by a perusal of the copy of Mr. Seward’s despatch to me of the 20th April, 1861, that I am instructed to be vigilant in preventing aggressions upon American commerce by vessels or persons acting under the pretended authority mentioned.

To this end I would respectfully call your attention to the fact that the American clipper ship Bald Eagle, bound from San Francisco to China, with a large amount of treasure on board, having been chased, on her passage to this group, by a suspicious vessel, and to officially inquire of you what course his Hawaiian Majesty’s government intends to pursue with, regard to vessels of this description found frequenting the King’s waters, or touching for supplies or repairs at any of the ports in his Majesty’s dominions.

I have the honor to be, with great respect, your obedient servant,