Dudley to William H. Seward, March 16, 1864

Mr. Dudley to Mr. Seward.

Sir: * * * * * I have called your attention to a small steamer recently launched from the yard of Laird & Brothers, at Birkenhead, called the Alexandra. She is being built very strong, and supplied with powerful engines. I am much bothered about this vessel. All that I can learn is that she belongs to Fraser, Trenholm & Co. She has no carrying capacity, and is built strong enough, and has power enough, for a gunboat. She has two portholes on each side, but what seems to militate against the supposition that she is for war purposes is her smallness, and the fact that she has paddle-wheels instead of a screw. None of the men who work on her, or any one about the yard, seems to have any knowledge about her or the purpose for which she is intended. I think she has been built for a privateer, but up to the present moment have not a particle of evidence or any information that proves her to be for that purpose.

Lieutenant Low, who commanded the Tuscaloosa, formerly the bark Conrad, that was detained by the British government at Cape Town—the same who was on the steamer Alabama—is now here in Liverpool with some of his men and officers. I have not much doubt but what he intends to fit out some vessel here in England as a privateer.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,