GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy to Geo. M. Colvocoresses, July 31, 1865

Mr. Welles to Commodore Colvocoresses

Sir: The department has received your communication of the 10th and 29th ultimo, in relation to the forcible removal by you of a seaman from a British merchant vessel at the Chincha Islands. A letter on the same subject has also been received from the Department of State submitting, for the consideration of this department, a copy of a despatch from the United States minister at Lima.

Your course in the matter referred to is disapproved. The want of intelligence and judgment which you have manifested has placed the department in the unpleasant position of being constrained to disavow your proceedings, and tender such apology for them as the facts of the case furnish, and which it is hoped will be received as satisfactory.

An officer occupying your position in the service should be better informed and educated, and better versed in the history of his country than to be required to be taught now the meaning of the word “impressment.” You should have known that while this government has always and at all hazards exacted the respect due to its flag abroad, it has always as faithfully respected the flag of every other nation, weak or powerful; and it can no more countenance your forcible intrusion on board the merchant vessel of a friendly nation than it could submit quietly to a similar proceeding on the part of a foreign naval commander with regard to an American vessel.

I am, respectfully, your obedient servant,