GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy to William H. Seward, January 18, 1867

Mr. Welles to Mr. Seward

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 14th instant, enclosing a copy of a note addressed to you on the 11th instant by the representative of Liberia, requesting this government to extend to Liberia the assistance of one of our cruisers on that coast.

A copy of Mr. Schieffelin’s communication will be sent to Rear-Admiral Goldsborough, commanding the European squadron, within the limits of whose command Liberia is situated, for his information. One of his vessels has recently been cruising on the African coast, and it is quite likely may have visited Liberia.

In relation to the subject of transferring a vessel to the government of Liberia, I would state that we have vessels, one of which might be transferred, but they were not acceptable to the agent.

Very respectfully, &c,