James E. Harvey to William H. Seward, March 28, 1865

Mr. Harvey to Mr. Seward

Sir: I have the honor to inform you that the rebel cruiser Stonewall, a most formidable iron-clad ship, entered this port on Sunday evening, the 26th instant, having left Ferrol the previous day. As the flag which was flaunted from her mast-head was entirely unknown here, and somewhat resembles that of the Russian service, she was generally supposed to belong to that navy. And, in fact, the real character of the vessel was not ascertained positively until the next morning, when certain individuals, calling themselves officers, published their disloyalty in the streets in gray uniforms and arrogant language.

As soon as I was informed of the identity of the craft, immediate steps were taken, personally, to have her ordered out of port, and they were followed later in the day by a formal note to Duke de Loulé, now enclosed, (marked A,) which will explain itself.

Assurances were given without hesitation that the vessel would be required to depart within twenty-four hours, and I have occasion to know that the orders were at once made, and the notice officially communicated to the Stonewall.

The Niagara and Sacramento arrived last evening, having been delayed on the way from Corunna many hours, by the deranged condition of the latter’s engines. Their presence created great excitement in the city, from the absurd apprehension of a naval combat in the harbor, which it was very difficult to allay, and the contagion of which seized even those who should have been better informed. As an accident delayed the departure of the Stonewall until this morning, the alarm became greatly magnified, although our ships had remained, at the friendly request of the authorities, off Belem, some few miles down the river. At an early hour I despatched a messenger to request Commodore Craven, the superior officer, to call at my residence to consult with him as to the measures which duty and wise policy required to be adopted. While we were in conference, the under-secretary for foreign affairs came in with a verbal reply to my note, and perhaps with a view of getting an assurance that no collision would be permitted. Indeed, the King himself had previously sent an aide-de-camp on board the Niagara to express his solicitude on that point A few words soon relieved any misgiving, but I improved the occasion to say emphatically, that if our ships desired to go out they should go out, because the time for the departure of the Stonewall had elapsed, and because the rule applicable to an armed pirate, in no legal sense recognized as a belligerent by this government, should not be applied to a regular ship-of-war carrying the honorable flag of my country.

A brief consultation with Commodore Craven soon satisfied me—for I did not feel at all qualified to judge a professional question of such moment and serious importance—that in the present condition of fine weather and smooth sea, to seek a combat with this powerful iron ship would be to invite almost certain and wanton destruction of life and property. There was another reason bearing directly upon a decision in a different form, which necessarily attracted attention. By referring to the letters marked B and C, of our consul at Liverpool, it will be seen that two vessels are now on their way to this port with cannon, munitions of war, and large military supplies for the Stonewall. They may be expected hereabouts from one day to another. It is very important to cut off and capture these sinews of war, without which the intended hostile operations of the cruiser cannot be successfully prosecuted. Our ships will address their efforts directly to that duty.

According to my information derived from careful inquiries and investigation, the Stonewall is in perfect sea-going condition; has all the improvements of modern art, science and experience adapted to the objects for which she was constructed; received all the necessary repairs which were required, during a stay of seven weeks at the naval station of the Spanish government at Ferrol, and succeeded also while there in enlisting numbers of seamen and others for her piratical service. She is of remarkable speed for a heavy iron-clad, having made the voyage from Ferrol to Lisbon in some thirty hours, which compares favorably with the running time of the best steamers of the commercial marine.

Large inducements were held out to procure enlistments in Lisbon. As much as £10 sterling monthly wages and £15 bounty were offered, but only one misguided and dissipated victim was secured, and he by a process of kidnapping. The fact only came to light too late tobe visited with the penalty which I should certainly have assisted in seeing enforced.

Inasmuch as anxiety will naturally be felt at Washington in regard to the movements of the Niagara and Sacramento, and the Stonewall, I deem it proper to communicate to Mr. Adams the fact stated in the telegram, marked D, herewith, in order that he might transmit them immediately to the department.

I also communicate herewith, marked E, a copy in translation of the note of the Duke de Loulé, in reply to mine of yesterday’s date.

These papers and this general statement concerning the cruiser Stonewall since her presence in the Tagus will enable the President and the department to appreciate understandings the official proceedings which were adopted to meet an exceptional and vexatious emergency.

I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,