John Bigelow to Édouard Drouyn de Lhuys, January 28, 1865

Mr. Bigelow to Mr. Drouyn de Lhuys

Sir: I am advised that a vessel sailing under the Danish flag, hut recently sold to the so-called ‘Confederate States of America, had put into Palais, Belle Isle. I have reason to be lieve that this vessel was built in France, and sailed for a Danish port as a vessel built for the Danish government. One of the names she bears is Olinide; as she is a new vessel, she can have no claim to the shelter of a French port for repairs. If, as I have reason to believe, she is armed and ready for service, it would be a fraud upon the imperial government for her to leave before she had been stripped of her warlike munitions. I am also advised of an iron-clad vessel recently built at Bordeaux, arriving under the Danish flag, with a Danish captain and crew on board, at the Isle of Houat. She has discharged her Danish crew, who were taken to Quiberon in a vessel sent to supply her with coals by Messrs. Dubigeons Fils, of Nantes. While taking in her coals an English steamer came alongside and supplied her with guns, munitions of war and a crew.

Your excellency I trust will not think I am too hasty in concluding that this vessel also is designed to prey upon American commerce under the flag of the so-called confederate government.

I hasten to bring these tacts to your excellency’s attention in the hopes that measures may be immediately taken to prevent a violation of that neutrality which the imperial government has shown itself so justly solicitous to maintain.

I take this occasion to renew to your excellency the assurance of the high consideration with which I have the honor to be, your excellency’s very obedient servant,