John Bigelow to Horatio J. Perry, Legation of the United States, February 8, 1865

Mr. Bigelow to Mr. Perry.

Dear Sir: I was gratified to learn by your telegrams of Monday and to-day that the Stonewall can be detained a few days; that will suffice for the frigate Niagara, Commodore Craven, which I presume left Dover on Monday, to reach Ferrol.

The French government decline to meddle with the Stonewall in Spain. Their theory, to which they will naturally adhere as long as possible, is, that she was a Danish vessel until she went into confederate hands, and, that it is for Denmark, and not for France, to intercede, with Spain for her detention.

As no assistance is to be expected from this quarter, you will need no suggestion from any one to use every proper influence with the Spanish government to detain the Stonewall at least until you hear from our government.

I do not know the relative strength of the two vessels, but the result of a conflict between the Stonewall and the Niagara might be sufficiently uncertain to make it bad policy to risk one unnecessarily. Upon that point, however. Commodore Craven is a competent authority. The Stonewall carries one 300-pounder and two 120 pounders, I am told, in addition to any guns she may have received the other day from the Duke of Richmond.

I remain, dear sir, your very obedient servant,