Mr. Dayton to Mr. Seward, April 15, 1863

Mr. Dayton to Mr.
Seward

Sir: Having learned from the newspapers and a
telegraphic despatch the escape of the confederate steamer Japan from
Greenock, and her supposed entrance into French waters, somewhere
between St. Malo and Ushant, I thought it best at once to call the
attention of this government to the subject.

With no evidence and little but newspaper statements to guide me, it was
not exactly clear what I should ask for, but I assumed it as probable
that this vessel had sought the shelter of a French port either for
repairs after her accident, or for shipping additional men and an
increased armament. The London Times had said she was probably off the
French coast to take in cargo, which, I inferred, meant men, or arms, or
both. Having left with Mr. Drouyn de l’Huys on yesterday a printed copy
of the statement in the London Herald and London Times of the alleged
character and the escape of this vessel, in despite of the effort of the
English government to stop her, I submitted to him whether the French
government would not, under the circumstances, give its aid. That he was
aware that our government looked upon all that class of vessels as
piratical, and I trusted that France would give us every aid which the
condition of things would justify, and that, in any event, the
hospitality of French ports, and all assistance or facilities to be
obtained in such ports or waters should be denied to her. I told him
that the character and destination of the vessel seemed to be admitted;
that she appeared here, (I did not know under what pretended
nationality,) but as little else than a fugitive from justice; and that
any friendly action in the premises on the part of France would (more
especially in view of the recent depredations of the Alabama and
Florida) be most kindly regarded by the government and people of the
United States.

After he had made a minute of the alleged facts, he said he would
immediately call the attention of the department of marine to the
subject, and see what could be done for us.

Mr. Drouyn de l’Huys seemed not indisposed to act promptly, even upon the
vague and imperfect information I had given. But how far the French
government would go, should the vessel be found in their ports, he did
not say.

After my interview with Mr. Drouyn de l’Huys, I received a telegraphic
communication from Mr. Adams as to the probable locus
in quo of the Japan, not differing, however, from that which I
had already received and communicated to Mr. Drouyn de l’Huys.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,