Mr. Seward to Mr. Dayton, November 30, 1862

Mr. Seward to Mr.
Dayton

Sir: I recur to your despatch of November 13,
No. 225, in which you mention a reference by Mr. Drouyn de l’Huys to the
depredations committed upon American commerce by the 290, alias the Alabama.

The President is far from asking the interference of France, or even her
good offices, in a matter which disturbs the relations between the
United States and Great Britain, and which, if no redress is given,
would be a precedent for wide infractions of the law of nations. At the
same time, the President does not forget that in the case of the Trent,
France, in a generous manner, appealed to the United States to redress
the just complaint of Great Britain, and that both of those parties
appreciated her interposition.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,