RODGERS, Commander United States Navy to William L. Dayton, August 28, 1864

Commander Rodgers to Mr. Dayton

Sir: The Iroquois anchored off St. Nazaire on Friday night, and entered the port yesterday morning. I shall sail at midnight for Bordeaux.

Our consul at Nantes joined me here last night, and has given me much useful information.

I have seen, while passing them, the two rebel corvettes which are lying in the basin here, and have caused them to be closely observed. They are very formidable looking vessels, apparently of about eighteen hundred tons, able to carry heavy batteries, fully rigged, likely to sail and steam well, able to keep the sea for a long time, and will probably be superior in force to the greater part of our own cruisers. They seem to have been fitted with a view to make comfortable their officers and men, to be specially adapted to remain a long time on the ocean, and to make great havoc among our merchant ships. No expense seems to have been spared in their construction. It is believed here that their guns have been made at this place, and no one appears to doubt their having been built for the rebels. Mr. Montagnie keeps you so well informed of the details of their equipment, that it is unnecessary for me to dwell upon it.

I am much obliged by your letter of the 25th instant, which I had the honor to receive last night. If I meet either the Shanghai or San Francisco at sea, even upon their trial trips, under the French flag, I shall do my utmost to capture them, unless otherwise advised by you.

It will, however, not be easy for the Iroquois to look after the vessels at Bordeaux, St. Nazaire, and Calais; nor is it easy to keep up communication with our consuls at Nantes and Bordeaux, both somewhat remote from the sea, while the French authorities are so sensitive as to the presence of our ships-of-war in their waters.

After leaving Bordeaux, I shall return to Belle isle to communicate with the consul at Nantes, probably three or four days from the present time.

I have the honor to be, with great respect, your most obedient servant,