William L. Dayton to Monsieur Thouvenel, May 31, 1861

A.

Sir: In conformity with the verbal promise I gave at our last conference, I now have the honor to propose to your excellency an accession, on the part of the United States of America, to “the declaration concerning maritime law,” adopted by the plenipotentiaries of France, Great Britain, Austria, Prussia, Russia, Sardinia, and Turkey, at Paris, on the 16th of April, 1856, with the addition to the first clause, which declares “privateering is and remains abolished,” of the following words: “And the private property of the subjects or citizens of a belligerent on the high seas shall be exempted from seizure by public armed vessels of the other belligerent, unless it be contraband.”

Thus amended I will immediately sign a convention on the part of the United States, acceding to the declaration, which will, I doubt not, be promptly ratified and confirmed by my government.

With much respect, I have the honor to be your very obedient servant,