William L. Dayton to William H. Seward, January 22, 1864

Mr. Dayton to Mr. Seward

Sir: I received this morning the copy of a note addressed by Mr. Morse, our consul at London, to Mr. Putnam, our consul at Havre, and, as a matter of security, immediately enclosed another copy to our consular agent at Brest, for Captain Winslow, and another copy to our consul at Cadiz, to which port I was notified that the Kearsarge had gone, or was about to go. The contents of that note I thought especially important, and if the facts stated were correct, demanded the immediate attention of the French government. I therefore sought an interview at once with the minister of foreign affairs, but failing in that, immediately addressed to him a note, of which I herewith send you a copy.

This note will best explain itself, as well as the contents of the letters of Mr. Morse above referred to.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,