William L. Dayton to William H. Seward, September 9, 1864

Mr. Dayton to Mr. Seward

Sir: Having received notice from Captain Rodgers, of the United States steamer Iroquois, that he was off the coast of France watching the confederate ships now being built at Bordeaux and Nantes, and that he would seize them on their trial trips should he meet them at sea, I addressed a note to M. Drouyn de l’Huys, a copy of which I herewith enclose. He informed me yesterday that he had at once forwarded a copy of my note to the minister of marine, and should he be informed by that minister that these vessels, or either of them, had been conveyed to a neutral, he would at once apprise me of the fact. The Yeddo, in the first place, and lately the Osacca, being two of the four clipper ships constructed under that contract for the confederates, having been delivered to Prussia, and being now under her flag, would seem to increase the probabilities of the other two ships having the same or a like destination.

I desire, therefore, to be very careful to obtain all possible information before attempting to seize these vessels.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,