The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1859-01-20
THE RABASH AID MEDIIERRANE.dN
SQUADRON

Harbor of Genoa, Dec. 20, 1883
sra Referring To nay despatch at ConstAntnople,
hastily prepared la the hurry OF getting under way 10
leave that port ID has occurred to that should have
informed you OF the diplomatic excitement which the
presence of the /" Wabash produced in the European
court circles shore and the extent TO which II might
have had tendency 10 influence our movements but
supposng then do now that all the facts In that
purely Diplomatic affair should be communicated to gov
eminent by Minister at Cousantinople, who was u-
Inedatey party it, State affair IL did not appear
TO to come 80 clearly within my sphere OF duty
Since however, ID Is announced by telegraph rom
Consantinople that =. ia consequence OF the feinoh-
sances made iy the great powers on the subject OF our
entrance into the Bosphorous. the Turkish minister OF
Foreign Affairs given nece to all the legations That
the regulations confirmed ey the treaty Oh is sinai ~
future be eiy enforced il may lie proper that should
iey state 10 the department The facts in the case,
far as the Wabash is herself concerned.
Proceeding towards Constantnope, according TO your
Instructions goth May last arrived the Dafda-
neIes on the 10th September stopped opposite Fort Asia
and unicatcd with the authorities shore The
officer sent this duty returned with the government
permission for us to pass TO Constantnope, After ex
changing national saucs with the fort, We stood up
through the Sea of Marmora and the next morning
chored off the Golden Horn.
Immediately after anchoring Admiral Mehemmet
Pacha came board and assured me of a hearty
welcome. 1 told him it my intention to remain
there only five days. and he expressed his regret that
stay would be short. All the Turkish otcials-whom
we met seemed TO be delighted that the % Wabash
In
swimmingiy salutes repeatedly exchanged visits
made and returned banquet to the officers at the Pal
ace of the Capdan Pacha indicated and il ntimated
that the Sultan intended to invite all to his palace
and TO return the courtesy by visit to the figate in
person
At this apparent zenith of our welcome heard Incl
denaly all the European legations shore had
protested against the appearance of the wabash off
Constntoplo being contrary to the treaty of Paris by
the stpuations of which vessels ofwar carrying
than twenty one guns not permitted to pass the
Daranclcs and that the Grand Vizier had at their in
stance, formally protested against presence to the
American minister
NY first impression was that being insincerely
treated by the Turks that would get the ship under
way and ut leave the port but after conference
with my friend, the Admiral Mehemmet Pacha, with the
American minister Mr.. Williams and Mr.. Consul Gen
eral Brown determined know of the diplomatic
trouble shore until officially informed Of either
by our minister or By the Turkish authorities them
selves
The consequence that the interchange of cvities
between and the Turkish authorities, which had not
been much as suspended, was greatly increased.
The grand banquet of the Palace Of the Capdn Pacba
upon the Bosphorons came off, and it was truly highly
complimentary affair government steamer, command
ed on the occasion by Admiral Mehemmet Pacha himself
brought alongside to take us to and from the
palace. ae
The Turkish band played national airs at the din
ner Capdan Pacha drank the health of the President
and the national compliment acknowledged by the
American minister and myself Even the confectionery
upon the table represented display of the
American and Turkish flags blended together, and the
utmost good feeling towards and country
manifested in the most gratifying manner.
The Sut,n, who approached when coming from
the Mosque, and gave welcome, who entertained
from twenty Thirty of the officers at his palace with
marked attention, and then board with his
Ministers of War and the Navy and remained with me
hour, app cared to be very DESTROYS TO give
surance Of the most perfect welcome.
Instead, therefore, of remaining five six days
remained there nine ten and our Turkish friends evil
IDENTIFY regretted our departure
Tue statement in the London Times that, in
quencc of the protest of the European legations thc
American rgate prepared to leave, is quite incorrect
that of the Paris Pare that correspondence took
place between the commander of the frigate and the
Turkish authorities, in which the former claimed that
because the United States not party to the Treaty
of Paris, therefore the Wabash had right to pass
the Dardanees nothing of the kind occurred should
not think it worth while to notice these misrepresent-
ons Of the leading English and French papers had they
not found their way into papers ut home.
trust you will pardon me for saying much upon
this subject but the matter has taken such important
shape that should be pleased to have hs statement of
facts placed upon the files of the Navy Department.
have the honor to be- very respectfully your obeden
servant A. IL. II. LAVlLLETIE,
Flag Officer CONG Mediterranean Squadron
To Hon ISAAC ToucEY
Secretary of the Navy, Washington d. G.