N ARRATIVE OF THE MISSION TO RUSSIA, IN 1866, OF THE HON. GUSTAVUS VASA FOX, ASSISTANT-SECRETARY OF THE NAVY. FR0O THE JOURNAL AND NOTES OF J. F. LOUBAT. EDITED BY JOHN D. CHAMPLIN, JR. NEW YORK: D. APPLETON AND COMPANY, 549 & 551 BROADWAY. 1873. ENTERED, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1873, by J. F. LOUBAT, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. TO THE HONORABLE G. V. FOX. My dear Sir: Permit me to dedicate to you this booc, a memorial of that important and unique mission, in which I had the honor to act as one of your secretaries. Yours, sincerely, J. F. LOUBAT. NEW YORK, Mfay, 1878. 1 ..........::::ii::_-:j:-...........iji~ ~ i-:::::::~::ji~l-i~...................~~~~~~Wiiiiiji~~iiiiiiiiiiiii............... --------— ~~~~~~~~~~~iil-iiiidi. -----------------------------— ~ ~c:iiiiii:::: -::::-~ii~':i'l i~i:~~~ g. -- ----------------------------- -- -;;- —;-:: —:: —:::::: -- Angliii ci ani' i!!..................::.::::-~~~""~~:~~~~'~ii;'iiliX-: —— l-l: —------- ~~i~~i~~~i~~:i:~~~iiiiliii~~~~~~~iiiii 3Xi X ~ ~ ~........ - ------- - -— ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~::::::j-::::;:::j:::ij..........~~~:~=-::::::-:::............:::::-:------.....:r::.::::::;::-: —~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~.j;-~~~~~:~~~-r~~~~-.~ —- ----:::::::i::-i~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ —------ CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTORY,.......... PAGE 10 CHAPTER II. Crossing the Atlantic,...... 22 CHAPTER III. Ireland-France-England,.........36 CHAPTER IV. Copenhagen-The King's Visit-The Royal Dinner-Hospitalities-The Stonewall-Thorvaldsen-The Museums,. 54 CHAPTER V. In the Baltic-Sweaborg-Helsingfors-Gulf of Finland-Cronstadt,. 69 CHAPTER VI. Peterhof-The Imperial Audience-The Resolution of Congress-At the Forts-The Naval Banquet,. 86 CHAPTER VII. Cronstadt-The Arsenal-The Steamship-Works-The Municipal Banquet,. 115 Vi CONTENTS. CHAPTER VIII. St. Petersburg-St. Isaac's-The Fete of the River Yacht Club-CzarskoeSelo,.. PAGE 126 CHAPTER IX. The Admiralty-Imperial Library-Winter Palace and Hermitage-Dinner to the Crews,. 141 CHAPTER X. The Nevsky Prospect-Alexander Nevsky-Steel-gun Foundery-Exchange and Academy of Sciences-The Merchants' Dinner,...151 CHAPTER XI. Krasnoi-Selo-Manceuvres-Honorary Citizenship-Cathedral of Peter and Paul-Mining Institute,........165 CHAPTER XII. Dinner of the Good-Birth Society-Poem of Oliver Wendell Holmes,. 175 CHAPTER XIII. Receptions on the Miantonomoh-Presentations at Court-Races at CzarskoeSelo-Dinner of Merchants' Society of Mutual Assistance,. 185 CHAPTER XIV. Review at Krasnoe-Selo-Mr. Gromoff's Fete-Naval Review-The Imperial Dinner-Ball at the English Palace,.. 195 CHAPTER XV. From St. Petersburg to Moscow-The Nicholas Railway-Great NovgorodThe Kremlin-Temple of the Saviour,.. 208 CHAPTER XVI. Prince Dolgorouky's Dinner-Fete at the Zoological Gardens-The BazaarChurch of Kazan-Agricultural Academy-Review of Troops-Novo Dievitchy Convent..... 230 CONTENTS. Vii CHAPTER XVII. Banquet of the Municipality of Moscow.. PAGE 241 CHAPTER XVIII. Kuzminki-Prince Galitzine's Fete-The Foundling Asylum-The Romanoff House-Sokolniki Park,. 262 CHAPTER XIX. Troitza Monastery-St. Sergius-The Russo-Greek Church-The Metropolitan Philaret-Amerikanskaia Avenue-Diploma of Honorary Citizenship-Nijny-Novgorod,.... 271 CHAPTER XX. Official Visits-Tomb of Minin-View from the Kremlin-The Great FairThe Volga-The Tea-Trade-The Merchants' Dinner-Russian Gypsies,..... 285 CHAPTER XXI. The Volga Steamers-A Peasant-Welcome-Departure from Nijny-Novgorod -Ship-building on the Volga-Kostroma-The Czar Michael-Susanin -A Lady's Welcome,.. 300 CHAPTER XXII. An Embarrassing Honor-The Banquet at Kostroma-Reception by LadiesMr. Fox an Honorary Citizen of Kostroma-Ribinsk,.. 314 CHAPTER XXIII. Uglitch-Kemra-Kortcheva-Reception at Tver-A Soldier of BorodinoSt. Petersburg Bazaar-The Great Theatre-Breakfast at the Grandduchess Constantine's,.. 324 CHAPTER XXIV. Banquet of the English Club-Speech of Prince Gortchakoff,. 339 viii CONTENTS. CHAPTER XXV. Imperial Presents-Mr. Jukoff's Fete-Farewell to the Emperor-Prince Gortchakoff's Dinner-Alexander Nevsky-The Alexander InstituteThe Beauharnais Palace,....... PAGE 359 CHAPTER XXVI. Rifled Guns and Targets-The Commemorative Chapel-Cronstadt Citizenship-Farewell Breakfast-Peasant Deputation-The Emancipation Medal-The Departure,..... 372 CHAPTER XXVII. In the Baltic-The Approach to Stockholm-Official Courtesies-Gustavus III.-Skokloster-Jefferson-Presentation at Court-Royal Visit to the Ships-The DjurgArd,.. 387 CHAPTER XXVIII. Riddarholm-Birjer Jarl-The Mosebacken-Ulriksdal-The Royal DinnerHaga-Rosendal-Drottingholm-Queen-Dowager Josephine-Departure-Kiel-Prince Adalbert of Prussia-Parting Salutes,..400 CHAPTER XXIX. Offiial Correspondence,. 413 APPENDIX. A. Dispatch from Prince Gortchakoff to M. de Stoeckl,.. 425 B. Names of United States Men-of-War,.... 428 C. Miantonomoh Galop,. 434 D. Speech of Prince Gortchakoff,.... 436 E. Grand-duke Alexis's Visit to Mr. Fox,. 440 LIST OF ENGRAVINGS. ENGRAVER. PAGE. 1. ALEXANDER II., EMPEROR OF RUSSIA.................. J. C. BUTTRE. Front. 2. HON. G. V. FOX..................................... H. B. HALL. 16 8. "MIANTONOMOH"................................ J. C. BUTTRE. 28 4. CHRISTIAN IX., KING OF DENMARK..................... H. B. HALL. 56 5. PRINCESS DAGMAR.................................. J. C. BUTTRE. 58 6. ADMIRAL LESSOVSKY............................... H. B. HALL. 80 7. ADMIRAL CRABBE.................................. J. C. BUTTRE. 108 8. OLGA, QUEEN OF WURTTEMBERG........................ do. 144 9. MARIE, EMPRESS OF RUSSIA............................ H. B. HALL. 188 10. ALEXANDER ALEXANDROVITCH, CEZAREVITCH.... JJ.C. BUTTRE. 286 11. GRAND-DUKE CONSTANTINE........................ do. 834 12. ALEXANDER, PRINCE GORTCHAKOFF............. do. 862 18. CHARLES XV., KING OF SWEDEN AND NORWAY........ do. 894 FOX'S MISSION TO RUSSIA. CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTORY. O N Monday, the 16th day of April (the 4th of the Russian calendar), 1866, the life of Alexander II., Emperor of Russia, was saved providentially from the attack of an assassin. In the morning of that day, a young journeyman capmaker, one of the newly-emancipated serfs, Ossip Ivanovitch Komissaroff by name, left his house to perform the customary act of thanksgiving for his recovery from sickness. He started with the intention of going to the little chapel that has long been established in the log-house, built for his own use by Peter the Great, on an island in the Neva, when about to found the new capital. When Komissaroff reached the river's bank, he discovered that the movable bridge leading to the island had been taken away, in anticipation of the imminent annual break-up of the ice. To this fact, trivial in itself, was due the preservation of the Emperor's life. 10 FOX'S MISSION TO RUSSIA. His visit to the chapel being thus prevented, Komissaroff turned his steps to the palace quay. On approaching the Summer Garden, a favorite place of resort in the spring, he saw one of the imperial carriages standing by the gate, and, hoping to get a sight of his liberator, whom he had never seen, he joined the crowd of people who were waiting for the Emperor to pass. While trying to secure a favorable position, his attention was attracted by a large man, who evidently was determined to force his way to the front, and Komissaroff, who is of small stature and slight frame, followed him closely. He observed nothing peculiar in the stranger's appearance, except that he kept his right hand constantly in his coat pocket. The Emperor soon appeared, accompanied by his nephew and his niece, their Imperial Highnesses the Duke of Leuchtenberg' and the Princess of Baden. Before getting into the carriage, he stopped to put on an overcoat, when the man beside Komissaroff suddenly drew a pistol from his pocket and aimed it at his Majesty. He stood so near that the shot must inevitably have proved 1 Nicholas Maximilianovitch, Prince Romanovski and Duke of Leuchtenberg, a major-general in the suite of the Emperor of Russia. He is the second child and eldest son of the late Duke Maximilian of Leuchtenberg, Prince of Eichstaedt, and of the Grand-duchess Marie Nicholaevna, the eldest daughter of the late Emperor Nicholas. Maximilian, his father, was the son of Prince Eugene Beauharnais. The Princess of Baden, Marie Maximilianovna, is the first child and elder daughter of Duke Maximilian. She married, February 11, 1863, Prince Louis William August, of Baden. It is a singular fact that the Duke of Leuchtenberg, who was with the Emperor when Karakozoff made the attempt on his life, was also in the carriage with him and Napoleon III. when the Czar was fired at in Paris, in 1867, by the Pole Berezowski. INTRODUCTORY. 11 fatal, had not Komissaroff, by a well-aimed blow, struck up his arm and caused the discharge of the weapon in the air. The indignant people fell upon the assassin with cries of fury, and, but for the interposition of the Emperor, would have torn him to pieces. His Majesty, who had remained calm and self-possessed during the exciting scene, called out, "Let him alone, children!" At once every hand fell, and the police secured their prisoner. Making his way through the crowd, the Emperor confronted the baffled murderer, and asked: "Who art thou?" "A Russian." " A Russian! Why, then, do you want to kill me?" "Because you have deceived us, and given us an illusory liberty and emancipation without land." This attempt to personate a dissatisfied serf was unsuccessful. Under the red shirt which he wore was another of fine linen, and in his pocket were papers that proved his connection with an infamous secret organization known as the " Nihilists." These papers led to the arrest of several hundred other members. The Emperor drove at once to the Kazan cathedral to return thanks for his safety, and thence to the Winter Palace, where he received the congratulations of the council. All the imperial family and the officers of state then accompanied his Majesty to the cathedral, where a solemn Te Deum was sung, and thanks were again given to God for his preservation. An impromptu reception was afterward held at the palace, where all who had the 12 FOX'S MISSION TO RUSSIA. entree hastened to tender their congratulations in person. As soon as the demonstrations of loyalty had somewhat subsided, the Emperor asked for his preserver. General Todtleben, one of his Majesty's aide-de-camp generals, the hero of Sevastopol, had brought Komissaroff in his carriage, and now led him forward into the presence. The Emperor, much affected, embraced and kissed the bewildered young man, who could scarcely believe his good fortune, thanked him in broken words for his loyalty and devotion, and pronounced him a noble from that hour, amid the acclamations of all present. Komissaroff was then invited to tell his own story, which he did with much self-possession, notwithstanding the strangeness of his surroundings. The assemblage was thrilled to hear that he was a native of Kostroma, the birthplace of Ivan Susanin, who, in 1613, by a noble act of self-sacrifice, saved the life of the founder of the house of Romanoff. This remarkable coincidence made a deep impression on all classes of people, and it was universally regarded as additional evidence of the direct interposition of Providence in behalf of the liberator. Iomissaroff, in consideration of his eminent service to his country, in addition to the nobility conferred upon him by the Emperor, was authorized to add to his name that of Kostromsky, derived from his native town Kostroma, to distinguish him and his descendants forever. Honors and decorations were showered on him by different sovereigns, lands, houses, and contributions of money were given him by his grateful countrymen, and the principal towns and cities presented him their freedom. He INTRODUCTORY. 13 was made the hero of the hour; his portrait was everywhere, and he could not appear without exciting enthusiasm. Indeed, so many were the receptions and fetes given in his honor, and so overwhelmed was he with invitations, that the only question was to whom he should deny himself. The baffled assassin proved to be a Russian, named DmitryKarakozoff, the son of a small landed proprietor of the government of Saratov. He was but twenty-four years of age, and had been successively at the school of Penza, the University of Kazan, and the University of Moscow, from the last of which he had been dismissed for not paying his fees. Of a gloomy and hypochondriacal disposition, he soon found fitting associates in the latter city among the Nihilists, whose organization bore the significant and appropriate name of " Hell." Nihilism in Russia is the quintessence of radicalism and revolution, the bitter product of social corruption and moral chaos. Its converts, or rather perverts, are found chiefly among the reckless and disappointed, among those who prefer the uncertainties of an unknown future to what they consider the ills of the present. To overturn the government is to them the first stepping-stone to liberty and to a new order of things. The Nihilists found Karakozoff a willing tool, and on him fell by lot the business of assassinating the Emperor, which was to be the signal for a general revolution. That he failed was certainly not his fault. On his trial he claimed to be a nobleman, but he was not recognized as such by the proper tribunal, and the court sentenced him to be degraded from his civil rights 14 FOX'S MISSION TO RUSSIA. and to suffer death by hanging. The sentence was executed on the following 15th of September. The attempt of Karakozoff created a profound impression among the Russian people. As soon as the news spread, an extraordinary and indescribable enthusiasm seized upon all, high and low, rich and poor. Processions filled the streets, living masses thronged about the palace, and the national hymn was sung everywhere. It seemed as if the people could not testify sufficiently their love for their sovereign and their gratitude for his escape. Mr. Clay, our minister to Russia, in a dispatch to Mr. Seward, under date of April 22, 1866, says: "Thousands of the people at once assembled at the Winter Palace, and hurrahed till his Majesty showed himself again and again on the balcony. There they camped all night and the next day, renewing the demand to see the Emperor, and, as fast as one vast multitude saw their much-loved ruler, another succeeded. Twice I drove to the neighborhood of the palace. I never before saw a larger mass of people together, all intensely silent at the time, and looking steadily toward the balcony where the Emperor was expected to appear. And so continued the excitement among all ranks, till I suppose, successively, every man almost in St. Petersburg, from the Emperor's brothers to the lowest workman, had seen their illustrious sovereign." Mr. Clay concluded his dispatch as follows: "Addresses of congratulation have come in from all Russia and all Europe by telegram and post. The different' colonies' of foreigners here, and the Americans among others, have INTRODUCTORY. 15 sent in their addresses to his Imperial Majesty, and all have been gratefully and graciously received and answered. " I expect to hear from our own land, which owes so much to Alexander II., and shall wait impatiently to be the bearer of the words of emotion which fill the hearts of the millions of the great republic." Mr. Seward, as soon as he had received official notification of the attempted assassination, through Mr. Edward de Stoeckl, the Russian minister at Washington, sent a dispatch to Mr. Clay, expressing the President's desire that he should seek a personal interview with the Emperor, congratulate him in the name of the United States upon his escape, and assure him of the sincere respect, affection, and friendship of the American people. On the 29th of May, Mr. Clay delivered his address of congratulation to the Emperor, at a special audience at the Winter Palace; and the Emperor returned his thanks for the same to the President and People of the United States. In the mean time, the leaders of the Republican party in Congress, believing that something more than a mere formal message of congratulation was due to the nation that had given us its warmest sympathies in our hour of peril, asked on the 4th of May, through the Honorable Thaddeus Stevens, of Pennsylvania, the " unanimous consent of the House of Representatives to introduce a joint resolution relative to the recent attempted assassination of the Emperor of Russia." The resolution was passed and sent to the Senate, where it was also passed, after 16 FOX'S MISSION TO RUSSIA. a slight amendment, on the 8th of May. Two days afterward the House concurred in the amendment, and on the 16th it was approved by President Johnson: JOINT RESOLUTION RELATIVE TO THE ATTEMPTED ASSASSINATION OF THE EMPEROR OF RUSSIA. Be it resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, That the Congress of the United States of America has learned with deep regret of the attempt made upon the life of the Emperor of Russia by an enemy of emancipation. The Congress sends greeting to his Imperial Majesty, and to the Russian Nation, and congratulates the twenty million of serfs upon the providential escape from danger of the sovereign to whose head and heart they owe the blessings of their freedom. SEc. 2. And be it further resolved, That the President of the United States be requested to forward a copy *of this resolution to the Emperor of Russia. Approved May 16, 1866. To give additional significance to this solemn act of Congress, it was resolved to send a special envoy in a national vessel to carry the Resolution to the Emperor of Russia. For this delicate mission, Congress selected the Honorable Gustavus Vasa Fox, the Assistant Secretary of the Navy, a gentleman whose efficient administration of his branch of the service during the war had won recognition both at home and abroad. It was determined also, at his own request, to send him in a monitor, :::: _::::::::::: _:: _: _::_:::::j:l:: a,:iiij IPI1:I:I:.u i'::::r:::::::"'::::::'::''ri:i::::':::::::::.:::i::::::::::::::::::::::::::~:::i:Ii8'.~.:.~.~'':.:::::::::::j,:i ~~~i.il :::~:.:.::: iliiiii:,:::::i;: ~1;1~~ra~:~:.;~:::::::~~~~~~~-:~I~ %1 iii:-i::::: Ic:i: ~~~I:~; q " *B 8Bg i~ ::,,-'si:~:g:i:i;:r'-"'i:i:-:-l;::i' -':: -~:~::::: -:'':;~:i:i& :':3":::::;'~:a:::i:i::: B ~-~:;:::::::::-:i:::!~,::::::.:?.::::::::.~:~:I:'L:-::::: ii'-ii:::a:~:i:_::::::(: il-g 3-1~~-; i:2i ::::::i::::::l:s i:ii::: -~::::::::I::::::::::~:.::::::::-~:::::i:r? ri iii ii:iiii,:,.,lii:':':':::::::!:i:IS::::::::::~r:::.:.:. ii:Ihi:14 ~:~:~:~:~~;:~:~:~:~::r:~:~:~:~:~:;-:~:~: II a xali::::::16::::::i... azX;iiiiiiii :::inr.:~:~:~: -i-i ^i~::::: 8i~:::::I~;.I:::::::: II lilii'li(:~:lliI::ilIllli:llllli;-:::il ~~~~~~: ill rR:R[:i::: -''''''.-':i::l.-:::::~'':::-:-i:::: ~:::iiri':i::::iilliili6:ZI:i:i:ilil' ji:: iI:1'::ii::i:'::::::::.::~:.:.~~~.:~:~:~::'~'~::::~::::::~:i":-"~~~ ~~~:::~:w~:,:::::::,.:::,:::::i: ~~.~~~~:~:~~~~:~~~~.~:~:~~:~:~:~. ~ ~~:~ ` ~:~:~:~:~:~: ~:~:.~.~~.:::::::~j_:''''':'::':'::':'~':'::::::':::.': ilii:iiliiiiiiiiili:ii-:- ii;::-:i:iiii::-lii::'::.:'::: INTRODUCTORY. 17 a class of vessel which had never yet crossed the Atlantic, but in whose seaworthiness Mr. Fox had implicit confidence. The Miantonomoh, a two-turret monitor, was chosen for this service, and the Augusta and Ashuelot, two wooden men-of-war, were selected to accompany her. The following letter of instructions, addressed to Commander Alexander Murray, explains itself: NAVY DEPARTMENT, } WASHINGTON, May 22, 1866. SI: Mr. G. V. Fox, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, has been selected by the Government to bear to the Emperor of Russia the Resolution of Congress congratulating him on his recent escape from assassination. The Department places at the service of Mr. Fox, to convey him to Cronstadt, the Miantonomoh, which vessel is to be accompanied by the Augusta. The Ashuelot has been ordered to report to you, at St. John's, N. F,; for the purpose of accompanying the Miantonomoh a portion of the way across the ocean, and all the way, if you deem her presence necessary. When you no longer need her, you will allow her to pursue her course to the Asiatic Squadron, in accordance with orders in the possession of Commander Febiger. Such aid and assistance will be extended by you to Mr. Fox as may be conducive to the success of his mission. He will notify you when he has no further need of the Miantonomoh or Augusta, and when he shall have done so you will visit three or four of the principal ports of Europe, where our commerce extends, and from which 2 18 FOX'S MISSION TO RUSSIA. emigration to this country proceeds, north of Portugal. You will, after Mr. Fox notifies you that you are at liberty to direct your own movements, take the earliest occasion to report by letter to Rear-Admiral L. M. Goldsborough, enclosing him a copy of these instructions, and will join him, within a reasonable time, at Lisbon, unless he shall instruct you to meet him elsewhere or proceed otherwise. Very respectfully, etc., (Signed) G. WELLES, Secretary of the Navy. Commander A. MURRAY, Commanding U. S. Steamer Augusta, St. John's, T. F. The following was addressed to Mr. Fox, by the Honorable Mr. Welles, Secretary of the Navy: NAVY DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, May 26, 1866. Hon. G. V. Fox, Assistant Secretary of the Navy. SIR: Congress having signified its wish that you should convey to the Emperor of Russia the congratulatory resolution of that body upon his escape from assassination, the President has been pleased, in conformity with the wishes thus indicated, to appoint you Assistant Secretary of the Navy, for that purpose; you will, therefore, proceed to the discharge of that duty before entering upon the special employment assigned to you by this Department. For that purpose you are authorized to take passage in the U. S. steamer Ashuelot, now at Boston, preparing to cross the Atlantic. This vessel will INTRODUCTORY. 19 convey you to St. John's, N. F. At that place you will find the U. S. steamer Augusta and U. S. turreted ironclad Miantonomoh, which are destined to form a part of the European Squadron. On your own request, you will take passage in the Miantonomoh to Cronstadt, Russia, and, after executing the mission intrusted to you, under the direction of the Secretary of State, you will proceed to carry into effect the wishes of this Department in collecting information for national purposes, by visiting the most important naval stations of Europe. It is desirable that you should obtain all information that is attainable relative to the means which are possessed by the principal naval powers for building, repairing, and laying-up naval vessels, and whatever may be useful in regard to their navy yards and navy establishments. It is important that you should also examine some of the more modernbuilt naval vessels abroad; and, availing yourself of your experience, you will be able to institute comparisons between the present naval appliances and improvements of your own country and those of Europe. You will consider it your duty to procure all the information which you can obtain relative to naval matters, and will, from time to time, as you may find convenient, communicate the same to the Department, making your final and complete report on your return. Your absence will not be extended beyond six months. Wishing you a pleasant and useful tour, I am very truly, your friend, GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Xavy. 20 FOX'S MISSION TO RUSSIA. The following was addressed by the State Department to the diplomatic representatives of the United States in Europe: DEPARTMENT of STATE, ) WTASHINGTON, April, 1866. To the Diplomatic and Consular Officers of the United States in Europe. GENTLEMEN: This will be presented to you by Gustavus V. Fox, Esquire, Assistant Secretary of the Navy. It is universally acknowledged that the professional experience and abilities of this gentleman have materially contributed to the recent triumph of our arms in his branch of the service, and to the improvement and development of our naval force. As he also has eminent qualities of character, I commend him to your regard and to any attentions which may serve to make his abode in your vicinity agreeable. I am gentlemen, your obedient servant, WILLIAM H. SEWARD. The friendship which has existed between Russia and the United States ever since we became a nation was cemented anew when our ancient ally, alone of all the governments of the old world, sent to us words of sympathy when we were believed by our enemies to be in the throes of dissolution.1 That act sunk deep into our hearts, for it proved to us that we had one friend on whom we could rely even in our darkest hour. Soon after, Admiral Popoff visited San Francisco, and we endeavored to show our gratitude by offering what courtesies were in 1 Appendix A. INTRODUCTORY. 21 our power to him and his officers. The following year, Russia gave emphasis to her declarations by sending into our waters a powerful fleet, which visited our principal seaports and added moral weight to our cause. The joy with which Lessovsky and his gallant comrades. were received in our cities is matter of history. We welcomed them as friends and allies, and tried to prove by deeds all that our words expressed. A year after they left our shores, President Lincoln was struck down by the hand of an assassin, and again the great Empire of the East was prompt in sending her condolence and sympathy to us in our sorrow. These evidences of friendly feeling were not lost upon us; and, when we heard that Alexander II. had been saved providentially from a similar death, we were moved to give utterance in the most solemn manner to the sentiments which affected the nation as one man. The Resolution of Congress, the selection of an officer of the government to deliver it, and the sending of one of our most powerful men-of-war to bear it across the ocean, were fitting expressions of those sentiments. The act was unique in our history. Never before was such a resolution voted by the Congress of the United States. Never before was such a mission sent in such an unexampled manner by the American people. CHAPTER II. CROSSING THE ATLANTIC. NMXR. FOX left Washington on Wednesday, May 23d, for Boston, intending to sail thence for St. John's, Newfoundland, where the monitor Miantonomoh had preceded him. On Tuesday, May 29th, the dispatches of the State Department and the Resolution of Congress to be presented to the Emperor of Russia were brought from Washington and delivered to him by Mr. Berdan. On Wednesday, May 30th, at one o'clock p. M., Mr. Fox, in company with Captain John Bythesea, of the English Royal Navy, naval attache to the British embassy at Washington, who had been invited to cross the Atlantic in the Miantonomoh with him, set sail for Newfoundland on board the double-end steamer Ashuelot, Commander J. C. Febiger. On Sunday, June 3d, at forty minutes past midnight, Cape Pine Light was made, and, ten minutes after, Cape Race Light was seen, E. i N., distant twenty miles. At a quarter-past two A. M., made the land about Cape Race. It is one hundred feet high, sloping gradually toward the north, and is bare of trees and vegetation. Snow was ARRIVAL AT ST. JOHN'S. 23 seen lying in streaks on the hills. In running up the coast of Newfoundland, which is bare, rugged, and precipitous, the most elevated points being about one thousand feet high, many icebergs were seen, some grounded and some floating. The largest were about two hundred feet in height and two thousand feet in length. At a quarter-past twelve P. M., after a passage of three days and twenty-two hours, the Ashuelot cast anchor in St. John's Bay, Newfoundland. St. John's, which is the easternmost seaport of North America, has an excellent harbor, with a very narrow entrance, capable of being defended easily, though the present fortifications are inadequate against modern artillery. The hills surrounding the harbor are from three hundred to seven hundred feet in height. The city, which contains about thirty-five thousand inhabitants, is built on the slope of these hills and consists mainly of one long, irregular street, with lanes running from it. The houses are generally of wood. Among the public buildings are the Government-house, the House of Assembly, the custom-house, and a hospital. There are nine or ten churches, among which the Roman Catholic cathedral is conspicuous for its size. One of the features of the town are the wharves and stages for drying codfish, which line the shore. St. John's exports annually from five hundred thousand to a million quintals of codfish, besides large quantities of salmon, herring, cod-liver oil, seal and whale oil, and sealskins. It was founded in 1583 by Sir Humphrey Gilbert. The island of Newfoundland has an area of about thirty-six thousand square miles, and contains a popula 24 FOX'S MISSION TO RUSSIA. tion of nearly one hundred and fifty thousand. It was discovered in 1497 by Sebastian Cabot, and named by him " Baccalaos," the Indian word for codfish. The interior has been but little explored, but it is estimated that at least one-third of the island is covered with fresh water. The hills, none of which are more than fifteen hundred feet above the level of the sea, are almost destitute of soil, and are covered with a stunted growth of firs and other small trees and shrubs. Coal-beds exist in the western part of the island, and copper and lead are found in considerable abundance, but little effort has been made to develop the mineral resources. The inhabitants, mostly English, Irish, and Scotch, and their descendants, are engaged chiefly in the fisheries, agriculture receiving but little attention. Mr. Fox found the Augusta and the Miantonomoh awaiting him at St. John's, the squadron being under the orders of Commander Alexander Murray. The officers of the two ships were as follows: AUGUSTA. Commnander, Alexander Murray. Lieutenant Commander, James M. Prichett. Lieutenant, J. D. Graham. Acting Volunteer Lieutenant, James R. Wheeler. Acting 2lasters, Z. S. Tanner, M. W. McEntee. Acting Ensign, James H. Delano. fMates, David Fader, C. F. O'Neill, A.. It. Lewis, C. H. Yenable. Surgeon, W. K. Scofield. THE OFFICERS OF THE SHIPS. 25 Passed Assistant Surgeon, H. S. Pitkin. Paymaster, Judson S. Post. Acting Chief-Engineer, James M. Adams. Acting First Engineer, C. H. Glack. Acting Second Engineers, J. E. Hilliard, J. Matthews, George C. Castell. Acting Third Engineers, C. H. Pennington, William G. Hughes. Boatswain, George Smith. Paymaster's Clerk, John H. Fancher. MIANTONOMOH. Commander, John C. Beaumont. Lieutenant Commander, John J. Cornwell. Lieutenant, M. S. Stuyvesant. Acting Master, J. F. Alcorn. Acting Ensigns, J. F. Blanchard, Daniel McKay, Joseph S. Young. ifates, John McManus, E. E. Bradbury. Surgeon, William E. Taylor. Assistant Surgeon, Charles L. Green. Acting Assistant Paymaster, F. C. Imlay. Acting Chief-Engineer, William A. R. Lattimer. Acting First Assistant Engineer, George B. Orswell. Acting Second Assistant Engineers, R. D. Giberson, T. W. Hineline, H. K. Steever, A. J. Doty. Acting Third Assistant Engineers, R. B. Dick, John E. Edwards, James McNabb, J. A. Frank. Captain's Clerk, John B. Collings. Paymaster's Clerk, George W. Thompson. 26 FOX'S MISSION TO RUSSIA. As every thing connected with this first trip ever made by a monitor across the Atlantic is of interest, the reports of Commander Beaumont to the Navy Department of the passage from New York to Halifax, and fiom Halifax to St. John's, are given from the Report of the Secretary of the Navy for 1866. UNITED STATES STEAMER MIANTONOMOH (3D RATE), | HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA, May, 1866. SIR: I have the honor to inform the Department that, during the passage of this vessel from New York to this place, we expended one hundred and nine (109) tons of coal, only ten (10) tons of which were taken from the bunkers. When steaming, our average speed was six and six-tenths (60%-) knots. The conduct of the vessel in the rough weather we experienced on the 10th and 11th instant confirms me in the opinion already expressed to the Department in a previous communication, that she is an excellent sea-boat, as safe as and more comfortable than any vessel I ever served in. It was only on my arrival at this place, on the 10th instant, that I learned from Commander Murray, of the Augusta, that we had experienced heavy weather. When leaving New York on the 6th instant, the draught of the vessel was fifteen feet eight inches (15.8) forward, fifteen feet and three inches (15.3) aft, at which time we had on board four hundred and fifteen tons of coal. I would advise not taking more on board, unless it is absolutely necessary to make a passage of more than two thousand miles. The turret and weather curtains, the means of battening the hatches and turrets, OFFICIAL REPORTS. 27 and the lookout tower erected on the after-part of the hurricane-deck, have all proved of the utmost utility. The tower serves both as an admirable lookout station and rest for the standard-compass, which, at an elevation of nineteen (19) feet above the hurricane-deck, is scarcely, if at all, affected by local attraction. Since our arrival here, we have been visited by the civil, military, and naval authorities, all of whom have manifested in strong terms their admiration of the vessel. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, Your obedient servant, J. C. BEAUMONT, Commander. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Wcashington, D. C. UNITED STATES STEAMER MIANTONOMOH (3D RATE), | ST. JOHN'S, NEWFOUNDLAND, May 24, 1866. SIR: It is again my pleasure to be able to inform the Department of the excellent conduct of this vessel at sea during our late passage from Halifax, Nova Scotia, to this place, between the 18th and 23d instant. I have seen no reason to change the opinion I have already given regarding her good qualities. The engines worked perfectly during the whole passage, not occasioning the slighest trouble or delay. In fitting vessels of this class for sea, I respectfully suggest the propriety of placing the sea-wheel abaft instead of forward of the pilot-house, in order that the helmsman may have the compass immediately before him; and also, from his increased distance from the stem, enable him sooner to detect the sheer 28 FOX'S MISSION TO RUSSIA. of the vessel. I would also suggest that the bottom of the temporary coal-crib be raised at least three (3) feet above the deck, in order to allow a free passage of the water. The one on deck is only sixteen inches above it, and is therefore considerably washed in a rough sea. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, Your obedient servant, J. C. BEAUMONT, Commander. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Wcashington, D. C. Commander Murray was the only officer acquainted with the fact that the Miantonomoh was to cross the Atlantic, until the squadron had rendezvoused at St. John's. When the Assistant Secretary of the Navy arrived, and it became known that he was to go on the monitor, there was some surprise and not a little anxiety expressed; but there was no disposition shown to hold back, notwithstanding that the officers and crews of the sealing-vessels, engaged in a much more perilous duty, freely expressed their opinion that it was dangerous to go to sea in such a ship as the Miantonomoh. Previous to this, it had been the general opinion of the public that the monitors were fit only for harbor defence and coast duty; and, although the Monadnock, of similar construction to the Miantonomoh, had safely doubled Cape Horn, their sea-going qualities had not yet been tested by a voyage across the Atlantic. It was not strange, therefore, that there should be some apprehension as to the go O novel, 0 —00 ON "'No Q, f: NO RON-, sm 7g, 16 I MR, MOR -qq MITI NO gm 11 I I MIN N, oa- Ron? a mmg MR 01 M rM M, "ON A li;" Z,, M 19 IN Orr 141OF2 I 0 Ow. p., j4 M/ Sm lp, ING THE MIANTONOMOH. 29 result of such a trip, with no chance to make a harbor in case of extraordinarily bad weather. The Miantonomoh was a monitor of the two-turret class, built at Brooklyn, in 1864-'65. She was two hundred and fifty-nine feet and two inches in length, fiftytwo feet and ten inches beam, and fourteen feet and nine inches depth of hold. She drew fourteen feet and nine and a quarter inches, and her deck was thirty-one inches above water on the side. Her tonnage was twelve hundred and twenty-five, new measurement, and she carried three hundred and fifty tons of coal. Her hull was of wood, covered with seven-inch side-armor and two-and-a-quarter-inch deck-armor. Ier turrets were ten inches thick, and had a diameter in the clear of twenty-one feet. Her engines were back-action, with four cylinders, of thirty inches diameter and twentyseven inches stroke. She had two propellers, each of ten feet and six inches diameter. Her battery consisted of four fifteen-inch Dahlgren guns. The Miantonomoh was named after the celebrated chief sachem of the Narragansett tribe of Indians, in Rhode Island, who was captured and slain by Uncas, chief of the Mohegans, in 1643, during a raid which Miantonomoh made into his country. Sachem's Plain, the place of his execution, is in the town of Norwich, Connecticut. The site of his grave is still shown. June 5th.-On Tuesday evening, at eight o'clock, Mr. Fox, accompanied by Captain Bythesea, went on board of the Miantonomoh, and at nine P. m. the squadron got under way. In passing out of the harbor, the Ashuelot 30 FOX'S MISSION TO RUSSIA. unfortunately sunk a brig, but without damage to herself, and without causing any detention. At eleven o'clock the ships left the coast and steered for the south point of Ireland. At half-past three o'clock on the morning of Saturday, June 16th, the southeast coast of Ireland was made, and at four P. M. the squadron came to anchor in Queenstown harbor. Commander Murray's report, to the Navy Department, of the voyage from St. John's to Queenstown, is as follows: UNITED STATES STEAMER AUGUSTA (3D RATE), | QUEENSTOWN, IRELAND, June 16, 1866. SIn: I have the honor to report the arrival of this ship, the Mliantonomoh, and Ashuelot, at this port, having performed the trip across the Atlantic in ten' days and eighteen hours, without accident of any kind. Our progress was uniform, the longest day's run being 176 miles, and the shortest 137; average 168. A great portion of the way (1,100 miles) the Mianto. nomoh was in tow of the Augusta, as a matter of convenience and precaution more than necessity, the Miantonomoh consuming a fair proportion of coal. I think she could have crossed over alore. The weather generally was very good, the only strong winds being from the westward. Heavy weather does not appear to materially affect the speed or rolling of the monitor, for, while the other vessels were lurching about, and 1 Apparent time; the true time would be four hours less, or ten days and fourteen hours. CROSSING THE ATLANTIC. 31 their progress checked by heavy seas, she went along comparatively undisturbed or unchecked. I thought it inexpedient to part with the Ashuelot, the Augusta's engines showing signs of weakness, which once or twice occasioned vexatious stoppages. The Ashuelot will coal here, and proceed without further delay, in obedience to last orders of the Department. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. MURRAY, Commander. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. The following report of the passage across the Atlantic, made to Secretary Welles by Assistant Secretary of the Navy Fox, and the log appended, give all the material facts of the voyage: UNITED STATES STEAM MONITOR MIANTONOMOH, QUEENSTOWN, IRELAND, June 16, 1866. SI: The United States side-wheel steamer Augusta (third rate), 1,310 tons (old measurement), Commander A. Murray, senior officer; United States monitor ironclad Miantonomoh (third rate), 1,225 tons, Commander J. C. Beaumont; and United States side-wheel steamer Ashuelot (third rate), double-ender, 786 tons, Commander J. C. Febiger, left St. John's, Newfoundland, Tuesday, June 5th, at 10 p. M., and the two former arrived at Queenstown, Ireland, Saturday, the 16th instant, at four P. M., after a pleasant trip across the Atlantic of ten days and eighteen hours. The Ashuelot kept on to Portsmouth. 32 FOX'S MISSION TO RUSSIA. The material facts of the passage are placed in the form of an abstract log, attached to this letter. There remains but one question to discuss concerning the monitor type of iron-clads invented by Captain Ericsson: Can they be constructed so as to make them efficient fighting, sea-going cruisers? If not, then we must adopt the European models, abstain from any further attempts at progress, and content ourselves with a naval force for defensive purposes only, or invite new schemes. The facts with regard to the behavior of this vessel in a moderate gale of wind and heavy sea, when a frigate would find it impossible to use her battery, are as follows: Head to the sea, she takes over about four feet of solid water, which is broken as it sweeps along the deck, and after reaching the turret it is too much spent to prevent firing the fifteeninch guns directly ahead. Broadside to the sea, either moving along or stopped, her lee guns can always be worked without difficulty, the water which passes across the deck from windward being divided by the turrets, and her extreme roll so moderate as not to press her lee guns near the water. Lying in the same position the fifteeninch guns can be fired directly astern without interference from water, and when stern to the sea, the water which comes on board is broken up in the same manner as when going head to it. In the trough of the sea her ports will be liable to be flooded, if required to use her guns to windward. This, therefore, would be the position selected by an antagonist who designed to fight a monitor in a seaway. An ordinary vessel, high out of water and lying in the trough of the sea broadside-to, is attacked by a wave SECRETARY FOX'S REPORT. 33 which climbs up the side, heels her to leeward, and, passing underneath, assists in throwing her back to windward, when another wave is met and the heavy lee lurch repeated. A wave advancing upon a monitor, in a similar position, finds no side above the water to act against; it therefore climbs aboard without difficulty, heels the vessel a few degrees to windward, and passes quickly to leeward, underneath. The water which has got on board, having no support to push it on, and an inclined deck to ascend, becomes broken water, a small portion going across the deck and off to leeward, but the largest part tumbling back to windward, overboard, without sending against the turret any thing like the quantity which first got on deck. The turret-guns thus occupy a central position, where, notwithstanding the lowness of the vessel's hull, they are more easily and safely handled in a sea-way than guns of the same height above the water in a broadside vessel. The axis of the bore of the fifteen-inch guns of this vessel is six and one-half feet above the water, and the extreme lurch observed when lying broadside to a heavy sea and moderate gale was seven degrees to windward and four degrees to leeward, mean five and one-half degrees, while the average roll at the same time of the Augusta-a remarkably steady ship-was eighteen degrees, and the Ashuelot twenty-five degrees, both vessels being steadied by sail. A vessel which attacks a monitor in a sea-way must approach very close to have any chance of hitting such a low hull, and even then the monitor is half the time covered up by three or four feet of water, 3 34 FOX'S MISSION TO RUSSIA. protecting herself and disturbing her opponent's fire. From these facts, not unknown to monitor-men, and the experience we have derived from the use of such vessels during the war, we may safely conclude that the monitor type of iron-clads is superior to the broadside, not only for fighting purposes at sea, but also for cruising. A properlyconstructed monitor, possessing all the requirements of a cruiser, ought to have but one turret, armed with not less than twenty-inch guns; two independent propellers; the usual proportion of sail; and should be constructed of iron. The comforts of this monitor to the officers and men are superior to those of any other class of vessels in the navy, arising chiefly from her steadiness, ample accommodations, artificial ventilation, and the great quantity of light afforded by having the bull's-eyes overhead instead of at the side. The commander and lieutenant-commander, and several of the officers, are old monitor-men, and acquired confidence in this form of vessel off Charleston; nevertheless the officers and men deserve to share with their comrades in the Pacific the credit which attaches to extending the voyages of ships embracing so many novelties. I have the honor to be, with great respect, your obedient servant, G. V. Fox, Assistant Secretary of the Navy. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. G. 35 A -Extract from a Journal of a Passage across thle Atlantic in the United States Monitor iron-clad Miantonomoh, from St. John's, Neewfoundland, to Queenstown, Ireland, J.. Beaumont, Commander, by G. V. _Fox, Assistant-Secretary of the _Navy..9. WINDS. TEMPEEATITEES. BAEOMETEE. DATE. 9 0 4.'Wa DAE. 1 1 Weather. Condition of the Sea. Cbin. Water JUNE, 1866. 4 ~^ -- ---- ar -e rt'k^~~ o rarn~~~~~~~ 2Direction. Force. 4j 2 "o ~~~~~~ o a~Cbob ~'3 ~ ~~~ ~ ~ ~