Schleiden in a report to the Senate of Bremen at the time of the _Trent_ affair, Nov.

14, 1861, stated that the Russian Ambassador, von Stoeckl, inquired of Seward "whether the U.S.

would equip privateers in case war should break out with England and France.
Seward replied 'that is a matter of course.' Mr.Stoeckl thereupon remarked that in any case no American privateer would be permitted to cruise in the northern part of the Pacific because Russia, which is the only state that has ports in those regions, would treat them as pirates in accordance with the Convention of August 24.

Mr.Seward then exclaimed: 'I never thought of that.

I must write to Mr.Clay about it.'" (Schleiden MS.)].