Mr. Adams to Mr.
Seward.
No. 58.]
Legation of the United
States,
London,
October 11, 1861.
Sir: I have the honor to enclose a copy of Lord
Russell’s note to me of the 4th instant, in reply to my representation
of the conduct of the authorities of the island of Trinidad, made under
instructions from the department.
It will appear from this that the governor of Trinidad, by hoisting the
British flag on the government flag-staff, probably desired to signify
to the officers of the Sumter, on their arrival, the neutral character
of the island, but that he in the meantime forgot that the act is
susceptible of a very different construction in the popular mind.
* * * * * *
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward,
Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
Earl Russell to
Mr. Adams.
Foreign
Office, October 4,
1861.
The undersigned, her Majesty’s principal secretary of state for
foreign affairs, has had the honor to receive a complaint from Mr.
Adams, envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary of the
United States at this court, against the authorities of the island
of Trinidad for a violation of her Majesty’s proclamation of
neutrality, by giving aid and encouragement to the insurgents of the
United States.
It appears, from the accounts received at the colonial office and at
the admiralty, that a vessel bearing a secession flag entered the
port of Trinidad on the 30th of July last.
Captain Hillyar, of her Majesty’s ship “Cadmus,” having sent a boat
to ascertain her nationality, the commanding officer showed a
commission signed by Mr. Jefferson Davis, calling himself the
President of the so-styled Confederate States.
The “Sumter,” which was the vessel in question, was allowed to stay
six days at Trinidad, and to supply herself with coals and
provisions, and the attorney general of the island perceived no
illegality in these proceedings.
The law officers of the crown have reported that the conduct of the
governor was in conformity to her Majesty’s proclamation.
[Page 163]
No mention is made by the governor of his hoisting the British flag
on the government flag-staff; and if he did so, it was probably in
order to show the national character of the island, and not in
acknowledgment of the arrival of the “Sumter.”
There does not appear, therefore, any reason to believe that her
Majesty’s proclamation of neutrality has been violated by the
governor of Trinidad, or by the commanding officer of her Majesty’s
ship “Cadmus.”
The undersigned requests Mr. Adams to accept the assurance of his
highest consideration.
Charles Francis Adams, Esq., &c., &c., &c.
