Papers Relating to Foreign Affairs, Accompanying the Annual Message of the President to the Second Session Thirty-eighth Congress, Part I

Mr. Adams to Mr. Seward.

No. 561.]

Legation of the United States, London, December 22, 1863.

Sir: I have the honor to transmit copies of my note to Lord Russell of the 14th, and of his replies of the 16th and 17th instant, respecting the allegation of enlistments on board the Kearsarge at Queenstown. From the tone of his lordship I am led to infer the government is not altogether satisfied with the replies given by the consul and Commander Winslow; if so, it is not unlikely that the complaint may be transferred to Washington. I have for that reason abstained from entering into the question here any further than is necessary to state the views of the respective officers.

I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,

CHARLES FRANCIS ADAMS

Hon. William H. Seward &c., &c., &c.

[Enclosures.]

1. Mr. Adams, to Lord Russell, December 14, 1863.

2. Lord Russell to Mr. Adams, December 16, 1863.

3. Same to same, December 17, 1863.

Mr. Adams to Earl Russell.

Legation of the United States, London, December 14, 1863.

My Lord: In reference to the note of the 30th of November, which I had the honor to receive from you, respecting certain allegations made against the commander of the steamer Kearsarge, I now transmit the copy of a note addressed to the consul by that officer. It would appear from this that he disavows all intention of violating the laws of this kingdom in enlisting men for the service of the United States. Whatever may have been done seems to have been carried on without his knowledge; and, when he discovered it, he took prompt measures to rectify the error by returning to port and landing the men.

I beg leave to add, that I have transmitted copies of all the papers connected with this subject for the consideration of my government.

I pray your lordship to accept the assurances of the highest consideration with which I have the honor to be, my lord, your most obedient servant,

CHARLES FRANCIS ADAMS.

Right Hon. Earl Russell, &c., &c., &c.

Earl Russell to Mr. Adams.

Foreign Office, December 16, 1863.

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 7th instant, enclosing an extract of a letter dated the 4th instant, from Mr. Eastman, the United States consul at Cork, stating that he did not know of a single shipment of seamen on board the United States steamer Kearsarge, nor of the hiring or engagement of any, and that he had no doubt, if any such shipments had taken place, he should have had some information of it; and further, from the positive assurance of the captain and his officers, he cannot believe that the captain or his officers did, during the stay of the vessel at Queenstown, commit the acts represented to her Majesty’s government which formed the subject of my letter to you of the 30th of November, namely, the enlistment of men to serve on board the Kearsarge.

With reference to this statement, I think it right to inform you that a report, dated December 7, has been received by the board of admiralty, from the port admiral at Queenstown, stating that the Kearsarge had arrived off the harbor in the morning, and shortly afterward, fifteen seamen were landed from her in a pilot-boat. These seamen stated that they were shipped between the 2d and 5th of November last, whilst the Kearsarge was wind-bound at Queenstown, and that they were regularly entered as part complement of the ship on arriving at Brest.

It appears, further, from the admiral’s report that the commander of the Kearsarge was perfectly aware of her Majesty’s proclamation, and of the statute law bearing on the point, and had a copy of the proclamation in his possession; and that he had stated to the admiral, in the presence of the United States consul that he did not want any men, and only wanted a clerk.

The admiral adds, that on the morning of the 7th the United States consul, Mr. Eastman, read to him a letter which he had received from the captain of the Kearsarge, saying that a number of men were found secreted on board that vessel after her departure from Queenstown, on the 5th of November, and that he would have landed them at Brest, but that doing so would have put them into the hands of the confederate war steamer Florida, and that he now sent them on shore at Queenstown.

The discrepancies between the statements which I have thus recited, together with the statements set forth in my letter of the 30th of November, and those which have been transmitted to you by the United States consul at Queenstown, will not fail to attract your attention, and will doubtless suggest to you the propriety of making still further inquiry from your own consul as to the part taken by him in the enlistment of these men.

I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration, sir, your most obedient, humble servant,

RUSSELL.

Charles F. Adams, Esq., &c., &c., &c.

Earl Russell to Mr. Adams.

Foreign Office, December 17, 1863.

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of the 14th instant, respecting the seamen embarked on board the United States steamer Kearsarge at Queenstown.

I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration, sir, your most obedient, humble servant,

RUSSELL.

Charles Francis Adams, Esq., &c., &c., &c.