Mr. Adams to Mr.
Seward.
No. 580.]
Legation of the United
States, London,
January 21, 1864.
Sir: The eccentricities of the rebels are among
the most marked peculiarities of this war. It seems that they undertake
to issue naturalization papers to aliens on board of vessels which have
never yet themselves been able to get within their jurisdiction. I
transmit a copy of my note to Lord Russell relating to this subject, and
covering copies of two such papers, the originals of which are now in
the bands of Mr. Dudley, the consul at Liverpool.
How long the British government will continue to put up with such things
it is difficult to tell. Made daily more sensible of the difficulties
into which their early measures have plunged them, they are still
reluctant to take any step which indicates the slightest admission that
they were wrong.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward
Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
Mr. Adams to Earl Russell.
Legation of the United
States, London,
January 20, 1864.
My Lord: I have the honor to submit to your
consideration copies of two papers, the originals of which are in
the possession of the consul of the United States at Liverpool.
It would seem by these papers as if the so-called naval officers of
the insurgents in the United States assume to themselves the power
on the ocean, not only as in former cases to constitute a court of
admiralty on the quarter-deck for the condemnation of prizes, but
also to naturalize the subjects of foreign subjects at sea, without
the necessity of prior emigration or settlement in any vicinage.
I pray your lordship to accept the assurances, &c., &c,
Right Hon. Earl Russell, &c., &c., &c.
Certificate of citizenship in favor of Frank
Glassbrook, a free white man, twenty-four years of
age.
To all whom it may concern:
Know all men by these presents that I, William L. Maury, a first
lieutenant in the navy of the Confederate States of America and
captain of the armed steamer Georgia, a vessel-of-war belonging to
said States, do hereby, and by virtue of authority in me vested by
an act entitled an “Act to establish a uniform rule of
naturalization for persons enlisted in the armies of the Confederate
States of America,” do issue this my certificate in favor of Frank
Glassbrook, a free white native of England, and now a seaman on
board this vessel, and in the naval service of the Confederate
States of America aforesaid, whereby the said Frank Glassbrook,
having of his own free will, at the age of twenty-four years,
enlisted in the naval service aforesaid, and taken the oath of
allegiance to
[Page 114]
the said
States, is made a natural citizen thereof,
and invested with all the responsibilities, duties, obligations, and
privileges that are by law attached to
every naturalized citizen of the Confederate States of America.
Done at sea, on board the confederate steamer Georgia, this 27th day
of April, in the year of our Lord, 1863.
In testimony whereof I herewith affix my hand and seal.
WILLIAM L. MAURY, [l. s.]
First Lieut., Com’dg Confederate States
Steamer Georgia.
