It is proper for me to mention the fact, that the genuineness of Mr.
Mallory’s report has been denied here by Lieutenant Maury.
The Florida is announced to have departed at last from Brest. I do not
learn that the Rappahannock moves at all. There are rumors, I know not
how well founded, that two mysterious vessels of war, which show no
colors, are seen continually off the port.
The mission of the Kangaroo is likewise a matter of much speculation. She
is controlled by the chief rebels in France, as you will probably learn
more specifically from another source.
Hon. William H. Seward
Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
Earl Russell to Mr. Adams.
Foreign Office,
February 8, 1864.
Sir: Her Majesty’s government have had
under their consideration the representations contained in your
letter of the 19th ultimo, with regard to the alleged use of British
territory for belligerent purposes by the government of the
so-styled Confederate States, as shown in the report of the
confederate secretary of the navy, Mr. Mallory, of which you
enclosed a copy; and I have now to state to you that this document
appears to her Majesty’s government to contain the strongest proof,
if any were wanted, that they have endeavored, in good faith, to
observe strictly and impartially, under circumstances of no small
difficulty, the obligations of neutrality which they have
undertaken; and that the practical effect of their doing so has been
advantageous, in no slight degree, to the more powerful of the two
belligerents, namely, the United States.
What is termed in Mr. Mallory’s report “the unfriendly construction
of her Majesty’s laws” is therein made matter of grave complaint
against England by the government of the so-styled Confederate
States, while to the same cause is ascribed the fact that those
States have been prevented from obtaining the services of the
greater part of a formidable war fleet, which they had desired to
create.
Her Majesty’s government are fully sensible of the nature and
importance of the admissions made in Mr. Mallory’s report of the
endeavors of the government of the so-styled Confederate States, by
their agents in this country and in Canada, to violate, in various
ways, her Majesty’s neutrality.
Her Majesty’s government have already taken steps to make that
government aware that such proceedings cannot be tolerated, and her
Majesty’s government will not fail to give to these admissions, to
which you have invited their attention, the consideration which they
undoubtedly deserve.
There is, however, one passage in your letter which it is impossible
for her Majesty’s government to pass over without especial notice;
this passage is as follows: “I am further directed, respectfully, to
represent that the toleration of these avowed enemies of the United
States, whilst known to be carrying on these hostile practices, now
fully revealed, within the British realm and its dependencies,
without restraint of any kind, cannot be regarded as an exercise of
the unquestioned right of sheltering political exiles, but rather as
equivalent to permitting them to abuse that right, for the purpose
of more effectually availing themselves of British and and
co-operation, now notoriously given them, in waging war with a
country with which Great Britain is at peace.”
[Page 170]
In reply to this allegation, her Majesty’s government think it right
to state, that her Majesty’s dominions must necessarily continue to
be open to the subjects of both belligerents, as long as her Majesty
is at peace with both of them; but that her Majesty’s government
will, at the same time, continue to put in force, as they have
hitherto done, to the full extent of the means in their power, the
laws of this country against those subjects of either of the
belligerents who may be found, by transgressing those laws, to have
abused the rights of hospitality, and to have offended against the
authority of the crown.
With regard to its being made a matter of complaint by the government
of the United States, that her Majesty thought fit, upon the
original commencement of hostilities, to recognize the status of belligerents in both the parties to
this unhappy contest, her Majesty’s government can only repeat the
observation which they have had occasion to make on former
occasions, in reply to similar representations received from you,
that any other course would have justly exposed this country to a
charge of violating the clearest principles and soundest precedents
of international law.
I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration, sir, your
most obedient, humble servant,
Charles Francis Adams, Esq.
