Mr. Adams to Mr.
Seward.
No. 735.]
Legation of the United States,
London,
June 30, 1864.
Sir: In accordance with the directions
contained in your despatch, No. 983, of the 9th instant, I addressed a
note to Lord Russell, thanking the government for services rendered by
her Majesty’s ship Perseus to the American bark Maryland, in Japan. I
send a copy herewith.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. Wm. H. Seward,
Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
Mr. Adams to Earl Russell.
Legation of the United
States,
London,
June 28, 1864.
My Lord: Information has been received by
the government of the United States that on the 10th of February
last the American bark Maryland, in a
[Page 198]
severe storm then raging at the port of
Kanawaga, in Japan, fell into imminent danger of striking one of the
stone jetties, which must have ended in her complete destruction, At
this crisis the prompt and eificjent labors of Augustus W. Kingston,
the commander of her Britannic Majesty’s sloop-of-war Perseus, his
officers and crew, had the effect to rescue that vessel and all
contained in it from the impending peril.
It gives me great pleasure to become the medium through which to
express to her Majesty’s government the thanks of the President for
the timely and effective succor thus rendered to a distressed
American vessel, in a remote portion of the globe, by these gallant
men.
I pray your lordship to accept the assurance of the highest
consideration with which 1 have the honor to be, my lord, your most
obedient servant,
Right Hon. Earl Russell,
&c., &c., &c.
