Mr Burnley to Mr.
Seward
Washington,
January 23, 1865.
Sir: Of the vast amounts of cotton captured by
General Sherman at Savannah, I am told that some ten thousand bales are
the bona fide property of British subjects
residing there and in England.
Mr. Sergeant, a medical gentleman resident at Savannah, called upon me
yesterday and consulted with me upon the subject, placing in my hands
various papers, which he had been deputed to hand over to me, of one of
which I enclose a copy, as representing the actual state of the case.
Mr. Sergeant informed me that the federal authorities contemplated
sending the whole of this cotton to New York for sale, the proceeds to
be remitted to the United States treasury, and the owners to establish
their claims before the courts.
As it appears to have been purchased during the year 1860 and 1861, and
was intended for shipment for England upon the reopening of commerce,
now happily not far distant, I would hope that pending an investigation
of the claims it may be allowed to remain stored in Savannah, as the
federal government have now a firm hold on the place, and there can be
no question of its recapture, considering the important federal
successes recently achieved
To the end, however, of establishing the rightful claims of the owners, I
would propose to despatch an agent there, with the sanction of yourself,
who would be deputed to place himself in communication with any
authorized agent of the United States government, in order that it may
be clearly and satisfactorily proved that such cotton belongs to bona fide neutral British merchants.
It is of the very utmost importance that this vast amount of cotton, if
shown to be British property, and acquired in a legitimate way, should
not be lost to its original owners, under any circumstanees; and in the
interests of the British subjects concerned, I feel bound to protest
beforehand against any acts which in the hurry of military preparations
may tend to obliterate or invalidate any just claims upon the captured
property.
Awaiting an answer at your earliest convenience, I have the honor to be,
with the highest consideration, sir, your most obedient, humble
servant,
Hon. William H. Seward,
&c., &c., &c.
[Page 52]
Mr. Green to Mr.
Barclay
Savannah, Georgia,
January 16, 1865.
Sir: The seizure of the stocks of cotton in
this place may now be said to be completed, by the presence of Mr.
Collector Draper, of New York, to whom General Sherman is
transferring the property.
In a written application to the officers named in enclosed “special
notice,” I stated that as the cotton held by and belonging to me was
of the crops of 1860-61, the bales were in many cases in need of
repair and re-marking, the planters’ brands having become
indistinct, and I asked permission to make the repairs and marks.
The reply was that I might put what repairs on the bales I pleased,
prior to shipment, but that no re-marking or
putting private marks on the bales would be permitted.
His excellency Lord Lyons has already been asked by the British
members of the Chamber of Commerce of this city to apply to the
United States government to stay the shipment of cotton being
British property. If this cannot be done, will you solicit his
excellency to request on behalf of British subjects:—
1. That they may be allowed to put private marks on their cotton
prior to shipment by the Treasury Department.
2. That receipts in original and duplicate may be given to British
owners, reciting—
1. The private marks of the cotton. 1. The number of bales and
description of the cotton, whether upland or sea island; and, 1. The
name of the vessel by which the cotton is taken away.
His lordship’s early attention to this may avert very great losses,
and in some instances ruin, to British subjects in Georgia.
I am, &c.,
CHARLES GREEN.
Anthony Barclay, Esq.,
Depositary of the papers of the British
consulate.
Unable to obtain the advantage of Mr. Barclay’s attention to this
communication to-day, and the necessity for prompt action being
imminent, Mr. Green takes the liberty of forwarding to Lord Lyons
himself. The mails only go to New York weekly.
Special Notice.
Office Chief Quartermaster
Depot, Savannah, Georgia, January 6,
1865.
All persons having cotton in their possession now stored in this city
are hereby notified to call at this office forthwith and register
the same, stating the amount, where stored, and by whom owned.
By order of Brigadier General L. C. Easton, chief quartermaster.
GEORGE B. CADWALLADER, Captain and
Assistant Quartermaster, Chief Quartermaster
Depot.
