Mr. Adams to Mr.
Seward.
No. 188.]
Legation of the United States,
London,
July
17, 1862.
Sir: I have the honor to transmit a copy of my
note to Lord Russell in relation to the course taken by the
harbor-master of Hong Kong towards the United States vessel the Saginaw.
Copies of the papers enclosed, with your despatch (No. 215) of the 23d
of June, relating to that subject, accompanied my note.
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,
July 14, 1862.
My Lord: I am directed to lay before your
lordship copies of despatches transmitted to me, touching the action
of the harbor-master at Hong Kong, in relation to the United States
steamer Saginaw. There certainly does seem to be a difference
between the treatment experienced by this vessel and that applied to
the Sumter in Gibraltar.
But, apart from this, it is needless to suggest to your lordship that
the presence of some vessel-of-war in the China seas is almost
indispensable to the protection of the interests of American
commerce in that quarter, or that a denial of any of the ordinary
rights of maritime powers operates with peculiar hardship upon them
in this instance. On the other hand, it does not appear that any
British interest could be seriously affected by the admission of
such vessels to the enjoyment of them. Thus far experience may be
said to have shown it to advance the interests of all the western
powers. Under these circumstances I have been instructed simply to
submit the facts to the consideration of her Majesty’s
government.
Praying your lordship to accept the assurances of my highest
consideration, I have the honor to be, my lord, your most obedient
servant,
Right Hon. Earl Russell,
&c., &c., &c.
