Mr. Adams to Mr. Seward.
Sir: In my despatch (No. 199) of the 30th of July I brought down the narrative of the proceedings in the case of the gunboat No. 290 to the morning of the 29th. Later in the day I sent another telegram to Captain Craven, giving further intelligence from Liverpool, urging his departure from Southampton, also that he should let me know his next movements, and cautioning him about the line of British jurisdiction. To this message the captain immediately replied, announcing his departure at 8 o’clock, and his intention to touch at Queenstown for further information. On the 30th of July I wrote to Captain Craven, by mail to Queenstown, giving fuller details, received at half-past eleven o’clock from Mr. Dudley, touching the movements of the gunboat off Point Lynas on that day. Early on the morning of the 31st I sent a telegram to Captain Craven, at Queenstown, apprising him that 290 was said to be still off Point Lynas. At about 10 o’clock p.m. of that evening I received a telegram from Captain Craven, dated at Queenstown, announcing his reception of my despatch and his intention to await further instructions. This was answered by me early the next morning in the following words, by telegram:
“At latest, yesterday, she was off Point Lynas; you must catch her if you can, and, if necessary, follow her across the Atlantic.”
On the same day I received by mail a note from Captain Craven, dated the 31st, announcing the receipt of my despatches and his decision to go to Point Lynas at noon on the 1st instant.
Captain Craven seems to have sailed up St. George’s channel. This last movement must have been made in forgetfulness of my caution about British jurisdiction, for, even had he found No. 290 in that region, I had, in previous conversations with him, explained the reason why I should not consider it good policy to attempt her capture near the coast. In point of fact, this proceeding put an end to every chance of his success.
[Page 170]On the 5th instant I received a letter from him, dated the 4th, at Queenstown, enclosing a report of his doings, addressed to the Secretary of the Navy, left open for my inspection, which I forward by this steamer, and at the same time apprising me of his intention to go round to Dublin and await a letter from me prior to his return to his station at Gibraltar. To this I sent the following reply:
“Legation of the United States,” London, August 6, 1862.
“Sir: I will forward your letter to the Secretary of the Navy. Having in my hands sufficient evidence to justify the step. I was willing to assume the responsibility of advising you to follow the boat No. 290 and take her wherever you could find her. But I cannot do the same with other vessels of which I have knowledge only from general report. I therefore think it best that you should resume your duties under the general instructions you have from the department, without further reference to me.”
It may have been of use to the Tuscarora to have obtained repairs at Southampton to put her in seaworthy condition. But had I imagined that the captain did not intend to try the sea, I should not have taken the responsibility of calling him from his station. I can only say that I shall not attempt anything of the kind again.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward,Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.