Mr. Seward to Mr.
Adams.
No. 384.]
Department of State.
Washington,
October 30, 1862.
Sir: I send herewith a communication which has
been received at this department from the Secretary of the Navy, giving
information of a breach of international obligations by the commander of
her Britannic Majesty’s gunboat Bull Dog, in July last, by transporting
from Nassau to Bermuda one Pegram and seven other persons, who were
proceeding from this country to England to take commands in the gunboat
290, a steam war vessel then being built, manned, and equipped in, and
since despatched from, a British port, and since engaged in committing
depredations on American commerce on the high seas, equally in violation
of the treaties existing between Great Britain and the United States,
the law of nations, and the laws of Great Britain.
The President desires that you will bring the subject to the notice of
Earl Russell, and ask that an examination of the case may be instituted,
and that such redress may be thereafter afforded to the United States as
the result of the investigation shall give them a right to expect.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Charles Francis Adams, Esq., &c., &c.,
&c.
Mr. Welles to Mr. Seward.
Navy
Department,
October 29, 1862.
Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith
a copy of a communication received from Rear Admiral Charles Wilkes,
commanding the West India squadron, reporting the infraction of the
neutrality regulations by the commander of her Britannic Majesty’s
gunboat Bull Dog, in transporting officers from Nassau to Bermuda,
in July last, on their way to England to take charge of vessels
about to fit out there under the rebel flag.
Very respectfully,
GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the
Navy.
Hon. William H. Seward,
Secretary of State.
[Page 229]
Rear Admiral Wilkes to
Mr. Welles.
No. 4.]
Flag Steamer Wachusett,
Havana,
October 11,
1862.
Sir: I have to communicate to the
department the infraction of the neutrality regulations by the
commander of her Britannic Majesty’s gunboat Bull Dog, in
transporting Captain Pegram and seven officers from Nassau to
Bermuda, in July last, on their way to England to take charge of
the 290, or other vessels about to fit out there under the
secesh flag, and that I have but little doubt that the
officials, both at Nassau and Bermuda, were aware of and
assented to the violation. This information I have from most
reliable authority—those who knew Captain Pegram and Lieutenant
Bennett well, and witnessed their arrival at Bermuda and
embarcation on board the mail packet for Halifax. They staid but
a few hours at Bermuda.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
CHARLES WILKES, Rear Admiral,
Commanding West India Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D.
C.
