Papers Relating to Foreign Affairs, Accompanying the Annual Message of the President to the Third Session Thirty-seventh Congress

Mr. Stuart to Mr. Seward.

Washington, September 2, 1862.

Sir: A complaint having been made by Messrs. Murphy & Twining, of Halifax, to Vice-Admiral Sir Alexander Milne, and referred by the latter to her Majesty’s government, respecting the manner in which United States cruisers are exercising their belligerent right of search, I have been instructed to represent the matter to the United States government, and to request that an inquiry may be instituted relative to the conduct of the United States officers in the cases of the Annette and Dart, mentioned in the letter of Messrs. Murphy & Twining, of which I do myself the honor to enclose you a copy herewith.

I have the honor to be, with high consideration, sir, your most obedient, humble servant,

WILLIAM STUART.

Hon. William H. Seward.

Messrs. Murphy and Twining to Admiral Milne.

Halifax, N. S., July 10, 1862.

Sir: We take the liberty of addressing you, as the naval commanding officer on this station, to call your attention to the following circumstances: Our brigantine, the Annette, Curtis, master, of this port, on her late voyage from Matanzas to Halifax, with a cargo of sugar, was on the evening of the 20th ultimo, coming through the gulf of Florida, lat. 25° 44′ N., long. 79° 58′, chased by a steamer showing United States colors, hailed, ordered to heave-to, and boarded by an officer of the said steamer, who demanded ship’s papers, and after examination and defacing them by remarks, allowed Captain Curtis to proceed on his voyage, after considerable detention.

The steamer, by indorsation on the brig’s register, was the United States steamer Rhode Island.

These instances of searching our vessels are now becoming so frequent that we have thought it advisable to call your attention to the above, with the hope that you will take steps to remedy this grievance. Some of these American cruisers are not content with ordering our vessels to heave to, to be searched, but in some instances (as in the case of the brigantine Dart, Conrad, master,) have fired into our vessels.

The conduct of the boarding officers also being particularly offensive. In this instance our vessel was detained at an unreasonable hour in a bad position, and at some considerable risk to ship and cargo, and might have proved of serious loss to us. Trusting that you will take some steps to prevent the recurrence of these most annoying, unlawful, and insulting acts of these American cruisers in the gulf,

We remain, &c., &c.,

MURPHY &. TWINING.

Sir A. Milne, K. C. B., &c., &c., &c.