Mr. Adams to Mr.
Seward.
No. 123.]
Legation of the United States,
London,
February 27, 1862.
Sir: In consequence of information furnished to
me by the consul of the United States at Liverpool of certain suspicious
movements at that port, I have felt it my duty to make a representation
to Lord Russell of the facts attending the outfit of the steam gunboat
Oreto, and to ask an investigation. Copies of the notes that have passed
on this subject are herewith transmitted.
Presuming that you are in constant receipt of intelligence from the
consuls in the various ports of the preparation of vessels with supplies
of all sorts intended to run the blockade of the southern ports, I do
not attempt to furnish the information which I obtain. The temptation of
rising prices will, of course, stimulate these ventures just so long as
there shall be any reasonable chance of escaping the vigilance of our
cruisers.
There seems to be less and less disposition to press complaints about the
blockade. The remarks attributed to M. Billault, in the senate of
France, leave little further hope of co-operation against it from that
quarter.
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,
February 18, 1862.
My Lord: I have the honor to submit to your
consideration the copy of an extract of a letter addressed to me by
the consul of the United States at Liverpool, going to show the
preparation at that port of an armed steamer evidently intended for
hostile operations on the ocean. From the evidence furnished in the
names of the persons stated to be concerned in her construction and
outfit, I entertain little doubt that the intention is precisely
that indicated in the letter of the consul, the carrying on war
against the United States. The parties are the same which despatched
the Bermuda laden with contraband of war at the time, in August
last, when I had the honor of calling your lordship’s attention to
her position, which vessel then succeeded in running the blockade,
and which now appears to be about again to depart on a like
errand.
Should further evidence to sustain the allegations respecting the
Oreto be held necessary to effect the object of securing the
interposition of her Majesty’s government, I will make an effort to
procure it in a more formal manner.
I pray your lordship to accept the assurance of the highest
consideration with which I have the honor to be your most obedient
servant,
The Right Hon. Earl Russell,
&c., &c., &c.
[Page 40]
Earl Russell to Mr. Adams.
Foreign Office,
February 26, 1862.
Sir: With reference to my letter of the
19th instant, on the subject of the steamer Oreto, which was
believed from reports you had received to be fitting out at
Liverpool with a view to acting hostilely against the people of the
United States, I have the honor to transmit to you herewith a copy
of a letter from the commissioners of customs to the lords
commissioners of her Majesty’s treasury, reporting the result of the
investigations which they have caused to be instituted with regard
to the vessel in question.
I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration, sir, your
most obedient servant,
Charles Francis Adams,
&c., &c., &c.
Report of British Commissioners of
Customs.
Custom-House,
February 22,
1862.
Your lordships having referred to us the annexed letter from Mr.
Hammond, transmitting, by desire of Earl Russell, copy of a
letter from Mr. Adams, enclosing an extract of a communication
from the United States consul at Liverpool, in which he calls
attention to a steam vessel called the Oreto, reported to be
fitting out at Liverpool as a southern privateer, and requesting
that immediate inquiries may be made respecting this vessel, we
report:
That on the receipt of your lordship’s reference we forthwith
instructed our collector at Liverpool to make inquiries in
regard to the vessel Oreto, and it appears from his report that
she has been built by Messrs. Miller & Sons for Messrs.
Fawcett, Preston & Co., engineers, of Liverpool, and is
intended for the use of Messrs. Thomas Brothers, of Palermo, one
of that firm having frequently visited the vessel during the
process of building.
The Oreto is pierced for four guns, [6 ?] but she has yet taken
nothing on board but coals and ballast. She is not at present
fitted for the reception of guns, nor are the builders aware
that she is to be supplied with guns whilst she remains in this
country. The expense of her construction has been paid, and she
has been handed over to Messrs. Fawcett & Preston. Messrs.
Miller & Sons state their belief that her destination is
Palermo, as they have been requested to recommend a master to
take her to that port, and our collector at Liverpool states
that he has every reason to believe that the vessel is for the
Italian government.
We beg further to add that special directions have been given to
the officers at Liverpool to watch the movements of the vessel,
and that we will not fail to report forthwith any circumstances
which may occur worthy of your lordship’s cognizance.
GRENVILLE C. L. BERKELEY.
The Lords Commissioners of her Majesty’s
Treasury.
