[Extracts.]
Mr. Adams to Mr.
Seward.
No. 131.]
Legation of the United States,
London,
March 13, 1862.
Sir: In obedience to the instructions contained
in your despatch No. 184, of the 14th of February, I have addressed a
note to Lord Russell in regard to the conduct of the master of the
British steamer General Miramon, a copy of which is herewith
transmitted.
It will be perceived that I have ventured to introduce another and a
different cause of complaint, which suggested itself to me in the
perusal of the report of the discussion in both houses of Parliament on
the blockade. I have done so, not in the expectation of effecting any
purpose of checking the notorious tendency of the commercial classes,
but rather to put on record on the part of the government of the United
States the consciousness of its existence; for the time may come when
there will be attempts to deny it. There are people in England who still
pretend that the complaints which brought on the war of 1812 were ill
founded. But for the evidence perpetuated by the official records of the
government of the United States this story might become the established
faith of the nation. And so it may be in the event of a restoration of
our affairs. It will probably be affirmed here that there was a rigid
abstinence throughout our time of trial from all attempts to do us
injury. In opposition to this, it may be as well to have it in our power
to show that, outside of the lines of the rebel States, nearly all the
active sympathy and positive assistance has come from the subjects of
Great Britain. At this very moment the means which the insurgents have
to carry on the war are derived from them, and vessels are fitting out
or actually on the way to supply them continually with more.
I transmit a copy of a note just received from Lord Russell, in
acknowledgment of mine. It will probably be followed by
explanations.
* * * * * * * * *
You will scarcely have failed to observe in the course of the late
discussion in both houses of Parliament the nature of the animus that pervades the greater number of
members towards the United States. It consists not so much of partiality
for one side over the other as of disinclination to both and desire that
their political power should be diminished by a permanent separation.
Even Lord Russell himself, though perhaps not conscious of the influence
that prompts it, distinctly betrays the tendency in his remarks on the
blockade. I am told by one of the members that the feelings of the House
of Commons were perceptibly with Mr. Gregory in his speech, at the same
time that they would not dispute the soundness of the policy of the
ministry. It is advisable that the government of the United States
should clearly understand this distinction, for upon its adaptation of a
system to the emergency will greatly depend the chance of preserving the
present position of the two countries towards each other. The successes
of the campaign have done much for us. I trust they may continue. But
they
[Page 48]
must not be made to depend
merely upon good fortune. The stake is too great here to be risked on
the passions of ignorant or inexperienced men at home. If we do not mean
to give to the evil-inclined of this hemisphere the opportunity to turn
the scale in favor of our enemies in the other, we must take care to
adhere to a policy which will, by its ultimate success, prove at once
our own capacity to guide the country through its perils and the fallacy
of the predictions of failure so confidently paraded by those whose wish
is father to the thought.
We now anxiously await the news by every steamer, but not for the same
reasons as before. The pressure for interference here has disappeared.
It will arise again only in the event of some very decided reverse.
Hence we look more for the evidence of sensible and gradual progress
than for an immediate triumph. On many accounts this last result would
scarcely seem to be desirable, and especially if the attempt to attain
it might lead to the possibility of a corresponding reverse.
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,
March 10, 1862.
My Lord: It is with much regret that I am
constrained to lay before you the copy of a letter addressed to the
Department of State by the consul general of the United States at
Havana, containing a serious complaint against the conduct of the
master of the British steamer General Miramon, off the port of
Mobile, in the month of May last.
It would appear from the statements therein made, if in accordance
with the facts, that Captain Golding took advantage of a privilege
granted to him to enter the port of Mobile, upon his profession of a
desire to perform an act of humanity, to abuse the confidence thus
placed in him, by discharging one cargo of merchandise, and taking
off another, in violation of the blockade known to be established at
that place.
It is almost needless to remind your lordship how much the
disposition to relieve to neutral nations the inconveniences
inevitably attending a blockade, must be affected by the misconduct
of such of their citizens as prove to have no respect for moral
obligations. It is not without regret that I am compelled to add
that this is by no means the only instance which has come within my
observation of a desire of British citizens to interfere with the
blockade in every manner possible. Not only have the newspapers in
Great Britain contained advertisements of vessels about to depart
with the declared intention of violating it, but I have reason to
believe that respectable assurance companies in London have gone so
far as to establish a specific rate of premium at which they are
prepared to guarantee the property engaged in such unlawful
ventures. The effect of such conduct, in weakening the confidence
which my countrymen desire to feel in the friendly disposition of
the people of Great Britain, is easily to be conceived. It is no
part of my intention in making this representation to imply the
existence of any desire on the part of her Majesty’s ministers or of
the British nation at large to give the smallest countenance to such
hostile demonstrations.
My purpose is rather to solicit such action, if it be within the
power of the
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government as
may, by putting the seal of public reprobation upon a single
well-authenticated act of dishonesty, serve to deter other
evil-minded persons from pursuing the same path in future.
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.
Earl Russell to Mr. Adams.
Foreign Office
March 13, 1862.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of your letter of the 10th instant, calling attention to the
conduct of the captain of the British steamer General Miramon, as
reported to your government by the United States consul at the
Havana, in discharging a cargo of merchandise and taking off another
at Mobile; the captain of the General Miramon having been allowed to
enter that port while under blockade, in consequence of his having
stated to the commander of the blockading squadron that his object
in going to Mobile was to perform an act of humanity. You also call
my attention to the number of vessels lading cargoes in this country
with the evident intention of running the blockade, and you request
that her Majesty’s government will take such action in the matter as
may be within their power.
I have the honor, in reply, to state that, if the facts as alleged
against the captain of the General Miramon are not susceptible of a
satisfactory explanation, her Majesty’s government would much regret
that a British shipmaster should have abused the confidence of the
commander of the United States blockading squadron; and, as regards
the second point to which you call my attention, I have to assure
you that the matter shall have the due consideration of her
Majesty’s government.
I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration, sir, your
most obedient, humble servant,
Charles Francis Adams, Esq., &c., &c., &c.
