Mr. Seward to Mr.
Adams.
No. 275.]
Department of State,
Washington,
June 23, 1862.
Sir: I send you a copy of a report made by
Lieutenant Charles McDougal, of the United States navy, dated April 13,
1862, showing that, in pursuance of orders from the British admiralty,
he had been required to remove the United States ship-of-war Saginaw
from the colony of Hong Kong, in China, and its dependencies. The
interests of American commerce in the east require the presence of
American vessels there, and with it the enjoyment of all the rights of
maritime powers. No British interest can be injuriously affected by the
presence of such vessels. But, on the other hand, their presence is
beneficial to the interests of all the western powers. You will please
make the fact communicated by Lieutenant McDougal known to Earl Russell,
as a pregnant illustration of the unnecessary and injurious operations
of the attitude held by the British government in regard to the
insurrection existing in the United States. We shall no further urge a
change of that attitude, having exhausted the argument. But it will
occur to every one that the American people are not likely to be always
satisfied with performing: treaty stipulations without reciprocity.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Charles Francis Adams, Esq., &c., &c., &c.
[Page 116]
Lieutenant McDougal to Mr. Welles.
U. S. Steamer Saginaw,
Macao,
April 13, 1862.
Sir: I have the honor to report the
following:
The anticipated troubles with England having subsided, on the 19th
ultimo I removed this vessel from this place to Hong Kong, deeming
Hong Kong to be the better place for carrying out any instructions I
might receive from the department concerning her.
On the 5th instant I received a call from the harbor-master, who
informed me that he had been instructed to notify me to remove the
United States steamer Saginaw from Hong Kong, at the same time
handing me a letter containing the notification and enclosing a
proclamation just issued by the governor, all of which I
enclose.
There being no other course for me to pursue than that of complying
with the requirements made, on the 10th instant I got under way and
steamed over to this place, where I shall await instructions from
the department.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
CHARLES J. McDOUGAL, Lieut. U. S. navy, in
charge of U. S. steamer Saginaw.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D.
C.
The Harbor-Master at Hong
Kong to Lieutenant
McDougal.
No. 3.]
Harbor-Master’s Office,
Hong Kong,
April 4,
1862.
Sir: I have the honor to enclose a
proclamation issued by his excellency the governor, having
reference to the hostilities which are now carried on between
the States of North America which have seceded from the Union
and those which adhere to it, and, in compliance with its
provisions, beg to request you will be good enough to remove the
United States sloop-of-war Saginaw, under your command, from the
colony of Hong Kong and its dependencies.
I have the honor to be, sir, your most obedient servant,
H. G. THOMSETT, Harbor-Master,
&c.
The Officer Commanding
United States sloop-of-war
Saginaw.
