Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, &c.
[Enclosures.]
1. Lord Russell to Mr. Adams, about Phantom and Southerner, April 3,
1863.
2. Same to same, about Alexandra, April 3, 1863.
3. Mr. Adams to Lord Russell, April 6, 1863.
Lord Russell to Mr. Adams.
Foreign
Office, April 3,
1863.
Sir: Since the date of my letter of the
27th ultimo I have received from the board of the treasury a
report made by the commissioners of customs, under date of the
31st ultimo, and from the secretary of state for the home
department a report from the mayor of Liverpool, bearing the
same date, containing the result of the inquiries made by them
in regard to the vessels Phantom and Southerner, denounced by
you in your letter of the 26th ultimo as intended for the naval
service of the so-called Confederate States.
It appears from the first of these reports that the Phantom was
built at the yard of Mr. W. C. Miller, and is now in the
Clarence graving-dock. Her length is 193 feet; her breadth 22
feet; her depth 12 feet; her gross tonnage 321, and her probable
register tonnage 160.
From the considerable space devoted to her engines, and from her
model, there seems to be no doubt a high rate of speed will be
obtained; and from her light draught of water she is well
adapted for running the blockade; but as she has steel plates
only half an inch thick, and as the angle irons which compose
the deck beams are only 5 by 3½ inches thick, and as, moreover,
she has no ports except for water-way, (three in all,) and a
hurricane house on deck, the surveyor of customs considers that
she is not intended to carry guns, and that she is not fit for a
privateer.
The mayor of Liverpool reports that the Phantom was launched on
the 21st of March from the yard of Messrs. Miller & Co., and
that her engines are being made and fitted by Messrs. Fawcett,
Preston & Co., of Liverpool; that she is in an unfinished
state, and not expected to proceed to sea under a fortnight or
three weeks. No distinct information could be obtained as to
what she is intended for, but a strong impression exists that
she is destined for the purpose of running the blockade.
The Southerner has not yet arrived at Liverpool.
A strict watch will be kept as regards both these vessels.
I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration, sir, your
most obedient, humble servant,
Charles Francis Adams, Esq., &c., &c., &c.
[Page 243]
Lord Russell to Mr. Adams.
Foreign
Office, April 3,
1863.
Sir: With reference to my letter of the
31st ultimo I have the honor to inform you that the secretary of
state for the home department has instructed the mayor of
Liverpool to cause immediate inquiries to be made with the view
of ascertaining whether the Alexandra, denounced by you in your
letter of the 30th ultimo, is being equipped, furnished, fitted
out, or armed, with the intention of her being employed in the
service of the so-called Confederate States, with intent to
commit hostilities against the federal government of the United
States; and, if this should appear to be the case, the mayor is
further instructed to adopt whatever steps can legally be taken
in the matter.
I have the honor to be, &c, &c.,
Charles Francis Adams, Esq., &c., &c., &c.
Mr. Adams to Lord Russell.
Legation of the United
States,
London,
April 6,
1863.
My Lord: I have the honor to
acknowledge the reception of notes from your lordship, dated the
27th and 31st of March, and two on the 3d of April, in reply to
certain representations of mine, concerning vessels believed to
be in preparation at Liverpool for the carrying on of
hostilities at sea against the commerce of the United States..
It is a source of great satisfaction to me to recognize the
readiness which her Majesty’s government has thus manifested to
make the investigations desired, as well as to receive the
assurances of its determination to maintain a close observation
of future movements, of an unusual character, that justify
suspicions of any evil intent.
I pray, your lordship, to accept the assurances of the highest
consideration with which I have the honor to be, my lord, your
most obedient servant,
Right Hon. Earl Russell, &c., &c., &c.
