Mr. Adams to Mr. Seward,.
No. 374.]
Legation of the United States,
London,
April 16, 1863.
Sir: I transmit herewith a copy of a note
addressed by me to Lord Russell, in obedience to the instructions
contained in your despatch (No. 531) of the 28th of March. I was glad to
have the opportunity to do so, as the evidence verified the
representations heretofore made by me of the character of the Georgiana,
and exposes the nature of the reports from Liverpool to the foreign
office on the same subject. I had reason to believe that his lordship
considered me, in this case, at least, to have made a mistake. Thus far,
I think, I can say that all the later evidence received sustains, in
every instance, the allegations that have been made. Fortunately, the
Georgiana is put out of the question as a mischief-maker.
A copy of Lord Russell’s acknowledgment is appended.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, &c.
[Page 247]
Mr. Adams to Lord Russell.
Legation of the United
States,
London,
April 14, 1863.
My Lord: I have been instructed to lay
before your lordship copies of a correspondence transmitted to me
from Washington relative to the arrival of the steamer Georgiana at
Nassau. It appears by these papers that she appeared and was
received at that port in the singular guise of an armed British
merchant vessel, although, from the evidence which your lordship was
pleased to furnish to me from Liverpool, she was not represented as
enacting any such part in that harbor. I have now every reason to
believe that the information upon which I had the honor to base my
representation of the character and purposes of that vessel was, in
all essential particulars, correct.
Happily for the interests of both countries, this cause of complaint
and irritation has been disposed of, in a summary way, in advance of
any production of mischief. I wish I could have it in my power to
make the same announcement in other cases to which I have been under
the painful necessity to draw your lordship’s notice.
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.
[Enclosures.]
1. Consul Whiting to Mr. Seward, March 27, 1863.
2. Same to Governor of Bahamas, February 28, 1863.
3. Colonial Secretary to Mr. Whiting, March 2, 1863.
4. Mr. Whiting to Captain Kennedy, March 2, 1863.
5. Captain Kennedy to Mr. Whiting, March 2, 1863.
Lord Russell to Mr. Adams.
Foreign
Office, April 15,
1863.
Sir: I have the honor to
acknowledge the receipt of your letter of yesterday’s date,
enclosing copies of papers transmitted to you from
Washington, respecting the case of the Georgiana.
I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration, sir,
your most obedient, humble servant,
Charles Francis Adams, &c., &c., &c.
