Papers Relating to Foreign Affairs, Accompanying the Annual Message of the President to the First Session Thirty-eighth Congress, Part I
Mr. Adams to Mr. Seward.
Sir: The case of the Alexandra still remains in suspense. The attorney general, in the House of Commons the other night, announced that it would probably come up for trial on the 15th instant. I am not very anxious to see it hastened, although the panic which it occasioned among the rebel sympathizers has almost passed away. They are now busily engaged in fitting out others vessels of the same kind. Although not sanguine of obtaining any satisfactory results from the government, I have felt it my duty steadily to continue my representations whenever could base them on any tolerably sufficient grounds. I now transmit copies of the notes and papers connected with the Phantom, Southerner, and Sumter, and likewise of such replies as I have received from Lord Russell.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, &c.
Mr. Adams to Lord Russell.
My Lord: I have the honor to transmit to you copies of two depositions, going further to show the character and purposes of the steamer Phantom, concerning which I have already made some representations in my note to your lordship of the 26th of March, not doubting that these proceedings have already attracted the attention of her Majesty’s government.
I pray, &c., &c.,
Right Hon. Earl Russell, &c., &c.
Deposition of Robert Thomas.
I, Robert Thomas, of No. 3 court, Ann street, Toxteth Part, Liverpool, in the county of Lancaster, police constable No. 379, of the borough police, make oath and say as follows:
1. I do duty as a police constable at the Toxteth dock, Liverpool, and have been so employed for the last three years and upwards. I know the ship-building yard of Messrs W. C. Miller & Sons, ship-builders, Liverpool, which adjoins. to the dock, and has an entrance into the dock.
2. About five months ago my attention was called to a ship that I was told was to be made of steel plates. She was then on one of the slips in Messrs. Miller & Sons’ yard, and had only her ribs up. Since that time I have seen her from day to day. She is now lying in Toxteth dock. I have been aboard of her since she has been in the dock. She is entirely cased with steel plates. There are three port-holes on. each side, which are covered with steel-plate shutters. She is fitted with a screw. There are no sleeping bunks for the crew, and very little room in her For cargo, her engines and boilers taking up most of the room; and from her whole appearance I am able to say that she is intended for war purposes.
3. The engines are being fitted by Messrs. Fawcett, Preston & Co., whose men have been and are now at work on her.
4. I know Captain Bullock, who went out with the Oreto, which vessel I remember when in Messrs. W. C. Miller & Sons’ yard, who built her. I have known Captain Bullock about twelve months and have seen him engaged giving directions on board the Oreto, the Alexandra, and I have also seen him upon the Phantom very often, superintending and directing the workmen who were engaged upon her. I saw him on Tuesday last, on which day the Phantom went out of the Toxteth dock into the river to try how the screw would act. I was then standing on the pier-head, and the vessel was close to. They were trying the screw for twenty minutes or more. There were present with Captain Bullock Mr. Thomas Miller, one of the firm of W. C. Miller & Sons, Mr. Steers, of Fawcett, Preston & Co., and some other people whom I don’t know. I heard Captain Bullock give directions as to the vessel, and also saw him examining the screw with Mr. Steers and Mr. Miller. I spoke to Captain Bullock when he came on shore, and asked him if any accident had happened to the Phantom, as they had kept her so long at the gate. He said no, she was all right. The Phantom was hauled into dock again after the trial was over, and I saw her there last night.
5. I saw the said Captain Bullock and Mr. Thomas Miller again last night looking at the Phantom and inspecting the progress of the work. The men are very busy at work, upon her. Her engines are now all finished, and there is little to be done before she will be ready for sea.
ROBERT THOMAS.
Deposition of William Cozzens.
I, William Cozzens, of No. 7 Lavan street, Liverpool, in the county of Lancaster, detective police officer, make oath and say as follows:
1. I have been employed for the last several weeks watching the building of certain vessels by certain parties in Liverpool and neighborhood, and, amongst [Page 299] others, my attention has been called to a vessel built by Messrs. W. C. Miller & Sons, ship-builders, Liverpool, which vessel is called the Phantom.
2. I saw the Phantom lying in the Clarence dock basin the first week in April. She remained there until the 4th of May instant, when she was taken up to the Toxteth dock.
3. During the time the Phantom was lying in the Clarence basin, I frequently saw an engineer, named William Allen, who, I am informed and believe, sailed from this port as the chief engineer on board the steamship Oreto, in March, 1862. I saw, also, the foreman and head engineer of Messrs. Fawcett, Preston & Co., on board of the Phantom, superintending the men who were engaged fitting the engines and boilers on her. I observed that some of their tools and machines bore the initial marks “F., P. & Co.” I also saw two boilers, now in the ship, being taken there on a carriage, which had the name of Fawcett, Preston & Co. thereon.
4. Since the Phantom has been in the Toxteth dock, I have seen on her machinery which bore the initials of F., P. & Co., and on Wednesday, the 13th of May instant, I was at the Toxteth dock, and there saw Captain Bullock and Mr. Thomas Miller & Sons. They were in conversation, and appeared to be inspecting the ship; and after they came on shore they remained looking at her bow, and talking together for several minutes.
5. The Phantom is a screw steamer of about two hundred feet long. She is steel-plated all over, and has three port-holes on each side. She draws very little water, not more than three feet forward, and about seven to eight aft. She has very little room for any cargo, and appears to me to be built for war purposes. They are fitting her with great expedition. Her engines are finished, and she is almost ready.
WILLIAM COZZENS.
Lord Russell to Mr. Adams.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 16th instant, enclosing copies of two depositions, going further to show the character and purposes of the steamer Phantom, now in course of construction at the port of Liverpool; and I have the honor to inform you that I have lost no time in forwarding copies of these papers to the proper departments 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.
Mr. Adams to Lord Russell.
My Lord: I have the honor to transmit the copy of another deposition, supplementary to that which I submitted to your consideration with my note of the 16th instant) relating to the steamer Phantom.
I pray your lordship, &c.,
Right Hon. Earl Russell, &c., &c.
Deposition of Robert Thomas.
I, Robert Thomas, of No. 3 court, Ann street, Toxteth Park, Liverpool, in the county of Lancaster, police constable, make oath and say as follows:
1. On Friday I went on duty at the Toxteth dock, and about half-past nine o’clock I saw Captain Bullock coming down and go alongside of the Phantom, and point out to one of the foremen of Messrs. W. C. Miller & Sons something that required to be done to the fore part of the vessel’s deck. The foreman then went on deck, and Captain Bullock went into Messrs. Millers’ yard, and, in about twenty minutes afterwards, he came with Mr. Thomas Miller, and they Went on board the vessel, and remained there some time. I saw him with one of the foremen, named David Runcorn, fitting in the hatchway cover.
2. Captain Bullock had a roll of paper in his hand, which I believe to have been a plan, and he was inspecting the vessel, and, from time to time, referring to the paper; and he was thus occupied upwards of two hours.
3. During the whole of the time I was on duty at the dock yesterday, from 8 o’clock a.m. to half-past 3 p.m., Messrs. Millers’ men, and Messrs. Fawcett Preston & Co.’s men, were busily engaged on the vessel.
4. Captain Bullock was also at the vessel at half-past 8 o’clock this morning, inspecting her gallery and other portions; he had with him the same paper, and was engaged giving directions to the men, and pointing out things which appeared to require attention. I was not near enough to him to hear what those directions were, but his manner was such as to leave no doubt on my mind that he was pointing out certain things which did not tally with the paper he had in his hands.
5. I had some conversation with one of the engineers in the employ of Fawcett, Preston & Co., whose name I do not know, but who has been continually employed on the Phantom ever since she has been on the Toxteth dock; and in reply to a question of mine as to when the Phantom was going to sail, he. said he did not know, but that she was going to leave the dock on Monday to try her engines, as she was all finished, except just oiling her engines.
ROBERT THOMAS.
Lord Russell to Mr. Adams.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of to-day’s date, enclosing a further deposition to the case of the Phantom, and I have to inform you that I have lost no time in referring the same to the proper departments of her Majesty’s government.
I have the honor to be, &c.,
Charles Francis Adams, Esq., &c., &c., &c.
Mr. Adams to Lord Russell.
My Lord: I have the honor to transmit the copy of another deposition relating to the case of the steamer Phantom.
At the same time, I seize the opportunity to mention that, from information received by the consul of the United States at Liverpool, I am led to the belief that preparations are actively in progress for the expediting of the Sumter from that port.
I pray your lordship, &c.,
Right Hon. Earl Russell, &c., &c.
Deposition of John De Costa
I, John De Costa, of Liverpool, in the county of Lancaster, shipping agent and steam-tug owner, make oath and say as follows:
1. On Tuesday last, about 12 o’clock at noon, I was on the river wall, near the Sandon basin, seeing a crew I had shipped on-board the Calhoun, and as the Calhoun got into the river, I saw a screw steamer, which has been built by Messrs. W. C. Miller & Sons, of this town, and called the Phantom, coming down the river, and came alongside the river wall close to where I was standing; and subsequently she went into the Sandon dock. She appeared as if she had been on a trial trip.
2. I saw on board the Phantom Mr. Mann, of the firm of Fawcett, Preston & Co., who supplied and fitted the engines on board the Phantom; Mr. Thomas Miller, one of the firm of W. C. Miller & Sons, who built her; they were on the forecastle giving orders; and Captain Tessier, who is employed by Messrs. Fraser, Trenholm & Co., and a pilot, were on the bridge, the former being in command of the vessel and giving orders; there were also several men on hand in blue uniforms with gilt buttons.
JOHN DE COSTA.
Lord Russell to Mr. Adams.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of this day’s date respecting the Phantom, and stating that you have been informed that the Sumter is being equipped for sea, and I have lost no time in forwarding copies of these papers to the proper departments of her Majesty’s government.
I have the honor, &c.,
Charles Francis Adams, Esq., &c.
Lord Russell to Mr. Adams.
Sir: I had the honor, in my note of the 3d ultimo, to communicate to you the result of the inquiries which had been instituted by her Majesty’s government on the receipt of your letter of the 26th of March, in which you denounced the Phantom steamer as being in course of construction at Liverpool as vessel-of-war for the service of the so-styled Confederate States.
The evidence which I was then able to lay before you seemed to show that you had been misinformed in this respect, but as the depositions enclosed in your letters of the 16th, 19th, and 23d instant appeared to call for further inquiry, her Majesty’s government did not lose a moment in causing such further inquiry to be made, and I now proceed to communicate to you the result.
First. With regard to the allegation that the Phantom has port-holes, the collector at Liverpool has obtained from the surveyor a report, from which it appears that though the Phantom has ports on deck, it is evident from their size and situation that they are intended for the escape of water, and not for guns, which the strength of the deck is not sufficient to carry; moreover, the permanent fittings on deck would interfere with the working of guns. The surveyor adds that, in his opinion, the Phantom is intended for mercantile pursuits, but whether of a lawful character or for running the blockade there is no evidence to show.
Secondly. The commissioners of customs, since the date of my last letter, have caused a strict watch to be kept upon the Phantom, but nothing has transpired worthy of special notice, and the several papers in regard to this vessel, including the depositions forwarded by you, having been submitted to the legal adviser of that board, he has reported that there is no evidence to warrant the slightest interference with her. Indeed, it is stated that during a recent interview between that officer and Mr. Squarey, the solicitor to the United States consul at Liverpool, Mr. Squarey admitted that there was no case against the Phantom, and that the recoil of a heavy gun would shake her to pieces.
I have the honor, &c.,
Charles Francis Adams, Esq., &c.
Lord Russell to Mr. Adams.
Sir: With reference to my letter of the 27th instant, respecting the steamer Phantom, I have now the honor further to state to you, as regards the deposition [Page 303] of Mr. De Costa, which was enclosed in your letter of the 23d instant, that her Majesty’s government learn from a report of the surveyor at Liverpool that it is true that that vessel was in the Mersey on the 19th instant, removing from the Toxteth to the London graving dock, with Mr. Mann, her owner, Mr. Thomas Miller, the son of her builder, but not one of the firm, a pilot, and Mr. Tessier, on board, but that it is not correct that there were several men on board in blue uniform with gilt buttons, the fact being that there was no one on board so attired.
The surveyor further observes, that it is difficult for any one at all familiar with the construction and fittings of vessels intended for warlike purposes to account for the supposition that the Phantom is destined for such a service, her hull being of the most fragile character that can be conceived for a sea-going vessel, her steel plates being but a quarter of an inch thick, and her iron frame of the same proportion.
With reference to the Gibraltar or Sumter, which you say you are informed is being prepared for sea, I have the honor to state to you that the report from the surveyor as to that vessel agrees with the information which has reached you, so far as relates to her being preparing for sea. He, however, adds that all fittings for warlike purposes have been removed from her since she obtained her British registry, and that he has private information that it is not intended to refit her as a vessel-of-war.
I have the honor, &c.,
Charles Francis Adams, Esq., &c., &c.
Mr. Adams to Earl Russell.
My Lord: I have the honor to transmit copies of a letter from the consul of the United States at Liverpool, and of two more depositions relating to the case of the Phantom. I do not presume that they will have any effect in varying the reply already given to my former representations in your lordship’s note of the 27th instant. Notwithstanding the report made concerning the objects of that vessel, I greatly fear that she will turn up in America, much in the character of the Georgiana. I can only hope for the sake of the harmony of both countries that she may meet with the same fate.
I pray, &c.,
Right Hon. Earl Russell, &c., &c.
Mr. Dudley to Mr. Adams.
Sir: I have the honor to enclose you two more affidavits about the steamer Phantom now at this port. This vessel made another trial trip on Tuesday, returning yesterday. I am informed she is to be a privateer for the so-called southern confederacy.
I am satisfied, from what I hear of this craft, that she will arm either at this or some other port, and cruise against the government of the United States. [Page 304] The Hamilton referred to in the affidavits as being on board, is John Randolph Hamilton, of South Carolina, an officer belonging to the navy of the so-called southern confederacy, sent over here by that government as an assistant to Captain Bullock, to aid in fitting out and building naval vessels for the insurgents. Captain Tessier is the same man who took out the armament to the Oreto, now called the Florida, built by these same parties who built the Phantom, and who took out from Liverpool a part of the armament and Captain Semmes to the steamer Alabama. She is to sail Saturday or Sunday next.
The steamer Sumter, now called the Gibraltar, I understand, is to sail Sunday or Monday next. I think this vessel will also prove to be a privateer.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. Charles Francis Adams, United States Minister,
Deposition of Henry Redden.
I, Henry Redden, of 16 Hook street, in Liverpool, mariner, do solemnly declare and say as follows :
I know the steamer Phantom, lately built by Messrs. W. C. Miller & Sons, at Liverpool. Said vessel went on a trial trip on Tuesday evening last, the 26th instant, and returned yesterday evening. I was on the Wellington pier when she came in, and saw her. I passed the ropes to help her into the dock. She was in command of Captain E. L. Tessier, to my own personal knowledge, the same man who formerly commanded the steamer Bahama, and who conveyed part of the armament to, and assisted to fit out, the Alabama, or 290, at Terceira. I was close to said steamer when she came to the pier, and could distinguish any person on board of her, and speak with him. There were seven gentlemen on board. I knew one of them to be one of the firm of Fawcett, Preston & Co., two of the firm of Fraser, Trenholm & Co., and a small man I heard addressed as Mr. Hamilton. The captain (Tessier) asked me how I would like to go in the vessel. I told him I would not go. He said she would sail on Saturday night or Sunday morning. He said that to the dock-master in my hearing. The crew on board told me they were engaged for Nassau; that they had been shipped on board the vessel, and not at the Sailors Home; that they had four pounds a month, and one month in advance. Said vessel is adjusting her compass to-day.
And I make this declaration, conscientiously believing the same to be true, and by virtue, &c., &c.
HENRY REDDEN.
Deposition of Matthew Maguire.
Borough of Liverpool, to wit:
I, Matthew Maguire, of Liverpool, in the county of Lancaster, in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, commission agent, do solemnly and sincerely declare:
That on the evening of yesterday, the 27th instant, about 5 o’clock, I saw the steamer Phantom, lately built at this port by Messrs. William C. Miller & [Page 305] Sons, return from a trial trip; and saw Mr. Mann, of the firm of Fawcett, Preston & Co., and Mr. Hamilton, an American, who are well known to me, on board of her. There were several others on board, one of whom I believe to be one of the firm of Fraser, Trenholm & Co., but am not sure. Captain E. L. Tessier, who is also well known to me, was also on board said steamer, and acting as master of her.
MATTHEW MAGUIRE.
Lord Russell to Mr. Adams.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 30th ultimo, enclosing further depositions respecting the Phantom.
I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration, sir, your most obedient, humble servant,
Charles Francis Adams, Esq., &c., &c., &c.
Lord Russell to Mr. Adams.
Sir: With reference to my letter of the 1st instant, I have the honor to state to you that her Majesty’s government have fully considered, in communication with the law officers of the crown, the various papers submitted by you, including the depositions enclosed in your letter of the 30th ultimo, relative to the case of the Phantom, together with the information which has been obtained by the board of treasury and by the home office on the same matter, and that it appears to her Majesty’s government that no sufficient evidence has yet been produced to warrant them in taking any action with respect to that steam vessel.
I have the honor to be, &c.,
Charles Francis Adams, Esq., &c., &c., &c.
Mr. Adams to Lord Russell.
My Lord: I have the honor to submit to your consideration copies of two depositions relating to a vessel which has been fitting out at Stockton-on-Tees, for some purpose not usual in times of peace. This vessel is called the Southerner, and is the same to which I called your lordship’s attention in my note of the 26th of March last. I think it can scarcely admit of a doubt that she is intended to carry on the same piratical mode of warfare against the commerce of the United States, now practised by the so-called Alabama and the Oreto. The person superintending her equipment appears to be the same who was equally active in the case of No. 290. I therefore feel it is my duty to call [Page 306] your lordship’s attention to the case in order that the proper measures may he taken in season to prevent any evil consequences to the peace of the two countries from the escape of such a vessel.
I pray your lordship to accept, &c.,
Right Hon. Earl Russell.
Deposition of John Baxter Langley.
I, John Baxter Langley, surgeon and journalist, do hereby solemnly declare that on Wednesday, the 13th day of May, I was in Stockton-on-Tees, and that I went on board a vessel lying beside the ship-building yard of Pearse, Lockwood & Co. This ship was about 320 feet long, and had the name “Southerner, Liverpool,” painted in gilt letters on her stern. She was an iron screw steamer, which I judged to be from 1,800 to 2,200 tons register. In the cabins I saw porcelain basins, marked with a palm tree, and the letters O. S. C., which I understand to mean “Confederate Screw Cutter.” The same day I saw a hole being cut in her side, and judged that her iron plating, above the water-line, was about ten inches in thickness. A workman, employed on board of the ship told me that the vessel had plates of unusual thickness above the water-line. It was notorious in Stockton, at this time, that the vessel was intended to be used “as another Alabama.” I was informed, moreover, that Captain Butcher late of the Alabama, was superintending the building of the ship, and workmen, in the yard told me that he was frequently, on board of her superintending the work. I also declare that I was again in Stockton-on-Tees, on Saturday, May 30; and that I noticed further that the vessel in question had had five square holes, corresponding to her deck amidships, cut in her side, and suitable for guns to be worked on her deck amidships. I also declare that I went on board the vessel on that occasion and entered into conversation with Mr. Younger, the manager of the works, who stated that the arms of the Confederate States were on the cabin window on one side, and views of Savannah on the other. He said that the vessel was intended to carry cotton from Charleston, and that Captain Butcher was to take charge of her as commander in the first instance. He said she was also to carry passengers between Liverpool and Charleston. I went over the vessel and again observed the emblems on the porcelain in the aft cabin, and that the cabin windows had transparencies as follows: No. 1, two ovals; on the right a palmetto, with fasces and axes, crossed at the foot, with a garter and motto around it as follows: “South Carolina; animis opibusque parati.” On the left oval an emblem of a female presenting a cotton plant, or something of the kind, with the motto “Dum spiro, spero,” and “spes.” On the window, No. 2, facing this, is the British royal arms. No. 3 is a picture, which I take to be that of Charleston, with a fortification in the foreground, from which floated two large flags, the one being that known as the confederate banner, and the other “the Union jack.” On window No. 4 was a picture, which I take to be that of Savannah, with a battery and gun in situation in the foreground. I saw two guns marked “Gr. S. Hall, S. 18s,” on board. I supposed them to be about 18-pounders. Opposite the ports were rings, which I supposed to be intended to work the guns. In some cases the rings had been removed from the sockets. I went down into the hold also. One of the workmen on board told me that Captain Butcher was superintending the building of the vessel, and that he spent the greater part of his time on board, and had done so for more than a month. He said that it was quite understood that the ship was to take other guns on board from some vessel, which was to meet her at sea. He said also that Captain Butcher had engaged his crew, and that some of those [Page 307] who had gone with him before were engaged to go with him again. I was also informed, on the same day, that a cargo of charcoal was to be put on board of the Southerner, so as to give off no smoke from her funnel. Mr. Younger, the manager, stated that the vessel would sail from the Tees on Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning. A common rumor states that she will leave the river on Tuesday night, and that she will stop at Middleshow till the following day, after which she will go to Hartlepool and have her compasses rectified. Other reports say that she is to go direct to Liverpool, and there take in her crew. From what I have heard and seen, I am of opinion that the ship in question is intended for the service of the Confederate States as a privateer, and that she is not for the purpose for which she is ostensibly constructed. I believe that the extensive space below and between decks is intended to contain and receive the cargoes of merchant vessels seized by this Southerner.
On Monday June 1, I went to the ship yard of Messrs. Lockwood, Pearse, & Co., and inquired for Captain Butcher. The watchman at the gate told me that “he had not seen him that morning yet, but that he might have come in through the office and gone on board the ship.” I went to the office and saw a clerk there, who said that it was about Captain Butcher’s time, and that if I walked up towards his lodgings I should probably meet him. He told me the way he usually came down. I understood him to say that Butcher was there regularly every day. I then went up to the place where I was told that Butcher lodged, and asked for him. I was shown in to him, and inquired whether he would have any objection for me, as a reporter connected with the London press, to go on board when she went on her trial trip from Hartlepool on Wednesday. He said, in reply, “I should not have the smallest objection; but I do not take charge of the vessel until she is quite complete.” I stated that I had understood that he was in command of the ship, to which he replied: “Yes, that is quite right; but I do not like to take any responsibility until the ship is finally delivered over to me,” or words to that effect. He said, further, that he would speak to the builders about the matter, and that he would meet me on board the Southerner at 1 o’clock. I went down to the quay-side, before 1 o’clock, and saw Captain Butcher on board the Southerner. I thought from what I saw that he was giving orders to men on board. I saw several of the men touch their hats to him. When I went into the yard I was told that Captain Butcher was on board the big ship, and I found him on the aft-poop, where I had previously seen him. He recognized me again, and spoke to a gentleman whom I understood to be one of the builders—either Mr. Pearse or Mr. Lockwood. He said: “Come this way and I will introduce you.” I spoke with them both, and I heard the gentleman say to Captain Butcher, “I would not allow any one to go with you down the river.” Then turning to me, he said: “We shall send down a train from this very early, starting about 5 o’clock, and you can join us if you like.” I said that I should probably go to Hartlepool, and he then said: “Well, the harbor-master knows all about it. A vessel will be sent out from West Hartlepool about 6 in the morning.” I asked Captain Butcher to give me his card as a pass, and he did so. Captain Butcher and Mr. Pease (?) then joined some visitors who, were in the aft-cabin, and I joined them. One of the ladies asked what was the meaning of the C. S. C. on the plates and dishes, and basins. The gentleman said that it was not known; that it might be Charleston Steam Company, or anything else, and then laughed in a manner which led me to suppose that he knew more than he was inclined to tell. In reply to the same question Captain Butcher said that it might mean Confederate Steam Company, or Charles Spence & Company, or anything else. He laughed when he said this, in the same manner the other gentleman had done. On the same day I went to a photographer’s named Guttenburgh, and there saw a picture of Captain Butcher taken in the dress of a naval officer. I had seen a cap such as the picture represented, hanging up in [Page 308] his lodgings. The buckle and buttons of the uniform bear the emblem of the Southern Confederacy—the palmetto. There are also letters on the buckle, which, however, are not easily legible. I had heard that Captain Butcher was distributing these carte-de-visites among his friends, and I purchased one. I can declare it to be a correct likeness of Captain Butcher, and I am told that the uniform is that of the Confederate States navy. And I make this solemn declaration, conscientiously believing the same to be true, &c., &c.
Deposition of Wm. M. Blakiston.
I, William Milburn Blakiston, of Middleboro’, engineer, do hereby solemnly declare and affirm as follows :
That is to say, that I have passed frequently up and down the river Tees, in passenger boats running between Stockton and Middleboro’, and observed the building and fitting out of a vessel of large size at Messrs. Lockwood & Pearse’s yard, in Stockton-on-Tees, and a rumor being quite common that the said ship was being built for the Southern Confederacy, I was led to observe more closely the building and fitting out of the vessel from time to time. On the 25th of May I observed that there had been cut on each side of the bulwark, amidships—that is, between the fore-poop and the after-poop—five square holes about 18 inches square, in each of which had been fitted a hinged flap of iron, so that, when closed, at a distance of one hundred yards nothing particular could be observed. On the same day I passed the vessel, in one of the river steamers, one of the said iron flaps was up, and, pointing its nose out of the hole was a gun mounted on a carriage. To all appearance this gun was about a four-inch bore. I had been previously told by a person, whom I believe to be credible and well informed, “that twelve (12) guns had come for her.”
On the 18th of May, when I was at Stockton, I observed that there was painted on her stern, in white letters, “The Southerner, Liverpool;” but on the 25th of the said month that had been supplanted by an elaborate piece of carved work, on which was cut the name, “The Southerner, Liverpool.” Above and in the centre of the inscription there was “Palm Tree” in green and gilt.
On the 30th of May I went on board the same vessel in company with Mr. J. B. Langley, of London. I was present during a conversation between that gentleman and Mr. Younger, the manager for Lockwood & Pearse. I heard Mr. Younger say that “there were the arms of the Confederate States” on the cabin window, and that there were views of Savannah on the other. Mr. Younger said that “Captain Butcher,” (who is reported to be the agent for the Confederate States of America,) “was to take charge of her,” meaning the vessel, “as commander, in the first instance.” I saw her engines, being direct condensing engines, with two multi-tubular boilers. Mr. Younger told me that they were three hundred horse power, upon which I remarked, that seemed to be small power for a vessel of her size. In reply he observed that she was intended to navigate shallow waters, and that power did not much increase speed. I had been previously informed that a large quantity of charcoal had been consigned to a hosier in the town of Stockton, the charcoal, however, being really intended for the use of this vessel; and should such be the fact, I know that it could be used with the boilers I saw for the purpose of rapidly raising steam without any smoke. I observed two or more steam cranes on the upper deck. [Page 309] In the cabins aft I saw the wash stand basins marked with the palm tree and the letters C. S. C., which I understsod to mean Confederate Screw Cutter. I saw on the windows of the cabin transparencies representing what I believe to be arms of the State of South Carolina, the British arms, and a view of Savannah; also a picture of a turret with two flags, one being the confederate banner, and the other the British ensign. I saw two guns on board mounted on carriages. I had also a conversation with one of the workmen on board the ship, who told me that she had 200 ton of pig iron on board as ballast. I asked him if he thought that the two guns I had seen were sufficient for a ship of her size; and his reply was that “everything was kept very quiet; but no doubt she would take more guns on board when she got out to sea, as the other one had done.” I understood him to mean the Alabama by “the other one.” As Captain Butcher had been named as the commander of that vessel, I asked him if Captain Butcher spent much of his time on board the Southerner, and he replied that for the last month he had spent the greater part of his time on the vessel. He said Captain Butcher had engaged his crew, and that some of those who had served under him before were engaged to go with him again. I believe that the ship is intended to go away from Stockton, on Tuesday evening, to Hartlepool, for the purposes of having her compasses adjusted, &c., &c.
WILLIAM MILBURN BLAKISTON.
Lord Russell to Mr. Adams.
Sir: Your letter of yesterday respecting the Southerner was unfortunately not delivered at the foreign office till 8.50 p.m., some time after the business of the day was ended and the office closed.
I have, at the earliest possible hour this morning, communicated with the treasury and home department, and I have requested that orders may at once be sent by telegraph to the proper authorities to pay immediate attention to the circumstances set forth in your letter.
I have the honor to be, &c.,
Charles Francis Adams, Esq., &c., &c.
Mr. Adams to Lord Russell.
My Lord: I have the honor to transmit copies of two depositions relating to the uses about to be made of the steamer Sumter, now called the Gibraltar. As I have already so fully explained the grounds of remonstrance against the course taken by her Majesty’s government in recognizing the transformation of that vessel, I can now only express my regret that those representations should have met with so little success. I can only add, that from a knowledge of the views entertained by my government of this transaction, I feel it my duty, until [Page 310] further instructed, to continue to decline to recognize any change of the character of that vessel on the high seas.
I pray, &c., &c.,
Right Hon. Earl Russell, &c., &c.
Deposition of Moses Lansing.
To wit:
I, Moses Lansing, of Liverpool, in the county of Lancaster, in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, hair-dresser, do solemnly and sincerely declare—
That I reside at No. 185 Great Howard street, in Liverpool, and, in the course of my business, come much in contact with seamen; that on Saturday evening last the thirtieth instant, four seafaring men came to my shop on business, (to be shaved and have their hair cut,) and being acquainted with one of them, I entered into conversation with them, about where they were bound to. They informed me they were working on board the Gibraltar, formerly the Sumter; that they were going to sign articles to go in her for three years; that they were not going to sign at the Sailors’ Home, but on board the ship; that they were going out about Wednesday next, and expected to sign on Tuesday. That the Gibraltar was to go to Nassau from Liverpool, and that she was to go from there as a privateer, but they did not know her destination.
And I make this solemn declaration, conscientiously believing the same to be true, and by virtue of an act, &c., &c.
MOSES LANSING.
Deposition of John Markham.
Borough of Liverpool, to wit:
I, John Markham, of Liverpool, in the county of Lancaster, in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, master mariner, do solemnly, and sincerely declare—
That I reside at No. 2 Pool road, Egremont; that on Saturday evening last I was in company with Thomas Burton, assistant dock-master, or dock-gateman, at Clarence, half-tide-dock, and was told by him that the steamer Gibraltar had taken on board two very large guns on Friday last; that he had seen them, and that they weighed several tons.
And I make this solemn declaration, &c., &c.
JOHN MARKHAM.
Lord Russell to Mr. Adams.
Sir: It was reported to her Majesty’s government from New York, some little time ago, that Captain Davidson, who went out in command of the steamer Georgiana, respecting which you did me the honor to address to me sundry notes in the early spring of this year, and which is believed to have been subsequently wrecked off the coast of South Carolina, had returned to this country, and was to have command of a steamer building in the Clyde, to be called the South Carolina.
As this report may possibly have reached you also, I think it as well to inform you that her Majesty’s government have caused inquiries to be made respecting this vessel, and that they have been informed by the Lord Provost of Glasgow that he has been unable to ascertain that a vessel called the South Carolina has been or is being built within the limits of the municipality over which he presides.
I have the honor, &c., &c.,
Charges Francis Adams, Esq., &c., &c.
Lord Russell to Mr. Adams.
Sir: Your letter of yesterday, respecting the Gibraltar, or Sumter, was unfortunately not delivered at the foreign office till 8.50 p.m., some time after the business of the day was ended and the office closed.
I have at the earliest possible hour, this morning, communicated with the treasury and home department; and I have requested that orders may at once be sent by telegraph to the proper authorities to pay immediate attention to the circumstances set forth in your letter.
I have the honor to be, &c.,
Charles Francis Adams, Esq., &c., &c.