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.

No. 287.]

Legation of the United States, London January 1, 1863,

Sir: Learning from the consul at Liverpool that the person reported as the purchaser of the Sumter is a man well known in that place as the agent of Messrs. Fraser, Trenholm & Co., I immediately addressed a note to Lord Russell on the subject, a copy of which I have the honor to transmit.

I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,

CHARLES FRANCIS ADAMS.

Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.

Mr. Adams to Earl Russell.

Legation of the United States, London, December 30, 1862.

My Lord: On the 19th of this month, I am informed by the consul of the United States at Gibraltar, a public sale is said to have been made of the steamer Sumter, a vessel which had committed much depredation upon the commerce of the United States, and which had taken shelter in that port from pursuit by the national ships.

Having the strongest reason, from the known character and previous conduct of the alleged purchaser, to believe that this sale is effected solely for the purpose of rescuing the vessel from its present position, and of making use of her Majesty’s flag to convert it to new purposes of hostility to the United States, I must pray your lordship’s attention to the necessity under which I am placed of asking the assistance of her Majesty’s government to prevent any risk of damage to the United States from a fraudulent transaction in one of her ports, or, in default of it, of declining to recognize the validity of the transfer, should that vessel subsequently be found by the armed ships of the United States sailing on the high seas.

Renewing the assurances of my highest consideration, I have the honor to be, my lord, your most obedient servant,

CHARLES FRANCIS ADAMS.