Mr. Adams to Mr.
Seward.
No. 449.]
Legation of the United States,
London,
July 10, 1863.
Sir: In connexion with your despatch of the
17th of June, (No. 629,) relating to armed vessels fitted out from here,
I have the honor to transmit the copy of a letter received from
Commodore Thatcher, of the Constellation, reporting certain anticipated
movements of the steamer Southerner, now preparing to depart from.
Liverpool. Copies of the correspondence between Lord Russell and myself
respecting that vessel, excepting the final reply of his lordship,
received on the 3d of July, and enclosed herewith, have been already
laid before you. There never has been any idea in my mind that she could
be, technically speaking, denominated a war vessel. But there is no
reason why she could not be as
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well employed in depredating on the unarmed mercantile navy, as the
Japan, the Lapwing, the Tacony or any other of the ships that could
mount a few guns to be so used. I must be permitted to express the
belief that the time has arrived when the security of our commerce in
Europe depends on the presence of some war steamers of a higher class
than have ever yet appeared since the war began.
The Sumter has sailed at last, heavily laden with cannon and stores. It
appears that the British government attempted, at first, to stop her,
but desisted on the assurance that the heavy guns were only sent as
freight. No answer whatever has been given to my representations of the
law touching this case. The government which never acknowledges the
right of transfer of an armed belligerent vessel to a neutral, when
itself a party in, the war, has quietly permitted the act to be done in
her own ports, when herself a neutral. Of course she cannot venture to
go further and reclaim her should she be captured anywhere on the
ocean.
But I regret to say that the gravest case of all is now requiring your
attention. One of the iron-clad war vessels which have been for so long
a time in process of construction at Mr. Laird’s yard, in Liverpool, has
at last been launched, and is to be seen at that place. I shall not
enlarge upon her character, as you will doubtless receive full details
from another source. Of one thing there can be no doubt, she is a very
formidable war ship. Neither do I question the purpose for which she is
designed. Mr. Dudley has already furnished me with some testimony; which
I propose to lay before her Majesty’s government as a basis for solemn
remonstrance, so soon as the necessary copies shall have been made out.
The better opinion is, that it will take several weeks to prepare her
for departure. In the meanwhile it will be well for the government to
make as much use of the warning as possible, in order not to be taken
unawares. So far as the matter depends upon me, I shall endeavor, as
fully as I can, to carry out the spirit of my instructions.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward,
Secretary of State.
Commodore Thatcher to Mr. Adams.
United States Ship
Constellation,
Leghorn,
June 29, 1863.
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that I
have learned from many private sources entitled to credit that a
very fast steamer, said to be called the “Southerner,” has been
built in England, destined for a confederate privateer, to cruise
against our extensive commerce in the Mediterranean; and from the
fact that a rebel commander, Thos. Jefferson Page, late of the
United States navy, has recently arrived at Florence, with the
intention, it is believed, of commanding this vessel, I have reason
to think this information correct.
This vessel, it is said, will arrive in a Mediterranean port with
regular papers and a cargo, but fitted for a cruiser in all
respects, except her heavy armament, which can easily be placed on
board of her by a similar process to that of the arming of the
Alabama. As this sloop-of-war is the only United States vessel in
the Mediterranean, and is but a sailing vessel, she could not, of
course, successfully pursue a fast steamer, especially at this
season of prevailing calms. May I not, therefore, take the liberty
of requesting you to urge upon the Navy
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Department the necessity of sending, at the
earliest possible moment, at least one fast
and well-armed steamer here before this intended work of destruction
shall have been inaugurated.
I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient
servant,
HENRY K. THATCHER, Commodore United Stales
Navy.
Hon. Charles Francis Adams,
United States Minister to the Court of St.
James, London.
Lord Russell to Mr. Adams.
Foreign Office,
July 3, 1863.
Sir: I had the honor on the 12th of June to
communicate to you the result of the inquiries which had up to that
time been instituted by her Majesty’s government with reference to
the statements respecting the vessel “Southerner,” contained in your
letter of the 3d of that month. I, however, added that attention
should nevertheless continue to be paid to that vessel, with the
view of guarding, as far as possible, against her being equipped in
this country, in a manner inconsistent with the provisions of the
foreign enlistment act.
I have now to inform you, in fulfilment of that assurance, that her
Majesty’s government considered it desirable to request the board of
admiralty to associate with the custom-house surveyor at Liverpool
an officer well acquainted with the build and equipment of
vessels-of-war, with instructions to survey the “Southerner,” and to
report the result to her Majesty’s government.
That officer’s report has now been received, and I have the honor to
acquaint you that the “Southerner” is an ordinary built, iron screw,
steam passenger, and cargo vessel of 1,569 tons, fitted with engines
of 300 horse-power; that she is also fitted with top-gallant,
forecastle, and poop-deck, with deck-house continuous fore and aft
with the same, in the same manner as the Inman line of screw boats
sailing between Liverpool and New York; that she is fitted up aft
under the poop-deck, with cabin accommodation for about 66 saloon
passengers; the forecastle for the crew, and deck-houses for the
ship’s officers; that her holds are appropriated for the reception
of cargo, and that she is fitted with steam winches for working the
same.
The admiralty surveyor further reports that he finds upon examination
that her top sides are of iron plates three-eighths of an inch
thick, and are in no way fitted or secured for the working of guns,
and that she has two gangways fitted one on each side amidships for
the purpose of working her cargo.
The surveyor, in conclusion, says that upon fully examining the
“Southerner” he cannot find anything with regard to construction or
fittings that would leave him to suppose that she was intended for
belligerent purposes.
I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration, sir, your
most obedient, humble servant,
Charles Francis Adams, Esq.
