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. 292.]

Legation of the United States, London, January 8, 1863.

Sir: In connexion with the papers already transmitted with my despatch No. 280, in relation to the position of the Sumter at Gibraltar, I have now to place in your hands a copy of Lord Russell’s reply to my note to him of the 30th ultimo.

Having received further information from Liverpool as to the character of the purchaser of the Sumter, which tended to show still more clearly the nature of the whole transaction, and presuming that some attempt might be made to get off the vessel before the British government could be ready to act, on Saturday I decided upon sending a further telegraphic instruction to Mr. Sprague, a copy of which is also transmitted. I am very sensible of the responsibility I assume in hazarding a possible collision with Great Britain in this case. But as the British law is very strong on this point, the government can scarcely resist its application in this instance to the full extent, no matter what may have been our own practice. In point of fact, however, there is no inconsistency as to the latter, the suspicion of fraud being such as to vitiate the whole transaction.

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

CHARLES FRANCIS ADAMS.

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

[Enclosures.]

1. Earl Russell to Mr. Adams, January 1, 1863.

2. Telegram, Mr. Adams to Mr. Sprague, January 3, 1863.

3. Telegram, Mr. Sprague’s reply, January 5, 1863.

Earl Russell to Mr. Adams.

Foreign Office, January 1, 1863.

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 30th ultimo, calling my attention to the circumstances attending the sale of the steamer Sumter at Gibraltar. I have the honor to state to you, in reply, that the law officers of the crown have already the case before them.

I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration, sir, your most obedient, humble servant,

RUSSELL.

Charles Francis Adams, Esq., &c., &c., &c.

Mr. Adams to Mr. Sprague.

London, January 3, 1863.

Klingendan’s name throws much suspicion on the sale. You must refuse to recognize it. And if the Sumter try to slip off under a British flag, Captain Bryson must stop and take her on the high seas if he can. He need not mind the twenty-four hour rule, if outside the jurisdiction.

CHARLES F. ADAMS, United States Minister, London.

Mr. Sprague, United States Consul, Gibraltar.

Mr. Sprague’s reply to Mr. Adams.

San Roque, January 5, 1863.

Telegraph Saturday received. Have notified governor sale Sumter will not be recognized. Sumter quiet in port past week. Has ceased flying any flag.

SPRAGUE.

Adams, American Minister, London.