I avail myself of this opportunity to renew to your lordship the
assurance of my high consideration.
Right Hon. Lord Lyons, &c., &c., &c.
Mr. Welles to Mr. Seward.
Navy
Department,
January 13, 1863.
Sir: I have the honor to enclose herewith
copy of a despatch, No. 28, dated the 2d instant, from Acting
Rear-Admiral Charles Wilkes, in reply to the complaints presented in
the communication addressed to you by Lord Lyons on the 24th
November, and which you referred to when you transmitted to me a
copy of your note to Lord Lyons on the 5th ultimo.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the
Navy.
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State.
Acting Rear-Admiral Wilkes to
Mr. Welles.
No. 28.]
Flag-Steamer Wachusett, Havana, January 2, 1863.
Sir: I have to acknowledge the receipt of
your letter of the 2d December, in reference
to my proceedings at Bermuda, and the comments of the British
minister, Lord Lyons, thereon.
In reply to the first point, I most positively deny that either of
the vessels ever anchored so as to control the movements of ships
desiring to enter or to depart from the port of Bermuda. We but
maintained a system of cruising outside of the neutral waters of
Bermuda, in and under our rights as a belligerent, and perfectly
consistent with that defined by Lord Stowell, which Lord Lyons
quotes, in the case of the Anna.
On the second point, of offensively and unlawfully placing sentinels
on British territory: the Sonoma and Tioga went alongside of the
wharf to coal, and their usual gangway sentinels were placed so as
to prevent any intoxicating liquors from being conveyed on board to
our men, having no reference to British territory whatever, unless
United States ships became so in fastening to a private wharf of an
individual of Bermuda. This is customary in all naval services; it
was not done offensively nor unlawfully; no objection was made to it
whatever, as I am informed by the commanders, and it was not
unlawful to guard our own men, without any reference to the
inhabitants or authorities of Bermuda. I most emphatically deny that
sentinels were placed on British territory.
His third ground is, that I contemptuously evaded the orders of her
Majesty in regard to the supplies of coal which vessels of
belligerent parties obtain in a British port. Of this he fails to
give an instance, and I most positively assert that every decorum
was used by me in all my communications and conduct to his
excellency the governor, and the other authorities of the island, as
my correspondence with him abundantly proves.
He refers again to a quotation, in which the word instruct occurs. I took exceptions to it from its well
understood meaning to instruct me, and that I would not permit him
to use so obnoxious a word in a despatch to me, as my government
had, alone, that power. There was no defiance in it, nor any
intention of breaking the rules, in any way, of her Majesty, or
obstructing the performance of the governor’s duties. Nor can the
sentence be construed to imply that I meant to attempt it, without a
most extraordinary torturing of language, to suit certain ends.
Under the discourtesies of Governor Ord, I deemed it but proper and
right to give him the rebuke I did. I have always endeavored to
cultivate a friendly feeling with all government officers. While
maintaining our own rights, I shall ever respect the rights of
others, and never permit my forbearance to be
[Page 495]
exhausted, though my patience may be
severely tried, and never permit myself to transgress the recognized
laws and regulations of other governments or international law.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
CHARLES WILKES, Acting Rear-Admiral,
Commanding West India Squadron.
Hon. Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
