Mr. Vernon states that he is a British subject; that he was a passenger
on board the steamer Huntress, bound for Nassau, which was burned at
sea, thirty miles from Charleston harbor; that he, with the crew of the
Huntress, took to their boats, and that they were picked up at sea by
the United States ship Quaker City on the 18th of January last; that he
himself was afterwards detained on board various United States vessels,
and that he has finally been sent as a prisoner to Fort Lafayette. He
demands that his case be investigated, if there be any charge against
him, or that he be immediately set at liberty.
Her Majesty’s consul at New York informs me that he finds, on inquiry,
that Mr. Vernon is a British subject, born at Liverpool, and not
naturalized in the United States. I therefore deem it my duty to
recommend the case to your immediate consideration.
Hon. William H. Seward, &c., &c., &c.
Mr. Vernon to Lord Lyons.
Fort Lafayette,
February 12, 1863.
My Lord: I beg leave to place before your
lordship the facts pertaining to my incarceration, and would most
respectfully ask your lordship, as United States minister of her
Britannic Majesty, to have the matter investigated, and that I may
be set at liberty.
I am a subject of Great Britain, and have commercial relations and
personal interests in New Orleans, Memphis, and the State of
Georgia. I have been in England and the continent (except about
three months) from 1858 to 1861. I returned to this country to
protect my interests, and pursue my legitimate busi-of importing and
exporting, and to protect my interest. My business and interests
called me to London, and I took passage in the steamer Huntress,
(bound for Nassau,) which was burned at sea, thirty miles off
Charleston harbor. It was blowing almost a gale when we took to our
boats, saving nothing but the clothes on our backs. We were four
hours in the boats, and we were picked up as castaways at sea, on
the 18th of January last, by the Quaker City, United States navy. We
were detained on board this ship and the Powhattan until the 26th of
January, when we were transferred to the Vermont at Helen Head, and
then to the United States steamship Circassian, of United States
navy, bound for New York. We were detained at Helen Head six days,
and arrived at Fortress Monroe on the 2d of February, at which place
I wrote to your lordship, and also demanded my release, or to be
sent to Washington, which was refused.
We arrived in New York on the 8th instant; was detained on board
until the 10th instant. I was then taken before the United States
marshal, who asked me “who I was, and where born;” who peremptorily
ordered me to the “house of detention.” On the 11th instant a
gentleman called for me, then asked my name, age, nationality,
&c. When given, I told him I had written to the marshal, and
requested that I be taken before the British consul; that I was a
British subject, and had been deprived of my liberty long enough;
and that if the United States government had anything against me, I
desired to know, and have the matter investigated. He told me all
that would have his attention, and that he had a special despatch
from Washington in relation to me. I learned afterwards that this
was Mr. Murray, United States marshal. About an hour after this
interview officers arrived and took me to this fort, with a fellow
passenger, the captain of steamer, and three engineers.
I am here without any clothing save what I have worn since my
capture.
I am confined, for what offence I know not, being picked up in an
open boat, struggling for life as an outcast at sea, saved as a case
of humanity, and now treated as a condemned prisoner in a United
States fortress, without any trial whatsoever,
As a non-combatant, pursuing my own legitimate business, and owing to
neither belligerents any allegiance whatever, I have been by force
deprived of liberty, and even the necessary commodities pertaining
to the wardrobe of a gentleman.
I do sincerely ask your lordship that this matter may be placed
before the honorable Secretary of State at Washington, and that I be
removed to Washington for investigation, should the United States
government have any charges to prefer against me, or that I be
immediately set at liberty.
I have the honor, &c.,
P. S.—I would also state that I am the commercial and financial
correspondent of the Times, Telegraph and
Economist, London.
