Mr. Adams to Mr.
Seward.
No. 266.]
Legation of the United States,
London,
November 21, 1862.
Sir: I have the honor to transmit copies of two
notes which have passed between Lord Russell and myself in relation to
certain attempts supposed to have been made to enlist recruits for the
army of the United States within this kingdom. Foreseeing the
possibility of the imputation of some such act, I have, ever since my
arrival here, taken great care to decline all the very numerous
propositions made to me to sanction engagements for service. I was more
decided in taking this course, that I early had reason to know the
continuance of a feeling of soreness at the treatment of Sir John
Crampton in America for acts of the same kind during the Russian war. It
was, therefore, very easy to reply with confidence to his lordship’s
remonstrance. I have not yet been informed of the grounds upon which
this was made; but from other sources rumors have reached me of efforts
making by irresponsible individuals to send off persons as passengers to
the United States, trusting to the security of the bounty paid on
enlistments. It is possible that they may have constituted the basis of
the remonstrance.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
Earl Russell to Mr. Adams.
Foreign Office,
November
20,1862.
The undersigned, her Britannic Majesty’s principal secretary of state
for foreign affairs, has the honor to acquaint Mr. Adams, envoy
extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary of the United States at
this court, that her Majesty’s
[Page 12]
government are informed by persons, to whom they are disposed to
give credit, that recruits are being raised in this country for
service in the army of the United States, and that bounty money of a
considerable amount is offered by agents of the United States to
encourage British subjects to enlist.
Mr. Adams must be well aware that any of her Majesty’s subjects
enlisting in the military service of either of the belligerent
parties in America, or any persons procuring any of her Majesty’s
subjects to enlist in that service, are guilty of a misdemeanor
according to British law; and Mr. Adams will readily see that such a
practice as that to which the undersigned now calls his attention is
calculated seriously to increase the difficulties already incident
to the observance of neutrality by her Majesty’s government.
The undersigned requests Mr. Adams to receive the assurance of his
highest consideration.
Mr. Adams to Earl Russell.
Legation of the United
States, London,
November 21, 1862.
The undersigned, envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary of
the United States, has the honor to acknowledge the receipt of a
note from the right honorable Earl Russell, her Britannic Majesty’s
principal secretary of state for foreign affairs, dated the 20th
instant, acquainting him that her Majesty’s government are informed
by persons to whom they are disposed to give credit, that recruits
are being raised in this country for service in the army of the
United States, and that bounty money of a considerable amount is
offered by agents of the United States to encourage such enlistment.
His lordship is further pleased to warn the undersigned of the fact
that such acts are contrary to British law, and are calculated
seriously to increase the difficulties already incident to the
observance of neutrality by her Majesty’s government.
The undersigned flatters himself that the earnestness of his previous
and long-continued urgency on her Majesty’s government to enforce
the strict observance of neutrality in the ports of this kingdom in
many cases of attempted violation. of it on behalf of rebels against
the authority of the United States, to which it has been his painful
duty to call their attention, must have secured him from the
suspicion of any disposition himself to give the smallest
countenance to any enterprise or effort of a similar kind on behalf
of the United States.
The undersigned not only has no knowledge of any such proceedings,
but he has no belief that they can have been attempted by any
persons really vested with authority as agents of the United States.
Should it turn out that there are individuals assuming to act under
such an authority, the undersigned will be obliged to Lord Russell
for such information as he may possess that may enable him to
ascertain who these persons may be, and to take the necessary
measures to disavow their operations.
The undersigned requests Earl Russell to receive the assurances of
his highest consideration.
Right Hon. Earl Russell, &c., &c., &c.
