Mr. Adams to Mr.
Seward.
No. 322.]
Legation of the United States,
London,
February 13, 1863.
Sir: The papers transmitted with your despatch
(No. 454) of the 19th of January seemed to me to carry so much
confirmation of all the various allegations made in my preceding series
of notes to Lord Russell respecting the systematic abuse of the
neutrality of this kingdom by the rebels, that after going over the
subject in last Saturday’s conversation with his lordship, I determined,
with his assent, to make them the basis of a formal remonstrance to this
government. A copy of the result, as drawn up in the form of a note to
Lord Russell, dated the 9th instant, together with a list of the papers
subjoined, is forwarded herewith.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
Mr. Adams to Earl Russell.
Legation of the United
States, London,
February 9, 1863.
My Lord: I have the honor to present to
your lordship’s attention a number of papers transmitted to me by my
government as faithful copies of an intercepted correspondence
emanating from persons well known to be high officers of the
so-called authorities now stationed in Richmond, in the insurgent
portion of the United States.
These papers go to show a deliberate attempt to establish within the
limits of this kingdom a system of action in direct hostility to the
government of the United States. This plan embraces not only the
building and fitting out of several ships of war under the direction
of agents especially commissioned for the purpose, but the
preparation of a series of measures under the same auspices for the
obtaining from her Majesty’s subjects the pecuniary means essential
to the execution of those hostile projects.
That the person named Sinclair, to whom the supervision of the
construction of the vessels referred to is entrusted, has arrived in
this country, is a fact made known to me. I have reason to believe
that he is still here, and actually engaged in the service for which
he was sent. Of the presence of Mr. Mason, I believe your lordship
entertains no doubt. Of the action of Messrs. Fraser, Trenholm &
Co., as agents of the same parties at Liverpool, I have already had
frequent occasion to write.
Taken as a whole, these papers serve most conclusively to show that
no respect whatever has been paid in her own realm by these parties
to the
[Page 133]
neutrality declared
by her Majesty at the outset of these hostilities; and that so far
as may be in their power, they are bent on making her kingdom
subservient to their purpose of conducting hostilities against a
nation with which she is at peace. I trust I may be permitted to
add, that if my government could have been induced in any way to
initiate similar operations within the limits of this kingdom, I
should have regarded it as very justly subject to the remonstrances
which your lordship has been pleased to address to me on account of
acts of incomparably smaller significance.
I pray your lordship to accept the assurance of the highest
consideration with which I have the honor to be, my lord, your most
obedient servant,
Right Honorable Earl Russell, &c., &c., &c.
[Untitled]
[Enclosures from National
Intelligencer, January 17, 1863.]
1. Mr. Benjamin to Mr. Mason, (No. 7,) September 26, 1862; and after
the third paragraph, all of Mr. Benjamin’s No. 6 to Mr. Slidell,
from “Events of,” &c., to “four major generals;” and enclosure
No. 4, from Mr. Benjamin to Mr. Mann.
2. Mr. Benjamin to Mr. Mason, (No. 8,) October 28, 1862.
3. Mr. Memminger to Mr. Mason, October 24, 1862.
4. Rebel act for exchange of bonds, April 21, 1862.
5. Copy of $1,000 rebel bond.
6. Copy of produce certificate.
7. Mr. Memminger to Mr. Mason, October 25, 1862.
8. Mr. Mallory to Mr. Mason, October 26, 1862.
9. George N. Sanders to Reid Sanders, August 25, 1862.
10. Undersigned letter to Mr. Mallory.
11. Note implicating W. S. Lindsay and others.
12. Mr. Mallory to Mr. Memminger, October 27, 1862.
13. Mr. Memminger to Mr. Mallory, October 30, 1862.
14. Mr. Mallory to Mr. Mason, October 30, 1862.
15. Mr. Memminger to Fraser, Trenholm & Co., October 21,
1862.
16. Same to James Spence, Liverpool, October 21, 1862.
17. Mr. Memminger to Fraser, Trenholm & Co., October 24,
1862.
18. Same to same, October 28, 1862.
19. Mr. St. John to Mr. Smith, October 28, 1862.
