[Extracts.]

Mr. Webb to Mr. Seward

Sir: The English steamer brought me despatches from our consul at Pernambuco, copies of which I enclose, marked 1 and 2. These came to hand by the second delivery on Monday evening.

* * * * * * * * *

Before retiring to rest, I addressed to the Marquis d’Abrantes the despatch marked No. 3; and after it had been copied, on Tuesday morning, I took it in person to the foreign office. I saw the under secretary, who informed me that the president of Pernambuco had reported to the government the proceedings of the Alabama at Fernando de Noronha, and that I would, probably, find the Marquis at the chamber of deputies. I accordingly drove to the chamber, where, after great delay, I ascertained that he had gone to his residence on Botofoga bay, some four miles distant, complaining of indisposition.

* * * * * * * * *

We met at four o’clock, and after listening to my representations, in the course of which I pointed out the animus of the English consul, in furnishing our consul with a copy of his report from the officers of the Oneida, which was calculated to excite ill blood between the United States and Brazil, he heartily expressed his regret at what had occurred, and his determination to have written me a note in anticipation of receiving one from me; in which note he intended to express the determination of the government to remove and otherwise punish the offending governor of Fernando de Noronha. I expressed my satisfaction at this; and said, I had refused to comply with the request of the under secretary to leave the despatch at the foreign office, because I anticipated the willingness of the government to act without prompting, in which case I could abstain from giving him the despatch, and, therefore, had opened it myself, and obtained his consent to read it to him in advance, in order that I might withdraw it in case he was prepared to take the initiative; and I, accordingly, offered to retain my despatch and assume that I had not written it. He said “No; your despatch makes no claim at present, but leaves the whole question to the justice of Brazil; a compliment which we appreciate, and I will lay it before his Majesty the Emperor.”

[Page 1261]

I then informed him that it was my intention to have returned to Petropolis on that day. And as it was not possible to return until I had received an official communication from him on this subject, and forwarded it to you, I indulged the hope that he would give me his reply to my despatch at his earliest convenience. He assured me it should be in my possession last evening. It failed to arrive, however, and at 9 o’clock this (Thursday) morning I was again at his house on Botofoga bay, determined to have an interview with him before he went to his office or the senate, or chamber of deputies, where he is in attendance daily, there being a kind of ministerial crisis pending, and it being the right and duty of ministers to speak in both houses in defence of their measures.

He laughed at my pertinacity in persisting in having his reply in possession at once, and promised it for this evening.

It was whispered to me that a Brazilian coasting steamer arrived last evening from Pernambuco, with two days later news, which was the cause of my not getting a despatch last night. I know not how this may affect the question; but if the facts on investigation turn out as represented, I have not a doubt in regard to the action of the imperial government.

Thursday, 4 o’clock p. m.

I received the promised despatch at 1.35 p, m., instead of 11 a. m., and immediately came to the city and had it translated by the consul’s clerk, and enclose it herewith, marked No. 4. You will perceive it covers the whole ground, and that the officer in command has been removed, in consequence of an investigation into the affair, made by the president of the province of Pernambuco. It is only just to the imperial government to bear in mind, that previous to any such formal investigation, and upon the mere, prima facie aspect of the case, and general rumor, the commandant’s removal was determined upon and reported to me.

I shall, of course, address a letter to the government immediately on my return to Petropolis, acknowledging the receipt of the Marquis d’Abrantes’s despatch, and thanking him for the promptness which the imperial government has exhibited in punishing one of its officials for his neglect of duty, and I hope in due time to receive from you a despatch on this subject, to be sent to the foreign office.

* * * * * * * * *

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. WATSON WEBB.

Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, &c.

No. 1.

Mr. Adamson to Mr. Webb

Sir: I am under the very painful necessity of announcing to you the destruction, by the pirate Alabama, of six American vessels.

The very short time between this and the sailing of the English mail packet will prevent me from giving you the full particulars. I can only say now, that the Brazilian schooner Sergipano arrived here yesterday from the island of Fernando de Noronha, with 61 persons on board as passengers, being the officers and crews of the schooner Kingfisher, of Fairhaven, ship [Page 1262] Nora, of Boston, ship Charles Hill, of Boston, and ship Louisa Hatch, of Rockland, Maine. The crews of these vessels are under my protection.

The schooner Kingfisher was a whaling vessel of 121 tons burden. She was captured by the Alabama on the 23d of March off Fernando de Noronha.

The ship Nora was captured on the 25th of March, latitude 1° 23' north, longitude 26° 30' west.

The ship Charles Hill was captured at the same time and place.

The Louisa Hatch was taken on the 4th of April, latitude 3° 13' south, longitude 26° 18' west. The first vessel had about thirty barrels of oil on board.

The second was from Liverpool, bound to Calcutta, with 1,520 tons salt.

The third was from Liverpool for Montevideo, with 999 tons salt; and the fourth was from Cardiff, bound for Point de Galle, Ceylon, laden with 1,033 tons of coals for the P. & O. & Co.

The pirate stripped the vessels of their small stores, chronometers, &c., took all the money from the captain, about 280 tons of coal from the Louisa Hatch, and then burned the vessels.

From the 10th to the 16th of April the Alabama was in the port of the island of Fernando de Noronha; during this time, viz., on the 15th of April, the Alabama captured in Brazilian waters two other American vessels, viz: the brig Kate Corning, of Westport, and the Lafayette, of New Bedford. These vessels were touching for supplies. The Alabama went out and seized them, within two miles of the shore. The pirate set fire to and destroyed the Lafayette immediately. He towed the Kate Corning to the anchorage, which constitutes the only harbor of the island, and, about four days after, took her out in company with the Louisa Hatch and burned both, and this within two miles of the shore.

Comment is quite unnecessary. It is impossible to say what complications may arise from these circumstances, and I would, therefore, be happy to receive any advice you may have to offer.

I remain, with the highest regard, your obedient servant,

THOMAS ADAMSON, Jr., Consul.

James Watson Webb, Esq., &c., &c., &c.

[Untitled]

The Alabama.—We have just had news of this famous privateer by a vessel from Fernando de Noronha, off this coast. She has captured and burned the following federal ships: Kingfisher, Thomas E. Lambert, on 23d March; ship Charles Hill, Percival, on 25th March; ship Nora, C. E. Adams, on the same day; ship Lewis Hatch, Wm. Grant. This last ship was proceeding from Cardiff to Point Galle, consigned to a French company with coals. The brigantine Kate and the bark Lafayette were taken on the 17th.

It seems that the captain (Semmes) and the governor of Fernando were mutually polite—exchanging visits, and driving out together. The captain bought everything of which he stood in need, and landed his prisoners. The Kate and the Lafayette were taken on the 17th, close to the island. The masters of these vessels, suspecting nothing, had taken their boats ashore to water, and from the shore witnessed the burning of their ships. They say that the governor protested against this act being committed in Brazilian waters.

Sixty-two prisoners have been landed here, (Pernambuco,) and forty-four were remaining on the island. Eleven Englishmen had entered for the privateer.

[Page 1263]

The foremost men of the captured vessels were put in irons whilst on board the privateer, and lost whatever money they may have had, but were allowed to retain all articles of use, as watches, rings, &c. The masters were allowed to give their parole, hut, in reference to property, fared in the same way as the rest of the crews.

No. 2.

Mr. Thomas F. Wilson to Mr. Webb

Sir: I have this moment learned that the pirate Alabama is off the coast of Brazil, north of Pernambuco, destroying American merchantmen.

Through the politeness of the British consul, of this city, I have been allowed to copy the report furnished him by the officers of the British mail steamer from Southampton, which I herewith enclose you for your information. You will, perhaps, have been furnished by our consul at Pernambuco with the particulars of these recent exploits; but fearing that by some accident you may not have received such information; I lay before you all I have on the subject.

In haste, yours, most respectfully,

THOMAS F. WILSON.

J. Watson Webb, Esq.

No. 3.
[Extract.]

Mr. Webb to the Marquis d’Abrantes

The undersigned, envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary for the United States, has the honor to inform his excellency, the Marquis d’Abrantes, counsellor to his Imperial Majesty the Emperor of Brazil, minister and secretary of state for foreign affairs, that he has, this evening, received from the consul of the United States at Pernambuco a despatch dated April 21, from which the following are extracts:

“I am under the painful necessity of announcing to you the destruction by the pirate Alabama of six American vessels. The very short time between this and the sailing of the English mail packet will prevent my giving you the full particulars. I can only say now that the Brazilian schooner Sergipano arrived here yesterday from the island of Fernando de Noronha, with 61 persons on board as passengers, being the officers and crews of the schooner Kingfisher, of Fairhaven, ship Nora, of Boston, ship Charles Hill, of Boston, and ship Louisa Hatch, of Rockland, Maine.”

* * * * * * * * *

“From the 10th to the 16th of April the Alabama was in the port of the island of Fernando de Noronha, during which time, viz., on the 15th of April, the pirate captured in Brazilian waters two other American vessels, viz: the brig Kate Corning, of Westport, and the Lafayette, of New Bedford. These vessels were touching at Fernando de Noronha for supplies. The Alabama went out and seized them within two miles of the shore. The pirate set fire to and destroyed the Lafayette immediately. He towed the Kate Corning to the anchorage, which constitutes the only harbor to the island, and, a few [Page 1264] days after, took her out in company with the Louisa Hatch and burned both, and this within two miles of the shore.”

The United States consul at Bahia, under date of 29th of April, writes the undersigned as follows:

“I have this moment learned that the pirate Alabama is off the coast of Brazil, north of Pernambuco, destroying American merchantmen. Through the politeness of the British consul at this port, I have been allowed to copy the report furnished him by the officers of the British mail steamer from Southampton, which I herewith enclose for your information.”

The report alluded to, after confirming the capture and burning of the American ships by the English piratical vessel called the Alabama, which was built in an English port, with English capital, manned and armed by Englishmen, and without ever having been in American waters, either north or south, is now prowling about the ocean and preying upon the unprotected commerce of a neutral and friendly nation, proceeds to say:

“It seems that the captain (Semmes) and the governor of Fernando de Noronha were mutually polite, exchanging visits, and riding and driving out together. The captain bought everything of which he stood in need, and landed his prisoners.”

“The Kate Corning and Lafayette were taken on the 17th, close to the island. The masters of these vessels, suspecting nothing, had taken their boats ashore to water, and from the shore witnessed the burning of their ships.”

“Sixty-two prisoners have been landed here, (Pernambuco,) and forty-four were remaining on the island. Eleven Englishmen had entered for the privateer.”

The undersigned presumes that the government of Brazil has been officially apprized of this outrage on the commerce of the United States, in the waters of Brazil, by the English piratical vessel called the Alabama, an outrage perpetrated, in fact, within one of its harbors, as two of the vessels destroyed were actually at anchor in what constitutes the harbor of Fernando de Noronha; and it would appear from the information furnished, that the governor of that island gave countenance and support to the pirate. He therefore prefers relying upon the justice of Brazil for prompt redress in the premises, to indulging in any comments upon this reported outrage on American commerce, accompanied by a violation of international law; and contents himself, for the moment, by calling the attention of your excellency to the gross breach of neutrality, said to have been perpetrated, by a high official of the imperial government.

In the hope that your excellency will favor the undersigned with a reply to this communication in time to allow him to transmit it to his government by the steamer of the 9th instant, he hastens to avail himself of the present occasion to renew to your excellency the assurance of his great personal respect and most distinguished consideration.

J. WATSON WEBB.

His Excellency the Marquis d’Abrantes, &c., &c.

No. 4.

The Marquis d’Abrantes to Mr. Webb

By official communication from the president of the province of Pernambuco, the imperial government has been informed that on the 10th day of [Page 1265] last month the steamer Alabama, belonging to the Confederate States of America, came to anchor in the harbor of island Rata, near the island of Fernando de Noronha.

A few days after, said steamer captured six whale ships of the Federal States, and burnt two of them, after having taken possession of their cargoes. The crews of these vessels were taken to Recife, capital of the province, by a Brazilian vessel.

The president, being apprized of these facts, ordered immediately an inquiry, all the persons composing the crews of the aforesaid vessels being interrogated. The United States consul, also, made the investigations that he thought necessary.

From these inquiries and investigations it is evident that the captain of the Alabama went several times to the island of Fernando de Noronha, accompanied by some of his men; that he communicated with the commanding officer of the island; and he went ashore several times, in order to supply the steamer with the articles needed, and to land the crews of the captured vessels.

It is also evident that the capture and burning of the vessels took place in the territorial waters of the empire; and, finally, that the commander of the island neglected the duties of his position, as he did not even protest against the proceedings of the captain of the Alabama.

In these circumstances, the president of the province, after having conferred with the United States consul, dismissed the aforesaid commander, and ordered proceedings to be commenced against him.

In this emergency, as there was no means at Pernambuco of stopping the proceedings of the captain of the Alabama, the president immediately solicited from the imperial government the convenient measures, and protested solemnly against the proceedings of the said captain, ordering him to leave the territorial waters of the empire within twenty-four hours.

The government of his Majesty has approved of the proceedings of the president of the province of Pernambuco in this emergency, and has taken the necessary measures to repress the outrages of the captain of the Alabama, in order that the neutrality which this empire ought to observe, in this war, may be religiously maintained. Apprizing Mr. James Watson Webb, envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary of the United States, of the facts already stated, I flatter myself of having anticipated the desire that he undoubtedly had of being minutely informed of this occurrence; and I also congratulate myself that Mr. Webb will recognize in the proceedings of the imperial government the exact observance of those principles of neutrality to which I have already referred.

I reiterate to Mr. James Watson Webb the assurance of my high consideration.

MARQUIS D’ABRANTES.

J. Watson Webb, Esq.