Mr. Hammond to the Secretary to the Admiralty.* .
Sir: I am directed by Earl Russell to request that you will acquaint the lords commissioners of the admiralty that his lordship has been in communication with the law officers of the crown on the subject of the capture, at Angra Pequena, on the coast of Africa, of the British vessel Saxon, by the United States steamer Vanderbilt, to which the attention of this office was called by your letter of the 22d ultimo, 24th ultimo, 4th instant, and by similar communications received from other quarters.
The law officers have, however, stated to Lord Russell that they cannot finally advise his lordship as to the course which should be taken in the matter without having before them a fuller communication of facts; and they desire particularly to be informed when, and by what means, and for what consideration, or under what arrangements, the Saxon became interested or concerned in the shipment or carriage of the wool taken by the Alabama in the Sea Bride,† which had been deposited at Angra Pequena; and whether the coals, stated to have been seized by the Vanderbilt, were, at the time of seizure, on shipboard or on land, and whether they had been conveyed or had been deposited in the place where they were found by the Saxon for any purpose connected with the supply of the Alabama.
[Page 269]I am to request that you will [*move the lords commissioners of the admiralty to take such steps as they may judge most calculated to] enable his lordship to lay before the law officers the information desired by them on the several points to which I have adverted.
I am, &c.,