Mr. F. W. Seward to Mr. Adams*
Sir: Your despatch of December 4 (No. 548) has been received, together with the correspondence which has taken place between Earl Russell and yourself, concerning an alleged violation of the foreign enlistment law of Great Britain by the commander of the United States steamship Kearsarge at Queens-town, in concert with the United States consul at that place. Your reply to Earl Russell is approved.
You will immediately investigate the charge against both these officers, and will communicate the result to this department. If you find the charge sustained against the consul, you will, without waiting farther instruction, dismiss him from his office, and make a temporary appointment in his place.
You will assure Earl Russell that if the charge shall be sustained against the commander of the Kearsarge, he will be promptly relieved of his command, and other satisfactory amends will be offered to her Majesty’s government.
It would seem proper that you should express to Earl Russell our desire to be furnished with such proofs as he may have, in addition to those contained in the affidavits of which you have been furnished by him with copies.
You will inform Earl Russell that his complaint against the commander of the Kearsarge has been submitted to the Navy Department, and that the Sec retary will at once call upon the commander for an answer thereto, without awaiting the report of your investigation of the subject.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Charles Francis Adams, Esq., &c., &c., &c.
- For Mr. F. W. Seward to Mr. Adams, 27th and 28th of December, see Appendix to correspondence with Mr. Adams.↩