Papers Relating to Foreign Affairs, Accompanying the Annual Message of the President to the Second Session Thirty-eighth Congress, Part I

Mr. Seward to Mr. Adams.

No. 814.]

Department of State, Washington, January 14, 1864.

Sir: I enclose an extract from a despatch of the 17th ultimo (No. 96) from the United States consul at Malta, relative to reports that British naval officers, under assumed names, are engaged in violating the blockade of ports yet held by the insurgents. The same information reaches us from other quarters. Although it is possibly exaggerated, it would be well for you to suggest whether an inquiry could not be made into the matter.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

Charles F. Adams, Esq., &c., &c., &c.

[Extract.]

Mr. Winthrop to Mr. F. W. Seward.

No. 96.]

United States Consulate, Malta, December 17, 1863.

1. Sir: I would beg to inform you of my having recently received reliable information that many English naval officers on half pay and under assumed names are now engaged in running the blockade.

2. May I beg to suggest that hereafter when any prizes are taken that every officer and passenger should be made to identify himself, even if he had to send to England to do it. When discovered to be English officers, if their names were reported to the British government, they would lose their commissions and prevent others from running a similar risk in future.

I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,

W. WINTHROP.

F. W. Seward, Esq., Assistant Secretary, &c., &c., &c.