Office of the Historian

Mr. Adams to Mr. Seward.

No. 550.]
Legation of the United States, London, December 4, 1863.

Sir: I have the honor to transmit a copy of a note addressed by Lord Russell to me on the 27th ultimo, in reply to mine of the 3d of the same month, which was written in the sense of your despatch No. 736, of the 17th of October. The ground taken seems to me technically defensible, though a promise of a little investigation or at least close observation at St. George’s would have been more satisfactory than throwing the burden of proof entirely on us.

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

CHARLES FRANCIS ADAMS.

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

Earl Russell to Mr. Adams.

Foreign Office, November 27, 1863.

Sir: Her Majesty’s government have duly considered, in communication with the proper law advisers of the crown, your letter of the 30th instant and its enclosures, respecting an alleged project for the establishment of a depot at St. George’s, Bermuda, from which articles might be shipped to the ports of the so-styled Confederate States.

I have now the honor to state to you that it appears from the contract for this service, between Messrs. Gluseling & Co. and Mr. J. de Bree, of which a copy is enclosed in your letter, that the parties to it are not British subjects, but Americans, over whom her Majesty’s government have no authority or control; while the schedules referred to in it, not being annexed, the character of the stores which these persons contract for is not shown. These stores may or may not be of a contraband character, and even if they are, the terms of the contract seem only to contemplate the use of ordinary mercantile agency.

Moreover, the terms of the contract do not necessarily import the establishment of any depot in Bermuda, but rather point to transshipment in the port of Bermuda of naval stores from vessels arriving there from foreign ports; nor is this transshipment rendered necessary or obligatory by the contract, but is left optional or contingent, the words of the contract being, “If at any time the said party of the second part shall so direct any part or the whole of deliveries, under said schedules A, B, C, D, and E, or any other hereafter sent, shall be made at the port of St. George’s, Bermuda.”

Under these circumstances, her Majesty’s government do not consider that [Page 13] they can properly interfere in this matter; but should you be furnished with any further information tending to show any intention on the part of any persons to violate the neutrality of British territory, they will not fail to give to your representations their most careful attention.

I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration, sir, your most obedient, humble servant,

RUSSELL.

C. F. Adams, Esq., &c., &c., &c.