Mr. Adams to Mr.
Seward.
No. 774.]
Legation of the United States,
London,
September 2, 1864.
Sir: Under the directions contained in your
despatch No. 1050, of the 29th
[Page 293]
of July, I addressed a note to
Lord Russell, on the 19th of August, on the case of the Oreto, alias the Florida, at Bermuda. Copies of this and
of his lordship’s acknowledgment on the 22d are herewith
transmitted.
I have the honor to he, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. W. H. Seward,
&c., &c., &c.
Mr. Adams to Earl Russell.
Legation of the United
States,
London,
August 19, 1864.
My Lord: It is with very great regret that
I find myself compelled to call the attention of your lordship to
the abuse made of the neutrality of the island of Bermuda by the
vessels under the direction of the insurgents in the United States,
in making it a base for hostile operations against the commerce of a
friendly nation. I have the honor to submit to your consideration
the copy of an extract from a report of Mr. Allen, consul of the
United States at that place, to the Secretary of State, in which he
makes certain statements respecting the reception there of the
gunboat known under the name of the Florida, and her subsequent
proceedings, which appear to be directly in violation of the
regulations heretofore laid down by her Majesty’s government. I beg
permission to remind your lordship of the remonstrances which were
promptly made a short time since, in the case of one of the vessels
of the United States, for proceedings of a far less exceptionable
character.
Not doubting the disposition of her Majesty’s government to do full
justice in the premises, I pray your lordship to accept the
assurances of the highest consideration with which I have the honor
to be, my lord, your most obedient servant,
Right Hon. Earl Russell,
&c., &c., &c.
Earl Russell to Mr. Adams.
Foreign Office,
August 22, 1864.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of your letter of the 19th instant and its enclosure
relative to the proceedings of the Florida, at Bermuda, and to
inform you that this matter shall have the attention of her
Majesty’s government.
I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration, sir, your
most obedient, humble servant,
Charles Francis Adams, Esq., &c., &c., &c.
