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

Mr. Adams to Mr. Seward.

No. 780.]

Legation of the United States, London, September 8, 1864.

Sir: I have the honor to transmit a copy of a note received from Lord Russell last evening on the case of the capture of the Georgia. I likewise append a copy of my reply.

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

CHARLES FRANCIS ADAMS.

Hon. William H. Seward, &c., &c., &c.

[Enclosures.]

1. Lord Russell to Mr. Adams, September 6, 1864.

2. Mr. Adams to Lord Russell, September 8, 1864.

Earl Russell to Mr. Adams.

Foreign Office, September 6, 1864.

Sir: You are doubtless aware of the circumstances under which the steamer Georgia has been seized on the high seas by the United States steamer Niagara, and sent, as it is alleged, in charge of a prize crew to the port of Boston.

I do not propose, at present at least, to enter into correspondence with you on the subject of this proceeding on the part of the commander of the Niagara, but I consider it necessary to request that you will take an early opportunity of acquainting the government of the United States that her Majesty’s government of course expects that a vessel seized under the British flag, and claimed by British owners, will be brought, with as little delay as possible, for adjudication into the proper prize court, in which the claim of one of her Majesty’s subjects will be tried according to those recognized principles of international law which govern the relations of the belligerent toward the neutral.

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

RUSSELL.

Charles Francis Adams, Esq., &c., &c., &c.

Mr. Adams to Earl Russell.

Legation of the United States, London, September 8, 1864.

My Lord: I have the honor to acknowledge the reception of your lordship’s note of the 6th instant in relation to the capture of the steamer Georgia. Although I have every reason to believe that the strongest disposition already exists on the part of my government to facilitate the necessary proceedings before the proper judicial tribunals whereby to determine the validity of that capture, according to the recognized principles of international law, I shall pevertheless take pleasure in at once transmitting a copy of your note expressing the wishes of her Majesty’s government for their consideration.

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,

CHARLES FRANCIS ADAMS.

Right Hon. Earl Russell, &c., &c., &c.