Mr. Seward to Mr.
Adams.
No. 1130.]
Department of State,
Washington, October 19, 1864.
Sir: Information has been received at this
department in regard to the alleged enlistment of several thousand Poles
for the insurgent military service, and to arrangements effected to run
them through the blockade. I transmit for your perusal a copy of a
communication of the 7th instant from the United States consul at
Halifax relative to this matter, and will thank you to exercise your
accustomed vigilance in endeavoring to prevent the consummation of the
scheme, and in reporting any information on the subject which you may
obtain.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Charles Francis Adams, Esq., &c., &c., &c.
Mr. Jackson to Mr. F. W. Seward.
No. 132.]
Consulate of the United States
of America,
At Halifax, Nova Scotia,
October 7,
1864.
Sir: I have the honor to enclose herewith
duplicate extracts taken from a Halifax paper, (the Acadian
Recorder, ) in relation to the enlistment of several thousand Poles
in the confederate service, and the arrangements in contemplation
for transporting them to the Confederate States.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
M. A. JACKSON, United States
Consul.
Hon. Frederick W. Seward, Assistant Secretary of State.
[Extracts
from the Halifax Acadian
Recorder, October 7,
1864.]
[Untitled]
“Aid for the south.—The Charleston
Courier of the 23d ultimo remarks :
“‘An agreement has been effected between the rebel government and
a commissioner representing a certain European population, by
which 30,000 soldiers will be added to the rebel armies. The
consideration is a grant of lands, but where these lands are
located is much in doubt. It is intimated that they will come
from Poland.’
“We were informed some months since that such an arrangement was
about
[Page 336]
being made, and
that 40,000 Poles would, in all probability, soon be added to
the army of the confederacy. The appeal of the Polish
delegation, published in the Wilmington papers, subsequently
confirmed this. We have since beentold that the confederate
government have given orders for the completion of some fifty
swift steamers in England, similar to the Colonel Lamb, now in
port, in order to bring those foreigners to the south, through
the blockade.”
