Mr. Adams to Mr. Seward.

No. 707.]

Sir: I have the honor to transmit copies of two notes of mine addressed to Lord Russell, dated, respectively, the 23d and 28th of May, and covering a number of depositions relating to enlistments for the rebel vessels. His lordship’s has as yet sent me an acknowledgment of the earlier one only. His attention is now so much engrossed by the proceedings of the conference, this correspondence with me, usually rather brisk, languishes.

Copies of all the papers are annexed.

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

CHARLES FRANCIS ADAMS.

Hon. William H. Seward. Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.

[Enclosures,]

1. Mr. Adams to Earl Russell, May 23, 1864.

2. Deposition of Maurice Breen, May 20, 1864.

3. Deposition of John Fleming, May 20, 1864.

4. Deposition of Bernard Cassidy, May 20, 1864.

5. Deposition of W. Rawlison, May 20, 1864.

6. Deposition of John Davies, May 21, 1864.

7. Deposition of Matt. McMullan, May 21, 1864.

8. Deposition of John McCluskey, Deposition of Patrick Brady, } May.21 1864.

9. Deposition of W. Rawlison, May 23, 1864.

10. Deposition of Maurice Breen, May 23, 1864.

[Page 78]

11. Deposition of M. McMullan, May 23, 1864.

12. Lord Russell to Mr. Adams, May 26, 1864.

13. Mr. Adams to Lord Russell, May 28, 1864.

14. Deposition of Patrick Shanly, May 25, 1864.

Mr. Adams to Earl Russell.

My Lord: I have the honor to submit to your consideration a number of additional depositions, all going to show the continuance of the practice of enlistments of British subjects by the insurgents of the United States and their agents within this kingdom.

I pray your lordship to accept, &c, &c.

CHARLES FRANCIS ADAMS.

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

Deposition of Maurice Breen.

I, Maurice Breen, of William’s Place, William street, Liverpool, fireman, make oath and say as follows: I am a British subject. On Saturday last, May 14,1 was at home, and a fireman named John Fleming came to me, and told me that he had made an agreement with Mr. Campbell to go a voyage, and that he had mentioned me to Mr. Campbell as likely to go; accordingly I went with him to Mr. Campbell’s house, No. 28 Regent street; Mr. Campbell has a clothing shop there. It is a kind of a private shop in an inner room. There Mr. Campbell asked me if I knew the agreement; I said no, but I will know. He then told me I was to get seven pounds per month, and ten pounds in hand, and half pay to be left behind—that is, paid here. Out of the c£10 in hand he was to deduct £2 for himself, he to pay all expenses of travelling. I agreed to go on these terms, but did not sign any agreement. That night I took my bag to his house to be forwarded, and the next morning we went by appointment to the Lime street railway station, where we met Mr. Campbell, and went with him in a third class carriage of the half past nine train. I believe 19 tickets were taken, and there were about as many men. We arrived in London about 6 or 7 in the evening. We went into a public house near Euston square, and Campbell gave us a drink all around. We then got into a van in which our luggage was. While we were in the van a man who seemed to be second in command, who was a carpenter, passed the word to us that we were to call Campbell Captain Thompson from that time forth. We were driven to a hotel on the opposite of London bridge, near the railway station, and slept there. Next morning (Monday) we had breakfast there, and took the train for Dover, and arrived there about noon. The carpenter took us into a hotel, but Campbell took us away from that hotel into another. He paid for all the drink we had there and dinner and supper. In the evening we were grumbling at not having enough to drink, and we went to the first hotel, from which we had been taken away by Campbell, and had more drink. The carpenter ordered the drink for us, and Campbell paid for it eleven shillings. At night, about half past 10, we left by the mail steamer for Calais, which we reached very early in the morning. We all went into a hotel there, and had something to eat and a drink apiece, and slept there for the rest of the night, and had breakfast there. We were then taken to a ship, which I believe to be the Rappahannock. [Page 79] I think the name was Rappahannock, because when we were at Dover the people asked us if we were going on board the Rappahannock, and at Calais the people asked us the same question. It was a steamship with two funnels, rigged like a ship. Before I left Liverpool I knew that I was wanted for a southern privateer. Campbell told me that I was wanted for a southern privateer, but he would not tell me the name of the ship. When we got to the ship Campbell went aboard, and the carpenter and some others. Campbell then came back to us, and said that they wanted no firemen, but any deck hands or Sailors who chose to stay would be employed. I did not choose to go as a deck hand, nor did any of the firemen. We knocked about there for several hours. Campbell told us to go to a public house for our dinner and tea, and we went there in the evening. Campbell went with us to the French customhouse, where we got our luggage, and he put us on board a London steamboat and paid our passage and came with us. We arrived in London on Wednesday morning. We took the train for Liverpool about half (?) eleven. There were eleven of us returning. In the train I asked Campbell if we were going to get anything for our lost time. He said he could not do anything for us, as he should be a greater loser than any one of us. I said it made no matter who was a loser, and would get my wages. He said he could not do anything. He was nearly a ruined man by the expedition. I asked him who had paid our expenses to France and back again. He said he had paid it out of his own pocket, but he was repaid by the officers of the ship for all expenses of the men who stayed on board. He said he was clear as to them, but he was a loser as to all who had returned. I asked him why be had not brought us before the officer, and left us to speak for ourselves and ask for payment, and I said he was the man who had brought us, and he must pay us. We reached Liverpool, and he gave us a drink, and gave me a five-franc piece to pay for a donkey to carry our baggage, and we left him. Next day (Thursday) I called to see him twice, and found him in the second time. I asked him again to pay. us for our lost time. He said he had met the rest of us in Chapel street, and that they were to meet at half-past four at Jones’s office. I went to Jones’s office at that time, and we all met there, and Campbell called me and another man into the office; there was a young clerk there, about 16 or 17. Campbell said to him: “These are the men that have been sent to the Rappahannock, and they have come back and want to get something for their lost time.” The clerk said; “I know nothing at all about it.” I then left the office, and Campbell came after me and told me he had seen J. W. Carr, the attorney, in Castle street, and mentioned this affair to him, and Mr. Carr said he could not attend to it till Saturday next, but would attend to it then; and Campbell wanted us all to go with him to Mr. Carr and see what could be done to take proceedings against the ship for our lost time. I told him to look out for himself for his payment, and that I should look to him for mine. I have not seen him since.

MAURICE BREEN.
ISHAM H. ESELL, A Commissioner, &c.

Deposition of John Fleming.

John Fleming, of No. 3 Court Lightbody street, Liverpool, in the county of Lancaster:

On Thursday, the 12th day of May instant, I heard that Mr. A. Campbell, of Regent street, Liverpool, aforesaid, boarding-house keeper, was in want of men to join a steamer which was lying at Calais, in France, and I called at his house [Page 80] to see him about it, when he told me that there was a good chance for me to join a steamer lying in France, and that I should receive £7 a month as fireman, and that I would be paid £10 on signing articles. I agreed to go, and Mr. Campbell told me that he did not know what day I should be required to join, and on the following Saturday I called upon him, when he directed me to bring my bag to his house the following night. I brought my bag on the Saturday night as directed, when he said that he was short of hands; when I told him that I would bring my brother-in-law down to see him, and he directed me to call the following Sunday morning. I told Barnard Cassidy and Maurice Breen, my brother-in-law, of this, and they saw Mr. Campbell and agreed to go with me. Campbell then took me and the others on the Sunday morning to the Lime street railway station, and paid our fares to London, he coming along with us. We arrived at London on Sunday night, and Campbell took us to a hotel and paid for our lodgings for the night. On the following Monday morning he took us to a railway station and booked us for Dover, and we left Dover about ten the same night for Calais, and arrived there about three in the morning. When we arrived at Calais we were taken to the De Victoria hotel, where we slept the night. Early in the morning, after breakfast, Campbell took us on the shore to look at the Rappahannock, when Campbell went on board her, and some time afterwards he came ashore again and told us that we should not be required, and asked us what we required, when we told him that we should require our passage paid home again, and something for lost time. He then took us on board a-steamer and brought us to London. When we arrived at London he took us to the railway station and booked us for Liverpool, having first given us a supply of provisions and drink. We arrived in Liverpool on the 18th of May instant, and we asked Mr. Campbell to pay us for our lost time, when he said that we must meet him at Jones & Co.’s office, Chapel street, in Liverpool aforesaid, on Thursday, at 4 o’clock, when he would see what he would allow us. I went to Jones’s office, and in the doorway I met Mr. Campbell going into the office, and waited outside for him; and when he came out he told me that he was sorry he could not get any money for me; that it was a great loss to him; when I told him that he had engaged me, and I would look to him for my money.

I signed a paper which Mr. Campbell handed to me previous to going with him to London, entitling him to £2 if I was engaged on the Rappahannock.

JOHN FLEMING.

ISHAM H. ESELL, A Commissioner to Administer Oaths in Chancery, in England.

Deposition of Bernard Cassidy.

Bernard Cassidy, of 3 Court Lightbody street, Liverpool, in the county of Lancaster, makes oath and says as follows:

On Saturday, the 15th day of May instant, I heard from John Fleming that he had been engaged by Mr. Campbell, of Regent street, Liverpool, to join a steamer lying in France, at £7 a month, and I accompanied him to the railway station to see him off. When I saw Mr. Campbell I told him that if he was short of hands I would go; when he said, “All right; you can go on the same terms as the other men,” which I agreed to; and I signed a paper which was handed me by Mr. Campbell, entitling him to £2 if I was engaged on the steamer. We left Liverpool the same night for London, Campbell paying our fares there; and on our arrival we were taken to a railway station and booked to Dover, and from there to Calais. On our arrival at Calais we were taken to [Page 81] a hotel, and after a few hours’ sleep Campbell invited us to go and look at the ship. He went on hoard the Rappahannock, and some time afterwards he returned and informed me that he was sorry that we were not wanted, but that he would pay our passages home. He then took us to another hotel, and after we had dinner he took us on hoard a steamer and paid our fares to London. When we arrived in London Campbell took us to a public house where we had some refreshments, and were afterwards taken in cars to the Euston square railway station, and Campbell paid our fares to Liverpool, where we arrived on the 18th instant. When we arrived at Liverpool we asked Campbell to pay us for our lost time, when he directed us to call at Jones & Co.’s office, Chapel street, Liverpool, when he would see what he could get for us., I did not call at Jones & Co.’s office as directed. One of the men, whose name, I believe, is Conner, who came with us, informed me that himself and several others who had gone with us had been recently paid off from the confederate steamer Georgia, and that his pay would run until he joined the Rappahannock.

his

BERNARD × CASSIDY

mark.

Sworn at Liverpool, in the county of Lancaster, this 20th day of May, 1864; this affidavit having been previously read over to him, and he appearing perfectly to understand the same, and made his mark thereto in my presence.

ISHAM H. ESELL, A Commissioner, &c.

Deposition of W. Rawlinson.

I, William Rawlinson, of 91 New Edgar street, Liverpool, in the county of Lancaster, fireman, make oath and say as follows: I am a British subject. On Thursday, the 12th May instant, I was at the Birkenhead dock’s landing talking to Patrick Bradley, a friend of mine, who was working on board the Georgia, when he told me to speak to Mr. A. Campbell, of 28 Regent street, Liverpool, boarding-house keeper, as he thought he wanted hands to join a steamer. I went to Mr. Campbell and asked him if he wanted hands, when he said he did, and directed me to see Bradley again, and he would tell me more about it. I saw Bradley the following Saturday, when he told me to be at Walker’s public house, Regent street, at 8 1/2 the same night, with my clothes. I went to Walker’s public house as directed, when Bradley came in with several other men, and Bradley took us all down to Campbell’s house. Campbell then took down our names, and told us to be at the Lime street railway station at 7 o’clock the following Sunday morning. I then asked Campbell what the wages would be, when he said I should get £6 a month and £10 bounty, and that I would have to pay him £2 out of the bounty money, and I signed a paper to that effect. We all left our clothes at Campbell’s house. I went to the railway station at 7 o’clock the following Sunday morning, and saw Campbell and the other men there. Campbell paid my fare to London, where we arrived about nine the same night, and we were taken to a public house and stayed the night. The next morning we were taken to a railway station and booked for Dover, arriving there about noon. At Dover we were taken on board the mail steamer, and our fares were paid by Campbell to Calais. We arrived at Calais about midnight, and we were taken to a public house and slept the night. Early in the morning I went alone to the shore to look for the steamer, and discovered that she was the confederate steamer Rappahannock, and went on board of her, I saw a friend of mine on board, who asked me if I was going in her. I said [ was, and asked him where she was going. He said she was a confederate. I then came ashore, and went back to the hotel and had breakfast, and Campbell [Page 82] took us all down to the ship. Campbell went on board her with several of the men, and I was afterwards called on board by the carpenter, who took me to the lieutenant, who asked me what ships I had been in. I told him, and he said all right. I then went ashore, and in a short time afterwards Campbell came ashore, and said to us that it was a hard job; that after bringing us there, they did not want any more men of our trade. Whilst Campbell was telling us this, the lieutenant called me on board again, and asked me if I would sign articles to serve as a deck hand at £3 12s. a month, and £10 when we got in blue water; but when I found out the service she was in I declined to go, and came ashore again, and Campbell came up to me and said there was no chance for me unless I went as a deck hand. I told him I would not, and I intended to go home again. I then asked Campbell for money to pay my fare back again, when he said he did not think he had enough for us all; but I insisted upon his getting the money, and we were taken to another hotel, and after having refreshments Campbell paid our fares to London—he coming with us. When we arrived in London we went to a public house, and afterwards to the railway station, and Campbell paid our fares to Liverpool, where we arrived on Wednesday last. On our arrival I asked Campbell who was to pay me for my lost time; when he said he would see about it, as it was a bad job for him, but directed us to meet at Jones’s office, Chapel street, Liverpool, the next day, (Thursday.) We all went to Jones’s office and waited outside, when Campbell came out and said there was no one in, and that he was not quite sure whether Jones or Fraser & Co. were the agents for the ship, and that if I met him on the following Saturday morning he would see what he could get for me. I declined to meet him again, and told him that he had engaged me, and I looked to him for my money, and if he did not pay me I would make him. On our way from London to Liverpool Campbell told me that this had been a very bad job for him; that he had made well out of the Alabama and Georgia, but this one was the worst he had had.

W. RAWLINSON

Sworn at Liverpool aforesaid, this 21st day of May, 1864, before me.

JAMES THORNELY, A Commissioner, &C., &c.

Deposition of John Davies.

I, John Davies, of No. 6 Prince’s Walk, Great Howard street, Liverpool, fireman, make oath and say: On Thursday, the 12th day of May, a man named Conner called at my lodgings and asked me if I wanted a job. I said yes; do you know where I can get one? He said yes; go down to Campbell, in Regent street. The next morning I called at Campbell’s house and asked him if he-could give me a job. He said he could, and directed me to bring my clothes down to his house the following Saturday night. I brought my clothes as directed, when Campbell told me to be at the Lime street railway station between seven and eight the next morning. I asked him what terms I was going on, when he said £6 a month and £10 bounty, and I was to pay him £2 out of my bounty money. I brought my clothes down to the station the following Sunday morning, and saw Campbell with other men there. Campbell paid our fares to London. When we arrived he took us to a public house, where we stayed the night, and on the following morning we were taken to a railway station and booked for Dover, and from there to Calais. When we arrived at Calais Campbell took us to a public house, and we stayed there all night. On the Tuesday morning Campbell took us down to the beach where the confederate steamer Rappahannock was lying, and he went onboard her, leaving myself and another on the beach. In a short time Campbell came ashore again and [Page 83] said to us, this is a nice job; after bringing you men here you are not wanted; all the places are filled. He took us all back to a hotel and paid for drink for us, and Campbell told us we should have to wait with him, as he would have to send home for money. We waited at the hotel until night, when Campbell took us onboard the mail steamer and paid our fares to London. When we arrived in London Campbell took us in cars to the railway station and left our luggage there, and after having some refreshments Campbell paid our fares to Liverpool. On our arrival we asked Campbell who was to pay us for our lost time, when he said he would see about that. Campbell engaged a cart for our luggage and gave us some drink, and we told him we would see him in the morning. We called at his house the next day, but he was out, and we went to Jones’s office, Chapel street, and after waiting there some time Campbell told us that he had not got any money for us yet, and asked us to meet him on Saturday, which we declined doing.

his

JOHN + DAVIES.

mark.

Sworn at Liverpool, in the county of Lancaster, this 21st day of May, 1864; this affidavit having been previously read over to the deponent, and he appeared perfectly to understand the same, and made his mark thereto in my presence.

JAMES THORNELY, A Commissioner, &c, &c.

Deposition of Matthew McMullan.

I, Matthew McMullan, of Stone street, Liverpool, in the county of Lancaster, fireman, make oath and say as follows: Last Thursday week, the 12th of May instant, I met a person named Lyon as I was in a public house in Prussia street, in Liverpool aforesaid. He said he would get me a job, and that he was going to join a boat in France. I asked him what the wages would be. He said his wages would be £7 per month, but he did not know what mine would be. We then went together to No. 28 Regent street, being a house kept by Campbell as a boarding-house. I had a card given me with his address. There were several other persons there. We sat down and had some beer together, and a person I know since to be Campbell asked how many could we muster now, and if I had a bag. I said not then. Campbell thought I was going to remain there for the night, but I did not. On Saturday evening following, I, with others, went to Campbell’s house. I saw him; he said he had made it all right, and I with the others were to be at his house Sunday morning at eight o’clock. I and John Davies went there accordingly and saw Campbell and several others. I went in, and a person I took to be Mrs. Campbell asked me to write my name. I did not do so, but took the pen in my hand. It was there arranged by Campbell I should go with the others to Lime street station and meet him there at eight and a half o’clock. I did so, and our fares were paid for London. We stopped that day in London, and took the train the next morning for Dover, our tickets being given us as before, and arrived there about ten and a half o’clock in the evening.

Campbell accompanied us to Dover and went to Calais with; us, and appeared to take an active part in the arrangements. We went on to Calais the same evening, and arrived there about midnight and went to a hotel and stopped there for the night. After taking breakfast I saw Campbell outside the hotel door, and he said, “Have all hands got their breakfast now?” Some one said “yes.” He said there were four of us to get breakfast first. I went soon after this with others to the ship, which I have since heard was the Rappahannock. I was looking on, when Campbell by this time came up and went on [Page 84] board. I saw him talk to a person on board, apparently an officer, and he afterwards came on shore and said to us, “This is a fine job; after I have fetched you here there are no firemen wanted.” Campbell then said he would see the captain and see about getting the money for the fares back from him. Campbell took us back to the hotel and ordered dinner for us, and then went to get our bags out of the custom-house, and took the bags of the men that went into the ship to the ship, giving the other bags back to those who did not go. I and the others who were not wanted began to talk of how to get home. The mistress of the house where we stayed said we could get a boat about ten and a half o’clock for London. Campbell paid our fares and we returned. We then wanted to stop in London, and asked him if he could make any arrangement with us, and we offered to take £1 10s. each, but he would not give it to us, only the fare from London to Liverpool, which we would not take. Campbell then finding no arrangement could be made with us, returned with us to Liverpool, paying our fares and giving us refreshment by the way.

On arriving in Liverpool Campbell got all the bags in a cart, giving to Maurice O’Brien to pay the carter a five-franc piece and two shillings as a treat. The next day I met Campbell in Regent street, who treated me with the eight others to some drink.

MATTHEW McMULLAN.

Sworn at Liverpool aforesaid, this 21st day of May, 1864, before me.

JAMES THORNELY, A Commissioner, &c, &c.,

Depositions of John McCluskey and Patrick Bradly.

We, John McClusky, boarding at No. 1 Blaekstone street, Liverpool, and Patrick Bradley, boarding at No. 33 Standish street, Liverpool, fireman, make oath and say:

We are both British subjects. On last Monday week we were on the Cheshire side of the water, standing beside the Georgia, looking out for a job, when a man asked us if we would like a job, and gave us a card bearing Mr. Campbell’s name and address, and told us to apply there. We have since seen this man at Mr. Campbell’s. That night we went to Mr. Campbell’s, No. 28 Regent street, Liverpool. He asked us what we wanted of him. We said we understood that he had an order for some firemen. He told us to call again on Wednesday. We called then, but he was at the theatre. We had a job on the Georgia, cleaning her up, and we did not go to Mr. Campbell’s on Thursday night. He came to the Georgia on Friday, and said he had been expecting us the night before. We said we would go that night to see him. We went accordingly, and he agreed with us to give us £10 down and £6 a month. Out of the £10 we were to give him £2 for his bother. He told us to leave our bags at his house on Saturday night. We did so, and went to his house by appointment at 8 o’clock on Sunday morning. He took down our names and we went to the railway station and started with him for London by the half-past 9 o’clock train. We arrived in London in the evening, and slept there that night. He gave us refreshments and drink on the way, and we had every accommodation. We went to the station beside the bridge, to go to Dover the next morning, (Monday,) and arrived there about the middle of the day. We had a kind of a notion of where we were going. We took the packet that evening to Calais, and arrived there early on Tuesday morning. We staid at a hotel there the rest of the night. About 10 o’clock or so, we went down to one of the quays and saw a ship with the confederate flag flying. It was a steamer. Campbell and a man who was a carpenter (who said he had been out in the Georgia, and who seemed to know all about it) went on board. [Page 85] The carpenter had come with us from Liverpool. We heard some people on the quay speaking of the ship as the Rappahannock. We all knew at Dover where we were going, and the people at Dover knew it. The boarding-house keeper at Dover, where we had our dinner, said others had been before on the same errand; Campbell came back, and said that there were no places for fire-pen, and began to lament his case, and said what expenses there had been, and this and that.

We went away then to the Dover Castle Inn, and started next night with Camp, bell for London, by the steamer. The carpenter and one of our chaps, a trimmer-(an Englishman, I think,) stayed on board the Rappahannock. We came to London and came back to Liverpool. Campbell paid all the expenses. When we came to London we asked him to give us something for our lost time, and said if he would do so we would stay there. He offered us our train money to Liverpool, but said he could not give more, because this expedition had ruined him. The carpenter told us at Calais to go to Jones’s office, 28 Chapel street, Liverpool, and state our case, aud get something for our lost time if we could. We Went with some others, but did not see any one but a clerk, but Mr. Jones was out. We know nothing more.

JOHN McCLUSKY.

P. BRADLEY.

Sworn on the 21st day of May, 1864, before,

JAMES THORNELY, A Commissioner, &c.

Deposition of William Rawlison.

I, William Rawlison, of 91 New Edgar street, Liverpool, in the county of Lancaster, fireman, make oath and say as follows:

During the time I was at Mr. Campbell’s house engaging to go in the steamer Rappahannock, refered to in my affidavit of the 21st instant, I saw a man there whose name I believe is Robert Neal; Neal is a ship carpenter by trade, and he accompanied me and others to Calais to join the steamer, his expenses being also paid by Campbell. Neal told me at Calais that Campbell had got him the job, and that he had signed articles to serve as carpenter’s mate at the rate of £14 a month. There were several other men who had gone with us to Calais, but whose names I do not know, engaged to serve on board the steamer, and we left them and Neal on board of her

W. RAWLISON.

Sworn at Liverpool aforesaid, this 23d day of May, 1864, before me,

JOHN YATES, A Commissioner to Administer Oaths in Chancery, in England,

Deposition of Maurice Breen.

I, Maurice Breen, of William Place, William street, Liverpool, in the county of Lancaster, fireman, make oath and say as follows:

On Saturday, the 14th May instant, when I was at Mr. Campbell’s house, agreeing with him to join the steamer referred to in my affidavit of the 21st instant, I saw Robert Neal, a ship’s carpenter, there; I again saw Neal the following Sunday morning in Campbell’s house, and I afterwards saw him at the railway station. Neal came with the other men to Calais, Campbell paying all his expenses. When we arrived at the Rappahannock, Neal went on board of her with Campbell, and he was engaged to serve as carpenter’s mate, and we left him on board

[Page 86]

Several other men who came with us are well known to me, but I cannot remember their names. These men were all engaged by Campbell, and they signed articles to serve on the Rappahannock, and remained on board her when I left.

MAURICE BREEN.

Sworn at Liverpool aforesaid, this 23d day of May, 1864, before me,

JOHN YATES, A Commissioner to Administer Oaths in Chancery, in England,

Deposition of Matthew McMullen.

I, Matthew McMullen, of Blackstone street, Liverpool, in the county of Lancaster, fireman, make oath and say as follows:

Upon several occasions when I called at Mr. Campbell’s house to engage with him to join the Rappahannock, referred to in my affidavit of the 21st May instant, I saw a ship’s carpenter there, named Robert Neal. Neal appeared to me to be lodging at CampbelPs house. I again saw Neal at the railway station on the following Sunday morning, and he accompanied us to Calais, Campbell paying our expenses. When we arrived at the steamer Campbell took Neal on board with him, and Neal was engaged as carpenter’s mate.

Several of the other men who came with us were engaged, and they signed articles to serve on the Rappahannock, and we left them on board of her. I saw all the men who joined the steamer at Campbell’s house on the Sunday morning previous to our starting for London.

MATTHEW MCMULLEN.

Sworn at Liverpool aforesaid, this 23d day of May, 1864, before me,

JOHN YATES, A Commissioner, &c, &c.

Earl Russell to Mr. Adams.

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 23d instant, enclosing copies of depositions respecting the engagement of seamen for service on board the Rappahannock; and I have to state to you that the matter shall not fail to receive the careful attention of her Majesty’s government.

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.

My Lord: I have the honor to transmit the copy of another deposition in addition to those heretofore submitted to your consideration, and corroborating the statements made in them. Were it necessary to furnish more proof of the same kind, I have reason to believe that a considerable number of others could [Page 87] fee procured. I have not been disposed to burden your lordship with more proof than is deemed necessary to establish the facts to the complete satisfaction of her Majesty’s government.

I doubt not that it must be obvious to your lordship that if this system of practical warfare be suffered to go on with perfect impunity, to all those concerned in it within this kingdom, it will be utterly impossible for the government of the United States to endeavor to place restrictions upon similar practices in America, should any future contingency arise in which her Majesty’s government would deem it advisable to renew the representations once made, on the 21st April in the year 1854, which were at that time met in the most friendly spirit. In order to secure the performance of obligations between nations, the first point would appear to be to establish an impression of moral certainty that they are mutually reciprocal. I regret to feel myself compelled to admit the fact to your lordship, that in view of all the testimony which I have had the honor to submit, that impression on the side of the people of the United States has been seriously impaired.

I pray your lordship to accept, &c.,

CHARLES FRANCIS ADAMS.

Right Honorable Earl Russell, &c, &c., &c.

Deposition of Patrick Shanly.

I, Patrick Shanly, of 13 Carlton street, Liverpool, in the county of Lancaster, fireman, make oath, and say as follows:

About the 24th of December last a friend of mine met me in the street, and informed me that there was a good chance for me to join the steamer Georgia; that she was a pirate, and I would be paid very good wages. He then asked me to go with him to Mr. Campbell’s, boarding-house keeper, Regent street, Liverpool. I went with him to Campbell’s house, and Campbell told me that he had a good job for me to go to; that I should have £7 a month and £10 bounty, and one month’s pay in advance when I joined the ship; that he did not know then which of the steamers I would be required to join, but he thought it was the Florida. He gave me instructions to endeavor to engage other hands; that I was to offer them £5 a month and 6610 bounty. I called upon Thomas Lloyd, Edward Smyles, Thomas Asham, John Adamson, and several others, and informed them of Mr. Campbell’s offer, when they all agreed to go with me, and I took them down to Campbell’s house. Campbell engaged the whole of these men upon the same terms as myself except as to wages, he only agreeing to get them £6 a month. He gave us instructions to meet him under the arches at the custom-house on the 27th, and we all attended there, but Campbell did not keep his appointment with us, and I called upon him to know the reason, when he directed me to bring my clothes down to his house, and hold myself in readiness to start at a minute’s notice. I brought my clothes down to Campbell’s house the same night, and bought some clothes from him, and he then told me that we should have to start the next day, and told me to meet him and the other men at Anderson’s public house. I called at his house the next day and saw Mrs. Campbell, who produced a paper containing the names of the men who had agreed to join, and an account showing that I was indebted to Campbell in £3 10. 6d.; £2 6d. for the clothes I had bought and £1 10s. which I had to pay Campbell for getting me the job. I went from Campbell’s house to Anderson’s public house, where I saw all the other men and Campbell, who paid for drinks for us, and afterwards took us down to the Havre boat lying in the Wellington dock, and he paid our fare to Havre, he coming with us. We arrived on the 31st December, and were taken by Campbell on board another steamer, and afterwards [Page 88] to a railway station, and Campbell paid our fares to Cherbourg, where we arrived the same night. Campbell took us to an hotel there, and we stayed the whole of that night and part of the next day. On the evening of the next day Campbell took us in a boat on board the confederate steamer Georgia, which was lying off. They gave each of us a blanket and we slept on board of her all night. We remained on board the Georgia about four or five weeks before we were called upon to sign articles, when we were called aft and the articles were read over to us to the effect that we were going to burn and destroy vessels of the United States. Myself, Lloyd, Smyles, Asham and Anderson signed articles, and Captain Maury asked us if Campbell’s accounts were correct, when we told him they were, and we received our bounty money less the amount payable to Campbell. Five of the men engaged were not required, and they left the ship. We left Cherbourg about the first week in February, and proceeded to the island of Barbara, where we lay about three weeks. From there we went to Bordeaux, and from there to Liverpool, where we arrived on the 2d May instant, and we steamed into the Birkenhead great float on the Cheshire side of the Mersey. After we had made the ship fast, the captain told us to come down to the ship in a day or two, when we would be paid off. I was paid off about the 5th or 6th, The first lieutenant asked me to stand by the ship and assist to keep the engines in order, which I did not do, being tired of the service. I called at Campbell’s house on the 13th May, when he engaged me to join another steamer, and he gave me directions to look after some other men to join the same boat, which he said was going out for the same purpose. I called upon John Fleming and told him to go to Campbell’s house and he would be most likely to get a job. I told Fleming to try and get other men, and he told Maurice Breen and Barnard Cassidy, and they were engaged by Campbell. I took my bag down to Campbell’s house on the Sunday arranged for our leaving, the 15th instant, but I afterwards changed my mind, and declined going again.

P. SHANLY.

Sworn at Liverpool aforesaid this 25th day of May, 1864, before me,

HENRY C. DUMALL, A Commisioner to Administer Oaths in Chancery, in England.