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. 752.]

Legation of the United States, London, July 21, 1864.

Sir: I have the honor to transmit a copy of a note addressed to me by Lord Russell, on the 19th instant, and certain printed notices enclosed, restricting the approach to this city of vessels loaded with combustibles. I send likewise a copy of my reply of the 20th. I have sent a note to Mr. Morse, the consul at this place, on the subject, together with some of the notices, in order that our war steamers may be promptly apprised of it. I have no idea, however, that any of them think of coming up here.

The Kearsarge has been at Dover, but has now left, and the Sacramento has taken her place. The twenty-four hours’ rule compels these vessels to keep at a distance, if they remain. I think the effect of their presence is to put a check on the operations of the rebel agents and their sympathizers here and in France. They appear to confine themselves to fitting out such steamers as the Hawk and Alexandra, now called the Mary, nominally to run the blockade, but possibly to be used hereafter, in other ways, if opportunity should offer.

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

CHARLES FRANCIS ADAMS.

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

Earl Russell to Mr. Adams.

Foreign Office, July 19, 1864.

Sir: I have the honor to transmit to you the accompanying copies of a notice which has been issued by command of* the lords commissioners of the admiralty, prohibiting vessels from coming up the Thames above Galleons with powder, live shells, or combustible stores on board, without special permission from the admiralty; and I have the honor to request that you will communicate the same to your government, with a view to this regulation being observed by the vessels of the United States.

I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration, sir, &c., &c., &c.

RUSSELL.

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

Mr. Adams to Earl Russell.

Legation of the United States, London, July 20, 1864.

My Lord: I have had the honor to receive your note of the 19th instant, transmitting to me some printed copies of a.notice issued by the proper authorities, prohibiting vessels coming up above a certain point of the Thames with powder or combustibles, without special permission from the admiralty.

I shall take pleasure in complying with your request that I should communicate the same to my government, and I shall likewise transmit a copy at once to the consul of the United States at this port.

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.

Notice.

Admiralty, July 6, 1864.

No vessel whatever is allowed to come up the river Thames above Galleons, with powder, live shells, or combustible stores on board, without special permission from the admiralty.

Application should be made by foreign vessels to the respective consuls aa to the arrangements for landing and safe custody of the powder, &c.

By command of the lords commissioners of the admiralty.

C. PAGET.