Charle F. Adams, Esq., &c., &c., &c.
[Untitled]
Navy
Department,
July 26, 1864.
Sir: I have the honor to invite your
attention to an extract from a despatch of Mr. Allen, or consul at
Bermuda, under date of the 30th of June ultimo, addressed to you,
and referred to this department, in regard to the steamer Florida.
The renewed depredations of this semi-piratical craft render it
imperative, in my option, that the attention of the British
government should be called to the fact that Bermuda is made the
base of operations for war upon our commerce. During the whole
period of the rebellion the British islands in the West Indies, and
specially those nearest our coast, have been the resort and
nurseries of the blockade runners, who have made it a business to
traffic with and furnish supply to the rebels that are making war on
the government. Our countrymen have admitted to this abuse, in which
so large an amount of British capital and British enterprise is
embarked, with a forbearance that would scarely have been borne by
any other people. But it will not be endured that the rebel
corsairs, wich are engaged in plundering our commerce and destroying
our shipping, shall find refuge, protection, and encouragement in
the British islands that are near to our coast, and make them the
base of predatory operations in violation of good faith,
international law, and neutral obligations.
Mr. Allen writes as follows :
“The Florida, after remaining in port nine days, went to sea last
Monday evening, but has not seen far from land; she is in sight
to-day from the hills, about six miles off. She boards all vessels
approaching these islands; she received all the coal and supplies
they wanted. The coal was taken from the ship Storm King, C. I
Hobson, of Richmond, agent.”
Heretofore exceptions have been taken by her Majesty’s representative
against our ships-of-war remaining in the vicinity of a neutral port
to prevent violations of blockade, and our ships are permitted to
remain but twenty-four hours in a British port; but here predatory
rover, without acknowledged nationality, permitted to remain in
British port nine days, and then to coal and receive
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her supplies in order to go forth and
plunder our merchantmen engaged in peaceful commerce. Without this
encouragement and assistance in the British islands the Florida
would not perpetrate these outrages. It appears to me imperative
that the attention of her Majesty’s government should be called to
this subject, and that the abuse should be discontinued.
Consul Allen reports that the Florida, after leaving port, remained
off the harbor, within about six miles, and boarded all vessels
approaching the island.
Very respectfully,
GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the
Navy,
Hon. William H. Seward,
Secretary of State.
