It is presumed that you have already brought the subject to the attention
of her Britannic Majesty’s government.
Charles Francis Adams, Esq., &c., &c., &c.
Mr. Dudley to Mr. Seward
No. 437.]
United States Consulate,
Liverpool,
February 11, 1865.
Sir: I sent you, on Thursday last, a
telegram by way of Queenstown, to be forwarded by the steamer which
left here on Wednesday, that the report we had about the rebels
having one of the iron-clads built at Bordeaux was true. I
understand she is now in one of the Spanish ports—has gone there for
repairs. The fact that they have her, and that she is partially
armed and manned, there is no doubt about. She was met by the
English steamer City of Richmond off the coast of France, and her
armament, which was made here in England, transferred to her with
supplies for a cruise, and an English crew. My information is that
she is now called the Stonewall. Fearing that she might attempt to
run into some of the northern seaport towns and. lay them in
ashes—possibly obtain entrance by practicing some deception, as
flying the English flag, the same as has been frequently done by
these piratical vessels—I have addressed a letter to Mr. Draper, the
collector at New York, and requesting him to inform the other
collectors of her being loose, and to put them on their guard.
The English steamer Laurel, the same that took out from here the
armament and men for the pirate Sea King, returned to this port on
Thursday last. She came in ballast from Nassau, in command of
Captain Ramsey, an Englishman, the same man who took her out, and is
consigned to Fraser, Trenholm & Co. They now cali her the
Confederate States, of Charleston, and pretend that she has been
transferred to the so-called confederate government. She flies the
confederate flag.
The schooner Catharine Anne cleared from here on the 9th instant for
Nassau, in command of T. Evans. She is 163 tons burden, and was
cleared by I. Glynn & Sons. Her cargo consists of three hundred
bags of saltpetre, some rifles, and army clothing and blankets
intended for the rebels.
The English bark Walkington, of 356 tons burden, commanded by R.
Waugh, was entered to load for Nassau on the 31st of January by
Prichard & Co. She has taken in already 337 cases of long
Enfield rifles, containing 20 in each case, making 6,740, (the cases
are marked C. H.—0. B.,) and 800 bags of saltpetre. She will also
take in 130 tons of lead and a quantity of machinery, all intended
for the confederates.
I understand the English merchants here intend to keep up their
communications with the south, and send them supplies by way of
Matamoras, Galveston, and Florida, and that they are making
extensive arrangements to carry it on by way of these places,
especially by way of Matamoras.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward,&c., &c., &c.
