Mr. Seward to Mr.
Adams
No. 1309.]
Department of State,
Washington,
March 18, 1865.
Sir: I enclose herewith, for your information,
a copy of a despatch of the 24th of February last, which Thomas
Kirkpatrick, esq., our consul at Nassau, has addressed to this
department, in which it is stated that blockade-running from that port
has ceased; that rumors exist to the effect that some of the vessels
recently engaged in running the blockade from Nassau are about
proceeding to Havana, there to be fitted out as privateers, and under
the United States flag to depredate upon British commerce, thus hoping
to effect a rupture between the two countries, which would ultimately
result beneficially for the insurgents, and that the governor of that
province is an attendant upon all occasions of festivity, from which
those whose sympathies are with the Union cause are excluded. You may
make this known informally to Earl Russell, at the same time saying that
the consul is a person of remarkable prudence and candor.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Charles Francis Adams, Esq., &c., &c., &c.
Mr. Kirkpatrick to Mr. Seward
United States Consulate,
Nassau,
February 24, 1865.
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that
blockade-running from this port has ceased. Several of the steamers
have gone to Havana, and more are going. The Edith left for there,
with General Preston and aid, of the rebel army, on board. He has
been here for some time, though he has made one or two attempts to
get to the confederacy, but without success. He has been quite a
lion here, having been an attendant on governor’s parties and balls;
has been called upon by the governor in person at the hotel. The
governor is an attendant on any and every festive occasion; he
attended a “maroon,” (something like our “picnics;”) it was given by
a party of blockade runners, and he had to give a party in return;
and he recently attended a large southern or southern-interest party
given by the notorious blockade-runner Lafitte, where he remained
until about four o’clock in the morning. At none of these parties
have I heard of any person of northern feelings or sympathies being
invited or present. There are rumors here that some of the vessels
recently engaged in blockade-running from this port are going to
Havana to fit up as privateers to cruise against British commerce
under the flag of the United States, with the expectation and hope
that such a step would lead to a war between the two countries and
aid the confederacy. I know not whether they would do so desperate
an act, though they seemed desperate enough for anything; but I have
deemed it my duty to call the attention of the government to it, as
I have that of the consul at Havana and the authorities here, but
trust it may prove untrue.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward,
&c., &c., &c.
