Mr. Seward to Mr.
Adams
No. 1196.]
Department of State,
Washington,
December 21, 1864,
Sir: In your despatch, No. 819, you gave an
account of the trial and conviction of Jones and Hyatt for violations of
the anti-enlistment law. It is to be
[Page 55]
feared that the lenity of the sentence upon the
offenders proceeds upon the ground that the offence was venial. I send
you herewith some intercepted correspondence found on board of the
Alabama, which, if rightly viewed, ought to lead to a conviction of
those persons and others of systematic, habitual, and daring contempt of
the British laws. It is thought expedient to have prosecutions
instituted against these persons. It can do us no harm to know the exact
amount of protection we can derive from British laws administered by
British courts.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Charles Francis Adams, Esq., &c., &c., &c.
Mr. Barney to Captain
Morris
Grand Hotel,
Paris,
February 5, 1864.
My Dear MORRIS: I have intended writing to
you for several days, but postponed it until I could hear something
definite from Nantes. I received your letter this morning, and was
sorry to hear that you had been sick. I hope you will soon get to
sea, and the change will be beneficial to you.
Reissetson is here, and reports all ready for you. You are to
telegraph when ready, as agreed upon. I told him you would not be
ready before next Tuesday, I thought. I am sorry to hear of the ill
success of the Blower. Bullock says the Florida’s engines were only
intended to work up to sixty-five revolutions, and any increase
above that mark must be very racking, and should only be resorted to
on an emergency. Her maximum speed under steam alone was estimated
ten knots. I represented to Bullock that your money chest would be
pretty low, and he kindly consented to pay for the carriages. You
will approve You bills, and B. will pay them, and so give you a
little more money to cruise on.
I am very sorry to hear of the bad behavior of Hawthorne. He promised
very fair when I released him. I hope when you get to sea your men
will settle down, and by firm and judicious treatment become a good
crew. I wrote you about the engineer’s allotments. I find the men
are also allowed to leave them. But I suppose there are none of your
new men who have been familiar in England. I scarcely think it
worthwhile to give them the chance of swindling the government.
There was one man of the old crew who wanted to send money to his
mother in Ireland. I forget his name. Averett will know whom I mean.
You might let him know quietly that he could leave an allotment.
Jones & Co., of Liverpool, act as attorneys for the men of the
other ships, and pay the money to their friends in any part of Great
Britain, and will do the same service for the Florida. The ticket
must be made payable to J. & Co., or any one else in Liverpool,
and the person to whom it is to be sent, and his or her place of
residence given The amount is sent at the expense of the government.
Captain Blakely requests Captain M. F. Maury to caution our officers
against overloading his guns, and he adds: “In the Florida we
constantly fire twenty pounds of powder from my 6-inch gun, only of
cast-iron, banded with steel.” I thought the pivot guns were seven
inches, and know he is mistaken about the twenty-pound charges. Ask
Averett to give me the true state of the case. What is the diameter
of bore of the pivots ?
Remember me kindly to the doctor. I received his note and remittance,
and the money and likenesses by Mr. Hough. I don’t think that of
you, sent to-day, very good. I gave Seme one; he is well and his
family. Young Trenholm has improved very much since I first came up,
but still looks delicate. Kind regards to Averett and all hands. My
health is improving, but I still suffer much at times. I am at a
loss what to do with myself. There is nothing new here. I am glad
the things I sent were satisfactory. If I can do anything else for
you command me. I hope to hear from you before you leave.
Wishing you every success, I am, very truly, yours,
Captain Bullock to
Captain Morris
Liverpool,
January 14, 1864.
Dear Morris: I received your letter of the
8th instant, day before yesterday, and I have only delayed replying
to it that I might look about a little to see how you could best be
helped out of your difficulty. As all the matter of shipping men for
the vessels in France, that is for your ship and the Rappahannock,
had been intrusted to Mr. Bold, I desired first to see what
arrangements he had made and whether they could be extended.
Before I could do it a rumor got abroad that the members of the firm
of Jones & Co., who you know are partners of Mr. Bold, were
about to be taken up for violation of the foreign
[Page 56]
enlistment act, and yesterday the
newspapers stated the fact openly. It appears that Jones & Co.
are summoned to appear before the magistrates on Friday, (to-morrow,
) charged with enlisting men for the Confederate States naval
service; and although mention is only made of the Georgia, yet it is
said that important revelations concerning the conduct of
Confederate State officers here will be made. This result has not
surprised me, for the indiscreet manner in which men have been
engaged and sent about has been freely commented upon, and in
anticipation of trouble, I have kept entirely clear of the parties
engaged in these movements. This action of the authorities
absolutely closes England to you as a recruiting ground, unless you
in person make an arrangement with someone in France to deliver you
men at so much a head. That is the manner in which I managed in the
crew of the Alabama, and thus did not come in contact with any of
the men until they were actually on board ship, and were beyond the
jurisdiction of England. For any Confederate States officer to
attempt engaging-men here now would insure his getting into trouble,
besides ending in failure; because I am sure that agents of the
Yankee consul would offer their services with the express intent of
lodging information.
Hamilton has written you about Read, who would be an excellent man
for the work if he can be spared. Suppose you ask your agent in
Brest if there is not some shipping-master there who would engage to
furnish a certain number of men, you paying all expenses of
transportation and a specified sum for each man delivered on
board.
I have written Commodore B., suggesting that the Georgia’s men be
transferred to your ship. I am told she has some excellent men who
are willing to remain in the service, I regret exceedingly that you
should have such embarrassment in the very outset, especially as
neither foresight nor discretion on your part could have prevented
it, and because, moreover, I can render you no direct aid. I will,
however,, endeavor to send you a man who I think can be trusted on
some assumed business, and you can make him a direct offer to pick
you up some men.
It is probable that I shall go to Paris on Tuesday next. Write me to
the care of Mr. Senac. In the mean time, if the man alluded to above
will go, I will let you know in advance. If arrangements have been
made, Tesier I am sure he will carry them out faithfully and
iudiciously.
I am very truly yours,
A. Norur & Company to
Captain Morris.
Nantes,
January 15, 1864.
I will do all my efforts for making the greatest possible number of
the fuzes you are wanting to five hundred. These pieces I am sure
shall satisfy you.
Please to give me all information that is of an absolute necessity.
Does the touch-hole of your shells narrow or increase, or does it
remain equal to the diameter A of the fuze from the point B,
(inferior part of the fuze’s thread when screwed in the shell?) That
is of importance to me, for I want to know if a fuze that should be
21/2 times longer, and should
have
the same diameter on the whole length, could be introduced in your
own shells. The two sockets for the pivot-bolts shall also be ready
in time. In a few days I shall state the
[Page 57]
amount of my bill. I have not very well
understood what captain is saying, when he asks “could you get
hide-rope for wheel-ropes ?” I am writing for further information;
thereupon, believe me, captain, with kind regards, very sincerely
yours,
Captain Morris,
C. S. N., Brest.
[Untitled]
Nantes,
January 18, 1865.
My Dear Sir: In accordance with your
request I herewith send you the approximate cost of the different
objects I will deliver to you at the time and place agreed upon,
with a detailed invoice of the same. The approximate amount is
12,500 francs. The expenses of the steamer that shall carry these
objects will be over and above, and will be paid by Captain James
B., for it is impossible to foresee them actually. I cannot give you
the exact amount, owing to the fact that several items are still in
hand in fulfilment of your last orders. The lengthening by two feet
two inches and three quarters (2 ft. 28/4 inches) of the objects mentioned in your letter of the
12th instant, will in nowise delay their delivery at the time
mentioned.
I have received yours of the 16th instant. Nevertheless I enclose,
for better explanations,
(The thread of the screw is precisely similar to that of the fuze I
received from you.)
the sketch of the fuzes I am making for you. I have just heard that
it is of physical impossibility to get the hide-rope before twenty
days. I did not hesitate, however, to order it, in case some cause
or other should delay your departure.
I remain, captain, very respectfully, yours,
Captain Morris,C. S.
N., Brest.
[Page 58]
Mr. Senac to Mr. Taylor
Paris,
September 18, 1863.
Dear Sir: On the opposite side of this
sheet you have a memorandum of money advanced to the men belonging
to the Florida, who were attached to the Lapwing.
As I have no means of getting the proper vouchers for this money,
please forward me a certificate that the amounts have been checked
against their respective accounts. It will be easy for you to
procure vouchers from them, for that portion of the money paid for
their board and traveling expenses, when it would be impossible for
me to do it.
Very truly, yours,
[Account with seamen of the Florida.]
Sum of money paid crew of
Lapwing.
| John Rose |
Pre pay |
$84 00 |
|
|
Per board |
21 75 |
|
|
Per travelling expenses |
25 00 |
|
|
$130 75 |
| James Hawthorn |
Pre pay |
54 00 |
|
|
Per board |
21 75 |
|
|
Per travelling expenses |
25 00 |
|
|
100 75 |
| Thomas F. Brown |
Pre pay |
54 00 |
|
|
Per board |
21 75 |
|
|
Per travelling expenses |
25 00 |
|
|
100 75 |
| William Wilson |
Pre pay |
54 00 |
|
|
Per board |
21 75 |
|
|
Per travelling expenses |
25 00 |
|
|
100 75 |
| James McDonald |
Pre pay |
54 00 |
|
|
Per board |
21 75 |
|
|
Per travelling expenses |
25 00 |
|
|
100 75 |
| J.W. McDonald |
Pre pay |
54 00 |
|
|
Per board |
10 00 |
|
|
Per travelling expenses |
25 00 |
|
|
89 50 |
|
|
|
623 25 |
The above men were furnished by my agents, Jones & Co., of
Liverpool, who held the receipts of the men for the above
amounts.
F. SENAC. Whole amount paid, $73 21 and $19 40.
To Huolle, due by department for transportation, $19 40.
Liverpool,
September 10, 1865.
We, the undersigned, have each received from Messrs. Jones &
Co. the sums against which our names are respectively placed.
Any surplus of the five pounds for travelling expenses to Brest
to be placed against our wages account.
Wages—each
three months—and boarding expenses,
to Brest.
[Exchange at four shilings. ]
| 10 16 0 |
3 months |
$23 |
per m., |
47 |
–6Wk. & |
1.5 day |
John Ross |
| 10 16 0 |
“ |
$22 |
“ |
47 |
|
5 |
Jas. Hawthorne |
| 10 16 0 |
“ |
$22 |
“ |
47 |
|
5 |
Thos. F. Brown |
| 10 16 0 |
“ |
$22 |
“ |
47 |
|
5 |
William Wilson. |
| 10 16 0 |
“ |
$22 |
“ |
47 |
|
5 |
his
Jas. + McDonald.
mark.
|
| 10 16 0 |
“ |
$22 |
“ |
47 |
–3 “ |
5 |
J.W. McDonald. |
[Page 59]
| From September 11 to September 14 |
6½ |
|
2s. |
| L. to L. |
16 |
9 |
–188 meals |
3 |
| 9 |
0 |
–4,008 Railroad and steam |
1 |
|
2 |
–118 Babbage |
4 |
Fraser, Trenkolm & Co. to
Mr. Barney.
Liverpool,
September 22, 1863.
Dear Sir: We beg to acknowledge the receipt
of your favor of the 18th instant, the contents of which we have
noted, and will have our best attention.
We are informed by Messrs. Fawcett, Preston & Co., the builders
of the engines of the Florida, that the spare machinery to which you
refer was sent to Havre some time ago, and is now lying there
subject to an order for delivery, which they have given to Captain
Bullock. We are also informed by the same parties that they sent a
blower, but they believe it is not the sort required, and they are
now endeavoring to procure a more suitable one.
As regards the engineers, we must await Captain Bullock’s return to
know who the men are. We have requested Messrs. Fawcett, Preston
& Co. to engage two or three good, steady firemen;and as soon as
Captain Bullock arrives, (on the 24th,) we will endeavor to have
engineers, firemen, and machinery sent to you, and by the route you
suggest.
We are, dear sir, yours, faithfully,
