Mr. Adams to Mr.
Hunter
No. 983.]
Legation of the United States,
London,
June 8, 1865.
Sir: I transmit herewith a copy of the London
Gazette of the 6th, containing Lord Russell’s note to the lords
commissioners of the admiralty of the 2d instant, announcing the
withdrawal of the recognition of belligerency. This is in accordance
with the report of it, which I gave in my No. 977 of 2d of June,
detailing the substance of my conversation with his lordship on that
day. This course appears to have been concurrently adopted by the French
government.
Thus is at last removed the grave cause of remonstrance commenced on the
day of my very first conference with his lordship, in May, 1861, and
persevered in at brief intervals, through the intervening period of four
years. Precipitate and extraordinary as was the original act, the same
characteristic has not attended the withdrawal. Possibly, even at this
late moment, absolute consistency might have demanded a little further
delay on account of the declared blockade yet continued on the coast of
Texas. But inasmuch as the dates give the strongest reasons for
believing that the original step was determined upon even prior to the
first declaration of blockade, which has since been assigned as the
justifying cause, the inconsistency is not more marked at the end than
it was at the outset.
Inasmuch as the discussion of the claims for reparation occasioned by the
war has now been pretty much exhausted on both sides, it may be
reasonably expected that the labors of this legation will henceforth be
considerably lightened. Upon this result I congratulate the department,
upon which, of course, the whole of the direction involving a greater
share of work necessarily devolves. Hereafter it would seem as if, at
least on this side, little beyond ordinary discretion will be required
to continue the relations between the two countries on a tolerably
satisfactory footing.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
William Hunter, Esq., Acting Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
[From the
London Gazette of June 6,
1865.]
Copy of a letter from Earl Russell to the Lords Commissioners of
the Admiralty.
Foreign Office,
June 2, 1865.
My Lords: I have the honor to state to your
lordships, that since the date of my letter of the 11th ultimo
intelligence has reached this country that the late President of the
so-called Confederate States has been captured by the military
forces of the United States, and has been transported as a prisoner
to Fort Monroe, and that the armies hitherto kept in the field by
the Confederate States have for the most part surrendered or
dispersed.
In this posture of affairs her Majesty’s government are of opinion
that neutral nations cannot but consider the civil war in North
America as at an end.
In conformity with this opinion, her Majesty’s government recognize
that peace has been restored within the whole territory of which the
United States of North America before the commencement of the civil
war were in undisturbed possession.
As a necessary consequence of such recognition on the part of her
Majesty’s government, her Majesty’s several authorities in all
ports, harbors, and waters belonging to her Majesty, whether in the
United Kingdom or beyond the seas, must henceforth refuse permission
to any
[Page 402]
vessel-of-war
carrying a confederate flag to enter any such ports, harbors, and
waters; and must require any confederate vessels-of-war which, at
the time when these orders reach her Majesty’s authorities in such
ports, harbors, and waters, may have already entered therein on the
faith of proclamations heretofore issued by her Majesty, and which,
having complied with the provisions of such proclamations, may be
actually within such ports, harbors, and waters, forthwith to depart
from them.
But her Majesty’s government consider that a due regard for national
good faith and honor requires that her Majesty’s authorities should
be instructed, as regards any such confederate vessels so departing,
that they should have the benefit of the prohibition heretofore
enforced against pursuit of them within twenty-four hours by a
cruiser of the United States lying at the time within any such
ports, harbors, and waters, and that such prohibition should be then
and for the last time maintained in their favor.
If, however, the commander of any confederate vessel-of-war which may
be found in any port, harbor, or waters of her Majesty’s dominions
at the time these new orders are received by her Majesty’s
authorities, or may enter such port, harbor, or waters within a
month after these new orders are received, should wish to divest his
vessel of her warlike character, and, after disarming her, to remain
without a confederate flag within British waters, her Majesty’s
authorities may allow the commander of such vessel to do so at his
own risk in all respects, in which case he should be distinctly
apprised that he is to expect no further protection from her
Majesty’s government, except such as he may be entitled to in the
ordinary course of the administration of the law in time of
peace.
The rule as to twenty-four hours would, of course, not be applicable
to the case of such vessel.
I have addressed a similar letter to the secretary of state for the
home, colonial, India, and war offices, and also to the lords
commissioners of her Majesty’s treasury, requesting them, as I do
your lordships, to issue instructions in conformity with the
decision of her Majesty’s government to the several British
authorities at home or abroad who may be called upon to act in the
matter.
I am, &c,
Note.—A similar letter was addressed to
the secretaries of state for the home, colonial, war, and India
departments, and to the lords commissioners of her Majesty’s
treasury.
