Mr. Adams to Mr. Hunter
Sir: On the 5th instant I received notice from Captain Britton, the consul at Southampton, that the notorious steamer Rappahannock; so long confined at Calais, had suddenly made its appearance at that place in the guise of a British [Page 416] steamer called the Beatrice. On learning this, I caused the information to be sent to Captain Walke, of the Sacramento, and accompanied it with a copy of Mr. Seward’s published note to Sir Frederick Bruce, of the 19th of June, as a guide to regulate his action.
On the 9th I obtained intelligence from the consul at Liverpool that the steamer had succeeded in getting to that port. Likewise that a considerable quantity of cotton had arrived in another steamer from Havana, which there was strong reason to believe belonged to the late rebel authorities at Richmond.
On the 10th Captain Walke wrote to me, making a report of his proceedings in respect to the Beatrice. It appears that he had succeeded in identifying her while on her passage from Southampton to Liverpool, but in a situation so undeniably within the limits of the British jurisdiction that he did not deem it prudent to interpose.
I replied to Captain Walke, approving of his caution, and at the same time advising him to be on the watch to seize the vessel, if he could be sure of her identity, should she appear anywhere on the high seas. But I did not omit to add a caution about venturing upon the exercise of any right of search in his pursuit.
Meanwhile I thought it best to send instructions to the consul at Liverpool to take the best professional advice as to the practicability of entering a preliminary proceeding against this property under the regular forms of law. I have reason to believe that the law officers of the Crown had expressed an opinion to the government that any such property found in British ports after a certain time might be subject to claim by the United States. Yet not finding myself vested with any express authority to go to that extent, I have preferred not to commit the government at this time further than to propose that such proceedings should be commenced as might avail to attach the property, and place it in a secure position until specific instructions could be received from Washington The consul has apprised me that the necessary steps have been taken to obtain advice, but the result has not yet come to hand. I trust that, so far as I have gone, my action will not be disapproved.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
William Hunter, Esq., Acting Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.