Papers Relating to Foreign Affairs, Accompanying the Annual Message of the President to the First Session Thirty-ninth Congress
Mr. Adams to Mr. Seward
Sir: Acting under the directions contained in despatch from the department, No. 1456, of the 21st of June, I have obtained through the agency of Mr. Morse, the consul at this place, certain depositions further to show the part taken by the steamer City of Richmond in supplying the steamer Olinde, alias Stonewall, with equipment and crew. Mr. Morse informs me that he has not been able yet to obtain any further evidence from the parties heretofore furnishing testimony, which seems to have been the wish of the government. He is, however, on the watch to find them, and whenever he succeeds he will endeavor to procure it.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, &c., &c., &c.
[Enclosures.]
1. Mr. Morse to Mr. Adams, July 13, 1865.
2. Deposition of George Hall,(originally,) January 28, 1865.
3. Deposition of Janies Davis, (originally,) March 13, 1865.
4. Deposition of William Hall, (originally,) March 14, 1865.
5. Deposition of Thomas Gibson, (originally,) April 4, 1865.
6. Discharge of T. Gibson from rebel service.
7. Deposition of John Morgan, (originally,) June 5, 1865.
Mr. Morse to Mr. Adams
Sir: In compliance with your request of this day’s date, I herewith enclose five affidavits, all of which have some connexion with the steamer City of Richmond, when she left this port as a supply ship to the rebel ram Stonewall.
The depositions of William Hall and James Davis are quite full and explicit as to the transfer of powder, shot, shell and rifles, and heavy cases, as well as provisions, from the City of Richmond to the ram Stonewall, at Belle Isle, coast of France.
The deposition of John Morgan shows that a Colonel Krenshaw, said to have been of the rebel army, appeared to control the City of Richmond, which favors the belief that she was really a rebel vessel. I have parties in search of the six men, a copy of whose affidavits you caused to be sent to me yesterday. If the men can be found, and the information you request obtained, it shall be forwarded to you without delay. You will notice by the depositions herewith enclosed, that they were taken some weeks ago. I did not send them to you before, because I expected further information on the subject, and to materially strengthen the case by additional affidavits.
I have obtained several affidavits in reference to the privateer Shenandoah, which, with some remarks concerning rebel maritime operations in this country, I intend to send to you in a few days.
I remain, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. Charles Francis Adams, United States Minister.
[Enclosure No. 2.]
I, George Hall, of Stocktown-on-Tees, England, do solemnly and sincerely swear, that I, being an ordinary seaman in the ship Ellen, of Sunderland, was sent on shore to make a warp fast to the steamboat having hold of her; when I let go the warp I ran down to the dock gate to try and get on board of my ship, but could not. I then went to the British consul in Dunkirk, and asked him to send me home to my own country, but he would not. I then travelled to Calais; when I arrived there I went to the British consul and asked him to send me home; this he refused to do. I then went down to the dock and asked the captain of the Aid, of Sunderland, if he would give me a passage; he said he would not. Shortly after, I was walking up and down the quay, where the Rappahannock was lying, and an officer came ashore from her and asked me what I was doing, and where I had been. As soon as I answered him, he said “I had better go on board his ship;” I said “No, not without I like.” He immediately replied. “If you do not come you will be made;” so I thought it would be better to go voluntarily; I did so, but at the time I did not know what nation she belonged to. The officer when he came to me was in plain clothes. I was then sent on the forecastle, and a watch was placed over me. I was afterwards examined by the doctor, and then sent to the captain’s cabin. The articles of war were read over to me (it was then I discovered what the ship was) by the first lieutenant, Mr. Miller, to the effect that I was to engage for three years to serve in the confederate navy, to sink, burn; and destroy all American merchant shipping. I was engaged as landsman and fireman. To receive £4 6s. 8d. per month, and as soon as I went to sea I was to get £10 bounty. I had to swear on the holy bible that I would serve on these conditions. I was not long on board before I was anxious to get away, owing to the cruel treatment practiced on the crew. I was placed in irons for one month for being a federal spy; I was innocent of the charge. About five weeks ago, Mr. John Early, known by the name of Captain Early, and who keeps a tobacconist shop in London, brought some men on board; two of them were Spaniards, and had been lodging with him (Mr. Early) for a week. Mr. Miller paid him two months advance for. each of these men, which he kept. They both broke out of irons last Friday week, and deserted from the ship. Mr. Early kept the money for the men’s keep while in London, and for expenses. About two weeks after, Mr. Early brought some more men; one of them had been serving in the Florida. The paymaster paid Mr. Early these men’s advance, which he also kept for their keep and expenses. On last Monday week Mr. Early also brought on board a man by the name of Gibson; this man was paid off from the Florida, in London, and with others was brought on board by Mr. Early also. On the 28th December last, Gibson and others were sent to London a day or two after, and were to have gone in the City of Richmond, steamer. Gibson missed his passage, and it was then, on last Monday week, Mr. Early brought him back to the Rappahannock; as before stated, he was paid two months in advance, and Mr. Early kept the money. When he took Gibson on board there were no officers to be seen, and Early stopped in Calais that night, and it was on the following day he drew Gibson’s money. The night Mr. Early stopped in Calais I met him on shore, and he begged of me never to mention that I had seen him there. William Anderson was shipped and brought on board about four months ago as ward room steward. He was not long on board before he was accused of being a northern spy, and was kept in irons a fortnight; when released he was told that should he be caught speaking to any northerners, he would be kept in irons with a watch over him until the ship got out to sea; he would then be hung up to the yard-arm and fired at like a dog. Early also received and kept his advance money.
On Tuesday night, the 10th January, eighty-two men left the Rappahannock. Twenty-one men’s names were called and told off to go to Dover; twenty-one more were told off to join a blockade runner in London, and forty men were to go in the Velocity. The hammocks were piped up and the men’s names were called out about 11 o’clock; their bags were put on shore and placed in three carts. The men were told that they had to go on board the Velocity, and that they would be put on board a steam-tug, and then on board the City of Richmond, lying in the river Thames; they were to keep everything as quiet as possible, as they were going on a very particular service. Two officers were on deck with loaded pistols, and they threatened to blow any man’s brains out that should attempt to escape. The advances for the seaman brought by Mr. Early were paid to him in my presence, and he always signed a paper for them.
Sworn by the deponent at my office, No. 14 Cornhill, in the city of London, this 28th day of January, 1865, before me.
JNO. CASTLE GENET, A London Commissioner to administer oaths in chancery,
[Enclosure No. 3.]
I, James Davis, of London, England, stoker, do hereby solemnly and sincerely swear, that I was shipped on board the ship City of Richmond, of London, in the early part of January [Page 426] last, (I was not shipped at a shipping’ office,) and acted as one of the stokers. She left the Victoria dock on Tuesday, the 7th January, and dropped down to Greenhithe, and between that date and the 10th of January she received on board over three hundred barrels of powder, and some boxes which appeared to be shot; they were heavy; and there were also some very heavy barrels taken on board; they contained shot; these were all taken on board during the night, after all lights had been put out on board, generally between half past ten and half past eleven. On the 10th January we left Greenhithe after receiving on board about, one hundred men; part of these men came from London, and were brought; on board by a man named John Early; I distinctly heard the men say that John Early brought them down;. the remainder came alongside from boats which had brought them from the Calais steamer. After they had got on board we weighed anchor and went away, leaving two boat-loads of men which the captain would not wait for, as he had news that he was being looked after, and thought it would be too hot for him; we then steamed to Cherbourg, and staid there some days. I believe he had orders to go, as he would not be allowed to remain there; we went away from there to Nantes, and from there to Belle Isle, and dropped anchor there. The following day a small screw steamer hove in sight, and asked us where from, and what was our cargo. The captain answered, “Machinery from London;” on receiving this answer she steamed away. Two days after this the ram Stonewall came alongside, and a confederate, Captain Davis, went on board of her and arranged to receive Cargo from the City of Richmond. The next day the hatches were open, and the powder, boxes of shot, and cases, which I was informed were Minnie rifles, were put on board the Stonewall: there were also barrels of beef, pork, and other provisions put on board. After that we had put all of the stores that were intended for the Stonewall on board, the captain of the City of Richmond issued orders to all the men, that if any of them wished to volunteer to go on board the Stonewall they were at liberty to join her, but must leave the ship as deserters. The carpenter, the fourth engineer, and a steward joined her; and the chief engineer of the Stonewall came to me and wanted me to go as boiler-maker in her, and he offered me £9 a month to join her, but I would not go; he further offered me one month’s advance and £18 bounty and promised to send my wife a half-pay note as soon as we arrived at Bermuda; but I would not go. After we had completed our delivery to the Stonewall, and hearing that some federal men-of-war were in the neighborhood, we hove up anchor and went away, the Stonewall keeping company with us for a day and night, and then we parted; we went then right to Maderia. On arrival there, and as I went on shore without leave, the captain took me and three others before the British consul for coming ashore without leave on Sunday to go to church: the consul threatened to discharge me, and did discharge me against my will; I told him I would see into it as soon as I got home. The captain had previously said we should be discharged at the first port we came to, because we refused to join the Stonewall. We also told the consul that the ship was filled with contraband of war, but he would not listen to us. From there we were sent to Lisbon by Blendy & Co., and when we arrived at Lisbon I then told the consul how we had been discharged, and he said it was illegal. From there we were sent by the same people to Southampton in the mail boat. I did not sign the shipping articles of the City of Richmond until I arrived at Cherbourg; there were four lieutenants, two engineers, a sergeant of marines, and boatswain in the confederate service as well as about one hundred men, all passengers, and who went on board the Stonewall.
Sworn by the deponent at my office, No. 14 Cornhill, in the city of London, this 13th day of March, 1865, before me.
JNO. CASTLE GANT, A London Commissioner to administer oaths in chancery,
[Enclosure No. 4.]
Affidavit, &c.
I, William Hall, of Dover, Kent, England, fireman, do hereby solemnly and sincerely swear, that I was shipped from Tower Hill shipping office as stoker for the steamship City of Richmond. I signed articles there to serve for a period not exceeding four months on a voyage to the West Indies, or the east coast of North America. She left Victoria dock on Tuesday the 7th January, and dropped down to Greenhithe, and between that date and the 10th January she received on board about 220 barrels of powder and some boxes, which appeared to be shot. They were very heavy, and there were also some very heavy barrels taken on board; these were all taken on board during the night, from a lighter or sailing barge, after all lights had been put out on board, between half past ten and half past eleven. On the 10th January we left Greenhithe after receiving on board about 100 men, and some confederate officers; part of these men were from Liverpool, and had just been discharged from the Florida, part from the Rappahannock at Calais. They came in the Calais steamer, and [Page 427] the remainder were brought on board by a man named John Early. Some of the men that went down with Early were from the Rappahannock also. After they had got on board we went away, steam and anchor being up ready, leaving two boat-loads of men, which the captain would not wait for, as he had news that some person was watching him. We then steamed to Cherbourg and staid there some days. While there all the stokers met in the stoke-hole and told the engineers that we did not wish to go any further in the ship. The chief engineer said, you have signed articles to go in the ship, and you must remain in her. We did so, but very reluctantly. We thought if we did not do so, having such a mob of men and Officers for the confederates, we would be made, and consequently roughly handled. I told the engineer that owing to the cargo and the men she had on board, they could not by rights compel me to stop, but, unfortunately, I could not help myself then. After remaining in Cherbourg four or five days we steamed away, owing to the captain having received notice to leave the port. We went away from there to Nantes, and from there to Belle Isle, and dropped anchor there. The following day a small screw steamer hove in sight, under French colors, deeply laden, and asked us our name, cargo, and where from, and where bound for. The captain answered, the City of Richmond, from London, with machinery, bound for the West Indies. On receiving this answer, she steamed away. Two days after this the ram Stonewall came alongside, flying the Danish flag, and a confederate captain, Davis, whom I know well, having sailed with him in the Run Her, when she was wrecked at Terceira, and who left London in the City of Richmond, went on board the Stonewall, and arranged to receive cargo from the City of Richmond. At this time the confederate officers and men said, that is the ship that will give the Yankees a doing. This Davis acted the same as captain of the ship from London. The next day the hatches were open and about half of the powder, boxes of shot, cases of rifles, boarding grapnels, powder magazine cases, barrels of beef, pork, other provisions, clothing, and some coals, were put on board. By this time the same small French steamer hove in sight, and went alongside the Stonewall and delivered her cargo to her, and when done took a portion of the crew away that brought the Stonewall to Belle Isle. When we had finished putting all the stores that were intended for the Stonewall on board, Captain Scott, of the City of Richmond, issued orders to all the men, that if any of them wished to volunteer to go on board the Stonewall they were at liberty to join her, but must leave the ship as deserters. The carpenter, the fourth engineer, and a steward joined her. The chief engineer of the Stonewall came to me several times and begged of me to join his ship, offering me seven pounds a month, ten pounds bounty, a month’s advance, and a half-pay note, to be payable at a house in Liverpool, (I believe Messrs. W. G. Crenshaw & Co. I was paid by this firm my wages on my return.) But I would not go. We then heard that some federal men-of-war were in the neighborhood. We hove up anchor and went away, the Stonewall following, but keeping more under the land after leaving the island. She kept a head of us for a day and night, and then we parted. We went then right to Madeira, and arrived on a Saturday. The following day I asked for leave to go ashore, was refused, and told that no one would be allowed to go. As I was anxious to get ashore to inform the British consul what had transpired, with the view of being taken out of the ship and sent to England, (for I did not like the idea of going in her, having still contraband of war on board, ) I called a boat and went ashore. The officer on deck as I was leaving said to me, mind, you are deserting the ship by going without leave. I said I am not going to desert; I will be here to my duty. at six o’clock in the morning. He then told the quartermaster not to allow me on board if I returned. When on shore I was told I could not see the consul. I then returned to my ship at six a. m. on Monday, without being seen, and reported myself for duty. The chief engineer told me I was not to do any more work on board the ship. I went to the captain, who said I will discharge you to-day if I can. He then took me with three others ashore to the British consul. I and two others who went ashore together on the Sunday were charged by Captain Scott with deserting from the ship, stating that for that reason he wished to discharge us. The consul said we should have to take our discharges. I then said to the captain, before the consul, it is not for that you are discharging me; it is because I would not join that confederate privateer ram. The captain answered that he knew nothing of privateers; that he had put some cargo on board a vessel flying the Danish flag,’ also some passengers. The consul then spoke up and said, you fancy you have got the captain up in a corner. If I was to listen to all that is told me about privateers, I would have enough to do. The consul was told By James Davis, mind, sir, we are Englishmen; you here represent our government; that ship has contraband of war on board, and for the confederates, and we will seek redress when we get home. I then told the consul that I would try and obtain satisfaction also. He then ordered us out of his office like dogs, and told us to wait till we were called. In about twenty minutes the consul called us into his office, and said, here you are; here is your discharges, and you had better take them now, for the ship will only be like a hell to you, if you go in her. He then gave us our discharges, and said your wages and expenses will be paid by the owners. We were then taken to an inn, and sent by Blundey & Co. to Lisbon. When we arrived there we went to the British consul and told him how we had been discharged, and he said it was illegal. And from Lisbon we were sent to Southampton by the same firm in the mail boat. The confederate captain, Davis, went to Madeira in the City of Richmond with us, and was on board when we left there; and I believe, and so did the crew, that the cargo then in the City of Richmond was for another confederate privateer. There were some officers, I [Page 428] believe, lieutenants, two enginers, a sergeant of marines, and a boatswain in the confederate service, as well as about one hundred men, all passengers, and who went on board of the Stonewall.
Sworn before me at my office, No. 14 Cornhill, in the city of London, this 14th day of March, 1865. Before me,
JOHN CASTLE GANT, A London Commissioner to administer oaths in chancery.
[Enclosure No. 5.]
I, Thomas Gibson, of Newcastle, England, fireman, do solemnly and sincerely swear, that I with others was discharged and on leave in London from the Confederate States steamer Florida, and about the 10th of January last our leave having expired, we were all collected together. Some were lodging with John Early, tobacconist, of High street, Shadwell; the others with different boarding-house keepers about the highways. This John Early, is a shipping master for the confederate service. He, with others whom he employs, when they had collected us together on the above mentioned date, sent us in two lots to the London bridge railway station. Mr. Early took tickets for Greenhithe for about thirty men, and took them on board of an English steamer lying off that place, called the City of Richmond; the remainder were taken by a runner engaged by Mr. Early, by the name of Frederick Waters, in the next train. I was among this lot. When we arrived at Greenhithe we found steam was up and the City of Richmond under way. I and another took a boat and pulled after her, hailing her at the same time. Mr. Early went away in her; she steamed away quite fast, and some one from on board called out to us to go back and return to London. I landed again at Greenhithe. Altogether there were nine of us left behind, and Frederick Waters brought us back to London. About three days after this, all with the exception of myself joined the Rappahannock, at Calais. On the 16th January, I found out that Mr. Early had returned I then went to him. He asked me what had become of the others that were left behind at Greenhithe; I told him. He then asked me if I had money enough to go to Calais and join the Rappahannock; I replied that I had not. He then took me to Calais with as little delay as possible, paying all expenses, and handed me over to the senior officer on board of the Rappahannock. I was paid off, along with about forty others, on Monday, 27th March. Two men were discharged on the Thursday previous and accused of being federal spies. There was only one stoker, two coal-trimmers, one seaman, the master-at-arms, and a steward kept onboard. This sudden discharging of hands surprised us very much, for we all knew that they required as many men as they could get. When we left it was rumored that the ship was going on the gridiron to have her bottom cleaned and overhauled. In the meantime some slight repairs were going on about her engine gear, and when completed she was to sail from Calais. I must here also state, that if Mr. Early had not taken and shipped me on board of the Rappahannock, I would not have gone.
Sworn by the deponent at my office, No. 14 Cornhill, in the city of London, this 4th day of April, 1865. Before me,
JOHN CASTLE GANT, A London Commissioner to administer oaths in chancery.
[Enclosure No. 6.]
This is to certify that Thomas Gibson, coal-heaver, aboard the Confederate States steamer Rappahannock, has this day been paid off, and honorably discharged from the naval service of the Confederate States, and he is entitled to a share of any prize money due the Confederate States steamer Florida for captures made between the 28th day of June, 1864, and the 7th day of October, 1864.
DOUGLAS F. FORREST, Assistant Paymaster, Confederate States Navy.
CHARLES M. FAUNTLEROY, Lieutenant Commanding, Confederate States Navy.
Age, 28 years; height, 5 feet 10 inches; complexion, fair, color of eyes, blue; color of hair, light brown; place of birth, Newcastle, England.
Consulate of the United States, London.
I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and faithful copy of the original discharge exhibited to me in this consulate by Thomas Gibson, April 4, 1865.
[Enclosure No. 7.]
I, John Morgan, of Galway, Ireland, but a citizen of the United States of America, and now residing at No. 2 Alsop’s Buildings, Back Road, St. George’s, in the East, London, do solemnly and sincerely swear, that when residing at Nassau, about the latter end of February, or the beginning of March last past, the steamship City of Richmond arrived there. There was at that time a dispute among the crew that shipped in her from London, with respect to promises made to them at Bermuda by the captain that left the port of London with them. The captain at Bermuda was concealed from the crew, and another captain placed on board, but the crew refused to proceed in the ship without him. He was consequently placed on board again and took the ship to Nassau. When he arrived on board he told the crew that they having stood by him, he would make it as good as two round trips in the blockade, which the crew understood to be worth to them about $300 each. On arrival at Nassau a confederate agent, by the name of Colonel Krenshaw, seemed to take all responsibility of the ship; he arranged everything connected with the ship with the customs, and others in authority. The crew were taken on shore and provided with board and lodging; they were paid in the custom-house, and their passage money to send them home to England was also lodged with the custom-house authorities, excepting an engineer and another officer, who both went to New York. A reference to the newspapers at Nassau will corroborate this part of my statement, and, further, this Colonel Krenshaw was the chief agent, assisted by his. rela.-tions for the confederates. He was the person who arranged all matters for the City of Richmond, likewise the Virginia, Florence, Rattlesnake, and the ship afterwards named the Tallahassee. Immediately after the crew were paid off from the City of Richmond, a number of men were employed from on shore to keep the ship, engines, &c, clean, at the rate of one dollar per day and their victuals, but after working fifteen days they were paid at the rate of only $15 per month. She delivered her cargo as follows, then lying in the stream, on board the Emergine, a blockade-runner, bound to Galveston; part of the cargo consisted of telegraph wires and provisions; the remaining portion being packed in cases, and of different sizes, I could not ascertain the contents. I joined the City of Richmond on the 18th May last, with several others, at Nassau, and we signed articles on board the ship in the presence of a Mr. Field, who represented himself as chief officer, as follows: to proceed to any one or more ports in the Atlantic, and from thence to any port in the United Kingdom; no term of time was mentioned. I was induced to join her on account of the extraordinary good wages offered. I agreed as seaman for $40 per month, and to receive a month’s advance; but the advance was not to be paid, as was usual with all blockade-runners, until we had passed the bar. Colonel Krenshaw was on board, and paid me in the captain’s cabin, along with the rest of the crew. From Nassau we went direct to Bermuda, with nothing but coals on board. Our captain, Mr. Henry Holgate, was formerly captain of the blockade-runner Let-Her-Rip, which was captured by federal cruisers; we also took with us from Nassau the chief engineer of the Nashville, his wife and child. He did the duties of chief engineer on board of us during the passage. We had also four other persons of gentlemanly appearance on board as passengers; who they were I cannot say. We stopped at Bermuda three days, and took in coals, and sailed from there to the island of Terceira; coaled again and proceeded to this port. We were all paid off at the Tower Hill shipping office. I must also add, that the City of Richmond hoisted the confederate flag at the fore when at Nassau, and so did all the blockade runners; some of them hoisted the confederate flag at the peak, as well as at the fore, viz: the Coquette, Hattie, Colonel Lamb, Laurel, and the so-called Tallahassee. While I was at Nassau I took captain Maffit and some men from the Tallahassee, who, after running as a privateer, changed her name. These men I put on board the Owl, a blockade-runner. Captain Maffit shipped some more men on shore, and I was given to understand the Owl was going to land her cargo on the Florida coast. When the City of Richmond left England she had her funnels painted white; while away from England they were painted black; and on approaching England they were painted white again; and further, that of the crew that arrived in this port, the second mate only still continues serving on board, and he is engaged to go away in her. I am quite confident, from what I know, personally and otherwise, that the City of Richmond is engaged to continue working for the confederates on a secret service from this port to Havana, thence to Matamoras or Rio Grande. There is now in the Victoria dock a steamer lying head on to the custom-house, who has engaged the crew of the unsuccessful blockade-runner Florence to go in her on the same secret service, to Havana. Colonel Krenshaw came on board of us at Nassau, and we brought him to London with us; he now superintends the managing of the City of Richmond.
JOHN MORGAN.
Sworn before me, at my office, No. 14 Cornhill, in the city of London, this 5th day of June, 1865. Before me,
JOHN CASTLE GANT, A London Commissioner to administer oaths in chancery.
I, James Locker, of Liverpool, England, seaman, do solemnly and sincerely swear that I have read the within statement of John Morgan, and can testify to the truth of all he states.
JAMES LOCKER
[Page 430]Sworn before me, at my office, Ho. 14 Cornhill, in the city of London, this 5th June 1865. Before me,
JOHN CASTLE GANT, A London Commissioner to administer oaths in chancery
I, Charles Ellys, of Galway, Ireland, do solemnly and sincerely swear that I shipped in the City of Richmond on the 18th May last, and can testify to the truth of John Morgan’s statement from that date.
CHARLES ELLYS.