Mr. Seward to Mr. Adams
Sir: I transmit a copy of a telegram of the 21st instant, addressed by James Gamble, esq., of San Francisco, to the Acting Assistant Secretary of War, in regard to the destruction by the pirate Shenandoah, in the sea of Okotsch, of ten whaling vessels belonging to citizens of the United States.
Referring to the various communications which have passed between us upon this subject, I need not reiterate what you so well understand, that in view of [Page 432] the origin, equipment, and manning of the Shenandoah, or Sea King, this government claims that we justly look to Great Britain for indemnification to our citizens for all losses occasioned to them by the depredations of that vessel. You are, however, expected to exercise your discretion as to the expediency of any present additional representations to the British government on the subject, in advance of the memorials and documentary proofs which may be expected from the parties who have sustained these new losses.
Although the report communicated to you in my No. 1171, to the effect that it was the notorious Semmes who had taken command of the Shenandoah was incorrect; the statement, in other respects, is believed to have been substantially true, and to have been strongly corroborated by the accompaniments to my No. 1250, and by the declarations of Pratt and Green, transmitted to you with Mr. Hunter’s communication of the 8th of May last, No. 1398.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Charles Francis Adams, Esq., &c., &c., &c.