Mr. Seward to Mr. Adams
Sir: I am informed by a despatch of the 5th instant, No. 502, from the United States consul at Liverpool, that the rebel steamer Rappahannock, alias the Beatrice, at last accounts, was at Southampton taking in coals, and that she was bound for Liverpool. This information he states he telegraphed to you. It appears that upon the arrival of the Rappahannock, alias the Beatrice, at Liverpool, there will be four insurgent vessels at that port, namely, the Rappahannock, the Suinter, the Tallahassee, and the Ajax. The consul further informs me that he has engaged a person to watch their movements.
In my No. 1454 I enclosed to you a copy of the despatch of the 2d of June, from Earl Russell to Sir Frederick Bruce, and of my note to Sir Frederick, in reply, of the 9th of the same month, upon the subject of the withdrawal of belligerent rights by Great Britain from the insurgents. In that reply you will have found, and I hope to hear that you have been guided by the views of this government, in regard to the disposition to be made of a certain class of vessels found in British ports.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Charles Francis Adams, Esq.,&c., &c., &c.