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: In connexion with the directions contained in your despatch No. 1456, I have the honor to transmit copies of depositions furnished to me by Mr. Morse, the consul at this place, relating to the subject therein referred to.
I have decided to retain the originals, in view of the possibility that they may be of some use in the incidental supply of evidence to counsel in the litigation now going on.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward], Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
[Enclosures.]
1. Depositions of John Ellison and John Allen, November 4, 1864.
2. Depositions of Jon Jackson and others, November 4, 1864.
3 Depositions of William Smith and John Fisher, November 15, 1864.
4. Depositions of William Harris, Michael Hurley, &c, November 19, 1864.
5. Deposition of James Scutcher, November 26, 1864.
6. Leave of absence to J. Gibson, from the Rappahannock, December 1, 1864,
7. Deposition of T. Gibson, December 22, 1864.
8. Deposition of William Young, December 22, 1864.
9. Robert Nuthall’s power of attorney for his pay to his family, approved by the captain of the Rappahannock.
[Enclosure No. 1.]
We, John Ellison, of London, and John Allan, of Greenock, Scotland, do solemnly and sincerely swear, that we were shipped at Green’s Sailors’ House on the 5th of October last as able seamen, for the screw steamship Sea King, of London, Corbett, master, for a voyage to Bombay or any part of the Indian ocean, China seas or Japan, for a term not to exceed two years. We left the East India docks on the 8th of October, and when below Gravesend we ran into a smack. We went down channel under steam and sail, and when off Landsend the screw was lifted, and she was put under reefed canvas; it soon became whispered among the crew that the ship could not be intended for Bombay, as she was going under easy canvas with such a fine wind. Before reaching Madeira, the boatswain had orders if a steamer appeard in sight to let go everything fore-and-aft; this was said to appearer, Ellison. On the 18th of October we signalled steamers (two) in the Funchal Roads. One, which prove to be the Laurel, came out to us rolling very heavily. After signalling, both ships steamed and sailed to a little island about thirty-five miles distant from Madeira. The Laurel came to anchor, and the Sea King, after taking in her canvas, anchored also In a short time the Laurel came alongside of us, and Captain Corbett ordered the crew to rig the purchases to the port main-yard, preventer-lifts, &c, to transfer stores, &c, from the Laurel into his ship, so as to lift the weight of three tons. The stores consisted of guns, shot, shell, powder, small-arms and general stores. On the following morning we were all called aft, and Captain Corbett said he had sold the ship, and pointed to a gentleman standing by his side as the present captain. We were offered from ten to twenty pounds bounty, with fourteen pounds a month wages, and two months’ advance—with more money to send home, if we would stop by as gunner’s mates. We refused positively, and informed them that we belonged to the royal navy, and although pressed to stop, we still refused, stating, we would not desert our flag to serve any other country. We were then put on board the Laurel and taken to Santa Cruz, Teneriffe, on the 20th of October. We were put on shore on the 22d of October, and were told by the chief mate and Captain Corbett, that if any question were asked about us, you must state that you are distressed seamen, and that your ship, Sea King, was lost at sea, and state the same to the British consul, if asked. We were taken to the Hotel de la Marina; but no accommodation being provided there, and after application to the captain could get no satisfaction, so we went to the British consul and took our oaths. The consul said, you are reported by the captain to me as distressed seamen. We afterwards went on board the Calabar, mail steamer, as deck passengers, and came to Liverpool. There was no communication between the two ships but by signals until after we had anchored at the island with the Laurel. When Captain Ramsay came on board of us in a boat, he said he would be alongside in half an hour with the stores and guns. No negotiations were made for the sale of the vessel until after the confederate flag was hoisted on boa a the Sea King, and we left the ship.
JOHN ELLISON, Royal Naval Volunteers, No. 18356.
Sworn by the deponent, John Ellison, at my office, No. 37 Nicholas Lane, in the city of London, this 24th day of November, 1864, before me.
JOHN CASTLE GANT.
his
JOHN × ALLAN,
mark.
Royal Naval Volunteers, No. 950.
Witness to the mark of John Allan, Joshua Mum.
Sworn by the deponent, John Allan, at my office, No. 37 Nicholas Lane, in the city of London, this 24th day of November, 1864; the witness to the mark of the deponent being first sworn, that he had truly, distinctly and audibly read over the contents of the above affidavit of the said deponent, and that he saw him make his mark thereto, before me.
[Enclosure No. 2.]
We, John Jackson of Sheerness, Kent; William Joyce, of Stepney; John Webster, of Hertford; Alfred Hill, of Poplar, firemen, do truly and solemnly swear that we were shipped at Green’s Sailors’ Home on the 6th of October last, for the ship Sea King, (screw steamer,) for a voyage to Bombay, or any port in the Indian ocean, China seas, or Japan, for a term not exceeding two years; and I, Peter Tow, of Rotherdam, sailmaker, do likewise solemnly swear that I was shipped at Green’s Sailors’ Home, on the 7th of October, for the said ship Sea King, and for the voyage stated above. We left the East India docks on the 8th of October, and when below Gravesend she ran into a smack; we went down the channel under steam and sail. When off Landsend the screw was lifted, and she went under reefed canvas. On the 18th of October a fore-and-aft steamer was signalled off the fort of Maderia; she came to us rolling very heavily; we then steamed with the Laurel (the steamer we had signalled) to Deserters’ island, about thirty-five miles distant, and took stores from her on board the Sea King, which consisted of guns, shot, shell, ammunition cases, &c. We were all called aft, and Corbett, the captain, told us he had sold the ship, and asked us to join her, as she was a confederate ship-of-war, and offered us from £10 to £18 bounty, with high wages and two months’ advance to remain by her; we all refused, not wishing to serve under the confederate flag, as we had signed articles for Bombay; we were then put on board the Laurel and taken to Teneriffe: we were told to say, if any questions were asked, that we were distressed seamen and had lost our ship, the Sea King, at sea; we were taken to a boarding-house, and in consequence of bad treatment went to the British consul, who sent us home in the mail steamer Calabar, for Liverpool; At the request of the agents, Captain Corbett coming with us and stating he was a prisoner, we arrived in Liverpool and received three months’ extra wages.
his
JOHN × JACKSON.
mark.
his
WILLIAM × JOYCE.
mark.
Sworn to by the deponents, John Jackson and William Joyce, at my office, No. 37 Nicholas Lane, in the city of London, this the 4th day of November, 1864’; the witness to the marks of the deponents being first sworn, that he had truly and distinctly and audibly read over the contents of the above affidavit of the said deponents, and that he saw them make their marks respectively thereto, before me.
JOHN CASTLE GANT, A London Commissioner &c.
Witness to the marks of John Jackson and William Joyce— Jona Mum
JOHN WEBSTER.
ALFRED HILL.
PETER TOW.
Sworn by the deponents, John Webster, Alfred Hill, and Peter Tow, at my office, No. 37 Nicholas Lane, in the city of London, the 24th day of November, 1864, before me.
[Enclosure No. 3. ]
We, William Smith and John Fisher, both of Great Britain, do solemnly and sincerely swear that we were engaged as able seamen for a ship lying in the East India docks, called the Sea King, on the 6th of October last past, by Captain Corbett, the captain of the ship, at the home called Green’s Sailors’ Home; we signed articles to go from here to Bombay, or any port in the Chinese seas or British colonies, for a term not exceeding two years. We sailed from here on the 8th of October, and were taken to Madeira; we signalled, off Lands-end, to a steamship, bark-rigged; signals were exchanged, and we then lay off to Madeira; we then signalled again, as we thought, ashore, it being then very thick, but a steamer lying under the fort, fore-and-aft rigged, came out; her name was the Laurel; she steered her course, and we followed her to an island—no house on it; we then commenced taking into us the cargo the Laurel carried, viz: shot, shell, grape, canister, powder, muskets, pistols, eutlasses, tomahawks, cannons, eight in number, large, and two small gun-carriages for them, also a quantity of coals. When the Laurel’s cargo was discharged, a number of officers and men then Went on board the Sea King, and our mate then asked us all if we would join the Sea King: that she Was a confederate ship-of-War, the captain having previously called the crew together and told them he had sold the ship; that she was now a confederate war ship, and that her name was the Shenandoah; “Those men that do not [Page 438] wish to join the Shenandoah must come with me in the Laurel, and I will see you all righted.” There were only four hands that went out in the Sea King remained in her. Captain Corbett and the remainder of the crew that signed articles in the Sea King in London went in the Laurel, and we were taken to Teneriffe; we were taken ashore two days after anchoring, and during those two days the Laurel filled up with coals and steamed away as soon as we landed. We remained in Teneriffe ten days, and came home in the Calabar, mail boat; our expenses and a deck passage were paid; the captain of the Calabar sent on shore to say he could not accommodate us, but the English consul there said he must take us, and we were to manage the best way we could, and seat Captain Corbett on board a prisoner. We arrived at Liverpool last Friday morning; the captain then went ashore along with the captain and purser of the Calabar, and we did not see anything more of him afterwards; butin a short time it was reported that the owners of the Sea King would visit us in about one hour and a half; they did not come, but the mate and steward, on Friday evening, came to us and said, “The owners say you can have three months’ pay or let it alone, just as you please.” At eleven o’clock on Saturday morning we went to the shipping office and there received our notes and discharges; we then came up to London.
WILLIAM SMITH.
Sworn by the deponent, William Smith, at my office, No. 37 Nicholas Lane, in the city of London, this 15th day of November, 1864, before me.
JOHN CASTLE GANT, A London Commissioner to administer oaths in chancery,
his
JOHN + FISHER.
mark.
Witness:
Robert Warne.
Sworn by the deponent, John Fisher, at my office, No. 37 Nicholas Lane, in the city o London, this the 15th day of November, 1864; the witness to the mark of the deponent being first sworn that he had truly, distinctly, and audibly read over the contents of the above affidavit of the said deponent, and that he saw him make his mark thereto, before me.
[Enclosure No. 4. ]
We, Michael Hurley, of Banden, county Cork, Ireland, coal trimmer, and Robert Savage, of Liverpool, England, able seaman, do solemnly and sincerely swear that we were engaged by Captain Corbett, of the Sea King, of London, at Green’s Sailors’ Home, on the 6th October, for a voyage to Bombay, or any port in the Indian ocean, China seas, or Japan, for a term not exceeding two years, as stated in the accompanying affidavit of William Harris, marked A, and now produced and shown to us, and which has been read over to us, and we swear the same to be true and correct.
MICHAEL HURLEY.
Sworn by the deponent, Michael Hurley, at my office, No. 37 Nicholas lane, in the city of London, this the 23d day of November, 1864, before me.
JOHN CASTLE GANT, A London Commissioner to administer oaths in chancery,
his
ROBERT × SAVAGE.
mark.
Witness:
Robert Warne.
Sworn by the deponent, Robert Savage, at my office, No. 37 Nicholas lane, in the city of, London, this the 23d day of November, 1864, the witness to the mark of the deponent being first sworn that he had truly, distinctly, and audibly read over the contents of the above and accompanying affidavit of William Harris, and that he saw him make his mark thereto, before me.
JNO. CASTLE GANT, A London Commissioner to administer oaths in chancery.
This is the affidavit, marked A, referred to in the affidavit of Michael Hurley and Robert Savage, sworn before me this 23d day of November, 1863.
A.
I, William Harris, of Plymouth, England, do solemnly and sincerely swear that I was engaged by Captain Corbett, of the Sea King, on the 5th October last, as able seaman for the Sea King, at Green’s Sailors’ Home, and signed articles for Bombay, or any port in the Indian ocean, China seas, or Japan, for a term not exceeding two years. The Sea King sailed from here on the 8th October, and when below Gravesend we ran into a smack; the supercargo and the crew wished to stop, but the captain cried out, “Stop for nothing.” This supercargo, I was given to understand, was a relation of Captain Semmes, late of the Alabama. We went down the Channel at the rate of twenty-two knots per hour under steam and canvas, but when off Landsend we took up the screw and went under reefed canvas, as the captain did not wish to get to Madeira until a certain time. The crew then began to murmur; some said they were sure the ship was going privateering, and others that she was going to run the blockade. At the 19th, at 4 o’clock in the morning, we made Madeira, and signalled off the fort; the Laurel (steamer fore-and-aft rigged) came out to us, rolling very heavily; we then noticed a number of men in her, and a number of gentlemen on her quarter-deck with white straw hats on; the crew, then of the Sea King, thought that these men must be part of the Alabama crew; the Laurel steamed about to an island about thirty-five miles distant from Madeira, to S.E. Captain Ramsay, of the Laurel, came on board of us in a boat when off this island and said, “I have some stores for you, some very heavy cases; get your purchases aloft;” Captain Corbett then gave orders to get the gear up as quick as possible, that he wanted the Laurel discharged as soon as possibly could be. The crew then said, Bombay is shifted to Madeira; the captain heard it and went on the bridge laughing, and told the men they would get satisfied after. When the third case came on board the main lift-fall gave way, and the case landed between the sails and ship’s deck; the captain sung out, “For God’s sake don’t lose that piece of metal;” it was a cannon, the bore of which was about eighteen inches; the captain then ordered us aloft to secure the purchase. We took in from the Laurel eight cannon, viz: six large and two small, with their carriages; the guns were called 68-pounders; a quantity of powder, muskets, pistols, shot and shell, Clothing, and a quantity of other stores; everything was packed in cases; also a quantity of coals. We worked from 3 to 11 o’clock that night; we then complained we wanted something to eat, and we proceeded to the forecastle and were getting our supper, when the mate came forward and said, “I now come forward to you to state that the ship is sold to the confederate government, and the confederate commander offers you £10 bounty and £6 per month; you will get two months’ pay for bringing the ship, besides your month’s advance.” We objected to engage on such conditions, and we told the mate that we had signed articles for Bombay, &c, for two years; we said also that we would seek satisfaction before leaving the ship. The mate then returned and said, “I will want you to-morrow at sunrise to finish the remaining part of the cargo; I am only a servant, as well as yourselves;” we agreed to this. When we had finished discharging the Laurel, Captain Corbett then called the men all aft and said, “Men, I have done with you; I have sold the ship to the confederate government.” We then said, “Did we not sign for Bombay; do you call this making a Bombay voyage; did you not know this before you left London ? If we had committed ourselves according to the articles we were liable to three months’ imprisonment.” Captain Corbett answered, “Well, men, I cannot help it. The commander here says he will give you two months’ pay for fetching the ship here, and pay your expenses home.” We objected to this. And he said, “All you men that wish to join the Shenandoah remain; those who do not, go on board the Laurel; I will see you all right, but before you go I will give you all a glass of grog each.” We took it and went on board the Laurel, four only remaining of the crew in the Shenandoah. Our supercargo assumed the rank of first lieutenant and commander, and he asked Captain Corbett to do all he could to get us to join him. He said he did not know what he would do without us, and offered us then £16 bounty and £7 10s. per month; we refused and left in the Laurel, coaled, and we were kept on board the whole time, viz., two days. We were then sent on shore by the last lighter that fetched the coals, and the Laurel steamed away directly; we were taken to an hotel by Captain Corbett, but our food being so bad we complained, and some four of the crew went to the British consul, and, previous to our landing, we were warned by the captain to state that we were distressed seaman; that our ship, the Sea King, had gone down under us; we were satisfied to say this, provided we got proper treatment. The consul said to the men, “I thought you were distressed seamen.” The men Stated their case, and the consul took a statement from them, sent for the captain and asked him if he could deny that; the captain said “No.” We then went into the Calabar mail boat; the captain said he could not accommodate us, but the consul said he must take us, and we were to do the best we could. Captain Corbett was sent on board a prisoner, and the captain of the Calabar treated us very humanely on the passage. We arrived at Liverpool on the 11th instant, and Captain Corbett went ashore with the captain of the Calabar and the purser, and given over to the Board of Trade a prisoner; I saw nothing of him since. A message was sent on board that the owners were coming to see us, but they never appeared. The mate and steward that went with us in the Sea King came down on the Friday evening, and said, “The captain is bailed out and absconded; you won’t see him no more. The owners offer you three months’ pay or let it alone, as you please; so sum it up [Page 440] as quick as possible. I am coming down in the morning with the owner, and will settle up with all those that like to take three months’ money.” I took the three months’ pay, but a number would not, and I came up to London.
[Enclosure No. 5. ]
We, James Schutcher, of Colchester, Essex; John Adair, Donaghadee, Ireland; and John Taylor, of Torquay, Devonshire, do solemnly and sincerely swear that we were shipped at Green’s Sailors’ Home, on the 5th October last, as able seamen for the screw steamship Sea King, of London, Corbett, master, for a voyage to Bombay, or any port in the Indian ocean, China seas, or Japan, for a term not to exceed two years. We left the East India docks on the 8th October, and when below Gravesend we ran into a smack, We went down the channel under steam and sail, and when off Landsend the screw was taken up and she was put under reefed canvas. It soon became talked among the crew that the ship could not be intended for Bombay, as she was going under easy sail with such a fine wind; before reaching Madeira the boatswain had orders if a steamer appeared in sight to let go everything fore and aft. On the 18th October we signalled two steamers in the Funchal roads, one proved to be the Laurel, of Glasgow; she came out to us rolling very heavily; after exchanging signals both ships steamed and sailed to the island of Deserters, between thirty and forty miles distant from Madeira, to the S.E. The Laurel came to anchor, and the Sea King, after taking in her canvas, anchored also; in a short time the Laurel tame alongside of us, and Captain Corbett ordered us to rig the purchases to the port main yard, preventer-lifts, &c, to transfer stores, &c, from the Laurel into his ship, so as to lift the weight of three tons; the cargo consisted of guns, shot, shell, powder, small-arms, clothing, and general stores. That night the mate came forward to us and asked us if there were any of us would join the ship, as she was sold to the confederate government; finding none of us willing, he told us to make up our minds by the morning. On the following morning we began work about half past five, (5,) and when we had finished discharging the Laurel, Captain Corbett called all the crew aft; he was then standing on the quarter-deck, and an officer in confederate naval uniform stood on his right, with two rings on his cuffs. Captain Corbett then said he had sold the ship, and pointed to this gentleman in confederate uniform as the present captain, and her name is now the Shenandoah; we were much dissatisfied, and we gave no answer; but the confederate officer offered us from £10 to £15 bounty, with £6 to £7 10s. per month, and two months’ advance, and he requested Captain Corbett to do what he could to get as many as possible to join him. Captain Corbett then said those that wish to remain in the Shenandoah stop, the others go on board the Laurel; we did so; only four remaining on board the Shenandoah; the crew or rather a number of men and officers then went into the Shenandoah; this was about 12 o’clock; in all, there were not more than from thirty to forty, and certainly. not more than twenty able seamen among them, the remainder being principally officers. The confederate flag was hoisted about 4 o’clock p. m., and the Laurel then took us to Santa Cruz, Teneriffe; we arrived on the 20th October, and were kept on board till the Laurel had finished coaling, and sent ashore in the last coal barge that left the Laurel. On the 20th October we were then told by the mate, and afterwards the captain, that if any question should be asked us, to say we were distressed seamen, and state the same to the British consul if asked. We were then taken to the Hotel de la Mariner, but no proper provision being made for us, and after complaining to the captain without getting satisfaction, four of our crew went to the British consul and stated our case; he took their statement on oath; we were then placed on board the Calabar mail steamer as deck passengers, the captain coming with us, who stated that he was a prisoner. We arrived at Liverpool on Friday, the 11th November, and the captain went ashore with the captain of the Calabar and purser. On the Saturday morning we took three months’ wages. There was so communication between the two ships but by signals, until we had arrived at the island, when Captain Ramsay, of the Laurel, came on board in a boat, and said he would be alongside in half an hour with the stores and guns; no negotiations were made for the sale of the vessel until after we had left the ship and the confederate flag was hoisted on board the Sea King.
his
JAMES + SCHUTCHER,
mark.
Witness to to the mark of James Schutcher:
Robert Warne.
Sworn by the deponent, James Schutcher, at my office, No. 11 Abchurch lane, in the city of London, this the 26th day of November 1864, the witness to the mark of the deponent [Page 441] being first sworn that he has truly, distinctly, and audibly read over the contents of the above affidavit of the said deponent, and that he saw him make his mark thereto, before me.
HENRY D. PHILLIPS,
A London Commissioner, &c.
JOHN ADAIR.
JOHN TAYLOR.
Sworn by the deponents, John Adair and John Taylor, at my office, No. 11 Abchurch lane, in the city of London, this 26th day of November, 1864, before me.
B.
[Enclosure No. 6.]
Thomas Gibson, fireman, has leave of absence until the 1st of January, 1865, and will, at the expiration of his leave, report for duty aboard the Confederate States steamer Rappahannock at Calais, as one of the crew of the Florida.
[Enclosure No. 7.]
I, Thomas Gibson, of Great Britain, do solemnly and sincerely swear, that I was fireman on board the confederate war steamer Florida, and was paid off at the St. Katherine Hotel, opposite the St. Katherine dock, on Monday, the 5th instant, by Captain Morris, and Captain Morris signed my liberty ticket which was handed to me by Lieutenant Barnes, in the presence of Captain Taylor, the paymaster, and Mr. King, the master’s mate, and the liberty ticket attached to this statement is the one that was given to me by Lieutenant Barnes.
THOMAS GIBSON,
Sworn by the deponent, Thomas Gibson, at my office, No. 37 Nicholas Lane, in the city of London, this 22d day of December, 1864, before me.
[Enclosure No. 8.]
I, William Young, of Great Britain, do solemnly and sincerely swear, that I was fireman on board the confederate war steamer Florida, and was paid off at the St. Katherine’s Hotel along with the remainder of the crew of the Florida, as stated by deponent Thomas Gibson, on the same date and time, and in the presence of Captain Morris, Paymaster Taylor, Lieutenant Barnes and Mr. King, master’s mate. I received a liberty ticket, worded, signed and delivered to me the same as deponent Thomas Gibson, which is attached.
C.
[Enclosure No. 9. ]
I, Robert Nuthall, 1st assistant engineer on board the Confederate States vessel-of-war Rappahannock, commanded by W. P. A. Campbell, lieutenant commanding C. S. N., do by these presents allot forty-eight fifty one-hundredth dollars per month of my pay for the support of my family; and I do hereby appoint Jones & Co., ship-brokers, Liverpool, my attorney, to receive for that purpose from the navy agent at the port of Liverpool, England, [Page 442] the said sum of forty-eight fifty one-hundredth dollars monthly, for the term of twenty-four months, the first payment to be made on the thirty-first day of March, 1864.
In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal the 27th day of February, 1865.
ROBERT NUTHALL. [l. s.]
In presence, and with the approbation of
Registered by Douglas F. Forrest, Assistant Paymaster, C. S. N.