Papers Relating to Foreign Affairs, Accompanying the Annual Message of the President to the First Session Thirty-ninth Congress, Part I

Mr. Adams to Mr. Seward

No. 1061.]

Legation of the United States, London, October 5, 1865.

Sir: I received a few days ago a note from Lord Russell, which was, I suppose, intended only to elicit a contradiction of a rumor that may have been set afloat along the coast of Ireland during the excitement lately prevailing there. Although not apparently important, I think it as well to apprise you of the fact by transmitting copies of the notes that have passed between us.

I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,

CHARLES FRANCIS ADAMS.

Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.

[Enclosures.]

Lord Russell to Mr. Adams, September 27, 1865.

Mr. Adams to Lord Russell, October 2, 1865.

Earl Russell to Mr. Adams

Foreign Office, September 27, 1865.

Sir: It has been reported to the lords commissioners of the admiralty that the United States frigate Niagara has been making visits to the Irish coast, and that, having anchored some short time since at Ballycotton, where she engaged a pilot at the rate of £10 a week, she was visited by boats from the shore which remained some time, and then returned, as is asserted, laden with arms.

I need scarcely assure you that the lords commissioners of the admiralty do not attach any credit to this report, but I should, nevertheless, be glad if you would inquire of the captain of the Niagara whether there is any sort of foundation for it.

I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration. sir, your most humble, obedient servant,

RUSSELL.

Charles Francis Adams, Esq., &c., &c., &c.,

Mr. Adams to Earl Russell

Legation of the United States, London, October 2, 1865.

My Lord: In reply to the note with which I have been honored, dated 27 th of September, and relating to a rumor of certain supposed visits of the United States frigate Niagara to the Irish coast within a short time, I have only to observe that the vessel received orders to return to the United States early in the summer, and she actually is reported in the London Times of the 10th of August as having left France and passed down the channel on the 8th, two days before, bound to New York.

I pray your lordship to accept the assurances of the highest consideration with which I have the honor to be, my lord, your lordship’s most obedient servant,

CHARLES FRANCIS ADAMS.

Right Hon. Earl Russell, &c., &c., &c.