Mr. Adams to Mr.
Seward
No. 864.]
Legation of the United States.
London,
January 26, 1865.
Sir. I have the honor to transmit a copy of
Lord Russell’s note to me of the 21st instant, in reply to one which I
addressed to him just one month before, under the directions contained
in your despatch, No. 1165, of thè 30th of November. A copy of my note
was sent with my No. 836.
It will be perceived that his lordship avoids the true point at issue in
a manner not altogether unusual with him when he is not prepared to
enter into the merits of a question. The facts alleged to have taken
place at Bermuda on the evidence of the master of the Roanoke are not
disputed.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William. H. Seward. Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
[Untitled]
Foreign Office.
January 21, 1865.
Sir. I have had the honor to receive your
letter of the 21st ultimo, protesting against the proceedings of her
Majesty’s colonial authorities at Bermuda in the case of the steamer
Roanoke, and enclosing copies of various documents relating
thereto.
These papers refer to two different complaints. The one complaint is,
that persons were enlisted at Bermuda with a view to make war on a
state in amity with her Majesty. The other complaint is, that
certain passengers proceeding from Havana in the United States
vessel Roanoke, when five hours from Havana on their voyage, rose on
the captain, made themselves masters of the vessel, destroyed her,
and were afterwards permitted to land on the island of Bermuda. The
answer to the first complaint is, that sufficient evidence to
convict the persons accused was not produced, and that,
consequently, they could not be convicted. The answer to the second
complaint is, that the persons arrested for a supposed
[Page 100]
piratical act produced a
commission, authorizing that act as an operation of war from the
government oí the so-called Confederate States, which are
acknowledged by her Majesty’s government to possess belligerent
right.
I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration, sir, your
most obedient, humble servant,
Charles Francis Adams. Esq., &c., &c., &c.
