Mr. Harvey to Mr.
Seward
No. 327.]
Legation of the United States,
Lisbon,
March 28, 1865.
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that the
rebel cruiser Stonewall, a most formidable iron-clad ship, entered this
port on Sunday evening, the 26th instant, having left Ferrol the
previous day. As the flag which was flaunted from her mast-head was
entirely unknown here, and somewhat resembles that of the Russian
service, she was generally supposed to belong to that navy. And, in
fact, the real character of the vessel was not ascertained positively
until the next morning, when certain individuals, calling themselves
officers, published their disloyalty in the streets in gray uniforms and
arrogant language.
As soon as I was informed of the identity of the craft, immediate steps
were taken, personally, to have her ordered out of port, and they were
followed later in the day by a formal note to Duke de Loulé, now
enclosed, (marked A,) which will explain itself.
Assurances were given without hesitation that the vessel would be
required to depart within twenty-four hours, and I have occasion to know
that the orders were at once made, and the notice officially
communicated to the Stonewall.
The Niagara and Sacramento arrived last evening, having been delayed on
the way from Corunna many hours, by the deranged condition of the
latter’s engines. Their presence created great excitement in the city,
from the absurd apprehension of a naval combat in the harbor, which it
was very difficult to allay, and the contagion of which seized even
those who should have been better informed. As an accident delayed the
departure of the Stonewall until this morning, the alarm became greatly
magnified, although our ships had remained, at the friendly request of
the authorities, off Belem, some few miles down the river. At an early
hour I despatched a messenger to request Commodore Craven, the superior
officer, to call at my residence to consult with him as to the measures
which duty and wise policy required to be adopted. While we were in
conference, the under-secretary for foreign affairs came in with a
verbal reply to my note, and perhaps with a view of getting an assurance
that no collision would be permitted. Indeed, the King himself had
previously sent [Page 110] an
aide-de-camp on board the Niagara to express his solicitude on that
point A few words soon relieved any misgiving, but I improved the
occasion to say emphatically, that if our ships desired to go out they
should go out, because the time for the departure of the Stonewall had
elapsed, and because the rule applicable to an armed pirate, in no legal
sense recognized as a belligerent by this government, should not be
applied to a regular ship-of-war carrying the honorable flag of my
country.
A brief consultation with Commodore Craven soon satisfied me—for I did
not feel at all qualified to judge a professional question of such
moment and serious importance—that in the present condition of fine
weather and smooth sea, to seek a combat with this powerful iron ship
would be to invite almost certain and wanton destruction of life and
property. There was another reason bearing directly upon a decision in a
different form, which necessarily attracted attention. By referring to
the letters marked B and C, of our consul at Liverpool, it will be seen
that two vessels are now on their way to this port with cannon,
munitions of war, and large military supplies for the Stonewall. They
may be expected hereabouts from one day to another. It is very important
to cut off and capture these sinews of war, without which the intended
hostile operations of the cruiser cannot be successfully prosecuted. Our
ships will address their efforts directly to that duty.
According to my information derived from careful inquiries and
investigation, the Stonewall is in perfect sea-going condition; has all
the improvements of modern art, science and experience adapted to the
objects for which she was constructed; received all the necessary
repairs which were required, during a stay of seven weeks at the naval
station of the Spanish government at Ferrol, and succeeded also while
there in enlisting numbers of seamen and others for her piratical
service. She is of remarkable speed for a heavy iron-clad, having made
the voyage from Ferrol to Lisbon in some thirty hours, which compares
favorably with the running time of the best steamers of the commercial
marine.
Large inducements were held out to procure enlistments in Lisbon. As much
as £10 sterling monthly wages and £15 bounty were offered, but only one
misguided and dissipated victim was secured, and he by a process of
kidnapping. The fact only came to light too late tobe visited with the
penalty which I should certainly have assisted in seeing enforced.
Inasmuch as anxiety will naturally be felt at Washington in regard to the
movements of the Niagara and Sacramento, and the Stonewall, I deem it
proper to communicate to Mr. Adams the fact stated in the telegram,
marked D, herewith, in order that he might transmit them immediately to
the department.
I also communicate herewith, marked E, a copy in translation of the note
of the Duke de Loulé, in reply to mine of yesterday’s date.
These papers and this general statement concerning the cruiser Stonewall
since her presence in the Tagus will enable the President and the
department to appreciate understandings the official proceedings which
were adopted to meet an exceptional and vexatious emergency.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward,
Secretary of State.
A. 1.
Mr. Harvey to the Duke de Loulé
Legation of the United
States,
Lisbon,
March 27, 1865.
Sir: A piratical steamship called the
Stonewall entered the harbor of Lisbon yesterday (Sunday) under a
flag not recognized by any civilized nation. That vessel quitted the
port of Ferrol, Spain, on Saturday, the 25th instant, at 11 o’clock,
after having remained there since [Page 111] the 4th of February, that is to say, during a
period of seven weeks, the pretext for claiming hospitality being
serious injuries previously suffered at sea.
Attention is called particularly to the two facts above stated—first,
to show that the excellent condition of the ship is attested by the
short passage from Ferrol; and secondly, to demonstrate that upon no
pretended plea of humanity can any claim be justified for furnishing
coals and supplies after a voyage of little more than twenty-four
hours, and after a continuous stay in port of nearly two months.
The Stonewall is a formidable iron-plated armed ship, commanded and
officered by persons representing themselves as in the service of a
factious insurgent force, who have revolted against the authority
and laws of the United States. The open and avowed aim of this
piratical craft is to burn and destroy and ravage the property of
citizens of the United States on the high seas, and to embroil, if
possible, the friendly relations now happily subsisting between
Portugal and the United States.
In addition to these grave and undoubted facts, information has just
been received from the United States consul at Liverpool, which
gives the most serious importance to the presence of the Stonewall
here and to the purposes of those concerned in a hostile conspiracy
against the commerce and interests of the United States, for which
it is proposed to make the ports and islands of this kingdom the
base of military operations. The consul’s letter to me, dated March
19, says: “The English brig Fairline, now lying at this port, has
taken forty bales of clothing, blankets, supplies and the like,
marked C, and numbered from one to twenty; eight large guns,
weighing eight and a half tons, each with equipment or fixtures; a
quantity of small-arms, and a large quantity of shot and shells
suitable and no doubt intended for the guns; also enough coal to
supply a large steamer. The shot and shell are computed to weigh one
hundred tons. The vessel is ostensibly entered for Rio de Janeiro,
but the crew say she is to go actually to Lisbon. There can be no
doubt but these guns and supplies are intended for a war steamer,
and most probably the Stonewall. The crew of the Fairline was
shipped yesterday, but it is not probable that she will sail before
Wednesday.”
In another letter, dated March 21, the consul says: “I wrote you on
Sunday last about the schooner Delgada taking anchors, and cable for
two steamers at Ferrol. I learn this morning that the Delgada had
proved too small, and that the schooner Merton Castle is to be
substituted in her place. The captain of the former told one of my
men that a part of the anchors and cables, together with the stores,
were for the rebel iron-clad Stonewall, now at Ferrol. She is to
take ten large anchors and two hundred fathoms of large and heavy
chain cable. * * * * * The English brig Fairline, in command of
Captain Savage, mentioned in my last letter, cleared and sailed this
morning for Lisbon.”
The evidence of a collusive intention to outrage the territory of his
Majesty and the obligations of the public law are too clear to admit
of any reasonable doubt, as is also the design of this audacious
conspiracy to wage a piratical warfare against citizens and commerce
of the United States.
I have reason to know, positively, that the Stonewall has entered
this port to obtain a large stock of coals and provisions, and with
a view of increasing her hostile equipment by enlisting seamen and
firemen. Such proceedings are forbidden by the royal proclamation of
July 29, 1861, by good faith, and by the law of nations applicable
to the existing circumstance.
It becomes my duty, therefore, to ask in the name of the United
States—
1st. That his Majesty’s government will immediately adopt the
necessary measures by which this piratical vessel, now flaunting in
an insulting manner, a flag not recognized by any nation, shall
forthwith leave the port.
2d. That no supplies of coal shall be allowed.
3d. That all enlistments of seamen, firemen, or others, shall be
strictly prohibited.
The urgency of this occasion is such as to admit of no delay, and
therefore I permit myself to hope that the decisions of his
Majesty’s government will be made known in sufficient time to be
telegraphed to-morrow, so as to be forwarded to the United States by
the Liverpool packet of Wednesday, the 29th instant.
If supplies and enlistments are in any way permitted here or
elsewhere within Portuguese jurisdiction, the government of the
United States will be constrained to accept such a proceeding as a
most unfriendly act, and to claim the fullest indemnity for every
species of depredation that may be committed by this pirate.
I avail myself of this occasion to renew the assurances of my most
distinguished consideration.
His Excellency the Duke de LoulÉ,
Minister and Secretary of State for Foreign
Affairs.
[Page 112]
B.
Mr. Dudley to Mr. Harvey
United States Consulate, Tower
Building,
South Water street,
Liverpool,
March 19, 1865.
Dear Sir: The English brig Fairline, now
lying at this port, has taken forty bales of clothing, blankets,
supplies, &c., marked C, and numbered from one to twenty; eight
large guns, weighing eight and a half tons each, with equipment or
fixtures; a quantity of small-arms, and a large quantity of shot and
shells suitable and no doubt intended for these guns, and enough
coal to supply such a steamer as the Alabama. The shot and shell are
computed to weigh one hundred tons. The vessel is entered for Rio de
Janeiro, but the men say she is to go to Lisbon. There can be no
doubt but what these guns and supplies are intended for some war
steamer. There is everything to fit her out for a cruise. I fear
they are intended for some piratical craft to destroy our commerce.
Her crew were shipped yesterday, but it is not probable that she
will sail before Wednesday. It would be well to communicate this
information at once to our consuls in the islands, and to tell them
to keep a lookout for the suspicious steamers.
Very respectfully yours, &c., &c.,
N. B.—The schooner Delgada has taken ten large anchors and chains
for steamers, as she says, now at Ferrol, in Spain.
C.
Mr. Dudley to Mr. Harvey
United States Consulate, Tower
Building,
South Water street, Liverpool,
March 21,1865.
Sir: I wrote you on Sunday last about the
English schooner Delgada taking anchors and cable for two steamers
at Ferrol. I learn this morning that the Delgada has proved to be
too small, and that the schooner Merton Castle is to be substituted
in her place. The captain of the former vessel told one of my men
that a part of the anchors and cable, together with the stores, were
for the rebel iron-clad Stonewall, now at Ferrol, and that another
vessel was to be there, to which the balance is to be transferred. I
learn from other sources that this is true. She will sail, so far as
I learn, on purpose to supply this vessel and some other rebel
vessels which she is to meet. She is to take ten large anchors and
two hundred fathoms of large and heavy chain cable. I infer from
what the captain says, as well as from the quantity of anchors and
cable, that there is another iron-clad somewhere afloat intended for
the rebels. The English brig Fairline, in command of Captain Savage,
also mentioned in my letter of Sunday last, cleared and sailed this
morning for Lisbon. She has eight large guns, with equipments,
fixtures, &c., each weighing eight and a half tons—I think
one-hundred-pounders—and about fifty cases of clothing, small-arms,
and supplies; one hundred tons of shot and shell intended for the
guns, and a quantity of coal, all intended for some war vessel. The
man who had the charge of shipping them told one of my men they were
for the Spanish government. If this is so, why do they clear her for
Lisbon? From what I learn from outside sources, I think they are
intended for some piratical vessel built in Europe for the
confederates. I have but little doubt about it. Look out for her,
and inform our consuls at all seaport towns.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
D.
[Telegram.—Lisbon, March 28,
1865.]
Mr. Harvey to Mr. Adams
Hon. Charles Francis Adams,
American Minister, London:
Please inform department immediately that cruise Stonewall arrived
here Sunday evening, and left this morning, ordered out by
government on my application. Niagara and Sacramento arrived last
evening, and remain temporarily on special and important
service.
[Page 113]
E.
Duke de Loulé to Mr. Harvey.
Department of State for Foreign
Affairs,
March 28, 1865.
I received the note which you were pleased to address me under
yesterday’s date, regarding the entry in this port of the steamer
Stonewall, wherein, after sundry considerations on this occurrence,
you make the following requests:
1. That his Majesty’s government shall immediately take the necessary
steps to order that vessel away.
2. That she be not allowed to receive supplies of coal.
3. That the enlistment of seamen, firemen, or any other individuals
be prevented.
In reply, I have the honor of informing you that, so soon as his
Majesty’s government was made aware of the arrival of said vessel,
and that the cause thereof was the want of coal, intimation was
given to the respective commander that, on completing his supply,
and within twenty-four hours, he should proceed to sea. Said term
expired this afternoon. On perceiving this morning that the vessel
was still at her anchorage, a naval officer was sent on board to
ascertain the reason why she had delayed her starting. The said
officer, on his return, stated that if the Stonewall had not started
within the prescribed time, it was owing to her not having taken in
all the coal, and that there being to-day a strong current, the
commander was afraid that a slight derangement in his capstan might
prevent his weighing anchor; and the latter further declared that as
soon as the current might diminish its intensity he would quit the
port, and this he effected about 10.50 a. m.
Regarding the supply of coal, against which you insist, allow me to
observe that the vessel being a steamer, his Majesty’s government
could not avoid, with good foundation, that she should be provided
with that article, for the same reason that it could not deny to any
sailing vessel in a dismantled state to provide itself with the
needful sails. In reply to your third request, and to what you say
regarding the English brig Fairline and the schooner Merton Castle,
which were about sailing for Lisbon with munitions of war, chains,
and anchors, supposed to be destined for the Stonewall, I hasten to
assure you that his Majesty’s government, having greatly at heart
not to give any motive which might alter the friendly relations and
the good harmony which happily subsists between Portugal and the
United States, has not hesitated in adopting all necessary measures,
through the departments of marine, interior, and finance, to put a
stop to all such plans.
I avail myself of this opportunity to renew the assurances of my most
distinguished consideration.
James E. Harvey, Esq., &c., &c., &c.
