Papers Relating to Foreign Affairs, Accompanying the Annual Message of the President to the Second Session of the Thirty-ninth Congress
Sir F. Bruce to Mr. Hunter
Sir: On the night of the 10th November last a sentry from the United States gunboat James Adger, Captain John McDeirmid, (which had come alongside one of the wharves at Colon,) was stationed on the wharf, and having entered into an altercation with a native of Jamaica, named George Holmes, shot him dead on the spot.
The authorities of Colon held an inquiry in the case, and having obtained sufficient evidence for instituting criminal proceedings, demanded the surrender of the sentry, in order that he might be placed on his trial; but the United States consul at Colon declined advising the commander of the James Adger to deliver him up, on the ground that the government of the United States enjoys special privileges on the isthmus, and that the local authorities have no right to interfere in the discipline of United States ships of war.
Her Majesty’s consul at Panama, Mr. Henderson, called on the President of the State for an investigation of the case, and the punishment of the offender, should it be proved that a crime had been committed. But, as appears by the enclosed correspondence, the President is unable to bring the offender to trial.
I am instructed to call the serious attention of the government of the United States to this case, as her Majesty’s government do not doubt that a searching and immediate inquiry will be made, and the requirements of justice fully satisfied.
I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration, sir, your most obedient, humble servant,
Hon. W. Hunter, Acting Secretary of State.
Mr. Taylor to Mr. Henderson
Sir: I regret to have to inform you of a painful, though not very unusual tragedy which occurred here on the night of the 10th. A few days ago the United States gunboat James Adger, commanded by Captain John McDeirmid, came alongside one of the covered wharves to coal, when of course a sentry was stationed on the wharf, which I may add is usually occupied by a considerable number of persons as a sleeping place, and on the night indicated it appears that one of those persons was a black man named George Holmes, who, as appears from official papers shown to me, had served twelve years as gunner in the third West India regiment, and was discharged there from on the 21st of May, 1860, with a good-conduct certificate, badge, and pension. It further appears that at about 11 o’clock on the night of the said 10th instant, as Holmes was passing along to his bed or sleeping place, the sentry came up to him and asked for some tobacco, which he said he had not got and never used. A demand was then made for cigars, money, &c., which being also refused, the sentry said that Holmes must leave the wharf, which he likewise refused to do. The sentry then used the butt end of his gun to drive him away; but failing to do so he said he would blow his brains out, and then deliberately shot him dead on the spot. I advisedly use the word “deliberately,” because I am well informed that there was no accident whatever in the matter.
The prefect has held an inquiry into the case, and, the proof being conclusive, he demanded that the culprit should be given up to the authorities of this country for trial; but this demand, I am informed, both Captain McDeirmid and the United States consul decidedly refuse to comply with.
Permit me to draw your attention to the facts:
1st. That there is no doubt of the crime having been committed by the American sentry, and without provocation.
2d. That it took place on Colombian territory; and
3d. That the wharf has always been used as a sleeping place by any and every one who chooses to occupy it as such; nor is it said that any orders to the contrary were issued on the night of the crime.
I have, &c.,
C. Henderson, Esq.,
Mr. Cespedes to Mr. Rice
The alcalde of this district, who is at present engaged in the investigation of the occurrence which took place last night—that is to say, the death inflicted by a soldier of the United States ship of war James Adger, and native of Jamaica, by a gunshot—informs me, in an official note, that he requires the said soldier to appear this day at his office for the elucidation of the occurrence in question. I bring this to your knowledge in order that you may be pleased to apply to the captain of the above-named steamer to cause this soldier to appear at the office of the alcalde to make his declaration. It will not be out of place to call your attention to the character of the offence which has been committed on Colombian territory, in order that you may cause the demands of public justice to be complied with.
I am, &c.,
F. W. Rice, Esq., United States Consul, Aspinwall.
Mr. Rice to Mr. Cespedes
Sir: Your note of yesterday’s date has been received, in which you request that a sailor of the navy of the United States, who is said to have killed a man of color, whilst mounting guard over the steamer of the United States James Adger, should be made to appear at the office of the alcalde of the district.
[Page 217]In reply, I have to say that the man is at the disposal of the alcalde whenever he may be required, on the understanding that you will cause him to return freely to his ship after the proposed examination has taken place.
I am, &c.,
José A. Cespedes, &c., &c., &c.
Mr. Cespeaes to Mr. Rice
Your official note of this date has been reserved at this office; its contents have greatly surprised the undersigned. Under our laws, and I believe under those of the whole world, those who commit an offence, whether voluntarily or otherwise, are considered as the accused, and do not make depositions on their trial as witnesses; the undersigned cannot, therefore, give the consul the guarantee which he demands for the soldier. It will not be out of place for the undersigned to observe that it is an ordinary crime that has been committed, and one of the greatest that exists, and that it took place beyond the jurisdiction of the government of the United States, which is limited to cases occurring on board their ships of war, and can in no way be extended to foreign territory. The accused must therefore be tried entirely in conformity with the laws of this country, which is precisely where the offence was committed. The undersigned therefore trusts that the consul will claim the accused from the captain of the James Adger, in order that he may be delivered over to the competent judge for his trial.
I am, &c.,
F. W. Rice, Esq., United States Consul, Aspinwall.
Mr. Rice to Mr. Cespedes
Sir: I have received your second note, dated yesterday, on the subject of the late unfortunate accident referred to in your first note, in which you stated that “the sailor was required to appear before the alcalde to make his declaration.” On reading your first note hurriedly I did not understand, nor am I now certain after reading it more attentively, that you desired the sailor to appear at the alcalde’s office in the character of a criminal. This was the reason of my misinterpretation of its meaning as shown by your note of yesterday. I will now present your application to the captain of the James Adger, but I cannot advise him to surrender the sailor in the character of a criminal. He was, when the accident took place, in the discharge of his duties and acting under the orders of his officers. The ship was taking in coal at the wharf, and in virtue of the special privileges enjoyed on this isthmus by the government of the United States the local authorities have no right to interfere in the affairs or discipline of our ships of war while they may be at the wharf or at their anchorage. I repeat that if the prefect desires to elucidate the matter with a view to reporting the facts to his government, the commander of the James Adger will not have the slightest objection to his obtaining the information he requires on oath from any of the crew who were witnesses of the occurrence alluded to in his note.
I am, &c.,
José A. Cespedes, &c., &c., &c.
Mr. Cespedes to Mr. Rice
The prefect acknowledges receipt of your official note of this date. When he addressed to you his first note in regard to the deed committed by the soldier belonging to the James Adger, he said that the man was required to appear to make his declaration; this was the declaration which every officer charged with the preliminary proceedings receives, not on oath, [Page 218] from the accused parties. The prefect is of opinion that the consul is perfectly acquainted with this form of proceeding, for it is that in force in all nations, and he was therefore much surprised at receiving the consul’s note of yesterday’s date, and replied to it that “by our laws, and I believe by those of the whole world, those who commit a crime voluntarily or otherwise are considered as the accused, and do not make depositions on their trial as witnesses; the undersigned cannot, therefore, give the consul the guarantee which he demands for the soldier.”
The prefect is now made aware that although you will apply to the commander of the James Adger for the criminal, you will not advise his surrender as such. The remark you make in justification of the proceeding, which resulted in the killing of a man, is extremely weak and barely merits refutation; you will nevertheless agree that the sentry ought not to have fired on the Jamaica man, for it is certain that he could not have been ordered in the discharge of his duties to kill any one, but simply to watch over the property which was on the wharf belonging to the ship.
The citizen President of the State will this day be informed of this unfortunate occurrence, in order that he may take cognizance of it.
F. W. Rice, Esq., United States Consul, Aspinwall.
Communicated by Sir F. Bruce, February 8, 1866.]
Lord Clarendon to Sir F. Bruce
Sir: In my despatch No. 68, of the 26th ultimo, I transmitted to you a copy of a despatch addressed to Mr. Adams by Mr. Seward, and which had been communicated to me by the former, protesting against the course pursued by her Majesty’s government with regard to the Shenandoah.
Her Majesty’s government have had this despatch under their consideration in communication with the proper law advisers of the Crown, and I have now to state to you that it is impossible for her Majesty’s government to avoid expressing their surprise and regret at the tone and style which throughout characterize it. The despatch imputes to her Majesty’s government in plain terms a determination to disregard “applications for justice” made by the United States government, and an intention to shelter from the punishment due to their offence persons known to be guilty of piracy.
Her Majesty’s government think that, by not replying to this extraordinary and unfounded charge, they shall best consult their own dignity and exhibit their desire to maintain friendly relations with the government of the United States.
With respect to the proofs stated to have been furnished to her Majesty’s government of the alleged guilty practices of the Shenandoah, and the statements as to the nationality of her crew, I have to make the following observations:
Mr. Seward, in his despatch, while dwelling only upon the crime of piracy, which he assumes to have been committed by the commander and crew of the Shenandoah, says that the alleged offenders, when under the power of her Majesty’s government, obtained their “discharge and unconditional enlargement upon two grounds: First, that her Majesty’s government had in their possession no evidence to impeach a prevaricating plea of the commander; and, secondly, that none of those persons were subjects of Great Britain; “whereas,” he says, “upon evidence, which seems to this government entirely conclusive, all the offenders were either native subjects of the Queen, or had become, by some sufficient form of refuge or domiciliation, amenable equally with native subjects to the penal laws of the realm”
Mr. Seward cannot be ignorant that her Majesty’s government have never alleged the fact that none of these persons were shown to be subjects of Great Britain, as a reason for not prosecuting them for piracy. Foreigners guilty of [Page 219] piracy are as much amenable to the tribunals of this country as natural-born subjects. It was only with reference to a very different question, namely, whether any charge could be made under the foreign enlistment act, that the nationality of these persons was, or was over alleged to be, material. That question of course depended upon the words of the particular statute under which the enlistment abroad or on the high seas of persons who had become, by any “form of refuge or domiciliation,” or otherwise, amenable to British laws while in this country, would not be an offence, unless they were “natural-born subjects of her Majesty.”
Mr. Seward does not commit himself to the assertion that her Majesty’s government were in possession of evidence to show that any of those persons who formed the crew of the Shenandoah when she arrived at Liverpool were natural-born British subjects; and, as a matter of fact, it is certain that her Majesty’s government were not in possession of such evidence, nor could such a fact be presumed in the absence of evidence, against individuals coming to Liverpool on board a confederate ship of war, and not shown to have enlisted within her Majesty’s dominions.
To return to the first ground, the only material one, as to the charge of piracy, upon which her Majesty’s government is, and so far truly, said to have acted; whether Captain Waddell’s statement was or was not open to the charge of prevarication brought against it by Mr. Seward, it was not in the power of her Majesty’s government to detain any of those men without laying an information against them before a magistrate in the ordinary course of law, and supporting it by at least some prima facie evidence. The simple fact is, that there was no such evidence. But Mr. Seward says, (1) that every part of the unlawful transaction complained of had occurred either in British ports or on the decks of the Shenandoah, herself a British vessel, (2) that all these transactions had been fully made known to her Majesty’s government, and (3) that any parties who could give the necessary testimony for the conviction of the pirates were not only within British jurisdiction, but actually within custody of agents of her Majesty’s government.
Each of these propositions must be separately examined. The first seems to her Majesty’s government to imply that Mr. Seward’s charge of piracy against the Shenandoah is not founded upon the alleged continuance of hostilities by Captain Waddell after he had received notice of the termination of the war, but that he designates as piracy all the captures made by that vessel during the whole course of the war, and endeavors to support that pretension by the allegation that she was throughout “a British vessel.” To this it is enough to say, that such a view is opposed either to universally acknowledged principles of law, or to notorious and indisputable facts: to universally acknowledged principles of law, if Mr. Seward means to contend that the commander and crew of a vessel commissioned as a public ship of war by a revolutionary government which has been recognized as a belligerent power by neutral nations, can be charged in a neutral country with piracy, merely for capturing and destroying the ships of the other belligerent; to notorious and indisputable facts if he means to deny that the Sea King was transferred and delivered by former British owners and commander to agents of the Confederate States, by whom she was purchased, in order that she might be employed and commissioned by and in the service of those States, or that she was actually so employed and commissioned as a public ship of war, under the name of the Shenandoah, from a period antecedent to the first capture made by her down to the close of the war. It cannot be too distinctly understood that no charge of piracy could possibly be preferred or entertained against this vessel under these circumstances by her Majesty’s government, or in the courts of this country, unless it had been satisfactorily shown that this ship wilfully continued to seize and destroy United States vessels after she was apprised of the termination of the war. But there [Page 220] is a further answer to the allegation that the Shenandoah is to be regarded as having been, while making war upon the United States, “a British vessel.” When she arrived at Liverpool, Mr. Adams, on the 7th of November, 1865, requested her Majesty’s government to take possession of her, “with a view to deliver her into the hands of his (the United States) government,” taking notice at the same time of the “belligerent character” which, “in the eyes of her Majesty’s government,” she had possessed, though suggesting that there might be grounds for taking criminal proceedings against the persons on board, either because “her ravages” appeared to have been continued after her claim to a belligerent character had, at all events, ceased, or because several of those persons were “British subjects.” Her Majesty’s government having received from Captain Waddell the possession of this ship, surrendered by him expressly for the reasons alleged in his letter of the 6th of November, 1865, namely, that “as all the property of government had reverted by the fortune of war to the government of the United States of North America, therefore this vessel, inasmuch as it was the property of the Confederate States, should accompany the other property already reverted,” complied with Mr. Adams’s request, and delivered up the ship to the agents of the United States government, at the same time sending Mr. Adams a copy of Captain Waddell’s letter. Mr. Adams, in a letter dated the 14th of November, 1865, stated that the consul of the United States at Liverpool had taken charge of the vessel under his instructions, and added, what has unfortunately not been verified by the event, that he entertained no doubt that the promptness of this proceeding would give great satisfaction to his government.
It is hardly necessary for me to point out to you that Mr. Adams’s request for the delivery of this ship to the United States government could neither have been made or complied with except upon the ground that she was, in the circumstances which had happened, the lawful property of that government. If she had been British owned, as Mr. Seward now desires to represent, the government of the United States could have had no possible claim or title to her, even though she might have been guilty of piracy; nor could the Crown of Great Britain have acquired any title to or disposing power over her, by means of any surrender of Captain Waddell in the port of Liverpool, or by any other means short of a regular forfeiture and condemnation by process of law.
To Mr. Adams, when he made the request, all this was of course perfectly well known, and he also knew, if not otherwise, at all events from the proceedings before Vice Chancellor Wood, in the case of The United States vs. Prioleau, taken by his own direction, that the government and the courts of this country must necessarily recognize his government as entitled to the property in this vessel on the ground stated by Captain Waddell, namely, that she had been acquired and was possessed as public property by the persons who during the war had exercised the powers of government in the Confederate States; a ground which, I may add, was also distinctly recognized by the judge of the United States prize court in the case of the Wren. Her Majesty’s government were at the time entitled to assume, and they did so assume, that this request was made upon this ground, on which alone it could be supported, and after having so obtained the delivery of the vessel, it certainly does not seem to her Majesty’s government to be consistent in the government of the United States to deny that she was a public ship of war belonging to and commissioned by the revolutionary government of the Confederate States.
I have dwelt so much upon this point because it seems to be that upon which Mr. Seward really relies. I now proceed to examine his second statement, namely, that “all the transactions,” supposed to make out a case of piracy against the Shenandoah, had been, “before the crew were released at Liverpool, fully made known to her Majesty’s government.” This confirms her Majesty’s government in their impression that Mr. Seward does not mean to rely upon [Page 221] the allegation that the Shenandoah continued her ravages after she was apprised of the termination of the war. For the fact is, that the only particulars with respect to any capture or captures made by the Shenandoah, at any date or dates subsequent to the termination of the war, which had ever before that time been communicated to her Majesty’s government, either by Mr. Adams or in any other manner, were contained in the documents relating to the capture of the William C. Nye, on the 26th of June, 1865, which were forwarded with Mr. Adams’s letter to Earl Russell of the 21st of October last, and of which I now enclose copies. These documents, however, which included the protest of the master of the William C. Nye, made at San Francisco on the 7th of August last, are absolutely silent as to any notice or knowledge of the termination of the war, either by the captors or by the master and crew of the William C. Nye, or by any of the persons met by them on board the Shenandoah, who had belonged to the crews of vessels previously captured.
This seems to her Majesty’s government to be very strong negative evidence that the termination of the war was not, in fact, known at the time when, and in the seas where, this capture took place. But whether that be so or not, these documents certainly did not put her Majesty’s government in possession of any evidence showing, or tending to show, that the crime of piracy had been committed. There remains only Mr. Seward’s third statement, that “any parties who could give the necessary testimony for the conviction of the pirates, were not only within British jurisdiction, but virtually within the custody of agents of her Majesty’s government.” As Mr. Seward has not explained to what persons he here refers, I can only say, that the existence of persons able to give such testimony was not then known or indicated to her Majesty’s government; and if it was then known to the minister or any other agent of the United States in this country, it was not communicated by them to her Majesty’s government. If Mr. Seward means that some of the persons forming the crew of the Shenandoah could themselves have given available evidence for the purpose, it is hardly necessary to observe that no such evidence was offered, or known to be available; and that it is not consistent with our usual method of administering justice to endeavor to extract from persons suspected, even on probable grounds of crime, admissions capable of being used against themselves.
Her Majesty’s government have no further comments to offer upon this despatch, except to repeat what they have formerly stated, that if the agents of the United States in this country, or any other persons, were in possession of evidence on which a charge of piracy against the officers and crew of the Shenandoah could have been supported before a magistrate, it was competent for them to have themselves preferred such a charge, and to have obtained a conviction thereon in due course of law.
You will read and give a copy of this despatch to Mr. Seward.
I am, &c, &c.,
The Hon. Sir Frederick Bruce, G. C. B., &c., &c., &c.