taken until it was known whether or not the government thought fit to interfere; but inasmuch as the government might not unreasonably take some little time to determine what course to pursue, during which time the vessel might escape, I advise the more prompt remedy. "R. P. COLLIER." Mr. Dudley to Mr. Edwards. UNITED STATES CONSULATE, SIR: In accordance with a suggestion of Earl Russell, in a communication to Mr. Adams, the American minister in London, I beg to lay before you the information and circumstances which have come to my knowledge relative to the gunboat being fitted out by Messrs. Laird, at Birkenhead, for the confederates of the southern United States of America, and intended to be used as a privateer against the United States. On my arrival and taking charge of the consulate at Liverpool, in November last, my attention was called by the acting consul, and by other persons, to two gunboats being or to be fitted out for the so-called confederate government-the Oreto, fitted out by William C. Miller and Sons and Messrs. Fawcett, Preston and Co., and the one now in question. Subsequent events fully proved the suspicion, with regard to the Oreto, to be well founded. She cleared from Liverpool in March last for Palermo and Jamaica, but sailed direct for Nassau, where she now is receiving her armament as a privateer for the so-called confederate government. And my attention was called repeatedly to the gunboat building by Mr. Laird by various persons, who stated that she was also for a confederate privateer, and was being built by Messrs. Laird for that express purpose. In May last two officers of the southern privateer Sumter, named Caddy and Beaufort, passed through Liverpool on their way to Havana or Nassau; while here, stated that there was a gunboat building by Mr. Laird, at Birkenhead, for the southern confederacy, and not long after that a foreman, employed about the vessel in Messrs. Lairds' yard, stated that she was the sister of the Oreto, and intended for the same service; and, when pressed for an explanation, further stated that she was to be a privateer for the southern government in the United States. When the vessel was first tried, Mr. Wellsman, one of the firm of Fraser, Trenholm and Co., (who are well known as agents for the confederate government) Andrew and Thomas Byrne, and other persons, well known as having been for months actively engaged in sending mu nitions of war for said government, were present, and have accompanied her on her various trials, as they had accompanied the Oreto on her trial trip and on her departure. In April last the southern screw steamer Annie Childs, which had run the blockade out of Charleston, and the name of which was changed at this port to the Julia Usher, was laden with munitions of war, consisting of a large quantity of powder, rifled cannon, &c., by Messrs. Fraser, Trenholm and Co., for the southern confederacy, and left Liverpool to run the blockade under the command of a Captain Hammer, and having on board several of the crew of the privateer Sumter, to which I have before referred. For some unknown reason this vessel came back, and is now here. Since her return a youth named Robinson, who had gone in her as a passenger, has stated that 2 A C-VOL. III I the gunboat building at Laird's for the southern confederacy was a subject of frequent conversation among the officers while she (Julia Usher) was ont, she was all the time spoken of as a confederate vessel, and that Captain Bullock was to command her. That the money for her was advanced by Fraser, Trenholm and Co. That she was not to make any attempt to run the blockade, but would go at once as a privateer. That she was to mount eleven guns. That if the Julia Usher were not going, the six men from the Sumter who were on board the Julia Usher were to join the gunboat. This youth, being a native of New Orleans, was extremely anxious to get taken on board the gunboat, and wished the persons he made the communication to, to assist him and see Captain Bullock on his behalf. He has, I understand, been removed to a school in London. With reference to his statement, I may observe that Captain Hammer referred to is a South Carolinian; has been many years in Fraser, Trenholm and Co.'s employ; is greatly trusted by them, and is also intimate with Captain Bullock, so that he would be likely to be well informed on the subject; and as he had no notion at that time of returning to Liverpool, he would have no hesitation in speaking of the matter to his officers and the persons from the Sumter. I may also state, the Captain Bullock referred to is in Liverpool; that he is an officer of the confederate navý; that he was sent over here for the express purpose of fitting qut privateers and sending over munitions of war; that he transacts his business at the office of Fraser, Trenholm and Co.; that he has been all the time in communication with Fawcett, Preston and Co., who fitted out the Oreto, and with Lairds, who are fitting out this vessel; that he goes almost daily on board the gunboat, and seems to be recognized as in authority. A Mr. Blair, of Paradise street, in this town, who furnished the cabins of the Laird gunboat, has also stated that all the fittings and furniture were selected by Captain Bullock, and were subject to his approval, although paid for by Mr. Laird. The information on which I have formed an undoubting conviction that this vessel is being fitted out for the so-called confederate government, and is intended to cruise against the commerce of the United States, has come to me from a variety of sources, and I have detailed it to you as far as practicable. I have given you the names of the persons making the statements; but as the information, in most cases, is given to me by persons out of friendly feeling to the United States and in strict confidence, I cannot state the names of my informants; but what I have stated is of such a character, that little inquiry will confirm its truth. Everything about the vessel shows her to be a war vessel; she has well-constructed magazines; she has a number of canisters of a peculiar and expensive construction, for containing powder; she has already platforms screwed to her decks for the reception of swivel guns. Indeed, the fact she is a war vessel is not denied by Messrs. Laird, but they say she is for the Spanish government. This they stated on the 3d April last, when General Burgoyne visited their yard, and was shown over it and the vessels being built there by Messrs. John Laird, jun., and Henry H. Laird, as was fully reported in the papers at the time. Seeing the statement, and having been already informed from so many respectable sources that she was for the so-called confederate government, I at once wrote to the minister in London to ascertain from the Spanish embassy whether the statement was true. The reply was a positive assurance that she was not for the Spanish government. I am therefore authorized in saying that what was stated on that occasion, as well as statements since made, that she is for the Spanish government, are untrue. I am satisfied, beyond a doubt, that she is for a confederate war vessel. If you desire any personal explanation or information, I shall be happy to attend you whenever you may request it. Very respectfully, I am your obedient servant, J. PRICE EDWARDS, Esq., THOMAS H. DUDLEY, Consul. Collector of Customs, Liverpool. Mr. Edwards to Mr. Dudley. CUSTOM-HOUSE, Liverpool, July 10, 1862. SIR: I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of yesterday's date, (received this morning,) and to acquaint you that I shall immediately submit the same for the consideration and direction, of the board of customs, under whom I have the honor to serve. I may observe, however, that I am respectfully of opinion that the statement made by you is not such as could be acted upon by the officers of this revenue, unless legally substantiated by evidence. I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant, J. PRICE EDWARDS, Collector. CONSUL FOR THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Mr. Edwards to Mr. Dudley. CUSTOM-HOUSE, Liverpool, July 16, 1862. SIR: With reference to my letter of the 10th instant, acknowledging your commúnication of the 9th, relative to the vessel built by Messrs. Laird, of Birkenhead, I have to acquaint you, that I am directed by the commissioners of her Majesty's customs to apprise you that their solicitor informs them that the details given by you in regard to the said vessel are not sufficient, in a legal point of view, to justify me in taking upon myself the responsibility of the detention of this ship. I have the honor to be, sir, your most obedient servant, T. H. DUDLEY, Esq., &c., &c. Letter to the Collector at Liverpool. No. 345.] CUSTOM-HOUSE, London, July 15, 1862. SIR: Having considered your report of the 10th instant, No. 1151, inclosing a communication which you had received from Mr. T. H. Dudley, American consul at Liverpool, apprising you of certain circumstances relative to a vessel which he states is now being fitted out by Messrs. Laird, at Birkenhead, as a gunboat for the so-called confederate government of the southern States of America, and intended to be used as a privateer against the United States, and having communicated with our solicitor on the subject, we acquaint you that there does not appear to be prima facie proof sufficient in the statement of the consul to justify the seizure of the vessel, and you are to apprise the consul accordingly. FREDERICK GOULBURN. R. W. GREY. Letter from the Collector of Customs, Liverpool, to the Commissioners of Customs, dated Liverpool, 21st July, 1862. No. 1200.] HONORABLE SIRS: The United States consul, accompanied by his solicitor, Mr. Squarey, has just been here with the witnesses, whose affidavits are inclosed, requesting me to seize the gunboat alluded to in your honor's order of the 15th instant, No. 345, upon the evidence adduced by him that the gunboat has been fitted out by Messrs. Laird, of Birkenhead, for the confederate government of the southern States. The only evidence of importance, as appears to me, is that of William Passmore, who had engaged himself as a sailor to serve in the vessel. I shall feel obliged by the board being pleased to instruct me, by telegraph, how I am to act, as the ship appears to be ready for sea, and may leave any hour she pleases. Respectfully, S. PRICE EDWARDS. Nothing has been done to her since my former representation, nor has anything, besides coals, been placed in her. S. P. E. Letter from the Commissioner of Customs to the Collector of Customs, Liverpool, dated London, 22d July, 1862. No. 353.] SIR: Having considered your report of the 21st instant, No. 1200, stating, with reference to previous correspondence which has taken place on the subject of a gunboat which is being fitted out by Messrs. Laird, of Birkenhead, that the United States consul, accompanied by his solicitor, has attended at the custom-house with certain witnesses, whose affidavits you have taken and have submitted for our consideration, and has requested that the vessel may be seized, under the provisions of the foreign enlistment act, upon the ground that the evidence adduced affords proof that she is being fitted out for the government of the Confederate States of America, we acquaint you that we have communicated with our solicitor on the subject, who has advised us that the evidence submitted is not sufficient to justify any steps being taken against the vessel under either the 6th or 7th section of act 59, Geo. III, cap. 69, and you are to govern yourself accordingly. The solicitor has, however, stated that if there should be sufficient evidence to satisfy a court of enlistment of individuals, they would be liable to pecuniary penalties, for security of which, if recovered, this department might detain the ship until those penalties are satisfied, or good bail given, but there is not sufficient evidence to require the customs to prosecute; it is, however, competent for the United States consul, or any other person, to do so, at their own risk, if they see fit. T. F. FREMANTLE. CUSTOM-HOUSE, Liverpool, July 23, 1862. SIR: With reference to your communication of the 21st instant, on the subject of a gunboat which is being fitted out by Messrs. Laird, of Birkenhead, and requesting that the ship might be seized under the foreign enlistment act, upon the ground that the evidence adduced affords proof that she has been fitted out for the Confederate States of America, I have it in command to acquaint you that the board have communicated with their solicitor on the subject, who has advised them that the evidence submitted is not sufficient to justify any steps being taken against the vessel under either the 6th or 7th section of the act 59th Geo. III., chap. 69. It is, however, considered to be competent for the United States consul to act at his own risk if he should think fit. I am, sir, your obedient servant, A. F. SQUAREY, Esq. J. PRICE EDWARDS. Mr. Adams to Earl Russell. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, MY LORD: I have the honor to transmit copies of six depositions taken at Liverpool, tending to establish the character and destination of the vessel to which I called your lordship's attention in my note of the 23d of June last. The orginals of these papers have already been submitted to the collector of the customs at that port, in accordance with the suggestions made in your lordship's note to me of the 4th of July, as the basis of an application to him to act under the powers conferred by the enlistment act. But I feel it to be my duty further to communicate the facts as there alleged to her Majesty's government, and to request that such further proceedings may be had as may carry into full effect the determination which I doubt not it ever entertained to prevent by all lawful means the fitting out of hostile expeditions against the government of a country with which it is at peace. I avail myself of this opportunity to renew to your lordship the assurance of my highest consideration, and am, my lord, your most obedient servant, CHARLES FRANCIS ADAMS. Right Hon. EARL RUSSELL, &c., &c., &c. Deposition of Thomas H. Dudley. I, Thomas H. Dudley, of No. 3 Wellesley Terrace, Princess Park, in the borough of Liverpool, the county of Lancaster, esquire, affirm, aud say as follows: 1. I am the consul of the United States of North America, for the port of Liverpool and its dependencies. 2. In the month of July, in the year one thousand eight hundred and sixty-one, information was sent by the United States government to the United States consulate at Liverpool, that a Mr. James D. Bullock, of Savannah, in the State of Georgia, who was formerly the master of an American steamer called the Catawba, was reported to have left the United States for England, taking with him a credit for a large sum of |