1862. Sept. 26 Mr. Seward. 136 Mr. Dudley to Oct. 1 Mr. Seward. 230 Mr. Adams to Oct. 3 Incloses copy of his note to Lord Russell of Is receiving accounts of ravages of the Ala- Oct. 10 Inclosing copy of Lord Russell's note of the Oct. 20 Acknowledges receipt of No. 230, and approves 44 48 48 51 52 54 the "290." Proposition of United States to issue letters of marque had been relinquished, on the ground that confederates had no ports wherein to fit out cruisers; yet we now see them making use of British ports to send out piratical vessels, while entrance for supplies is denied to our war vessels under proclamation of neutrality. Will not the result be that while Great Britain avows neutrality, her subjects are practically allies of our enemies. The President believes that her Majesty's government will not allow this result to be reached. The Navy Department is taking measures to meet the new exigency. Incloses letter of September 24, from Consul Dabney, at Teneriffe, to Mr. Perry, at Madrid, giving an account of transfer of cargo and armament to the Alabama at Terceira. Incloses letter from Earl Russell in reply to his of the 9th, stating that although the foreign enlistment act may be evaded, her Majesty's government cannot, on that account, go beyond the letter of the law. The British government seems indifferent to the consequences of its inaction, and in the meanwhile the Alabama continues her ravages. She is expected to attack the California steamers. Nothing is known of the Tuscarora. 55 55 56 Incloses copies of papers received from Minister Harvey, at Lisbon, concerning depredations of the Alabama. These documents contain information of the destruction of ten American whalers near the Azores. Mr. Harvey has taken precautions to prevent further outrages by the Alabama, but recommends that a swift armed steamer be sent to the vicinity of the Azores. Mr. Adams is directed to lay these papers before Earl Russell, and to endeavor to obtain from British government, first, redress for injuries already sustained by American commerce; and second, prevention of such proceedings hereafter. Incloses resolutions of New York Chamber of Commerce, lamenting the destruction of American vessels by the Alabama, setting forth the results of such proceedings in a moral and commercial point of view, warning British merchants that a repetition of these outrages by British-built and manned vessels will produce wide-spread exasperation in this country, and invoking their influence to prevent the departure of such vessels in future from British 61 Nov. 3 ports. Mr. Adams may, if he thinks fit, Oct. 30 Incloses communication from Navy Depart- Nov. 257 Mr. Adams to Nov. 396 157 260 4 6 Has again notified officers of Tuscarora and Mr. Seward to Nov. 10| Acknowledges receipt of No. 244. The Pres- ident regrets that our complaints in re- Mr. Dudley to Nov. 11 Inclosing copy of his note to Mr. Squarey, Mr. Adams to Nov. 13 asking whether everything was done that could possibly have been done on our part to prevent the sailing of the Alabama; also the latter's affirmative answer, adding that in his judgment and that of Mr. Collier the evidence was sufficient to have justified her detention under the foreign enlistment act. It is understood that the Lairds are still interested in the Alabama. Acknowledges receipt of instruction No. 381 with inclosures. Will present the latter, with other papers in reference to Alabama to Lord Russell, with a view to obtaining redress and prevention. The attention of the government seems to have been drawn 63 64 64 65 65 66 67 to the matter, and they are reported to have taken steps to prevent exportation of arms and supplies to the rebels. Their tardy vigilance seems, however, to be directed against those who have least offended, while the more notorious have heretofore escaped by reason of the amount of evidence required as to destinations of vessels. Mr. Adams hopes to learn the reason for this in his expected interview with Lord Russell. Has received No. 250. The President is gratified at the apparent change in British opinion. Calls attention to the anomaly of our fortifying New York against an expedition from Liverpool. Lord Lyons has arrived and been cordially received. Has received dispatches 383 to 388 inclusive. Is preparing a note to Lord Russell, covering the whole case of the Alabama, and will postpone action on the other matters. Our policy of reclamations, as set forth in Mr. Seward's letter to New York Chamber of Commerce, is construed in England as encouraging foreign difficulties to counteract the tendency of home elections. Mr. Adams believes the question can be more conveniently discussed and settled hereafter. The publication of the notes of the three powers on the proposition of France, together with the revival of the anti-slavery feeling in England, has caused a better sentiment toward the United States. Incloses a copy of his note to Earl Russell of this date, transmitting papers from Washington and Liverpool in reference to the Alabama; recounting the circumstances of her building, departure, and subsequent piratical depredations, committed by a British crew and sometimes under British colors; showing the inevitable consequences to commerce of government toleration of such proceedings; raising the question of reclamations in the light of the treaty of 1794; and finally soliciting present reparation for, and future prevention of, such injuries. In his conference with Lord Russell last week Mr. Adams had apprised him of the complaints in reference to the Alabama which he was about to present. Lord Russell referred to the delay in stopping the vessel occasioned by the illness of Sir John Harding, and denied John Bright's reported statement that he had warned the vessel of proposed proceedings in time for her escape. No investigation seems to have been made of the action of the collector in permitting her to leave. Has received dispatches 389 to 398 and printed circular 27. Lord Russell has only briefly acknowledged his note of the 20th. 68 68 84 85 THE ALABAMA-Continued. No. From whom and Date. 1862. 8 Rumors are current that the Crown law Has received No. 262. The President ap- Incloses additional papers in reference to Incloses Lord Russell's note of the 19th, to 85 87 87 |