1864. ded during the Crimean war, and their an- government might and should have prevented, and inquires whether, on these premises, the injured party has not the right to complain and ask redress. The claim of France to equip privateers in American ports was based on its construction of a treaty with the United States. Before the French government could be notified that the United States held to a different construction, several captures of British vessels were made by such privateers, for which the United States, admitting its responsibility for the omission to enforce its laws, made full reparation. Mr. Adams denies that the United States have induced British subjects to violate her Majesty's orders. The United States have simply purchased arms and supplies in the ordinary course of trade. British subjects, allies of the insurgents, have broken our lawful blockade, thereby committing an aggravated offense against the United States government, and have built, equipped, and manned privateers in violation of their own laws. No similarity exists between these two modes of action to justify Lord Russell in regarding the belligerents from the same stand-point. Mr. Adams quotes the President's message of 1855, showing that there had been no violations of neutrality by United States citizens, and refers to the government's prompt action in the case of the Maury and the resolutions of the New York Chamber of Commerce in relation thereto, as contrasted with the state of affairs in England. covering papers in reference to the Ala- 100 THE ALABAMA-Continued. No | From whom and to whom. Date. Subject. Page. 450 1863. Russell's note therein inclosed will be re- swer. ing proceedings of the Alabama, which do Sunbeam. 454 | Mr. Seward to | Jan. 19 | Acknowledges receipt of Nos. 281 and 286, 113 1 Mr. Adams. with inclosures. Mr. Adams's reply to sented to British government. .310 Mr. Adams to Jan. 29 | Transmits note from Lord Russell, and his 114 Mr. Seward. reply, in reference to the Alabama. Lord Russell, in reply to Mr. Adams's note of the 30th ult., asserts that the circumstances under which the vessel escaped were not "under the control" of her Majesty's government, and that measures for her detention were not intentionally delayed or neglected. They could not act without legal evidence. He quotes Mr. Jefferson's letter to show that in the cases in the French war in which redress was given by the United States for captures by French privateers, our government had purposely delayed action. In the matter of furnishing supplies, Lord Russell re-asserts the right of his government to complain of both belligerents having induced British subjests to violate the Queen's proclamation, and more strongly of the United States, because it has received the greater quantity. He did not mean to accuse Mr. Adams of encouraging enlistments of Bri'tish subjects in United States service, but refers to large bounties offered to those residing in the United States, and to Mr. Seward's avowal of this policy in case of the Sunbeam. Mr. Adams, in reply, re-asserts the position taken in his former note, of the responsibility of the British government for the escape of the Alabama, after timely notice had been given. Declines discussion of questions raised by Lord Russell, imputing other meanings to the language of his former note than those 119 119 1863. clearly expressed therein, and again dis- United States. 466 Mr. Seward to Feb. 2 Incloses memorial in reference to destruction 118 Mr. Adams. of ships Brilliant and Manchester by the ernment. 321 Mr. Adams to | Feb. 13 In obedience to instruction 454, has called 119 Mr. Seward. Lord Russell's attention to his reply to Mr. thing on his answer to first point. ams, that the United States desire the con- ington. 331 | Mr. Adams to | Feb. 19 Incloses copy of note to Lord Russell, trans- | Mr. Seward. mitting memorial received with 466. 483 | Mr. Seward to Feb. 19 Has received No. 310, with inclosures. Mr. | 120 Adams's reply to Lord Russell is approved. force it. 349 Mr. Adams to Mar. 13 | Incloses notes of Lord Russell in reply to his | 121 Mr. Seward. of 9th, 16th, and 19th of February, dis- ernment for acts of Alabama. terday, in which the latter read a dispatch from Mr. Seward in relation to the Alabama and Oreto. In reply to Lord Russell's statements, that the Alabama was fitted out in Portuguese waters, and that the British government only required sufficient evidence to act in similar cases, Mr. Adams dwelt upon the enormity of this kind of warfare, and feared that the issue of letters of marque by the United States might prove the only remedy. Lord Russell suggested the offer of large rewards for the capture of the vessels. Mr. Adams thought that England should declare her condemnation of these infractions of her law; also, that if the law was sufficient, the government should enforce it; if not, they should amend it. Lord Russell replied that the cabinet thought the law sufficient, and THE ALABAMA-Continued. 1863. that the government had done their best the two governments will be successful. 356 Mr. Adams to Mar. 27 | Reports result of conference with Lord Rus 124 Mr. Seward. sell yesterday. After deploring the prob- part. 359 ....... do ........ Mar. 28 Transmits Morning Star's report of last even- | 129 ing's debate in Commons, the result of Russell's speech. 54 | Mr. Dudley to | Mar. 28 Incloses copies of letters and papers. ob 128 Mr. Seward. tained from C. R. Yonge, clerk to Captain Bullock; has sent originals to Mr. Adams. Klingender with the Alabama. former paymaster in confederate navy. | 128 120 Evidence furnished by him is sufficient to convict the Lairds and others under foreign enlistment act. Transmits correspondence with Lord Russell | 129 in regard to hostile vessels preparing at Liverpool. Has urged action of some sort to prevent their success. Incloses papers received from Mr. Dudley and laid before Lord Russell, showing Captain Bullock's position in the confederate navy, his appointment of Yonge as paymaster, accompanied by instructions, and Captain Semmes's subsequent revocation of said appointment. Transmits published official documents show- 134 ing steps taken by customs authorities, in reference to the Alabama before and after her departure. Incloses affidavit of rebel paymaster Yonge 143 in reference to Captain Bullock and the 56 290." Incloses for presentation to Lord Russell me- | 143 morial of Panama Railroad Company, and others, in regard to destruction of bark Golden Rule by Alabama. In this, as in similar cases, the United States holds Great Britain responsible. Transmits copy of his note to Lord Russell, 144 covering Yonge's deposition showing operations of Captain Bullock and certain persons in Liverpool, as naval and financial agents of the rebels, and exhibiting English character of the Alabama's crew; also transmits Lord Russell's acknowledgment of its receipt. Has received No. 364, and laid inclosures 152 before Secretary of the Navy. Mr. Adams's proceedings in Yonge's case are approved. Transmits copy of his note to Lord Russell, | 153 covering memorial of Panama Railroad Company and others, received with No. 542. Incloses Lord Russell's acknowledgment of | 155 his letter of the 29th ultimo with memo rial, &c. Incloses copies of letter of Edwin H. Robin- 155 son and others, and of protest of Edward A. Swift and others, in relation to destruction of ship Golden Eagle by the Alabama, to be presented to British government as part of claims. Inclosing copy of his note to Lord Russell, 156 transmitting papers received with No. 630, and Lord Russell's acknowledgment thereof. Inclosing memorial of George B. Upton, in 159 reference to ship Nora destroyed by the Alabama, to be presented to British government as part of claims. Transmits copy of his note to Lord Russell, 160 inclosing Upton memorial received with No. 673. |