Inquiring how far the statement that the Alabama was "fitted out and dispatched from the port of Liverpool," contained in a note from Mr. Adams to Earl Russell, is correct.
Mr. Seward to Sept. 17 Adding to the number of similar cases that Mr. Adams. of the bark Union Jack, destroyed by the Alabama, to be presented for redress.
Mr. Adams to Sept. 18 Inclosing Lord Russell's note in reply to his Mr. Seward.
of 24th ultimo, covering communication from Mr. John Laird, stating that at the time of her leaving Liverpool the Alabama was not fitted out as a vessel of war. Lord Russell disclaims all responsibility of Brit- ish government for her subsequent pro- ceedings, and hopes no more claims for damages will be presented. Also Mr. Ad- ams's reply stating that until further in- structions he will abstain from presenting claims, but regretting that Mr. Laird's evi- dence should be adduced in support of any proposition made to United States govern- ment.
727 Mr. Seward to Sept. 30 Inclosing claim of Joshua Atkins & Co., and
505 Mr. Adams to Oct. 1 Mr. Seward.
Geo. Hager, for destruction of ship Bril- liant by the Alabama.
Incloses copy of his note to Lord Russell, covering inclosed letter and papers received from Consul Graham at Cape Town, being the consul's correspondence with the colonial government in reference to the Alabama, which had entered Saldanha Bay, landed prisoners, and captured American bark Sea Bride within sight of land-and the Tuscaloosa, a former prize of the Alabama, which had entered Simon's Bay claiming to be a confederate vessel of war. 5 Inclosing communication from J. D. Jones, 176 president, relative to claim of Atlantic Mutual Insurance Company for destruction of bark Brilliant by the Alabama. Oct. 6 Refers to Lord Russell's note to Mr. Adams of the 14th ultimo, and again presents the views upon which the United States must insist on the responsibility of Great Britain for the outrages of the Alabama. They think it best to postpone the consideration of the question, but must continue to present the cases as they arise.
728 Mr. Seward to Oct. Mr. Adams.
Adams to Oct. Mr. Seward.
8 Incloses Lord Russell's acknowledgment of 178 his note, covering papers in reference to the Alabama at Cape Town. The matter is under consideration by her Majesty's government.
Has prepared a note to Lord Russell, based on instruction No. 730, to accompany papers withheld relative to captures by the Alabama.
Oct. 23 Has received No. 505. Mr. Adams's repre- sentation to British government of pro- ceedings of Alabama at the Cape of Good Hope is approved. If no more distinction
is to be made between war vessels, priva- teers, and pirates than has been made by colonial authorities, it is difficult to see the benefits of the Paris declaration. Great Britain's interest in the reprobation of such practices is not less than that of the United States.
Transmits his note to Lord Russell of the 23d, based on instruction No. 730, review- ing the circumstances of the outfit of the Alabama, claiming her building and equip- ment in a legal point of view to have been wholly within British jurisdiction; and that sufficient notice had been given thereof to the authorities, showing the British character of her crew, recounting her proceedings since leaving port, reas- serting the position of the United States of the responsibility of British govern- ment therefor, and its willingness to post- pone the consideration of the question and submit it to any equitable form of arbitrament; and transmitting further in- closed papers in relation to destruction of the Union Jack and the Brilliant by the Alabama. Also transmits Earl Russell's reply of the 26th, agreeing to postpone- ment of the consideration of the question; defining the point contended for by Great Britain to be only that of her irresponsi- bility for acts of parties fitting out seem- ing merchant vessels in her ports, and sending them out of British jurisdiction to be armed, commissioned, and manned as ships of war; showing the effects of a contrary doctrine upon British ship-build- ing; expressing surprise at the non-cap- ture of the Alabama by United States ves- sels, and asserting the earnest desire of her Majesty's government to preserve peace and amity. Mr. Adams proposes to send Lord Russell another note inclosing papers in relation to depredations by the Florida, and taking notice of his allusion to "seem- ing merchant ships" in inclosed note of 26th.
Nov. 5 Transmits Lord Russell's reply to his repre- sentation of Alabama's proceedings at Cape Town, (sent with No. 505,) stating that the capture of the Sea Bride took place more than three miles from shore, that the Ala- bama was entitled to be treated as a bellig- erent ship of war, and that the question of treatment due to the Tuscaloosa under her Majesty's orders was one of uncertainty. Instructions on the latter point will be sent to colonial authorities for their future guid- ance. Their reports, &c., will be sent to British minister at Washington to be pre- sented to government of United States. Lord Russell makes no mention of alleged sales of captured cargo of Sea Bride in Cape
533 Mr. Adams
Mr. Seward.
Town, which would involve a question of restoration. Mr. Adams also incloses his acknowledgment of above note, and a let- ter from Consul Graham giving further particulars of Alabama's proceedings, and showing that the colonial authorities do not regard the purchase of prize cargoes as forbidden by the Queen's proclamation. He has received a Cape Town newspaper containing the private journal of an officer of the Alabama, which he proposes to have printed and laid before the British govern- ment.
to Nov. 12 Has received instructions 738 to 746, inclu- sive. Although Lord Russell's note ex- pressed an intention of making explana- tions of Alabama's proceedings at Cape Town through Lord Lyons, Mr. Adams proposes to send him a copy of the journal of the officer of that vessel, before refer- red to.
Mr. Elliott to Dec. Mr. Hammond.
Transmits his note to Lord Russell of the 14th, inclosing journal of officer of Ala- bama, and calling his attention to the fact that said officer is a British subject. Also, transmits Lord Russell's acknowledgment, dated the 16th.
Has received No. 530. Approves Mr. Adams's course in presenting claims. Will discuss transactions at Cape of Good Hope with Lord Lyons.
9 Transmitting, for Earl Russell's information, 207 copy of the Duke of Newcastle's dispatch to Governor Wodehouse, giving views of the government in regard to proceedings of confederate vessels at Cape of Good Hope. The capture of the Sea Bride, over three miles from shore, was lawful, but not so her subsequent coming within two miles. The Alabama herself was entitled to the treatment of a belligerent ship of war. Captain Semmes should have been notified of charges made by United States consul against the Tuscaloosa, and requested to show her papers. If she had been found to be an uncondemned prize, the colonial authorities should have retained her until reclaimed by her original owners. Transmits papers in reference to claim of the owners of bark Sea Bride, captured by the Alabama.
792 | Mr. F. W. Seward to Mr. Adams.
Incloses copy of his note to Lord Russell, 209 transmitting Mr. Dudley's letter in rela- tion to the English character of the crew of the Alabama, with a list of their names, and depositions, &c., showing that their families in England draw half their pay through Liverpool houses.
Jan. 22 Incloses copy of his note to Lord Russell, 219 transmitting papers in reference to capture of bark Sea Bride by the Alabama, in
Mr. Dudley to Mr. Seward.
their property, a fair price will be paid for it.
Transmitting official printed "Correspond- 249 ence respecting the Tuscaloosa."
Showing payment by M. G. Klingender & 249 Co. of the wages of the Alabama's crew to their families in Liverpool.
Mr. Seward to April 5 Transmitting letter of Consul Mellen, at Mr. Adams.
Adams to April 8 Mr. Seward.
Mr. Seward to April 22 Mr. Adams.
Mauritius, and inclosed correspondence with colonial authorities relative to ex- pected sale of the Sea Bride's uncondemned cargo. If the views of the governor, that captured cargoes brought in by parties other than the captors, or in an unarmed ship, not being the one in which they were originally captured, are not, even though uncondemned, subject to the Queen's proc- lamation, are sustained by his instruc- tions, Mr. Adams is directed to ask for their modification.
Has received from Consul Mellen copies of 254 his correspondence with colonial authori- ties. Inferring that it has been sent to the department, Mr. Adams will make no use of it until further instructions.
Has received No. 898, but thinking the Brit- 254 ish government preferred to conduct the correspondence in the case of the Sea Bride through Lord Lyons, has deferred all action upon it until further advices.
Has received No. 653; desires no representa- 255 tions made at present in the case of the Sea Bride.
Transmits reports of debates in Parliament 255 on the subject of the Tuscaloosa.
Incloses further papers from Mr. Mellen, rela- 255 tive to captured cargo of Sea Bride, but desires their presentation to British gov- ernment to be delayed.
Lord Lyons to May 24 Incloses bill of lading going to show that 256 Mr. Seward. ›
coal taken from Angra Pequena was the property of British merchants, and trusts that their claim will be promptly satisfied. Announces the arrival of the Alabama at 257 Cherbourg for repairs, and incloses a copy of a letter from her commander printed in the Times.
Announces the destruction of the Alabama off 257 Cherbourg by the Kearsarge, and incloses newspaper accounts of the action. The feeling in Liverpool is one of regret. The British part of the Alabama's crew were taken care of at the Sailors' Home, South- ampton. The English steamer Deerhound rescued her officers.
Adams to June 21 Transmitting newspaper accounts of the en- Mr. Seward.
gagement between the Alabama and Kear- sarge, and referring to conduct of the yacht Deerhound.
June 23 Incloses published report of Captain Semmes 258 to Mr. Mason. The conduct of the Deer
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