710

500

Mr. Layard to
Mr. Laird.

1863. Aug. 31

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

Mr. Adams.

505 Mr. Adams to Oct. 1 Mr. Seward.

Geo. Hager, for destruction of ship Bril-
liant by the Alabama.

162

163

163

165

165

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.

176

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

178

179

1863.

to Oct. 30

to

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

179

202

533 Mr. Adams

Mr. Seward.

1863.

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.

Dec.

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.

205

205

206

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.

Dec. 28

1864. Jan. 15

209

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

626

Mr.

Adams to

Mar. 18

Mr. Seward.

251

Mr. Dudley to
Mr. Seward.

April 1

898

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.

Mr. Adams

Adams to April 8
Mr. Seward.

664

do..

April 21

916

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.

249

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.

258

June 23 Incloses published report of Captain Semmes 258 to Mr. Mason. The conduct of the Deer