Mr. Seward to Mr. Adams.
Sir: I acknowledge the receipt of your despatch of the 11th of December, No. 553, and in this connexion I take leave to refer to your previous despatch, No. 548, and to my reply thereto, No. 791. All of these papers relate to Earl Russell’s complaint that the commandant of the United States steamer Kearsarge, Captain Winslow, had enlisted seamen in the port of Queenstown, and that Mr. Eastman, the United States consul for Cork, resident at Queenstown, was an accomplice in that affair. Your despatch first above mentioned gives the consul’s positive denial of the charge, so far as it concerns himself, and his denial upon information and belief of the charge against Captain Winslow. The same despatch is accompanied by a copy of papers, which were placed in your hands by Captain Winslow, in which the charge, as it affects himself, is denied, and proofs are given sustaining that denial.
The same despatch informs me that you have already submitted the consul’s denial to Earl Russell, but that you had not at that time laid before him the papers furnished to you by Captain Winslow.
It will be borne in mind that in my despatch No. 791 I authorized you to investigate the charges, and to report thereupon to this department, at the same time empowering you to dismiss the consul peremptorily, if you should find him guilty of the offence alleged against him. In the same paper I authorized you to inform his lordship that I should request the Secretary of the Navy to institute an inquiry into the facts, without waiting for the result of your investigation. I further empower you to ask from Earl Russell any proofs he might be able to furnish in support of the charge.
Having thus described the condition of the case, I have now to say: First in regard to the consul, that if no facts controverting his denial shall have come to your knowledge, it seems to me that his innocence is established, and that I hope that it may appear in the same favorable light to her Majesty’s government.
Second, in regard to Captain Winslow, that unless you have discovered or been put in possession of facts controverting his denial and proofs, that you will say to his lordship that it seems to this government that Captain Winslow has not intentionally or knowingly violated the anti-enlistment laws of Great Britain, although there is reason to believe that, without his knowledge, some irregularity in that respect was practiced by some of the petty officers and seamen on board his vessel, which was corrected as far as possible when it was discovered by him. It is not proposed, however, to decide definitely this point, without awaiting a report of your investigation, as well as the result of the inquiry which has been ordered by the Secretary of the Navy.
Finally, you will assure Earl Russell that this government, in the further prosecution of the case, will not fail to vindicate its respect for the laws of Great Britain, and for the laws of nations.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Charles Francis Adams, Esq., &c., &c., &c.