Mr. Adams to Mr.
Seward.
No. 731.]
Legation of the United States,
London,
June 28, 1864.
Sir: As I learn from the despatch agent that a
bag is about to be forwarded by to-morrow’s steamer, I seize the
opportunity to transmit a copy of a note which I have addressed to Lord
Eussell on the conduct of the Deerhound in the late action. After
receiving from Captain Winslow a copy of his official report to the
Secretary of the Navy, I deemed it best to place the information at once
in the hands of the British government, so that it might, if it thought
-best, respond, in anticipation of instructions, in a conciliatory tone.
A copy of the actual reply of his lordship is subjoined.
[Page 190]
I regret to perceive that it is evasive in character, and marked by his
less agreeable tone.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward,
Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
Mr. Adams to Earl Russell.
My Lord: I feel it my duty to submit to
your consideration a copy of the official report of Captain Winslow,
of the United States steamer Kearsarge, to the Secretary of the
Navy, respecting the action which took place on Sunday last with the
vessel first known at Liverpool as the gunboat No. 290, and since
under the name of the Alabama.
It would appear from this statement that a grave question has arisen
as to the fact of the interference of a British vessel, with a view
to aid in effecting the escape of a number of persons belonging to
the Alabama, who had already surrendered themselves as prisoners of
war. These persons have been brought to this kingdom, and are
believed to be in readiness to enter again into the same service, on
the first opportunity. Thus the system, heretofore so frequently
brought to your lordship’s notice, of making this island the base of
hostile operations against the commerce of the United States, is in
danger of being carried on under a still more aggravated form.
I have the honor likewise to transmit a list of the names and
official character of the persons who were picked up by the yacht
Deerhound and brought to this island. I feel it my duty to call your
attention to the remarkable proportion of officers and of American
insurgents in this list as compared with the whole number of persons
rescued from the waves. That this selection was made by British
subjects with a view to connive at the escape of those particular
individuals from captivity I can scarcely entertain a doubt.
Inasmuch as the questions involved in this proceeding appear to me of
a character too serious to justify my proceeding further without
specific instructions, I shall now content myself with simply
submitting these papers for the information of her Majesty’s
government.
I pray your lordship to accept the assurances of the highest
consideration with which I have the honor to be, my lord, your most
obedient servant,
Right Hon. Earl Russell,
&c., &c., &c.
Captain Winslow to Mr. Welles.
No. 211.]
United States Steamer
Kearsarge,
Cherbourg, France,
June 21, 1864.
Sir: I have the honor to report that
towards the close of the action between the Alabama and this vessel
all available sail was made on the former for the purpose of again
reaching Cherbourg. When the object was apparent, the Kearsarge was
steered across the bow of the Alabama for a raking fire, but before
reaching this point the Alabama struck. Uncertain whether Captain
Semmes was not making some ruse, the Kearsarge was stopped.
It was seen shortly afterwards that the Alabama was lowering her
boats;
[Page 191]
and an officer came
alongside in one of them to say that they had surrendered and were
fast sinking, and begging that boats would be despatched immediately
for saving of life. The two boats not disabled were at once lowered,
and, as it was apparent the Alabama was settling, this officer was
permitted to leave in his boat to afford assistance.
An English yacht, the Deerhound, had approached the Kearsarge at this
time, when I hailed and begged the commander to run down to the
Alabama, as she was fast sinking, and we had but two boats, and
assist in picking up the men. He answered affirmatively, and steamed
towards the Alabama; but the latter sank almost immediately. The
Deerhound, however, sent her boats, and was actively engaged, aided
by several others which had come from the shore.
These boats were busy in bringing the wounded and others to the
Kearsarge, whom we were trying to make as comfortable as possible,
when it was reported to me that the Deerhound was moving off. I
could not believe the commander of that vessel could be guilty of so
disgraceful an act as taking our prisoners off, and, therefore, took
no means to prevent it, but continued to keep our boats at work
rescuing the men in the water.
I am sorry to say that I was mistaken. The Deerhound made off with
Captain Semmes and others, and also the very officer who had come on
board to surrender.
I learned subsequently that the Deerhound was a consort of the
Alabama, and that she received on board all the valuable personal
effects of Captain Semmes the night before the engagement.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN A. WINSLOW, Captain.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D.
C.
[Untitled]
List of officers and men belonging to the Alabama who were picked up
by the British yacht Deerhound and landed at Southampton :
Captain, Semmes; Lieutenants, Kell and Sinclair; Lieutenant, Howell,
(marines ;) Sailing-master, Bullock; Midshipmen, Maffit and
Anderson; Master’s assistants, G. T. Fulham, J. Evans, M. Meulvier,
and Schrader; Engineer, O’Brien; Gunner, Cuddy; Captain’s clerk,
Smith; Petty officers, J. Broesman, W. Crawford, W. Purdy, J. Dent,
B. Johnson, C. Seymour, C. Sleeson, J. Connor; Firemen, 0. Duffy, J.
Foxton, W. Levins, M. Macfarland, J. Mason; Seamen, T. McMillan, F.
Townshend, R Masters, G. Redman, W. Angel, W. McClellan, W. Hearn,
L. Depoys, A. Pfiffer, F. Lennan, J. Mahan, P. Wharton, T. Kehoe, R.
Longshaw.
Earl Russell to Mr. Adams.
Foreign Office,
June 27, 1864.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of your note of the 25th instant, complaining of the
interference of a British vessel, the Deerhound, with a view to aid
in effecting the escape of a number of persons belonging to the
Alabama, who you state had already surrendered themselves prisoners
of war, and calling my attention to the remarkable proportion of
officers and American insurgents as compared with the whole number
of persons rescued from the waves. You state, further, that you can
scarcely entertain a doubt that this selection was made tby British subjects with a view to connive at
the escape of these particular individuals from captivity.
[Page 192]
I have the honor to state to you, in reply, that it appears to me
that the owner of the Deerhound, of the royal yacht squadron,
performed only a common duty of humanity in saving from the waves
the captain and several of the crew of the Alabama. They would
otherwise, in all probability, have been drowned, and thus would
never have been in the situation of prisoners of war.
It does not appear to me to be any part of the duty of a neutral to
assist in making prisoners of war for one of the belligerents.
I shall, however, transmit to the owner of the Deerhound a copy of
your letter and its enclosures, together with a copy of this
letter.
I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration, sir, your
most obedient, humble servant,
Charles Francis Adams, Esq., &c., &c., &c.
