Mr. Adams to Mr. Seward
Sir. I have to acknowledge the reception of despatches from the department, numbered from 1212 to 1221, both inclusive, and likewise No. 1196, mentioned last week as missing.
I have caused the intercepted correspondence enclosed with this last despatch to be copied and transmitted to Lord Russell, with a note, a copy of which I send herewith. I am not sure that this is the course proposed, in the latter part of the despatch. It would seem rather as if the intention was to make them the base of a prosecution against Messrs. Jones and Highat on the part of the United States. This would be marking out a novel line of policy, the possible [Page 95] consequences of which, in relieving the British government of its responsibility and incurring the hazard of almost certain, and possibly mortifying failure, do not appear as yet to have been quite sufficiently weighed. I cannot but hope that if such a decision has been arrived at, of which I am not altogether sure, it may at any rate be fully reconsidered before it is finally determined on. And if ultimately determined on, I beg leave to suggest the absolute necessity of sending out the lawyers necessary to see it vigorously carried forward. From my past experience in this line, I feel no assurance of any energy on the part of professional men here in prosecuting suits under the enlistment law, or of any confidence in their success, if they exerted it.
Meanwhile her Majesty’s government has decided upon trying its hand on another case, which has just presented itself, of quite a peculiar character. It seems that a Peruvian corvette, called the Union, has been fitting out from this port, and the captain has been engaged in enlisting some seamen here for his service. The attention of the government officers appears to have been drawn to this by the fact that among these seamen were three who had been formerly engaged by Mr. Bumble for the service of the rebels, and whose testimony was considered as highly important in the prosecution now pending. It is now announced in the newspapers that the captain is to be tried on the charge of violating the law in enlisting men to carry on war against Spain.
In this connexion it may be as well to mention that at the time when the enlistment of the three men alluded to became known to the law officers, they at first declined to take any direct steps to retain them here, notwithstanding that they declared them essential in the prosecution of Rumble. They, however, notified Mr. Morse, the consul, of their opinion, and suggested to him an application to the Peruvian minister for their release. Mr. Morse came to me about it, and I immediately addressed a note to Mr. Barreda on the subject. That gentleman being absent, I received an answer from his secretary most promptly and handsomely placing the men at my service. I wrote him at once a letter acknowledging the obligas ion on behalf of my government, and promising to bring the circumstance to its notice.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William. H. Seward. Secretary of State.