NORTH AMERICA.
No. 7. (1864)
CORRESPONDENCE
RESPECTING
THE ENLISTMENT OF BRITISH SEAMEN
AT
QUEENSTOWN
ON BOARD THE
UNITED STATES'S SHIP OF WAR
"KEARSARGE."
Presented to both Houses of Parliament by
Command of Her Majesty.
1864.
LONDON:
PRINTED BY HARRISON AND SONS.
Correspondence respecting the Enlistment of British
Seamen at Queenstown on board the United States'
ship war "Kearsarge."
No. 1
Mr. Arbuthnot to Mr. Hammond. - (Received November
20)
Sir,
I AM commanded by the Lords Commissioners of Her
Majesty's Treasury to transmit to you, for the
information of Earl Russell, the inclosed copy of
a letter from the Commissioners of Customs relating
to a report that the United States' war-sloop
"Kearsarge" had taken on board British subjects at
Queenstown, and I am to state that my Lords would be
glad to be informed whether, in his Lordship's opinion,
any further steps should be taken in the matter.
I have, &c.
(Signed) G. ARBUTHNOT.
Inclosure 1 in No. 1.
Mr. Gardner to Mr. Hamilton.
Sir, Custom-House, November 19, 1863.
I AM directed to acquaint you, for the information
of the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury,
that a rumour having reached the Collector of this
Revenue at Cork that the United States' war-sloop
"Kearsarge" which put into that port on the 2nd instant,
had taken on board and proceeded to sea with several men
being British subjects from the neighbourhood of
Queenstown, he caused inquiry to be made, with a view
of ascertaining whether any infringement of the
provisions of the Foreign Enlistment Act had
taken place. The person from whom the rumour
emanated was a person named Samuel Dunn, a pensioner,
residing at Ringaskiddy. Upon being questioned by the
Collector, Dunn stated that James Haley, a native
of Ringaskiddy, and who lived at that place about
twenty years ago, at which time he was in the
British service on board of the "Shamrock," joined
the American service, and is now an officer on
board the "Kearsarge." On the recent arrival
of that vessel, Haley went on shore at Ringaskiddy
to visit his relatives, and while on shore remained
at the house of his sister. It is alleged that
during his stay there he persuaded the following
persons to go to sea in the "Kearsarge," but under
what agreement no evidence appears:-
John Sullivan, Edward Pyburne, Thomas Murphy,
George Patterson, Dennis Leary, natives of
Ringaskiddy.
It is also alleged that Michael Ahern, of
Queenstown, joined the said vessel. The five
persons first named, who are from 17 to 18 years
of age, were taken on board the ship by John Dunn,
the son of Samuel Dunn, whose declaration to that
effect is inclosed. It does not appear how
Michael Ahern (a clerk lately dismissed from the
service of Messrs. Scott of Queenstown) was taken
on board. The reports of the officers at Cork,
and the declaration of John Dunn having referred
to the Solicitor of the Revenue, he has reported
that the circumstance of the men having been
put on board and sailed away in a vessel of war
of the United States affords a strong influence that
they have entered into the American war service,
but that the proofs are not very strong to support
such a case, and there is no person known ashore who
has been shown to be concerned in enlisting the men
so as to render him amenable to prosecution under
the 2nd section of the Foreign Enlistment Act,unless
it be John Dunn himself, whose statement is very vague.
He appears, according to his own statement, to
have acted as an unpaid volunteer, and does not
explain wherefore or by whose instructions he
put the men on board.
I am, &c.
(Signed) FT. GARDNER.
Inclosure 2 in No. 1.
Declaration of John Dunn.
Queenstown, November 12, 1863.
I, JOHN DUNN, of Ringaskiddy, do declare that
on Wednesday the 4th day of November, I took on
board the American sloop-of-war "Kearsarge" in
Queenstown harbour, John Sullivan, Edward Pyburne,
Thomas Murphy, and George Patterson, and on Thursday
the 5th November, Denis Leary, all of whom lived at
Ringaskiddy, none of whom have landed to my
knowledge.
I got no pay for taking them on board, they being
too poor to pay, and I am not aware of any payment
made to them on board.
(Signed) JOHN DUNN, his # mark.
Read over to the party in our presence, who
witness his mark hereto this 12th November, 1863
at Queenstown.
(Signed) J. MOORE, Surveyor
N. SEYMOUR.
P. DUNN.
No. 2
The Earl of Donoughmore to Earl Russell. -
(Received November 26)
My Lord,
I THINK it right to forward to your Lordship
the inclosed copy of a letter received this day
from the Honourable J.M. Mason, together with
copies of the declarations to which it refers.
Believe, &c.
(Signed) DONOUGHMORE
Inclosure 1 in No. 2
Mr. Mason to the Earl of Donoughmore.
My Lord, 16 Rue de Marignan, Paris,
November 23, 1863.
I HAVE received here the affidavits of which I
venture to inclose copies.
They were taken, as you will see, at Cork, in
Ireland, by the Commercial Agent of the Confederate
States at that place, and clearly prove the enlistment
of a number of men into the naval service of the
United States on board the Federal frigate
"Kearsarge" whilst recently at that port.
It is certainly desirable that this offence should
be brought to the notice of the Government, an office
which I am not in a position to perform.
I have taken leave, therefore, to send the papers
to you, and though without any request (which I could
not take the liberty to make), yet if you think proper
to send them to the Foreign Office, it would place
it in the power of the Government to examine into
the facts. The original affidavits remain in the
possession of Robert Dowling, Esq., at Cork or
Queenstown.
I have, &c.
(Signed) J.M. MASON.
Inclosure 2 in No. 2.
Declaration of Patrick Kennedy.
Borough of Cork to wit:
By one of Her Majesty's Justices of the
Peace of the Borough of Cork.
I, PATRICK KENNEDY, of Queenstown in the county
of Cork, yeoman, do solemnly and sincerely declare
that, on Tuesday the 3rd day of November instant,
I went on board the American war frigate "Kearsarge"
then lying in the port of Cork, for the purpose
of enlisting in the naval service to which she
belonged. Thomas Verling, of Queenstown, and two
other men from the light-house, whose names I do
not know, were with me; we all went for the same
purpose, having previously ascertained that the
officers on board were enlisting men. This was
widely circulated through Queenstown. When I went
on board it was about 2 o'clock, and one of the
officers told me I would be taken for landsmen.
The same officers told a person, whom I believe
to be the boatswain's mate, to take me before the
doctor; and accordingly I and the three other
men were taken before the doctor of the ship, were
stripped, even our stockings taken off, and passed
his inspection. We left about 4 o'clock promising
to come aboard at 7 o'clock same evening. I did
not go aboard that evening, but returned at about
7 o'clock next morning, and had breakfast, dinner
and supper on board. While aboard next day seven
or eight men from Ringaskiddy, all Irishmen, came
aboard and told me they had passed the doctor.
These men sailed on board the vessel. I did not,
as I, when outside the harbour, as the parties were
asleep below, slipped into the boat with the pilot
and came home. A boy of the name of Murphy, from
Queenstown, also passed the doctor, and sailed
in the vessel, so did all the others, with the
exception of Verling; he did not go. There
were from 150 to 200 men taken on board, nearly all
Irish. I saw Mr. Eastman, the American Consul for
Queenstown, on board; he was in conversation with
some of the officers on board and remained for
some time. Mr. Dawson, the agent of the Consul,
was also on board. I was told 12 dollars a month
would be the pay. After we passed the doctor our
names were registered. And I make this solemn
declaration conscientiously believing the same
to be sure, and in pursuance of the statute for
the abolition of oaths, and the substitution of
declarations in lieu thereof.
Made and subscribed before me at and in the
borough of Cork, this 18th day of November, 1863.
PATRICK KENNEDY, his # mark.
Truly read by me,
(Signed) THOMAS. H. CROFTS.
FELICE MULLUN, one of the Justices
of the Peace for the Borough of Cork.
Inclosure 3 in No. 2.
Declaration of Edward Lynch.
Borough of Cork, to wit:
By one of Her Majesty's Justices of the
Peace for the said borough.
I, EDWARD LYNCH, of Queenstown, the county of Cork,
yeoman, do solemnly and sincerely declare that the
American war steam-frigate "Kearsarge," came into
the port of Queenstown, in this county, on the
2nd day of November instant, where she anchored,
and remained till the 6th day of November following.
That it was rumoured that she was taking men for
the support of the war now going on in America,
and I in company with one Daniel O'Connell, of
Whitepoint, and one John Connelly, of Bishop's-
street, in the town of Queenstown, both in said county,
and all Irishmen, went on board said frigate. That
I remained on board said war frigate up to the hour
of half past 5 o'clock in the afternoon on said day,
and got my dinner and supper on board with all the
other hands, and that the boatswain of said frigate
shipped the said O'Connell and Connelly to serve
on board said war frigate, and proceed to America
therein, but objected to me because of my height.
That previously to the shipping of said two men,
O'Connell and Connelly they had to pass inspection
of the naval doctor on board, in the usual way in
which men enlisting in the navy have to do.
That another man whose I do not know, and also,
as I believe, a British subject who formerly belonged
to a merchant ship, and was residing in Queenstown for
about three months previously, passed the doctor
and was shipped. That two other men who belonged
to Ringaskiddy, in this county, were also taken as
firemen on board said war frigate, and that it
was stated on board that the pay was to be 12
dollars per month. That the captain of said frigate
was not on board at the time of these occurrences,
but I heard the commander say to the boatswain,
"I'll leave them in charge to you now." The boatswain
took them with him, and in some time after they, the
said O'Connell and Connelly, returned and told me
they passed the doctor. O'Connell's mother, now
Mrs. Buckley, lives at the back of the chapel at
Queenstown. A boatman from the Holy ground at
Queenstown also came on board, passed the naval
doctor in the usual way aforesaid, and was taken
into service on board. There were about 200 hands
on board, principally English and Irish. The said
war frigate sailed from this port, by the
directions of the Admiral, now stationed at Queenstown
on Friday the 6th day of November instant, and it
was stated she would first proceed to France thence
to America. The men of whom I have declared sailed
on board said war frigate, out of the port of Cork,
and I make this solemn declaration conscientiously
believing the same to be true, in pursuance of the
statute for the abolition of oaths, and the substitution
of declarations in lieu thereof.
Made and subscribed before me in the borough of Cork
this 16th day of November, 1863.
EDWARD LYNCH, his # mark.
Truly read by me to the said Edward Lynch
(Signed) THOMAS W. CROFTS
ROBERT HALL,
Justice of the Peace,
Borough of Cork.
No. 3
Earl Russell to Mr. Adams
Sir, Foreign Office, November 30, 1863
I HAVE the honour to call your attention to the
following statement which has come to the knowledge
of Her Majesty's Government respecting the shipment
of British subjects on board the United States' ship
of war "Kearsarge" when in the port of Queenstown, for
service in the navy of the United States.
It is reported that when the "Kearsarge" was at
Queenstown early in this month, one of her officers,
named James Haley, who had been a resident at
Ringaskiddy about twenty years ago, and who after
serving on board Her Majesty's ship "Shamrock" had
entered into the service of the United States, went
ashore for the purpose of visiting his sister at
that place, and when there, persuaded five persons
named John Sullivan, Edward Pyburne, Thomas Murphy,
George Patterson, and Dennis Leary to go to sea in
the "Kearsarge." These men are said to have been
taken on board that vessel by one J. Dunn, a
boatman of Ringaskiddy. Another person of the name
of Michael Ahern, lately in the employment of Messrs.
Scott of Queenstown, is also reported to have gone
on board at the same time. None of these persons seem
to have come on shore again, and they therefore must
have sailed in the "Kearsarge" and have taken service
in her as seamen.
Her Majesty's Government have also been furnished
with copies of affidavits made by Patrick Kennedy
and Edward Lynch, both natives of Queenstown, who
declare that they proceeded on board the "Kearsarge"
and have taken service in her as seamen.
Her Majesty's Government have also been furnished
with copies of affidavits made by Patrick Kennedy
and Edward Lynch, both natives of Queenstown, who
declare that they proceeded on board the "Kearsarge"
to enter as seamen, but did not sail in her.
Patrick Kennedy deposes that he underwent an
inspection by the ship's doctor, and that his name was
registered, that he saw seven or eight other men
from Ringaskiddy come on board, all Irishmen, one
of them named Murphy; the names of the others he
states himself not to know. He states that he
was informed the pay would be 12 dollars a month.
Kennedy, however, left the ship with the pilot
and returned to land.
Kennedy also deposes that he saw on board the
"Kearsarge" Mr. Eastman, the American Consul for
Queenstown, in conversation with one of the officers,
and that Mr. Dawson, the agent of the Consul, was
also on board.
Edward Lynch's affidavit corroborates the assertions
made by Kennedy. He says that he went on board
with two other Irishmen, Daniel O'Connell of
Whitepoint, and John Connelly of Bishop's Street,
Queenstown, and that O'Connell and Connelly
having been passed by the doctor were engaged
as seamen together with three other men all
British subjects, whose names he did not know, he
himself being rejected on account of his height.
He declares that all those whom he saw thus engaged
sailed in the vessel when she left Queenstown.
I need not point out to you the importance of
these statements, as proving a deliberate violation
of the laws of this country within one of its
harbours by commissioned officers of the navy of
the United States.
Before I say more I wait to hear you can allege
in contravention of such culpable conduct on the part
of the United States' officers of the navy, and the
United States' Consul at Queenstown.
I am, &c.
(Signed) RUSSELL.
No. 4
Mr. Adams to Earl Russell. - Received December 3.
Legation of the United States,
London, December 2, 1863.
MR. ADAMS, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister
Plenipotentiary of the United States, presents
his compliments to the Right Honourable Earl
Russell, her Majesty's Principal Secretary of
State for Foreign Affairs, and has the honour to
acknowledge the reception of his Lordship's note
of the 30th ultimo relating to certain unlawful
proceedings allowed to have taken place at
Queenstown, in the enlistment of Her Majesty's
subjects on board of the "Kearsarge" and to
the agency of the Consul of the United States,
Mr. Eastman, in that transaction.
It would be a cause of great regret to Mr. Adams
if any just ground should have been given to an officer
of the United States to any similar allegation. He
loses no time in assuring his Lordship that he has
taken immediate measures to apprize Mr. Eastman
of the nature of the statement thus made, and to
obtain the necessary explanations of the matter from
him. In the meantime, Mr. Adams cannot permit
himself to doubt that the charge will prove to
have been founded in some misconception of the facts
of the the case.
Mr. Adams prays &c.
No. 5
Mr. Adams to Earl Russell. - (Received December 7)
Legation of the United States, London
December 7, 1863
My Lord,
WITH reference to your note of the 30th of
November, respecting certain insinuations contained
in the depositions of parties at Queenstown against
the conduct of Mr. Eastman, the Consul of the
United States, in connection with a supposed
enlistment of men for service in the steamer
"Kearsarge," I take pleasure in transmitting to
you a copy of what Mr. Eastman writes in answer
to my inquiry.
I pray, &c.
(Signed) CHARLES FRANCIS ADAMS.
Inclosure in No. 5.
Mr. Eastman to Mr. Adams
United States' Consulate,
Queenstown, Cork,
December, 4 1863.
(Extract)
WITH regard to any connivance upon my part in
this matter, I can truly assert and declare that I
do not know of a single shipment of seamen on board
of the vessel, nor of the hiring or engagement of any,
and have no doubt if such shipments took place I
should have had some information, and, from the
positive assurance of the captain and his officers,
I cannot believe that the captain or his officers
did during the stay of the vessel in this port
commit the acts represented to Earl Russell, as
stated in his communication of the 30th of
November. I feel assured, from the position of
the captain in the service, that you will be
justified in assuring Earl Russell that no
such acts as have been represented to him were
committed, and again would fearlessly state that
so far as I am concerned, I am perfectly ignorant
of such alleged acts, and should not be so
remiss in my duty to my Government as not to
convey it to them if such had occured to my
knowledge.
No. 6.
The Secretary to the Admiralty to Mr.
Hammond. - (Received December 9.)
Sir, Admiralty, December 9, 1863.
I AM commanded by my Lords Commissioners of
the Admiralty to send you here with, for the
information of Earl Russell, a copy of a letter
from Rear-Admiral Sir Lewis Jones, dated the 7th
instant, relative to fifteen seamen having been
landed at Queenstown from the United States'
sloop-of-war "Kearsarge" who stated that they
had been shipped at that port.
I am, &c.
(Signed) W. G. ROMAINE
Inclosure in No. 6
Rear - Admiral Sir L. Jones to the
Secretary to the Admiralty.
Sir, "Hastings," Queenstown December 7, 1863
I HAVE the honour to report, for their
Lordship's information, that the United States'
steam-corvette "Kearsarge," came off the harbour
this morning, and shortly afterwards fifteen seamen
were landed from her by the "Petrel" a schooner
pilot boat, belonging to Messrs. Scott and Co.,
merchants, of Queenstown.
2. It appears from the statements of these men
that they were shipped between the 2nd and 5th
November last, while the "Kearsarge" was windbound
at this port, and regularly entered as part
complement of the ship on arriving at Brest.
3. I would beg to observe that Captain Winslow
of the "Kearsarge" was perfectly aware of Her
Majesty's Proclamation and the Statute Law on that
point, as he had a copy of the Proclamation in his
possession, and I had a conversation with him on
the subject, and he stated to me in the presence of
Mr. Eastman, the United States' Consul, that he
did not want any men - he only wanted a clerk.
4. The men now landed are in custody, awaiting
the decision of the Custom-house authorities in
London.
5. I have further to add that Mr. Eastman, the
United States' Consul, read to me this morning
a letter he had received from Captain Winslow of
the "Kearsarge" stating that a number of men
were found secreted on board the "Kearsarge" after
his leaving Queenstown on the 5th November, and that
he would have landed them at Brest, but that doing
so would have put them into the hands of the
Confederate war-steamer "Florida" and he now sends
them on shore at Queenstown.
I have &c.
(Signed) LEWIS JONES
No. 7.
The Secretary to the Admiralty to Mr. Hammond
(Received December 10.)
Sir, Admiralty, December 10, 1863
WITH reference to my letter of the 9th instant,
I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the
Admiralty to send you herewith, for the information
of Earl Russell, a copy of a further letter from
Rear-Admiral Sir Lewis Jones, dated the 8th instant
with copies of its inclosures, relating to the
re-landed at Queenstown from the United States'
ship-of-war "Kearsarge."
I am &c.
(Signed) W. G. ROMAINE.
Inclosure 1 in No. 7.
Rear-Admiral Sir L. Jones to the
Secretary to the Admiralty.
Sir, "Hastings" at Queenstown,
December 8, 1863
WITH reference to my letter of yesterday's
date, I inclose herewith, for their Lordship's
information, a copy of the letter from Captain
Winslow, of the United States' sloop "Kearsarge,"
which Mr. Eastman, the United States' Consul, read
to me yesterday. Also a letter from Captain
Winslow to myself, reporting his arrival for the
purpose of landing sixteen men, said to have concealed
themselves on board the "Kearsarge" prior to that ship's
departure from Queenstown on the 5th of November, with
copies of the certificate of Captain Winslow and
Lieutenant Thornton, executive officer of the
"Kearsarge" relating to the men in question.
2. Since my letter of yesterday's date I find another
man was landed, which makes the number sixteen instead
of fifteen.
3. On the United States' Consul informing me that
he intended to go on board the "Kearsarge" to
communicate with Captain Winslow, I requested him
to state to that officer that I considered the
manner of landing the men in a pilot-hanger without
having previously communicated with the authorities
of this place was irregular.
I am, &c.
(Signed) LEWIS T. JONES.
Inclosure 2 in No. 7.
Captain Winslow, U.S.N., to Mr. Eastman.
Sir, "Kearsarge" at Sea December 7, 1863.
A PARTY of men, either by connivance of the
crew or otherwise, were concealed on board this
vessel on the night of her departure from
Queenstown, the 5th ultimo. These men I learn
were in expectation of being enlisted in the
service of the United States after the "Kearsarge"
had proceeded to sea, but found their mistake.
To have turned them ashore at Brest would have
been open to them the temptation to enlist on board
the "Florida". I therefore determined to leave them
at Queenstown as soon as it was practicable. You
will please notify Admiral Jones that I informed
him that no enlistments would be made at
Queenstown. I have therefore sent on shore this
party that no charge of subterfuge may be alleged
in the premises.
Very respectfully, &c.
(Signed) JOHN A. WINSLOW.
Inclosure 3 in No. 7.
Captain Winslow to Rear Admiral Sir L. Jones
Sir, "Kearsarge" off Queenstown, December 7 1863
I HAVE the honour to inform you that I came-to
off Queenstown for the purpose of landing sixteen
refugees who had concealed themselves on board this
ship, prior to her departure from Queenstown on the
5th of November.
I learn here that an attempt has been made to
magnify this circumstance, for purposes unfriendly
to the United States.
I have therefore given to the American Consul my
certificate with a representation of the circumstance
by the executive officer of this ship, and I have
directed the Consul to hand you a copy of the same.
Very respectfully, &c.
(Signed) JOHN A. WINSLOW.
Inclosure 4 in No. 7.
Certificate.
I CERTIFY that the United States' steam-sloop
"Kearsarge" arrived in Queenstown on the night
of the 2nd of November, 1863, and that on the
following day I left the ship for Cork; on my
return to Queenstown, accompanied by the American
Consul, I called upon the Admiral in command, and in
course of conversation reference was made to a
paragraph in the papers, that the "Kearsarge" had
come in for the purpose of enlisting men, when I
informed the Admiral that I had received notice
from the executive officer of the "Kearsarge" that
many persons had applied to be shipped, and in
response I had directed him to notify all persons
that no enlistment would be made, and instructions
were given in accordance.
On the night of the 5th November, 1863, while
blowing heavy with thick rainy weather the
"Kearsarge" went to sea.
On the following day report was made to me that
several men had been discovered on board, and
investigation showed that they had concealed
themselves in the ship during the thick and rainy
weather of the day or night previous, and disguised
in this way proceeded in the ship, hoping to be
enlisted in the service of the United States after
she got to sea. The "Kearsarge" was on important
duty watching the "Florida" at Brest, and it was
therefore impracticable to return the men to
Queenstown immediately. I directed the men to
be held at Brest in apprehension if they were
turned ashore they would join the "Florida"
resolving as soon as the "Kearsarge" left Brest
again to put them on shore at Cork. The
"Kearsarge" left Brest again on the 5th December,
1863, and, in accordance with my resolution, I
have this day sent sixteen men ashore in the
pilot-boat "Petrel," with a list of their names
as give to the American Consul.
(Signed) J.A. WINSLOW
"Kearsarge", off Queenstown, December 7, 1863.
Inclosure 5 in No. 7.
Lieutenant-Commander Thornton to Captain Winslow,
U.S.N.
Sir, "Keasarge," off Cork Harbour,
December 7, 1863
I BEG leave to state in accordance with your
request that on or about the 3rd November 1863,
several men from Queenstown came on board of
this ship as applicants for enlistment in the
naval service of the United States. In the absence
of yourself, they were physically qualified for
enlistment they might remain on board until your
return, when you would decide. Upon your return,
your instructions were not enlist them, they were
accordingly sent out of the ship.
Many applicants of a similar nature were made, but
their enlistment was in every case refused in
accordance with your instructions.
During the time we were at anchor, the ship was
surrounded by boats filled with men desiring to
enlist; orders were given and executed not to
allow them alongside.
On the evening of the 5th, this was the case until
after dark, and until the ship was underweight.
The ship went to sea on the evening of the 5th
November; it was stormy and blowing hard. In
accordance with the usual custom of the ship, and
with the necessities of the case (as I thought)
before tripping the anchor all strangers were
ordered out of the ship; the Master of Arms, with
the ship's corporal, and others of the police force
executed the order; finding men stowed away in the
hold, in the carpenter's locker, and elsewhere,
these men were put out of the ship, in some cases
by force. As soon as the ship was reported cleared,
the anchor was tripped, and the ship went to sea.
On the next day several men were discovered who
were strangers in the ship; these men, probably
with the connivance of the crew, had been so
securely concealed as to elude the vigilance of
the police force. Upon receiving this information,
you decided to land these men at Brest, whither
you were bound.
The men were sent out of the ship at Brest
in accordance with this determination, but
pleading destitution they returned and were
permitted to remain on board until this morning,
when they were landed in Queenstown by the pilot-
boat "Petrel".
I would add that the names of these men upon
their return to the ship while in Brest harbour
were placed upon the ship's books for the purpose
of their support and comfort, they being
otherwise utterly destitute.
Very respectfully, &c.
(Signed) JAS.[James?] S THORNTON.
No. 8.
Mr. Hammond to Mr. Waddington.
Sir, Foreign Office, December 12, 1863.
I AM directed by Earl Russell to transmit to
you herewith, to be laid before Secretary Sir
George Grey, copies of paper as marked in the
margin * respecting the enlistment at Queenstown
of various British subjects to serve on board
the United States' steam-vessel of war the
"Kearsarge".
The Law Officers are of opinion that the men
who so enlisted on board the "Kearsarge" should
be prosecution under the Foreign Enlistment Act;
and Lord Russell directs me to say that he is
of opinion that such prosecution should be
instituted as soon as sufficient evidence is
collected to sustain it.
I am, &c.
(Signed ) E. HAMMOND
* Nos. 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, and 9.
No. 9
Mr. Adams to Earl Russell (Received December 14)
Legation of the United States, London,
December 14, 1863.
My Lord,
IN reference to the note of the 30th
November, which I had the honour to receive
from you, respecting certain allegations made
against the Commander of the steamer
"Kearsarge" I now transmit the copy of a note
addressed to the Consul by that officer. It
would appear from this that he disavows all
intention of violating the laws of this kingdom
in enlisting men for the service of the United
States. Whatever may have been done of this
kind seems to have been carried on without his
knowledge, and, when he discovered it he took
prompt measures to rectify the error by
returning to port and landing the men.
I beg leave to add that I have transmitted
copies of all the papers connected with this
subject for the consideration of my
Government.
I pray, &c.
(Signed) CHARLES FRANCIS ADAMS.
Inclosure in No. 9.
Captain Winslow, U.S.N., to Mr Eastman,
December 7, 1863.
[See Inclosure 2 in No. 7]
No. 10.
Earl Russell to Mr. Adams.
Sir, Foreign Office, December 16, 1863.
I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of
your letter of the 7th instant, inclosing an extract
of a letter dated the 4th instant, from Mr. Eastman,
the United States' Consul at Cork, stating that he did
not know of a single shipment of seamen on board
of the United States' steamer "Kearsarge" nor of the
hiring or engagement of any, and that he had no doubt
that if any such shipments had taken place he
should have had some information of it: and further,
that from the positive assurance of the captain and
his officers, he cannot believe that the captain or
his officers did, during the stay of the vessel at
Queenstown commit the acts represented to Her
Majesty's Government which formed the subject of my
letter to you of the 30th of November, namely,
the enlistment of men to serve on board the
"Kearsarge."
With reference to this statement I think it
right to inform you that a report dated December
7th has been received by the Board of Admiralty
from the Port Admiral at Queenstown, stating that
the "Kearsarge" had arrived off the harbour in the
morning, and shortly afterwards fifteen seamen
were landed from her in a pilot-boat. These seamen
stated that they were shipped between the 2nd and
5th of November last, whilst the "Kearsarge" was
windbound at Queenstown, and that they were regularly
entered as part complement of the ship on arriving
at Brest.
It appears, further, from the Admiral's report that
the Commander of the "Kearsarge" was perfectly aware
of Her Majesty's Proclamation and of the Statute
Law bearing on the point, and had a copy of the
Proclamation in his possession; and that he had
stated to the Admiral, in the presence of the
United States' Consul, that he did not want any
men, and only wanted a clerk.
The Admiral adds that on the morning of the 7th
the United States' Consul Mr. Eastman, read to him
a letter which he had received from the captain of the
"Kearsarge" saying that a number of men were found
secreted on board that vessel after her departure from
Queenstown on the 5th of November and that he would
have landed them at Brest but that doing so would
have put them into the hands of the Confederate
war-steamer "Florida" and that he now sent them on
shore at Queenstown.
The discrepancies between the statements which I
have thus recited, together with the statements set
forth in my letter of the 30th of November and those
which have been transmitted to you by the United
States' Consul at Queenstown, will not fail to
attract your attention, and will doubtless suggest to
you the propriety of making still further inquiry
from your own Consul as to the part taken by him
in the enlistment of these men.
I am, &c.
(Signed) RUSSELL
No. 11
Mr. Bruce to Mr. Hammond - (Received December 16)
Sir, Whitehall, December 16, 1863.
I HAVE laid before Secretary Sir George Grey
your letter of the 12th instant, and its inclosures,
respecting the enlistment at Queenstown of British
subjects to serve on board the United States' steam
vessel of war the "Kearsarge" and I am to acquaint
you for the information of Earl Russell, that the
papers have been forwarded to the Lord Lieutenant
of Ireland, in order that his Excellency may, if
he sees no objection, give the necessary directions
for the prosecution of the men so enlisted under the
Foreign Enlistment Act, in accordance with the
opinion of the Law Officers of the Crown in this
country.
I am &c.
(Signed) H.A BRUCE
No. 12
Earl Russell to Mr Adams
Sir, Foreign Office, December 17, 1863.
I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt
of your note of the 14th instant, respecting the
seamen embarked on board the United States' steamer
"Kearsarge" at Queenstown.
I am, &c
(Signed) RUSSELL.
No. 13,
Mr. Hammond to Mr. Bruce.
Sir, Foreign Office, December 17, 1863
WITH reference to my letter of the 12th instant,
I am directed by Earl Russell to transmit to you, to
be laid before Secretary Sir George Grey, a copy of a
further note from Mr. Adams * inclosing a copy of a
letter from the Captain of the United States' steamer
"Kearsarge" respecting the seamen embarked on board
that vessel at Queenstown.
I am &c.
(Signed) E. HAMMOND
