Mr. Seward to Nov.
Mr. Stuart..

Mr. Stuart to Mr.
Seward.

Nov.

Mr. Seward to
Mr. Stuart.

Mr. Seward to
Lord Lyons.

Transmitting protest of the master, mate,
and engineer of the Sunbeam, a British
steamer, captured by United States cruis-

ers

off Wilmington, showing that the Sunbeam, having met with considerable damage, was obliged to make the nearest port. Mr. Stuart states that as the United States refuse to restore captured vessels until after adjudication, he will not apply for the restitution of the vessel, but calls attention to the fact that she was unnecessarily fired into at point-blank range while stationary by the State of Georgia, and that although a great portion of her stores had been lost in a hurricane, no fresh supplies were placed on board for the master and remaining members of the

crew.

243

3 Acknowledging the receipt of above note, 246
and states that the Secretary of the Navy
has been requested to institute an inquiry
into the alleged facts.

9 Inclosing further protest on capture of the 247
Sunbeam; calls attention to statement
that officers of the State of Georgia endeav-
ored to enlist a portion of the crew in the
service of the United States; requests that
such attempts may be prevented in fu-
ture.

Nov. 12 Acknowledges receipt of note of the 9th
instant, and states that the case as pre-
sented does not seem to warrant the com-
plaint that a pressure of any kind was
made upon the seamen of the Sunbeam to
enlist in the service of the United States.
Nov. 26 Inclosing report of the commander of the
State of Georgia to the Secretary of the
Navy, which states that the Sunbeam was
captured while attempting to run the
blockade; that three shots were fired at
the vessel before she stopped; that she had
sufficient supplies and stores on board to
last a week; and that there was nothing
in her condition requiring her to enter a
port of safety.

248

249

Page.

Lord Lyons to
Mr. Seward.

1863. Feb. 17

Mr. Seward to Feb. 19
Lord Lyons.

He is directed to state that her Majesty's 251
government regret the declaration con-
tained in Mr. Seward's note of the 12th
November, concerning the attempts made
to enlist seamen from the Sunbeam, and
regards it as being inconsistent with the
obligations of a belligerent toward a
neutral, and as being calculated to embar-
rass her Majesty's government in their
endeavors to observe a strict neutrality.
States that on re-examining the decision of 251
this government he has been unable to
discover that it was erroneous in view of
the facts and circumstances belonging to
the case as it was then stated. But it
would be doing injustice to this govern-
ment were he to acquiesce in the construc-
tion given to his note of the 12th Novem-
ber by Lord Lyons, namely: "You, then,
as it appears to her Majesty's government,
take up, in substance, the position that,
provided no violence be used, it is per-
fectly competent to the United States gov-
ernment to induce her Majesty's subjects
to act as belligerents, contrary to the laws
of Great Britain, and in direct opposition
to the principle of international law con-
tended for by the United States minister
at her Majesty's court in the case of the
Alabama." Has no doubt that if Lord
Russell should recur to his note he would
discover that Mr. Seward's language had
been unintentionally misconceived by him
in this particular.

Lord Lyons to April 22 Her Majesty's government having carefully 252
Mr. Seward.

considered Mr. Seward's note, are unable
to alter the opinion which was expressed
in Mr. Stuart's note of the 17th February.

GENERAL APPENDIX No. XII.

Letters of Historicus relative to the Alabama correspondence, and letter of "C" on the American blockade and belligerent rights.

GENERAL APPENDIX No. XIII.

Correspondence between her Majesty's government and Messrs. Laird Brothers; and an appen dix, containing the correspondence between officers of her Majesty's customs and Captain Inglefield, R. N., and Messrs. Laird Brothers, respecting the iron-clad vessels building at Birkenhead.

No.

From whom and
to whom.

Date.

Subject.

Page.

Laird Brothers to
Mr. Edwards.

1863. Sept. 4

Stating that a week's notice will be given to
the collector of customs of their intention
to deliver the rams to the owners. The
first vessel will not be ready for a month
and the second for six or seven weeks.

Mr. Edwards to Sept. 5 Acknowledges the receipt of the note of the
Laird Brothers.

4th, and states the promise given will be
satisfactory to the board of customs.

259

259

Mr. Layard to Sept. 4 Desires to be informed on whose account, 260
Laird Brothers.

Laird Brothers to Sept. 5
Mr. Layard.

and with what destination, the iron-clads
have been built.

States that the rams are intended for A. Bra- 260
vay & Co., of Paris, and that they are to
be delivered in the port of Liverpool.

Laird Brothers to Sept. 8 Stating that it is the intention to take one
Mr. Edwards.

of the rams from their graving-dock for a
trial trip within the usual limits, and that
dependence may be placed in the return of
the vessel into the Birkenhead float.

Mr. Hamilton to Sept. 9 Orders have been issued preventing the rams
Laird Brothers.

from leaving the Mersey until satisfactory
evidence can be furnished of their destina-
tion.

260

260

261

There can be no trial trip of the iron-clad 261
ship until Earl Russell can be heard from.
States that his letter of the 9th has been
forwarded to Messrs. A. Bravay & Co., of
Paris, on whose account the vessels are
building. Refers Mr. Hamilton to them
for further information.

Permission given to try the iron-clad ship 261
provided she be returned.

Permission given for the trial of the iron-
clad ship provided that she be brought
back to Liverpool, and not leave that port
without a week's notice of the intention
to send her away.
Agreeing to the conditions imposed con-
cerning the trial trip of the iron-clad ship.
In view of the fact that an attempt may be
made to seize the iron-clad ship while on
her trial trip, it has been deemed expedi-
ent to place on board a sufficient force of
seamen and marines to defeat any attempt
to seize her. If this should not be satis-
factory, instructions will be given to detain
the vessel.

261

261

262

Receipt of the above letter; will answer it | 262
to-morrow.

While unaware of any project to seize the 262
iron-clad ship on her trial trip, they will
avail themselves of the offer of protec-
tion made by the government. The trial
trip will be deferred for some days.
Instructions have been given to place on 263
board the vessel a custom-house officer,

Tel.

Laird Brothers to Oct. 21
Mr. Hamilton.

Do....

with authority to seize her should an at-
tempt be made to remove her from the
dock or float where she is at present.

The necessary orders have been given for 263
admission to the vessel of the custom-
house officer, who may be detailed to pre-
vent her from leaving the dock.

Oct. 9 Although not aware of any circumstances to 263
induce the belief that any attempt will be
made to seize the vessel, they will gladly
avail themselves of any protection her
Majesty's government may think necessary.

Mr. Hamilton to Oct. 9 In consequence of the probability of a forci- 264

Laird Brothers.

Laird Brothers to Oct. 17
Mr. Hamilton.

Do....

ble abduction of one or both of the iron-
clad vessels, instructions have been issued
by the government to seize both of these
vessels.

States that both vessels are incomplete, and 264
that if any attempt had been thought of
to abduct the vessels it could not be done
in the port of Liverpool; and that, on fur-
ther investigation, it will be found that
there is no foundation to the rumor; and
that, on the termination of the inquiries,
the government will feel justified in re-
moving the restrictions they have placed
upon the vessels, which has caused an
amount of loss and annoyance not easily
estimated.

Oct. 17 The work on one of the iron-clad vessels is 265
in such an advanced state that it is desira-
ble to have a trial trip between the 22d
and 29th. Desires to know whether the
government still considers the presence of
a force of seamen and marines on board
necessary to protect the vessel.
Similar to the above

Laird Brothers to Oct. 19
Mr. Edwards.

Mr. Hamilton to Oct. 21
Laird Brothers.

265

Her Majesty's government, after weighing 266
all the circumstances of the case, are un-
able to consent to the trial trip of the iron-
clad ship, nor can they remove the force
stationed upon the vessel.

Laird Brothers to Oct. 24 Renewing their application for permission 266
Mr. Hamilton.

Mr. Hamilton to Oct. 27
Laird Brothers.

Mr. Edwards to Oct. 27
Laird Brothers.

to make the trial trip; are willing to ac-
cept of any protection which the govern-
ment may think necessary.

Her Majesty's government are unable to com- 266
ply with their request to make a trial trip
with one of the iron-clad vessels, either in
the course of this week or within any other
suitable time.

States that the two iron-clad vessels are de- 267
tained on the ground of a violation of the
foreign enlistment act, and that directions
have been given to remove the workmen
from on board.

Laird Brothers to Oct. 29 Protesting against the probable destruction

Earl Russell.

of their property in having the ship (in an
incomplete condition) taken out of dock
and moored in the river. Trusts that the
order will be reconsidered.

267

Laird Brothers to Oct. 29 Transmitting copy of telegram addressed to
Earl Russell.

Laird Brothers to
her Majesty's
treasury.

Do..

Earl Russell, protesting against the remo-
val of the vessels.

Oct. 29 Protesting against the seizure of the iron-
clad vessels, and stating that the govern-
ment will be held responsible for the pecu-
niary loss sustained by the arbitrary pro-
ceedings.

Oct. 30 Calls attention of the government to the in-
complete state of the vessels, and states
that it would be dangerous to place them
in the open roadstead.

267

267

268

Mr. Hammond to Oct. 30
Laird Brothers.

The protest of Messrs. Laird has been re-
ferred to the lords commissioners of the
treasury.

269

Mr. Romaine to Oct. 30
Laird Brothers.

Messrs. Lairds' telegram of the 29th has been
referred to the Foreign Office.

269

Tel.

269

Laird Brothers to Oct. 31 Renewing their protest against the removal
Earl Russell.
of the vessels into the Mersey. They are
now in security, either from forcible abduc-
tion or sea risk.

Mr. Hammond to Nov. 2 Receipt of the above, and states that it has
Laird Brothers.
been referred to the lords commissioners
of the treasury.

269

Mr. Hamilton to Nov. 2 Concerning the removal of the vessels the 270
Laird Brothers.

Mr. Hammond to Dec. 11
Laird Brothers.
Mr. Paget to
Laird Brothers.
Mr. Hamilton to Dec. 18
Laird Brothers.

Laird Brothers to Dec. 21
Mr. Hamilton.

Do.......

Do

Dec. 22

lords commissioners of the treasury have
nothing to add to their telegram of the
29th ultimo.

The lords commissioners of the treasury 270
decline to enter into any discussion of the
subject of the removal of the vessels before
the investigation which the case will re-
ceive in the courts.

Call attention to the present condition of 270
the vessels, and desire to know whether
the necessary precautions have been taken
for their security against the weather, and
if the government will renew the insur-
ance which is about to expire.

States that Messrs. Lairds' letter of the 7th
will receive attention.

States that the government will continue
the insurance on the vessels, and that
every precaution will be taken for pre-
serving them from injury by weather.
Acknowledging the receipt of his letter of 272
the 18th, and will reply to it to-morrow.
The vessels should be insured, and kept 272
insured, at the public cost, without any
condition being imposed on them.

Dec. 30 Requesting an early reply to their letter of 272

the 22d.