of customs of this day's date, and of its inclosures, further on the subject of the arrival of the confederate war-steamer Shenandoah at Liverpool. I am, &c., GEO. A. HAMILTON. [Inclosure 1 in No. 66. ] Mr. Dickins to Mr. Hamilton. CUSTOM-HOUSE, November 7, 1865. SIR: With reference to my letter of the 6th instant, I am directed to transmit to you, for the information of the lords commissioners of Her Majesty's treasury, the accompanying copies of reports of the officers of this revenue at Liverpool, relative to the arrival, at that port, of the vessel Shenandoah, a war-steamer lately in the service of the so-called Confederate States of America. I am, &c., GEO. DICKINS. [Inclosure 2 in No. 66.] Mr. Hayward to Messrs. Stewart and Lilley. BOARDING-STATION, November 6, 1865. GENTLEMEN: We beg to report, for your information, that the celebrated confederate war-steamer Shenandoah, Captain Waddell, arrived in the river at 10 a. m. this day. We have boarded four officers on the vessel, and placed her under detention pending your directions in this case. Respectfully, &c., Messrs. Stewart and Lilley to the commissioners of customs. CUSTOM-HOUSE, Liverpool, November 6, 1865. HONORABLE SIRS: Immediately on receiving the foregoing intelligence, we reported the same to the board per telegram. Captain Fisher-in the absence of Captain [666] Paynter-commanding *Her Majesty's ship Donegal, called at the custom-house respecting the vessel, and was requested to take such steps as would prevent the Shenandoah leaving the port, should the captain be so inclined. The inspector general has been on board, and Captain Waddell informed him that on approaching this country he had ascertained that the American war had ceased, and that he had come into port with the intention of surrendering to the British government, and that he had already written to Earl Russell to that effect. We have given directions that no one be permitted to land from the vessel pending your in structions. The officers and crew consist of one hundred and twenty-eight men, all told. The captain stated the guns were below; that he was very short of provisions; and that there were about one hundred and thirty tons of coal on board. (Signed) W. G. STEWART, Acting Collector. J. W. LILLEY, Inspector General. No. 67. Mr. Hamilton to Mr. Waddington. TREASURY CHAMBERS, November 7, 1865. SIR: With reference to my letter of yesterday's date, on the subject of the arrival of the vessel Shenandoahi at Liverpool, I am directed by the lords commissioners of Her Majesty's treasury to transmit to you the inclosed copy of a telegram which has been received by the board of customs from the collector of customs at Liverpool; and I am desired to request that you will lay the same before Sir George Grey, and inform me what instructions should be issued to the collector, in reply to his inquiry whether the officers and men of the Shenandoah may quit the ship. I am, &c., The Shenandoah. Can the officers and men quit the vessel, if so disposed? No. 68. Mr. Waddington to Mr. Hammond. [Pressing.] WHITEHALL, November 7, 1865. (Received November 7.) SIR: I am directed by Secretary Sir George Grey to transmit to you herewith copies of letters from the treasury, and of two inclosures relative to the arrival of the late confederate steamer Shenandoah at Liverpool, and inquiring whether the officers and men may be allowed to leave the vessel; and I am to request that you will submit the same to the Earl of Clarendon, for his lordship's consideration and directions thereon. Lord Clarendon is, of course, aware that the crime of piracy is one of the crimes named in the Xth article of the treaty of Washington. I am, &c., H. WADDINGTON. [Inclosure 1 in No. 68.] Mr. Hamilton to Mr. Waddington. TREASURY, November 7, 1865. SIR: I am directed by the lords commissioners of Her Majesty's treasury to transmit herewith, for the consideration of the secretary of state, the inclosed copy of a report from the board of customs, of this day's date, and of its inclosures, further on the subject of the arrival of the confederate war-steamer Shenandoah at Liverpool. I am, &c., (Signed) GEO. A. HAMILTON. [667] *[Inclosure 2 in No. 68.] Mr. Dickins to Mr. Hamilton, November 7, 1865. [See ipclosure 1 in No. 66.] [Inclosure 3 in No. 68.] Mr. Hayward to Messrs. Stewart and Lilley, November 6, 1865. [See inclosure 2 in No. 66.] [Inclosure 4 in No. 68.] Messrs. Stewart and Lilley to the commissioners of customs, November 6, 1865. [See inclosure 3 in No. 66.] No. 69. Mr. Hammond to the law-officers of the Crown. [Pressing.] FOREIGN OFFICE, November 7, 1865. No. 70. Captain Waddell to Earl Russell. SHENANDOAH, November 6, 1865. (Received November 7.) The singular position in which I find myself placed, and the absence I commissioned the ship in October, 1864, under orders from the naval 1 Inclosure in No 64. thereto I found myself in May, June, and July of this year in the Okhotsk Sea and Arctic Ocean. Both places, if not quite isolated, are still so far removed from the ordinary channels of commerce that [668] months would elapse before any news could * reach there as to the progress or termination of the American war. In consequence of this awkward circumstance I was engaged in the Arctic Ocean in acts of war as late as the 28th day of June, in ignorance of the serious reverses sustained by our arms in the field, and the obliteration of the government under whose authority I had been acting. This intelligence I received for the first time on communicating at sea, on the 2d of August, with the British bark Barracouta, of Liverpool, fourteen days from San Francisco. Your lordship can imagine my surprise at the receipt of such intelligence, and I would have given to it little consideration if an Englishman's opinion did not confirm the war news, though from an enemy's port. I desisted instantly from further acts of war, and determined to suspend further action until I had communicated with an European port, where I would learn if that intelligence were true. It would not have been intelligent in me to convey this ves sel to an American port for surrender simply because the master of the Barracouta had said the war "was ended." I was in an embarrassing position; I diligently examined all the law-writers at my command, searching a precedent for my guidance in the future control, management, and final disposal of the vessel. I could find none. History is, I believe, without a parallel. Finding the authority questionable under which I considered this vessel a ship of war, I immediately discontinued cruising, and shaped my course for the Atlantic Ocean. As to the ship's disposal, I do not consider that I have any right to destroy her, or any further right to command her. On the contrary, I think that, as all the property of the government has reverted, by the fortune of war, to the Government of the United States of North America, that therefore this vessel, inasmuch as it was the property of the Confederate States, should accompany the other property already reverted. I therefore sought this port as a suitable one wherein to "learn the news," and, if I am without a government, to surrender the ship with her battery, small-arms, machinery, stores, tackle, and apparel complete to Her Majesty's government for such disposition as in its wisdom should be deemed proper. I have, &c., (Signed) No. 71. JAMES J. WADDELL. Mr. Hammond to the law-officers of the Crown. [Pressing.] FOREIGN OFFICE, November 7, 1865. GENTLEMEN: I am directed by the Earl of Clarendon to transmit to you, with reference to my letters of yesterday evening and of this morn ing respecting the Shedandoah, a copy of a letter from Captain Waddell, stating the circumstances under which he came to this country, and his surrender of the vessel to the custom-house authorities.1 1 No. 70. No communication has yet been received from Mr. Adams on the subject; but he stated yesterday to the Earl of Clarendon that he should address a note to his lordship, requesting the surrender of the vessel, as having become the property of the United States. I am now to request your opinion, at your earliest convenience, on the case as now before you, and as to the instructions which should be given to the naval authorities at Liverpool, for the disposal of the vessel, her officers, and crew. I am, &c., E. HAMMOND. No. 72. Mr. Hammond to the law-officers of the Crown. [Pressing.] FOREIGN OFFICE, November 7, 1865. GENTLEMEN: With reference to my several letters of this date on the subject of the Shenandoah, I am directed by the Earl of Clarendon to transmit to you the accompanying further letters from the treasury, and also a letter and its inclosure from the home office respecting this vessel and her officers and crew;1 and I am to request that you will take the same into your consideration, and favor Lord Clarendon at your earliest convenience with your opinion thereupon. [669] *I also inclose, for convenience of reference, two dispatches from Her Majesty's consul general at the Havana, and also a letter and its inclosure from the admiralty, showing what took place at the Havana with reference to the surrender of the ram Stonewall. I am, &c., (Signed) E. HAMMOND. No. 73. Mr. Adams to the Earl of Clarendon. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, London, November 7, 1865. (Received November 7, 2.46 p. m.) MY LORD: I have the honor to submit to your consideration the copy of a letter received by me from the vice-consul of the United Request from Mr. States at Liverpool, touching the arrival, yesterday, of the Adams for the devessel known as the Shenandoah at that port. livery of the vessel. Although necessarily without special instructions relative to this case, I do not hesitate to assume the responsibility of respectfully requesting of Her Majesty's government to take possession of the said vessel with a view to deliver it into the hands of my Government, in order that it may be properly secured against any renewal of the audacious and lawless proceedings which have hitherto distinguished its career. I perceive by the terms of the vice-consul's letter that some of the chronometers, saved from the vessels which have fallen a prey to this corsair, are stated to be now on board. I pray your lordship that proper 1 Inclosures 1 and 2 in No. 68. |