by the Bahama, and which, there appears no reason to doubt, was trans. ferred to the gun-boat. Respectfully, W. G. STUART, Assistant Collector. Arrival of Babama Terceira Ur. lIusscy to Mr. Stercart. LIVERPOOL, Nelson Dock, September 2, 1862. Sir: I beg to state that a steamship called the Bahama arrived here last evening from Angra, (the capital of the island of Ter. *** Lermool from ceira, one of the Azores,) having previously cleared from Liverpool for Nassau. In consequence of a paragraph which appeared in the newspaper of this morning, in reference to the above vessel, I deemed it expedient to send for the master, Tessier, and to inquire the nature of the cargo shipped on board in Liverpool. He states that he received sixteen cases, the contents of which he did not know, but presumed they were arms, &c., and after proceeding to the above port, transferred the sixteen cases to a Spanish vessel, and returned to Liverpool with a quantity of coals. The master also states that when off the Western Islands he spoke the confederate gun-boat Alabama (No. 290, built in Mr. Laird's yard at Birkenhead) heavily armed, having a 100-pounder pivot-gun mounted at her stern, which he believes is intended to destroy some of the seaport towns in the Northern States of America. The above case having excited inuch interest in the port, I deemed it expedient to report the facts for your information. Respectfully, J. HICSSEY, Assistant Surreyor. Specification of shipment per Bahama, August 11, 1862. Cwts. qrs. Ibs. [B] 1.—1 case containing 1 cast-iron gun, weighing ..... 49 0 P 1 14 2.-1 case containing 1 broadside-carriage, weighing. 12 0 14 3.—1 case containing rammers, sponges, handspikes, &c., weighing. 2 1 14 [B] 0 P 1.–1 case containing 1 cast-iron gun, weighing...., 49 1 11 2 2.-1 case containing 1 broadside-carriage, weighing. 12 0 14 3.-1 case containing rammers, sponges, handspikes, &c., weighing.. 2 0 10 [B] O P 1 to 6.—6 cases containing 50 cast shot, weighing.... 13 1 SOL [B] 6 cases containing 50 cast shot, weighing... 17 B 2 6 SOL [B] 1.–1 case containing brass vent-covers, weighing... 0 0 5 B 20 Total weight..... 158 1 27 Total value, £220. [209] * Mr. Jorgan to Mr. Stewart. SURVEYOR'S OFFICE, September 3, 1862. SIR: I beg to report for your information that the British steamship Bahama, Tessier master, which vessel cleared out for Nassau, and sailed on the 13th ultimo with nineteen cases, contents as per specification annexed, has returned to this port, and entered inwards in ballast from Angra. The master of her is not disposed to enter very freely into conversation upon the subject, but from others on board there appears to be no doubt that the cases above referred to were transferred to the gunboat No. 290. Captain Semmes, formerly of the confederate steamer Sumter, took passage in the Bahama, together with some fifty other persons, and they are described as being the permanent crew of the 290, now known as the Alabama. Respectfully, E. MORGAN, Surveyor. No. 33. Ur. Adams to Earl Russell. Mr. Adams's repre. sentation of the equipment of the vessel at the Azores. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, Renewing, &c., CHARLES FRANCIS ADAMS. Inclosure 1 in Yo. 33. Mr. Dudley to Mr. Adams. UNITED STATES COXSULATE, Liverpool, September 3, 1862. Sir: I have just obtained the affidavit of the boatswain's mate who shipped in and went ont on the No. 290, now called the Alabama. I inclose it to you, with bill for his services, signed by Captain Butcher. He returned on the Babama. He states that the Alabama is to cruise on the line of packets from Liverpool to New York ; tbat Semines told them so. This may have been said for the purpose of misleading tion of the vessel said to have been fitted out at Liverpool for the service of the so-styled Confederate States, should that vessel put in to Nassau ; and I am to request that you will take these papers into your immediate consideration and favor Lord Russell with your opinion there. upon. You will observe that the instructions for the governor of the Bahamas should be forwarded by the mail of the 27th instant. I am, &c., E. HAMMOND. No. 36. Mr. Adams in. ing taken with regard to the vessel. Explanations to her departure. Barl Russell to Jr. Adams. FOREIGN OFFICE, September 22, 1862. SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 4th instant, inclosing a copy of a letter from the for det en [212] United States consul at Liverpool,stogether with *the deposition of Henry Redden respecting the supply of cannon and munitions of war to the gun-boat No. 290. You also call attention to the fact that you have not yet received any reply to the representations you have addressed to Her Majesty's gorernment upon the subject. I had the honor, in acknowledging the receipt of your letter of the 23d of June, to state to you that the matter had been referred to the proper department of Her Majesty's government for investigation. Your subsequent letters were also at once forwarded to that department, but, as you were informed in my letter of the 28th of July, it was requisite before any active steps could be taken in the matter to consult the law-officers of the Crown. This could not be done until sufficient evidence had been collected, and from the nature of the case some time was necessarily spent in procuring it. The report of the law-officers was not received until the 29th of July, and on the same day a telegraphic message was forwarded to Her Majesty's government, stating that the vessel had sailed that morning. Instructions were then dispatched to Ireland to detain the vessel should she put into Queenstown, and similar instructions have been sent to the governor of the Bahamas in case of her visiting Nassau. It appears, however, that the vessel did not go to Queenstown, as had been expected, and nothing has been since heard of her movements. The officers of customs will now be directed to report upon the further evidence forwarded by you, and I shall not fail to inform you of the result of the inquiry. I am, &c. RUSSELL. No. 37. The law officers of the Crown to Earl Russell. TEMPLE, September 25, 1862. (Received September 26.) MY LORD: We are honored with your lordship's commands signified in Mr. Hammond's letter of the 16th September instant, ir told stating that he was directed to transmit to us, together with the former papers, a letter from the Colonial Office, inclosing Opinion of law-ficers be seized it she puts into Vasau. a copy of the judgment delivered by the court of Bahamas in the case Mr. Hammond was also pleased to state that the instructions for the In obedience to your lordship's commands we have taken these papers into consideration, and have the honor to report That we are of opinion that if the vessel 290 should put into Nassau, We have, &c., WILLIAM ATHERTON. No. 38. Jr. Hammond to Sir F. Roger's. of colonial oflice. FOREIGN OFFICE, September 26, 1862. 290, under the circumstances of the Oreto having been released for the information of the Duke of Newcastle, a copy of the report I am, &c., E. JAMMOND. No. 39. JIr. Hamilton to Mr. Hammond. TREASURY CHAMBERS, September 29, 1862. (Received September 30.) I am, &c., GEO. A. HAMILTON. No. 37. arming, and until the Sunday we left her outside Terceira Bay. About 1 o'clock on that day, I think about 24th August, the 290 tired a gun, hauled down the British tiag, and hoisted the confederate flag at the peak, the St. George's Cross at the fore, and a pennant at the main. She was then just outside of the bay, steering to sea. Captain Bullock and Captain Butcher were still on board of her. We kept company with her until about 12 that night, when Captains Bullock and Butcher left her and came on board the Bahama, and came back with us to Liverpool. When I was engaged by Mr. Barnett he gave me a note payable six days after the Bahama sailed, at ottice in Water street. My brother received the money for the note. I never sigued any articles or agreement of any kind. (Signed) GEORGE KING. Signed and declared before me, at the custom-house, Liverpool, this 27th day of September, 1862. (Signed) J. PRICE EDWARDS, Collector. No. 41. Earl Russell to Mr. Adams. Majesty's govern go beyond the law, FOREIGN OFFICE, October 4, 1862. SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 30th ultimo, inclosing a copy of another deposition formed that her taken before the collector of the port of Liverpool with arent are mulle to reference to the proceedings of the gun-boat 290, and furnilunicipal and inter: ther expressing a belief that enterprises of a similar kind are in course of progress in the ports of the United King. dom ; and I have to state to you that, much as Her Majesty's govern. 1 ment desire to prevent such occurrences, they are unable to go beyond the law, municipal and international. I am, &c., (Signed) RUSSELL. No. 42. Earl Russell to Jr. Adams. FOREIGN OFFICE, October 9, 1869. Sir: With reference to my letter to you of the 22d ultimo, I have the honor to inclose a copy of a letter which I have received for from the board of treasury forwarding the copy of a report from Her Majesty's commissioners of customs relative to the supply of cannon aud munitions of war to the gun-boat No. 290. I am, &c., RUSSELL. Report of customs commissioners warded to Mr. Adams The commissiorer's of customs to the lords commissioners of the treasury, September :2, 1:11?. Esee inclosure in No. 39.] |