told him I had not received it, and went to Mr. Laird and got it. Mr. Laird counted it out for me, and I gave him a receipt for, the amount. Mr. Laird gave me a number of bills and receipts at the same time for things he had been purchasing for the vesselbeds, blankets, tin-ware, knives, forks, for the ship; all of which he (Mr. Laird) had purchased from various parties on account of the ship. My understanding was that the money given me was the balance of the money left, after making these purchases. The bills and receipts which Mr. Laird gave me on this occasion, on account of the purchases he had made, were left on the ship, and were handed over by me to Francis L. Galt, who has succeeded me as paymaster on the ship. Proceedings in Moelfra Bay. There was a tug-boat in attendance when we left Liverpool on the 29th of July, in which the ladies and all the passengers left. We ran down immediately for Moelfra Bay, and lay there all that night, all the next day and next night, until 3 o'clock on Friday morning. I copied a letter of instructions from Captain Bullock to Captain Butcher, in which Captain Butcher was directed to proceed to Porto Praya in Terceira, one of the Azores, where it was intended that we should go to receive the armament. I knew, and all the officers knew, before we went on board that this vessel had been built for the purpose, and was to go out with the intention of cruising and making war against the Government and people of the United States. This, as I verily believe, was well known by the Messrs. Laird, who built her [220] and helped to fit her out, and by Fraser, Trenholm & Co., and by A. E. Byrne, of Liverpool, who also assisted in fitting her out, and by Captain Butcher and the other officers who sailed in her. The next day after we left, the tug-boat Hercules came to us from Liverpool about 3 o'clock. She brought to us Captain Bullock and S. G. Porter, (who for a time superintended the fitting the vessel,) and some two or three men. The men signed articles that night. They had signed articles before at various times while in Liverpool, but they all came up again and renewed the articles. The advance notes had been given them in Liverpool by Captain Butcher, and made payable at Cunard, Wilson & Co. The original articles are now in Fraser, Trenholm & Co.'s office, but in possession of Captain Bullock, who transacts all his business and keeps all his papers at Fraser, Trenholm & Co. I do not know the name of the man who acted as shipping-master at Liverpool. Captain Bullock wrote a letter of instructions to me before we left Liverpool directing me to circulate freely among the men, and induce them to go on the vessel after we got to Terceira. I accordingly did circulate among the men on our way out, and persuaded them to join the vessel after we should get to Terceira. Low did the same. We sailed from Moelfra Bay at 3 o'clock on Friday morning. We went out through the Irish Channel. Captain Bullock left us at the Giant's Causeway. We were some ten or eleven days going out to Terceira. We were in quarantine three days at Porto Praya. There was no transfer of the vessel or anything of the kind there. The bark Agrippina, from London, arrived there with a part of the armament and all the ammunition, all the clothing and coals. She was commanded by Alexander McQueen. The first day after the arrival of the bark she was getting ready for discharging. This bark is owned by the confederate government, but is nominally held by Sinclair, Hamilton & Co., of London, and sails under the British flag. This firm are connected with the confederate government. Equipment at Ter ceira. Early the following day the bark Agrippina hauled alongside, and we commenced to take the guns on board. Two or three days after this the Bahama arrived with the officers. This steamer was in command of Captain Tessier. She also sailed under the British flag. The Bahama came in, and Captain Butcher went on board, and received orders to sail to Angra. The Bahama took the bark in tow, and we all went round to Augra. After we got there we were ordered away by the authorities. There was also correspondence took place between Captain Butcher and the British consul at that place, but I never heard what it was. We went out and continued discharging and taking in all that day, and at night we and the bark ran into the bay, the Bahama keeping outside. By this time we had got all the guns, ammunition, and cargo from the steamer and bark. During all this time the three vessels were sailing under the British flag. We finished coaling on Sunday, the 24th day of August, about 1 o'clock. We received from the bark Agrippina four broadside guns, each 32-pounders, and two pivot-guns, one 6-pounder solid-shot gun, and one 100-pounder rifled gun; 100 barrels of gunpowder, a number of Enfield rifles, two cases of pistols and cartridges for the same. All the clothing for the men was also received from the Agrippina, and the fuses, primers, signals, rockets, shot, shell, and other munitions of war needed by the ship; also a quantity of coal. We received from the Bahama two 32-pounder broadside guns, a bale of blue flannel for sailors' wear, and a fire-proof chest with $50,000 in English sovereigns, and $50,000 in bank bills. Captain Butcher or Mr. Low, the first mate, told me that Mr. M. G. Klingender had been directed to purchase in Liverpool, where Mr. Klingender resides and does business as a merchant, such supplies of tobacco and liquor as were required for the ship's use. I made out the advance notes for the men at Liverpool on the 28th of July, 1862, while she was lying in the Birkenhead docks, which advance notes were made payable by Cunard, Wilson & Co., at Liverpool; the half-pay notes which I made out in Moelfra Bay on board the No. 290 were made payable at Liverpool by the aforesaid Mr. G. Klingender. After we arrived at Angra, and had armed the ship, and were leaving that port to enter upon the cruise, we were still under the British flag. Captain Semmes then had all the men called aft on the quarter-deck. The British flag was hauled down and the confederate one raised. He then and there made a speech; read his commission to them as a commander in the confederate navy; told them the objects of the vessel, and what she was about to do; mentioned to them their proportion of prize-money would be out of each $100,000 worth of property captured and destroyed; said he had on board $100,000; and asked them to go with him, at the same time appealing to them as British sailors to aid him in defending the side of the weak. I had two sets of articles prepared; one for men shipping for a limited time, the other for those willing to go during the war. The articles were then re-signed, while the vessel was in Portuguese waters, but under the confederate flag. This was on Sunday, the 24th August, 1862. At the same time Captain Semmes announced [221] that the ship would be called the Confederate States vessel Alabama. The guns which were brought out to the No. 290 in the Agrippina and the Bahama were made and furnished by Fawcett, Preston & Co., of Liverpool. The ammunition and entire armament of the vessel, as well as all the outfit, were purchased in England. Supposed nationality of the crew, The list hereunto annexed, marked A, contains a list of the names of all the officers on the Alabama when I left, except myself, and of all the men whom I can now remember. My belief is that we had eighty-four shipped men, inclusive of the firemen and coal-trimmers when we left Angra, All the men but three signed the articles for the period of the war. The half-pay notes were then drawn in favor of and given to the men. These half-pay notes entitled their families or friends to draw half of their pay on the 1st of every month. They were all payable by Fraser, Trenholm & Co., with whom the money for the purpose of meeting them was lodged. The first set of notes (payable at Cunard, Wilson & Co.'s) were in the form of the British marine service; the second set (payable at Fraser, Trenholm & Co.'s) were in the form used by the United States and confederate navy. Several of the men refused to sign, and returned in the Bahama to Liverpool. Captain Butcher and Captain Bullock also returned in the Bahama. We then entered upon our cruise. Out of the eighty-four men I believe there were not more than ten or twelve Americans. There was one Spaniard, and all the rest were Englishmen. More than one-half of the Englishmen belonged to the royal navy reserve, as they informed me, and as was generally understood by all on board. Four, at least, of the officers were English, that is to say, John Low, fourth lieutenant; David Herbert Llewellyn, assistant surgeon; George T. Fullam, master's mate; and Henry Allcott, the sail-maker. I never remember at any time seeing any custom-house officer aboard this vessel. Ire mained aboard the vessel as paymaster from the time I joined her, as before stated, until the 25th day of January, 1863, at which time she was lying at Port Royal, Jamaica, During the whole time that I was on board her she was cruising and making war against the Government and people of the United States. I cannot recollect the names of all the vessels which she captured, but I know that the number which were captured and destroyed up to the time I left her was at least twenty-three, and, as I believe, was more. Of these twenty-three four were released upon giving ransom-bonds payable to the confederate government; such four were the ship Emily Farnham, of New York, bound to Liverpool; the Tonawanda, of Philadelphia, bound for Liverpool; the brig Baron de Custine, bound for the West Indies; and the mail steamship Ariel, on the Californian line. All the rest were burned or destroyed. The first port we went into after leaving the Western Islands was Port Royal, Martinique, where we went to provision and coal. The bark Agrippina was lying with coals for us, being the same vessel as took out the armament. We do not provision or coal there, but we went out, and afterward met the Agrippina at the island of Blanco, belonging to Venezuela. We only took coal in there. We then proceeded to the Arkas Keys, near Yucatan Banks, Coaling at Arkas where we lay about ten days; where we painted the ship and re-coaled from the Agrippina, and gave the men a run on shore. The first port touched at, Port Royal, Martinique, Keys. We then steered for Galveston, where we destroyed the United States gun-boat Hatteras, which was the last vessel we destroyed before I left her. As soon as we got the prisoners from the Hatteras on board we started straight for Jamaica, (Port Royal.) There we provisioned, coaled, and repaired ship. All the twenty-three ships which we had burned or destroyed had been so burned or destroyed in the interval between our leaving the Western Islands and stearing for Port Royal. I heard of no objection from the authorities in Arrival in Jamaica. Jamaica to our repairing, coaling, or provisioning the ship in Port Royal; but, on the contrary, we were received with all courtesy and kindness. We were there about a week. While we were there the English admiral at Port Royal paid a visit to Captain Semmes on board the Alabama. I was on shore on duty at the time of the visit, but I heard of such visit immediately upon my return to the ship, for it was the subject of much conversation and remark among the officers; and, in particular, I remember Mr. Sinclair, the master, speaking of it. I also know that Captain Semmes paid a return visit to the English admiral on the day that the Alabama left Port Royal; I, myself, saw him start for the purpose. My connection with the ship terminated in Port Royal, and I subsequently came to England, where I arrived on the 22d of March, 1863. CLARENCE R. YONGE. (Signed) Sworn at the judge's chambers, Rolls Gardens, Chancery Lane, this 2d day of April, 1863, before me (Signed) JOHN PAYNE, a Commissioner, &c. Michael Genshla, fireman; has a pension Brent Johnson, second boatswain's mate; William Pundy, sail-maker's mate; Eng- John Latham, fireman; English. [223] *Peter Duncan, fireman; English. George Apple by, yeoman; English. A. G. Bartelli, captain's steward; Ameri- | Samuel Henry, seaman; English. can. Edward Fitzmorris, ordinary seaman; English. George Egerton, fireman; lives at Liver- James McFaden, fireman; time up 24th William Robinson, able seaman; English. William McGinley, able seaman; English. John Grady, boy; uncle lives at 56 Regent Joseph Neil, seaman; English. John Roberts, seaman; English. Frank Townsend, seaman, belonging to Frank Cunen, seaman, belonging to reserve; English. William Levins, coal trimmer; English. There are now several men on board of the Alabama who have joined the ship since we entered upon the cruise, some of whom are Americans. (Signed) CLARENCE R. YONGE. This is the list marked A referred to in the affidavit of Clarence Randolph Yonge, sworn this 2d day of April, 1863, before me, (Signed) JOHN PAYNE, A Commissioner, &c. No 47. Earl Russell to Mr. Adams. Correction of a FOREIGN OFFICE, August 17, 1863. SIR: My attention has been called by a member of the firm of Messrs. Fraser, Trenholm & Co., of Liverpool, to a letter which apstatement by Consul peared in the Daily News of 2d of April last, purporting to Mr. Welsman having be a letter addressed by Mr. Thomas H. Dudley, United Alabama and Oreto States consul at Liverpool, to the collector of customs at Dudley respecting been on board the on trial-trips. that port. In that letter it is stated that when the Alabama was first tried, Mr. Welsman, one of the firm of Fraser, Trenholm & Co., was present, and that he accompanied that vessel on her various trials, as he had also accompanied the Oreto on her trial-trip and on her departure. Mr. Welsman positively denies that he was present when the Alabama was first tried, or that he ever accompanied her in any way on any of her supposed trials. He further denies that he ever set foot on board the Oreto; and he has recorded these denials in an affidavit subscribed and sworn to before the acting British consul at Charleston. With the view of placing Mr. Welsman's statement still further upon record, and as evidence of the incorrectness of Mr. Dudley's assertion, I have the honor to communicate to you the substance of Mr. Welsman's affidavit for the information of your Government. I am, &c., RUSSELL. No. 48. Mr. Adams to Earl Russell. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, London, August 22, 1863. (Received August 24.) States MY LORD: I have the honor to acknowledge the reception of your note of the 17th instant relating to the notice taken by Mr. Consul Dudley and Welsman, one of the firm of Fraser, Trenholm & Co., of cer- Government inform tain statements made respecting him by Mr. Dudley, ed of this correction. the consul of the United States at Liverpool. I have transmitted a copy of the same for the information of my Government, and another to Mr. Dudley. I pray, &c., CHARLES FRANCIS ADAMS. No. 49. Mr. Layard to Mr. Laird, M. P. Mr. Laird as to the fitted out as a ship FOREIGN OFFICE, August 31, 1863. SIR: In a note which Lord Russell has lately received from Mr. Adams, the Alabama is described as a vessel "fitted out Inquiry made of and dispatched from the port of Liverpool," and his lord- Alabama having been ship directs me to say that he would feel much obliged to you of war at Liverpool. [224] if you could inform *him how far it is true that the Alabama was fitted out as a vessel of war at Liverpool before she left that I am, &c., port. (Signed) No. 50. A. H. LAYARD. Mr. Laird, M. P., to Mr. Layard. BIRKENHEAD, September 2, 1863. Mr. Laird's reply. The Alabama was not fitted out as a of war when de SIR: In reply to your letter of the 31st August, stating that Lord Russell would feel much obliged to me if I can inform him "how far it is true that the Alabama was fitted out as a vessel of war at Liverpool before she left that port," I re-ship quest that you will inform his lordship that I am not able, from my own personal observation or knowledge, to reply to his lordship's inquiry, as I did not see the Alabama after the first week in July, 1862, being some weeks before she sailed. livered at Liverpool. She left port without any armament. In order to obtain for his lordship from a reliable source the information he has asked for, I have made inquiries from my successors in business, the firm of Laird Brothers, the builders of the vessel now called the Alabama, and I am authorized by them to state that the vessel referred to was delivered by them at the port of Liverpool, and that at the time of her delivery she was not fitted out as a vessel of war. They also confirm, in every respect, the report of Mr. Morgan, the |