which has just been received from the law-officers of the Crown, and of a letter which, by Lord Russell's direction, I have addressed to the treasury on this subject.1 No. 7. Mr. Hammond to the secretary to the treasury. FOREIGN OFFICE, November 15, 1864. SIR: With reference to my letter of this day's date, respecting the case of the Sea King, I am directed by Earl Russell to transmit to you, together with the dispatch from Her Majesty's consul at Teneriffe and the depositions therein referred to, a copy of a report from the law-officers of the Crown,2 in which they advise that the twenty-two men, or some of them, who have just landed at Liverpool, should be immediately examined by the solicitor to the treasury, or some person deputed by him, with a view to their evidence being reported to the lawofficers, and that the solicitor should be directed to obtain such other information as may be accessible in this country with respect to the previous history of the Sea King, the nature and circumstances of her equipment, the engagement of her crew, and the persons concerned therein, if there should be reason to believe that she sailed from this country with the view of being employed as a ship of war in the confederate service. I am accordingly to request that you will move the lords commissioners of Her Majesty's treasury to give immediate directions to their solicitor, in conformity with the law-officers' report. I am, &c., No. 8. E. HAMMOND. Mr. Adams to Earl Russell. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, London, November 18, 1864. (Received November 19.) Mr. Adams. MY LORD: I now have the honor to submit for your consideration a copy of a letter from the consul of the United States at Liv- Representation by erpool, T. H. Dudley, esq., covering the depositions of two seamen on board of the steamer Sea King, who have returned to that place. It will be seen from these that the statement which I had the honor to make to your lordship in my note of the 10th instant, on the subject of Captain Semmes, is sustained in every particular. I pray, &c. 1 Nos. 4. and 7. CHARLES FRANCIS ADAMS. Nos. 1 and 4. [485] Dudley. *[Inclosure 1 in No. 8.] Mr. Dudley to Mr. Adams. UNITED STATES CONSULATE, her SIR: I have now to inform you that the English steamer Laurel, which sailed from this port, as was at the time supposed, on a piratical cruise against the Report of Consul United States on the 9th of October last, with confederate officers and English seamen, many of whom had belonged to the pirate Alabama, aud the English steamer Sea King, that sailed from London on the 8th of the same month, met at the Island of Madeira on the 18th of October. The Sea King, on her arrival, signalled to the Laurel to come out; the Laurel then steered for the Island of Porto Santo, which is within sight of Madeira, and some twenty-six miles distant, where she anchored within a quarter of a mile from the shore. The Sea King followed, and also anchored within a quarter of a mile from the shore, when the Laurel came alongside, made fast, and immediately began to transfer the guns, (six in number,) gun-carriages, shot and shell, powder, &c., and the officers and men she brought from England, to the Sea King. Captain Corbett, of the Sea King, then called all the men aft, told them he had sold the vessel to the confederates, and that she was to become a confederate cruiser, to burn and destroy merchantmen and whalers, like the Alabama, and advised them all to join her. After great efforts some of the crew of the Sea King and some of the crew of the Laurel, after having been supplied with liquor, and under its influence, were induced to enlist on her. The commander, dressed in a gray uniform, supposed to be Captain Semmes, was then introduced to the men by Captain Corbett; he told them that the Sea King was now the confederate steamer Shenandoah. The inen who refused to enlist in the Shenandoah were taken in the Laurel and conveyed to Teneriffe, from where they, with Captain Corbett and his officers, were brought to this port on the 13th instant in the steamer Calabar. When they left the Sea King, now called the Shenandoah, she had the confederate flag flying, and had entered, no doubt, upon cruise of burning and destruction. The men who refused to enlist on board were told when they reached Teneriffe that they must say they were destitute British seamen, and that their vessel was lost. Those who returned to this port were paid off on Saturday and yesterday at the Sailors' Home in Liverpool. Three months' extra wages were given to each man in addition to what was due him; the clerk of Mr. Wright, the owner of the vessel when she sailed, paying the money. The owner of the Sea King, Richard Wright, is a British subject and merchant, residing in Liverpool. He was in the vessel when she sailed and accompanied her as far as Deal. Captain Peter S. Corbett and his officers, who took her out, were also British subjects. Henry Lafone, the owner of the Laurel, is also a British subject and merchant, residing in Liverpool. Captain Ramsey, who commanded the Laurel, is likewise a British subject. Both vessels, the Sea King and Laurel, are British, were built on the Clyde, and sailed under the English flag. The men from the Laurel and Sea King who enlisted are British subjects. The armament, shot, shell, gunpowder, and everything, down to the coal in the hold, are English, all the produce or manufacture of Great Britain. Even the bounty-money paid for enlisting the men was English sovereigns, and the wages to be paid for the cruise is contracted for and to be paid in English coin-pounds, shillings, and pence. It seems to me that nothing is wanting to stamp this as an English transaction from beginning to end, and the vessel now called the Shenandoah as an English piratical craft, without regard to the colors she may display or show when in chase of a peaceful merchantman or whaler, or when she lights up the ocean with her fire. Captain Corbett and his officers, and Richard Wright and Henry Lafone, no doubt, are now in Liverpool rejoicing over the successful exploit in setting afloat another vessel to destroy and burn peaceful ships belonging to the people of the United States. I inclose you copies of the affidavits of John Hercus and John Wilson, two of the crew of the Sea King now in Liverpool, establishing the above I am, &c., (Signed) facts. THOMAS H. DUDLEY. John Hercus, residing at Sailor's Home, in Liverpool, being sworn, says: Hercus and we spoke to him about going on the ship. He asked us if we were single men, and said he wanted all single men if he could get them. He told me that the ship would be ready in ten days or a fortnight, and if I liked to wait he would give me the chance. He asked the carpenter if he could come to work at once, and he agreed to do so, and went to work next morning. On or about the 5th of October I went to the Sailors' Home, and there signed articles as able seaman at £2 108. a month for a voyage to Bombay, thence to any port or ports in the Indian Ocean, or China Seas, Japan, or Australian colonies, Pacific or Atlantic Oceans, and back to a port in the United Kingdom, voyage not to exceed two years. I received a note for a month's advance, which I got cashed at Isabella Calder's, No. 6 Bird street east, London. On Friday, the 7th of October, I took my clothes on board, when we were told she was not going until Saturday morning the 8th. On the next morning, Saturday, the 8th, about half past 3, I went on board. She was then at the dock-gates, ready to go into the river. Between 5 and 6 she got steam up, and steamed down the river under command of Captain Corbett, the same who engaged me on the 25th of September. On our way down the river we ran into a sloop and carried away her mast. We stopped off Deal, and the carpenter and cook came on board there; and a Mr. Wright, whom I recognized, having seen him before, and who, I was told, was the owner of the Sea King, went on shore. We steamed down Channel, and the next day, or next but one, when we got clear of the land, the screw was hauled up, and we kept going under easy canvas until within a day's sail from Madeira. We then got steam up again and steamed for Madeira, where we arrived on Monday afternoon, about the 17th October. We went abreast and then went back; dodged off until daylight next morning, when we went abreast of the port, and signalled a small screw-steamer lying in the port, and she answered. We then steered out seaward. The small steamer before-mentioned immediately followed and came to us. We then made all sail and steam, the other vessel following, and went to a small island within sight of Madeira. There we anchored in 17 fathoms water, and the other vessel, which proved to be the Laurel, of Glasgow, (which I saw marked on the boats,) came alongside. We, the crew of the Sea King, were then ordered to get ready purchase for lifting heavy weights, which we were told were told guns from the Laurel. A man who came from the Laurel, and who was addressed as the gunner, told me that some of the cases weighed three tons and a half, and contained 68 and 32 pounders, with a quantity of shot and shell; and there were a number of barrels-60 or more-containing powder. We worked from about 3 o'clock that (Tuesday) afternoon until about 2 the next morning. We then rested about two hours and were then set to work again, and worked until about 10 in the (Wednesday) morning, transshipping the guns, cases of shot and shell, barrels of powder, a number of bales and cases of light goods. While transshipping the guns, one of the cases caught the rail and caused the seam to open, so that I could put my hand in, which I did, and felt the gun. I remarked to the gunner that it was a big gun, and he said, “Yes, it was a 68-pounder." We were in a great hurry, and not particular in the way we handled the boxes, and in putting the shot and shell into the hold of the Sea King some of the boxes broke, and I saw the shot and shell. We were then called aft, and as we went an iron safe was hoisted from the Laurel, and I and a number of others were ordered to carry it aft into the cabin, which we did. It was as much as four of us could manage, and by the rattling sound we judged it contained money. The cases of guns, safe, &c., were got up on the deck of the Laurel by her men, then made fast to our purchases and swung aboard the Sea King. Captain Corbett was superintending the transfer and giving orders. A few minutes after we had got the safe into the cabin the chief officer, Mr. Osmond, called us all aft and we went. Captain Corbett then came out and said, “Now, men, İ have sold the ship to the confederates, and all you men who like to join I'll give you two months' wages." We asked him what she was going to do, and he said she was going to be a confederate cruiser, same as the Alabama, but she was not going to fight. He said, [487] "As you are all young men, I advise you to join her, as you will make a fine thing of it." He said she would give us £4 a month and £10 bounty, and tried all he could to persuade us to join. I said I should not join, but four others said they would. One was a fireman, one an engineer, and two were ordinary seamen. They were under the influence of liquor, which had been supplied freely to all who would take it since we commenced taking in the guns. When they found us unwilling to go, the wages and bounty were increased, until we were offered £7 a month and £16 bounty, and to sign the articles for six months. A bucket containing sovereigns was brought on deck, and the officers took up handfuls to tempt the men on deck. The four who consented to go went into the cabin, and I afterward saw one of them with 28 sovereigns in his hand. Captain Corbett, about an hour afterward, came to me and the others who refused to join, and said, "Now, men, follow me; I am off;" and we went with him on board the Laurel and took our things. About forty persons came on board the Sea King from the Laurel, including seven or eight of the crew of the Laurel, the others being passengers. One of the men of the Laurel pointed out a man on the bridge of the Sea King, and said he was Captain Semmes. He was one of the passengers who came from the Laurel; and the officers who tried to induce us to go were also passengers from the Laurel. Some of the other passengers from the Laurel told me they were sailors, and had come to join. When we got on board of the Laurel a bark hove in sight, and the Laurel cast off from the Sea King and steered toward her. The bark hoisted English colors, and the Laurel then went back toward the Sea King, and made to her a signal, which I was told meant "all right." The Sea King then hoisted the confederate flag and got under way, and we steered toward Teneriffe. We did not see the Sea King afterward. Up to the time of the transfer of the guns, they, the Sea King and the Laurel, were under the English flag, and hoisted it to each other on the way from Madeira to the island. When the American officers who came from the Laurel to the Sea King were trying to persuade us to go in her, they said, "You had better go in the Shenandoah," which the Sea King was to be called. They promised us the best of living, and said that the best of the provisions would be taken out of prizes, and all that were then aboard which were no good would be thrown overboard. We were kept on board the Laurel at Teneriffe until she had coaled and was ready for sea. The mate came to us and said that Captain Corbett had sent him to say that we were to say on shore that we were distressed British seamen and had been shipwrecked. After we got ashore some of the men got too much liquor, and were kicking up a row at the hotel, and the captain gave them in charge of the police, and they were put in jail. He told us the quieter we kept about the affair the better it would be for us. We said if he did not get us better living we should go to the English consul, and he said we might. We went to him and he took our statements, and said he should send it to the board of trade in Liverpool. The Calabar mail-steamer was then expected, and when she arrived Captain Corbett told us we were to go home in her as passengers, and we came in her along with Captain Corbett and the mate and the second mate of the Sea King. The mate told us last night we should be paid off to-day at the Sailors' Home. I went to the pay-office this morning and received an account of wages from the ship, ping master, signed "W. W. Tucker." Some of the men took their pay and were paid three months' extra. Both Captain Corbett and the men who engaged in the Sea King, as stated, were Englishmen. I believe Captain Corbett lives in Liverpool. (Signed) JOHN HERCUS. T. S. RAFFLES, Sworn before me at Liverpool this 12th day of November, 1864. (Signed) John Wilson, a carpenter, residing in London, but a native of Scotland, being duly sworn, says: I am a ship-carpenter, and in the month of September last I and John Hercus were looking for a ship in London, and went on board the steamer Sea Wilson. King, then lying in the East India dock, and spoke to the mate Deposition of John He told me they wanted a carpenter. The captain was not on board at the time; he soon came. I stopped until he came. I then asked him if he wanted a carpenter. He said, Yes, and asked me if I was married or single, and said he wanted all single men; that there would be no monthly money, This was Captain Corbett. We agreed upon wages at £6 68. per month, and I went to work next day. I signed articles on the 5th of October, in Mr. Green's Sailors' Home in London, for a voyage to Bombay, thence to any port or ports in the Indian Ocean or China Seas, Japan, Australian colonies, Pacific or Atlantic Oceans, and back to port of discharge in the United Kingdom, voyage not to exceed two years. received a note at the time. I signed for one month's wages in advance. I got this note cashed by a man by the name of Thompson. I think his name is James. He is a tool-merchant. His place of business is St. George's street, east, London. I missed the vessel when she sailed from London on the morning of the 8th of October. I went to Deal and there took a small boat from the shore, and, with the cook, who was with me, went on board the Sea King the same day. When I got on board the Sea King, I found her under the command of Peter S. Corbett, the captain who engaged me. Mr. Essmand was first officer and Mr. Smith second officer. Mr. Wright, the owner of the vessel, was also on board at the time, but left soon after I reached the vessel. We then made steam and sail, and went as fast as they would carry us until we got out of the Channel. We then shortened sail and put her under double-reefed topsails, and hoisted up the screw, and put the fires out in the furnaces, and made toward the Island of Madeira under easy sail. We remained in this way for five days, until Monday morning, the 17th of October, when the fires were again lighted in the furnaces, the screw lowered, and the vessel put under steam. That evening we were off Madeira. We beat on and off during the night. In the morning we went up off the town, and signalled a small steamer lying at anchor with her steam. up. I could see this at the time. She answered the signal, and came immediately out to us, and proved to be the Laurel. She took the lead, and we followed her to the Island of Porto Santo. The Laurel anchored within a quarter of a mile from the shore, in seventeen fathoms water. We came up to her. She immediately gave us the soundings, and told us to let go our anchor and she would draw up to us. We did so, and she came up alongside and made fast to us fore and aft. This was about 2 o'clock, on Tuesday, the 18th October, 1864. We were then ordered by Captain Corbett to get tackling aloft, and to prepare for hoisting in large cases from the steamer Laurel. I, with all hands, assisted in this. We then commenced taking in from the Laurel guns, gun-carriages, shot, shell, powder, clothing, goods, &c. We took in six guns, four 68-pounders and two 32-pounders, with carriages to mount them on the deck of the Sea King. There were a very large quantity of shot and shell, and some fifty or sixty barrels of powder. There were also three or four small brass swivel-guns-I should say 3-pounders or 4-pounders -and a great many cases and bales of clothing, goods, &c., and many cases marked "Glass, with care.' I do not know what they contained. The last thing we took in was a safe, very heavy. Captain Corbett, of the Sea King, and his officers, and Captain Ramsey, of the steamer Laurel, superintended and assisted in the transfer of the armament from one vessel to the other. We continued working until 2 o'clock on Wednesday morning, when we were knocked off for two hours' rest. We went at it again, and continued until about 10 o'clock, when we finished. During the whole of this time the Sea King remained at anchor within a quarter of a mile from the shore. The fires were kept in the furnaces, and steam up on both vessels, from the time we arrived at Porto Santo until we left. About one hour after we came to anchor, Mr. Essmand, the first officer of the Sea King, came to me and told me to have one of the shackle-pins started, and ready to slip the cable at a moment's notice. I did so, and I had it all in readiness during the whole of the time we were there. The Sea King had two guns on board mounted on her decks when she left London; they were about 12-pounders. She had also a very large quantity of provisions and about 700 tons of coal. After we had finished taking in the things from the Laurel, the mate came and called all hands aft, and said the captain wanted to see us. We all went and gathered [489] *round the cabin-doors, and Captain Corbett came out and said, "Well, men, I have sold the ship to the confederates; she is to belong to their navy to be a cruiser, to burn and destroy merchant-vessels and whalers in particular. She is not to fight, but merely to take prizes, and there will be a first-rate chance for any of you young men who will stop by the vessel, and I should advise you all to do it." The general reply made by the men was that we did not want anything to do with her. The new captain then came out of the cabin and asked if we would not join. He was dressed in a gray uniform. Captain Corbett introduced the man when he came out as the American officer who was to have the command of the ship, but did not mention his name; said he would pay the seamen £4 per month and £10 bounty. One of the engineers, one of the firemen, and two of the seamen consented to join, and took the bounty and signed the articles. The officer in uniform, when he came out to us, announced that the Sea King was now the Shenandoah, of the confederate navy. Liquor had been served among the men during the time we were making the transfer in profusion. Some were under its influence. It was brought round twice after we got through and offered to the men. They made great efforts to induce the men to join. They raised the wages to £7 and £15 bounty for able seamen. They offered me £16 a month and £15 bounty. I declined to accept it or to stop with them on any terms. A bucket of sovereigns was brought out on the deck to tempt the men to join. A portion of the crew of the Laurel joined. The person whom Captain Corbett introduced to us as the commander of the Shenandoah came out on the Laurel. There were a number of others who also came out on the Laurel; I should say about forty. We left them on board the Shenandoah. Some were acting as officers. One of them, pointing at the commander, who was standing on the deck, said he was Captain Semmes. The chief engineer of the Laurel, who came to Liverpool with us, also told me while we were coming home that it was Captain Semmes who had taken commard, and that they had taken him out with them in the Laurel. Captain Corbett came out H. Ex. 282-48 |