d'Abrantes the dispatch marked No. 3; and, after it had been copied, on Tuesday morning, I took it in person to the Foreign Office. I saw the under-secretary, who informed me that the president of Pernambuco had reported to the government the proceedings of the Alabama at Fernando de Noronha, and that I would, probably, find the marquis at the Chamber of Deputies. I accordingly drove to the chamber, where, after great delay, I ascertained that he had gone to his residence on Botofoga Bay, some four miles distant, complaining of indisposition. We met at 4 o'clock, and after listening to my representations, in the course of which I pointed out the animus of the English consul in furnishing our consul with a copy of his report from the officers of the Oneida, which was calculated to excite ill blood between the United States and Brazil, he heartily expressed his regret at what had occurred, and his determination to have written me a note in anticipation of receiving one from me; in which note he intended to express the determination of the government to remove and otherwise punish the offending governor of Fernando de Noronha. I expressed my satisfaction at this, and said, I had refused to comply with the request of the undersecretary to leave the dispatch at the Foreign Office, because I anticipated the willingness of the government to act without prompting, in which case I could abstain from giving him the dispatch, and, therefore, had opened it myself, and obtained his consent to read it to him in advance, in order that I might withdraw it in case he was prepared to take the initiative; and I, accordingly, offered to retain my dispatch, and assume that I had not written it. He said, "No; your dispatch makes no claim at present, but leaves the whole question to the justice of Brazil; a compliment which we appreciate, and I will lay it before His Majesty the Emperor." I then informed him that it was my intention to have returned to Petropolis on that day. And as it was not possible to return until I had received an official communication from him on the subject, and forwarded it to you, I indulged the hope that he would give me his reply to my dispatch at his earliest convenience. He assured me it should be in my possession last evening. It failed to arrive, however, and at 9 o'clock this (Thursday) morning I was again at his house on Botofoga Bay, determined to have an interview with him before he went to his office or the senate, or the Chamber of Deputies, where he is in attendance daily, there being a kind of ministerial crisis pending, and it being the right and duty of ministers to speak in both houses in defense of their measures. He laughed at my pertinacity in persisting in having his reply in pos session at once, and promised it for this evening. It was whispered to me that a Brazilian coasting-steamer arrived last evening from Pernambuco, with two days' later news, which was the cause of my not getting a dispatch last night. I know not how [274] this may affect the question; but if the facts, on investigation, turn out as represented, I have not a doubt in regard to the action of the imperial government. THURSDAY, 4 o'clock p. m. I received the promised dispatch at 1.35 p. m. instead of 11 a. m., and immediately came to the city, and had it translated by a consul's clerk, and inclose it herewith, marked No. 4. You will perceive it covers the whole ground, and that the officer in command has been removed in consequence of an investigation into the affair, made by the president of the Province of Pernambuco. It is only just to the imperial government to bear in mind that, previous to any such formal investigation, and upon the mere prima facie aspect of the case and general rumor, the commandant's removal was determined upon and reported to me. I shall, of course, address a letter to the Government immediately on my return to Petropolis, acknowledging the receipt of the Marquis d'Abrantes's dispatch, and thanking him for the promptness which the imperial government has exhibited in punishing one of its officials for his neglect of duty, and I hope in due time to receive from you a dispatch on this subject, to be sent to the Foreign Office. * I have, &c., * * J. WATSON WEBB. [Inclosure 1.] Mr. Adamson to Mr. Webb. UNITED STATES CONSULATE, SIR: I am under the very painful necessity of announcing to you the destruction, by the pirate Alabama, of six American vessels. The very short time between this and the sailing of the English mail-packet will prevent me from giving you the full particulars. I can only say now that the Brazilian schooner Sergipano arrived here yesterday from the island of Fernando de Noronha, with sixty-one persons on board as passengers, being the officers and crews of the schooner Kingfisher of Fairhaven, ship Nora of Boston, ship Charles Hill of Boston, and, ship Louisa Hatch, Rockland, Maine. The crews of these vessels are under my protection. The schooner Kingfisher was a whaling-vessel of 121 tons burden. She was captured by the Alabama on the 23d March, off Fernando de Noronha. The ship Nora was captured on the 25th March, latitude 1° 23′ north, longitude 26° 30' west. The ship Charles Hill was captured at the same time and place. The Louisa Hatch was taken on the 4th April, latitude 3° 13' south, longitude 26° 18' west. The first vessel had about thirty barrels of oil on board. The second was from Liverpool, bound to Calcutta, with 1,520 tons of salt. The third was from Liverpool for Montevideo, with 999 tons of salt. And the fourth was from Cardiff, bound for Point de Galle, Ceylon, laden with 1,033 tons of coals for the Peninsula and Oriental Company. The pirate stripped the vessels of their small-stores, chronometers, &c., took all the money from the captain, about 250 tons of coal from the Louisa Hatch, and then burned the vessels. From the 10th to the 16th April the Alabama was in the port of the island of Fernando de Noronha; during this time, viz, on the 15th April, the Alabama captured in Brazilian waters two other American vessels, viz, the brig Kate Corning of Westport, and the Lafayette of New Bedford. These vessels were touching for supplies. The Alabama went out and seized them within two miles of the shore. The pirate set fire to and destroyed the Lafayette immediately. He towed the Kate Corning to the anchorage, which constitutes the only harbor of the island, and, about four days after, took her out in company with the Louisa Hatch and burned both, and this within two miles of the shore. Comment is quite unnecessary. It is impossible to say what complications may arise from these circumstances, and I would, therefore, be happy to receive any advice you may have to offer. I remain, &c., THOMAS ADAMSON, JUN., Consul. [275] * PERNAMBUCO, April 27, 1863. THE ALABAMA.-We have just had news of this famous privateer by a vessel from Fernando de Noronha, off this coast. She has captured and burned the following Federal ships: Kingfisher, Thomas E. Lambert, on 23d March; ship Charles Hill, Per cival, on 25th March; ship Nora, C. E. Adams, on the same day; ship Louisa Hatch, Wm. Grant. This last ship was proceeding from Cardiff to Point Galle, consigned to a French company, with coals. The brigantine Kate and the Lafayette were taken on the 17th. It seems that the captain (Semmes) and the governor of Fernando were mutually polite-exchanging visits, and driving out together. The captain bought everything of which he stood in need, and landed his prisoners. The Kate and the Lafayette were taken on the 17th, close to the island. The masters of these vessels, suspecting nothing, had taken their boats ashore to water, and from the shore witnessed the burning of their ships. They say that the governor protested against this act being committed in Brazilian waters. Sixty-two prisoners have been landed here, (Pernambuco,) and forty-four were remaining on the island. Eleven Englishmen had entered for the privateer. The foremost men of the captured vessels were put in irons while on board the privateer, and lost whatever money they may have had, but were allowed to retain all articles of use, as watches, rings, &c. The masters were allowed to give their parole, but, in reference to property, fared in the same way as the rest of the crews. [Inclosure 2.] Mr. Thomas F. Wilson to Mr. Webb. CONSULATE OF THE UNITED STATES, SIR: I have this moment learned that the pirate Alabama is off the coast of Brazil, north of Pernambuco, destroying American merchantmen. Through the politeness of the British consul of this city, I have been allowed to copy he report furnished him by the officers of the British mail-steamer from Southampton, which I herewith inclose you for your information. You will, perhaps, have been furnished by our consul at Pernambuco with the particulars of these recent exploits; but fearing that by some accident you may not have received such information, I lay before you all I have on the subject. In haste, yours, &c., THOMAS F. WILSON. [Inclosure 3.] Mr. Webb to the Marquis d'Abrantes. [Extract.) LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, The undersigned, envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary for the United States, has the honor to inform his excellency the Marquis d'Abrantes, counselor to His Imperial Majesty the Emperor of Brazil, minister and secretary of state for foreign affairs, that he has, this evening, received from the consul of the United States at Pernambuco a dispatch dated April 27, from which the following are extracts: "I am under the painful necessity of announcing to you the destruction by the pirate Alabama of six American vessels. The very short time between this and the sailing of the English mail-packet will prevent my giving you the full particulars. I can only say now that the Brazilian schooner Sergipano arrived here yesterday from the island of Fernando de Noronha, with sixty-one persons on board as passengers, being the officers and crews of the schooner Kingfisher, of Fairhaven, ship Nora, of Boston, ship Charles Hill, of Boston, and ship Louisa Hatch, of Rockland, Maine." * "From the 10th to the 16th of April the Alabama was in the port of the island of Fernando de Noronha, during which time, viz, on the 15th of April, the pirate captured in Brazilian waters two other American vessels, viz, the brig Kate Corning, of [276] Westport, *and the Lafayette, of New Bedford. These vessels were touching at Fer nando de Noronha for supplies. The Alabama went out and seized them within two miles of the shore. The pirate set fire to and destroyed the Lafayette immediately. He towed the Kate Corning to the anchorage, which constitutes the only harbor to the island, and, a few days after, took her out in company with the Louisa Hatch and burned both, and this within two miles of the shore." The United States consul at Bahia, under date of 29th April, writes the undersigned as follows: "I have this moment learned that the pirate Alabama is off the coast of Brazil, north of Pernambuco, destroying American merchantmen. Through the politeness of the British consul at this port, I have been allowed to copy the report furnished him by the officers of the British mail-steamer from Southampton, which I herewith inclose for your information." The report alluded to, after confirming the capture and burning of the American ships by the English piratical vessel called the Alabama, which was built in an English port, with English capital, manned and armed by Englishmen, and without ever having been in American waters, either north or south, is now prowling about the ocean and preying upon the unprotected commerce of a neutral and friendly nation, proceeds to say: "It seems that the captain (Semmes) and the governor of Fernando de Noronha were mutually polite, exchanging visits, and riding and driving out together. The captain bought everything of which he stood in need, and landed his prisoners." The Kate Corning and Lafayette were taken on the 17th, close to the island. The masters of these vessels, suspecting nothing, had taken their boats ashore to water, and from the shore witnessed the burning of their ships." "Sixty-two prisoners have been landed here, (Pernambuco,) and forty-four were remaining on the island. Eleven Englishmen had entered for the privateer." The undersigned presumes that the government of Brazil has been officially apprised of this outrage on the commerce of the United States, in the waters of Brazil, by the English piratical vessel called the Alabama, an outrage perpetrated, in fact, within one of its harbors, as two of the vessels destroyed were actually at anchor in what constitutes the harbor of Fernando de Noronha; and it would appear from the information furnished, that the governor of that island gave countenance and support to the pirate. He therefore prefers relying upon the justice of Brazil for prompt redress in the premises, to indulging in any comments upon this reported outrage on American commerce, accompanied by a violation of international law; and contents himself, for the moment, by calling the attention of your excellency to the gross breach of neutrality," said to have been perpetrated, by a high official of the imperial government. In the hope that your excellency will favor the undersigned with a reply to this communication in time to allow him to transmit it to his government by the steamer of the 9th instant, he hastens to avail, &c. (Signed) [Inclosure 4.] The Marquis d'Abrantes to Mr. Webb. J. WATSON WEBB. MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, Rio de Janeiro, May 7, 1863. By official communication from the president of the province of Pernambuco, the imperial government has been informed that, on the 10th day of last month the steamer Alabama, belonging to the Confederate States of America, came to anchor in the harbor of island Rata, near the island of Fernando de Noronha. A few days after said steamer captured six whale-ships of the Federal States, and burnt two of them, after having taken possession of their cargoes. The crews of these vessels were taken to Recife, capital of the province, by a Brazilian vessel. The president being apprised of these facts, ordered immediately an inquiry, all the persons composing the crews of the aforesaid vessels being interrogated. The United States consul also made the investigations that he thought necessary. From these inquiries and investigations it is evident that the captain of the Alabama went several times to the island of Fernando de Noronha, accompanied by some of his men; that he communicated with the commanding officer of the island; and that [277] he went ashore several times, in order to supply the steamer with the articles needed, and to land the crews of the captured vessels. It is also evident that the capture and burning of the vessels took place in the territorial waters of the empire; and, finally, that the commander of the island neglected the duties of his position, as he did not even protest against the proceedings of the captain of the Alabama. At Bahia. In these circumstances the president of the province, after having conferred with the United States consul, dismissed the aforesaid commander, and ordered proceedings to be commenced against him. In this emergency, as there was no means at Pernambuco of stopping the proceedings of the captain of the Alabama, the president immediately solicited from the imperial governinent the convenient measures, and protested solemnly against the pro H. Ex. 282-34 ceedings of the said captain, ordering him to leave the territorial waters of the empire within twenty-four hours. The government of His Majesty has approved of the proceedings of the president of the province of Pernambuco in this emergency, and has taken the necessary measures to repress the outrages of the captain of the Alabama, in order that the neutrality which this empire ought to observe in this war may be religiously maintained. Apprising Mr. James Watson Webb, envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary of the United States, of the facts already stated, I flatter myself of having anticipated the desire that he undoubtedly had of being minutely informed of this occurrence; and I also congratulate myself that Mr. Webb will recognize in the proceedings of the imperial government the exact observance of those principles of neutrality to which I already referred. I reiterate, &c., (Signed) MARQUIS D'ABRANTES. No. 47.] Georgia also at Bahia, Florida at Per May, 1863. Mr. Webb to Mr. Seward. [Extract.] LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, SIR: The European and American mail, by the French steam-packet Guienne, reached me on Tuesday evening, the 19th, at 7 o'clock, and brought full reports from our consuls at Bahia nambuco, repairing and Pernambuco, of the doings of the pirates Alabama, Florida, and Georgia on this coast. By their reports, copies of which they forwarded to the Department of State, I was informed that the Alabama and Georgia were lying in the harbor of Bahia, and receiving the hospitalities of those ports; while the Florida was in Pernambuco refitting and repairing her engine, to enable her to renew her depredations upon American commerce. They also reported that they now had on hand about 250 of crews and passengers of the American vessels captured and destroyed by the pirates; and as the law makes no provision for the support of ship-masters and passengers in foreign ports, they asked instructions from me in relation to the course to be pursued by them now, and under similar circumstances hereafter. At 6 o'clock on the following morning I was on my way to this city; and at 11.30 was in the Foreign Office, where I learned that the Marquis d'Abrantes was with the Emperor at the palace of Saint Christoval. I called again at 3 p. m., just as the office was being closed, and was informed that he was still at the palace, and that when he left there he would go direct to his residence at Botofoga Bay, which is four miles from here, (the United States consulate.) I was at his residence twice during the evening, and left word with his private secretary that I should call at half-past 8 on the following morning. * ** I got at work at 12 a. m., and at 7.22 p. m. placed in his hands at Botofoga my dispatch herewith, marked No. 1. Please bear in mind that this was written, copied, and delivered in person four miles from here, in my brief time, and that the necessity for accuracy was paramount to all other considerations, and find therein any apology necessary for deficiency in the manner of doing the work.♦ This morning at a quarter before 9 I was again with the marquis, when he assured me he was then engaged in preparing a preliminary dispatch, which would be satisfactory, and which I should have in possession late this evening, or early to-morrow, Sunday-the steamer not sailing until Monday. This will give me time to finish this dispatch. |