Charles Fkancis Adams to John Russell, 1st Earl Russell, July 27, 1864

Mr. Adams to Earl Russell.

My Lord: I have the honor to submit to your consideration a copy of a let ter just received by me from the vice-consul of the United States at Liverpool

It would seem, if the statements therein have any foundation in truth, that further attempts are in contemplation, under the shelter of the names of British subjects, to carry on from British ports war with the people of the United States.

Deeply regretting the continued manifestation of this inimical temper, I feel it again my duty to call your lordship’s attention to the abuse thus made by the insurgents of the neutrality of her Majesty’s harbors by sham transfers of their war vessels to British subjects, the better to cover their hostile operations.

I pray permission to observe that the complaint thus made is not against the vessel, for I have already been compelled to apprise your lordship of the fact that my government declines to recognize her as possessing any other character than that which she had assumed, and in which she was received when she came into Liverpool. The material point to which I beg your lordship’s attention is the intervention of one or more British subjects in the war by taking all the necessary measures in British ports to send out in their name this vessel in a shape fitted for further hostile operations.

I pray your lordship, &c., &c., &c.