Charles Francis Adams to Right Hon. Earl Russell, & c, December 28, 1863

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My Lord: From such information as is believed by me to be entitled to credit, although it is not at present in my power to submit the evidence directly to your lordship, I feel it my duty to apprise you of the fact that a number of persons, not less than thirty, have lately arrived from the United States, with the intention to embark in the steamer Pampero, now at Glasgow, on a hostile expedition against the United States. Of these persons, some eleven or twelve, including one Dr. Vallandigham, from the State of Delaware, are now in Liverpool, and the others are either in London or Glasgow. Captain Sinclair, who has been here for more than a year, is designated to take the command. He has left Glasgow from fear of inquiry, and is now living elsewhere under an assumed name. A person by the name of Colin McKensey, of Baltimore, but now residing in London, furnishes the payments to the men, and is mentioned as the paymaster for the vessel.

I am further informed that these are a most daring and reckless set of men, who at one moment contemplated the project of seizing the Pampero and running her out of the port of Glasgow, either by force or fraud. This scheme is, however, for the present abandoned, especially as hopes have been inspired by Lieutenant Maury, who has lately visited those remaining at Liverpool, that the object will be accomplished in a simpler way.

The desperate nature of the class of persons to which these men belong in the United States is so well known to me, that I shall not be surprised to find them at any moment attempting some scheme to seize a vessel that promises success, even though it be in defiance of the law as well as of the power of this kingdom. For these reasons I have taken the liberty to submit the private information I have obtained, even though it does not appear to be authenticated in the usual manner.

I pray your lordship to accept the assurances of the highest consideration, with which I have the honor to be, my lord, your most obedient servant,