Charles Francis Adams to Right Hon. Earl Russell, December 21, 1864

Mr. Adams to Earl Russell

My Lord: I have the honor to submit to your consideration copies of a correspondence which has taken place between Mr. Allen, consul of the United States, at Bermuda, and the authorities at that island, relative to the case of the steamer Roanoke.

I am instructed by my government to enter a protest against the proceedings therein described, so far as they relate to the enlistment of men, and the discharge of the parties concerned in the outrage. I am directed to specify most particularly the man Braine, already well known to the British authorities as having been engaged in a similar affair against the steamer Chesapeake in another portion of her Majesty’s dominions, from the proper consequences of which he was suffered to escape. It would appear from the evidence that in the last case, and in the former one, he had accomplices among the inhabitants of the place.

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

[Enclosures.]

1. Mr. Allen to Mr. Seward, October 28, 1864.

2. Mr. Allen to Governor Hamley, October 6, 1864.

3. Deposition of Mr. Devine, October 6, 1864.

4. Governor Hamley to Mr. Allen, October 6, 1864.

5. Mr. Allen to Governor Hamley, October 7, 1864.

6. Mr. Allen to Governor Hamley, October 8, 1864.

7. Protest of officers of the Roanoke, October 8, 1864.

8. Mr. Allen to Mr. Hyland, October 10, 1864.

9. Deposition of Mr. Allen, October 10, 1864.

10. Mr. Allen to Governor Hamley, October 12, 1864.

11. Governor Hamley to Mr. Allen, October 16, 1864.

[The above enclosures are printed in part second of diplomatic correspondence for 1864, pages 361, &c]