Charles Francis Adams to Right Hon. Earl Russell, January 20, 1864

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My Lord: I have the honor to submit to your lordship’s consideration copies of certain papers relating to the case of the bark Sea Bride, of Boston, captured by the Alabama.

It is affirmed in the depositions making a part of these papers that the Sea Bride was taken within the maritime jurisdiction of Great Britain, in Table bay, at the Cape of Good Hope. It is presumed that if this fact can be established, her Majesty’s government will not hesitate to accord that full reparation to the claimants for this lawless proceeding which is justly their due.

Should it, however, turn out, on a fuller investigation of the facts, that the capture was not made within the jurisdiction of Great Britain, I am nevertheless instructed to present the claim, under the general argument set forth in the note which I had the honor to address to your lordship on the 23d of October last.

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