Charles Francis Adams to Right Hon. Earl Russell, July 14, 1862

Mr. Adams to Earl Russell.

My Lord: I am directed to lay before your lordship copies of despatches transmitted to me, touching the action of the harbor-master at Hong Kong, in relation to the United States steamer Saginaw. There certainly does seem to be a difference between the treatment experienced by this vessel and that applied to the Sumter in Gibraltar.

But, apart from this, it is needless to suggest to your lordship that the presence of some vessel-of-war in the China seas is almost indispensable to the protection of the interests of American commerce in that quarter, or that a denial of any of the ordinary rights of maritime powers operates with peculiar hardship upon them in this instance. On the other hand, it does not appear that any British interest could be seriously affected by the admission of such vessels to the enjoyment of them. Thus far experience may be said to have shown it to advance the interests of all the western powers. Under these circumstances I have been instructed simply to submit the facts to the consideration of her Majesty’s government.

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