Charles Francis Adams to Right Hon. Earl Russell, July 25, 1863

Mr. Adams to Lord Russell.

My Lord: Having received information of the existence of a report that the iron-clad vessel at Liverpool had been claimed by the French consul at that port, and having since perceived that some credit has been given to the story by the first minister of the crown, immediate measures were taken to ascertain whether there was any foundation for it in fact.

I now have the honor to transmit a copy of a letter received from Mr. Dudley, the consul of the United States at Liverpool, which appears to show clearly the precise nature of the pretence.

I pray your lordship, &c.,

Mr. Wilding to Mr. Adams.

Sir: On reading in the Times of this morning the statement reported to have been made by Lord Palmerston in reply to Mr. Cobden last night—that he was informed as regards one of the iron-clads referred to, that the French consul claimed it for the Emperor of the French—I addressed a note to the French consul, asking him whether the information referred to was true. In reply he sent his vice-consul to assure me that there is no truth whatever in the information; that he does not know of any iron-clads being built here for the Emperor of the French.

I addressed the inquiry to my colleague, not supposing there was any truth whatever in the information, but that I might have his authority for saying there was none.

The vice-consul, while with me, stated that about the 3d or morning of the 4th of July, the consul received an invitation from a Mr. Bravay (a Frenchman, but unknown to him) to a luncheon at Messrs. Laird’s yard, on the 4th, on the occasion of the launch of an iron-clad vessel. The invitation came so late that the consul said he could not go. The vice-consul was then asked to go; and Mr. Bravay, introduced by one of the Messrs. Laird, waited upon him, and pressed him to go.

He, Mr. Bravay, then, in the presence of Mr. Laird, said he wished to get French papers for the iron-clad, and asked what formalities were necessary. He was instructed on the point, and then said the matter would be attended to by his brother, who had more to do with it than he had, and that he himself had to be in Madrid on the 9th. The vice-consul referred to a French Paris directory, and asked Mr. Bravay if he was one of the firm of Bravay & Co. therein described as merchants, and he said he was.

The consul or vice-consul has neither of them seen Mr. Bravay or Mr. Laird since, and did not go to the luncheon.

This indicates the source of Lord Palmerston’s information; and also that some such trick as getting foreign papers for the ram, under cover of which she would sail out, has been and perhaps is intended.

Very respectfully, I am, sir, your obedient servant,