Charles Francis Adams to Right Hon. Earl Russell, May 30, 1863

Mr. Adams to Earl Russell.

My Lord: I have the honor to transmit copies of a letter from the consul of the United States at Liverpool, and of two more depositions relating to the case of the Phantom. I do not presume that they will have any effect in varying the reply already given to my former representations in your lordship’s note of the 27th instant. Notwithstanding the report made concerning the objects of that vessel, I greatly fear that she will turn up in America, much in the character of the Georgiana. I can only hope for the sake of the harmony of both countries that she may meet with the same fate.

I pray, &c.,

Mr. Dudley to Mr. Adams.

Sir: I have the honor to enclose you two more affidavits about the steamer Phantom now at this port. This vessel made another trial trip on Tuesday, returning yesterday. I am informed she is to be a privateer for the so-called southern confederacy.

I am satisfied, from what I hear of this craft, that she will arm either at this or some other port, and cruise against the government of the United States. The Hamilton referred to in the affidavits as being on board, is John Randolph Hamilton, of South Carolina, an officer belonging to the navy of the so-called southern confederacy, sent over here by that government as an assistant to Captain Bullock, to aid in fitting out and building naval vessels for the insurgents. Captain Tessier is the same man who took out the armament to the Oreto, now called the Florida, built by these same parties who built the Phantom, and who took out from Liverpool a part of the armament and Captain Semmes to the steamer Alabama. She is to sail Saturday or Sunday next.

The steamer Sumter, now called the Gibraltar, I understand, is to sail Sunday or Monday next. I think this vessel will also prove to be a privateer.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

Deposition of Henry Redden.

I, Henry Redden, of 16 Hook street, in Liverpool, mariner, do solemnly declare and say as follows :

I know the steamer Phantom, lately built by Messrs. W. C. Miller & Sons, at Liverpool. Said vessel went on a trial trip on Tuesday evening last, the 26th instant, and returned yesterday evening. I was on the Wellington pier when she came in, and saw her. I passed the ropes to help her into the dock. She was in command of Captain E. L. Tessier, to my own personal knowledge, the same man who formerly commanded the steamer Bahama, and who conveyed part of the armament to, and assisted to fit out, the Alabama, or 290, at Terceira. I was close to said steamer when she came to the pier, and could distinguish any person on board of her, and speak with him. There were seven gentlemen on board. I knew one of them to be one of the firm of Fawcett, Preston & Co., two of the firm of Fraser, Trenholm & Co., and a small man I heard addressed as Mr. Hamilton. The captain (Tessier) asked me how I would like to go in the vessel. I told him I would not go. He said she would sail on Saturday night or Sunday morning. He said that to the dock-master in my hearing. The crew on board told me they were engaged for Nassau; that they had been shipped on board the vessel, and not at the Sailors Home; that they had four pounds a month, and one month in advance. Said vessel is adjusting her compass to-day.

And I make this declaration, conscientiously believing the same to be true, and by virtue, &c., &c.

HENRY REDDEN.

Deposition of Matthew Maguire.

Borough of Liverpool, to wit:

I, Matthew Maguire, of Liverpool, in the county of Lancaster, in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, commission agent, do solemnly and sincerely declare:

That on the evening of yesterday, the 27th instant, about 5 o’clock, I saw the steamer Phantom, lately built at this port by Messrs. William C. Miller & Sons, return from a trial trip; and saw Mr. Mann, of the firm of Fawcett, Preston & Co., and Mr. Hamilton, an American, who are well known to me, on board of her. There were several others on board, one of whom I believe to be one of the firm of Fraser, Trenholm & Co., but am not sure. Captain E. L. Tessier, who is also well known to me, was also on board said steamer, and acting as master of her.

MATTHEW MAGUIRE.

Lord Russell to Mr. Adams.

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 30th ultimo, enclosing further depositions respecting the Phantom.

I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration, sir, your most obedient, humble servant,

Lord Russell to Mr. Adams.

Sir: With reference to my letter of the 1st instant, I have the honor to state to you that her Majesty’s government have fully considered, in communication with the law officers of the crown, the various papers submitted by you, including the depositions enclosed in your letter of the 30th ultimo, relative to the case of the Phantom, together with the information which has been obtained by the board of treasury and by the home office on the same matter, and that it appears to her Majesty’s government that no sufficient evidence has yet been produced to warrant them in taking any action with respect to that steam vessel.

I have the honor to be, &c.,

Mr. Adams to Lord Russell.

My Lord: I have the honor to submit to your consideration copies of two depositions relating to a vessel which has been fitting out at Stockton-on-Tees, for some purpose not usual in times of peace. This vessel is called the Southerner, and is the same to which I called your lordship’s attention in my note of the 26th of March last. I think it can scarcely admit of a doubt that she is intended to carry on the same piratical mode of warfare against the commerce of the United States, now practised by the so-called Alabama and the Oreto. The person superintending her equipment appears to be the same who was equally active in the case of No. 290. I therefore feel it is my duty to call your lordship’s attention to the case in order that the proper measures may he taken in season to prevent any evil consequences to the peace of the two countries from the escape of such a vessel.

I pray your lordship to accept, &c.,

Deposition of John Baxter Langley.

I, John Baxter Langley, surgeon and journalist, do hereby solemnly declare that on Wednesday, the 13th day of May, I was in Stockton-on-Tees, and that I went on board a vessel lying beside the ship-building yard of Pearse, Lockwood & Co. This ship was about 320 feet long, and had the name “Southerner, Liverpool,” painted in gilt letters on her stern. She was an iron screw steamer, which I judged to be from 1,800 to 2,200 tons register. In the cabins I saw porcelain basins, marked with a palm tree, and the letters O. S. C., which I understand to mean “Confederate Screw Cutter.” The same day I saw a hole being cut in her side, and judged that her iron plating, above the water-line, was about ten inches in thickness. A workman, employed on board of the ship told me that the vessel had plates of unusual thickness above the water-line. It was notorious in Stockton, at this time, that the vessel was intended to be used “as another Alabama.” I was informed, moreover, that Captain Butcher late of the Alabama, was superintending the building of the ship, and workmen, in the yard told me that he was frequently, on board of her superintending the work. I also declare that I was again in Stockton-on-Tees, on Saturday, May 30; and that I noticed further that the vessel in question had had five square holes, corresponding to her deck amidships, cut in her side, and suitable for guns to be worked on her deck amidships. I also declare that I went on board the vessel on that occasion and entered into conversation with Mr. Younger, the manager of the works, who stated that the arms of the Confederate States were on the cabin window on one side, and views of Savannah on the other. He said that the vessel was intended to carry cotton from Charleston, and that Captain Butcher was to take charge of her as commander in the first instance. He said she was also to carry passengers between Liverpool and Charleston. I went over the vessel and again observed the emblems on the porcelain in the aft cabin, and that the cabin windows had transparencies as follows: No. 1, two ovals; on the right a palmetto, with fasces and axes, crossed at the foot, with a garter and motto around it as follows: “South Carolina; animis opibusque parati.” On the left oval an emblem of a female presenting a cotton plant, or something of the kind, with the motto “Dum spiro, spero,” and “spes.” On the window, No. 2, facing this, is the British royal arms. No. 3 is a picture, which I take to be that of Charleston, with a fortification in the foreground, from which floated two large flags, the one being that known as the confederate banner, and the other “the Union jack.” On window No. 4 was a picture, which I take to be that of Savannah, with a battery and gun in situation in the foreground. I saw two guns marked “Gr. S. Hall, S. 18s,” on board. I supposed them to be about 18-pounders. Opposite the ports were rings, which I supposed to be intended to work the guns. In some cases the rings had been removed from the sockets. I went down into the hold also. One of the workmen on board told me that Captain Butcher was superintending the building of the vessel, and that he spent the greater part of his time on board, and had done so for more than a month. He said that it was quite understood that the ship was to take other guns on board from some vessel, which was to meet her at sea. He said also that Captain Butcher had engaged his crew, and that some of those who had gone with him before were engaged to go with him again. I was also informed, on the same day, that a cargo of charcoal was to be put on board of the Southerner, so as to give off no smoke from her funnel. Mr. Younger, the manager, stated that the vessel would sail from the Tees on Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning. A common rumor states that she will leave the river on Tuesday night, and that she will stop at Middleshow till the following day, after which she will go to Hartlepool and have her compasses rectified. Other reports say that she is to go direct to Liverpool, and there take in her crew. From what I have heard and seen, I am of opinion that the ship in question is intended for the service of the Confederate States as a privateer, and that she is not for the purpose for which she is ostensibly constructed. I believe that the extensive space below and between decks is intended to contain and receive the cargoes of merchant vessels seized by this Southerner.

On Monday June 1, I went to the ship yard of Messrs. Lockwood, Pearse, & Co., and inquired for Captain Butcher. The watchman at the gate told me that “he had not seen him that morning yet, but that he might have come in through the office and gone on board the ship.” I went to the office and saw a clerk there, who said that it was about Captain Butcher’s time, and that if I walked up towards his lodgings I should probably meet him. He told me the way he usually came down. I understood him to say that Butcher was there regularly every day. I then went up to the place where I was told that Butcher lodged, and asked for him. I was shown in to him, and inquired whether he would have any objection for me, as a reporter connected with the London press, to go on board when she went on her trial trip from Hartlepool on Wednesday. He said, in reply, “I should not have the smallest objection; but I do not take charge of the vessel until she is quite complete.” I stated that I had understood that he was in command of the ship, to which he replied: “Yes, that is quite right; but I do not like to take any responsibility until the ship is finally delivered over to me,” or words to that effect. He said, further, that he would speak to the builders about the matter, and that he would meet me on board the Southerner at 1 o’clock. I went down to the quay-side, before 1 o’clock, and saw Captain Butcher on board the Southerner. I thought from what I saw that he was giving orders to men on board. I saw several of the men touch their hats to him. When I went into the yard I was told that Captain Butcher was on board the big ship, and I found him on the aft-poop, where I had previously seen him. He recognized me again, and spoke to a gentleman whom I understood to be one of the builders—either Mr. Pearse or Mr. Lockwood. He said: “Come this way and I will introduce you.” I spoke with them both, and I heard the gentleman say to Captain Butcher, “I would not allow any one to go with you down the river.” Then turning to me, he said: “We shall send down a train from this very early, starting about 5 o’clock, and you can join us if you like.” I said that I should probably go to Hartlepool, and he then said: “Well, the harbor-master knows all about it. A vessel will be sent out from West Hartlepool about 6 in the morning.” I asked Captain Butcher to give me his card as a pass, and he did so. Captain Butcher and Mr. Pease (?) then joined some visitors who, were in the aft-cabin, and I joined them. One of the ladies asked what was the meaning of the C. S. C. on the plates and dishes, and basins. The gentleman said that it was not known; that it might be Charleston Steam Company, or anything else, and then laughed in a manner which led me to suppose that he knew more than he was inclined to tell. In reply to the same question Captain Butcher said that it might mean Confederate Steam Company, or Charles Spence & Company, or anything else. He laughed when he said this, in the same manner the other gentleman had done. On the same day I went to a photographer’s named Guttenburgh, and there saw a picture of Captain Butcher taken in the dress of a naval officer. I had seen a cap such as the picture represented, hanging up in his lodgings. The buckle and buttons of the uniform bear the emblem of the Southern Confederacy—the palmetto. There are also letters on the buckle, which, however, are not easily legible. I had heard that Captain Butcher was distributing these carte-de-visites among his friends, and I purchased one. I can declare it to be a correct likeness of Captain Butcher, and I am told that the uniform is that of the Confederate States navy. And I make this solemn declaration, conscientiously believing the same to be true, &c., &c.

Deposition of Wm. M. Blakiston.

I, William Milburn Blakiston, of Middleboro’, engineer, do hereby solemnly declare and affirm as follows :

That is to say, that I have passed frequently up and down the river Tees, in passenger boats running between Stockton and Middleboro’, and observed the building and fitting out of a vessel of large size at Messrs. Lockwood & Pearse’s yard, in Stockton-on-Tees, and a rumor being quite common that the said ship was being built for the Southern Confederacy, I was led to observe more closely the building and fitting out of the vessel from time to time. On the 25th of May I observed that there had been cut on each side of the bulwark, amidships—that is, between the fore-poop and the after-poop—five square holes about 18 inches square, in each of which had been fitted a hinged flap of iron, so that, when closed, at a distance of one hundred yards nothing particular could be observed. On the same day I passed the vessel, in one of the river steamers, one of the said iron flaps was up, and, pointing its nose out of the hole was a gun mounted on a carriage. To all appearance this gun was about a four-inch bore. I had been previously told by a person, whom I believe to be credible and well informed, “that twelve (12) guns had come for her.”

On the 18th of May, when I was at Stockton, I observed that there was painted on her stern, in white letters, “The Southerner, Liverpool;” but on the 25th of the said month that had been supplanted by an elaborate piece of carved work, on which was cut the name, “The Southerner, Liverpool.” Above and in the centre of the inscription there was “Palm Tree” in green and gilt.

On the 30th of May I went on board the same vessel in company with Mr. J. B. Langley, of London. I was present during a conversation between that gentleman and Mr. Younger, the manager for Lockwood & Pearse. I heard Mr. Younger say that “there were the arms of the Confederate States” on the cabin window, and that there were views of Savannah on the other. Mr. Younger said that “Captain Butcher,” (who is reported to be the agent for the Confederate States of America,) “was to take charge of her,” meaning the vessel, “as commander, in the first instance.” I saw her engines, being direct condensing engines, with two multi-tubular boilers. Mr. Younger told me that they were three hundred horse power, upon which I remarked, that seemed to be small power for a vessel of her size. In reply he observed that she was intended to navigate shallow waters, and that power did not much increase speed. I had been previously informed that a large quantity of charcoal had been consigned to a hosier in the town of Stockton, the charcoal, however, being really intended for the use of this vessel; and should such be the fact, I know that it could be used with the boilers I saw for the purpose of rapidly raising steam without any smoke. I observed two or more steam cranes on the upper deck. In the cabins aft I saw the wash stand basins marked with the palm tree and the letters C. S. C., which I understsod to mean Confederate Screw Cutter. I saw on the windows of the cabin transparencies representing what I believe to be arms of the State of South Carolina, the British arms, and a view of Savannah; also a picture of a turret with two flags, one being the confederate banner, and the other the British ensign. I saw two guns on board mounted on carriages. I had also a conversation with one of the workmen on board the ship, who told me that she had 200 ton of pig iron on board as ballast. I asked him if he thought that the two guns I had seen were sufficient for a ship of her size; and his reply was that “everything was kept very quiet; but no doubt she would take more guns on board when she got out to sea, as the other one had done.” I understood him to mean the Alabama by “the other one.” As Captain Butcher had been named as the commander of that vessel, I asked him if Captain Butcher spent much of his time on board the Southerner, and he replied that for the last month he had spent the greater part of his time on the vessel. He said Captain Butcher had engaged his crew, and that some of those who had served under him before were engaged to go with him again. I believe that the ship is intended to go away from Stockton, on Tuesday evening, to Hartlepool, for the purposes of having her compasses adjusted, &c., &c.

WILLIAM MILBURN BLAKISTON.

Lord Russell to Mr. Adams.

Sir: Your letter of yesterday respecting the Southerner was unfortunately not delivered at the foreign office till 8.50 p.m., some time after the business of the day was ended and the office closed.

I have, at the earliest possible hour this morning, communicated with the treasury and home department, and I have requested that orders may at once be sent by telegraph to the proper authorities to pay immediate attention to the circumstances set forth in your letter.

I have the honor to be, &c.,

Mr. Adams to Lord Russell.

My Lord: I have the honor to transmit copies of two depositions relating to the uses about to be made of the steamer Sumter, now called the Gibraltar. As I have already so fully explained the grounds of remonstrance against the course taken by her Majesty’s government in recognizing the transformation of that vessel, I can now only express my regret that those representations should have met with so little success. I can only add, that from a knowledge of the views entertained by my government of this transaction, I feel it my duty, until further instructed, to continue to decline to recognize any change of the character of that vessel on the high seas.

I pray, &c., &c.,

Deposition of Moses Lansing.

To wit:

I, Moses Lansing, of Liverpool, in the county of Lancaster, in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, hair-dresser, do solemnly and sincerely declare—

That I reside at No. 185 Great Howard street, in Liverpool, and, in the course of my business, come much in contact with seamen; that on Saturday evening last the thirtieth instant, four seafaring men came to my shop on business, (to be shaved and have their hair cut,) and being acquainted with one of them, I entered into conversation with them, about where they were bound to. They informed me they were working on board the Gibraltar, formerly the Sumter; that they were going to sign articles to go in her for three years; that they were not going to sign at the Sailors’ Home, but on board the ship; that they were going out about Wednesday next, and expected to sign on Tuesday. That the Gibraltar was to go to Nassau from Liverpool, and that she was to go from there as a privateer, but they did not know her destination.

And I make this solemn declaration, conscientiously believing the same to be true, and by virtue of an act, &c., &c.

MOSES LANSING.

Deposition of John Markham.

Borough of Liverpool, to wit:

I, John Markham, of Liverpool, in the county of Lancaster, in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, master mariner, do solemnly, and sincerely declare—

That I reside at No. 2 Pool road, Egremont; that on Saturday evening last I was in company with Thomas Burton, assistant dock-master, or dock-gateman, at Clarence, half-tide-dock, and was told by him that the steamer Gibraltar had taken on board two very large guns on Friday last; that he had seen them, and that they weighed several tons.

And I make this solemn declaration, &c., &c.

JOHN MARKHAM.

Lord Russell to Mr. Adams.

Sir: It was reported to her Majesty’s government from New York, some little time ago, that Captain Davidson, who went out in command of the steamer Georgiana, respecting which you did me the honor to address to me sundry notes in the early spring of this year, and which is believed to have been subsequently wrecked off the coast of South Carolina, had returned to this country, and was to have command of a steamer building in the Clyde, to be called the South Carolina.

As this report may possibly have reached you also, I think it as well to inform you that her Majesty’s government have caused inquiries to be made respecting this vessel, and that they have been informed by the Lord Provost of Glasgow that he has been unable to ascertain that a vessel called the South Carolina has been or is being built within the limits of the municipality over which he presides.

I have the honor, &c., &c.,

Lord Russell to Mr. Adams.

Sir: Your letter of yesterday, respecting the Gibraltar, or Sumter, was unfortunately not delivered at the foreign office till 8.50 p.m., some time after the business of the day was ended and the office closed.

I have at the earliest possible hour, this morning, communicated with the treasury and home department; and I have requested that orders may at once be sent by telegraph to the proper authorities to pay immediate attention to the circumstances set forth in your letter.

I have the honor to be, &c.,