Charles Francis Adams to William H. Seward, April 30, 1863
Mr. Adams to Mr. Seward.
Sir: I have the honor to transmit a copy of one of the official publications made for the use of Parliament, containing the correspondence which has passed between Lord Russell and myself on the subject of alleged enlistments on account of the United States in Great Britain. One additional note has been written by me since the date of this publication; a copy of which, with its enclosures, is likewise forwarded.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, &c.
[Enclosures.]
1. Parliamentary paper, (No. 9,) North America. Enlistment of British subjects in federal army.
2. Mr. Adams to Lord Russell, April 29, 1863.
3. William H. Aspinwall to Mr. Adams, April 28, 1863.
4. McAndrew & Wann to Mr. McHenry, March 27, 1863.
5. Mr. J. M. Forbes to Mr. Adams, April 28, 1863.
(See printed correspondence—London, &c.)
Mr. Adams to Earl Russell.
My Lord: In farther explanation of the views which I had the honor to submit to you, in my note of the 18th instant, as to the causes of the present emigration, I have the honor to submit copies of notes addressed to me by gentlemen of high character in the United States, who are in a position to write with knowledge of the facts. The original memorandum, a copy of which is likewise submitted, is now in my hands.
I pray, &c.,
Right Hon. Earl Russell, &c., &c.
[Untitled]
Tuesday Morning.
My Dear Sir: I mentioned to you, some days ago, that several railroads were looking to Great Britain and to Canada for laborers exempt from the conscription act. Two or three companies were, to my own knowledge, making such arrangements. To-day I happened to speak of the matter to Mr. McHenry, the agent of the Atlantic and Great Western railroad, now being extended through the State of Ohio, and I received from him the enclosed memorandum from the agents in New York, on the promise to return it to him this week. McAndrew and Wann are British subjects; the latter brother to the manager of the Belfast Bank. And Mr. Kennard, the consulting engineer alluded to in memorandum, is an Englishman, nephew to the bankers in this city,
Very truly and respectfully, yours,
His Excellency C. F. Adams, &c.
[Memorandum.]
Dear Sir: Mr. Kennard wishes you to send out 500 mechanics. He will have work for them, and more. Wages here—say, blacksmiths, $2 to $2 50 ; riveters, $1 50 to $2 ; fitters, the same; moulders, $1 50 ; and trimmers, do., per day. Riveters wanted particularly. He also would like you to send out 3,000 laborers. Their wages will be $1 25 per day. They should pay their own way out. Mechanics can be had in Belfast and Scotland.
Truly, yours,
James Henry, Esq., London.
Mr. Forbes to Mr. Adams.
My Dear Sir: The extraordinary misapprehension which seems to exist here, even among sane people, in regard to enlistments in this country for the United States, leads me to state that more than two months ago I was called upon, as a director in one of our Lake Superior land companies, to vote upon an appropriation of money, to be used in combination with other companies there, for bringing miners and other laborers over to supply the great want of labor that had already been felt there. I know, too, that the great railroad lines of the west were suffering under the increase of wages and the scarcity of men, especially of those exempt from draft. Even on the seaboard, in our short winter days, common labor was at $1 25 per diem.
It seems to me the plain facts of the case are quite enough to explain the emigration, without supposing want of good faith in our government as its cause or stimulant.
Very truly, yours,
His Excellency Charles Francis Adams, &c., &c.