Charles Francis Adams to William H. Seward, March 9, 1865

Mr. Adams to Mr. Seward

Sir: In anticipation of the receipts of the comments which are doubtless on their way to me from America, upon the issue of the trial of Mr. Rumble, I now transmit a copy of a note from Lord Russell to me, of the 8th instant, announcing the course which has been taken respecting that personage by the government. Considering that, in the face of the law, he has been held innocent of the offence, I cannot see that much more could have been done to him than has been done. As an indication of the animus of the government, I think it may be favorably received.

I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,

Lord Russell to Mr. Adams

Sir: In my letter of the 18th ultimo, I had the honor to inform you that a court of inquiry, appointed by the lords’ commissioners of the admiralty, to investigate the circumstances connected with the departure of the Scylla, or Rappahannock, from Sheerness, had reported that there was no foundation for the assertion which had been made, that the Scylla had been towed out of the harbor of Sheerrjess by a vessel belonging to her Majesty’s navy; and I have now the honor to inform you further, with respect to this matter, that the lords of the admiralty have fully considered the proceedings of Mr. Rumble in regard thereto.

It appeared to their lordships, that as Mr. Rumble has been acquitted by a jury of any guilty knowledge of the true character of the Scylla, up to the time of her departure from Sheerness, they had only to consider his proceedings after that event in forming an opinion with respect to his conduct in the case of this vessel. And the conclusion at which their lordships have arrived is that Mr. Rumble, after the character of the vessel had been openly declared, acted in a manner calculated to afford just grounds, for the accusation that an officer employed in her Majesty’s service had aided and abetted these parties, who, in violation of her Majesty’s proclamation, were concerned in fitting out the Scylla as a vessel-of-war. Under these circumstances their lordships have decided to place Mr. Rumble upon half-pay, as an officer in whom they can no longer place any confidence.

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 the assertions that have been made, that the steamer Scylla or Rappahannock was towed by a government tug out of Sheerness harbor, on the 24th of November, 1863, I have the honor to state to you that I have received from the lords commissioners of the admiralty a copy of a report accompanied by a minute of proceedings of a court of inquiry, held by their lordships’ order at Sheerness, to investigate the truth of these assertions, and that it results from that inquiry that the members of the court were perfectly satisfied that no government tug, or vessel of any description belonging to her Majesty, assisted or accompanied the Scylla or Rappahannock, on the occasion of her leaving Sheerness harbor on the night in question.

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