Charles Haffner to William H. Seward, March 17, 1866

Mr. Haffner to Mr. Seward.

Honored Sir: It is with much reluctance that I presume to trespass upon your attention? and will be as brief as possible.

From the petulant manner that the Earl of Clarendon has closed the correspondence respecting United States claims for depredations by the Alabama with Mr. Adams, I would humbly call your attention to one important item connected with the Rappahannock affair, in Sheerness dock-yard, which, in my humble judgment, should be urged against the English government.

It is a well-known fact, (for I traced it out myself,) that David Partridge, the assistant chief engineer of Woolwich Steam Factory, came down to Sheerness dock-yard, on the afternoon of the 24th of November, 1863, and steamed the Rappahannock out of Sheerness harbor, at eleven o’clock at night, as far as the Nore, and then returned in the tug that towed her out. I minutely sent this statement, with the names of the witnessing parties, to Mr. Morse, the consul in London, who had it formally sent to the admiralty solicitor at Chatham, who duly forwarded it in the depositions to the chief solicitor at the admiralty in London, but (would you believe it?) had it expunged, thus stifling a very important piece of evidence against Rumble and the dock-yard officials at Sheerness.

I hope, honored sir, you will see just cause to complain of the manner the United States was trifled with.

In a collateral point of view, I would just call your attention to another fact.

Rumble had two effective scouts in Sheerness dock-yard, named Jacob Parkes, and Alfred Oysten, the former a leading man in the fitting shop, the latter a draughtsman in said department. It is matter of record, in the hands of Mr. Morse, the game that these vile men played in stultifying witnesses, &c., &c., who were to give evidence against Rumble. Well, after Rumble’s acquittal, these men got promoted to higher situations, Parkes being promoted to Malta, and Oysten to a foreman’s situation in Sheerness Steam Factory—doubtless as rewards for their zeal in Rumble’s defence. And now, honored sir, Mr. Morse can supply you with corroborations of what I have stated to you, respecting the share that David Partridge, the assistant chief engineer of Woolwich Steam Factory took in the Rappahannock affair, and chief admiralty solicitor at Whitehall expunging such damaging evidence from | the depositions. My only apology for thus intruding upon you is simply because I am grieved at the summary manner Earl Clarendon has disposed of Mr. Adams; and again, lest you might not have known about the case of Mr. David Partridge.

I am, honored sir, with much esteem, your humble servant,