John Laird to the British Foreign Office, September 2, 1863

Mr. John Laird to the British Foreign Office.

Sir: In reply to your letter of the 21st of August, stating that Lord Russell will feel much obliged to me if I can inform him “how far it is true that the Alabama was fitted out as a vessel-of-war at Liverpool before she left that port,” I request that you will inform his lordship that I am not able, from my own personal observation or knowledge, to reply to his lordship’s inquiry, as I did not see the Alabama after the first week in July, 1862, being some weeks before she sailed.

In order to obtain for his lordship, from a reliable source, the information he has asked for, I have made inquiries from my successors in business, the firm of Laird Brothers, the builders of the vessel now called the Alabama, and I am authorized by them to state that the vessel referred to was delivered by them at the port of Liverpool, and that at the time of delivery she was not fitted out as a vessel-of-war.

They also confirm in every respect the report of Mr. Morgan, the surveyor of customs at Liverpool, dated 30th July, 1862, (ordered by the House of Commons to be printed 24th March, 1863,) in which he states that a strict watch had been kept upon the vessel, and that she left the port without any part of her armament on board.

I am, &c.,