John Russell, 1st Earl Russell to Charles Francis Adams, July 25, 1862

Earl Russell to Mr. Adams.

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 14th instant, in which you call attention to the circumstances under which the United States steamer Saginaw had been required to quit the harbor of Hong Kong, in compliance with the terms of her Majesty’s proclamation of the 31st of January last. You draw at the same time a comparison between the course thus adopted towards the Saginaw and that which had been followed with regard to the Sumter, at Gibraltar.

I have, in reply, to observe that the difference between the circumstances of the two cases lies in the fact that the Sumter was in the waters of Gibraltar before the proclamation had been issued by her Majesty’s government, whereas it appears that the Saginaw went to Hong Kong subsequent to its issue.

In framing the regulations contained in the proclamation her Majesty’s government have acted on the principle of impartiality, but the effect has been greatly to the advantage of the United States cruisers and to the disadvantage of those of the confederate States.

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