John Russell, 1st Earl Russell to Note. —A similar letter was addressed to the secretaries of state for the home, colonial, war, and India departments, and to the lords commissioners of her Majesty’s treasury, June 6, 1865

Copy of a letter from Earl Russell to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty.

My Lords: I have the honor to state to your lordships, that since the date of my letter of the 11th ultimo intelligence has reached this country that the late President of the so-called Confederate States has been captured by the military forces of the United States, and has been transported as a prisoner to Fort Monroe, and that the armies hitherto kept in the field by the Confederate States have for the most part surrendered or dispersed.

In this posture of affairs her Majesty’s government are of opinion that neutral nations cannot but consider the civil war in North America as at an end.

In conformity with this opinion, her Majesty’s government recognize that peace has been restored within the whole territory of which the United States of North America before the commencement of the civil war were in undisturbed possession.

As a necessary consequence of such recognition on the part of her Majesty’s government, her Majesty’s several authorities in all ports, harbors, and waters belonging to her Majesty, whether in the United Kingdom or beyond the seas, must henceforth refuse permission to any vessel-of-war carrying a confederate flag to enter any such ports, harbors, and waters; and must require any confederate vessels-of-war which, at the time when these orders reach her Majesty’s authorities in such ports, harbors, and waters, may have already entered therein on the faith of proclamations heretofore issued by her Majesty, and which, having complied with the provisions of such proclamations, may be actually within such ports, harbors, and waters, forthwith to depart from them.

But her Majesty’s government consider that a due regard for national good faith and honor requires that her Majesty’s authorities should be instructed, as regards any such confederate vessels so departing, that they should have the benefit of the prohibition heretofore enforced against pursuit of them within twenty-four hours by a cruiser of the United States lying at the time within any such ports, harbors, and waters, and that such prohibition should be then and for the last time maintained in their favor.

If, however, the commander of any confederate vessel-of-war which may be found in any port, harbor, or waters of her Majesty’s dominions at the time these new orders are received by her Majesty’s authorities, or may enter such port, harbor, or waters within a month after these new orders are received, should wish to divest his vessel of her warlike character, and, after disarming her, to remain without a confederate flag within British waters, her Majesty’s authorities may allow the commander of such vessel to do so at his own risk in all respects, in which case he should be distinctly apprised that he is to expect no further protection from her Majesty’s government, except such as he may be entitled to in the ordinary course of the administration of the law in time of peace.

The rule as to twenty-four hours would, of course, not be applicable to the case of such vessel.

I have addressed a similar letter to the secretary of state for the home, colonial, India, and war offices, and also to the lords commissioners of her Majesty’s treasury, requesting them, as I do your lordships, to issue instructions in conformity with the decision of her Majesty’s government to the several British authorities at home or abroad who may be called upon to act in the matter.

I am, &c,