Robert C. Schenck to Edward Henry Stanley, February 11, 1875

General Schenck to Lord Derby.

My Lord: I have the honor to communicate to you, herewith, copies of certain papers, received at this legation, which go to show that an American vessel, the “G. C. Trufant,” of Newbury port, Massachusetts, in the United States, arrived on the 7th instant at the port of Liverpool, and that on that same day the master raised the British flag, changed the marks on the stern, and claimed that the vessel was transferred to British ownership. It appears that the crew were shipped at New Orleans December 31, 1874, for a voyage to Liverpool and back to the United States, for a term of eighteen calendar months, ending in the United States. The engagement of service of this ship’s company would not expire, therefore, until the 30th of June, 1876.

It is admitted by the master that the vessel was under and arrived with an American register, and was entered at the custom-house in Liverpool as an American vessel. Among other things incident to the arrival of a vessel of the United States at a foreign port, it is provided by the laws and consular regulations of my Government, that she shall deposit her papers with the consul of the United States, shall pay certain hospital dues, and in case of a sale and transfer the crew are entitled to claim to be discharged, and to be paid their wages, and extra wages with a view to their protection and return to their country, and the papers ought to be surrendered to the consul. But in the case of the “G. C. Trufant,” the master and agent of the owner, as I am informed, have refused to deposit or even show the vessel’s papers to the consul—have refused to recognize his authority—and have altogether set at defiance the laws and consular regulations of the United States applicable to such cases—leaving that officer and the crew without remedy, and the crew without protection or provision for their sustenance in case of their being thrown adrift in this country and destitute. To this may be added a consideration of the possibilities of fraud and danger in permitting a vessel to retain papers of her former nationality after she may have obtained protection and license under another flag. The owner of the vessel in question, by whose orders it is understood such irregular proceedings have been authorized, is reported to be Mr. Gilbert Carr Trufant, a native-born citizen of the United States, residing in London, and who has been in business for many years in this city, as a member of the firm of Randall & Trufant, 144 Minories. Under the circumstances of the case, which I have thus detailed, I have now, my lord, to protest against this outrage and disregard of the obligations by an American master and an American ship-owner, being permitted to proceed within British jurisdiction; and I confidently appeal to Her Majesty’s government, with a request that an investigation may be made of the case, and that a British registration of this vessel may be refused by the proper authority, or if the same has been made, that it be canceled or suspended, until the master and owner of the “G. C. Trufant” shall have complied in good faith with, rules and regulations which are for the benefit of the shipping and seamen, and for the protection of the commercial intetest of both countries.

I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration, my lord, your lordship’s most obedient servant,