Mason to the Earl of Donoughmore, November 23, 1863

Mr. Mason to the Earl of Donoughmore.

My Lord: I have received here the affidavits of which I venture to enclose copies. They were taken, as you will see, at Cork, in Ireland, by the commercial agent of the Confederate States at that place, and clearly prove the enlistment of a number of men into the naval service of the United States on board the federal frigate Kearsarge whilst recently at that port. It is certainly desirable that this offence should be brought to the notice of the government, an office which I am not in a position to perform. I have taken leave, therefore, to send the papers to you, and though without any request, (which I could not take the liberty to make,) yet if you think proper to send them to the foreign office, it would place it in the power of the government to examine into the facts. The original affidavits remain in the possession of Robert Dowling, esq., at Cork or Queenstown.

I have, &c.,