MORSE, Consul to Charles F. Adams, January 6, 1864

Mr. Morse to Mr. Adams.

Sir: I herewith enclose four affidavits in the Rappahannock case. You will notice that two of them are given by English sailors, who were engaged and signed an agreement of some sort in this port to serve on board the Rappahannock, while the mere form of placing their names to the articles was done at Calais, though the obligation to do so was made here. Please notice also that the French authorities at Calais are aiding the rebels by arresting seamen who leave the ship.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

Deposition of George White.

I, George White, of Liverpool, leading stoker, do solemnly, sincerely, and truly swear that in November last I was sent for by a friend, who informed me that he had heard of a good thing, and one that would pay well, if I came to Sheerness. I went to Sheerness, and was introduced to Mr. Ramsey, who sent me to work on board the screw steamship Victor, then lying in the stream. While on board her name was altered to Scylla. I was told she was for blockade running. After remaining on board about fourteen days, during which time her masts were put in by her Majesty’s ship Cumberland, she suddenly left port. We had no notice of her leaving until two hours before she sailed. The fires were got up, and we were towed out of the harbor, and anchored just below the Nore light for the night. The next morning steamed for Calais, and went into the harbor and made fast alongside. Mr. Rumble and Mr. Ramsey introduced all the working hands on board the Scylla that left Sheerness, and none of them would have gone without such introduction. After arrival at Calais I, with J. Brooks and Maloney, was employed at work on board. At Sheerness engine-room stores were put on board while she lay in the stream; they consisted of gauge-cocks for the boilers, blocks and other things, having the government mark upon them. These things we were ordered to bury under the coal, so that the police should not see them. Both Mr. Rumble and Mr. Ramsey ordered us to put them out of sight; they are on board the Rappahannock now. Some deserters from the ship Formidable are serving on board the Rappahannock, and some others whose discharge has been bought for them; they came from the Cumberland. Of these men about a dozen remain on board. Some are put in irons if they attempt to leave, and the French authorities arrest them, as they allow £4 for each returned deserter. Mr. Rennie’s men are still engaged tubing the boilers. The ship will be completed and fit for sea by about Saturday week next.

GEORGE WHITE.

Sworn at my office, No. 5 White Hart Court, Lombard street, in the city of London, this first day of January, 1864, before me,

Deposition of Andrew McEune.

I, Andrew McEune, of Liverpool, seaman, do hereby truly and solemnly and sincerely swear that on Tuesday, December —, I went to a public house in Sharp street, or Royal Mint street, and saw a Mr. Anson, who engaged me to join the Scylla, then lying in the Downs. I signed an agreement for wages at the rate of £3 15s. per month. Two days after, I, with about thirty others, was taken by express train to Dover, and from thence to Calais; after arrival at Calais, we went on board the ship. After remaining two days, some of the men made a disturbance, and we were all sent ashore. The captain then came and picked some of us out, and the next morning I signed articles, and was to have had £10 bounty. Captain Campbell told me he would keep that in the strong chest for me. I have not received that yet. The articles we signed were “to join the confederate service; to receive prize money, which was to be paid down by the captain when the prizes were taken, and the wages were to be £4 8s. per month.” They also promised us four shillings a day while in port, besides our bounty, and leave every Saturday night. This we did not get, and when we complained they threatened to put us in irons. One man was put in irons last Sunday, and remains so now. He wanted to leave.

Yesterday I got liberty and received ten francs. I then left the ship and went on board the steamer to return to England, finding I was not sure of my wages, and not liking the treatment I received on board. There are some men-of-war’s men on board from the English service. Some deserted and two or three had their discharge paid for them. They are seaman gunners.

ANDREW McEUNE.

Sworn at my office, No. 5 White Hart Court, Lombard street, in the city of London, this 1st day of January, 1864, before me,

Deposition of William Hewson.

I, William Hewson, of Plymouth, able seaman, do hereby solemnly, sincerely, and truly swear that on Tuesday, December —, I went to a public house in Sharp street, or Royal Mint street, and saw Mr. Anson, who shipped me for the screw steamship Scylla, of London, to run the blockade, at the rate of £3 15s. per month wages. I was taken from London by the train for Dover, and from thence to Calais. On arrival there I was not allowed on, board the ship, which was at the pier, for two hours. I was then called aft, and Captain Campbell called several of us aft, and picked out the Englishmen, whom he thought were good men, about twelve in number. He promised me four shillings a day to assist to get the ship out, and that he would give me on the following Saturday £ 10 bounty. I signed articles at £4 8s. per month, which was to remain until I was rated as gunner’s mate, and then I was to have higher wages, with prize money and other advantages. I staid by the ship, but did not get the bounty, and only ten francs during the five weeks I remained by her. Seeing how things were going to be, I made up my mind to leave. Suspecting my design, the first officer and second officer threatened me, and put a revolver to my mouth, and another to my eye. And I feel assured that they would have shot me had I attempted to leave. I was with another locked up in a water-closet for five days, and our food was brought to us there. It was not fit for a dog to be in. I at last got liberty for twenty-four hours, and received the ten francs named before, and immediately went on board the steamer and returned to Dover, from thence to London. There were nine or more men-of-war’s men on board, nearly all of them are deserters from Sheerness. They would desert from the Rappahannock if they could get on shore, but they are refused leave.

WILLIAM HEWSON.

Deposition of Thomas Bryant.

I, Thomas Bryant, of London, fireman, do hereby truly, sincerely, and solemnly swear that on the 23d of December last I went to John Seymour’s, Well-close square, and agreed with him to join the steamer lying at Calais, and signed a paper, so that if I went to the ship he would draw thirty-two dollars advance for me. I understood them as articles, and the wages were to be at the rate of thirty-two dollars per month; on Christmas morning, at two o’clock, I went to London bridge with my boarding-house keeper, and saw ten men go off to France by the Boulogne boat. While there I was told the name of the steamer at Calais was the Rappahannock, and that she was a confederate cruiser. After I heard that, I refused to go in her, and told Seymour so on the pier at London bridge, and I have not seen him since. Seymour knew I was an Englishman, and wanted me to sign as a Dutchman, which I declined.