Mr. Adams to Mr. Seward, December 4, 1863

Mr. Adams to Mr.
Seward.

Sir: I have the honor to transmit a copy of a
note addressed by Lord Russell to me on the 27th ultimo, in reply to
mine of the 3d of the same month, which was written in the sense of your
despatch No. 736, of the 17th of October. The ground taken seems to me
technically defensible, though a promise of a little investigation or at
least close observation at St. George’s would have been more
satisfactory than throwing the burden of proof entirely on us.

I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,

Earl Russell to Mr. Adams.

Sir: Her Majesty’s government have duly
considered, in communication with the proper law advisers of the
crown, your letter of the 30th instant and its enclosures,
respecting an alleged project for the establishment of a depot at
St. George’s, Bermuda, from which articles might be shipped to the
ports of the so-styled Confederate States.

I have now the honor to state to you that it appears from the
contract for this service, between Messrs. Gluseling & Co. and
Mr. J. de Bree, of which a copy is enclosed in your letter, that the
parties to it are not British subjects, but Americans, over whom her
Majesty’s government have no authority or control; while the
schedules referred to in it, not being annexed, the character of the
stores which these persons contract for is not shown. These stores
may or may not be of a contraband character, and even if they are,
the terms of the contract seem only to contemplate the use of
ordinary mercantile agency.

Moreover, the terms of the contract do not necessarily import the
establishment of any depot in Bermuda, but rather point to
transshipment in the port of Bermuda of naval stores from vessels
arriving there from foreign ports; nor is this transshipment
rendered necessary or obligatory by the contract, but is left
optional or contingent, the words of the contract being, “If at any
time the said party of the second part shall so direct any part or
the whole of deliveries, under said schedules A, B, C, D, and E, or
any other hereafter sent, shall be made at the port of St. George’s,
Bermuda.”

Under these circumstances, her Majesty’s government do not consider
that they can properly
interfere in this matter; but should you be furnished with any
further information tending to show any intention on the part of any
persons to violate the neutrality of British territory, they will
not fail to give to your representations their most careful
attention.

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