Mr. Seward to Mr. Adams, January 31, 1862

Mr. Seward to Mr.
Adams.

Sir: I learn from reports received at the Navy
Department from the commander of the American steamer Flambeau that,
although the United States have a deposit of coal at Nassau, our
steamers are denied the right of taking it for use by the colonial
authorities at that place.

I do not send you a formal statement of the fact, because, although it is
presumed that those authorities have not acted under instructions from
London, yet that they nevertheless must themselves have reported their
proceedings to the home government. Justified, as I think, by this
circumstance in assuming that the fact which I thus bring to your
attention is already known to Earl Russell, I have to request you to ask
from him an explanation of the proceeding, and to inquire whether we are
to understand that the colonial ports are to be closed against our
vessels-of-war when entering them for coal, or that such vessels are to
be denied the right of supplying themselves from stores of our own lying
in such ports. Liberal as we are in all our intercourse with the British
government in American waters, the President declines to believe that
that government has sanctioned or will sanction the proceedings of the
authorities at Nassau. Should you find this to be the fact, you will
suggest to Earl Russell our desire that proper instructions may be given
to the authorities there.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,