Right Hon. Earl Russell to Charles Francis Adams, July 4, 1864

Earl Russell to Mr. Adams.

Sir: With reference to my note of the 20th ultimo, I have the honor to inform you that it appears from further inquiries which have been made by the board of customs with respect to the Hawk, that vessel left the Victoria docks on the 13th ultimo, and is stated to have passed Gravesend on the following day, cleared for Bermuda.

The commissioners of customs report that the cargo of the Hawk consisted of iron, iron bar, bar steel, and divers articles of merchandise; that some of the packages were examined by their officers, but that nothing of a suspicious nature was found therein.

The commissioners add that they are informed that their officers had no difficulty in going over every part of the ship, and that in so doing they saw nothing whatever to arouse any suspicion of the vessel; that she appeared to be a very fast merchant ship, and that the general opinion seems to have been that she was not fitted for war purposes, her iron plates being so thin and light.

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