Right Hon. Earl Russell to Charles Francis Adams, April 21, 1863

Lord Russell to Mr. Adams.

Sir: I stated to you in my letter of the 16th instant that your letter of the previous day, respecting the case of the Japan, otherwise the Virginia, had been referred to the proper departments of her Majesty’s government; but I will not delay informing you that her Majesty’s government have received from the authorities at Glasgow and at Greenock, reports, from which it appears that that vessel was constantly visited while she was in course of construction, and that the surveys seemed to show that she was intended for commercial purposes, and that her frame-work and plating were of the ordinary sizes for vessels of her class.

She was entered on the 31st ultimo as for Point de Galle and Hong Kong, with a crew of forty-eight men. She shipped on the 1st instant the bonded stores stated in the margin, and she cleared on the same day in ballast for Point de Galle and Hong Kong.

Her Majesty’s government are further informed that the Japan left the anchorage early on the morning of the 2d instant with the ostensible purpose of trying her engines, intending to return, having on board several joiners, who were filling up her cabins. These men, who are said to have been employed at a later time in filling up .a magazine, were subsequently landed on some part of the coast lower down the Clyde. 115 gals, spirits. 32 gals, wine 244 lbs. tea. 159 lbs. coffee. 212 lbs. tobacco. 10 cigars. 18 cwt. 3, 2, sugar 2 2, 8, molasses. 2 1, 5, raisins. 1 12, currants.

The custom-house officer, who visited the Japan on the evening of the 1st instant to see that her stores were correct, reports that he saw nothing on board which could lead him to suspect that she was intended for war purposes.

Her Majesty’s government are further informed that she was not heavily sparred, and that she could not spread more canvas than an ordinary merchant steamer.

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