Right Hon. Earl Russell to Charles Francis Adams, July 13, 1863

Lord Russell to Mr. Adams.

Sir: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 7th instant, enclosing papers relative to the destruction of the American ships Golden Eagle and Henrietta by the Alabama and Florida, and calling attention to the circumstance that the Virginia continued up to the 23d ultimo to be the property of a British subject residing at Liverpool. So far as it may be intended, by the communication of the enclosed papers, to assert or record a claim against her Majesty’s government on account of the destruction of those vessels, I would beg leave to refer you to my letter of the 9th of March last, and to repeat that her Majesty’s government entirely disclaim all responsibility for the acts of vessels-of-war of the so-styled confederate government.

I have, however, called for a report from the proper authorities with regard to your statement respecting the Virginia.

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