No. LIST OF PAPERS. 1. Mr. Adams to Earl Russell, June 25, 1864, (two inclosures). 2. Earl Russell to Mr. Adams, June 27, 1864 3. Mr. Hammond to Mr. Lancaster, June 27, 1864 4. The secretary to the admiralty to Mr. Hammond, June 27, 1864.. 5. Mr. Clarke to Earl Russell, July 4, 1864, (one inclosure).. 6. Earl Russell to Mr. Adams, July 8, 1864.. 7. Mr. Lancaster to Earl Russell, July 16, 1864. 8. Lord Lyons to Earl Russell, July 8, 1864, (one inclosure). 9. Earl Russell to Mr. Adams, July 26, 1864.. 10. Mr. Adams to Earl Russell, September 6, 1864. CORRESPONDENCE ARISING OUT OF THE CONFLICT BETWEEN THE KEARSARGE AND THE ALABAMA. No. 1. Mr. Adams to Earl Russell. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, London, June 25, 1864. (Received June 25.) MY LORD: I feel it my duty to submit to your consideration a copy of the official report of Captain Winslow, of the United States steamer Kearsarge, to the Secretary of the Navy, respecting the action which took place on Sunday last with the vessel first known at Liverpool as the gun-boat No. 290, and since under the name of the Alabama. It would appear from this statement that a grave question has arisen as to the fact of the interference of a British vessel with a view to aid in effecting the escape of a number of persons belonging to the Alabama, who had already surrendered themselves as prisoners of war. These persons have been brought to this kingdom, and are believed to be in readiness to enter again into the same service on the first opportunity. Thus the system heretofore so frequently brought to your lordship's notice of making this island the base of hostile operations against the commerce of the United States is in danger of being carried on under a still more aggravated form. I have the honor likewise to transmit a list of the names and official character of the persons who were picked up by the yacht Deerhound, and brought to this island. I feel it my duty to call your lordship's attention to the remarkable proportion of officers and of American insurgents in this list, as compared with the whole number of persons rescued from the waves. That this selection was made by British subjects with a view to connive at the escape of these particular individuals from captivity, I can scarcely entertain a doubt. Inasmuch as the questions involved in this proceeding appear to me of a character too serious to justify my proceeding further without specific instructions, I shall now content myself with simply submitting these papers for the information of Her Majesty's government. Renewing, &c., CHARLES FRANCIS ADAMS. [Inclosure 1 in No. 1.] Captain Winslow, U. S. N., to Mr. Welles. KEARSARGE, Cherbourg, France, June 21, 1864. SIR: I have the honor to report that towards the close of the action between the Alabama and this vessel, all available sail was made on the former, for the purpose of again reaching Cherbourg. When the object was apparent, the Kearsarge was steered across the bow of the Alabama for a raking fire, but before reaching this. point the Alabama struck. Uncertain whether Captain Semmes was not making some ruse, the Kearsarge was stopped. It was seen shortly afterward that the Alabama was lowering her boats. And an officer came alongside in one of them to say that they had surrendered, and were fast sinking, and begging that boats would be dispatched immediately *for saving of life. The two boats not disabled were at once lowered, and as it was apparent the Alabama was settling, this officer was permitted to leave in his boat to afford assistance. [2] An English yacht, the Deerhound, had approached near the Kearsarge at this time, when I hailed and begged the commander to run down to the Alabama, as she was fast sinking and we had but two boats, and assist in picking up the men. He answered affirmatively, and steamed towards the Alabama, but the latter sunk almost immediately. The Deerhound, however, sent her boats, and was actively engaged, aided by several others which had come from the shore. These boats were busy in bringing the wounded and others to the Kearsarge, whom we were trying to make as comfortable as possible, when it was reported to me that the Deerhound was moving off. I could not believe that the commander of that vessel could be guilty of so disgraceful an act as taking our prisoners off, and therefore took no means to prevent it, but continued to keep our boats at work, rescuing the men in the water. I am sorry to say that I was mistaken. The Deerhound made off with Captain Semmes and others, and also the very officer who had come on board to surrender. I learnt subsequently that the Deerhound was a consort of the Alabama, and that she received on board all the valuable personal effects of Captain Semmes the night before the engagement. I have, &c., JNO. A. WINSLOW. [Inclosure 2 in No. 1.] List of officers and men belonging to the Alabama who were picked up by the British yacht Deerhound, and landed at Southampton. SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of the 25th instant, complaining of the interference of a British vessel, the Deerhound, with a view to aid in effecting the escape of a number of persons belonging to the Alabama, who you state had already surrendered themselves prisoners of war, and calling my attention to the remarkable proportion of officers and American insurgents, as com pared with the whole number of persons rescued from the waves. You state, further, that you can scarcely entertain a doubt that this selec tion was made by British subjects with a view to connive at the escape of these particular individuals from captivity. I have the honor to state to you, in reply, that it appears to me that the owner of the Deerhound, of the royal yacht squadron, performed only a common duty of humanity in saving from the waves the captain |