Mr. Harvey to Mr.
Seward.
No. 171.]
Legation of the United States,
Lisbon,
November 5, 1862.
Sir: The apprehensions expressed in my
despatches for several months past, when I repeatedly urged the adoption
of certain precautions by the Navy Department, have been verified by
serious depredations upon our commerce, as you must have learned before
this time.
It appears from news just received here that the piratical cruiser
Alabama, after destroying a large number of whaling ships near the
Azores, steered westward towards the banks of Newfoundland, so as to be
in the track of regular trade on the Atlantic, where several other
vessels, one of them freighted with flour and grain for this port, were
destroyed. I take it for granted that as soon as that intelligence
reached Washington prompt measures were adopted to protect our outgoing
commerce.
The commander of the Alabama is too shrewd, however, to expose himself
voluntarily to capture, and too active in the enemy’s service to remain
long in one locality, especially where the presence of an equal or
superior force may be expected. It is quite probable that he will
recross the
[Page 1289]
Atlantic by the
general route of travel, with a chance of pursuing his criminal vocation
to the injury of our people.
Acting upon this theory, and after personally conferring with the
commander of the Tuscarora, (which had returned here from the Azores,) I
addressed him a letter yesterday, of which a copy is enclosed, marked P,
and in accordance with that suggestion he started to-day on a cruise of
protection and pursuit with a hope of encountering the pirate.
After being informed of the recent outrages, I could not properly permit
a ship-of-war to remain idle in port without making an effort to punish
the guilty and defend the innocent. That reason is the justification of
my action, which I venture to believe will receive approval.
I transmit herewith papers, marked Q and R, containing a report from
Captain Vickering of his cruise to the Azores. The Kearsarge, which he
commands, has been quite unfortunate in her machinery. If she were in
proper condition, with the aid of the Tuscarora, and another swift and
strong steamer, the present service on this side of the Atlantic could
be efficiently performed; but if the reports of piratical cruisers being
fitted out on the Clyde, and near Liverpool, are true, then one or two
others at least would be needed. Unless, however, some organization be
perfected, by which every ship can be called into immediate requisition,
through regular reports from the commanders to the ministers, no
confidence in good results will be felt. Much time, money, and effort
have been most unprofitably expended, simply because there has been no
plan and no concert in these praiseworthy but inefficient endeavors.
Again, the exigencies which may arise, as hard experience has already
shown, are sudden, and can scarcely be foreseen or provided for in the
usual orders given to commanding officers for specific cruises. A margin
of discretion must either be allowed to the minister who is called upon
to act, or to some superior naval authority in charge of the squadron
and service. I have never hesitated to take any responsibility that duty
required, but it has necessarily been confined to pressing emergencies,
as I have not felt at liberty to interfere with positive orders, when
having in view precautionary measures only; nor would the officers, in
such cases, have felt authorized to ignore, or to depart from their
orders. The circumstances are unusual, and to combat them successfully
the means must be adapted to the end.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State.
[Untitled]
P.
Legation of the United
States, Lisbon,
November 4, 1862.
Sir: It is known, from various sources of
information, that the piratical cruiser Alabama is still pursuing
the career of destruction and depredation upon American commerce,
which was recently commenced off the island of Flores.
By the last accounts it would seem that this cruiser, after leaving
the Azores, took a western course towards Newfoundland, and in that
vicinity destroyed and burnt other ships bound on regular voyages
between New York and the ports of Europe. Among them was one laden
with a valuable cargo for this port.
I have reason to believe that a large number of vessels freighted
with
[Page 1290]
cereals have
already left, or soon will leave, New York for Lisbon. It is of
great consequence that they, and others in similar category, should
be protected. Your ship is the only one now available for the
purpose on this side of the Atlantic, the Kearsarge being
temporarily disabled.
My decided opinion is, and my advice conforms to it, that the
Tuscarora should proceed forthwith to those waters and places where
the most efficient succor and protection can be afforded to merchant
vessels destined for Europe, or vice versa,
from and to the northern ports of the United States.
I would, therefore, strongly recommend a cruise between the Azores
and the west Atlantic coast, along the general track of commerce,
until proper relief is furnished by the Navy Department, which may
soon be confidently expected, if it has not already been provided.
Afterwards I would advise you to return to these waters, since it
may be supposed that the scene of depredation will be changed, and
we should be prepared for all such contingencies.
I am, sir, very respectfully,
Commander T. Augustus Craven, United States Steamer Tuscarora,
Lisbon.
Captain Pickering to Mr. Harvey.
Q.
United States Steamship
Kearsarge, Algeciras
Bay,
October 28, 1862.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of your communication of the 20th ultimo, enclosing a
description of the rebel steamer Alabama, and a translation of the
proclamation of the King of Portugal.
In compliance with your request that I should communicate with you as
often as practicable on the progress of events, &c., I have to
inform you that the reported destruction of ten American whalers by
the Alabama was confirmed by our consul, Mr. Charles Dabney, from
whom, and from other authentic sources, I learned that the Alabama
sailed from Liverpool under English colors and the name of “290,”
followed shortly after by the Barcelona, ladened with guns and
ammunition. These steamers effected the transfer of armament,
ammunition, stores, &c., at a small bay to the southward and
westward of the town of Angra (Terceira) under English colors, and, I believe, in opposition to the
remonstrance of the authorities of Angra, where, after the transfer
was completed, guns mounted, &c., a small man, with gray
moustache, and until then in citizens dress, appeared in confederate
uniform and took command; his name was “Semmes.” In justice to the
Portuguese government and to the authorities of the Western islands,
I will here state my conviction, founded upon personal observation
and intercourse, that nothing but respect to the neutral flag
prevented the seizure of both steamers while engaged in this
transfer. It is to be regretted that the English government has not
the power or the inclination to prevent this abuse and prostitution
of her time-honored flag.
My cruise among the Western islands, I regret to say, was cut short
by the report of my chief engineers upon the condition of the
engines, after a chase of nineteen hours in pursuit of a double
smoke-pipe, paddle-wheel steamer, which I lost sight of during a
dark and rainy night. She was standing to eastward and probably
bound to England.
Finding myself crippled, and needing five or six days’ repairs, which
it would have been imprudent to have attempted at this season of the
year at
[Page 1291]
the Western
islands, even could the castings have been obtained, I resolved to
return; and leaving the enclosed order with Commander Craven, of the
Tuscarora, I cruised through the islands, touched at Madeira, and
arrived here on Sunday morning. I propose sailing for Cadiz in a few
days.
I have the honor to be your obedient servant,
C. W. PICKERING, Captain.
Hon. James E. Harvey, United States Minister,
Lisbon.
[Untitled]
R.
United States Steam-Sloop
Kearsarge, Fayal,
October 14, 1862.
Sir: So soon as you have satisfied yourself
that the rebel steamer Alabama has left the vicinity of the Azores,
you will proceed with the Tuscarora to Lisbon, Portugal, for the
purpose of conferring with and obtaining such information from the
United States minister, James E. Harvey, as may guide your future
movements for the protection of our commerce against rebel
cruisers.
I am respectfully, &c., your obedient servant,
C. W. PICKERING, Captain.
Commander T. Augustus Craven, Commanding United States Steamship
Tuscarora.
