Daily national Republican. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1862-1866, 1865-11-24
The British Pirate shenandoah.
The following is a copy of Capt. Waddells 6
letter to Earl RUSSELL


letter to Earl Russell:
"STEANER SHENANDOAH, Nov s.
TO The Right Hon. Earl Russell, Her Briidnnic
MtjtStg's Minister for F0raiyn Affairs:
'MY LORD: have the honor to announce
to your lordship my arrival in the waters Of
tie Mersey, with this vessel, lately a ship oi
war in my command belonging to the Con-
federate States of America.
The singular position in which find
myself placed, and tho absence of all prece-
dents on the subject, will, / trust, induce
your lordship to pardon hasty reference to
few facts connected with the cruise lately
made by this ship. commissioned the ship
in October, 1864, under orders from the naval
department Of the Confederate States; and,
In pursuance Of the same, commenced ac-
lively cruising against the enemy's com.
merce. My orders directed me to visit cor
tain seas in preference to others. In Obedi
dence thereto, l found myself, in May, June
and July of this year, In the OchOtsk Sea
and Arctic Ocean. Both places, If not quite
isolated, are still so far removed from the
ordinary channels of commerce, that months
would olspsc before any news could reach
there as to the progress or termination of the
| American war.
In consequence of this awkward circum.
stance was engaged in the Arctic Ocean in
nets of war so late as the 2Sth day Of June
in ignorance Of tho series Of reverses sus-
tanned by our arms in the field and the OBJ.
liberation Of the government under whose
authority bad been acting. This intelli.
gcncC received for the fret time on commu.
nicrting at sea on the I'd of August with the
British bark DarracOuta, of Liverpool, four
teen days from San Francisco. Your lord
ship can imagine my surprise at the receipt
of such intelligence, and would have given
to it little consideration If an Englishman's S
opinion did not confirm the war news, though
from an enemy's port.
II desisted Immediately from further acts
| Of war, and determined to suspend further
action until | had communicated with an
European port when | would learn IL that
intelligence was true. 1t would not have
been intelligent in me to convey this vessel
to an American port simply because the
master of the Barracuda had said the war
was ended. I was in an embarrassing posi-
tiOn. l diligently examined oil the law
writer's at my command searching a prece-
dent for my guidance in the future control,
management, and final disposal Of the vessel.
could find none. History is, believe,
without parallel. Finding the authority
questionable under which considered this
vessel shi p-of-war, l Immediately discOn-
llnuou CIuisiHbi anu snapou my Couibo ioi
the Atlantic ocean.
"As to the ships disposal do not consider
that have any right to destroy her, or any
further right to command her. On the con-
trary, think that as all the property of the
Confederate Government has reverted by the
fortune of war to the Government of the
United States Of North America, that there
fore this vessel, inasmuch as it was the prop
erty Of the Confederate States, should ac-
company the other property already reverted
| have, therefore sought this port Us a suit
able one to learn the news and, If am
without a government, to surrender the ship,
with her battery, small arms, machinery,
stores, tackle, and apparel complete, to heI
Majesty's Government for such disposition Al
in its wisdom should be deemed proper.
~ have the honor to be, very respectfully,
your lordships obedient servant,
"JAs, D, WADpELL, Commander"