REBEL CRUISERS. THE ALABAMA. NOTE. This is additional to the correspondence printed in Vol. VI, pp. 373-503. Mr. Wilding to Major Greig. UNITED STATES CONSULATE, Liverpool, July 4, 1861. DEAR SIR: From information I have received, I have reason to believe that a person named Bullock has come to England for the purpose of procuring vessels to be fitted as privateers to cruise against the commerce of the United States, and that he will make Liverpool the scene of his operations. It is hardly conceivable that any individual would be rash enough to attempt such a violation of the law here, but the improbability may induce the attempt, and I inform you of the circumstances, that you may take such measures as you may deem advisable. I am, dear sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, HENRY WILDING, Major GREIG, Head Constable. United States Vice-Consul. Mr. Wilding to Mr. Edwards. UNITED STATES CONSULATE, DEAR SIR: From information I have received, I have reason to believe that a person named Bullock has come to England for the purpose of procuring vessels to be fitted as privateers to cruise against the commerce of the United States, and that he will make Liverpool the scene of his operations. It is hardly conceivable that any individual would be rash enough to attempt such a violation of the law here, but the very improbability may induce the attempt, and I inform you of the circumstances, that you may take such measures as you may deem advisable to frustrate it, if made. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, PRICE EDWARDS, Esq., HENRY WILDING, Collector. Mr. Dudley to Mr. Adams. [Extract.] UNITED STATES CONSULATE, Liverpool, April 5, 1862. SIR: I have been watching for some weeks a steam gun-boat being built by Laird & Co. at Birkenhead, opposite Liverpool. She is to be 1,100 tons burden, and her engines 300 horse-power. She is not yet launched. No expense is spared in her construction. When finished, will be a first-class vessel of her kind. She is modeled after the Oreto. I have very strong reasons to suspect that she is the consort to this boat, and of course intended for the southern confederacy. I am, sir, your obedient servant, Hon. CHARLES F. ADAMS, United States Minister. THOMAS H. DUDLEY, United States Consul. Mr. Dudley to Mr. Edwards. UNITED STATES CONSULATE, SIR: Having received what seems to me reliable information that a vessel is now being fitted out by Messrs. Laird & Sons, of Birkenhead, to cruise as a privateer against the commerce of the United States, I deem it my duty to bring the matter immediately to your notice, that you may take such measures as may be necessary to prevent such a wrong being done. It has frequently been stated to me that such a vessel had been launched by the Messrs. Laird, but the following statement, made to me yesterday, leaves no doubt whatever in my mind that such a vessel is now in one of the Cheshire graving-docks, being fitted for a confederate pri vateer. It appears that a boy named Robinson, the son of a man residing at New Orleans, some time since ran away from a school in Cheshire, and sailed in the screw-steamer Julia Usher, which cleared for Havana, but was generally believed to be bound for a southern port of America. For some unexplained reason the vessel came back, and Robinson was taken out of her by his guardian, and lodged with a person named Maguire, to be taken care of while arrangements were being made for his being sent to Stonyhurst College. He declared great unwillingness to be sent to school again, and told Maguire that while on board the Julia Usher he learned that there was a gun-boat being fitted out for the South, by Mr. Laird, at Birkenhead; that she was to be commanded by Captain Bullock, would mount eleven guns, and sail in about nine days; that she would not attempt to run the blockade, but go off privateering at once, and he wanted Maguire to get him on board of her. He said his guardian, Mr. Oliver, was well acquainted with Captain Bullock, and if he could be induced to speak for him, he would be taken. He stated, further, that Fraser, Trenholm & Co. were getting the boat built, and were advancing the money for her. This statement receives strong confirmation from the facts that the Julia Usher belongs to, and was dispatched by, Messrs. Fraser, Trenholm & Co.; that they are the financial agents of the confederate government; that the captain (Hammer) of the Julia Usher is one of their oldest and most trusted captains, and as he belongs and was going to Charlestown, he would be likely to be informed of the state of preparation, &c., of such a vessel; and as he did not expect to return to Liverpool, he would be likely to talk about it on board his ship; that there were on board the Julia Usher six persons from the privateer Sumter who would also be likely to know and talk about it; that there is a gun-boat at Birkenhead, in one of the graving-docks, answering the description given by the lad, and nearly ready for sea; that there is also here a Captain Bullock, belonging to the confederate navy, and well known to be an agent of the confederate government; that Mr. Wellsman, of the firm of Fraser, Trenholm & Co., and Messrs. Andrew E. and Thomas Byrne, who are well known to be engaged with Fraser, Trenholm & Co. in sending aid to the confederates, were present at, and took a great interest in, the launch and subsequent trials of the vessel. These evidences are so strong that I should be wanting in the performance of my duty if I did not lay them before you, and ask you to adopt measures for preventing the vessel's departure. As the commer cial representative of a nation which desires the most friendly relations with this country, I have a right to make this request. Very respectfully, I am your obedient servant, THOMAS H. DUDLEY, United States Consul. The COLLECTOR OF CUSTOMS, Port of Liverpool. Mr. Dudley to Mr. Adams. UNITED STATES CONSULATE, SIR: I inclose you copy of letter by me addressed to the collector of customs at this port, in relation to the gun-boat being fitted out by the Messrs. Lairds for the rebel government. The gate-keeper at the yard says it is rumored that this vessel is intended for the Spanish gov ernment, but that this rumor is not true-that she is intended for the South, meaning the rebel government. Richard Brougan, a shipwright employed at Lairds, states that on the day she was launched Captain Bullock, his wife, and several other American gentlemen were in attendance. Mrs. Bullock sat in one of the office windows; her bonnet fell out, and he, Brougan, passed it up to her. He says this boat is owned by Captain Bullock, or, at least, he pretends that it is; that she was built the same as the Oreto, and for the same purpose, and that she and the Oreto are to cruise about on the American coast for the confederate government. He states that Captain Bullock represents himself as a commissioner of the southern government; is there on the boat every day, and gives all the orders about her. A man by name of Butcher is to go out nominally as her commander. This man Butcher wants Brougan to go out in her as carpenter, and offered him £6 per month; he asked £7, and wanted a guarantee from Mr. John Laird that his wages would be paid, inasmuch as they refused to state who owned her. Laird smiled when asked, and replied that he had no doubt but what it would be all right. Brougan refused to go. The crew are being shipped by a man by name of Barnett, by direction of Captain Butcher. The stores are all on board. It is now said that she will carry twelve 32-pound rifled cannon, and three swivels. I think her armament has all gone out in the bark Rosalind, which sailed for Nassau on Saturday last. But in this I may be mistaken. I am, sir, your obedient servant, THOMAS H. DUDLEY. Consul. Hon. CHARLES FRANCIS ADAMS, Mr. Dudley to Mr. Adams. UNITED STATES CONSULATE, SIR: The gun-boat No. 290 has been taken into what is called the Great Float at Birkenhead, and is to-day taking in coal from boats alongside. Some two hundred plugs, designed to stop up shot-holes, are made, and ready to be placed on board. Captain Bullock has given orders for the construction of two large steam-rams, to be made shot-proof and of sufficient strength to destroy any vessel we have afloat. The models are now being made at the Lairds'. The keel of one of these rams is already laid in their yard. They are to be finished in the shortest time possible. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Hon. CHARLES FRANCIS ADAMS, THOMAS H. DUDLEY, Consul. United States Minister. Mr. Dudley to Mr. Adams. UNITED STATES CONSULATE, SIR: I have retained Mr. Squarey, of the firm of Duncan, Squarey & Blackmore. This gentleman has been the solicitor for the consulate for a long while, and ranks as one of the most clever men in his profession at Liverpool. Mr. Hall, one of the members of the firm you mention in your letter, is reputed to be an active secessionist. I have but little doubt but what all of the bar here sympathize with the South. I believe the one employed to be a man of honor as well as ability. He has taken hold with energy, and I entertain hopes that he will be able to accomplish something. I have directed him to work up and prosecute the case without regard to expense. The difficulty we have is to pro cure direct evidence. They have taken on between four and five hundred tons of coal. They have moved her from the Great Float to the dock. I am, sir, your obedient servant, Hon. CHARLES FRANCIS ADAMS. THOMAS H. DUDLEY. Mr. Dudley to Mr. Adams. [Telegram.] JULY 28, 1862. The boat is moving into the river. Understand she is to start at six in the morning, they say on a trial trip, and that she will sail on Wednesday. Mr. Dudley to Mr. Adams. UNITED STATES CONSULATE, SIR: The gun-boat 290 is evidently preparing for sea. The men have taken their clothes and beds on board, and received orders to hold themselves in readiness at any moment. Callan & Co. of this place furnished the stores. I inclose you a slip cut from the Journal of Commerce of this day, showing the proceedings against the Oreto, at Nassau. I am, sir, your obedient servant, Hon. CHARLES FRANCIS ADAMS, United States Minister, &c. THOMAS H. DUDLEY. [Telegrams.] JULY 29, 1862. From Thomas H. Dudley, Liverpool, to the American minister, London: She has not gone, but is in river with all on board, ready to go at any moment. No register or clearance. Collector says it was not necessary, and that she can go anywhere without. The vessel 290 is steaming out of the river. It is said she will stop at Queenstown, but I do not know. Mr. Dudley to Mr. Adams. [Extract.] UNITED STATES CONSULATE, SIR: The steamer No. 290, built by the Messrs. Lairds for the rebel government, sailed this morning, about 11 o'clock. The men were ordered on board last night, and the vessel went out of her docks into the river soon after they went on board. One rumor is that she has merely gone out on a trial trip, and that the men have signed a contract merely for |