8 ENGLISH NEUTRALITY. character of the vessel; upon which the customs officer of that port was directed to investigate the matter. This zealous official proceeded to make inquiries of the builders, who informed him that the vessel was owned by Fawcett, Preston & Co., of Liverpool, and that they (the builders) believed she was destined for Palermo—stating, as the ground of this belief, that “they had been requested to name a master to take her to that port.” No inquiry appears to have been made of the owners or other persons, and the collector reported that the Oreto was, without doubt, bound on a legitimate voyage. Upon further representations by Mr. Adams, an examination was made of her, when her crew was found to consist of fifty-two Englishmen and one American, and her cargo of one hundred and seventy-three tons of arms, for Palermo and Jamaica. These suspicious circumstances, together with the universal public rumor as to her real destination, were disregarded, and she was permitted to sail. Her first port was Nassau, in New Providence, a British colonial port. At this place her real character was well known and no longer denied. Upon demand of the American consul, some sham proceedings were taken against her by the English local authorities, but she was detained only long enough for her new commander to reach her, and then allowed to continue her piratical voyage. Her career since that time is fresh in the memory of every man, and need not be recapitulated. Her latest exploit is the burning of the ship Jacob Bell. Mr. Adams writes (March 7, Dip. Cor. 1862:) “ The nominal destination of the Oreto for Sicily is the only advantage which appears to have been derived from my attempt to procure the interference of the government to stop her departure.” The only apology for such dereliction was, “ a polite expression” by Lord Russell “of regret;” but “ he did not see how her majesty’s government could change its position.” (Mr. Adams to Mr. Seward, April 16, 1862.) In the next case, that of the Alabama, this excuse (bad in itself), that the American minister did not furnish sufficient proof to justify interference by the government, is wholly wanting. On the 23d of June, 1862, Mr. Adams wrote to Lord Russell, informing him that the Oreto had gone to Nassau, and that another and more formidable war-steamer was nearly ready to follow her. Said he :
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