Cassius M. Clay to Prince Gortchacow, November 4, 1863

Mr. Clay to Prince Gortchacow

The undersigned, minister plenipotentiary and envoy extraordinary of the United States of America, has the honor to enclose to his excellency Prince Gortcshacow, vice-chancellor and minister of foreign affairs, &c., &c., a copy of a letter from the United States consul at St. Petersburg, E. D. Phelps, esq., to the Secretary of State at Washington, to which he is instructed to call the attention of the Russian government.

The allegations are too indefinite in character and proof to provoke any discussion; and the American minister, relying upon the friendship of his imperial Majesty, prefers to put himself upon the good offices of his excellency rather than upon the neutrality which the laws of nations might seem to demand, to prevent the Russian subjects from trespassing upon the rights of the American Union, by these sales or purchases.

The undersigned believes that he has only to advise his excellency of these unfriendly enterprises, which are rumored to be on foot, in order to cause their prompt suppression if true.

The American minister avails himself of this occasion to renew to his excellency Prince Gortchacow assurances of his most distinguished regard.