Charles Francis Adams to John Russell, 1st Earl Russell, April 4, 1864

Mr. Adams to Earl Russell.

My Lord: In connexion with the subject of the report of Mr. Mallory, the insurgent secretary of the navy, about which I had some conversation with your lordship on Saturday, I have the honor to apprise you that I have just received a despatch from Mr. Seward, informing me that after most diligent inquiries it has been ascertained that the supposed report is admitted by the editor of the New York Sun to have been prepared for the columns of that newspaper, in which it first appeared.

The reason assigned for this extraordinary proceeding is the desire of creating the impression that he had means of communicating with the insurgent capital superior to those of his professional brethren. The fact is, that the same newspaper already had earned that reputation, so that there seems to have been scarcely an adequate cause for resorting to so discreditable a step. I therefore still incline to believe in the correctness of the conjecture made by me to your lordship, that the information contained in the paper had been surreptitiously obtained from sources which the editor, being now forced to act, is unwilling to expose. This, however, can make no difference in regard to the manner in which the paper must now be viewed. I hasten to give this information to your lordship, in order that no further reliance may be placed upon it.

I pray your lordship to accept the assurances of the highest consideration with which I have the honor to be, my lord, your most obedient servant,