Charles Francis Adams to Right Honorable Earl of Clarendon, January 3, 1866

Mr. Adams to Earl Clarendon.

My Lord: It may, perhaps, be recollected by your lordship that, in the note which I had the honor to address to you on the 18th of November, allusion was made to a suggestion made by your predecessor the right honorable Earl Russell, in his note of the 2d of the same month, which I was then answering, that looked to the possibility of a concurrent revision of the statutes of both nations, to the end that greater security might be given to them against those who endeavor to evade the letter of their present neutrality laws. Considering this in the nature of a proposition, I took the liberty to mention to you that I should with pleasure transmit it for the consideration of my government.

I have now the honor to inform your lordship that the views of that subject expressed in my note nave met with approval.

It is then with regret, but without surprise, that I find myself directed to add that the United States do not incline towards an acceptance of his lordship’s proposition.

I pray your lordship to accept, &c., &c., &c.