Charles Francis Adams to Wharncliffe, November 18, 1864

Mr. Adams to Lord Wharncliffe.

My Lord: I have the honor to acknowledge the reception of your letter of the 12th instant, asking me to submit to the consideration of my government a request of certain English gentlemen, made through your lordship, to send out an accredited agent to visit the military prisoners held by the United States, and afford them such aid, additional to that extended by the ordinary rules of war, as may be provided by the fund which has been raised here for the purpose.

I am very sure that it has never been the desire of my government to treat with unnecessary or vindictive severity any of the misguided individuals, parties in this deplorable rebellion, who have fallen into their hands in the regular course of war. I should greatly rejoice were the effects of your sympathy extended to the ministering to the mental ailment, not less than the bodily sufferings of these unfortunate persons, thus contributing to put an end to a struggle which otherwise is too likely to be only procrastinated by your labors.

Be this as it may, I shall be happy to promote any humane endeavors to alleviate the horrors of this strife, and in that sense shall very cheerfully comply with you lordship’s desire, so far as to transmit, by the earliest opportunity, to my government, a copy of the application which has been addressed to me.

I beg your lordship to receive the assurance of my distinguished consideration.