Charles Francis Adams to William H. Seward, April 17, 1863

Mr. Adams to Mr. Seward.

Sir: On re-examining Lord Russell’s note to me of the 2d instant, I found that in my reply of the 6th instant I had accidentally omitted to notice a passage which virtually renewed the allegation that the government of the United States authorized enlistments of men in this kingdom for their service. In order to preclude any inferences that might be drawn from this silence, I thought it advisable to address a new note to his lordship, a copy of which I send herewith. I add also a copy of his reply.

I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,

[Enclosures.]

1. Mr. Adams to Lord Russell, denying recruiting, April 10, 1863.

2. Lord Russell to Mr. Adams, acknowledging receipt thereof, April 11, 1863.

Mr. Adams to Lord Russell.

My Lord: In the note which I had the honor to address to your lordship on the 6th instant, in reply to yours of the 2d instant, I inadvertently omitted to make a remark upon one passage, which I had intended and which it seems to be my duty yet to supply. I refer to that in which you observe that I am “not ignorant that it is now again asserted that her Majesty’s subjects are being recruited for the purpose of aiding the United States against the so-called Confederate States.”

In point of fact, at the time of receiving your lordship’s note, I was ignorant that such an assertion had been made in any quarter deserving of notice. But inasmuch as I have since perceived the story, wherever originated, to have gained credit in the mind of your lordship, and also to have been dignified by the notice of the first minister of the crown, in his place in the House of Commons, I must now ask permission to recall your attention to the denial I was authorized by my government to make, of any such action, so long ago as in my note of the 30th of December last. I beg leave now to repeat that denial, and further to observe that there is no agent of the United States here possessed of authority to “recruit her Majesty’s subjects within this kingdom for the purpose of aiding the United States against the so-called Confederate States.” Should any person appear professing to have such powers, I should be much obliged for any information which would enable me to report his conduct promptly to my government.

I supply this omission in my former note to your lordship expressly to preclude any unfavorable inference which might be drawn from my silence, and not from any intrinsic importance attached by me to the rumor:

I pray your lordship to accept, &c.,

Lord Russell to Mr. Adams.

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 10th instant, renewing your assurances in regard to the alleged recruiting in this country for the army of the United States.

I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration, sir, your most obedient, humble servant,