Charles Francis Adams to William H. Seward, December 24, 1862

Mr. Adams to Mr. Seward.

Sir: I have the honor to transmit copies of a series of communications received from Mr. H. J. Sprague, the consul at Gibraltar, respecting the movements made at that port to sell the steamer Sumter. As he desired my advice, I gave it to him in the letter, a copy of which goes with the papers. The question of the right to sell the property of a belligerent to a neutral in a neutral port is not without its difficulties, and I find the authorities differ materially about it. My own leaning is rather to a liberal construction, especially as in this case it relieves us from a burdensome process of vigilance. Besides which, I find that the government bought a war vessel of the Greeks whilst engaged, in 1826, in their war with the Turks.

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