Charles Francis Adams to William H. Seward, July 12, 1866

Mr. Adams to Mr. Seward.

Sir: On Monday last the customary forms of introduction to the new secretary of foreign affairs, Lord Stanley, were gone through with by the corps diplomatique.

I have been long personally acquainted with his lordship, as we have been more or less brought together by service as trustees of the fund given by Mr. George Peabody for the benefit of the poor of London.

My interview was a very brief one. His lordship in welcoming me remarked at the presumed his sentiments towards the United States had been long well own to me. He had always favored the cultivation of friendly relations with him and it had been a cause of regret that they should have been at all endance during the late struggle by ill-considered speeches made in Parliament, and by the ill-temper of the newspapers.

I replied that if any change was to be made in the department, it was a matter satisfaction to me that it was only to meet a personal acquaintance of whose friendly sentiments I had been long aware. For the rest I could say, on my part, that the errors of newspapers in working to stir up strife had not been altogether confined to one side. We had something to answer for in this regard, also, in America.

I then observed that I had nothing of a business character to bring to his notice. It was a noteworthy change in our situation that now it seldom happened to me to be obliged to encroach upon the secretary’s time. The only thing that I thought of at the moment related to a despatch I had just received touching the payment of the instalment of the Japanese indemnity, and my position as qualified to receive the money whenever it should be ready. Of this matter, which was evidently new to him, his lordship made a note, and I took my leave.

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