Charles Francis Adams to William H. Seward, July 14, 1866

Mr. Adams to Mr. Seward.

Sir: Mr. Fox, who arrived in the Miantonomoh at Spithead on the 23d of June, remained in London only a few days, during which time an opportunity was furnished to the officers of the admiralty, as well as citizens generally, to visit the vessel. It has excited a very great interest in all classes. I procured for him a presentation to the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Edinburgh, in the course of which they expressed a de sire to go down to see it.

At that moment Mr. Fox had made his arrangements to cross in it at once to Cherbourg, and to go himself from thence to Paris. But in consequence of this application he directed it to return to the mouth of the Thames, and devolved upon me the duty of superintending the details of the projected visit. This is a business with which I am little familiar. I have, however, made the necessary arrangements, in conjunction with the officers of the squadron, to receive the Princes and their suite on board to-day at half past one o’clock.

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I have likewise been applied to by several very distinguished persons, in a manner which seemed to render it proper to include them in the party, with the consent of the Prince of Wales.

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