John Russell, 1st Earl Russell to J. Slidell, December 1, 1864

Earl Russell to Messrs. Slidell, Mason and Mann

Gentlemen: I have had the honor to receive the copy which you have sent me of the manifesto issued by the Congress of the so-called Confederate States of America.

Her Majesty’s government deeply lament the protracted nature of the struggle between the northern and southern States of the formerly united republic of North America.

Great Britain has since 1783 remained, with the exception of a short period, connected by friendly relations with both the northern and the southern States. Since the commencement of the civil war, which broke out in 1861, her Majesty’s government have continued to entertain sentiments of friendship equally for the north and for the south. Of the causes of the rupture her Majesty’s government have never presumed to judge; they deplore the commencement of this sanguinary struggle, and anxiously look forward to the period of its termination. In the mean time they are convinced that they best consult the interests of peace, and respect the rights of all parties, by observing a strict and impartial neutrality. Such a neutrality her Majesty has faithfully maintained, and will continue to maintain,

I request you, gentlemen, to accept, &c., &c,