Mr. Adams to Mr. Seward, March 1, 1862

Mr. Adams to Mr.
Seward.

Sir: The despatch No. 186, of the 17th of
February, transmitting a list of vessels that have been engaged in
efforts to run the blockade, has come just in time to add to the
materials collected from other sources in advance of the discussion
which Mr. Gregory, the member for Galway, proposes to commence in the
House of Commons to-night. I much regret there is no full official list
from the Navy Department of all vessels turned off or captured. In view of the late course of
events, the temper of the people, as well as of the higher classes,
grows less and less disposed to interference, so that I regard the
sentiments expressed in Parliament, whatever they may be, with very
little apprehension. It may be depended upon that, without the
occurrence of some very extraordinary event, the government of the
United States will not be further molested in its efforts to conduct its
experiment of reducing the rebellion, according to its own plan, to some
definite result. I think I can say this with more confidence now than at
any previous period of my residence here.

But if this be the favorable view of our position in England, it is to be
kept in mind, on the other hand, that nearly all of the aid which the
rebels obtain to protract the war comes, either directly or indirectly,
from people in Great Britain. The newspapers no longer pretend to
conceal the fact of outfits constantly making of steamers from the port
of Liverpool with the intention to break the blockade. A large
proportion of the vessels in the list from the department, already
alluded to, appear to be British. The Bermuda has just gone on her
second trip, filled with the heaviest cargo of cannon and military
stores yet despatched; whilst the nominal destination of the Oreto to
Sicily is the only advantage which appears to have been derived from my
attempt to procure the interference of the government to stop her
departure. How long this business will be continued, in the face of such
discouraging news as has been lately coming over the Atlantic, it is
difficult to say. The plain fact in any event remains, that the only
preventive policy against what is still doing must be found in the
vigilance of our naval cruisers. It might be of use if official
intelligence of the captures made by them could be promptly forwarded to
this legation, for it is not safe to put confidence in mere newspaper
statements. It is the popular idea that the blockade is not effective
which stimulates many of the ventures.

Having received notice of the departure of the Oreto for Palermo, I
immediately wrote to Mr. Marsh, at Turin, to apprise him of her
destination, and likewise to Mr. Sprague, the active consul at
Gibraltar, in order that he might establish his communications with the
various officers in the Mediterranean as to her ulterior movements. I am
glad to hear to-day from him of the arrival at Cadiz of the
Kearsarge.

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