Mr. Dallas to Mr. Seward, March 22, 1861

Mr. Dallas to Mr.
Seward.

Sir: I have recently had the honor to receive
your despatches, numbered 304 and 305.

Having noticed that the despatch No. 304, bearing date the 28th of
February, respecting the newly-formed confederacy of seceded States, was
in harmony as well with the views enunciated in the inaugural address on
the 4th instant as with those of the presidential message of December
last, I lost no time in seeking an interview with her Majesty’s
principal secretary of state for foreign affairs, and in stating the
opposition which I am in that despatch instructed to make to any
recognition by the Queen of England of the independence of those who
have thus attempted to throw off their federal obligations.

The necessary opportunity was accorded to me on the day after the receipt
of the despatch, yesterday. Lord John Russell then listened to the
communication as one he expected; though on its purport the British
cabinet, if they had interchanged opinions at all, had reached no
definite conclusion as to their proper course of action.

I took the liberty to inquire whether any one professing to represent the
southern republic had approached this government on the subject, and his
lordship, with prompt frankness, assured me that he felt no hesitation
in answering in the negative, adding that he had been shown a private
letter from which he inferred that accredited ministers or
commissioners, authorized to negotiate for the recognition, would
shortly be sent by the provisional authorities of Montgomery.

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