Mr. Seward to Mr. Adams, April 8, 1862

Mr. Seward to Mr.
Adams.

Sir: Your despatch of March 20, No. 132, is
before me.

It brings information of no occurrence requiring especial instructions.
On the other hand, I find nothing important to add now, when the mail is
closing, to the facts and suggestions contained in my despatches
previously written. Our armies, held everywhere in the leash, are at the
point of being let loose. Important transactions must occur within a few
days. It is the part of wisdom to be neither sanguine of success nor
disturbed with apprehensions of failure. If the tide of military success
shall continue to flow full and strong, we can consent to wait the
reluctant but inevitable return of maritime nations to the fraternal
positions they abandoned whenfaction undertook to undermine their fidelity as the most effectual
way to compass our destruction.

I have just signed, with Lord Lyons, a treaty which I trust will be
approved by the Senate and by the British government. If ratified, it
will bring” the African slave trade to an end immediately and forever.
Had such a treaty been made in 1808, there would now have been no
sedition here, and no disagreement between the United States and foreign
nations. We are indeed suffering deeply in this civil war. Europe has
impatiently condemned and deplored it. Yet it is easy to see already
that the calamity will be compensated by incalculable benefits to our
country and to mankind. Such are the compensations of providence for the
sacrifices it exacts.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,