Mr. Seward to Mr. Adams, February 28, 1862

Mr. Seward to Mr.
Adams.

Sir: The successes of the Union army in the
west having brought the whole of Missouri and a large portion of
Tennessee under the authority of the United States, and having already
opened a passage for us into Alabama, Mississippi, and Arkansas, it has
been determined to-day to permit the restoration of trade upon our
inland ways and waters under certain limitations and restrictions, which
may continue until the pacification of the country shall take place.

We are maturing the details of this system of inland trade carefully, and
shall try its operation with a view to the adoption of measures of a
similar nature, applicable to the country on the sea-coast, which would
be some alleviation of the rigor of the blockade.

You may confidentially bring these facts to the notice of the British
government. We could doubtless go much further and faster in the
direction last indicated if we could have any reason to expect that
concessions on our part would be met by a withdrawal, on the part of
maritime nations of the belligerent privileges heretofore so
unnecessarily conceded, as we conceive, to the insurgents.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,