PADGHAM, Hon’y Sec’y to the Woolwich Emancipation Society pro. tem to Charles Francis Adams, United States, March 27, 1863

Resolutions at Woolwich, England.

Sir: It is my pleasurable duty to inform you that at a full and public meeting convened by the townspeople of Woolwich, and held in their largest assembly room, the Lecture Hall, Nelson street, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted, viz:

1. “That this meeting fully believing that freedom is the birthright of every man, whatever may be his color, race, or creed; believing that every man has a right to sell his labor in the best market he can find for it, and to preserve his conjugal and parental relations sacred and inviolate, desires to express its sympathy with the anti-slavery movement in the United States, and its cordial approval of the abolition and emancipatory policy of their present government.

2. “That this meeting views with the utmost abhorrence the efforts now being made by a section of the American people (unmindful of their duties as freemen) to establish a separate nation upon the basis of slavery, and express its conviction that the government of the United States is doing its duty in repressing their rebellion, and deserves the warmest sympathy of every true lover of freedom.

3. “That this meeting expresses its concurrence in the principle of non-intervention by the British government in this contest, and earnestly desires that this principle may be strictly adhered to until the close of the war, and that greater vigilance be exercised in enforcing the neutrality laws, particularly as regards the fitting out of war vessels for the confederates.”

I am, sir, with great respect, your obedient servant,