Sir Frederick W. A. Bruce to William H. Seward, July 25, 1866

Sir F. Bruce to Mr. Seward

Sir: The existing contract with the Messrs. Cunard for the conveyance of the mails between Great Britain and America will cease on the 1st of January, 1868, and it is the opinion of her Majesty’s post office authorities that other and better arrangements can be made, which will supersede the necessity of a new contract.

In order to carry out these new arrangements, it will be necessary to terminate the existing post office convention between the United States and Great Britain, as provided by article 22 of that instrument, and I am accordingly instructed by her Majesty’s government to give the requisite notice of the intention to determine the convention on the 1st of January, 1868, simultaneously with the expiration of the Cunard contract.

At the same time I am directed to express the readiness of her Majesty’s government to enter into negotiations for a new convention, such negotiations to be carried on directly between the post offices of the two countries, and the new convention to be concluded and signed by the heads of the respective offices.

I enclose, confidentially, an extract of a letter on the subject, addressed by the post office authorities to the foreign office, which points out the advantages, it is hoped, may be derived from the new arrangements which it is contemplated to make.

I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration, sir, your most obedient, humble servant,