William H. Seward to Charles Francis Adams, August 15, 1864

Mr. Seward to Mr. Adams.

Sir: I have your despatch of the 28th of July, No. 753.

I believe that Mr. Lindsay was once in the United States. He must have improved his travels to very little purpose if he did not learn enough of the American people to know that they acknowledge no amenability to European governments for the conduct of their own purely domestic affairs.

Lord Palmerston vindicated his character as a wise statesman when he replied that the government have not thought that in the present state of things there is any advantage to be gained by entering into concert with any other powers for the purpose of pressing or offering mediation, or of negotiating with the government of the United States, or with the insurgents, to bring about a termination of this unhappy war. It would be strange, indeed, if with the experience of interfering with the domestic affairs of the French republic which her Majesty’s government had at the beginning of this century, they could be induced to proceed in the same way now in regard to internal dissensions in the republic of the United States.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,