William H. Seward to Charles Francis Adams, March 18, 1865

Mr. Seward to Mr. Adams

Sir: I enclose herewith, for your information, a copy of a despatch of the 24th of February last, which Thomas Kirkpatrick, esq., our consul at Nassau, has addressed to this department, in which it is stated that blockade-running from that port has ceased; that rumors exist to the effect that some of the vessels recently engaged in running the blockade from Nassau are about proceeding to Havana, there to be fitted out as privateers, and under the United States flag to depredate upon British commerce, thus hoping to effect a rupture between the two countries, which would ultimately result beneficially for the insurgents, and that the governor of that province is an attendant upon all occasions of festivity, from which those whose sympathies are with the Union cause are excluded. You may make this known informally to Earl Russell, at the same time saying that the consul is a person of remarkable prudence and candor.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,