William H. Seward to Charles Francis Adams, March 9, 1865

Mr. Seward to Mr. Adams

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch of the 16th of February last, No.879. In connexion with that paper you give me a copy of a correspondence which has passed between yourself and Earl Russell on the subject of outfits of vessels for account of rebels, described in a schedule annexed to your despatch, as follows:

[Enclosures.]

REBEL RECRUITING IN, AND NAVAL EXPEDITION FROM LONDON; CASES OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND, THE HAWK, THE VIRGINIA, AND THE NO. 40, OR LOUISA ANN FANNY.

1. Mr. Adams to Lord Russell, January 14, 1865.

2. Mr Adams to Lord Russell, January 14 1865.

3. Lord Russell to Mr. Adams, January 16, 1865.

4. Same to same, January 27, 1865.

5. Mr. Adams to Lord Russell, January 30, 1865.

6. Mr. Morse to Mr. Adams, January 27, 1865.

7. Lord Russell to Mr. Adams, February 1, 1865.

THE SALE OF THE SEA KING.

Lord Russell to Mr. Adams, February 1, 1865.

THE LETTER FOUND ON THE FLORIDA.

1. Mr. Adams to Lord Russell, January 18, 1865.

2. Lord Russell to Mr. Adams, February 8, 1865.

THE AJAX AND HERCULES.

1. Mr. Adams to Lord Russell, February 7, 1865.

2. Mr. Dudley to Mr. Adams, February 2, 1865.

3. Same to same, February 4, 1865.

4. Advertisement, paying crew of the No. 290.

5. Lord Russell to Mr. Adams, February 8, 1865.

6. Mr. Adams to Lord Russell, February 9, 1865.

7. Deposition of John Melley, February 6, 1865.

8. Advance note, the Ajax, January 9, 1865.

9. Deposition of Geo. Smith, February 6, 1865.

10. Lord Russell to Mr. Adams, February 9, 1865.

Your communications to Earl Russell, which are thus brought to the knowledge of this department, are approved.

In relation to the before-mentioned correspondence you inform me that you have deferred a proposed reply to Earl Russell’s note of the 8th of February, which makes an important figure in the schedule, until you shall have received directions upon the subject from this department. The reasons you have given for this delay are satisfactory, and your discretion in making it is commended.

Events have occurred and proceedings have been taken here which seem to me sufficient to remove the grounds upon which the delay of your reply rested. I trust, therefore, that you will, at your early convenience, place the rights of the United States in regard to the transactions involved upon their just foundation, in a proper answer to the above specified note of her Majesty’s principal secretary of state for foreign affairs. You seem to me to need no special instructions in regard to either the form or the substance of the paper which you are expected to prepare.

* * * * * * * * *

I am, sir, your obedient servant,