William H. Seward to Charles Francis Adams, October 20, 1864

Mr. Seward to Mr. Adams.

Sir: Your despatch of the 6th of October, No. 792, has been received, and I give you my thanks for the light which it throws upon the course of the cotton market in Europe, and its influence upon the fortunes of the insurrection. To impatient minds our civil war seems slow in giving its great instructions. But when received they are full of wisdom. The lever of the cotton supply is breaking in the hands of the slaveholders. Even before that consummation is reached the market for slaves becomes stagnant, and Maryland therefore abolishes slavery. In view of these facts, how can sincere friends of humanity in any part of the world misunderstand our policy in removing slavery through the operation of war in defence of the Union, instead of hazarding the Union itself in a mere partisan political crusade against slavery ?

I am, sir, your obedient servant,