Mr. Adams to Mr.
Seward,
No. 32.]
Legation of the United
States,
London,
August 23, 1861.
Sir: I have the honor to transmit a copy of a
note addressed to me by Lord Russell, transmitting to me a copy of a
declaration which he proposes to make upon signing the convention,
embodying the articles of the declaration of Paris, in conjunction with
myself.
I have waited to communicate with Mr. Dayton until I now learn from him
that Mr. Thouvenel proposes to him a similar movement on the part of
France.
This proceeding is of so grave and novel a character as, in my opinion,
to render further action unadvisable until I obtain further
instructions; and I find Mr. Dayton is of the same opinion on his side.
I propose to address a
[Page 134]
letter
to his lordship stating my reasons for declining to proceed, as soon as
possible, but I fear I shall not have time to get it ready and a copy
made in season for the present mail. I shall therefore postpone any
further elucidation of my views until the next opportunity. I do so the
more readily that I am informed by Mr. Dayton that you have ceased to
consider the matter as one of any urgent importance.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward,
Secretary of State, Washington.
[Untitled]
Foreign
Office, August 19,
1861.
Sir: I have the honor to enclose a copy of
a declaration which I propose to make upon signing the convention of
which you gave me a draft embodying the articles of the declaration
of Paris.
I propose to make the declaration in question in a written form, and
to furnish you with a copy of it.
You will observe that it is intended to prevent any misconception as
to the nature of the engagement to be taken by her Majesty.
If you have no objection to name a day in the course of this week for
the signature of the convention, Mr. Dayton can on that day, and at
the same time, sign with M. Thouvenel a convention identical with
that which you propose to sign with me.
I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration, sir, your
most, obedient, humble servant,
C. F. Adams, Esq., &c., &c., &c.
Draft of Declaration.
In affixing his signature to the convention of this day between her
Majesty the Queen of Great Britain and Ireland and the United States
of America, the Earl Russell declares, by order of her Majesty, that
her Majesty does not intend thereby to undertake any engagement
which shall have any bearing, direct or indirect, on the internal
differences now prevailing in the United States.
