Mr. Adams to Mr. Seward.
Sir: Since the date of my last, I have received from the department despatches Nos. 319 and 320.
The most interesting events of the week are connected with the movements of Garibaldi in southern Italy. It is obvious thus far that the popular sympathy is entirely with him, and that it affects even the military and naval forces directed by the government against him. The effect of this state of things upon the relations of France and Great Britain is so much apprehended as to give rise to uneasiness on both sides of the channel. The first indication of it here is the sudden return of Lord Russell to London. This may, however, be likewise connected with the fact of the approaching departure of the Queen to the continent. I do not as yet apprehend any immediate consequences to the peace of Europe. There are so many reasons operating upon all the Powers to deter them from active measures that every means will be resorted to for the purpose of escaping the difficulty. At the same time it is not to be disguised that the position of the French Emperor is becoming more and more critical every day, both at home and abroad. Any attempt to take the settlement of the Italian embroglio into his own hands will be likely to involve him in embarrassments far more ruinous than he has ever encountered before. On the other hand, the overthrow of the present arrangement is almost equally dangerous. The rapid march of events will so soon dispose of this matter as to render mere speculation upon it superfluous. The temporary effect on the interests of the United States is rather one of relief, as the public attention is diverted from our affairs. The idea of intervention seemes rather to lose than gain strength [Page 183] with the progress of events. And, although the spirit in England cannot be said to be in any degree changed, it seems rather to waste itself in abstract lamentation on the existence of a remote evil, than to gather force for any particular mode of dealing with it.
I am glad to learn that the desired addition of volunteers will soon be in the hands of the government. The spirit with which the country has met the great trials of this struggle is admirable. Severe as has been the disappointment in the issue of what was reasonably expected to be the termination of the contest, I cannot perceive that its conditions have, as yet, been materially modified by that event. In the end it may perhaps be fortunate that the whole of it should be concentrated at a single point, and that point the seat of the rebel authority. With unity of direction and concert in execution it may be hoped that the operations of our superior forces will command ultimate success. Uncertain as is proverbially the fortune of war, it seldom fails to crown the efforts of a persevering people willing to learn wisdom from experience.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.