Mr. Seward to Mr. Adams.
Sir: I send herewith copies of papers which have just been received from James E. Harvey, esquire, our minister at Lisbon, touching the depreciations of piratical vessels built, armed, manned, and equipped in British ports, and despatched from such ports upon the American merchant vessels on the high seas near the island of Flores.
The President desires that you lay copies, or the substance of them, before Earl Russell in such manner as shall seem best calculated to effect two important objects: first, due redress for the national and private injuries sustained; [Page 217] and secondly, a prevention of such lawless and injurious proceedings hereafter.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Charles Francis Adams, Esq., &c., &c., &c.
[The papers above referred to are printed in this series in the correspondence with Portugal.]