Mr. Adams to Mr. Seward.
Sir: Yesterday the great international exhibition was opened with a formal ceremony by the commissioners to whom the Queen had delegated the power. It was, in every respect, successful, though the absence of the sovereign and the loss of the guiding spirit of the movement could not fail to have its influence in checking the enthusiasm of the occasion. In the meantime, however, no business has been done, and the public attention has been so much concentrated upon the immediate object as to leave little disposition to dwell upon others more remote.
[Page 79]At the same time it is impossible not to perceive a slight revival of the hopes of the enemies of our government, and a decided increase of the pressure for some kind of intervention in the struggle. The intelligence of the expedition of Mr. Mercier to Richmond has been received with more or less favor, as well as the confederate version of the conflict at Pittsburg Landing, and the supposed obstacles to our advance at Yorktown. I mention all these things only as symptoms of a disposition, in some influential quarters, which nothing but the steady current of our success for a period, nearly, of three months last past has been able to keep in check. There is no reason to doubt that the distress in the manufacturing districts is becoming more and more serious as the season advances. Movements are already on foot for procuring the aid of Parliament, which may have the effect of reopening the discussion of the American question. At the same time there is no indication of any power to raise up party divisions. Lord Palmerston and Mr. Gladstone appear to carry through all their measures of supply so rapidly that there is every prospect of an early prorogation of Parliament, from the exhaustion of materials with which to keep it together. I am not without strong hopes that it may take place in season to avoid further causes of irritation between us.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.