Mr. Adams to Mr. Seward.
Sir: I had a conference with Lord Russell yesterday at four o’clock. I began it by asking for copies of the papers relating to the case of Mr. Fauchet, mentioned in the memorandum attached to your No. 265. His lordship took a note and promised to furnish them.
I then mentioned to him the receipt of a copy of the intercepted letter of Mr. Huse, which accompanied your No. 266. I observed that it went to show the representations heretofore made by me of the action of rebel [Page 115] officers here not to have been exaggerated. To that end I had caused a copy to be made which I would leave with him.
On the main object for which I had sought an interview, the reading to him your despatch No. 260, I found, upon an examination of the various papers I had brought with me, that I had left it at home after all. But I gave the substance of it, and as his lordship intimated that he would like a copy of it, and I saw no objection to it, I agreed to send him one instead of putting him to the trouble of another correspondence.
We then had some desultory conversation on the case of the Emily St. Pierre, and on the progress of the war, which last his lordship seemed to admit to have the appearance of drawing to a close. We also talked over the action of General Butler. On the whole, I have never known an occasion in which his lordship manifested more good humor and a more kindly spirit. The latest manifestation of it may be perceived in the remarks made by him a short time afterwards in the House of Lords.
This day the motion of Mr. Lindsay, affirming the desirableness of the recognition of the insurgents, is to be brought forward in the House of Commons. His lordship casually alluded to it in the course of our conversation as a matter of little importance. In point of fact, the character of our latest news would seem to render the agitation of the question almost ridiculous. A newspaper report of the result will doubtless go out in the steamer that carries this despatch.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.