Papers Relating to Foreign Affairs, Accompanying the Annual Message of the President to the First Session Thirty-eighth Congress, Part I

[Extracts.]

Mr. Adams to Mr. Seward.

No. 351.]

Legation of the United States, London, March 19, 1863.

Sir: I have to acknowledge the reception of despatches from the department, numbered from 486 to 502, both inclusive.

Almost all the despatches have reference to the addresses and resolutions which have been heretofore forwarded through this legation, and supply the materials for a reply in each particular instance. At the same time a general discretion is given me to act upon them, always provided that her Majesty’s government should be consulted in regard to the course ultimately adopted.

* * * * * * * * *

I shall postpone any action in these cases until I shall have heard of the decision of the President on the whole question as presented in my despatch (No. 339) of the 5th of March.

I now transmit the resolutions adopted at public meetings held at Southampton on the 12th and Newark-upon-Trent on the 11th instant.

I am informed that the Emancipation Society is actively engaged in extending and strengthening its affiliations through the country, but I take no part whatever in their proceedings.

I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,

CHARLES FRANCIS ADAMS.

Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.

Resolutions at Southampton, England.

Copy of resolutions passed by a public meeting on negro emancipation, held at the Carlton Hall, Southampton, on Thursday, March 12, 1863.

Alderman Palk, J. P., in the chair.

Moved by Alderman Clark, J. P., and seconded by Rev. E. Kell, M. A.:

1st. That the revolt of the southern States against the federal government of America having originated in a desire, not only to maintain negro slavery, but to extend it, with all its concomitant evils, this meeting can have no sympathy with a rebellion which is in defiance of every principle of political justice, and for the establishment of institutions framed in opposition to the moral sense of civilized humanity, and which are contrary to, and an outrage upon, the religion whose sanction has been claimed in their support.

Moved by the Rev. Thomas James, and seconded by Edwin Hame, esq., M. B.:

2d. That this meeting rejoices in the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia, the prohibition of slavery in the Territories, the scheme of compensated emancipation, and the proclamation which inaugurated the present year, as the principal acts of President Lincoln, and that this meeting offers to the government and the people of the loyal States the assurance of fraternal sympathy in their noble struggle.

Moved by William Randall, esq., J. P., seconded by Mr. Richard Smith:

3d. That a copy of the foregoing resolutions be forwarded to the Hon. Charles Francis Adams, American minister, with a request that he will transmit them to the President of the United States.

EDWARD PALK, Chairman.

Resolutions at Newark, England.

Resolutions adopted at a public meeting of the inhabitants of Newark-upon-Trent, held in the Corn Exchange, March 11, 1863.

The Reverend T. B. Attenborough in the chair.

It was proposed by Mr. John Brooks, and seconded by Mr. Joseph Harris, and carried mnanimously:

“That, in the opinion of this meeting, slavery is a curse, a blight, and a stain upon our common humanity, and that the war now raging in America, having been originated by the leaders of the southern States for the purpose of extending and perpetuating slavery, according to their own avowed intentions, deserves the condemnation of all civilized communities.”

It was also proposed by Mr. Thomas Earp, and seconded by Mr. John Gilbert, and carried unanimously:

“That this meeting highly approves of the emancipation policy pursued by the United States government under President Lincoln, and declares that any intervention, physical or moral, in behalf of the slave power, would be disgraceful, and urges her Majesty’s government to observe and support a continuance of the policy of non-intervention.”

It was also proposed by Mr. Pinder, and seconded by Mr. Joseph Smith, and carried unanimously:

“That copies of the foregoing resolutions be forwarded to Mr. Adams, with a request that they be sent to President Lincoln, and that copies be also addressed to the members for the borough.”

T. B. ATTENBOROUGH, Chairman.