Mr. Seward to Mr. Adams.
Sir: The Canada’s mails have just been laid before me at the hour of sending my despatches to Europe.
The consideration of your communication is reserved.
The healthful reaction of opinion here is continued.
The uneasiness in the country, resulting from the toleration of hostile nav a preparations in Great Britain increases, and seems to portend difficulties which will require the exercise of great discretion by both governments. Applications for letters of marque and reprisal to insure the success of the naval operations against the insurgents are coming in, and the question of the propriety of granting them is fixing the public attention.
The public journals which will go out with the steamer have even later information of military and naval movements than any which has directly reached the proper departments of the government.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Charles Francis Adams, Esq., &c., &c., &c.