[Extracts ]
Mr. Seward to Mr. Adams.
Sir: Your despatch of March 20 (No. 353) has been received. * * *
It has not been gratifying to this government to see that consultations concerning our internal affairs have been held by representatives of foreign powers with citizens of the United States who dissented from the policy of the President * * * * But, on the other hand, the greater responsibility for the improper communications manifestly rested with the citizens, [Page 245] who encouraged and probably sought the illicit intercourse. The discontented state of the public mind at the moment when our suspicions were aroused made it seem inexpedient then to institute proceedings against those citizens. It would not have been magnanimous to complain of the compromised foreigner, and leave the conspiring citizens unrebuked.
Fortunately, the injurious proceeding culminated in the propositions of Mr. Drouyn de l’Huys. The necessity for answering that communication furnished the occasion equally to show the determination of the government and to elicit the sentiments of the people in regard to every form of foreign intervention and intrigue. The result has been so entirely satisfactory as to enable the President to overlook, as merely harmless incidents in our great struggle, the injurious consultations to which I have alluded, and to leave the parties to them to the all-sufficient censure of public opinion throughout the world.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Charles Francis Adams, Esq., &c., &c., &c.