Legation of the United States,
London,
April 16, 1863.
Hon. William H. Seward, &c., &c.
[Enclosures.]
1. Resolutions from meeting at Leicester, March 6, 1863.
2. Resolutions from meeting at Preston, April 7, 1863.
[Untitled]
At a public meeting held at Leicester, March 6, 1863, Samuel
Barnes, esquire, in the chair, the following resolutions were
unanimously carried, and subsequently ordered to be forwarded to
the honorable C. F. Adams:
1. That this meeting is decidedly of opinion that the conflict
now raging between the two sections of the North American
republic had its origin in the question of slavery, and that the
object of the southern section is, by the evidence of their own
officials, to establish a great slaveholding confederacy; this
meeting, entertaining that unmitigated aversion to slavery which
characterizes Englishmen, desires to repudiate all sympathy with
a state which makes slavery the fundamental principle and
corner-stone of its constitution.
2. That this meeting desires to express its hearty appreciation
of every effort on the part of President Lincoln and the
northern citizens to free themselves from the shame and guilt of
slavery.
[Untitled]
At a large and enthusiastic meeting held in the assembly rooms of
the Corn Exchange, Preston, on Tuesday, April 7, the following
resolutions were passed, with but two dissentients :
1. That the southern States of America having revolted from the
United States government for the avowed purpose of extending and
perpetuating slavery, this meeting views such a design with the
greatest indignation, and hereby declares that a confederacy
based upon what has been truly called “the sum of all villanies”
is unworthy the recognition of the civilized world; and this
meeting, believing that it is the duty of this country to
maintain the strictest neutrality with regard to the American
war, desires to urge upon her Majesty’s government the greatest
vigilance and promptitude, in order to prevent the fitting out
of privateers and the furnishing of arms for the purpose of
injuring the United States government; and this meeting would
further express its detestation at the conduct of those
ship-builders, money-lenders, and others, who are aiding and
abetting the designs of the rebel States.
2. That, regarding slavery as America’s greatest curse, this
meeting rejoices that so much has already been accomplished
towards its complete and everlasting
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extinction, and hereby expresses its
cordial sympathy with the people and government of the United
States in the prosecution of an emancipation policy.
3. That a copy of the above resolutions be forwarded to Mr.
Adams, the United States minister in London, and to Lord
Russell, her Majesty’s secretary for foreign affairs.
JOHN HASLAM, Chairman.
Preston, April 9,
1863.
