Mr. Adams to Mr.
Seward.
No. 400.]
Legation of the United States,
London,
May 1, 1863.
Sir: In obedience to so much of the
instructions contained in your despatch No. 545, of the 10th of April,
as relates to the loan made here in behalf of the rebels, I have
addressed a note to Lord Russell on that subject, a copy of which is
herewith transmitted.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State.
Mr. Adams to Lord Russell.
Legation of the United
States, London,
April 28, 1863.
My Lord: I am instructed to inform your
lordship that the government of the United States has heard with
surprise and regret of the negotiation of a loan in this city, with
conditions of security and payment openly hostile to the United
States, and under the strongest presumption that the funds thus
supplied are to be used in fitting out expeditions, in violation of
her Majesty’s proclamation and of the law of the land, as well as of
treaties and the law of nations. The President does not for a moment
believe that her Majesty’s government have lent or will lend any
sanction or approval to these proceedings. The painful fact,
nevertheless, is forced upon his attention that this loan contains a
direct engagement with the armed insurgents, who have assumed to
control, supply, and deliver cotton for the reimbursement of the
money advanced, with interest. Hence it becomes an imperative duty
to apprise her Majesty’s government that this transaction must bring
an end to all concessions, of whatever form, that may have been
heretofore made for mitigating or alleviating the rigors of the
blockade in regard to the shipment of cotton. Neither can any title
of any person, whether citizen of the United States or subject of a
foreign power, to any cotton or other merchandise, which title is
derived from or through any pretended insurgent authority, or other
agency hostile to the United States, be respected.
[Page 275]
It has always been, and it still continues to be, the desire of my
government to do everything in its power to lighten the difficulties
which inevitably follow a state of war to all friendly nations. I am
sure that it is with the greatest reluctance it finds itself
compelled by the offensive acts of apparently irresponsible parties,
bent upon carrying on hostilities under the shelter of neutrality,
to restrict rather than to expand the avenues of legitimate trade.
The responsibility for this must rest mainly upon those who, for
motives best known to themselves, have labored and continue to labor
so strenuously and effectually to furnish the means for the
protraction of the struggle.
Renewing, &c.,
Right Hon. Earl Russell, &c., &c.
