Mr. Adams to Mr. Seward.
Sir: I have read with great attention your despatch No. 669, of the 30th of July, and shall at once adopt the broad views which it takes, as my guide in all my further relations with the government here. At present there is little possibility of doing much with them, owing to the absence of the foreign secretary and the dispersion of the cabinet. Little business can be done with the under-secretaries, that is not of a purely formal nature.
* * * * * * *
This last item was noticed as going to prove the absence of any intention on their part to relax their prosecution of the war. I am inclined to believe the proceeding to be stimulated with a view to keep up the hopes of the rebel sympathizers, which have been seriously dashed by the military events of July. The most decisive proof of this is to be seen in the fall of the confederate loan, which, in spite of the strongest efforts to hold it up, has gone down to thirty percent, [Page 396] discount. Whilst the popular opinion continues in this state, there is no likelihood, whatever, of any change of the ministerial policy.
* * * * * * *
If there be any correctness in these views, it necessarily follows that the policy of the United States should be, so far as possible, to avoid every cause of collision with this country that would be likely to counteract this natural tendency of events.
* * * * * * *
The only one which holds forth any appearance of promise is that of naval outfits, like these iron-clads of Mr. Laird. There can be no doubt that, in proportion as their affairs grow more desperate at home, the rebels will resort to this with increased earnestness, as a last instrument to save them. The unaccountable success which has attended these vessels buoys them up with a hope that the multiplication of these annoying agencies on the sea will ultimately impel us into some violence that may effect their object.
Under these circumstances, I cannot refrain from suggesting the expediency of increasing the force employed in putting an end to the adventures of these piratical vessels. This would be a far easier and less expensive process than that of risking a rupture with Great Britain on account of them. It is difficult to comprehend the reason why they roam all over the ocean, communicating with each other, and with vessels sent out from here to supply them, without let or hindrance from any of our numerous men-of-war. At this moment, one of these vessels, the Florida, is reported as having approached this coast for the purpose of landing three of her officers, and some captured silver. I do not know of the existence of a suitable ship of our own, to check this attempt, within a distance of a thousand miles. I am not insensible of the great difficulty in the way of intercepting single objects moving over the vast expanse of the ocean. But it does not seem to me so serious as risking a quarrel with a great naval power because we do not succeed. We have now made so much progress in the war that there is good reason to hope we may, with a little more patience, gain our object before a necessity shall exist of pressing our issues with foreign nations to any inconvenient extreme. I think this government here disposed to act, to the outside of its powers, in the way of prevention. Hence we may hope that, with the exercise of reasonable judgment, the progress of our arms at home will solve all difficulties before they attain such a height as seriously to embarrass us. The main idea would seem to be to cut off from the rebels all their remaining chances of escape.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, &c.