[Extract]
Mr. Seward to Mr. Adams.
Sir: Your despatch of August 20 has been submitted to the President.
* * * * * * * *
I have bestowed the most thoughtful consideration upon your suggestions concerning the importance of avoiding collisions with Great Britain. Your observations concerning the importance of more effective measures for arresting the depredations of the piratical vessels seem so sagacious, that I have recommended them for the earnest consideration of the Secretary of the Navy.
At the same time, you will excuse me for stating the difficulties of enduring, without a resort to extreme measures of resistance, the new invasion which is threatened from the ports of Great Britain. The navy understand that, although the capacities of the department have been taxed to the utmost for defensive preparations and maintaining the blockade, they neither have now, nor can seasonably have vessels that can be spared from the siege of Charleston, adequate to resist the formidable rams which, virtually with the consent of the British Parliament, are within a few weeks to come forth against us from Laird’s ship-yard. The new vessels which the Lairds are preparing must, therefore, be expected to enter Portland, Boston, New York, or, if they prefer, must attempt to break the blockade at Charleston, or to ascend the Mississippi to New Orleans.
Can the British government suppose for a moment that such an assault as is thus meditated can be made upon us by British-built, armed, and manned vessels, without at once arousing the whole nation, and making a retaliatory war inevitable? Whatever view may be taken of the fortunes of the insurrection in Europe, it is deemed clear in this country that the factious spirit which gave it birth is rapidly declining, and the sentiment of nationality is developing itself anew, with an energy never before known. The nation, after two years of experience of war, has overcome the sense of fear, while its temper is highly excited. It believes that, though found unprepared, there are no limits to its ultimate ability for self-defence. It has a press and a Congress as free and as bold as the press and the Parliament of Great Britain. You have only to listen to the political debates in any part of the country, to learn that the United States would accept an unprovoked foreign war now with more unanimity and cheerfulness [Page 417] than at any former period. I write this with all the earnestness of conviction, and with all the concern which one must feel, who believes that any foreign war must be only inferior in the dangers it brings, to the domestic war which so many, differing from me, have thought endangered the very existence of my country. I am sure that British statesmen must know that a war between their country and the United States is unnecessary, and that it could bring no resulting benefits to Great Britain. For the interest of both countries and of civilization, I hope they will not let a blow fall from under their hands that will render peace impossible.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Charles Francis Adams, Esq., &c., &c., &c.