Mr. Seward to Lord Lyons.
My Lord: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your lordship’s note of the 7th instant, which communicates the complaint made by her Majesty’s government against Charles Francis Adams, esquire, our representative at London, based upon a paper which, on the 9th of April last, he gave to certain persons, named German and Howell, who claimed to be American citizens. Mr. Adams has already transmitted a copy of that paper to me, together with his explanations of its effect, and of the views and circumstances under which it was written. The whole case as thus presented has been submitted to the President.
I am now to inform your lordship that this government could not admit, without much qualification, the strictures upon the proceeding of Mr. Adams which have been made by Earl Russell. At the same time, it is satisfied that the proceeding was an inconsiderate one, and probably based upon misapprehension of the character and designs of the parties at whose instance it was adopted. Mr. Adams has already made known to this department his decision to refrain from any further proceedings of the same nature, and he has been informed that this decision has been approved. I think I should be doing injustice to Mr. Adams, as I know it would be an injustice to this government, were I on this occasion to withhold an opinion that nothing could be further from the purpose of either their representative in London or of the government and people of the United States, than any desire to interfere in any manner with the lawful commerce of Great Britain, or with the policy or proceedings of the British government by which that commerce is regulated.
I avail myself of this opportunity to renew to your lordship the assurance of my high consideration.
Right Hon. Lord Lyons, &c., &c., &c.