No. 513.]
Legation of the United States,
London,
October 8, 1863.
Hon. William H. Seward,
Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
Mr. Martin to Mr. Adams,.
Hartlepool,
October 3, 1863.
Honorable Sir: In forwarding to you the
accompanying resolution, I may just take the opportunity to state my
belief that there does not exist in the minds of the masses of my
fellow-countrymen those pro-southern proclivities which American
citizens, with much ill blood, give us credit for. Wherever there
are bad men, there we shall find bad things of all kinds,
pro-slavery among the rest. We have such in this country, of course,
but, really, all the world must allow that they bear a very small
proportion to the whole population.
The receipt of this will oblige, yours, obediently,
P. S.—You are at liberty to make what use you think proper of
this communication.
Hartlepool resolutions.
Copy of resolutions unanimously adopted at a public meeting held
at Hartlepool, in the county of Durham, on Friday evening,
October 2, the Rev. Joseph Martin in the chair:
“That this meeting, having listened to statements made by the
Rev. Joseph Martin and Mr. James Watkins, (a fugitive slave,) on
the subject of American slavery, judges that the time is now
come when it is necessary to reaffirm the sentiment of
opposition to it in all its forms, and which, for so many years
past, has distinguished the feelings and opinions of the British
people; and, further, whilst deploring the civil war now raging
in the United States of America, expresses its approval of, and
confidence in, that course of action, against the institution of
slavery, which the government of the States aforesaid has found
it prudent to employ during the last two years.
“That a copy of this resolution be sent to the Hon. Charles
Francis Adams, ambassador of the United States government to the
British court.
JOSEPH MARTIN, “Chairman.”
