Mr. Seward to Mr. Adams.
Sir: Your despatch of the 29th of January (No. 310) has been received, together with the copy of the correspondence which has recently passed between yourself and Earl Russell on the subject of the Alabama, or 290. Your reply to his lordship is approved, and it seems only necessary, so far as that particular case is concerned, to repeat what was said, in effect, in my instruction No. 454, that this government does not think itself bound in justice to relinquish its claim for redress for the injuries which have resulted from the fitting out and despatch of the Alabama in a British port.
This government is very desirous to avert occasions of irritation and complaint, which necessarily tend to produce alienation between even the most friendly powers. And it is more especially inclined to this policy in its intercourse with Great Britain. The President is therefore hopeful that her Majesty’s government will act upon the idea of which an intimation has been given by Earl Russell, namely, of proposing some amendments to the foreign enlistment acts of the two countries. You may, perhaps, mention the subject to Earl Russell, informally, with some advantage.
I send you a copy of the notes which have passed between Mr. Stuart and Lord Lyons on one side, and myself on the other, in relation to the seamen of the Sunbeam. I think it will show that my decision in that case affords no support to the British government in the case of the Alabama.
The Senate has prepared a bill which confers upon the President of the United States the power to grant letters of marque and reprisal in any war in which the country may at any time be engaged, and it is expected that the bill will become a law. Lord Lyons suggests that the transaction may possibly be misapprehended abroad, if it come upon foreign powers suddenly and without any explanations. You will be at liberty to say that, as the bill stands, the executive government will be left at liberty to put the law in force in its discretion, and that thus far the proper policy in regard to the exercise of that discretion has not engaged the President’s attention. I have had little hesitation in saying to Lord Lyons that if no extreme circumstances occur, there will be entire frankness on the part of the government in communicating to him upon the subject, so far as to avoid any surprise on the part of friendly nations, whose commerce or navigation it might be feared would be incidentally and indirectly affected, if it shall be found expedient to put the act in force against the insurgents of the United States.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Charles Francis Adams, Esq., &c., &c., &c.