Papers Relating to Foreign Affairs, Accompanying the Annual Message of the President to the First Session Thirty-eighth Congress, Part I

Mr. Adams to Mr. Seward.

No. 333.]

Legation of the United States, London, February 20, 1863.

Sir: Shortly after I received the intelligence of the arrival of the Sumter at Liverpool, I addressed a note to Lord Russell on the subject, a copy of which I have the honor to transmit herewith.

I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,

CHARLES FRANCIS ADAMS.

Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.

[Enclosure.]

Mr. Adams to Earl Russell, February 16, 1863.

Mr. Adams to Lord Russell.

Legation of the United States, London, February 16, 1863.

My Lord: I have received information of the arrival of the steamer Sumter at Liverpool. Having done myself the honor to suggest to your lordship the view taken by my government of the true nature of her position at Gibraltar after the event of the nominal transformation of her by a fictitious sale, I content myself with respectfully requesting your attention to the bearing on this case of her Majesty’s proclamation limiting the stay of vessels of the respective parties to the present struggle in America within her Majesty’s ports.

I pray your lordship to accept the assurances of the highest consideration with which I have the honor to be, my lord, your most obedient servant,

CHARLES FRANCIS ADAMS.

Right Honorable Earl Russell, &c., &c., &c.