Mr. Seward to Mr. Adams.
Sir: As the season advances, public impatience for military movements arises and utters itself often in terms of discontent, which may mislead the friends of our country abroad. The movements of the armies in Louisiana and Arkansas still continue to be reported favorably. Much is said of insurgent raids in Kentucky, which are of no particular effect or significancy. If the armies of the Potomac and Cumberland had been prepared to advance, the rains which have fallen and rendered the roads impassable would have arrested progress. You will take notice of an order of Lieutenant General Grant, which indicates the 16th instant as the day on which the repose of the forces will come to an end. [Page 611] If we may rely upon recent expressions, the country is fast reaching a resolute and unanimous determination to persevere in the present policy of the government. The election which has just passed in Connecticut indicates an exhaustion of the opposition. The people of Maryland have called a convention to abolish slavery in that State. The Senate of the United States have by a constitutional majority sustained a proposition to amend the federal Constitution by abolishing slavery. The House of Representatives, which, as you will remember, was elected in the reactionary period of 1862, has, by a very large majority, rebuked and censured a member for remarks favorable to secession.
The financial bills are still lingering in Congress. But the disposition of a large majority is conciliatory, as well as patriotic, and I do not apprehend a failure of the measures which are necessary to sustain the public credit.
In regard to the tone of the insurgents I need say only that the desertions of soldiers as well as of citizens continue in such degree as to indicate a waning of popular confidence in the success of the conspiracy against the Union.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Charles Francis Adams, Esq., &c., &c., &c.