Mr. Seward to Mr. Adams.
Sir: Your despatch of January last (No. 575) has been submitted to the President.
It is supposed here that the delay in the case of the Alexandra, which results from the decision recently pronounced, and the appeal thereon to the court of exchequer, are regarded by her Majesty’s government as not unfavorable to the policy they have adopted to prevent the levying of naval war from British ports against the United States. In view of this circumstance I forbear for the present from making a formal protest against that decision.
There are some indications of a movement concerted in the insurgent region, and extending into Great Britain, to bring a supposed influence of her Majesty’s government or of Parliament to bear upon this government, by some form of mediation or representation, with a view to obtain concessions or terms for the insurgents as conditions of the abandonment by them of their wicked and unnatural war against the United States.
It is proper that you should be able to say, if occasion for such explanation should become necessary, that this government now, not less than heretofore, would regard as unacceptable and unfriendly the intervention or advice of foreign states. The stability and safety of the American republic demand that it shall go through this the first national crisis, when foreign and to overthrow it has been invoked by disloyal men, without yielding or abating any portion of its legal or even of its moral sovereignty and independence.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Charles Francis Adams, Esq., &c., &c., &c.