Mr. Seward to Mr. Adams.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch of the 29th of September last, No. 789, which is accompanied by a copy of Earl Russell’s answer to the representation concerning the intervention of the Deerhound in the naval battle which occurred off Cherbourg between the United States ship-of-war Kearsarge and the pirate Alabama.
That paper has been submitted to the President, and I am charged to inform you that after a careful consideration of the same, this government thinks itself entitled to adhere to the several positions it has heretofore assumed in regard to that painful transaction, as those positions have been made known by you to her Majesty’s government.
In communicating this conclusion to Earl Russell you will express to him the President’s concern at our failure thus far in the efforts we have made to avert a misunderstanding between the two countries upon a point which the American people have come to regard as seriously affecting their national honor and dignity.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Charles Francis Adams, Esq., &c., &c., &c.