Mr. Adams to Mr. Seward.
Sir: I have to acknowledge the receipt this week of despatches numbered 917, 919, and 920, heretofore reported as missing, and likewise of others in regular order from 924 to 938, inclusive.
The short adjournment of Parliament for Whitsuntide, and the warm weather, have combined to send almost everybody into the country for this week. The consequence has been a sudden and extraordinary calm on the surface of affairs. This will, however, prove but temporary, as none of the elements of agitation have yet been removed. The conference sat three hours on Tuesday, and then adjourned to the 28th instant, without coming any nearer to an agreement. There are multitudes of flying and unfounded rumors as to the health of Lord Palmerston, and the divisions of the ministry, which only indicate the feverish condition of opinion, and the expectation of an early change. It is not easy to say how much longer this period of transition may continue. On the one hand, it may be that some arrangement of the Danish matter will be hit upon, the effect of which would be to tide the ministry over to another sea-eon. On the other hand, the breaking up of assembly without a result may [Page 3] lead at once to a new organization at home and grave events abroad. The bitterness of the press of the respective nations towards one another is rapidly increasing. One thing is certain, nothing will restore vigor to this government but a dissolution of Parliament.
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Whilst we are in this condition, matters in America become of decidedly secondary interest.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.