Mr. Seward to Mr. Adams.
Sir: Your despatch of the 14th of July, No. 747, has been received. This government and the whole American people are justly so full of admiration and gratitude to Captain Win slow, that they will excuse almost any error of judgment on his part that proceeds from magnanimity. Nevertheless, I hope that he has not released the pirates you have named, or any other of the pirates he has captured.
The insurgents refuse to recognize negro soldiers, when captured, as entitled to the customary privileges of prisioners of war; hence has resulted an absolute obstruction of all exchanges. Thousands of our citizens are languishing in the [Page 227] prisons of the traitors. Certainly, this is no time for the indulgence of charity towards our enemies; while guerillas of the seas are least of all entitled to discriminating humanity.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Charles Francis Adams, Esq., &c., &c., &c.