Mr. Wood to Mr. Seward.
Sir: I have the honor herewith to enclose a copy of a letter to Consul Boernstein, and which explains itself. I await your opinion in relation to it. We have the news of the destruction of the Alabama by the Kearsarge, on the 19th instant, off Cherbourg. In accordance with the position assumed by Great Britain (and virtually conceded by the then Secretary) in the case of the Caroline, the Alabama should have been destroyed long since in a British port. The English are great casuists; and, as I see in their interpretation of the word “channel,” in the Oregon treaty, would give it a different meaning from what the same word has in connexion with “the Irish,” “the English,” and any number of other channels.
I remain, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State.