Mr. Seward to Mr. Adams
Sir: Your despatch of the 17th of February, No. 880, has been received.
Upon a review of the reasons you assigned, we are content with your delay of presenting a representation in regard to the Shenandoah, in compliance with my instructions, No. 1250. We feel obliged, also, to rest with some patience while awaiting the development of the proceeding instituted,by Earl Russell, in his letter to John Slidell and the other rebel emissaries. Nevertheless, the account which Consul Morse gives us by every mail of reckless activity of rebel agents in Liverpool and Europe, taken together with the incident of the attempt made from Liverpool to supply and re-enforce the Stoerkodder, alias Olinde, alias Stonewall, at Ferrol, and the entire passiveness of Sir John F. Crampton at Madrid, in the latter case, seem to render it indispensable that we leave her Majesty’s government no reason to suppose that we acquiesce in what is virtually an illegal naval war, waged against us from the British shores. I think, there fore, that the representation in the case of the Shenandoah ought not to be longer postponed. But you may make it in a manner as friendly as shall be compatible with a just sense of the injuries which we are suffering from the policy of her Majesty’s government.
You inform me that the delusion prevails in European circles that the rebel debts will be paid as a condition of peace. To correct that delusion you may safely say that, in my belief, the principal of the debt of Great Britain will be liquidated and discharged before a single dollar, even of interest, of the rebel debt will be discharged by anybody. This nation might perish, but it could not, under the present administration, incur the dishonor of begging a peace from insurgents.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Charles Francis Adams, Esq., &c., &c., &c.