Mr. Seward to Mr. Adams
Sir: The President’s annual message was sent to Congress on the 6th instant. The statement of affairs, the suggestions of measures, and its cheerful tone, seem to be generally satisfactory.
The Hon. Salmon P. Chase, of Ohio, has been appointed Chief Justice, and the Hon. James Speed, of Kentucky, has been appointed Attorney General, with the advice and consent of the Senate of the United States. Congress has done little more than to complete its organization.
The military situation is best described as being one of intense expectation. Lieutenant General Grant is engaged in important movements. What has transpired concerning these movements is the marching of General Warren, on the 6th instant, with a large force directed against the Weldon railroad. The effect is not yet known. Other manœuvres of the forces at Richmond are expected [Page 36] without delay. We know that on the 7th Major General Sherman had advanced to a point half-way between Milan and the Savannah river. Late reports abound, but they are not reliable. Major General Thomas is besieged by Hood, but the official reports give us no uneasiness about the safety of Nash ville, or of Knoxville. Important events may soon be expected in this quarter The press has rumors, which, however, are’ believed to be groundless, that General Foster and Admiral Dahlgren have cut the railroad connexion between Charleston and Savannah.
The intrigues of rebel emissaries, promoted during the whole summer and autumn, have ripened into alarming menaces of the peace of the Canada border and of the principal cities in the loyal States. It is an expensive guerilla war fare prosecuted from neutral ground, and it is not likely to advance the insurrection at home or increase its popularity abroad.
The Canada’s mails have not been received. It is understood that Lord Lyons will embark at New York to-morrow.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Charles Francis Adams, Esq., &c, &c, &c.
(The same, mutatis mutandis, to all our principal ministers in Europe.)