Papers Relating to Foreign Affairs, Accompanying the Annual Message of the President to the First Session Thirty-ninth Congress, Part I

Mr. Adams to Mr. Seward

No. 903.]

Legation of the United States, London, March 23, 1865.

Sir: In accordance with the instructions contained in your despatch, No. 1241, of the 18th of January last, I addressed a note to Lord Russell on the 17th of this month, giving formal notice of the termination of the reciprocity treaty, and enclosing, at the same time, a certified copy of the resolution expressing the sense of both houses of Congress on that subject. This note was delivered by the messenger of this legation at the Foreign Office at 2 p. m., notice of which was entered by him on the envelope, and also reported to me on his return. Not long afterwards I received from his lordship his own acknowledgment of the reception of it. Copies are herewith transmitted.

I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,

CHARLES FRANCIS ADAMS.

Hon. William H. Seward, &c., &c., &c.

Mr. Adams to Earl Russell

(Delivered at the Foreign Office, at 2 p. m., on March 17, 1865, by James Ensor.)

Legation of the United States, London, March 17, 1865.

My Lord: Under instructions from the government of the United States, I have the honor to transmit to your lordship a certified copy of a joint resolution of the Congress of the United States, approved by the President on the 18th of January, 1865, in regard to the termination of the treaty concluded between the United States and her Britannic Majesty on the 5th of June, 1854, commonly known as the reciprocity treaty.

I have the honor further to inform you that I am directed to notify her Majesty’s govern ment that, as it is considered no longer for the interest of the United States to continue this treaty in force, it will terminate and be of no further effect, as provided by the terms of the instrument, at the expiration of twelve months from the date of the reception by your lord ship of this notice.

I pray your lordship to accept the assurances of the highest consideration with which I have the honor to be, my lord,

Your lordship’s most obedient servant,

CHARLES FRANCIS ADAMS.

Right Hon. Earl Russell, &c., &c., &c.

Earl Russell to Mr. Adams

Foreign Office, March 17, 1865.

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of this day, containing a resolution of the Congress of the United States, approved by the President, in regard to the termination of the treaty of 1854, commonly known as the reciprocity treaty.

Her Majesty will instruct Sir Frederick Bruce, on his proceeding to Washington as her Majesty’s envoy extraordinary, upon the subject.

I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration, sir, your most obedient, humble servant,

RUSSELL.

Charles Francis Adams, Esq., &c., &c., &c.