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. 931.]

Legation of the United States, London, April 20, 1865.

Sir: In connexion with your despatch No. 1325, of the 27th of March, I now have the honor to transmit a copy of a note to Lord Russell of the 12th instant, and likewise of his reply on the 17th, respecting the copy of his lordship’s note to Messrs. Mason, Slidell and Mann, which was sent forward to the so-called authorities at Richmond and returned by them.

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

CHARLES FRANCIS ADAMS.

Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.

Mr. Adams to Earl Russell

Legation of the United States, London, April 12, 1865.

My Lord: I have the honor to transmit copies of certain letters which have passed between the military authorities on the lines before Richmond in relation to the document which, in my conversation held with your lordship on the 14th of February, you expressed a wish to have forwarded to that city through the channels of communication established between the contending parties. I likewise have the honor to return the original document itself.

I pray your lordship to accept the assurances of the hightest consideration with which I have the honor to be, my lord, your lordship’s most obedient servant,

CHARLES FRANCIS ADAMS.

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

[Enclosures.]

1. Mr. Stanton to Mr. Seward, March 27, 1865.

2. General Grant to Mr. Stanton, March 25, 1865.

3. General Lee to General Grant, March 23, 1865.

4. Lord Russell to Messrs. Mason, Slidell and Mann, February 13, 1865.

[The above enclosures, marked 1, 2 and 3, are published in connexion with Mr. Seward’s despatch No. 1325, and No. 4 with Mr. Adams’s No. 879, current series.]

Earl Russell to Mr. Adams

Foreign Office, April 17, 1865.

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 12th instant, returning the copy of my letter to Mr. Slidell, Mr. Mason, and Mr. Mann, of the 13th February, and enclosing copies of a correspondence which has passed between the military authorities in the lines before Richmond in relation thereto, and I have to request you to convey to your government the thanks of her Majesty’s government for their proceedings in this matter.

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

RUSSELL.

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