Mr. Hunter to Mr. Adams
Sir: Symptoms of impatience have been noticed in Europe, occasioned by the President’s proclamation of declaring certain ports in the late insurgent States closed to foreign commerce. That feeling, however, would, it is conceived, have no just foundation, if the rights of this government, or the trials through which the country has so recently passed, should be weighed in any degree of fairness. We claim the privilege, in common with other foreign powers, of designating the ports of the United States which shall be open to foreign commerce, of closing any which may have been previously open, and of opening others which may always or for a time have been closed to trade of that character. The right of this government to close, by an act of Congress, ports which are not in its possession and control, may be questionable, and, you are aware, has been disputed in Europe. It is conceived, however, that no such question can be reasonably entertained in respect to those ports which have passed from the dominion of the insurgents and where our flag now floats triumphant and undisputed.
All the ports previously open to foreign commerce will again be opened as soon as indispensable arrangements can be made for that purpose. This, however, must necessarily be a gradual process, and in adopting it, in regard to any one of them, regard must be had to the duty of the government toward foreigners, as well as to a disposition to remove any unnecessary shackles upon trade. More or less time is necessary for the choice of proper persons for custom-house officers in the ports referred to. Supposing, however, this impediment to have been surmounted, another certainly more important for the subjects of foreign powers might remain until the United States judiciary shall be restored in the proper districts: they must necessarily remain under the control of the military power, to which it is not advisable that foreigners should be subject in matters arising out of their business. It may, however, serve as a further answer to complaints in regard to this matter to say, that the ports referred to will be closed equally against United States vessels, and those other powers proceeding from ports of foreign countries.
Due diligence will be exerted toward removing this and all other unusual restrictions. In this we will be actuated by a proper regard to the interests of our own shipping as well as to that of other countries.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Charles Francis Adams, Esq., &c., &c., &c.