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. Hunter

No. 953.]

Legation of the United States, London, May 11, 1865.

Sir: Among the addresses and resolutions which have of late been sent to me was one series of the latter, which I feel it my duty to make the subject of a particular despatch.

I enclose a copy of the note and of my reply. The original resolutions were returned with my note.

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

CHARLES FRANCIS ADAMS.

William Hunter, Esq., Acting Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.

[Enclosures.]

1. J. H. Chadwick to Mr. Adams, May 10, 1865.

2. Resolutions of confederate aid associations, Manchester.

3. Mr. Adams’s reply, May 11, 1865.

Mr. Chadwick to Mr. Adams

Southern Independence Association, 26 Market Street, Manchester, May 10, 1865.

Sir: I am directed by the committee of this association to forward you the enclosed resolutions, and remain

Your obedient servant,

JOHN H. CHADWICK.

His Excellency Hon. Charles F. Adams, London.

Mr. Adams to Mr. Chadwick

Legation of the United States, London, May 11 1865,

The minister of the United States has received from Mr. Chadwick a note covering what purports to be a series of resolutions adopted by “the executive committee of the Southern Independence Association for the recognition of the Confederate States of America.”

The minister is obliged to infer from this title that this is an association of British subjects, who have had for their object the destruction of the government he has the honor to represent, by means of a measure that would involve the two nations in the horrors of war.

Under these circumstances, whatever may be the subject of the resolutions, the minister feels that he cannot, under a sense of what is due to his country, consent to receive any such communication.

The note and resolutions are accordingly herewith returned to Mr. Chadwick.