[Extract.]
Mr. Adams to Mr.
Hunter
No. 973.]
Legation of the United States,
London,
June 2, 1865.
SIR:* * * * * * *
With respect to the matters referred to in your Nos. 1401 and 1404, I
presume that the next steamer due in the United States, after the date
of these despatches, will have brought you the answer of Lord Russell to
my inquiries made under former instructions, as transmitted to you with
my No. 952, of the 11th of May, relative to the same subject. I am,
therefore, inclined to await an exposition of the President’s views
after he shall have become possessed of that answer, rather than renew
the inquiry here with a prospect of a similar response. Nevertheless, I
have transmitted to his lordship, as you desired in No. 1404, a copy of
the President’s proclamation of the 10th of last month. It has elicited
an acknowledgment in his lordship’s note of the 30th ultimo, which
appears to indicate a still more favorable disposition. I transmit
herewith a copy of that note.
I am rather inclined to the belief that no further action will be
necessary on this matter.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
Willliam Hunter, Esq., Acting Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
[Page 394]
Mr. Adams to Earl Russell
Legation of the United
States,
London,
May 29, 1865.
My Lord: I have the honor to communicate to
your lordship herewith, for the information of Her Majesty’s
government, a printed copy of a proclamation in regard to insurgent
cruisers, issued by the President of the United States, at
Washington city, on the 10th instant.
Renewing the assurances of my highest consideration, I have the honor
to be, my lord, your lordship’s most obedient servant,
The Right Hon. Earl Russell.
Earl Russell to Mr. Adams
Foreign Office,
May 30, 1865.
Sir; I have had the honor to receive your
letter of yesterday, communicating, for the information of her
Majesty’s government, a printed copy of a proclamation issued by the
President of the United States, at Washington, on the 10th instant,
regarding insurgent cruisers.
I observe it stated in this proclamation that “armed resistance to
the authority of this government in the said insurrectionary States
may be regarded as virtually at an end. The persons by whom that
resistance, as well as the operations of insurgent cruisers, were
directed, are fugitives or captives.”
Her Majesty’s government will deem it their duty to communicate
immediately with the government of France, in order to concert
measures whereby the insurgent cruisers shall no longer continue to
receive hospitality in the ports of Great Britain and France.
Her Majesty’s government will subsequently communicate to the same
purpose and effect with other maritime nations who, like the British
government, have pursued a course of neutrality during the late
civil war.
I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration, sir, your
most obedient, humble servant,
Charles Francis Adams, Esq., &c., &c., &c.
