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

Mr. Seward to Mr. Adams

No. 1473.]

Department of State, Washington, July 3, 1865.

Sir: I enclose for your information a copy of a letter of the 22d ultimo addressed by the Secretary of the Navy to Rear-Admiral Goldsborough upon the subject of the withdrawal from the insurgents of the character of belligerents, and the proceedings of the Navy Department in view thereof.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

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

Mr. Welles to Rear-Admiral Goldsborough

Navy Department, June 22, 1865.

Sir: Information has been communicated to this department by the Secretary of State that the imperial government of France has moved all restrictions heretofore imposed by it upon naval intercourse with the United States, and has withdrawn from the insurgents the character of belligerents.

The government of Great Britain also withdraws her concession heretofore made of a belligerent character from the insurgents, but the withdrawal of the twenty-four-hours rule has not been made absolute; reciprocal measures will be extended to the vessels of that country.

The blockade of the ports and coast of the United States will soon cease, and with the cessation of hostilities the belligerent right of search will also cease.

Very respectfully,

G. WELLES, Secretary of the Navy.

Rear-Admiral L. M. Goldsborough, Commanding European Squadron.