Mr. Seward to Mr.
Adams
No. 1572.]
Department of State,
Washington,
October 31, 1865.
Sir: I have to acknowledge with much
satisfaction the receipt of your despatch of the 14th instant, No. 1066,
transmitting a copy of a paper issued from the Foreign Office directing
the withdrawal of all restrictions heretofore placed upon United States,
naval vessels in British ports and waters. I enclose for your
information a copy of a letter upon the subject which I addressed to the
Secretary of the Navy.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Charles Francis Adams, Esq., &c.,&c.,&c.
[Page 628]
Mr. Seward to Mr. Welles
Department of State,
Washington,
October 30, 1865.
Sir: I have the satisfaction of submitting
for your information a copy of a despatch which has just been
received from Mr. Adams, together with its accompaniment, a copy of
a note of Earl Russell, relating to the restrictions upon American
national vessels which lately were maintained by her Majesty’s
government in British ports and waters.
The despatch shows that all the objectionable restraints referred to
have now been entirely removed, and that it is the desire and
intention of her Majesty’s government that unrestricted hospitality
and friendship shall be shown to vessels-of-war of the United States
in all her Majesty’s ports, whether at home or abroad.
The President has directed me to make known to her Majesty’s
government his satisfaction with this pleasing manifestation of
consideration and justice on the part of Great Britain. I have
therefore to request you to inform the naval officers of the United
States that the in, structions which have heretofore been given them
to make discriminations in regard to their visits in British ports
and their intercourse with British naval vessels are now
countermanded and withdrawn, and that henceforth most liberal
hospitality and courtesy will be expected to be shown by the navy of
the United States to the navy of Great Britain.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy.
