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. 1577.]

Department of State, Washington, November 4, 1865.

Sir: Your despatch No. 1069 has been received. It is accompanied by a newspaper report of an opinion given by Mr. Fleming, the Queen’s counsel, on the subject of the rebel loan. It is regretted that the holders of this loan are

so uncommunicative in regard to their names and their social and political position. Although the immediate injurious effects of their hostility to the United States have been arrested by the suppression of the rebellion, yet the information so carefully withheld might be useful in enlightening us as to the real state of British opinion in regard to our international affairs.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

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