Mr. Seward to Mr. Adams
Sir. Fort Fisher, with its subsidiary works, fell on the 15th instant, under a combined land and naval assault. The defence was maintained by three thousand men, of whom about seven hundred were killed and the remainder were captured. The loss on our side was severe. The capture must figure in history as one of the most brilliant achievements of the war. Without knowing how far I am supported by public opinion, I confess that the hazards and losses which were actually encountered are calculated to disarm criticism upon the proceedings of Generals Butler and Weitzel in the previous expedition. It is not left doubtful that the port of Wilmington is now effectually closed against the insurgents and their European abettors. Of all our correspondents you are the last one that needs to be informed of the importance which attaches to this event. It seems to be true that since our fleet entered the Cape Fear river five blockade-running vessels unwarily followed it and were captured. Reports of the advance of General Terry towards Wilmington are too uncertain to be confidently accepted. Major General Sherman’s forces have passed the Pocotaligo bridge and reached McPhersonville, in South Carolina. Indications of discontent and demoralization among the insurgents appear in their cabals and in their press. A silver dollar was sold at auction in Richmond last week for sixty-four dollars of rebel money. Negro men were sold last week at the rate of five thousand dollars in that spurious currency, the equivalent of seventy-eight dollars in gold.
A growing popular confidence in the success of the Union aàuse has reduced the premium upon gold in our market eighty per cent, since the presidential election. We now entertain a hope that the colonial authorities will vindicate the neutrality of the British provinces. We learn at this moment that the capricious magistrate Coursai has been removed from office by the governor general. The Canada’s mails have not yet arrived, and we are without any despatches from you later than the 30th of December.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Charles Francis Adams. Esq., &c., &c., &c.
(Same, mutatis mutandis, to all our principal ministers in Europe.)