Mr. Seward to Mr. Adams
Sir. The despatches which were brought by the Cuba were received yesterday, and the return mail must be closed to-day.
Immediately after the despatch of the mail of last week we received authentic reports from the forces in front of Wilmington, which announced that the rebels had evacuated Fort Caswell, and Smithville, and auxiliary fortifications. Our army, occupied them on the 16th instant, and the naval forces immediately entered Cape Fear river. The entire number of guns which fell into our hands, in the combined land and naval movement in that vicinity, was one hundred and sixty-eight. Two blockade-runners were captured, and the Tallahassee was destroyed. The military column has been re-enforced, and it is now operating for the capture of Wilmington.
General Sherman’s march in South Carolina continues exciting profound alarm in Charleston, Augusta, and Richmond.
The enemy, on the night of the 25th instant, descended the James river from Richmond, with gunboats and iron-clads, expecting to pass the river obstructions which had been made to protect the lines of the army of the Potomac. Although the movement was unexpected, it was resisted by our forts, and it altogether failed, with the loss of one of tie vessels. The line has been strengthened, and no apprehension of danger in that quarter remains.
The Canadian judiciary have decided in the case of the pirate Burleigh that he shall be delivered to the United States. Military reverses have produced a high excitement in the rebel councils, and throughout the region in which they yet bear military sway. Seddon, the pretended secretary of war, has been re placed by John C. Breckinridge. The self-styled Congress has required Jefferson Davis to confide the entire command of the rebel forces to Lee. H. S. Foote, a prominent member of that body, was arrested by the rebel military police in the attempt to pass the lines on his way to this city. A resolution to expel him was lost for want of what they call a constitutional majority, and he was then censured by the house. While these proceedings were going on at Richmond, Foote appeared at Major General Sheridan’s camp, and solicited leave to come to Washington. The request is under consideration.
Francis P. Blair, esq., well known to the party in Richmond, was permitted to pass the lines and visit that place. He brought back a letter which had been addressed to him by Jefferson Davis, in which he said that he would waive formalities, and send or receive commissioners to confer with the President concerning peace between the two countries. So the leader of the rebellion expressed himself. Mr. Blair returned to Richmond with a letter which he had received from the President, in which he said that he would informally receive any persons who should come from Davis, or any other influential party in the insurrection, to treat for a restoration of peace between the people of our one common country. Last night Alexander H. Stephens, R. M. T. Hunter, and John A. Campbell arrived at our lines below Richmond, and desired leave to proceed immediately to Washington as peace commissioners. Their request is under consideration.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Charles Francis Adams. Esq., &c., &c., &c. (Same, mutatis mutandis, to all our principal ministers in Europe.)