Mr. Adams to Mr. Seward.
Sir: I have to acknowledge the reception from the department of despatches numbered from 1774 to 1781, inclusive.
The event not unanticipated in some of my previous despatches has at last taken place. A sufficient consolidation of the disaffected elements of the ministerial party was at last made on an amendment to one clause of the enfranchisement bill, materially to change its general character. As a consequence, the only alternative to the resignation of the ministry was a dissolution of Parliament. After much consultation it was not deemed expedient to have recourse to this, so that on Tuesday Lord Russell in the upper house, and Mr. Gladstone in the commons, announced that the Queen had that day accepted their resignation. She had manifested much reluctance to do so, mainly, it is understood, from her confidence in Lord Clarendon’s management of the foreign department, and her unwillingness to part with him at this moment of embroilment in the affars of the continent. It was not until Wednesday that the Earl of Derby was sent for. He has since been engaged in the necessary consultations with his friends and those disaffected liberals from whom he must obtain promises of co-operation as a condition precedent to any thought of assuming the reins. It is supposed that a result will be reached sometime in the course of the day. Already several lists of the new ministry have appeared in the journals, but it is plain that they rest on no basis but conjecture as to what is most likely to be the cast.
Whatever may be the ultimate issue I see no present reason to presume that any essential alteration will follow in the policy adopted towards the United States. At no time since I have been here has the popular feeling been so favorable, and so little disposition shown to carp at America for any shortcomings, whether fancied or feigned. Although I shall regret the retirement of Lord Clarendon, on account of the very friendly personal relations I have been so fortunate as to establish with him since he has been in office, I have no reason to suppose that any one of those who have yet been named for that place on the other side will not be disposed to follow pretty much the same line of action. It will, however, be apparent to you at a glance that, for the moment, my faculty of communicating your views to this government is entirely suspended. I refer more particularly to those explained to me in your despatch No. 1779, of the 9th of June. I take it for granted that the lord lieutenant of Ireland will be changed, and hence the work which I had already prosecuted in the sense of that document may need to be done over again. In which case I shall enjoy the additional advantage of being fortified by your instructions.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.