Papers Relating to Foreign Affairs, Accompanying the Annual Message of the President to the Second Session of the Thirty-ninth Congress

Mr. Seward to Sir F. Bruce

Department of State, Washington, February 9, 1866.

Sir: I have submitted to the President of the United States the copy of the paper which you read to me yesterday, and which was a despatch concerning the Shenandoah, which was addressed on the 19th ultimo by Lord Clarendon to you. I have the honor to say in reference to the matters therein discussed, that the views which Lord Clarendon has expressed have not been effectual in changing the conviction which this government has already announced thereupon. It has been the purpose of this government to withdraw from correspondence concerning the class of cases to which the Shenandoah belongs. We have understood the British government as having adopted the conclusion that further discussion at the present time would be unprofitable.

We have not the least objection, however, to the addition of Lord Clarendon’s present explanation to the record.

I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration, sir, your obedient servant,

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

The Hon. Sir Frederick W. A. Bruce, &c., &c., &c.