Mr. Adams to Mr. Seward.
Sir: * * * * * *
The decision of the government consequent upon the vote in the Commons, on the motion of Lord Grosvenor, has been in conformity with the impression which I reported as prevailing here, in my No. 1189, sent last week. A copy of the Times of Tuesday, containing a report of the announcement of the chancellor of the exchequer on Monday night is herewith transmitted. The idea now gains currency that some measure extending the franchise may be actually passed. It is understood that the opposition, instead of attempting to resist the government bill altogether, will direct its efforts to the adoption of amendments reducing the extent of the enfranchisement, by raising the proposed property qualification. The question has in the mean time been laid over to next Monday, when the other portions of the government plan will be offered to the House. The final issue, in case of the adoption of important amendments, remains as uncertain as ever. It is probable that the ministers are not yet quite agreed on the limit to which they would be willing to make concessions in order to save the bill.
Meanwhile the Chancellor of the Exchequer improves the opportunity of the interval to make his annual speech on the budget. He has latterly sought several occasions to speak with me in regard to our supposed policy of keeping up a high rate of taxation in order to pay off by degrees the heavy debt we have contracted during the war. He admires it much, and is very desirous of introducing the idea into the financial system of this kingdom. To that end he is pleased to attach much importance to the example we may set to all the other powers of the world. He looks with some uneasiness to the general tendency now visible among them, to accumulate a heavy debt by annual deficiencies, and feels the importance of establishing a counter influence. Whilst I have given him such information as I obtain respecting the policy of the Secretary of the Treasury, it has been out of my power to say in what degree it may be [Page 118] sustained or departed from by the two bouses of Congress, which have the matter more directly under their control. I have confirmed him in his impression, 1st, that the aggregate amount of the debt had within a few months been reduced rather than increased; 2d, that no reduction of taxation had yet been actually made; and, 3dly, that with reference to contemplated changes of taxation, a surplus of more or less amount of receipts over expenditures is yet contemplated to be raised for the future, with the sole view to the reduction of the debt. These are the principles upon which he desires to rest. I have so understood the policy of the government. It is not unlikely that Mr. Gladstone may make some statements founded on my authority in these respects. If I have been mistaken in these particulars I shall regret having led him into error.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.