Mr. Seward to Mr. Adams
Sir: Your despatch of the 3d of September, No. 1438, has been received. It relates to the cases of John Warren and of W. J. Nagle, so-called Fenians. It is accompanied by a printed copy of letters of Colonel Warren. Beyond a doubt their publication has a tendency to counteract a favorable disposition on the part of her Majesty’s government in his case. You rightly therefore disapprove of it. A disposition is indicated here, by some persons who sympathize with Fenian movements in Great Britain, to work out a certain issue between the governments of the United States and Great Britain which is expected to be connected with those movements. That issue may be distinctly stated thus, namely r that her Majesty’s government arbitrarily seize and detain, without trial or process of law, in the British realm, unsuspecting citizens of the United States sojourning or travelling there—not for breaches of the peace, or for offences of any kind committed within the realm, but for matters of speech or conduct occurring exclusively within the United States, and which are not forbidden by treaty or by local or international law.
The detention of Warren and Nagle is liable to be used for the purpose named. Each of them is known to be a citizen and to have made a meritorious officer in the service of the United States. There is no evidence that either of them has committed or attempted to commit any offence or breach of the peace in Great Britain, while evidences to justify or excuse their detention are understood to be made out of an avowal, in the United States, of sympathies with Fenianism.
In conference with the late Sir Frederick Bruce, it was thought expedient to ask by telegraph that they should be discharged. He despatched Lord Stanley a message to that effect on the 11th of September, simultaneously with a despatch which was transmitted by this department to you. On the 13th I renewed [Page 145] the suggestion by telegraph. I have again renewed it in the same manner to-day.
The President has expected that courtesy and conciliation would induce a compliance with a request which was inspired by good will to Great Britain. A definitive reply has now become absolutely necessary. What use you shall make of this despatch, whether to treat it as public or private, is left to your own discretion.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Charles Francis Adams, Esq., &c., &c., &c.