Mr. Adams to Mr. Seward.
Sir: I have the honor to transmit a copy of the London Times containing a report of the speech of the chancellor of the exchequer in the House of Commons, introducing certain resolutions relating to the enlargement of the suffrage as well as the subsequent debate. The speech was coldly received in the House, and the resolutions appear to meet with little favor either in that body or elsewhere. There are rumors in circulation of much dissatisfaction in the ranks of the ministerial party, and of resignations of some of those now in office. It admits of little doubt that the government remains in only on sufferance; but it is equally clear that the opposition are in no better condition to assume the reins or to carry through a policy. Under these circumstances the most likely issue will be an ultimate dissolution and a very excited election.
On the same day of the chancellor’s speech a popular demonstration was made in the streets of London, which brought out from 18,000 to 90,000 of the working classes, who marched in great order and quietness from Trafalgar square to the great hall at Islington, a distance of perhaps three miles, where they held a meeting and passed resolutions very much in the manner we do at home. To my great surprise I found in a notice of the programme, in a newspaper of the day before, an announcement that it was the intention to make no demonstration of any kind whilst passing on their way, with the single exception of the house of the minister of the United States. Here they would pay the compliment of a salute to him as the representative of the great republic. On learning this intelligence I was at first a little fearful lest this might have the effect of placing me in a false position as appearing to be ready to take a side in the domestic politics of a foreign country, but on learning from the secretary of the Trades Union, who called to see me in the morning about it, that the publication of this movement as making a part of the programme had never been contemplated, and that it was the pure-result of the uncontrollable desire of numbers of those who were to constitute the procession, I determined to adopt the course of receiving it passively as an act over which I could exercise no control. I asked the secretary to signify to the members my strong sense of the compliment thus marked to my country, at the same time that I felt it to be my duty in no way to depart from the rule which forbids, equally in America and Europe, any foreign envoy from even appearing to intermeddle with the internal questions agitating the nation to which he is accredited. This seemed to be perfectly satisfactory. The procession accordingly passed my house with more or less cheering, some of the bands playing our national air, and here and there the American flag being displayed, without any further demonstration.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.