Mr. Adams to Mr. Seward.
Sir: I have to acknowledge the reception of despatches from the department numbered from 1874 to 1877 inclusive.
Little has happened of material consequence during the past week. The great reform demonstration, in this place, which had been looked forward to with apprehension by many of the conservative class, lest it should be attended by some of the events of last summer, passed off in a most quiet and orderly manner. This was, no doubt, in part owing to the previous wet weather, which had made the streets very muddy, and to the heavy rain actually falling throughout the day. Nothing could be more unpropitious. Nevertheless, the lowest calculation estimates the number of the procession at 25,000. There is a prevailing tone of exultation in the press at this result, as if it in any way proved the want of interest of the working classes in the proposed extension of the franchise. It seems to me, on the contrary, rather to show the force of the demand when unaccompanied by the wholly extrinsic elements which go to the formation of a proper London mob. There can be no doubt that had the weather been fine, the multitude gathered together might have been ten times as great. But, in that contingency, it is not unlikely that excesses would have been committed by some of the worst classes, which would have cast a discredit upon, the general proceedings that no effort of the more responsible portion could have entirely thrown off. As it is, the conviction grows more and more general that some attempt must be made at the next session of Parliament to satisfy this popular uneasiness. It is new believed that a measure may be brought forward by the present ministry, though no idea is yet formed of its nature or extent.
Parliament will probably be summoned for the despatch of business on the 6th of February next.
I We cannot admit that the United obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.