Papers Relating to Foreign Affairs, Accompanying the Annual Message of the President to the Second Session of the Fortieth Congress

Mr. Seward to Mr. Adams

No. 1986.]

Department of State, Washington, May 20, 1867.

Sir: Your despatch of the 2d of May, No. 1361, has been received. There is no reason why you should not give Lord Stanley a full copy of my despatch No. 1965.

My confidential despatch of May 2d, No. 1971, will have removed from your mind any impression that the President may be expected to accede to the limitation upon the arbitration of the Alabama claims which Lord Stanley proposed.

The United States are thus in the attitude of insisting upon the claims, as they have consistently done from the beginning, and of declining to accede to arbitration thereupon with limitations hitherto insisted upon by her Majesty’s government.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

Charles Francis Adams, Esq., &c., &c., &c.