Mr. Seward to Mr. Adams
Sir: Your dispatch of the 7th of March, No. 1549, has been received, together with a copy of the debate which took place in the House of Commons on the motion of Mr. Shaw Lefevre relative to the questions between the United States and Great Britain which arose out of our recent civil war. It is pleasant to recognize the meliorated tone of parlimentary and public opinion in Great Britain on these grave subjects. We are ourselves not unmindful of the interests involved.
I have informally suggested to Mr. Thornton a course which I think would enable us to obtain an adjustment of those questions equally satisfactory and honorable to both countries. He is in telegraphic communication with her Majesty’s government in the line of my suggestions. This dispatch will reach you too late to enable you to render us desired assistance. I will simply state, therefore, for your own information, the nature of the suggestions which, with the consent of the President, I have made to Mr. Thornton:
First. That we settle the naturalization question by a treaty substantially similar to the North German treaty.
Secondly. That we provide for adjusting the San Juan question by a liberal reference of it to the republic of Switzerland.
Third. The solemnization of the naturalization treaty to be followed by a sparing and prudent exercise of executive clemency in two or three cases in the spirit of the new treaty.
When all these things shall have been done, the existing irritation will be so far relieved that I think it beyond doubt that we can provide for adjusting the Alabama and other claims in a manner practically unexceptionable in either country.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Charles Francis Adams, Esq., &c., &c., &c.