Mr. Seward to Mr. Adams.
[Extracts.]
Washington, September 2, 1861.
Sir: Your despatch of the 16th of August, number 29, has been received.
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Steadily for the period of four months our forces have been coming into the field at the rate of two thousand a day, and the same augmentation will go on nearly at the same rate until 500,000 men will be found in the service. Our supplies of arms are running low.
My despatch, No. 42, acknowledged by you in the paper before me, was written, as you will see by its date, July 21, during the progress of the battle at Bull Run, though sent a few days afterwards. From this fact you will see that our policy and our claims upon the government of Great Britain are not affected by the caprices of military fortune.
We have now reached a new and important stage in the war. The enemy [Page 141] is directly before us, invigorated and inspirited by a victory, which it is not the part of wisdom for us to undervalue. But that victory has brought with it the necessity for renewed and decisive action with proportionate results. The demoralization of our forces has passed away. I have already stated that they are increasing in numbers. You will learn through other channels that they are equally perfecting themselves in discipline. Commander Stringham and General Butler’s success at Hatteras was not merely a brilliant affair. It brings nearly the whole coast of North Carolina under the surveillance of our blockade. * * * * * * *
I shall be entirely satisfied with the exercise of your own discretion as to the time and form you may choose for making the explanations to the British government on those subjects with which you are charged, and I regard the condition of things in that respect, as you have reported it to me, as, under the circumstances, quite satisfactory. No change of policy in regard to the blockade has been adopted since my former despatches.
I can well enough imagine that your position has been made a trying one by the exultations of enemies of our country and its institutions over the disaster of the 21st of July. But you will be able to comprehend what they cannot, that faction ripens fast, whence its necessities impel to action which exhausts its energies. Loyalty in any free country organizes less rapidly and gains strength from time and even from reverses. The previous success of this government is a sufficient guaranty of the safety of our cause, and is a fact too important to be misunderstood in the political circle in which you are moving.
I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant,
Charles Francis Adams, Esq., &c., &c., &c.