Mr. Seward to Mr. Adams.
[Confidential.]
Washington, September 25, 1861.
Sir: Your despatch of September 7 (No. 39) has just been received. Your review of the correspondence between us and the British government since you entered upon your mission is quite satisfactory, and we have every reason to be content with the details as with the results.
The time which has elapsed since the insurgents made their first unnatural appeal to the sympathies and aid of foreign powers for the overthrow of our government has been sufficient to draw out all their strength and exhaust in some measure their passion. On the other hand, the strength of the Union manifests itself with constant augmentation. Every day brings two thousand men and some new ship-of-war into activity, and the insurrection, already, is finding itself obliged to provide for a long and merely defensive contest, desolating the States which should constitute the new confederacy, while the loyal States remain prosperous and happy.
I think that Great Britain will soon be able to see, what she has hitherto been unwilling to see, that, if she, like ourselves, seeks peace and prosperity [Page 159] on this continent, she can most effectually contribute to their restoration by manifesting her wishes for the success of this government in suppressing the insurrection as speedily as possible.
I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant,
Charles Francis Adams, Esq., &c., &c., &c.