Mr. Adams to Mr. Seward.
Sir: In addition to the series of despatches from the department received last week at this legation, and acknowledged, in my absence in Scotland, by Mr. Wilson, the secretary, I have now to take notice of a further and most the present week, numbered from 667 to 671, both inclusive.
I have also received your letter of the 18th of July, introducing Mr. Whiting as the successor to the labors of Mr. Evarts. I have not yet seen that gentleman, as he called at the legation during my absence. I shall be happy to furnish him all facilities in my power. At present such is the utter stagnation in London, owing to the absence of the queen, and of every leading member of the government, and the vacation of the courts, he can have but little to occupy him.
I am happy to find in your No. 667, of the 29th of July, so flattering a confirmation of the action which I felt it necessary to take of the launching of the first iron-clad from Mr. Laird’s yard, in at once presenting my note of the 11th of July to Lord Russell. Had I thought the time would have permitted, I should have awaited your especial instructions for the sake of the additional weight they impart to such a proceeding. But I was fearful that any delay might, in case of the escape of the vessel, be attributed to the lateness of my notice, much in the way so singularly attempted in the case of gunboat No. 290, and so I determined to act at once. I now infer that my judgment was correct in postponing further action under your despatch No. 651, as explained in my No. 465, of the 31st of July.
Lord Russell, like everybody else, is out of town during this season. I shall, however, prepare a note for his consideration, embodying the substance of your No. 667, and appending a copy of your No. 380, to Mr. Dayton, which came enclosed with it.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.