Mr. Seward to Mr. Adams.
Sir: Your despatch of December 24 (No. 563) has been received, together with its voluminous and effective supplement of proofs of the abuse of the British and international laws in the case of the Rappahannock. The President does not permit himself to doubt that her Majesty’s government will promptly apply in that case the remedies which are within its power. Unfortunately the special remedies in single cases must necessarily fail to remove an evil that has its source in a general policy that is radically erroneous and anomalous.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Charles F. Adams, Esq., &c., &c., &c.