Mr. Seward to Mr. Adams.
Sir: The Scotia’s mails have arrived so late that I shall not be able to take the President’s directions for replies to your interesting despatches.
Military proceedings are satisfactory. The army is already largely renewed. About 200,000 men have been enlisted since the 1st of November, including the re-enlistment of 75,000 out of 80,000 whose first term of service will expire in the coming spring and summer.
The reoccupation of Florida strikes a severe blow at the insurrection, by cutting off its chief source of meat supplies. General Sherman’s flank movement from the Mississippi across the country towards Atlanta is thus far eminently successful.
Admiral Farragut is again active in the Gulf. The navy is increasing. The Dictator will soon try her destined element. The process of reconstruction seems to be going on successfully.
The canvass for the Presidential election is opening. That election will probably be the first one held in forty years in which slavery will have been held by all parties as incapable and unworthy of political defence. Of course the occurrence of the canvass at this conjuncture is a subject of some anxiety among thoughtful citizens, who would desire to confine the public mind to the duties of the war, if it were possible. Nevertheless, this anxiety seems to be rather of a speculative character, and, judging from existing indications, the nation has all the constancy and fidelity necessary to secure its passage safely through this new political trial, as it has already surmounted so many others. I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Charles Francis Adams, Esq., &c., &c., &c.