Mr. Adams to Mr.
Seward
No. 894.]
Legation of the United States,
London,
March 16, 1865.
Sir: I have the honor to transmit a note from
Lord Russell to me, of the 11th instant, giving me information of the
measures taken by the authorities in Nova Scotia to ascertain the
existence of combinations formed in that province with a hostile intent
towards the United States.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward,
Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
Lord Russell to Mr. Adams
Foreign Office,
March 11, 1865.
Sir: You may probably be aware that a note
was addressed by Mr. Seward to Mr. Burnley in December last,
stating, on the authority of the United States consul at Halifax,
Nova Scotia, that there existed at that port a piratical
organization of some two hundred persons, with the object of seizing
United States vessels on the lakes and elsewhere.
It will, therefore, interest you to learn that, in a despatch lately
received from the lieutenant governor of Nova Scotia, he reports
that, on receiving a copy of Mr. Seward’s note, he had at once sent
for the United States consul, and assured him of the hearty
co-operation of the Nova Scotian government in every legal measure
for the suppression of such conspiracies. The lieutenant governor
then instituted searching inquiries with the view of ascertaining
whether any such organization had really been set on foot, and he
reports, as the result of those inquiries, that he had not been able
to discover any adequate reason for the suspicions entertained by
the United States consul.
The lieutenant governor adds that that officer has not made any
further communication to him on the subject.
I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration, sir, your
most obedient, humble servant,
Charles Francis Adams,&c., &c., &c.
