Mr. Seward to Mr. Adams
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch of the 2d of March, No. 886, in which you inform me that Lord Lyons has retired from the legation here, on the ground of ill health, and that the vacant post has been assigned to Sir Frederick Bruce. Simultaneously I have received a kind farewell note from Lord Lyons. We give up his lordship with sincere sorrow for the cause of his resignation, and unaffected regret upon the loss of his labors in the interest of peace and friendship between the two nations.
We are prepared to receive Sir Frederick Bruce kindly, and to judge him favorably. His name is connected, on this continent, with the memories of two eminently just and liberal representatives of Great Britain, Lord Ashburton and Lord Elgin.
I thank you sincerely for your suggestions in regard to the tone and spirit of our discussions upon questions affecting the British nation. It seems by no means certain that any course of proceeding is open to us which will satisfy, at once, the wishes of the British nation, and at the same time command justly the confidence of the people of the United States.
I think, however, that the manifest weakness of the rebels at home, together with the sudden and complete drying up of the springs of their credit in Europe, will tend to abate the interested favor they have hitherto enjoyed there. Our recent modification of the passport order, which restores free intercourse with Canada, and our reconsideration of the motion to abrogate the restrictions upon armaments upon the upper lakes, was favorably received here, and they have relieved Canada of apprehensions of hostile intentions on our part, without weakening her resolve to maintain peace upon the border. I shall be disappointed if these benign measures shall not have a soothing influence in England.
The article in the London Times to which you have called my attention betrays a fatuity which inexcusably exceeds that of the rebels. The recent operations of Sherman, Grant, Sheridan, Schofield, Canby and Thomas, have fully satisfied the insurgents, even though they have failed to convince the Times, that this government is not proposing an offensive and defensive alliance with them to wage war against Great Britain for the conquest of Canada. But, on the other hand, while we can safely and justly disclaim all purposes or thoughts of aggression, we cannot any longer defer our claims for a rescinding of European regulations which deny us safety for our mercantile marine upon the ocean and reciprocity for our navy in European waters.
You will express my thanks to Baron Bruno w for his suggestions. We know his motives to be sincere and friendly, and we have great respect for his judgment.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Charles Francis Adams, Esq., &c., &c., &c.