Mr. Seward to Mr. Adams
Sir: A company of New York are proposing to establish a bi-monthly mail packet line of steamers to Bermudas, Bahamas, Jamaica, St. Domingo, Hayti, Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, St. Iago de Cuba, Havana, Saint Croix, Saint Kitts, Antigua, Gruadaloupe, Dominica, Martinique, Barbadoes and Trinidad. The company has opened negotiations with the local government of Antigua for privileges and facilities necessary to establish a depot for the use of their line and a harbor in that island. They ask the good offices and co-operation of this government in securing the assent of her Majesty’s government to the arrangement they are making with the local authorities of those islands.
The enterprise, if successful, would be productive of great commercial benefits to the United States as well as to all the West India islands. This department is without express authority of law and does not deem it wise to cover by the executive patronage the commercial schemes and enterprises of citizens of the United States in foreign countries, however conducive they may be to the general prosperity of the country.
The President at the same time thinks that you may, within the scope of your general instructions, lend your good offices in bringing the enclosed to the favorable attention of the English government.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Charles Francis Adams, Esq., &c., &c., &c.