Mr. Adams to Mr.
Seward
No. 1092.]
Legation of the United States,
London, November 22, 1865.
Sir: I have to acknowledge the reception of
despatches from the department, numbered from 1576 to 1582
inclusive.
In regard to No. 1580, of the 4th of November, it did not seem to me that
there was any good reason for postponing the communication to this
government of the final answer to the feeble proposal of Lord Russell;
so I drew it up and sent it last evening.
A copy of my note is herewith transmitted.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D.
C.
Mr. Adams to Earl Clarendon
Legation of the United
States, London,
November 21,
1865.
My Lord: I have the honor to inform your lordship that the notes
elicited by the pro posai for a commission to consider classes of
claims growing out of the late difficulties in the United States,
made by your predecessor, the Right Hon. Earl Russell, in his letter
addressed to me on the 30th of August last, have received the
careful consideration of my government.
Adhering, as my government does, to the opinion that the claims it
has presented—which his lordship has thought fit at the outset to
exclude from consideration—are just and reasonable, I am instructed
to say that it sees now no occasion for further delay in giving a
full answer to his lordship’s proposition.
I am directed, therefore, to inform your lordship that the
proposition of her Majesty’s government for the creating of a joint
commission is respectfully declined.
I pray your lordship to accept the assurances of the highest
consideration with which I have the honor to be, my lord, your
lordship’s most obedient servant,
Right Hon. the Earl of Clarendon, &c., &c.,
&c.
