Papers Relating to Foreign Affairs, Accompanying the Annual Message of the President to the Second Session of the Thirty-ninth Congress

Mr. Hunter to Mr. Adams.

No. 1644.]

Department of State, Washington, December 30, 1865.

Sir: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch of the 14th instant, No. 1110, and in reply to inform you that the Secretary of the Navy, to whom it was referred, states that his department has not the officers or men to spare for the purpose of bringing to a port of the United States the Shenandoah, but that whenever that vessel reaches one of our ports through other means, the Navy Department will, if requested, be happy to take charge of her.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

W. HUNTER, Acting Secretary.

Charles Francis Adams, Esq., &c., &c., &c.

Memorandum.

Department of State, Washington, December 31, 1865.

Despatches of the 14th and 15th instant from the consul of Liverpool were sent to the Navy Department later in the day yesterday than the reference of Mr. Adams’s despatch, but nothing further has been received from that department; and as nothing will probably be done there in the way of business before the close of this mail, it is not likely that any further expression on the subject will pass through this department. It is possible, however, that they may send out instructions directly by this mail.

W. HUNTER, Acting Secretary.