admitting foreign intervention, and neces-
sity for neutrality. Position of those gov-
ernments which recognize the insurgents,
toward the United States, and the incen-
tive such recognition would be to defense
of autonomy of the Union.

4 Mr. Soward to April 27 Recapitulates substance of Mr. Dallas's 330,
Mr. Adams.

and instructs Mr. Adams to inform Lord
Russell that the views of her Majesty's
government communicated to Mr. Dallas
are an indication of a policy injurious to
the rights and derogating from the dignity
of the United States.
Debate in Parliament on construction to be
placed upon proclamation of neutrality.
Preceding practice of Great Britain may
permit retention of insurgent prizes in
British ports until adjudicated upon in
courts within insurgent jurisdiction. Mo-
tion of Mr. Gregory in Parliament for rec-
ognition.

NOTIFICATION OF BLOCKADE.

Do

May 4

Do...

May 11

Consul Bunch to
Lord Russell.
Lord Lyons to
Lord Russell.

May 15
May 23

Do......

Do......

States that Mr. Seward refrains from com-
municating the instructions issued to the
blockading squadron, but assures him that
it will be conducted according to recog-
nized rules of public law.

Communicates correspondence with Mr. Sew-
ard in regard to actual beginning of block-
ade as affecting British vessels. States that
no further information concerning block-
ade than that in dispatch of May 2 has
reached him.

Announcing the blockade of Charleston and
vicinity by United States steamer Niagara.
States that effective blockade of Pensacola
existed on the 13th, but up to 16th no
blockade existed at Mobile.

June 11 Incloses dispatch from Acting Consul Fullar-
ton relative to establishment of blockade
off Savannah.

June 11 Incloses dispatch from Acting Consul Magee

announcing blockade of Mobile by United States steamer Powhatan.

Announcing blockade of Galveston by Uni- 29 ted States steamer South Carolina.

Incloses postscript informing Lord Lyons of 29 blockade of Galveston.

Incloses proclamation of Flag-officer Pendergast, United States Navy, relative to blockade of ports of North Carolina. Notice of blockade of Appalachicola.....

31

31

4 Mr. Adams to Mr. May 31 Acknowledges receipt of printed circular of 32 Seward.

27th April transmitting President's proclamation extending blockade to ports of Virginia and North Carolina.

6 Mr. Dayton to May 27 Incloses note communicating to Mr. ThouMr. Seward.

venel the President's proclamation extending blockade to ports of Virginia and North Carolina.

32

333

States that, as civil war between the north- 33
ern and sonthern States of the American
Union is imminent, and that as the presi-
dent of the southern confederacy pro-
poses to issuo letters of marque against
northern commerce, her Majesty's North
American and West Indian squadron must
be re-enforced, and that no preference must
be shown for either party in the approach-
ing contest by British naval forces.
States that motion of Mr. Gregory in House
of Commons for recognition of insurgents
which was postponed from 16th to 30th
ult. has again been postponed a fortnight.
Lord Russell invites an interview, and in-
forms Mr. Dallas that three insurgent
emissaries are in London; that he is not
unwilling to see them unofficially ; that
there is an understanding as to similar
course as to recognition between England
and France. Refers to rumors of block-
ade but thinks well of waiting until the
arrival of Mr. Adams before acting. The
postponement of Mr. Gregory's motion de-
pends upon Lord Russell's suggestion.
Receipt of Mr. Faulkner's 117, 119, and 120 34
acknowledged. Instructions of President
as communicated will be his guide. In
reference to Mr. Faulkner's official con-
versation with M. Thouvenel, reported in
119, the latter gentleman must be assured of
the complete harmony of the cabinet in
regard to the rebellion and informed that
the unofficial opinion expressed by Mr.
Faulkner that a peaceable acquiescence
in the claim of the insurgents to separate
Sovereignty does not represent the inten-
tion of the United States, which does not
contemplate a dissolution of the Union.
Instruction to say to Mr. Thouvenel that 36
British government admit that the south-
crn confederacy is entitled to be considered
a belligerent and to be invested with cor

Lord Russell to
Lord Lyons.

Do.....

1 Mr. Adams to Mr. Seward.

1861.

responding rights and prerogatives, and
to call the attention of the French govern-
ment to the bearing the contest may have
on the rights and interests of neutral na-
tions. Refers to the proclamation of block-
ade by President Lincoln, and to that graut-
ing letters of marque by Jefferson Davis.
May 6 Opening of the civil war in the United
States has caused her Majesty's gov-
ernment to determine that the parties are
in a position to claim the rights and to
perform the obligations attaching to bel-
ligerents. Without concealment of this
view of the British government, their
regret at the disastrous state of affairs in
the United States cannot be too strongly
expressed.
Reception at the residence of Lord Russell
of Mr. Yancey, Mr. Mann, and Judge'
Rost, emissaries of the insurgents. They
state that secession from the Union was
based on the high prices of manufactured
goods. They quote the wealth of the South,
and propose to open their country to for-
eign commerce. Lord Russell states that
he cannot officially communicate with
them, but two propositions would arise
with question of recognition; whether they
could maintain their position as an inde
pendent state, and in what manner do
they intend to maintain relations with
foreign states.

May 11

May 17 Reception at Liverpool by American cham-
ber of commerce. Supposed community
of interest in favor of cotton culture in-
fluences public sentiment of Liverpool in
favor of insurgents. Developments be-
tween the 1st and 14th of May in the
House of Commons of the intention of the
British government to elevate the insur-
gents to the level of belligerents. Cordial
reception by Mr. Dallas. The death of
the Duke of Bedford postpones presenta-
tion by Lord Russell and prevents conver-
sation upon Queen's proclamation prior to
to its issue. Subsequent presentation by
Lord Palmerston on Thursday. Public
opinion in England and the unsatisfactory
debate in the Lords on the Queen's procla-
mation demand an early interview with
Lord Russell.. Postponement of Mr. Greg-
ory's motion in Commons to 7th of June.
May 13 Queen's proclamation...

36

37

338

41

3

Mr. Seward to April 24
Mr. Adams.

Lord Russell to May
Earl Cowley.

Earl Cowley to May
Lord Russell.

Refers to proposition of President in 1854, to
maritime powers, that free ships make free
goods, and that neutral property on ene-
my's vessel not to be confiscated, and to
the declaration of Paris. States reasons for
rejection by United States, with abstract of
subsequent proposition to England and
France. Instruction to ascertain whether
British government will now agree to pro-
ject of convention inclosed, based upon
declaration of Paris.

6 Refers to civil war in United States and
states determination of British govern-
ment to consider the self-styled confeder-
acy a belligerent. Instruction to call atten-
tion of French government to probable
bearing of the contest on rights and inter-
ests of neutrals, and asks whether, in view
of the situation and the proclamations
issued in United States, the French and
English governments should not invite
the contestants to act upon principles in
second and third articles of declaration of
Paris. Refers to practice of the United
States as at variance with declarations;
alludes to negotiations in 1856; their sub-
sequent interruption by President Bu-
chanan; and commends co-operation of
England and France to obtain adoption
of principles above mentioned. Asks the
views of French government
9 States, in reference to interview with Mr.
Thouvenel for submission of contents of
instruction of May 6, that French govern-
ment agree to the proposition. Mr. Thou-
venel makes a suggestion concerning man-
ner of obtaining assent of belligerents in
United States. In view of agreement be-
tween United States and France on decla-
ration of Paris, no difficulty may be antici-
pated. Precedents for recognition of belli-
gerent rights of insurgents to be found in
British treatment of letters of marque
during revolution in America.
Expression of satisfaction with the views of
French government.
Inclosing copy of dispatch to Lord Lyons,
relative to adoption of declaration of Pa-
ris by United States.

Lord Russell to

May 13

Earl Cowley.
Do.....

May 16

Earl Cowley to May 17
Lord Russell.

States that dispatch to Lord Lyons has been
laid before Mr. Thouvenel, who approves
draught, and informs Earl Cowley that
Mr. Mercier has already been similarly in-
structed.

Lord Russell to May 18 States that the French government concur

Lord Lyons.

in instructions which announce the deter-
mination of British government to admit
belligerent rights of insurgents in
United States, and also in others relating
to adoption of declaration of Paris by bel
ligerents, and have similarly instructed

10

Mr. Seward to
Mr. Adams.

2

Mr. Mercier. States that British govern-
ment cannot accept renunciation of pri-
vateering by United States, if coupled with
condition that they should enforce its re-
nunciation on insurgents. Requests Lord
Lyons to transmit copy of previous dis-
patch of same date to the president of
insurgents, by way of British consul at
Charleston or New Orleans.

May 21 States that United States consider privateers
in insurgent service pirates, and that
United States will avail herself of law of
nations if Great Britain gives them shelter
from pursuit and punishment. British
government can avoid this by accepting
proposition in regard to declaration of
Paris. A refusal to accede to it now will
seem a desire by Great Britain to patronizo
privateering so long as it may be aimed at
the destruction of the United States.

Mr. Adams to Mr. May 21 States to Lord Russell that he has instruc-
Soward.

tions to negotiate in regard to rights of
neutrals in time of war, who replies, after
a review of previous negotiations, that he
had already transmitted authority to Lord
Lyons to assent to the only point at issue.
May 21 States that Mr. Adams has informed him that
United States were disposed to adhere to
declaration of Paris, and that he had been
empowered to negotiate upon the subject.
That in view of the power of the French
and English ministers at Washington to
settle the question, Mr. Adams_consented
to leave it in the hands of Mr. Seward.
May 22 Acknowledges receipt of President's procla-
mation of blockade of coast of Virginia
and North Carolina, and instructions to
negotiate for abolition of privateering.
Suggests the propriety of procuring ex-
emption of private property from capture,
in addition to the terms of proposed con-
vention, and expresses doubts as to the
expedition of the negotiation.

May 27 Inclosing copy of his note informing Mr.
Thouvenel that he was empowered to ne-
gotiate in regard to privateering, rights of
neutrals, and to the subject of the block-
ade.

May 30 States that he has informed Mr. Thouvenel
of his authority to negotiate to accept the
four propositions adopted at congress of
Paris in 1856, with the addition of the pro-
vision exempting privato property afloat,
if not contraband, from capture. States
reasons for pressing the adoption of the
addition upon the French government.
Mr. Thouvenel states that if the proposi-
tion is submitted in writing, the other
maritime powers would be addressed, and
answers would probably be received in ten
days. States substanco of French laws in