Message of the President of the United States to the Two Houses of Congress, at the Commencement of the Second Session of the Thirty-seventh Congress

Mr. Dallas to Mr. Seward.

No. 330.]

Legation of the United States,
London, April 9, 1861.

Sir: Referring to my despatch of the 5th instant, (No. 329,) I have now the honor to state that Lord John Russell accorded me an interview at the foreign office yesterday, and enabled me to submit fully to his consideration the representations of your circular, with the inaugural address of the President.

We conversed for some time on the question of recognizing the alleged southern confederacy, of which no representative has yet appeared, and may not appear until the end of the month.

His lordship assured me with great earnestness that there was not the slightest disposition in the British government to grasp at any advantage which might be supposed to arise from the unpleasant domestic differences in the United States, but, on the contrary, that they would be highly gratified if those differences were adjusted and the Union restored to its former unbroken position.

I pressed upon him, in concluding, if that were the case—and I was quite convinced that it was—how important it must be that this country and France should abstain, at least for a considerable time, from doing what, by encouraging groundless hopes, would widen a breach still thought capable of being closed.

He seemed to think the matter not ripe for decision one way or the other, and remarked that what he had said was all that at present it was in his power to say. The coming of my successor, Mr. Adams, looked for from week to week, would doubtless be regarded as the appropriate and natural occasion for finally discussing and determining the question. In the intermediate time whatever of vigilance and activity may be necessary shall, of course, and as a high duty, be exerted.

English opinion tends rather, I apprehend, to the theory that a peaceful separation may work beneficially for both groups of States and not injuriously affect the rest of the world. They cannot be expected to appreciate the weakness, discredit, complications, and dangers which we instinctively and justly ascribe to disunion.

I beg to add that a phase of this subject will be introduced in the House of Commons to-night by Lord Alfred Churchill, and that on the 15th instant a motion favoring the recognition will be pressed by Mr. W. H. Gregory, member for Galway.

I have the honor to be, sir, your most obedient servant,

G. M. DALLAS.

Hon. William H. Seward,
Secretary of State.

Parliamentary notices.

House of Lords, Tuesday, April 9.

Blackpool and Lytham railroad bill.

orders of the day.

Middleton’s estate.—Standing order No. 141 to be considered, in order to its being dispensed with, on the petition for a private bill.

Lunacy regulation bill.—Committee.

Queensland government bill.—Committee.

House of Commons, Tuesday, April 9.

notices of motions.

Lord Stanley.—To ask the under secretary of state for war what steps have been or are being taken to abolish purchase in the army above the rank of major, as recommended by the commission of 1856.

Lord Alfred Churchill.—To ask the secretary of state for foreign affairs whether it is the intention of her Majesty’s government to recognize the Confederate States of America without a guarantee that the flag of that confederation shall not be made subservient to the slave trade, and whether it is the intention of her Majesty’s government to invite a conference of the European powers on the subject, so as to prevent the African slave trade being reopened or carried on under the flag of the said confederation.