Mr. Seward to Mr. Adams.
Sir: Your despatch of the 16th of June, No. 721, has been received. It is accompanied by a complaint from Earl Russell, that certain United States vessels had violated the neutrality regulations of the British government, in the Bahama islands. I shall at once request the Secretary of the Navy to investigate these complaints. In the mean time you can hardly omit to inform Earl Russell that the whole of the British West India islands are practically used by our insurgent enemies as a base for hostile operations against the United States, and the profits derived by British subjects from these enterprises are avowed in every part of the British empire with as much freedom and as much satisfaction as if the operations were in conformity with international law and with treaties.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Charles Francis Adams, Esq., &c., &c., &c.