No. 1248.]
Mr. Adams to Mr. Seward
Sir: I have to acknowledge the reception of despatches from the department numbered from 1801 to 1804, inclusive, together with a printed copy of a bill to provide for the admission of the British provinces into the Union.
The Parliament is on the eve of prorogation. The ministers have fixed Saturday for the customary dinner at Greenwich, and it is probable that by, this day next week the annual dispersion from London of all official persons will have taken place. It seems to be now definitively settled that some sort of pacification will be made on the continent, which will be a great relief to all parties, and not among the least to the new ministry here, which may now perhaps hold over until next year.
The cholera has at last broken out with great severity in the easterly portion of this metropolis. As yet it does not appear to have reached this section. But its progress up the line of the river is doubtless only a question of time. Its simultaneous appearance at Liverpool, the great port of the American trade will also render its spread over the western continent likely. I do not know how far experience proves that precautionary measures will avail to stop the progress of this extraordinary malady, but in any event they will not be useless to improve the health of the people in the long run.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D.C.