Mr. Seward to Mr.
Adams and others.
No. 1640]
Department of State, Washington,
December 30, 1865.
Sir: I transmit to you a copy of letters of the
18th instant, which, by direction of the President, were addressed
respectively to the provisional governor and governor elect of the State
of Alabama. Similar letters have been addressed to the provisional
governors and governors elect of the States of Georgia, South Carolina,
North Carolina, and Mississippi, from which you will see that civil
authority has been restored in those States, and that they are
recognized as members of the Union.
I am, sir, your obedient servants
Charles Francis Adams, &c., &c., &c.
[Same, mutatis mutandis, to all United States
ministers.]
[Untitled]
Department of State, Washington,
December 18, 1865.
Sir: The time has arrived when, in the
judgment of the President of the United States, the care and conduct
of the proper affairs of the State of Alabama may be remitted to the
constitutional authorities chosen by the people thereof. without
danger to the peace and safety of the United States. By direction of
the President, therefore, you are relieved from the trust which was
heretofore reposed in you as provisional governor of the State of
Alabama. Whenever the governor elect shall have accepted and become
qualified to discharge the duties of the executive office, you will
transfer the papers and property of the State now in your custody to
his excellency the governor elect.
It gives me especial pleasure to convey to you the President’s
acknowledgment of the fidelity, the loyalty, and the discretion
which have marked your administration.
You will please give me a reply, specifying the day on which this
communication is received.
I have the honor to be your excellency’s most obedient servant,
His Excellency Lewis E. Parsons, Provisional Governor of the State of
Alabama.
[Untitled]
Department of State, Washington,
December 18, 1865.
Sir: By direction of the President I have
the honor herewith to transmit to you a copy of a communication
which has been addressed to his excellency Lewis E. Parsons, late
provisional governor of the State of Alabama, whereby he has been
relieved of the trust heretofore reposed in him, and directed to
deliver into your excellency’s possession the papers and property
relating to that trust.
[Page 40]
I have the honor to tender you the co-operation of the government of
the United States, whenever it may be found necessary, in effecting
the early restoration and the permanent prosperity and welfare of
the State over which you have been called to preside.
I have the honor to be, with great respect, your most obedient
servant,
His Excellency the Governor
of the State of Alabama.
