Mr. Adams to Mr. Seward
Sir: I have to acknowledge the reception of despatches from the department, numbered from 2051 to 2062, inclusive, of a copy of a printed circular of the 5th of September, and likewise of the President’s proclamation of the 3d of that month, to which it refers.
In regard to the main subject of interest, referred to in Nos. 2053, 2054, 2056, and 2058, touching the cases of Colonel Nagle and Captain Warren, I have reason to believe that the government will soon determine the question whether they will bring them to trial. Their release will turn upon it. Lord Stanley admitted to me that my demand was a reasonable one on that point. I think the government would now be glad to get rid of them, if they could be sure of their engaging in nothing new; but their confidence in the honor of parties entering into any engagements of this kind has been much impaired by the experience of the present year.
Should any further trials of United States citizens, arrested on suspicion, take place, I shall take care that you are fully furnished with reports of the [Page 158] proceedings, as directed in your No. 2053, of the 13th of September. Had I not supposed they were regularly furnished by the consuls, I should have supplied them before now.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.