Mr. Seward (still aside).  I am instructed by the President to say it is inadmissible. (1.) It is virtually a new and distinct article incorporated into the projected convention. (2.) The United States must accede to the Declaration of the Congress of Paris on the same terms with other parties, or not at all. (3.) It is not mutual in effect, for it does not provide for a melioration of our obligations in internal differences now prevailing in, or which may hereafter arise in, Great Britain. (4.) It would permit a foreign power for the first time to take cognizance of, and adjust its relations upon, assumed internal and purely domestic differences. (5.) The general parties to the Paris convention can not adopt it as one of universal application.

Lord Russell.  Touching the disagreements as to acquiescing in the Paris convention and the proposed modification, I ask to explain the reason of the latter.  The United States government regards the confederates as rebels, and their privateersmen as pirates.  We regard the confederates as belligerents.  As between us and your government, privateering would be abolished.  We would and could have no concurrent convention with the confederate power upon the subject.  We would have in good faith to treat the confederate privateersmen as pirates.  Yet we acknowledge them belligerents.  Powers not a party to the convention may rightfully arm privateers.  Hence, instead of an agreement, charges of bad faith and violation of a convention might be brought in the United States against us should we accept the propositions unreservedly.

Mr. Adams.  Your Lordship’s government adhere to the proposition of modification?

Lord Russell.  Such are my instructions.

Mr. Adams.  Then, refraining for the present from reviewing our past conversations to ascertain the relative responsibilities of the parties for this failure of these negotiations, I have to inform you that they are for the time being suspended.

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Mr. Adams.  But your Lordship has many time unofficially received the confederate ambassadors, so styled.  This has excited uneasiness in my country.  It has, indeed, given great dissatisfaction to my government.  And, in all frankness and courtesy, I have to add, that any further protraction of this relation can scarcely fail to be viewed by us as hostile in spirit.

Lord Russell.  It has been custom, both here and in France, for a long time back, to receive such persons unofficially.  Pole, Hungarians, Italians, and such like, have been allowed unofficial interviews, in order that we might hear what they had to say.  But this never implied recognition in their case, any more than in yours!

Mr. Adams.  I observe in the newspapers an account of a considerable movement of troops to Canada.  In the situation of our governments this will excite attention at home.  Are they ordered with reference to possible difficulties with us?