e 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.

* * * * *

_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?

_Lord Russell_. Canada has been denuded of troops for some time back.
The new movement is regarded, in restoring a part of them, as a proper
measure of _precaution_ in the present disordered condition of things in
the United States. But Mr. Ashmun is in Canada, remonstrating as to
alleged breaches of neutrality.

(_Lord Lyons_. I viewed the subject as cause of complaint.

_Mr. Seward_. And I instantly recalled Mr. Ashmun.)

_Mr. Adams_. He was in Canada to watch and prevent just such a
transaction as the fitting out of a pirate or privateer--the Peerless
case.

_Lord Russell_. Mr. Seward threatened to have the Peerless seized on
Lake Ontario.

_Mr. Adams_. I respectfully doubt