The Sun.
London, England, 1863-02-12 00:00:00

(Copy.)

" Legation of the United States, London, Feb. 9.
" Sir,—l have the honour to transmit to you by the hands
of Mr. Moran, the assistant secretary of this legation, a
letter of the President of the United States, addressed to
you asi chairman of the meeting of working men, held at
Manchester on the 31st December, and in acknowledgment
of the address which I had the pleasure to forward from that
meeting,—l am, sir, your obedient servant,
" CHARLES FRANCIS ADAMS.
" Abel Heywood, Esq., Chairman, &c., Manchester.

" To THE WORKING MEN or MANCHESTER.
"Executive Mansion, Washington, Jan. 19.
" I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of the ad-
dress and resolutions which you sent to me on the eve of

the new year.
" When I came, on the 4th day of May, 1861, through a
free and constitutional election, to preside in the Government
of the United States, the country was found at the verge of
civil war. Whatever might have been the cause, or who-
soever the fault, one duty, paramount to all others, was
before me—namely, to maintain and preserve at once
the Constitution and the integrity of the Federal Republic.
A conscientious purpose to perform this duty is the key to
all the measures of administration which have been, and to
all which will hereafter be pursued. Under our frame of
Government, and my official oath, I could not depart from
this purpose if I would. It is not always in the power of
Governments to enlarge or restrict the scope of moral re-
sults, which follow the policies that they may deem it ne-
cessary, for the public safety, from time to time to adopt.
"I have understood well that the duty of self•preserva-
don rests solely with the American people. But I have at
the' same time been aware that favour or disfavour of
foreign nations might have a material influence in en-
larging and prolonging the struggle with disloyal men in
which the country is engaged. A fair examination of
history has seemed to authorize a belief that the past ,
action and inflaences of the United States were generally
regarded as having been beneficial towards mankind. I
have, therefore, reckoned upon the forbearance of nations.
Circumstances, to some of which you kindly allude, induced
pleasant
dutyfluebn to o
me especially to expect that if justice and good faith should
be
leashostile practised y
influence then
acknowledgetUnitedhep ar States,tof
the
Greatthey
Britain. I
would encountertisnow
no
a
an
given of your desire that a spirit o: you have
of peace
peace and amity towards
this country may prevail in the councils of your Queen, who
is respected and esteemed in your own Country only more
than she is by the kindred nation which has its home on
this side of the Atlantic.
"I know, and deeply deplore, the sufferings which the
working men at Manchester, and in all Europe, are called to
endure in this crisis. It has been often and studiously re.
presented that the attempt to overthrow this Govern-
ment, which was built upon the foundation of human
lik
rcilgushitvse,laynodntothseubbastsiitsutoef for it
aonneslwavluecrhy,
ely to
shwas oul.d rest ex-
obtain the favour of Europe. Through the action of our
disloyal citizens, the working men of Europe have been sub-
jected to a severe trial, for the purpose of forcing their
sanction to that attempt. Under these circumstances I
cannot but regard you, decisive utterances upon the ques•
tion as an instance of sublime Christian heroism which
has
not been surpassed in any age or in any country.
I t is indeed an energetic and reinspiring assurance of the
inherent power of truth, and of the ultimate and universal
triumph of justice, humanity, and freedom. Ido not
doubt that the sentiments you have expressed will be sus-
. tamed by yeur;great nation; and, on the other hand, I