Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1864-12-22
INRoarArT FROn wAsH1aaroN.

Seward has written the following querulous and in
soent letter in the matter OF the funds collected at the
Confederate Bazaar in England, for hebeneft of Con-
federate prisoners:
The President to-day sent message to the Senate
in reply to Mr.. Summers resolution calling upon him,
not incompatible with the public interest to furnish
to the Senate any information in his possession relative
to proposition of British subjects to give aid to the
rebellion.
Lord Wharnclife informs Mr.. Adams that the Liy-
epoo Bazaar produced about seventeen thousand pounds
and asked permission for accredited agent to visit
the military prisons within the Northern States and
distribute aid to their inmates. He denies that any
political aid is aimed at Or any imputaton that rebel
prisoners deprived of such attentions as the ordi
nary rules epoin. He says:
The issue of the great contest will not be determined
by individual suffering, be it greater less and you
whose family name is interviewer with American histo
~, cannot view with Indifference the suferings of
American citizens whatever their State or opinions
Mr.. Adams replied that it has been the desire of
the Government to treat with unnecessary or vndctve
severity any of the misguided individual parties in this
deplorable rebellion who have fallen into its hands in
the regular of the war; andhat be should great
Iy reoice the effects of such sympathy could be ex-
tended to ministering to their mental ament as well
as to their bodily surings thus contributing to put
an end to struggle which otherwise is likely to be
procrastnated by their English sympathizers.
Mr.. Seward replies az follows to Interpolation re-
ceived through Mr.. Adams
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washington, December 9Th, 1864
s1R--I have received your dispatch of the 18th Of
November No. 807 together with the papers therein
mentioned viz copy Of letter which was addressed
to you on the 18th Of November last by Lord Wharn-
clife, and copy OF your answer to that letter. You
will now inform Lord Wharnclife that permission for
agent OF the committee described by him to visit the
insurgents detained in the military prisons Of the Uni
ted States and to dstrii nte among them seventeen
thousand Pounds British gold is disallowed Here il is
expected that your correspondence with Lord Wharn
clfo will end. That correspondence will necessarily
become public. >
On reading il the American public will be well
aware that while the Uuied States have ample means
for the support OF prisoners well every other ex
igency OF the Jar in which they engaged, the in
surgens who have bndly rushed into that condition
are suffering prlyatons that appeal for charity,
either at home or abroad. The American people will
be likely to reflect that the thus insiduously ten
dered in the name Of humanity, constitutes large
portion of the profits which its contributors may be
Justly supposed to have derived from the insurgents by
exchanging with them arms and munitions of war
for the coveted productions Of immoral and enervating
slave labor. Nor will any portion of the American
people be disposed to regard the thus osentatous
ly offered for the relief of captured insurgents
generous equivalent for the devastation and desoation
which civil war, promoted and protrsced by British
subjects, has spread throughout the States which be
fore were eminently prosperous and happy
Finally, in view of this last ofRcous intervention in
cur domestic affairs, the American people hardly
fail to recall the warning Of the Father of country
directed against the two great and intimately connect
ed public dangers namely sectional fraction and foreign
intrigue. do not think the insurgents have become
debased, although they have sadly wandered from the
ways of loyalty and patriotism. think that In COM
mon with all our countrymen, they will rejoice in being
saved by their considerable and loyal Government from
tbs insult which Lord Wharncle and his assocates
their zeal for the overthrow of the United States have
prepared Tor the victims of this unnatural and hopeless
rebellion. am sir, your obedens servant.
WILLIAM II. SEWARD.