_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 your Lordship's information. It was surely an odd way of proceeding to furnish at once the warning in time to provide against its execution! * * * * * _Mr. Adams_. I deeply regret a painful necessity which compels me to make a representation touching the conduct of Consul Bunch at Charleston. A private and opened letter, intercepted on the person of a naturalized American citizen and colonel in the confederate army,--Robert Mure, bearer of dispatches to Great Britain,--disclosed these words: 'Mr. Bunch, on oath of secrecy, communicated to me that the first step to recognition was taken. _So prepare for active business_ BY THE FIRST OF JANUARY.' _Lord Russell_. I will without hesitation state to you _that, in pursuance of an agreement between the British and French governments, Mr. Bunch was instructed to communicate to the persons exercising authority in the so-called confederate States, the desire of those governments that certain articles of the declaration of Paris should be observed by them in their hostilities(!)_ But regarding the other statement, I as frankly say, Her Majesty's government have not recognized, and are not prepared to recognize, the so-called confederate States as a separate and independent power.