Son of President John Quincy Adams (1807–1886) who served in the U.S. House of Representatives until he resigned to assume office as Ambassador to Great Britain during the Lincoln administration. ALS signed “C. F. Adams,” three pages on two adjoining sheets, 5 x 8, February 8, 1873. Letter to William Evarts, who served as counsel for the United States before the tribunal of arbitration on the Alabama claims at Geneva, Switzerland. In part: “I had some weeks ago prepared a brief notice of Mr. Seward for the Historical Society, which was very favorably received. But this [other] call would demand something far more thorough. My obligation to [Seward] would preclude any possibility of a refusal if I were called upon. What a piece of work they are making in Washington of the arbitration award! I do not wonder that you are called to try and infuse a little sense into the bewildered brains of the Legislators. The expositions thus far made furnish a curious commentary on the principle established in our decision. It seems to me that Great Britain stands a chance of establishing its ground of objection to the magnitude of indemnity, after all, through our own admissions.” In fine condition.
The Alabama claims, were claims made by the U. S. government against Great Britain for the damage inflicted on Northern merchant ships during the American Civil War by the Alabama and other Confederate cruisers that had been built, fitted out, and otherwise aided by British interests. Adams, Alexander J. E. Cockburn of Great Britain, and three members from neutral countries constituted the tribunal, which met at Geneva in 1871–72. The arbitrators threw out American claims for indirect losses, but they awarded the United States $15.5 million for all the direct damage done by the cruisers Alabama and the Florida and for most of the damage caused by the Shenandoah. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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