On May 28, Seward wrote to Adams at great length and especially emphasized two points: first that while diplomats abroad had hitherto been interdicted from discussing slavery as an issue in the war, they were now authorized to state that the war was, in part at least, intended for the suppression of slavery, and secondly, that the North if interfered with by foreign nations would be forced to have recourse to a servile war.

Such a war, Seward argued, would be "completely destructive of all European interests[899]...." A copy of this instruction Adams gave to Russell on June 20.

Eight days later Adams told Cobden in reply to a query about mediation that it would result in a servile war[900].

Evidently Adams perfectly understood Seward's policy.
On July 13, Lincoln told Seward and Welles of the planned emancipation proclamation and that this was his first mention of it to anyone.

Seward commented favourably but wished to consider the proposal in all its bearings before committing himself[901].