The James Williams Letter, dated October 22, 1866, was written by Williams, a Confederate diplomat, during his exile in Gratz, Styria. He discusses his thoughts and feelings regarding the fall of the Confederacy and the condition of the United States in 1866.

Beginning with the subject of books which he needs and articles which he hopes to publish, Williams soon turns to more general subjects, notably the prospects for the South and his own future: "Years of absence from early friends have separated me forever from those to whom I was most attached, and having staked everything upon a cause which has been lost I have not even the inclination, if I had the power to start out upon a new career. So far then as I bear any relation to passing events I am a living dead man ... In the present of the United States I can forsee a season of greatness at the expense of liberty - prosperity for many by a sacrifice of others, but only misery, degradation and a grinding torturing despotism in the land and amongst the people with whom my lot as cast. He goes on to regret that the controlling spirit of the North should have resulted in impending calamity to the South."