Friday –
I take another half sheet as the letter I
began is up two pair of stairs & I am in the
Library – This morning the reply to Earl Russells
c communication goes to Lord Lyons – then
it will become public and then there will
be imprecations in abundance against the
Government – Against Henry especially as he
takes the responsibility of the answer upon
himself, no body else having sufficient mag-
nanimity to do so, though all the Cabinet
and the President admit that nothing else
can be done – I wish you could have heard
Henry read it to us yesterday morning before
he went to the Cabinet meeting – unpalatable
as the conclusion is, it is impossible for a
reasonable mind to come to any other – We have
always denied the right of search, and
what we deny to others we must not take
ourselves – It is not easy to overcome the natural
reluctance to surrender these men – but it
is undoubtedly right, and the only means
of saving the country from a foreign war –
God grant that it may be saved by this –
This business has occupied all minds for the
last week – it is a week yesterday since
we came & Henry had just then been

made acquainted with the this the
ultimatum of the British Government – courteous
and respectful in tone but decided
in purpose – And now France comes to justify
the course of England – Mon –
The morning paper tells us that nearly 200
horses were burned last night – About 7oclock
we saw a large fire and concluded from
the situation it must be the Government stables
Soon after hundreds of horses came rushing
by all colours and sizes – The streets
were literally filled with them – Then men
When the progress of the fire made it apparent
that they must perish if left where they were
the order was given to cut their halters
and and as the paper says any man or
boy black & white who could find a
knife immediately commenced the work of
relieving them from their perilous condition
It is hard for the poor creatures to be left without
shelter f but only two of the buildings were
consumed – and in those the horses most of them
perished – The surroundings incident to a
state of war are continually harrowing ones
feelings – I sometimes think that Peace on
any terms except submission to the South
would be merciful – I will now go up
stairs, as we have taken breakfast, and finish the
other half sheet –