Since my last letter to your Excellency, of the 8th inst., I was made
happy by your favor of the 27th of July, from which I learn, with the
most sincere regret, of your temporary indisposition. For the
information it contains I return your Excellency my most hearty thanks,
and hasten to comply with your wish by sending two extracts from papers
published here (the “New York Herald” and the “Courrier des Etats
Unis”), containing your publication on the subject of slavery in Cuba,
as well as the excuse published by Mr. Thrasher, which is, it must be
confessed, exceedingly lame.
The affair has excited great attention here, and could not but be
welcome to the opponents of slavery, who have made Fremont their
candidate.
Some days ago, his German supporters, many thousands in number, held a
mass meeting in his support, and honored him with a splendid torchlight
procession in the evening.
The slavery question is becoming more alarming from day to day. While
the House of Representatives refuse to appropriate moneys for the
support of the army, news is daily coming in from Kansas of bloody
conflicts between the free-soilers and the slaveholders. It is hoped,
however, that after the presidential election (in November), domestic
peace will be restored.
The unwholesome climate in Washington has driven me out for a few days,
as the heat was intolerable last month, and now the fever and ague
begins.
I am going to Albany to-day, to attend the meeting of naturalists to
which I have been invited. I expect to meet a number of savans of
distinction there, and to report the details to your Excellency
hereafter.
Mr. Heine is very much delighted with the expression of your Excellency
in his favor.
Mr. C—— and the _beau monde_ have retreated to the mountains and the
sea-baths long ago, and I shall not see him for three or four weeks to
come.
Mr. Fillmore would be the best President; but he appears to have little
hope of succeeding against Fremont and Buchanan; and the Knownothings
have lost all credit.
My poor wife and children are counting the hours which must elapse
before my return, and I am not less anxious to find all that is dear to
me again in the country of my home, next year, at the close of the
Congress.
The approaching departure of the mail for England compels me to close
this letter, which I do with the most heartfelt wishes for your
Excellency’s continued well-being.
With immutable reverence and affection, I remain your Excellency’s most
devoted