“I am always greatly obliged by your speeches, which you
have had the kindness to send me from time to time. They
are all gems of the first water, but the ‘Trent’ is the
greatest gem of all,--so calm, so full, so exhaustive, so
statesmanlike, so Websterian in its statements, structure,
and heavy logic, that, on first reading it, before
receiving the pamphlet, I had it in my heart to write
you at once and express my high admiration of that great
passage in your public life. It was a great opportunity,
and was met in the true spirit of a controversy between
nations on questions of International Law. It was potential
for good at home and abroad, and is worthy itself to be
trusted as an authority from its own intrinsic weight.”
Hon. George Morey, lawyer, and for a long time a political
leader in Massachusetts, wrote from Boston:--
“I congratulate you on your having delivered an excellent
speech touching our foreign relations, and particularly the
case of the Trent.
“Your speech comes exceedingly apropos, following in the
track of Mr. Seward’s despatch. As that despatch will be
looked upon in England with some suspicion, as proceeding
from an artful and wily statesman, and there may be a
disposition to regard it as a cunning _dodge_, &c., it is
very fortunate that your speech will follow in the wake of
Mr. Seward’s letter. A very great number of distinguished
men in England, statesmen, diplomatists, &c., will say,
Mr. Sumner is honest, he speaks his real sentiments.
Besides, it will be said that Mr. Sumner is a most decided
Antislavery man, and he is heartily engaged in putting
down this great Rebellion, not because he desires to fight
for _empire_, as Earl Russell stated in a speech some time
since our Government were, but because he is anxious to
extinguish Slavery, and because he knows that Slavery is
the origin of this war. I am satisfied your speech will
have an excellent effect in England, and also in France,
and all over the Continent. You have done a capital thing
towards conciliating the favor and good-will of our
State Street gentlemen. Mr. Cartwright, President of the
Manufacturers’ Insurance Office, where I am a director,
says you have done excellent service to the country and
the good cause. He has a pretty large amount of war risks.
Your short speech in answer to Mr. Hale was commended very
highly everywhere.”