“Having just completed reading your great speech on the
Trent Question, I am impelled to write you, to do my humble
part towards thanking you for such a triumphant effort.
I think it is exhaustive, abstinent of all not strictly
germane to the weighty matter in hand, puts the country
in a far more dignified position than it was left by Mr.
Seward’s late letter to Lord Lyons, eminently courteous
towards _present_ England, and determines as far as
possible that country’s position.”
Carlos Pierce, merchant, afterwards agriculturist, wrote
enthusiastically from Boston:--
“I am especially grateful for a copy of your most
remarkable and wonderful speech, delivered in the Senate
January 9, on Maritime Rights. It came at an opportune
moment, when the whole populace were terribly excited,
ready to plan any kind of an expedition to sink the vessel
that should be sent to convey the Rebels from Fort Warren.
It is hardly possible for you to conceive of the change it
wrought in public sentiment in twenty-four hours. It was as
oil poured upon the troubled waters to their wounded pride.
But it equally astonished and delighted your best friends
and worst enemies, and won for you a host of new admirers.
It was the most masterly and powerfully convincing argument
I have ever read of yours on any subject. The people, the
press, the nation, the world, will ever delight to honor
the man that displayed the genius equal to such a rare
opportunity, and was ready to strike so powerful a blow
against a terrible wrong long endured, and in favor of our
nation’s honor, humanity, and civilization.”