"All this morning of my birthday, my dear Senator, I have devoted
to your speech on Nebraska, which came by the morning's mail. It is
very noble, very cogent, very eloquent, very complete. How any one
can get over it or under it or through it or round it, it is
impossible to imagine."
Then, after the cowardly and fiendish attack upon Sumner in the Senate
Chamber:--
"I have no words to write you about this savage atrocity; only
enough to express our sorrow and sympathy for yourself. We have
been in great distress. Owen came to tell us of this great feat of
arms of the 'Southern chivalry.' He was absolutely sobbing. I was
much relieved on seeing your despatch to your mother, and to hear
that George was going to you directly. A brave and noble speech you
made, never to die out of the memories of men."