Following the American Civil War Sesquicentennial with day by day writings of the time, currently 1863.

Post image for If our arms favor us in any moderate degree for the future, I think we may hope to steer clear of farther trouble in this kingdom. . . .

If our arms favor us in any moderate degree for the future, I think we may hope to steer clear of farther trouble in this kingdom. . . .

November 25, 2013

Adams Family Civil War letters; US Minister to the UK and his sons.

Charles Francis Adams to his son

St. Leonards, November 25, 1863

Your filial disposition has led you to accord to me much more of glory than I deserve, for the events that have taken place on this side. The people of the United States have done the work here as well as at home. It is impossible for foreign countries to help respecting a nation which respects itself. The war has done us much good. It has cured us of much of the spirit of vaunting and braggadocio which peace and prosperity had pampered, and has left us moderate but firm. The prejudices and distrust that prevailed here at the outset against every act of the Administration are slowly yielding to the conviction that it deserves confidence. All the little that I have contributed to this result has been to nourish by a steady and uniform bearing, as well under adverse as under favorable circumstances, the growth of this opinion in the British Cabinet. I believe that now it is firmly planted there. If our arms favor us in any moderate degree for the future, I think we may hope to steer clear of farther trouble in this kingdom. . . .

Previous post:

Next post: