Charles Francis Adams to His Son
London, July 3, 1863
Matters go on here in the usual way. There has been a new discussion of our affairs in Parliament, which has ended by no means to our disadvantage. Mr. Roebuck has chosen to speak in very plain English what he thinks and feels about us. Other people who really agree with him in their hearts are ashamed to acknowledge it as he does, and so they retreat into silence. Mr. Roebuck moreover has assumed the post of representative of the French Emperor, and has talked to the House of Commons in a French sense. This is a pretty sure way to set the genuine sons of John Bull against every thing he may say. Moreover, Mr. Roebuck has had the bad luck to be practically disavowed by the sovereign whom he was assuming to serve, which exposes him to ridicule and contempt. The end is, to spoil his game. The rebel cause cannot be restored this season by any action had in its favor on this side of the water. It may yet be helped by events on the other, should their last desperate enterprise be crowned with any success. . . .
