Henry Adams to Charles Francis Adams, Jr.
July 3, 1863
We too have had our excitements this week, as it was the time of the regular annual motion for recognition by the English copper-heads. There was a hot debate in Parliament, but the Southern spokesman succeeded in tripping himself up, and inflicting upon himself and his party a vigorous punishment that they will remember as long as they live. He has triumphantly seated himself as umpire over a dusky chaos in which Napoleon, the English Government, our own country and the rest of the world, are promiscuously calling each other to account for something somebody said or did n’t say, or did, or did n’t do. Mr. Roebuck’s decisions certainly do more embroil the fray. What is however or more consequence to us is that he has drawn public attention entirely from the question of intervention, and substituted a question of veracity between himself and the Emperor, a question of dignity between Parliament and the Emperor, a question of honor between the Ministry and the Emperor, and any quantity of other side questions, upon which public curiosity is greatly excited. But so far as our affair is concerned, Mr. Roebuck has done us more good than all our friends. . . .
I think unless the American news is highly disastrous, we shall again sink into placid rest here. The Alexandra is postponed till Autumn and will probably have to come before the House of Lords as final appeal next year. Parliament will adjourn by the end of this month, it is supposed. Everybody is to leave town on the 15th and we expect to get away as soon as Parliament does. Lord Palmerston is ill with gout, and, as I think, breaking up. I doubt if he’ll have strength to stand another session. Everything promises unusual political quiet for the autumn, but the elements of confusion on the continent are so awkward that I rather expect trouble next year. . . .
