Charles Francis Adams to his son, Charles
London, November 13, 1863
In the meanwhile the interest centres around Chattanooga. Mr. Jeff. Davis tells us the possession of that point is a vital question. So last year, he announced that the possession of Vicksburg was equally vital. Yet he now tells us that the state of his affairs is better now than it was a year ago, in spite of the loss of Vicksburg in the interval. Should he fail in recovering Chattanooga, he may find that his condition has after all been equally improved by that loss. There is nothing like keeping up a good heart. All hopes of the division of the Free States are gone. All hope of recognition from Europe is gone. All hope of any restoration of the currency is gone. All hope of ruling through the agency of King Cotton is gone. Yet Mr. Davis persists in believing his affairs improved. Well, if that be the kind of encouragement he wants, I only wish that he may continue to enjoy it in large measure. . . .
The only movement that has roused attention has been the speech of the Emperor of the French, proposing a fresh Congress to be held at Paris, for the purpose of devising some new arrangement of the balance of power that may prevent a war in the spring. In reality, he has got himself mounted on so high a horse that he finds he cannot get down, and he fears he may be thrown. If his friends will only build him a ladder he will try to change his seat to a smaller and more manageable pony. This seems to be the substance of the case. We now wait to see what answer he will get. It is pretty plain that the British Lion will not put out a paw to help, if it can be avoided. Neither will the Russian bear move far from his lair, unless he can see something to be gained by it. The German race seem to think it all means mischief, particularly to themselves. Thus stands the matter at this moment. Yet there may be a Congress in Paris after all. . . .
