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. . . .
