Henry Adams to Charles Francis Adams, Jr.
London, April 15, 1864
Politically we are silent and expectant. The idea is universal here that our armies are depleted and our last hour coming, while the tone of the sympathisers is more defiant than ever. I am willing to wait and I expect a terrific crash when it does come. No more news about our negotiation. In fact all this is a period of placid quiet just before everything breaks loose again. I expect about a fortnight more of it before the tussle begins that is to do for us one way or the other. Meanwhile existence floats along and time passes, thank God!
May 13, 1864
As for politics, there has been scarcely any time when our hopes stood so low in the opinion of persons in this country. The current is dead against us, and the atmosphere so uncongenial that the idea of the possibility of our success is not admitted. I am not sorry for this state of feeling. If we are defeated, it will be only what is already considered certain. If we conquer, the moral triumph here will be double.
