[137] done, and the sentiment which enters into it, as well as the subject. It has revived in my mind the tragedy of 1857, when British empire in India was thought by many to be more doubtful than ours in the slave States. I recall a pleasant interview with Lady Havelock at Harrow, who told me that she had put aside among unopened parcels a present from the United States for her husband, reserving it for her children; and she dwelt with emotion on the flags at half-mast in New York when the news of his death was received. But I doubt if history will attach to British supremacy in India an importance and sacredness comparable with the cause of antislavery, now imperilled from England. You will read the Adjutant-General's speech1 to the soldiers. Our policy is fixed; there can be no retreat. Let us have the God-speed of all who hate slavery!To Mr. Cobden, April 26:—
I see but one course for England. Let her act upon her antislavery history, and let the slave-mongers know that they can expect nothing from her. Say it frankly and openly, the sooner the better. Their only hope is England. Such a declaration, besides its perfect consistency with the traditional policy of England, would be glorious for her; and it would do more than anything else to bring back that temper of peace which ought to prevail between our two countries.To the Duchess of Argyll, April 26:—
The duke's speech2 was like himself, and has been much admired. You will, perhaps, note the account of it in a private letter printed here in Washington. But I long to have him take the ground, where at last England must come, that she can have nothing to do with a pretended government founded in a violation of human rights. That done, the war will soon be ended, and slavery too, and the old feeling here towards England may be won back. Our government is now not only hopeful but confident. We do not doubt the result. For the first time, our position is fixed. The Secretary of War told me yesterday that our rolls showed eight hundred thousand men under arms,—all of them paid to February 28, better clothed and better fed than any soldiers ever before. He knows well that we may be doomed to other reverses; but he is sure that the war can end in only one way, and he now thinks very soon. But besides our army, we have a credit which is adequate to all our needs; and we have powder and saltpetre sufficient for three years, even if our ports should be closed, and five hundred thousand unused muskets in our arsenals, and the best armorers of the world producing them at the rate of fifty thousand a month. Then, better still, our policy is clear. After much seeming uncertainty, you have its antislavery character openly announced,—（1) by the Proclamation; (2) by the resolution of Congress adopted with unequalled unanimity;3 (3) by the speech of the Adjutant-
