1861.
Xr. B7.

854

LI¥E OF OOBDZN. [omar.

bed again. Nor do I see how the military operations 85
be carried into the South, so as to inflict a crushing defeat:
Unless something of the kind takes place, I predict that
Europe will recognize the independence of the South. I tell
Sumner this, and tell him that his only chance if he wants
time to fight it out, is to raise the blockade of the Mississippi
voluntarily, and then Europe might look on.
But our friend Bright will not hear of anything agains
the claims of the North. I admire his pluck, for when he
goes with a side it is always to win. I tell him that it i8
possible to wish well to a cause without being sure that it
wiil be successful. However, he will soon find in the House
that we shall be on this question as we were on Chins
Crimean, and Greek Pacifico wars, quite in a minority!
There is no harm in that if you are right, but it is nseless
to deceive ourselves about the issue. Three-fourths of the
House will be glad to find an excuse for voting for the dismemberment
 of the great Republic.”
“Nov. 29, 1861. (To Mr. Charles Sumner). —I hear that
the law officers of the Crown have decided that you are not
within the law in what has been done. I leave your lawyers
bo answer ours. The question of legality in matters of international
 law has never been very easily settled. However
the only danger to the peace of the two countries is in the
tomper which may grow out of this very trivial incident:
The Press will, as usual, try to envenom the affair. It is for
us and all who care for the interests of humanity, to do our
utmost to thwart these mischief-makers. You may reckon
on Bright, myself, and all our friends being alert and active
in this good work, and we reckon on the co-operation of yourself
 and all who sympathize with you. Though I said in my
other letter that I shall never care to utter a word about
the merits of a war after it has begun, I do not the less feel
it my duty to try to prevent hostilities occurring. Let me