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Congress which it would be difficult to estimate.
I wish much that Mr. Palfrey had been returned.
He is sure to succeed another time.1
To
William Jay, June 4:—
Let me not delay my thanks to you any longer for your last most powerful effort in the cause of peace.
I have read your “Review of the Mexican War” with the interest and gratitude inspired by all your productions.
By a careful analysis of documents and of unquestionable facts you have shown the aggressive character of the mexican War, and still further the foul slaveholding motives in which it had its origin.
I think that the just historian hereafter will be compelled to adopt your views, and to hold the war up to the indignation and disgust of posterity.
I am very anxious that a history of the Mexican War should be written in the spirit of peace.
Some time ago an application was made to my friend Mr. Prescott, and I think also to Mr. Bancroft, to write the history of the second “Conquest of Mexico;” General Scott's papers were to be placed at their disposal.
They have declined.
I am glad of it. I would not have them soil their pens by such work unless they can see it as an occasion for diffusing the principles of peace.
I long to see history written in the spirit of human brotherhood.
There would then be no pompous efforts to make war attractive; but it would be always exposed as an assault upon God's image and a violation of his law.
To
George Sumner, July 31:—
The most important political question now is whether the old Democrats, or Hunkers, will unite with the Free Soil party.
The latter requires a complete adhesion to their principles.
The people are all anxious for the union; but there are certain Hunker leaders who are so committed that they cannot espouse our principles.
They stand in the way. A cordial union cannot take place until they are laid upon the shelf.
This will be done.
The Free Soil movement is destined to triumph.
I see this clearly.
During the year following the election of 1848,
Sumner attended faithfully the conferences of the
Free Soil leaders.
In January, 1849, he was present as an adviser of the
Free Soil members of the Legislature at their meeting in a room connected with Tremont Temple, at which
Amasa Walker was nominated for Speaker.
The Free Soil State convention for 1849 met at
Worcester September 12.
The large body of delegates present showed that the party retained in
Massachusetts, unlike the course of affairs in New York, its full vigor.
Sumner, as chairman of the
State committee, called it to order and spoke briefly.
2 Previous to the convention he had made arrangements as to the officers and
