Edward L. Pierce, Memoir and letters of Charles Sumner: volume 2

[256]

I thank you for my share of the good things in your letter to Hillard. Mary was pleased with it; and that is enough, if there were no other reason, to make me pleased. She, poor girl, had a bleeding from the lungs two days ago, and is now confined to the house. Why this should have fallen upon her is inexplicable. She enjoys life; I do not. Why was not I chosen?

I have sent you Longfellow's poems. I hope you will like them. The volume which you read last year at this time has been translated into German, by Freiligrath. The ‘Poems on Slavery’ are valuable as contributions to a great cause. There are hearts that will be reached by their melody that have remained deaf to facts, to reasons, and to the exhortations of moralists. He has already received some gratifying expressions from persons who have read them, and been touched by them. Is not the pleasure of a successful poet keener than that of any other person who uses the pen? His words fly over the lips of men; and the poet becomes the dear companion of the beautiful and good and brave. He is not taken down in the solitude of study, but is cherished always and everywhere. His words give consolation, or inspire the mind with a new relish for beauty. In truth, I envy Longfellow the good he has done. To how many bleeding hearts he has come with succor! He has been the good Samaritan to many who have never looked upon him, except as transfigured in the written page. You complain that his friends will spoil him by praise. You little know, then, the sternness with which his friends judge his works before they are published. . . .

Madame Calderon's book is very clever and picturesque. It will have a great run. In your exile, you will enjoy it very much. Of course, you will justify Slidell Mackenzie in hanging Spencer. All the circumstances make this an historic act,—so atrocious a mutiny on board a public ship, led by the son of a Cabinet minister, and the father's name not shielding that son from a humiliating death! The question is: Had Mackenzie reasonable ground to fear for the safety of his ship and officers? If so, he is justified in the extreme course he took.

Remembrance to your wife, whose delightful letter I do not forget.

Ever yours,

Charles Sumner.

To Robert C. Winthrop, M. C., Washington, D. C.

Boston, Feb. 9, 1843.

my dear Sir,—Your favor of Feb. 1 and the accompanying documents reached me late this afternoon. I had already read in the ‘Courier’ your admirable report,¹ which seems to me to put the argument of the Northern States with unanswerable force and distinctness. You will allow me to say,