[193]
prepared than many of my friends to endure the climate here.
I feel sensibly its sultry heats, and I pant for the taste of salt in the atmosphere.
Nor am I insensible to other influences: what little remains to me of home and friendship is far away from here, where I was born.
But home, friendship, and seashore must not tempt me at this hour.
Lord Bacon tells us, in striking and most suggestive phrase, “The duties of life are more than life.”
But if ever there was a time when the duties of a senator were supreme above all other things, so that temptation of all kinds should be trampled under foot, it is now.
He wrote to
Lieber, May 4:—
I think that Banks's military character has suffered very much, hardly more than he has suffered as a statesman by his proceedings for reconstruction.1 The sentiment in Louisiana among the earnest antislavery men is very strong for Butler.
The President some time ago sent for me to show me private letters from Banks on reconstruction; but I have not exchanged a word with him on Banks's military character, and considering that he is a Massachusetts man, I do not wish to interfere against him. For the present I stand aloof. . . . Tell me what you think of our duty now with regard to Mexico and France.
You notice that the House resolution2 has already caused an echo in Europe.
I have kept it carefully in my committee room, where it still sleeps.
My idea has been that we were not in a condition to give Louis Napoleon any excuse for hostility or recognition or breaking the blockade.
At another time I shall be glad to speak plainly to France, or rather to its ruler; but I would not say anything now which cannot be maintained, nor which can add to our present embarrassments.
Again, May 17:—
Winter Davis has just come to press me about his Mexican resolution.
Goldwin Smith's pamphlet is excellent.3 I doubt if it would interest the President, who reads very little.
Seward said to me two days ago: “There was a great cry last year on the question whether the President read despatches before they are sent; but I am sure he never reads one which we receive.”
He wrote to
Lieber, June 27, after referring to two measures he had succeeded him carrying that day,—the prohibition of the coastwise slave-trade, and the required admission of colored testimony in all national tribunals,—
Meanwhile I keep Mexico in my committee, where I have the Arguelles case4 and a joint resolution from the House of Representatives terminating the convention with Great Britain limiting ships and navy yards on the lakes.
