It rains every day more or less. I began upon despatches which kept me busy all day. Mr Dayton came in and brought a letter which he had written here. He consents to go on with the negotiation at Paris, provided I can give him satisfactory evidence of the refusal of the British government to adopt the amendment. I agreed to draw up a letter to Lord John Russell which should recapitulate our conversation in such a manner as to196 commit the Government of Lord John Russell does not contradict it. Mr Dayton and I then had a free conversation on other matters between us. Col Fremont’s application for arms—the course of Messr Clay and Burlingame, &c &c. In the midst of it Mr and W E Forster came in, and asked me whether there was any thing in Parliament that he could do to aid us. I said I thought not. I now saw no difficulty between the two countries, excepting such as might grow out of the blockade. It was easy to pick a quarrel there if there was any disposition so to do. And I was afraid there was some tendency on both sides. I commented on the temper of the newspapers here, as well as those at home. He apologized as well as he could. But there is no disguising the earnestness of the feeling in favor of a division of the Union. Mr Forster invited me to see him in Yorkshire if I came in that direction, this autumn. He is the best friend I have met with, I might say the only real one. I had time only for a short walk towards evening.