At six o’clock of the morning of this the thirty fourth anniversary of my Wedding day I was in London and at my own door soon afterwards. On the whole it was lucky I came. For though there was no extraordinary pressure of business, the question of the outfit of Mr Lairds Iron clads had come to a point requiring measures to be taken by me at once. After long wavering and hesitation there are signs that the ministry will not adopt any preventative policy. Their moral feebleness culminates in cowardice which acts like the greatest daring. It precipitates a conflict. My duty is therefore a difficult one. Without indulging in menace I must be faithful to my country in giving warning of its sense of injury. Nothing must be left undone that shall appear likely to avert the danger. To that end I addressed a note to Lord Russell at once. The remainder of my time was devoted tot he drafting of the ordinary Despatches of the week; and to reading up the arrears of news from America. On the whole, it is very encouraging. The attack on Charleston is going on with great vigour, and the cries of the Richmond press indicate success. Barring the conduct of foreign powers, I should say that the rebellion would collapse before New Year. But the pestilent malignity of the English and the insidious craft of Napoleon are not yet exhausted. I had visits from Mr Robert M Mason and Mr Robert J. Walker. The first is here only for a day or two, and returns to the continent. The second told me that his son in New Orleans writes to him predicting the adoptive of a free constitution of government in Louisiana in a month or two. This would be an event indeed. God moves in a mysterious way, his wonders to perform. In the evening, I devoted myself again to be the labour of bringing up the arrears of this Diary.