In the Morning Post there was a short article announcing that the government had decided on detaining the Vessels, in order to give them an opportunity to try the merits in Court. It had an official aspect, and yet I could scarcely put faith in it while I had no notice myself. Later in the day however, a brief notification came from Lord Russell to the effect that orders had been given to prevent their departure. I know not that even in the Trent case I felt a greater relief. After the very unequivocal character of the announcement made on the 5th I had scarcely expected so sudden a revolution. The government has singularly interpolated any two notes between theirs in a way to raise an inevitable conjecture that they were the actual cause. I shall not venture to claim any such victory. Non noblis will be my motto. I am profoundly thankful to the Divine Being who turned the hearts of the rulers at the critical moment. I do hope it will be the last occasion upon which the harmony of the two nations will be in danger, at least whilst I remain on duty. Busy writing letters home. At home one o’clock I had a visit from a gentleman by the name of Blake, member of Parliament from Waterford, in company establishing the Galway line of Steamers to America, which needed further assistance to keep it up. He was about to go out to make application to the United States government for aid and his object was to ask me to write a line of announcement. I told him that I had no authority to give any opinion on the merits of the question, but that I would cheerfully give him a letter. He expressed himself much obliged and took his leave. I finished a draught of a Despatch to send in the middle of the week to Mr Seward, communicating the important news. Had a visit from Mr I. L. Gardner of Boston who has come with his wife and daughter to travel over Europe for the fourth or fifth time. Walk in the afternoon with my son Brooks in Hyde Park which looked quiet enough. In the evening we were alone and reading.460