The Despatches and newspapers came in the early, and Henry and Charles in the after part of the day. I return thanks to God that I have seen him once in health and strength would that I could permit myself to hope that he would not be again summoned to the war. But there seems just now little prospect of so early a termination. Much as the rebels are depressed by their painful and hopeless condition, they are not yet so far subdued in their pride as to be willing to cry for mercy. Mr Seward has sent me an answer to the ventures of Mr Scott Russell which though not absolutely forbidding is I fear rather discouraging. I shall take early measures to communicate with him. On the whole the news is satisfactory from America. Charles dined and spent the evening with us quietly. He seems to have been received with the greatest possible kindness by every body in Boston, and to have had an unexpected honor from the Governor in a public reception. It is a great source of satisfaction to me that he should have acquitted himself creditably in his undertaking. Our family has not been of the warrior class, neither do I much fancy the honors that come from the knowledge of the arts of destruction. I have further to note today the report of another debate in the Lords last night, in the course of which Lord Russell further defended himself from the charge of yielding to intimidation. He read my softening reply to him of the and complimented me much on my pacific disposition—in which Lord Derby joined.575