Favorable, though not very important, news from lower
Virginia and North Carolina.
My letter of the 2d and telegram of the 15th to Porter have
been effective. The steamers have run past Vicksburg, and I hope we may soon
have something favorable from that quarter.
Senator Sumner called this p.m. to talk over the matter of
the Peterhoff mail. Says he has been examining the case, that he fully indorses
my views. Seward, he avers, knows nothing of international law and is wanting
in common sense, treats grave questions lightly and without comprehending their
importance and bearings. He calls my attention to the opinion of
Attorney-General Wirt as to the rights of the judiciary.
SOURCE: Gideon Welles, Diary of Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy Under Lincoln and Johnson, Vol. 1: 1861 – March 30,
1864, p. 285
