Russell’s Opinion of Mr. Seward

Although Mr. Seward is described to be somewhat uneasy on the score of intervention, the relations between the State Department and the British Legation are more easy than they have been for some time past, even before the Trent affair, and the American Minister expresses a regard for Great Britain which is inconsistent with the opinions perhaps so erroneously attributed to him. For myself, I must say, that having had several opportunities of hearing Mr. Seward speak of Great Britain it struck me that at the bottom of his heart there was a profound respect for the traditions, literature and power of England, mingled with a disposition to regard certain of her institutions as deplorable weaknesses, and that, next to the favor of his own countrymen, he coveted the notice of England, and would attract it, if it could be done in no other way, by a slap in the face. The letter in which he as renounced all claim to the Presidency has produced no impression; but I believe that, if Mr. Seward were in that office, he would be less hostile to Great Britain than many of his brother politicians, though he would not hesitate to encounter any risk except that of war a l’outrance in defending a pet syllogism or expressing a political paradox in a neatly rounded sentence.

– Published in the Burlington Daily Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, April 1, 1862