The President was not with us to-day at the Cabinet-meeting,
being at the War Department with Stanton. All were present but them. Little
known of army movements, but anxiety on the part of each. The English
Government has interposed to prevent the armored rams built by the Lairds from
coming out. Seward announced the fact, and also that he had placed me under injunctions
of secrecy. This was the reason why no explanation had been given for my
non-action, for which I have been much blamed.
Things look a little threatening from France, but Louis
Napoleon may not persist when he learns that England has changed her policy.
Should we meet with defeat at Chattanooga, it is by no means certain England
will not again assume unfriendly airs, and refer the question of the departure
of the armored ships to the “law officers of the Crown.” Our own ironclads and
the fear of privateers which would ruin her commerce are, however, the best
law, and our best safeguards.
The Russian fleet has come out of the Baltic and are now in
New York, or a large number of the vessels have arrived. They are not to be
confined in the Baltic by a northern winter. In sending them to this country at
this time there is something significant. What will be its effect on France and
the French policy we shall learn in due time. It may moderate; it may
exasperate. God bless the Russians.
SOURCE: Gideon Welles, Diary of Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy Under Lincoln and Johnson, Vol. 1: 1861 – March 30, 1864,
p. 443
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