Charles Sumner to George Sumner, June 25, 1850

The recent outrageous expedition against Cuba¹ has dishonored us before the world. My own impression is that it [Clay's Compromise] will pass through the Senate; and this is founded on two things: first, Clay is earnest and determined that it shall pass; he is using all his talents as leader; and, secondly, the ultra-Southern opposition, I think, will at last give way and support it, at least enough to pass the measure. If Webster had willed it, he might have defeated it.

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¹ The second attempt of Lopez.

SOURCE: Edward L. Pierce, Memoir and Letters of Charles Sumner, Vol. 3, p. 216