Diary of Henry Greville: Thursday, December 12, 1861

The Frederick Cadogans and Pahlen dined with me, and we went to Léotard in the evening-his performance is as wonderful as it is beautiful in its way.

Prince Albert's malady, which is a gastric fever, is taking the usual course, and is likely to last twenty-one days.

On going out to-day I heard from Charles that Clarendon had told him the Duc d'Aumale received a letter from the Prince de Joinville, who on hearing of the 'Trent' affair went to General McClellan and told him that it was quite impossible that England could patiently submit to such an outrage that General McClellan had agreed with the Prince, who entreated him to go and tell the President how much better it would be to deliver up Mason and Slidell at once, before any demand were made by us. McClellan did so, but found the President of a different opinion and resolved to do nothing of the sort. This fact makes it almost certain that the Message expected to-night will hold such language as to make war inevitable.

I have a letter from Henry Loch to tell me of his marriage to Miss Villiers.

SOURCE: Alice Countess of Stratford, Leaves from the Diary of Henry Greville: 1857-1861, pp. 415-6

Diary of Henry Greville: Saturday, December 14, 1861

This morning I was startled by a very alarming bulletin of Prince Albert's state, dated yesterday, viz. that H.R.H. had passed a restless night on Thursday, and that the symptoms had assumed an unfavourable character during the day. It also stated that the Prince of Wales had been summoned to Windsor, and had passed through town at two this morning. I at once considered this account as nearly hopeless. On going out, I heard that at four yesterday afternoon, whilst the Queen was driving out, a sort of syncope had come on, and the doctors considered the case so critical, that they thought it right to announce the great danger of the Prince to Her Majesty, and they say she received the news with fortitude and calmness. From this fit he rallied, and he passed a somewhat better night, and this morning the report was that there was some mitigation of the dangerous symptoms. I heard, however, from a very good source that the doctors, and particularly Watson, had the worst opinion of the case.

I called at Stafford House and found that the Duchess had gone to Windsor. At six she returned, having only seen Lady Augusta Bruce, who told her the Queen was calm, but the state of the Prince most critical. Later in the day I saw Clanwilliam, who had heard through Colonel Maude that at Windsor every one considered the case as hopeless. I dined with the Flahaults, and at eleven received a note from the Duchess of Beaufort to tell me that Dudley de Ros had just come back from Windsor, and that the Prince was fast sinking. Lavradio dined with us, and told me the Prince's malady resembled that of the late King of Portugal, and that Prince Albert had been deeply impressed by that event, and was constantly harping upon it during his illness; he, indeed, had been very desponding all along.

At twelve I was at the Club, where a telegram arrived stating that the Prince had expired at a quarter before eleven. Every one present (and the room was full), both young and old, seemed consterné by this event, so unlooked for, and possibly pregnant with such disastrous consequences. I tremble for the Queen.

SOURCE: Alice Countess of Stratford, Leaves from the Diary of Henry Greville: 1857-1861, pp. 416-7

Diary of Henry Greville: Sunday, December 15, 1861

Nothing can equal the consternation produced by this event. This morning Brookfield, who had preached a very fine sermon without any reference to this calamity, said a few words at the end, which were in excellent taste, and were a touching tribute to the character of the Prince. They excited a very deep sensation.

I dined to-night at Flahault's, and was relieved to hear as good a report of the Queen as could possibly be expected. She had passed the night in the room with the body, had been overcome by sleep for two hours, and on awakening had a tremendous burst of grief, succeeded by violent fits of crying. To-day she saw the Duchess of Sutherland, and talked over the whole case with her. She took the Duchess into the room to view the body, and then told her the object of her future life would be to carry out all his views and wishes, that she was determined to exert herself and to fulfil the duties of her position. Ellice was at Flahault's, and said he fully expected she would resume that energy of character which had been so remarkable on her accession, and which after her marriage became absorbed in his. The difficulties of her position were, however, very great. The Prince had taken all trouble from off her hands, and had, in fact, transacted nearly the whole business of the State, and all that of the Court, to the most minute detail. He thought it would be impossible for the Queen to go on without a private secretary, such as Sir Herbert Taylor had been to the two preceding Sovereigns, but such a post should by rights be filled by a Cabinet Minister, and where was he to be found? Sir Herbert Taylor had been tolerated because of the kindness of George III., and suffered to continue with William IV. because of the confidence placed in his high character, although Lord Grey and others had always objected on constitutional grounds to the King having any one about him in so anomalous a position. Lady Augusta Bruce, whom the Queen has adopted since the Duchess of Kent's death, will probably fill the place formerly occupied by Baroness Letzen, but this can only be for her private and domestic affairs. The difficulties, in short, are endless, and meet you at every corner.

The résumé of the President's Message has arrived. He makes no mention of the 'Trent' affair, which may perhaps be considered as a loophole. On the other hand, Congress had passed a resolution of thanks to Commodore Wilkes, and the Navy Department had expressed its emphatic approval of the capture of Mason and Slidell, but stated that Wilkes had displayed too much forbearance in not capturing the 'Trent,' and that lenity must not form a precedent for any similar infraction of neutral obligations by foreign commercial vessels.

This is considered as very warlike news. Ellice expects the Americans will brag to the last, and then give in; that they will return such an answer to our despatch as will require the consideration of our Government; that Lyons will come away, which will at once create such a panic at New York as to make it next to impossible for the Government to get money. This is his idea. Another possible event is the murder of Mason and Slidell by the mob—for when a whole people becomes mad, the course they may pursue is difficult to conjecture.

SOURCE: Alice Countess of Stratford, Leaves from the Diary of Henry Greville: 1857-1861, pp. 417-9

Diary of Henry Greville: Monday, December 16, 1861

The two articles on Prince Albert's death in this day's 'Times' are admirable. The second contains a true and faithful account of all that happened during his last days. I met Lady Ely to-day at Gifford's. She had been at Windsor. The Queen had passed a tolerable night, having been completely exhausted. She had desired that nothing should be said to her about the funeral, and that the Prince of Wales and Duke of Cambridge should settle everything. It is to take place next Monday. King Leopold had telegraphed to recommend that the Queen should be removed from Windsor, partly that she should leave the atmosphere of fever, partly to avoid the preparations for the funeral. The Queen showed some reluctance to leave the Castle, but has determined on going to Osborne on Wednesday. The Duchess of Sutherland offered her Cliveden, and she was at one moment inclined to accept it, but it was thought best she should go to Osborne, where King Leopold is to meet her. As long ago as last Wednesday, Prince Albert, when alone with Princess Alice, asked if the Queen was in the room. She said 'No.' He then told her he knew he was dying, and desired her to write to the Princess Royal to that effect. The Princess quite believed him, and from this moment abandoned all hope. She left the room to write-on her return the Prince asked her what she had written. 'I have told my sister,' she answered, 'that you are very ill.' 'You have done wrong,' he said: 'you should have told her I am dying-yes-I am dying.' The Queen told the Duchess of Sutherland she did not know what she should have done but for Princess Alice. The Prince of Wales had shown much feeling, and threw himself into the Queen's arms, and said she might depend upon his doing all in his power to console and assist her. Granville saw him yester day, and says nothing can be more perfect than his behaviour.

Flahault told me the Emperor had frequently telegraphed for news of the Prince and had sent a message on hearing of his death, full of the most lively expressions of sorrow. Flahault considered this to be quite an European calamity.

The Queen has already begun to act up to her resolution to exert herself and to fulfil the duties of her position, and is to see Palmerston to-day.

Sir Edward Bowater, who accompanied Prince Leopold to Cannes, has died there. Prince Albert had arranged that, if he died or was disabled by illness, Lord Rokeby, who is at Nice, should go to Cannes and take charge of the boy, until Frederick Cavendish¹ could be sent out to replace him.

_______________

¹ Grandson of Lord George Cavendish, who was created first Earl of Burlington.

SOURCE: Alice Countess of Stratford, Leaves from the Diary of Henry Greville: 1857-1861, pp. 419-20

Diary of Henry Greville: Tuesday, December 17, 1861

I called on Lady Palmerston and found her and Lady Jocelyn greatly dejected. Palmerston is very unwell with a bad fit of gout and is unable to go to Windsor, and Ferguson and Lady P. are most anxious he should not attend the funeral. She told me he was deeply affected by this event, that he had ever had the highest opinion of the Prince's character and ability, and he considered him an immense loss to himself personally. The Prince of Wales had written Palmerston a very nice letter, in which he says he had been desired by his mother to tell P. that she was fully aware she had a life of duty before her, and that she would endeavour to fulfil that duty to the best of her ability, but that she considered her worldly career as at an end.

SOURCE: Alice Countess of Stratford, Leaves from the Diary of Henry Greville: 1857-1861, p. 421

Diary of John Hay: October 12, 1861

To-night the President went to Seward's, I with him. At the door a telegram was handed him from McClellan stating that the enemy was before him in force and would probably attack in the morning. “If they attack,” he added, “I shall beat them.” We went to Seward’s and talked of many things. Seward spoke of Lander’s restlessness and griefs at inaction; his offered resignation, and resolve to go West and begin again, — that watching the Potomac was not congenial, and other such. Gen. Scott was already fixing his orders for exactly the work he wanted to do.

Col. Scott came in with despatches from McCl., ordering Hooker’s Bladensburg Brigade in — one countermanding and one reaffirming. Scott then went out to order transportation for 6,000.

G. V. Fox came in and began to talk about the great expedition that is fitting at Annapolis. He wants, when they have sailed, to have 14,000 more men detached from the Army of the Potomac to be held in readiness awaiting the result of the expedition. If it causes a retreat of the rebels, then this additional force can be easily spared. The fleet will probably sail on Tuesday, and will have some work to do at Fernandina, Pensacola, Mobile. Gen'l Scott told Fox that 3,500 men would be enough to take Mobile, assisted by their ships. Fox himself seemed very confident that the expedition would succeed. His only nervousness was in relation to submarine batteries which modern science has rendered very destructive and entirely feasible.

Seward spoke also of Motley’s despatch which seems to contain a most cheering account of honest sympathy existing in the best class of English society towards us. Motley’s letter embraced free and cordial conversations with Earl Russell, Earl Grey, Cobden, Mr. Layard, Prince Albert and the Queen.

There was much talk of Daniel Webster, in which the financial sansouciism of the great man was strikingly prominent. Seward thought he would not live, nor Clay, a tithe as long as J. Q. Adams. The President disagreed with him, and thought Webster will be read forever.

SOURCES: Clara B. Hay, Letters of John Hay and Extracts from Diary, Volume 1, p. 42-4; Tyler Dennett, Lincoln and the Civil War in the Diaries and Letters of John Hay, p. 27-8.

John Lothrop Motley to Anna Lothrop Motley, September 22, 1861

East Sheen, September 22, 1861.

My Dearest Mother: I am writing you a little note again. I can do no more until such time as we shall be settled at Vienna. We came down here last evening to spend Sunday with your old friends Mr. and Mrs. Bates. He is the same excellent, kindly old gentleman he always was, and is as stanch an American and as firm a believer in the ultimate success of our cause as if he had never left Boston.

. . . I have lost no time since I have been in England, for almost every day I have had interesting conversations with men connected with the government or engaged in public affairs.

There will be no foreign interference, certainly none from England, unless we be utterly defeated in our present struggle. We spent a few days with our friends the De Greys in Yorkshire. During my visit I went up to the north of Scotland to pass a couple of days with Lord John Russell at Abergeldie. It is an old Scotch castle, which formerly belonged to a family of Gordon of Abergeldie. The country is wild and pretty about it, with mountains clothed in purple heather all round, the Dee winding its way through a pleasant valley, and the misty heights of Lochnagar, sung by Byron in his younger days, crowning the scene whenever the clouds permit that famous summit to be visible.

I was received with the greatest kindness. There were no visitors at the house, for both Lord and Lady Russell are the most domestic people in the world, and are glad to escape from the great whirl of London society as much as they can. In the afternoons we went with the children out in the woods, making fires, boiling a kettle, and making tea al fresco with water from the Dee, which, by the way, is rather coffee-colored, and ascending hills to get peeps of the prospects.

Most of my time, however, was spent in long and full conversations tete-a-tete with Lord John (it is impossible to call him by his new title of Earl Russell).

The cotton-manufacturers are straining every nerve to supply themselves with cotton from India and other sources. But it seems rather a desperate attempt to break up the Southern monopoly, however galling it is to them.

I can only repeat, everything depends upon ourselves, upon what we do. There are a few papers, like the “Daily News,” the “Star,” and the “Spectator,” which sustain our cause with cordiality, vigor, and talent.

The real secret of the exultation which manifests itself in the “Times” and other organs over our troubles and disasters is their hatred not to America so much as to democracy in England. We shall be let alone long enough for us to put down this mutiny if we are ever going to do it. And I firmly believe it will be done in a reasonable time, and I tell everybody here that the great Republic will rise from the conflict stronger than ever, and will live to plague them many a long year.

. . . We shall probably remain another week in London, for I have not yet seen Lord Palmerston, whom I am most anxious to have some talk with, and he is expected to-morrow in London. While I was stopping with Lord John, the queen sent to intimate that she would be pleased if I would make a visit at Balmoral, which is their Highland home, about one and a half miles from Abergeldie. Accordingly, Lord John went over with me in his carriage. We were received entirely without ceremony by the Prince Consort (we were all dressed in the plainest morning costumes), who conversed very pleasantly with us, and I must say there was never more got out of the weather than we managed to extract from it on this occasion. After we had been talking some twenty minutes the door opened, and her Majesty, in a plain black gown, walked quietly into the room, and I was presented with the least possible ceremony by the Prince Consort. I had never seen her before, but the little photographs in every shop-window of Boston or London give you an exact representation of her.

They are so faithful that I do not feel that I know her appearance now better than I did before. Her voice is very agreeable and her smile pleasant. She received me very politely, said something friendly about my works, and then alluded with interest to the great pleasure which the Prince of Wales had experienced in his visit to America.

The Prince Consort spoke with great animation on the same subject. There is not much more to be said in regard to the interview. I thought that the sending for me was intended as a compliment to the United States, and a mark of respect to one of its representatives.

Most affectionately your son,

J. L. M.

SOURCE: George William Curtis, editor, The Correspondence of John Lothrop Motley in Two Volumes, Library Edition, Volume 2, p. 204-7

The Nashville at Southampton – Tuscarora is Waiting – Interesting News

(From the London Times’ Southampton Correspondent, Jan. 9th, 10th and 11th, and telegrams of the 12th.)

Southampton is in a state of blockade.  The federal screw sloop-of-war Tuscarora is moored at the entrance of the Itchen Creek, just at its confluence with the Southampton water, about a mile from the dock mouth.  She has her fires banked up, and lies with two springs to her cable, ready to slip another and start at a moment’s notice.  The Nashville, which vessel the Tuscarora has come over to take specially under her watchful care and protection, still remains berthed in the dock.  The Tuscarora is armed with nine heavy guns, while the Nashville is stated to have only two guns of somewhat inferior caliber.  As soon as the Tuscarora arrived, Captain Craven communicated with the captain of the frigate Dauntless, which lies off Netley, expressing the regret he felt at hearing of the death of Prince Albert, and asking if there would be any objection to his firing a salute of twenty-one minute guns in respect to his memory.  Capt. Heath replied that in consequence of Her Majesty having requested that no guns should be fired in the vicinity of Osborne, the compliment, which he fully appreciated, could not be accepted.

On Wednesday evening the American Consul went on board the Tuscarora, and it may be presumed, made such arrangements as will render it a matter of impossibility for the Nashville to make her escape.  The Tuscarora, it is said, is to be followed by one or two other ships of the Federal navy, to protect their flag in the English Channel.  With regard to the Nashville there is no doubt that the expected arrival of the Tuscarora, was received by Capt. Pegram some days ago, and every effort has been made to get her ready for sea as expeditiously as possible. – The British Government has observed the strictest neutrality in regard to the repairs, &c., effected in this ship.  Nothing has been done but what was absolutely necessary to make her sea worthy, and such repairs only have been executed as are always permitted, as an act of humanity, to any vessel in distress.  In proof of this, it may be mentioned that the shipwright who is engaged to repair her, attempting to put in some heavy pieces of oak to strengthen the decks, to enable her to carry guns, the Government authorities absolutely refused their permission for the timber to go on board, and it still lies on the deck quay.  She has not been allowed to ship any powder, a small quantity which was on board when she arrived here, and which was permitted to be removed to shore, has been reshipped.  No guns or munitions of war have been put on board, and, in fact, has been allowed to be executed but ordinary repairs.  The Tuscarora requires only coals, water and provisions, which are being supplied her.

A telegram, dated Southampton, Friday, says:  “Three armed men and an officer from the Federal corvette Tuscarora were found last Tuesday night in the docks, watching the Southern privateer Nashville.  They were discovered by the Dock Superintendent close at Nashville’s bows.  They had dark lanterns and combustibles for the purpose of signaling the Tuscarora should the Nashville attempt to leave the docks.  The dock Superintendent stated that the docks were private property, that they had no right there for such a purpose and insisted on their leaving immediately, which they eventually did.

The Nashville is now getting up steam to leave the docks and to anchor near the Tuscarora.  The Confederate war steamer Sumter is expected here.  She has seven guns and one hundred and forty men.”  Another telegram dated 10 A. M. yesterday, says:  “A boat has just left the Tuscarora, and came on afterwards the docks, as if reconnoitering.  The Nashville was getting steam up.  The boat returned to the Tuscarora.”

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, February 8, 1862, p. 2

Five Days Later From Europe

FT. DOENLSON NEWS IN ENGLAND.

How it was Received -- American Securities Higher -- Cotton Lower.

PORTLAND, March 19. – The steamship Anglo Saxon, Capt. John Graham, from Liverpool on the 6th, via Londonderry, arrived here this morning.  Her dates are five days later.

GREAT BRITAIN. – The importance of the Federal victory at Fort Donelson was generally recognized in England, causing an advance in American securities and a depression in cotton.

The London Times admits the success of the Federals and their importance, and says, “they have been gained in districts where the allegiance of the population was divided, but they have scarcely brought the Federal Government any nearer than before to a reconstruction of the Union.”

The London Morning Post hopes that both the Unionists and the secessionists will look upon the present state of affairs an affording ground for a compromise of their difficulties, and the conquest of the south is beyond the attainment of the North, on the one hand, and the complete establishment of their independence on the other, may be beyond the power of the South.

Cyrus W. Field had an interview with Earl Russell recently, in regard to connecting Europe and America by a cable from Iceland to Newfoundland.  The interview is understood to have been satisfactory and encouraging.  The annual meeting of the Atlantic Telegraph Company was to be held in London on the 19th of March, to receive the report of the Board of Directors.

Great excitement and violence attended the election of the member of Parliament for Longport, Ireland.  The military were called out and charged upon the rioters several times.  No lives were lost, but many persons were injured.

Sir Henry and Edward Mugridge, extensive iron manufactures in England, had failed.  Liabilities, £5,520,000.  It was feared their assets would turn out unsatisfactory.  The continuous fall in breadstuffs is alleged to have been the cause of their failure.

The Paris correspondents of the London newspapers give reports that many hundreds of arrests had taken place there.  All men suspected of having been chiefs of barricades in former insurrections have been imprisoned.  These measures had increased the uneasy feelings prevailing.  Bourse on the 5th flat and lower.  Rentes quoted 69 70c.

The emperor has sent a quarter of a million francs out of his own private purse to be distributed among the workmen at great industrial centers.

Brazil mails have reached England.  Buenos Ayers was quiet, and peace was expected to be fully restored by the end of February.  The probability of a war between England and America restricted operations in produce at Brazil. – Business in Coffee was limited, owing to extreme prices, which had advanced to 69½@71.

The following is a summary of the news taken out by the Glasgow:  There was no news of the City of Baltimore when the Glasgow left Liverpool.  She was a week overdue.

Mr. Layard stated in the House of Commons, in reply to enquiries, that an officer of the Sumter named Myers, accompanied by a Mr. Tompkins, of Cadiz, had landed at Tangiers from a French merchant vessel, and were arrested by the United States Consul, who requested the assistance of the Moorish troops for this purpose, but he (Layard) was not aware that any pressure had been put on the Moorish Government.  Myers and Thompson have since been released.

Lord Palmerston, in response to enquiries, said the Government originally intended sending a much larger force to Canada than that dispatched, and it was only in consequence of representations from the Colonial authorities that the number was reduced.  He believed the promptitutde, vigor, and power displayed by the Government had tended greatly to a peaceful solution of the difficulty with America.  The total number of the British army is 227,000, and of these over 24,000 are in the American possessions.  The House of Commons has adopted a resolution declaring that the colonies exercising the right of self-government ought to undertake the responsibility of providing for their own internal security.  Mr. Halliburton protested against the resolution as ill-timed.

The steamer Bermuda left Liverpool on the 1st inst. for Bermuda.  She had a large general cargo, including a considerable quantity of merchandise under the designation of hardware.  It is believed her cargo was destined for the Southern ports.

It was stated that Mr. Peabody had offered if the funds collected for the Prince Albert memorial should be devoted to a charitable institution, to give £100,000 towards it, or failing in this, that he had determined to spend the sum in building houses for the working classes of London.  Mr. Peabody quits England for a time with a fortune of £60,000 per annum.

It is reported that Smith O’Brein had challenged Sir Robert Peel, offering to meet him in France or Belgium.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 22, 1862, p. 3

Ex-President Buchanan . . .

. . . according to a Washington letter-writer, took with him from the White House the pictures of Queen Victoria, Prince Albert, and other member of the royal family Presented to the President by the Prince of Wales.

– Published in the Times Weekly, Dubuque, Iowa, Thursday, January 2, 1862, p. 1