December 14. The English Cabinet, on hearing of the seizure of Mason and Slidell from the mail steamer “Trent,” forbade the export of saltpetre and lead, ordered arms sent to Canada, put several vessels in commission, and sent secret orders to their ambassador, Lord Lyons, as the newspapers state...

= December 13. The rebel steamer “Nashville” is lying at Southampton waiting to be repaired. She burned on her way out the American ship “Harvey Birch,” in ballast, and brought the crew in irons to England. She has no letters of marque and I believe is not a national vessel, though Pegram, the...

July 22. We went on board the old frigate “Constitution.” About ten feet are said to remain of the original vessel which took the “Guerrière” in the War of 1812. Whilst on board we were alarmed at the report of the complete overthrow of McDowell’s army at Bull Run near Manassas Gap. The fight...

April 9, 12, 13, and 14. Mr. Appleton and Mr. Amory decided to go to Charleston and see for themselves the true condition of affairs. They embarked on the steamer “Nashville.” On the twelfth Sumter was attacked by the rebels, and after fighting thirty hours without much damage on either side...

January. The “Star of the West,” carrying supplies to Major Anderson, was fired into and driven away. Louisiana has seized the United States forts. The President seems at last to have decided to use stronger means and the sloop of war “Brooklyn” has been ordered to Charleston. Senator Seward*...

Since the recpt of yours conveying to us the sad news of the loss of your little innocent, I have been much hindered and so have not replied as soon as I desired to do, but I am consoled in the disappointment by the reflection that nothing that I could say, could in any wise strengthen the calm...

I believe, my dear Virginia, that no one has written to you since Mr Gorham left Boston, and to-day being rainy (as every day has been for the last fortnight, and will be for the next three months) I shall try to get through a few lines if it only be to say that we have received Havana dates...

I have been long owing you a letter dear Sister but the state of my family has been such this winter that I have not had a moment to do any thing that I wished, and as for writing I believe I have not written three letters since I left Albemarle although two marriages have taken place in the...

We have been such bad correspondents lately dear Ellen that I do not know whether any one but Virginia has written to you since George recieved his sailing orders, and she does not recollect whether she mentioned in it or not in her letter to you. poor fellow I parted with him the night before...

I am ashamed to have kept your letter 3 weeks unanswered dearest Ellen but it requires some time for me to get settled and to learn to do any thing in a family of such unweildy dimensions and where 6 of them are small enough with Jane’s management or rather want of management to cry & make a...