he limits of the strictest
legality, the right of search cannot fail to produce a feeling of
annoyance. The recent search of the _Jules et Marie_, the yards of which
were carried away and the barricadings driven in, seems to me the
faithful type of all visits of search on the high seas--every one of
them brings damages in its train.

Notwithstanding, the right of search is disputed by no one, and will be
exercised in time of war, until the moment when the American
proposition, reproduced again the other day by General Scott, shall be
welcomed by our Old World.

I have just written the name of General Scott, and I did so with a
feeling of pleasure. Whoever has read his letter, must have said to
himself with me, that there exists in the United States a class of
intelligent and moderate men--patriots, who have given proof of their
capacity and are capable of examining dispassionately the demands of the
English Government. These men know how much the maintenance of friendly
relations with England is worth in the present position of America.
Whatever opinion they may form on the question of right growing out of
the action of Captain Wilkes, they comprehend that no consideration can
weigh in the balance against the danger of bringing about the
recognition of the Southern Confederacy, the breaking of the blockade,
war, in short, with a powerful and friendly nation, a sister nation,
sprung from the same blood, speaking the same language, devoted to the
same mission of civilization and liberty. No honorable sacrifice would
cost them too dear in order to avert this fearful catastrophe.

Would that they could see with their own eyes, were it but for a moment,
what is passing to-day in Europe! Their enemies triumph, and their
friends are struck with consternation. We, who have always loved
America, and who love her better now that she is suffering for a noble
cause; we who have defended her, we who have never ceased to believe in
her final success, despite mistakes and repulses, feel all our hopes
threatened at once; the ground seems sinking beneath our feet. No, we
cannot suppose that America, in recklessness of heart, will destroy with
her own hands the fruit of so many efforts and sacrifices. This would
not be patriotism, it would not be dignity, it would be an act of
madness and suicide.

If the _Trent_ has violated the rules of neutrality, it remains none the
less certain that other rules have been violated by the _San Jac