the loyal Americans now
in England, to the number of several hundred, assembled at St. James
Hall to dinner. The Hon. Robert J. Walker presided, assisted by Hon.
Freeman H. Morse (our Consul here), and Girard Ralston, Esq. On the
right of Mr. Walker sat the American Minister, Mr. Adams, and on the
left, George Thompson, Esq., late M. P. from London. After the reading
of the proclamation, the prayer, and the hymn, Mr. Walker addressed the
company as follows:

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN: By the request of my countrymen, I shall
preface the toasts prepared for the occasion, by a few introductory
remarks. This day has been set apart by the President of the United
States for thanksgiving to Almighty God for all the blessings which he
has vouchsafed to us as a people. Among these are abundant crops, great
prosperity in all our industrial pursuits, and a vast addition, even
during the war, to our material wealth. Our finances have been conducted
with great ability and success by the Secretary of the Treasury, Mr.
Chase, who has also succeeded in giving us, for the first time in our
history, a uniform national currency, which, as a bond of union, and as
an addition to our wealth and resources, is nearly equal to all the
expenses of the great contest. During the present year, nearly
400,000,000 of dollars of the six per cent. stock of the United States
has been taken at home, at or above par; whilst, within the last few
months, European capitalists, unsolicited by us, are making large
investments in the securities of the Union. But, above all, we have to
thank God for those great victories in the field, which are bringing
this great contest to a successful conclusion.

This rebellion is indeed the most stupendous in history. It absorbs the
attention and affects the political institutions and material interests
of the world. The armies engaged exceed those of Napoleon. Death never
had such a carnival, and each week consumes millions of treasure. Great
is the sacrifice, but the cause is peerless and sublime. (_Cheers._) If
God has placed us in the van of the great contest for the rights and
liberties of man, if he has assigned us the post of danger and of
suffering, it is that of unfading glory and imperishable renown. (_Loud
cheers._) The question with us, which is so misunderstood here, is that
of national unity (_hear, hear_), which is the vital element of our
existence; and any settlement which does not secure this with the enti