Our Secretary of the Navy wrote to Wilkes his congratulations, Congress voted its thanks to him, governors and judges laureled him with oratory at banquets, he was feasted with meat and drink all over the place, and, though his years were sixty-three, ardent females probably rushed forth from throngs and kissed him with the purest intentions: heroes have no age.

But presently the Trent arrived in England, and the British lion was aroused.

We had violated international law, and insulted the British flag.

Palmerston wrote us a letter--or Russell, I forget which wrote it--a letter that would have left us no choice but to fight.

But Queen Victoria had to sign it before it went.