Document ID = FD_3_1_0185
London, June 9, 1849.
My Dear Friend:ー
I have written two letters which I hope you received, and since their departure, public affairs continue in the same state of disquietude.
Europe appears to be an Aceldema. ー The Russian despot is pouring his Cossacks into Austria and Hungary to aid the repudiated Hapsburgh, in recovering the latter country, from which he has been driven by the heroic Magyars.
The achievements of the Hungarians have astonished and affrighted the absolutists of every nation.
The Romans maintain their position, and the glory of their ancestors. They have repulsed the Gallic cock and the Maccaroni, as they express it.
Sicily and Tuscany have not been so happy, and a murderous' revenge has immolated hecatombs of victims.
The Dane and German still snarl and fight over the Schleswick Holstein bone.
Berlin coquettes with Frankfort, but the Prussian Monarch prefers being a King by "Divine right," to an Emperor by the people's choice, and he looked smilingly upon his soldiers as they passed his Palace with wreaths dangling from their bayonets. Was it remorse for slaughtering the citizens of Dresden, that caused the laurel to be placed on the bayonet instead of the brow?
Poor Bologna! noble city, what barbarians must be Radetski's hordes, to batter down with balls and shells thy magnificent streets and edifices, and to pour among its patriotic citizens a murderous discharge of grape. Little did I dream of this when I sauntered beneath thy fine Piazzas, gazed upon thy lofty towers, and mediated among the gorgeous tombs of thy magnificent cemetery.
Beautiful Italy! thy retribution day will come anon, thy wrongs must afflict the hearts of every real lover of freedom, political and religious.
The Pope remains in Gaeta, watching the doings of his meddling friends. What a spectacle! the prostrate Pontiff lifted to his throne on the points of French, Austrian, Spanish and Neapolitan bayonets! ー well, he is so far a consistent successor of St. Peter who also drew the sword. But what said his divine master? "Put up thy sword, for he who uses the sword shall perish by the sword." and peradventure this may be the end of Pio Nono.
The conduct of the French government in sending anarchy into the Roman States is inexplicable, and so are the proceedings of their General Oudinot. The newly chosen legislative assembly which met yesterday, excites much solicitude. The large infusion of ultra democratism, socialism and communism fills the reactionist calculators with dismay.
What will be the character of the new ministry? is the general inquiry. If Marshal Bugeaud be Minister of War, Rome will be bombarded, indeed the movements of the French troops indicate an approaching crisis. But he that
"Moves in a mysterious way,
And rides upon the storm,"
will direct all these complicated machinations for the accomplishment of His purposes, although the restoration of the Papal sway, and the elevation of the "Man of Sin" may contradict man's short sighted calculations.
The "
emeute
" with loss of life in New-York is a sad and discreditable occurrence; an ungenerous requital for the British patronage, not only of many theatrical performers, but numerous American exhibitions from Tom Thumb, to the rival Artists in Mississippi scenery.
The events that more directly concern Great Britain, are the "
emeute
" in Canada and the annexation of the Punjaub to our already unwieldy Indian Empire.
It would not be an astonishing transaction, if our example of annexation in the East, were to be followed by an imitative act of the United States in the West. The gain of the Panjaub on the credit side of our Dominion account with the loss of Canada on the debit, would leave an ugly balance on the wrong side.
After a fierce combat, the repeal of the navigation laws has been carried, by which the whig holding of office has been prolonged. So urgent was their need, that Lord Clarendon was summoned from Dublin and Lord Normanby from Paris, to give their votes in the House of Lords among the contents; as Proxies are disallowed when the House is in Committee.
The Clergy relief bill, and the Jew relief bill, are both on their way to the Lords.
Against the former, Mr. Baptist Noel protests, which gentlemen is now preaching in the Chapels of different communions to throngs of admirers.
Mr. Shore demurs to obtaining his discharge from prison by the payment of costs. So that he and the Committee are at issue.
The outrage against the Queen by an Irish ruffian caused a momentary sensation, which was soon lulled when it became known that no ball was in the pistol.
I am gladdened by observing that the anti-slavery leaven is producing fermentation throughout the American Union.
At the end of "the Annual Register of the Baptist Denomination in North America," for 1790, in my possession, is the following reprehension. Signed, John Aspland, Moderator.
"Keeping our fellow creatures in bondage, who have as good a right as we, both to civil and religious liberty. Not only so; but mis-using them concerning the common blessings; which certainly is a violation of the rights of nature and inconsistent with a Republican government."
The summary of the number of Baptists in North America, gives for the year 1790.
867 Churches,
1,156 Ministers,
65,233 Members in communion.
How marvellously they have augmented during these 60 years which have elapsed.
The observance of this anniversary of the 29th of May, is falling into dissuetude; one among many other proofs of the growing intelligence and right feelings of the age.
What unbiassed Englishman who compares Cromwell with the second Charles Stuart, and the condition of England under their respective governments will hesitate in his decision as to which of the twain his country has most reason to be proud of? It was curious to see the Protectionist Tories eulogising the sagacity and patiotism of Cromwell as the author of the navigation laws.
E. B.
P.S. ー I have just heard of the decease of two rather public characters ー the Duke of St. Albans, and Sir Edward Knatchbull.
E. B.Burritt, Elihu

Elihu Burritt (1810—79), the “learned blacksmith,” taught himself several languages and various sciences while working in a smithy. Born into poverty in New Britain, Connecticut, Burritt made a career of advocating pacifism, temperance, cheap international postage, and abolitionism. A tireless champion of world peace, Burritt joined the American Peace Society in the early 18403 and in 1846 went to England, where he formed the League of Universal Brotherhood, disseminated peace propaganda through his “Olive Leaf Mission,” and helped organize two international peace congresses. Opposed to the American Civil War because of his pacifism, Burritt determined to undermine slavery by boycotting slave-grown produce, and he later urged schemes for compensated emancipation. During his career he edited several reform newspapers, the most notable being the Christian Citizen (1844—51). Elihu Burritt, The Learned Blacksmith: The Letters and Journals of Elihu Burritt, ed. Merle E. Curti (New York, 1937); Peter Tolis, Elihu Burritt, Crusader for Brotherhood (Hamden, Conn., 1968); Shepperson, “Free Church and American Slavery,” 133; DAB, 3:328.