It was arranged between Mrs Adams and Mrs Sturgis to leave the two children for a few days in company with hers, whilst we ourselves returned to London. Beautiful as the place is, and hospitable as our hosts were I was glad to leave it. It seemed to me as if the prosperity looked hollow, and every good hearted friend had in store for him much more of trial than he either foresees or deserves. I hope my feelings were not prophetic. But he is carrying too many sails to across the fickle winded ocean of life. We were driven to the station at Weybridge, and from thence returned safely to London. I drove first to the bankers to get some money, and hearing there that Edward Brooks was going off to Paris we stopped at Maurigy’s to see them. He had gone up to my house, so we sat and talked with his Wife awaiting his return. In a short time he came, but with225 such an account of my being needed at home that we bid them a hasty adieu, and hurried to the house. Here I found the contents of the despatch bag awaiting me, and visitors besides. Mr Motley who has arrived in the Steamer and a captain Schulte who has come a special messenger of the Department to me. After getting rid of them I set to work to read my letters. They were of more interest than usual. It seems that the government has intercepted a Mr Mure, professing to be charged with despatches from the British consul at Charleston to the government here but really the bearer of communications to the southern emissaries here, which have fallen into our hands. It is made pretty clear that both the British and French consuls are in league with the rebels, so that the difficult duty devolves on me to explain the reasons for the seizure of the British dispatches fortunately intact in a bag by themselves, as well as to restore it, and then to demand a censure and the removal of the consul. All this demanded the immediate preparation of notes which occupied me the rest of the day. Mr Motley dined with us, and gave us the latest intelligence from home. It appears that there has been another alarm for the safety of Washington, which he thinks is needless. On the whole he is more encouraging than my private letters which are a little dull. He is obviously much elated with his appointment. I am glad he has got it.