Potts.] lib lAprillO, 



italists who have backed the South by making labor scarce and dear here- 

 after. 



"Yours very Sincere]}'', 



"John Bright. 

 "T. H. Dudley, Esq., U. S. Consulate, 

 Liverpool." 



" [P. S.] I wish I could get a copy of your Eomestead Bill. 1 do not 

 know what it is." 



In an eloquent speech delivered at Birmingham, January 26, 1864, on 

 "The Distribution of Land," recommending emigration to America, 

 Mr. Bright speaks in detail of the Homestead Act, which came into 

 operation 1st January, 1863, and says : "I have a copy of the Act here, 

 and the circular, which was issued from the Department of State, giving 

 direction as to how the Act should be worked throughout the Union " (p. 

 355, Rogers' Ed. oi Bright' s Speeches, 1868). 



" Rochdale, April 27, '63. 



" 3Iy Dear Sir : — Thank you for the Homestead Bill, &c. The Docu- 

 ments are very interesting. 



" The Charleston business is bad as was to be expected. It appears to 

 me that half a dozen people in your Govt, do as they like — trying to 

 do too much and failing almost in all. If the Iron clads had been on the 

 great river, perhaps tliey might have cleared it by this time — whereas 

 neither one thing nor tlie other is done — I am afraid Banks is not up to 

 his work at New Orleans — the whole power of the South is evidently in 

 arms, all its force is given up to the war and therefore the contest is 

 doubtful. 



"The speeches of Palmerston and the Solicitor General have given 

 offense — naturally enough — I hope the seizure of the Alexandra will im- 

 prove the tone in the States. In the debate on Friday last, the Govt, 

 were mild enough, and Mr, Cobden's speech was excellent. It must do 

 much good here. 



"I am sorry for your ' heart sickness ' — perhaps the clouds will break. 



"I am always in trouble for your country — and whilst the contest lasts, 

 I seem able to thiulc of nothing else. 



"Yours very Sincerely, 



"John Bright. 

 "Thos. H. Dudley, Esq., U. S. Consulate, 

 Liverpool." 



"Rochdale, July 0, '63. 



"Bear Sir : — I am not likely to be in town for some days — but I have 

 sent your note and the extracts to Mr. Cobden and have urged him to see 



