634 LOUIS AGASSIZ. 



Charles Sumner, and his answer, written on 

 the Rio Negro, gives some idea of the condi- 

 tions under which he traveled, and of the re- 

 sults he had obtained. As the letters explain 

 each other, both are given here. 



FROM CHARLES SUMNER. 



Washington, March 20, 1865. 



My dear Agassiz, — It is a beautiful ex- 

 pedition that you are about to commence, — 

 in contrast with the deeds of war. And yet 

 you are going forth to conquer new realms, 

 and bring them under a sway they have not 

 yet known. But science is peaceful and blood- 

 less in her conquests. May you return victo- 

 rious ! I am sure you will. Of course you 

 will see the Emperor of Brazil, whose enlight- 

 ened character is one of the happy accidents 

 of government. . . . You are a naturalist ; 

 but you are a patriot also. If you can take 

 advantage of the opportunities which you will 

 surely enjoy, and plead for our country, to the 

 end that its rights may be understood, and the 

 hardships it has been obliged to endure may 

 be appreciated, you will render a service to the 

 cause of international peace and good-will. 



You are to have great enjoyment. I imag- 

 ine you already very happy in the scenes be- 



