514 LETTERS TO DARWIN AND OTHERS. [1863, 
of what it was incumbent on the government to do ; 
and nothing can be more satisfactory than the views 
now taken; and the effect here is excellent. For we 
are sure that when the right notions once get a lodg- 
ment, as they have, England will faithfully carry them 
through. Lawyers whom I knew here were confident 
how the law would ultimately be laid down by your 
courts ; but we greatly feared it would be done only 
after a few more such vessels had got to sea. All 
will go well now. 
The newspaper I occasionally send you is a fair 
specimen of the influential part of the press here. 
Such articles as the “Times” likes to cite have far 
less effect here than you suppose in the determination 
of events. 
TO GEORGE ENGELMANN. 
CAMBRIDGE, December 11, 1863. 
My pear ENGELMANN, — Our good old friend Von 
Martius writes me that on the 30th March next, he 
will reach his fiftieth anniversary of his doctorate. I 
dare say his friends will commemorate it in Germany. 
It occurs to me that it would be a good idea for some 
of us, his friends and correspondents, to compliment 
him upon the occasion. Suppose you draw up in Ger- 
man a letter of congratulation, etc., to be signed by 
yourself, Torrey, Sullivant, ete., and forward about 
the proper time. Send me, with your German circu- 
lar letter to Martius, a translation in English... . 
Yes, I will let you work at botany when I guard 
you. Your botanical work is far better than your 
politics. But you must swear the President’s oath, 
Proclamation and all !! 
1 Dr. Gray enlisted and drilled with a company raised for service in 
husetts, 
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