nations-it was a family quarrel; and there was no way of settlement. Every honorable effort was made on the part of the North to avoid war. We know as a people-though, perhaps, it is not generally known-at all events, it is not generally spoken of-that our martyred President, when he saw that conflict was inevitable, pro

posed to the South that they should be

paid for their slaves if they would surrender them, and come back

this they refused, and the result was, as you all know, the loss of that species of property without compensation."

General Grant's visit to Leamington, Stratford-onAvon, and the midland counties, was succeeded by a visit to his daughter at Southampton. Here a few

days were spent in retirement and repose, and on the 10th of October the General redeemed his promise to pay a visit to Birmingham. On arriving, he was received by the Mayor, Alderman Baker, and the member of Parliament, Mr. Chamberlain, and driven to the Town Hall, where addresses were presented by the corporation, the workingmen, and the Midland International Arbitration Union. A dais had been erected in front of the orchestra, covered with crimson cloth, decorated with shrubs and flowers, and surmounted by the union jack and the American flag. The General, accompanied by the Mayor and Mr. Chamberlain, entered the hall at half-past three, and were received with much enthusiastic cheering. The Mayor, in his speech of welcome, alluded to the interest Birmingham felt in the United States-how much it watched American growth and progress, not only in fair-weather times, but in the darker periods of the American war. In doing so, Birmingham

had only followed the leadership of that great man, John Bright. During the period of America's existence-a century since the Declaration of Independence-Birmingham had grown from a village to a great town, and in fifty years had trebled its population. The address was read, and in response, the General said: "Mr. Mayor, ladies, and gentlemen: It is with great pleasure that I find myself in Birmingham, a city that was so well known in my own country during the trying periods that have been referred to. The name of the distinguished gentleman who has represented you for so long, is as familiar almost in my own country as it is in his own home, and I can promise that if it should ever be his good pleasure to visit the United Statesand I hope it will-he will receive as hearty a welcome as it has been my privilege and pleasure to receive at the hands of the English communities I have been among. Your city and

its growth are also somewhat familiar to us. The connection between this city and the United States has been as intimate almost as that with any other city of the same population in the kingdom; and there is a warm feeling of fellowship between our citizens and the citizens of Birmingham. As I have had occasion so repeatedly to express my views on the importance of this subject, I need scarcely say anything more than to thank you, Mr. Mayor, and the citizens of Birmingham, for the kind reception I have received at your hands, and to apologize to you for having kept you waiting here so long."

An address was also presented on behalf of the industrial classes of Birmingham, by Geo. Hanson, Esq. This address congratulated America on the abolition of slavery, and upon having established arbitration as a principle of international peace. In response to this address, General Grant said:

"WORKINGMEN OF BIRMINGHAM: I have just heard your address with great interest. I have had occasion twice before, I believe, since I have been in England, to receive addresses from the workingmen of Great Britain—once in London and once in Newcastle-on-Tyne. In my response, on both occasions, I expressed what I thought was due to the workingmen, not only of my country and of Great Britain, but to the workingmen all over the world. I said that we in our country strove to make labor respectable. There is no class of labor that