Page:A Life of Matthew Fontaine Maury.pdf/229

Rh While in England Maury carried the olive branch in one hand and the sword in the other; for he did not cease to cry aloud and make his voice heard on the side of peace, or at least for an amelioration of the horrors of war.

He assisted in organizing a society "for the Promotion of the Cessation of Hostilities in America," which had its office at 215 Regent Street, London, and which numbered among its officers and members, leading men of the army, navy, state, and church.

They drew up the following petition (for the promotion of peace in America), to the people of the United States; but their voice was not listened to, and the bloody strife went on.

"Greeting:

"We are of the same race, and many of you are our brothers. Can we not, therefore, come to you as peacemakers, and address you as friends? We would ask you, has there not been of strife and bloodshed, and misery and suffering enough; and is it not time to cease the cruel War in which you are engaged? We believe there is not a Christian man or woman amongst us whose heart does not respond affirmatively to this question. With this conviction we wish to speak to you as plain men, using plain language. We have admired your free institutions, and have gladly witnessed your rise as a people to eminence in wealth and political power. You are of the Saxon blood, and we hoped that you would make the New World renowned for true greatness. You promised to become one mighty people and