Chapter III: Outbreak of CIVIL War--The 'trent' Case

1860-1861

Crisis caused by election of President Lincoln--Mr. Seward as
Secretary of State: his threatening language--Capture of Fort
Sumter--Desirability of England and France acting in conjunction--Danger
of an attack upon Canada--Growth of ill-feeling
towards England--Effect of battle of Bull's Run--Mr. Seward
on the essential difference between American policy and that
of Foreign Nations--Seizure of a Foreign Office bag--British
Consuls and the Confederate Government--The Trent incident:
seizure of Messrs. Mason and Slidell--Lord Lyons's decision to
maintain complete reserve--H.M. Government urged to provide
for defence of Canada--Attitude of American public--Instructions
of Her Majesty's Government--Mr. Seward's reception of
the despatch--Liberation of Messrs. Mason and Slidell--Lord
Lyons's consideration acknowledged by Mr. Seward--Advantage
of occasional silence 29