As will have been noted, Lyons had foreseen the American decision against Bunch on purely personal grounds, had been relieved that this would be the issue, and had fore-warned Russell.  His despatch just cited may be regarded as a suggestion of the proper British refutation of charges, but with acceptance of the American decision.  Nevertheless he wrote gloomily on the same day of future relations with the United States[381].  At the same time Russell, also foreseeing Seward’s action, was not disturbed.  He thought it still “not off the cards that the Southern Confederates may return to the Union....  Our conduct must be strictly neutral, and it will be[382].”  Upon receipt of Lyons’ despatch and letter of October 28 Russell wrote to Palmerston, “I do not attach much importance to this letter of Lyons.  It is the business of Seward to feed the mob with sacrifices every day, and we happen to be the most grateful food he can offer[383].”  For Russell saw clearly that Great Britain could not object to the removal of Bunch on the purely personal grounds alleged by Seward.  There followed in due course the formal notification by Adams on November 21, just six days before he learned of the Trent affair, which had occurred on November 8.  That alarming incident no doubt coloured the later communications of both parties, for while both Adams and Russell indulged in several lengthy argumentative papers, such as are dear to the hearts of lawyers and diplomats, the only point of possible further dispute was on the claim of Great Britain that future occasions might arise where, in defence of British interests, it would be absolutely necessary to communicate with the Confederacy.  Adams acknowledged a British duty to protect its citizens, but reasserted the American right to dismiss any British agent who should act as Bunch had done.  On December 9, Russell closed the matter by stating that he did “not perceive that any advantage would be obtained by the continuance of this correspondence[384].”  Bunch was expected to leave Charleston as soon as a safe conveyance could be provided for him, but this was not immediately forthcoming.  In fact he remained at Charleston until February, 1863, actively engaged, but official papers were signed by his vice-consul.  In the excitement over the Trent, he seems rapidly to have disappeared from the official as he did from the public horizon[385].

The Bunch controversy, seemingly of no great importance in so far as the alleged personal grounds of complaint are concerned, had its real significance in the effort of Great Britain to make contact with the Southern Government—­an effort incautiously entered upon, and from which an attempt to withdraw had come too late.  The result was British assertion of a right in case of necessity to make such contact, having recognized the South as a belligerent, but a discontinuance of the practice, under the American protest[386].  While this controversy was in progress