Before this communication could reach England Russell had thoroughly awakened to the seriousness of the American situation in relation to British foreign trade.  On March 9, writing privately to Lyons, he stated, “I hope you are getting on well with the new President.  If he blockades the Southern ports we shall be in a difficulty.  But according to all American doctrine it must be an actual blockade kept up by an efficient force[92].”  Thus, before any act had really occurred in America, the matter of a blockade was occupying the attention of British statesmen.  One difficulty at the time was that there was no one in England qualified to speak for the new administration at Washington.  Dallas, the American Minister appointed under the Buchanan administration, while, unlike some other diplomatic representatives abroad, faithful to the cause of the United States, was nevertheless not wholly trusted by Lincoln or by Seward, and was thus handicapped in representing to Russell American conditions or intentions.  Indeed he had very little communication with Russell.  Adams’ nomination to England was known to Lyons on March 20, for on that day he telegraphed to Russell, “Mr. Charles Francis Adams, of Massachusetts, is appointed Minister in London.  I think it a very good appointment[93].”  This news was received in London on April 2, but over six weeks were yet to elapse before Adams reached his post.  The appointment of Adams, however, seemed to Lyons a matter of congratulation in his hope that no vicious anti-British policy would be indulged in by Seward.  Ten days after his telegram, he wrote at length to Russell, making an excellent statement and analysis in regard to the character of Adams.

“Mr. Adams is son of John Quincy Adams, the fifth P. of the U.S., and grandson of John Adams, the second P. The grandfather was the first Am. minister in England.  The father was one of the Plenipotentiaries who signed in London the Convention of the 3rd July, 1815.  Mr. Adams as a member of the H. of R. for one of the districts of Mass., acted with the less violent section of the ‘Republican’ Party.  During the last session of Congress he made a very remarkable speech on the state of the Union, denying the reasonableness of the complaints of the Southern States, but stating his desire that every concession not inconsistent with honour and principle should be made to them.  He is considered to be a man of great independence of character, and has the reputation of being very tenacious of his own opinions.  In manner he is quiet and unassuming.  He is a man of good fortune.  Mrs. Adams comes of a considerable family in Mass., of the name of Brooks.  The late wife of Mr. Edward Everett, who, as your L. is aware, has held the offices of Minister in London and Secretary of State, was her sister[94].”

Similar characterizations were being forwarded at almost the same time by Bunch in regard to the Southern Commissioners, now being despatched to London, but