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