A better understanding of Seward had come, somewhat slowly, to British diplomats, but since his action in the _Trent_ affair former suspicion had steadily waned; his "high tone" being regarded as for home consumption, until now there was both belief in Seward's basic friendliness and respect for his abilities.
Thus Russell's ambitious mediation projects having finally dwindled to a polite refusal of the French offer to join in a mere suggestion of armistice left no open sores in the British relations with America.

The projects were unknown; the refusal seemed final to Seward and was indeed destined to prove so.

But of this there was no clear conception in the British Cabinet.

Hardly anyone yet believed that reconquest of the South was even a remote possibility and this foretold that the day must some time come when European recognition would have to be given the Confederacy.

It is this unanimity of opinion on the ultimate result of the war in America that should always be kept in mind in judging the attitude of British Government and people in the fall of 1862.