(Lutz, _Notes_.)] [Footnote 974: Lyons Papers.

To Lyons, Dec.

20, 1862.] [Footnote 975: I am aware that Seward's use of the "Privateering Bill," now to be recounted is largely a new interpretation of the play of diplomacy in regard to the question of Southern ship-building in England.

Its significance became evident only when British correspondence was available; but that correspondence and a careful comparison of dates permits, and, as I think, requires a revised statement of the incident of the Laird Rams.] [Footnote 976: Bullock dreamed also of ascending rivers and laying Northern cities under contribution.

According to a statement made in 1898 by Captain Page, assigned to command the rams, no instructions as to their use had been given him by the Confederate Government, but his plans were solely to break the blockade with no thought of attacking Northern cities.