America, he said, had steadily been preparing for such a contingency not with any desire for it but that she might not be caught napping[1119].

This was written as if merely an interesting general speculation and was accompanied by the assurance, "I don't think the Government here at all desires to pick a quarrel with us or with any European Power--but the better prepared it is, the less manageable it will be[1120]." Nevertheless, Lyons' concern over Russell's motion of withdrawing belligerent rights to the North was great, and his representations presumably had effect, for no more was heard of the matter.

Russell relieved Lyons' mind by writing, November 21: "I hope you continue to go on quietly with Seward.

I think this is better than any violent demonstrations of friendship which might turn sour like beer if there should be a thunder-storm.
"But I am more and more persuaded that amongst the Powers with whose Ministers I pass my time there is none with whom our relations ought to be so frank and cordial as the United States[1121]." If relations with the North were now to be so "frank and cordial," there was, indeed, little remaining hope possible to English friends of the South.

Bright wrote to Sumner: "Neutrality is agreed upon by all, and I hope a more fair and friendly neutrality than we have seen during the past two years[1122]." George Thompson, at Exeter Hall, lauding Henry Ward Beecher for his speech there, commented on the many crowded open public meetings in favour of the North as compared with the two pro-Southern ones in London, slimly and privately attended[1123].
Jefferson Davis, in addressing the Confederate Congress, December 7, was bitter upon the "unfair and deceptive conduct" of England[1124].