When one knows the calibre of Mr.Adams one feels inclined to marvel at his success.

The astonishment ceases when one reflects that the British Secretary for Foreign Affairs is Earl Russell[1151]." But when, on February 23, the debate on the Laird Rams occurred[1152], the Tory leaders, upon whom Lindsay and others depended to drive home the meaning of the _Alexandra_ decision, carefully avoided urging the Government to change its policy and contented themselves with an effort, very much in line with that initiated by _The Index_, to belittle Russell as yielding to a threat.

Adams was even applauded by the Tories for his discretion and his anxiety to keep the two countries out of war.

The Southern Independence Association remained quiescent.
Very evidently someone, presumably Derby or Disraeli, had put a quietus on the plan to make an issue of the stoppage of Southern ship-building.
Russell's reply to his accusers was but a curt denial without going into details, in itself testimony that he had no fear of a party attack on the _policy_ of stopping the ships.

He was disgusted with the result of the _Alexandra_ trial and in conversation with Adams reflected upon "the uncertainty and caprice incident everywhere to the administration of justice[1153]." As between Russell and Seward the waters formerly troubled by the stiff manner and tone of the one statesman and the flamboyance of the other were now unusually calm.