As the Presidential election in America came nearer, attention was diverted from military events.
Anti-slavery societies began to hold meetings urging their friends in America to vote for Lincoln[1235].

Writing from Washington, Lyons, as always anxious to forestall frictions on immaterial matters, wrote to Russell, "We must be prepared for demonstrations of a '_spirited foreign policy_' by Mr.Seward, during the next fortnight, for electioneering purposes[1236]." Possibly his illness made him unduly nervous, for four days later he was relieved to be asked by Seward to "postpone as much as possible all business with him until after the election[1237]." By November 1, Lyons was so ill that he asked for immediate leave, and in replying, "You will come away at once," Russell added that he was entirely convinced the United States wished to make no serious difficulties with Great Britain.
"...

I do not think the U.S.Government have any ill-intentions towards us, or any fixed purpose of availing themselves of a tide of success to add a war with us to their existing difficulties.

Therefore whatever their bluster and buncome may be at times, I think they will subside when the popular clamour is over[1238]." In early November, Lincoln was triumphantly re-elected receiving 212 electoral votes to 21 cast for McClellan.

No disturbances such as the _Gazette_ had gloomily foretold attended the event, and the tremendous majority gained by the President somewhat stunned the press.