In this letter the tone is more important than the matter, and so far as Lyons is concerned the tone is all distinctly hopeful, all favourable to a resumption of normal relations between the North and South.

He at least had no hope of disruption, and no happiness in it[91].
Before this communication could reach England Russell had thoroughly awakened to the seriousness of the American situation in relation to British foreign trade.

On March 9, writing privately to Lyons, he stated, "I hope you are getting on well with the new President.

If he blockades the Southern ports we shall be in a difficulty.

But according to all American doctrine it must be an actual blockade kept up by an efficient force[92]." Thus, before any act had really occurred in America, the matter of a blockade was occupying the attention of British statesmen.