One difficulty at the time was that there was no one in England qualified to speak for the new administration at Washington.
Dallas, the American Minister appointed under the Buchanan administration, while, unlike some other diplomatic representatives abroad, faithful to the cause of the United States, was nevertheless not wholly trusted by Lincoln or by Seward, and was thus handicapped in representing to Russell American conditions or intentions.

Indeed he had very little communication with Russell.

Adams' nomination to England was known to Lyons on March 20, for on that day he telegraphed to Russell, "Mr.Charles Francis Adams, of Massachusetts, is appointed Minister in London.

I think it a very good appointment[93]." This news was received in London on April 2, but over six weeks were yet to elapse before Adams reached his post.

The appointment of Adams, however, seemed to Lyons a matter of congratulation in his hope that no vicious anti-British policy would be indulged in by Seward.