Davis' proclamation on marque and privateering, of April 17, was answered by the Lincoln blockade proclamation of April 19.

But Virginia had not yet officially seceded, and until this occurred there seemed to Seward at least one last straw of conciliation available.

In this situation Schleiden, Minister for Bremen, came to Seward on the morning of April 24 and offered his services as a mediator[204].
Schleiden's idea was that an armistice be agreed upon with the South until the Northern Congress should meet in July, thus giving a breathing spell and permitting saner second judgment to both sides.

He had consulted with his Prussian colleague, who approved, and he found Seward favourable to the plan.

Alexander H.Stephens, Vice-President of the Confederacy, was then at Richmond, and to him, as an old friend, Schleiden proposed to go and make the same appeal.