BULL RUN; CONSUL BUNCH; COTTON AND MERCIER The diplomatic manoeuvres and interchanges recounted in the preceding chapter were regarded by Foreign Secretaries and Ministers as important in themselves and as indicative of national policy and purpose.

Upon all parties concerned they left a feeling of irritation and suspicion.

But the public knew nothing of the details of the inconclusive negotiation and the Press merely gave a hint now and then of its reported progress and ultimate failure.

Newspapers continued to report the news from America in unaccustomed detail, but that news, after the attack on Fort Sumter, was for some time lacking in striking incident, since both sides in America were busily engaged in preparing for a struggle in arms for which neither was immediately prepared.

April 15, Lincoln called for 75,000 volunteers, and three weeks later for 42,000 additional.