The ground taken for this, reported Lyons, was an evasion of that charge of communicating with the South for which Russell had avowed responsibility, and a turning to the charge that Bunch was personally unacceptable longer to the United States because of his partisanship to the South, as evidenced by various acts and especially as shown by his reported assertion that Great Britain had taken "a first step to recognition." "Never," wrote Lyons, "were serious charges brought upon a slighter foundation." "No one who has read Mr.Bunch's despatches to your Lordship and to me can consider him as in the least degree a partisan of the Southern cause." "When Mr.Seward had finished reading the despatch I remained silent.
After a short pause I took leave of him courteously, and withdrew[380]." As will have been noted, Lyons had foreseen the American decision against Bunch on purely personal grounds, had been relieved that this would be the issue, and had fore-warned Russell.

His despatch just cited may be regarded as a suggestion of the proper British refutation of charges, but with acceptance of the American decision.

Nevertheless he wrote gloomily on the same day of future relations with the United States[381].

At the same time Russell, also foreseeing Seward's action, was not disturbed.

He thought it still "not off the cards that the Southern Confederates may return to the Union....