But on December 2 there reached London the first, very brief, American news of the arrival of the _San Jacinto_ at Fortress Monroe, and this contained a positive statement by Wilkes that he had had no orders.

The _Times_ was sceptical, but printed the news as having an important bearing, if true, and, at the same time, printed communications by "Justicia" and others advising a "go slowly" policy[432].

Yet all British papers indulged in sharp reflections on American insults, displayed keen resentment, and demanded a prompt yielding to the Governmental demand.
An intelligent American long resident in London, wrote to Seward on November 29: "There never was within memory such a burst of feeling as has been created by the news of the boarding of [the Trent].

The people are frantic with rage, and were the country polled, I fear 999 men out of a thousand would declare for immediate war.

Lord Palmerston cannot resist the impulse if he would." And another American, in Edinburgh, wrote to his uncle in New York: "I have never seen so intense a feeling of indignation exhibited in my life.