Chapter 8 Diplomacy (1861) Summary

Lincoln immediately appoints Charles Francis Adams as Minister to England. April 1861 is the end of Henry Adams' attempts studying Law, as he once again becomes his father's private secretary. His father receives the post through Seward, who is opposed by Sumner. When war breaks out, Adams' brother is in the Army, while he is sent to fight the war, diplomatically, in England. A small, humble delegation is sent out, like adventurers, as Adams ancestors had been, with no real support besides Seward - the Senate is against them, especially Sumner. Adams thought at first that the English would be friendly towards them and towards their cause, but reality was very different. Even though Adams, as a New Englander, feels English, even though both sides are anti-slavery, England recognizes the belligerency of the South. Adams finds that the powers in England do...