The battle of Bull Run had left on British minds an impression of Northern incapacity in war—­even a doubt of Northern courage and determination.  On August 19 the Declaration of Paris negotiation, a favourable result from which was eagerly desired by Russell, had failed, as he well knew when he attached to the convention that explanatory statement limiting its action in point of time.  In the end Russell felt that Britain had just escaped a “trap.”  Two weeks after this Russell learned of the arrest of Mure, and soon of the demand for Bunch’s recall, finally and formally made by Adams on November 21.  Just six days later, on November 27, London heard of the Trent affair of November 8.  It is small wonder that Russell and his colleagues felt an increasing uncertainty as to the intent of the United States, and also an increasing irritation at having to guard their steps with such care in a situation where they sincerely believed the only possible outcome was the dissolution of the American Union.  But up to the moment when the news of the Trent affair was received they had pursued a policy, so they believed, of strict and upright neutrality, and were fixed in the determination not to permit minor controversies or economic advantage to divert them from it.

FOOTNOTES: 

[Footnote 319:  Economist, May 18, 1861.]

[Footnote 320:  Ibid., June 29, 1861.]

[Footnote 321:  J.L.  Motley, The Causes of the American Civil War.  Published as a pamphlet.  N.Y., 1861.]

[Footnote 322:  Daily News, July 19, 1861.]

[Footnote 323:  Russell, My Diary, North and South, p. 159, Boston, 1863.  This work is in effect a condensation of Russell’s letters to the Times, but contains many intimate descriptions not given in the newspaper.]

[Footnote 324:  Ibid., p. 315.]

[Footnote 325:  The Times, August 10, 1861.]

[Footnote 326:  Russell, My Diary, London, 1863, II, p. 296.  This edition varies somewhat from that published at Boston and previously cited.  The New York Times became Russell’s most vicious critic, labelling him “Bull Run Russell,” a name which stuck, and beginning its first article on his sins “The terrible epistle has been read with quite as much avidity as an average President’s message.  We scarcely exaggerate the fact when we say, the first and foremost thought on the minds of a very large portion of our people after the repulse at Bull’s Run was, what will Russell say?” Ibid., p. 297.  As to his recall Russell afterwards asserted that it was really due to a variance of opinion with Delane, the former being really pro-Northern in sympathy and in conviction of ultimate victory.  This will be examined later when Russell’s position as an independent editor in London becomes important.]

[Footnote 327:  For similar German impressions see G.H.  Putnam, Memories of My Youth, N.Y., 1914, p. 187.]