trip through the South, in the course of which he had visited Montgomery, stated “no reconstruction of the Union is possible,” and added that there was no danger of a servile insurrection, a matter that now somewhat began to disturb the British Government and public[160].  A few days later on, May 12, Lyons expressed his strong sympathy with the North for reasons of anti-slavery, law, and race, but added that he shrank from expressions of sympathy for fear of thus encouraging the Northern Cabinet in its plan of prosecuting civil war since such a war would be frightful in its consequences both to America and to England[161].

Such reports if received before the issue of the Proclamation of Neutrality must have strengthened the feeling that prompt action was necessary; if received later, they gave confidence that that action had been wise.  May 9, Forster asked in the Commons a series of questions as to the application of the British Foreign Enlistment Act in the American crisis.  What would be the status of British citizens serving on Confederate privateers?  How would the Government treat citizens who aided in equipping such privateers?  Did not the Government intend to take measures to prevent the infringement of law in British ports?  Here was pressure by a friend of the North to hasten an official announcement of the policy already notified to Parliament.  Sir George Lewis replied stating that the Government was about to issue a general proclamation warning British subjects not to take any part in the war[162].  Similar questions were asked by Derby in the Lords on May 10, and received a similar answer[163].  The few days’ delay following Russell’s statement of May 6 was due to consideration given by the Law Officers to the exact form required.  The Proclamation as issued was dated May 13, and was officially printed in the London Gazette on May 14.

In form and in substance the Proclamation of Neutrality did not differ from customary usage[164].  It spoke of the Confederacy as “states styling themselves the Confederate States of America,” prohibited to Englishmen enlistment on either side, or efforts to enlist others, or equipment of ships of war, or delivery of commissions to such ships.  War vessels being equipped in British ports would be seized and forfeited to the British Government.  If a belligerent war-ship came into a British port, no change or increase of equipment was to be permitted.  If a subject violated the Proclamation he was both punishable in British courts and forfeited any claim to British protection.  The Parliamentary discussion on May 16 brought out more clearly and in general unanimity of opinion the policy of the Government in application of the Proclamation; the South was definitely recognized as a belligerent, but recognition of independence was for the future to determine; the right of the South to send out privateers was regretfully recognized; such privateers could not be regarded as pirates and