Note 158 — Chapter III

See ante, p. 88. The chronology of these rapidly succeeding events is interesting: April 29--Malmesbury states in the Lords that "news was received this day." May 1--Naval reinforcements sent to American waters. May 1--Russell's interview with Dallas. May 2--Russell's plea in Parliament, "For God's sake keep out of it." May 3--Russell's first interview with Yancey and Rost. May 3--Attorney-General's memorandum. May 4--Russell's note to Lyons that this is a "regular war." May 6--Cowley instructed to ask France to recognize Southern belligerency. May 6--Lyons notified that England will recognize Southern belligerency. May 6--Russell states in Parliament that privateers can not be treated as pirates. [Presumably, since parliamentary sittings begin in the late afternoons, the instructions to diplomats were drawn before the statement in Parliament.] May 9--Russell's second interview with Yancey and Rost. May 9--Sir George Lewis announces that a Proclamation of Neutrality will be issued soon. May 13--The Proclamation authorized. May 13--Adams reaches Liverpool. May 14--The Proclamation officially published in the London Gazette. May 14--Adams in London "ready for business." It would appear that Russell's expressions in Parliament on May 2 indicated clearly the purpose of the Government. This was notified to Lyons on May 4, which may be taken as the date when the governmental position had become definitely fixed, even though official instructions were not sent Lyons until the 6th.