This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1912 edition. Excerpt: ... chapter 5 H1story Of Neutral1ty From 1861 To 1872 I. Recogn1t1on Of Bell1gerency. When the secession movement was threatening in the South and all the European powers, especially Great Britain, were closely watching its progress, Mr. Black, the Secretary of State, on February 28, 1861, strongly appealed to the European powers not to recognize the independence of the seceding States or to encourage their disunion movement. In his circular to the United States Ministers abroad he said, "It is the right of this government to ask of all foreign powers that the latter shall take no steps which may tend to encourage the revolutionary movement of the seceding States, or increase the danger of disaffection in those which still remain loyal."1 To this warning Lord Russell replied that England would be reluctant to take any step which might sanction the separation, but that he could not make any promise for England in an affair whose circumstances might vary.2 Mr. Seward, successor to Secretary Black, instructed the American Ministers abroad to the effect that any Confederate agent seeking for foreign intervention must be prevented from going abroad. In his circular of March 9, 1861, he said, "My predecessor instructed you to use all proper and necessary measures to prevent the success of efforts which may be made by persons claiming to represent those States of this Union in whose name a provisional government has been announced to procure a recognition of their independence by the government of Spain."3 During the early part of the year 1861, seven States of the Union formed themselves into a separate Confederation with a constitutional government completely organized. Actual hostilities commenced on April 12, 1861, with the bombardment of Fort...