ch. It followed that if Great Britain did prematurely
withdraw her proclamation of neutrality and the United States searched a
British vessel, it would be the exercise of a right of search in time of
peace--an act against which Great Britain would be bound to make
vigorous protest. Hence England must wait on American action proclaiming
the end of the war. Russell concluded by expressing gratification at the
prospect of peace[1308].

But matters were not to take this orderly and logical course. Seward,
though still extremely weak and confined to his home, was eager to
resume the duties of office, and on May 9 a Cabinet was held at his
house. A week later Bruce wrote to Russell in some anxiety that America
was about to _demand_ the withdrawal by Great Britain of belligerent
rights to the South, that if Great Britain would but act before such a
demand was made it would serve to continue the existing good feeling in
America created by the sympathy over Lincoln's death, and especially,
that there was a decided danger to good relations in the fact that
Confederate cruisers were still at large. He urged that orders should be
sent to stop their presence in British colonial ports securing coal and
supplies[1309]. Three days later Bruce repeated his warning[1310]. This
was, apparently, a complication unforeseen at the Foreign Office. In any
case Russell at once made a complete face-about from the policy he had
outlined in reply to Lord Houghton. On May 30 he instructed Cowley in
Paris to notify France that England thought the time had arrived for
recognition that the war was ended and laid special stress upon the
question of Confederate cruisers still at sea and their proper treatment
in British ports[1311]. Thus having given to France notice of his
intention, but without waiting for concurrent action, Russell, on June
2, issued instructions to the Admiralty that the war was ended and
stated the lines upon which the Confederate cruisers were to be
treated[1312]. Here was prompt, even hurried, action though the only
additional event of war in America which Russell could at the moment
cite to warrant his change of policy was the capture of Jefferson Davis.
On the same day Russell wrote to Bruce stating what had been done and
recognizing the "re-establishment of peace within the whole territory of
which the United States, before the commencement of the civil war, were
in undisturbed possession[1313]."

This sudden shift by the Gove