As one known to be in close touch with
America his words carried weight[1281]. Palmerston gave assurances that
the present relations between the two Governments were perfectly
friendly and satisfactory. The effect of the debate, reported Adams, was
to quiet the panic[1282], yet at the same time England was now awake to
and somewhat alarmed by, America's "prodigious development of physical
power during the war." To quiet this, Adams recommended "prudence and
moderation in tone[1283]."
Thus the actual cessation of hostilities in America and the possible
effect of this event on foreign relations had been for some time
anticipated and estimated in Great Britain[1284]. The news of Lee's
surrender, therefore, caused no great surprise since the _Times_ and
other papers had been preparing the public for it[1285]. Newspaper
comment on the event followed closely that of the _Times_, rendering
honour to the militant qualities of the South and to Lee, but writing
_finis_ to the war:
"Such is the end of the great army which, organized by the
extraordinary genius of one man, aided by several other
commanders of eminent ability, has done such wonders in this
war. Not even the Grand Army of Napoleon himself could count
a series of more brilliant victories than the force which,
raised chiefly from the high-spirited population of Virginia,
has defeated so many invasions of the State, and crushed the
hopes of so many Northern generals.
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