Description
Book SynopsisThis collection covers the period February 1862-March 1864, which constituted the final two years and one month that Rear-Admiral Sir Alexander Milne commanded the Royal Navy's North America and West India Station. Its chief focus is upon Anglo-American relations in the midst of the American Civil War. Whilst the most high-profile cause of tension between the two countries the Trent Affair had been resolved in Britain's favour by January 1862, numerous sources of discord remained. Most turned on American efforts to blockade the so-called Confederacy, efforts that often ran afoul of international law, not to mention British amour-propre. As commander of British naval forces in the theatre, Milne's decisions and actions could and did have a major impact on the state of affairs between his government and that of the US.
While noting in one private exchange with the British ambassador to Washington, Richard, Lord Lyons, that he had been enjoined to abstain
Table of Contents
Introduction / Part I: February – June 1862 / Part II: July – December 1862 / Part III: January – June 1863 / Part IV: July – December 1863 / Part V: January – December 1864 / Sources and Documents / General Index / Ship Index
