On that day Russell for the second time told Dallas that England would not commit herself, as yet, as regards Southern recognition, clearly meaning a recognition of _sovereignty_, not of belligerency, and immediately asked Dallas what the rumours of a blockade meant.

Dallas replied that he had no information on this point, and Russell "acquiesced in the expediency of disregarding mere rumour, and waiting the full knowledge to be brought by my successor.

The motion, therefore, of Mr.Gregory may be further postponed, at his lordship's suggestion." The unprejudiced interpretation of this report is merely that Russell refrained from pressing Dallas about a matter--blockade--of which Dallas knew nothing, agreeing that this would be explained by Adams, and especially that he let Dallas understand that Gregory's motion, which was one for _recognizing the independence and sovereignty of the South_, would be postponed.

If there was a pledge here it was a pledge not to recognize Southern sovereignty until after Adams' arrival.
But even if there was no promise of delay "there can be no question," writes the son of Adams in a brief biography of his father, "that the proclamation of the 13th was issued with unseemly haste....

The purpose was manifest.