Abstract
The scope of this paper has been definitely limited# It is to be confined to the study of the blockade, and the diplomacy of the blockade during the year 1861 beginning with the inauguration of the Lincoln administration. Some of the incidents are included, which occur prior to March 4, 1861, in order to supplement and clarify future activities. | The purpose is to correlate the blockade and the diplomatic relations of the Union with England and France. The blockade is viewed from these three angles: first, there is the preparation for, organization and enforcement of the blockade by the Union; secondly, the discussion proceeds from the groundwork to the Union diplomatic relations with England; thirdly, the diplomacy between the Union and France is related. | The topics related to the Union diplomacy of the period are: the blockade—and belligerent rights and neutrality relative to the blockade; and negotiations for the Treaty of Paris, 1856. Certain events and incidents have been selected to confirm and verify opinions or conclusions. Naturally certain phases of the subject are repeated to retain the continuity of the story.