Final answer:
Charles Sumner didn't directly engage in actions that would start a war with England; instead, he made a speech addressing the issue of slavery which inflamed tensions and resulted in a violent incident known as the 'Caning of Sumner'.
Step-by-step explanation:
The incident involving Senator Charles Sumner nearly starting a war with England does not refer to actual diplomatic or military action against England, but rather stems from the tensions around the issue of slavery during the time leading up to the American Civil War. In a passionate speech against slavery, Sumner directed a personal attack against Senator Andrew Butler of South Carolina, referring to slavery as a 'harlot' and accusing Butler of defending it. This speech enraged Southern representatives, particularly Butler's cousin, Preston Brooks, who retaliated by violently attacking Sumner with a cane on the Senate floor.
The violence of this encounter showed just how heated the debate over slavery had become, reflecting the sectional strife between the North and the South. While the confrontation did not directly involve England, it could be seen as symptomatic of the broader international pressures and diplomatic complexities of the time, including tensions with England over various geopolitical issues.