o the effect
that if the means of coercion did not prove
efficacious, the Allies had better consider the matter
afresh in conjunction with France, who would assist in
settling it.

October 2nd, 1840 {p.326}

Last night it was decided that Palmerston should call the
Conference together, and propose to them to make a conciliatory
advance to France. All Europe is looking with anxiety for the
result of the Cabinet held yesterday; and this morning the
'Morning Chronicle' puts forth an article having every appearance
of being written by Palmerston himself (as I have no doubt it
was), most violent, declamatory, and insulting to France.

October 4th, 1840 {p.326}

[Page Head: LORD PALMERSTON DEFEATS CONCILIATION.]

I was obliged to break off, and now resume the narrative. It was
resolved at the Cabinet that Palmerston should summon the
Ministers of the Conference and ask their consent to his making
_some communication_ to Guizot. The Austrian and the Prussian
said they would consent to whatever Brunnow agreed to. Brunnow
said he could say nothing till he had consulted his Court; and he
added that England could do what she pleased, but that he would
not conceal from Palmerston that the Emperor would be exceedingly
hurt if any step of the kind was taken without his knowledge or
consent.[4] On this the Cabinet again met on Friday afternoon to
hear the report; but it must have been clear enough what the
result of Palmerston's interview with the Ministers would be,
after the appearance of the article in the 'Chronicle.' I made
the Duke of Bedford go to Lord John and tell him this ought not
to be endured; and that if I were he I would not sit for one hour
in the Cabinet with a man who could agree to take a certain line
(with his colleagues) over night, and publish a furious attack
upon the same the next morning. Lord John said he had already
written to Melbourne about it, that Palmerston had positively
denied having anything to do with the 'Morning Chronicle,' and he
did not see what more he could do; but he owned that all his
confidence in him was gone.

[4] [It is obvious that when Lord Palmerston agreed to make
a conciliatory overture to France, in order to allay
the storm in the Cabinet, and prevent the threatened
dissolution of the Ministry, he was perfectly aware
that Brunnow and the Emperor of Russia would not concur