ty of events in America and as sure to be defeated if pressed
to a vote. Palmerston approved this suggestion and urged that if the
debate be continued speakers should refrain from all further mention of
the personal questions that had been raised, since these were not proper
matters for discussion in the House and were embarrassing to the French
Emperor. But Palmerston's skill in management was unavailing in this
case and the "muss" (as Mason called it) was continued when Lindsay
entered upon a long account of the interview with Napoleon, renewed the
accusations of Russell's "revelations" to Seward and advised Roebuck not
to withdraw his motion but to postpone it "until Monday." The _Scotia_,
he said was due and any moment news from America might change the
governmental policy. Again the fat was in the fire. Palmerston sharply
disavowed that news would change policy. Kinglake thought Roebuck's
actions should be thoroughly investigated. Forster eagerly pressed for
continuation of the debate. There was a general criticism of Roebuck's
"diplomacy," and of Lindsay's also. Northern friends were jubilant and
those of the South embarrassed and uncertain. Gregory believed that the
motion should be withdrawn "in the interest of the South," but Lord
Robert Cecil renewed Lindsay's advice to wait "until Monday" and this
was finally done[1100].

All England was in fact eagerly waiting for news from America. Lee's
advance was known to have passed by Washington, but no reports were yet
at hand of the battle which must determine this first great offensive
campaign by the South. July 9, the _Times_ predicted, editorially, that
Lee was about to capture Washington and that this event would be met by
a great cry of joy and relief in the North, now weary of the war and
eager to escape from the despotism of Lincoln's administration[1101].
Nevertheless the _Times_, while still confident of Lee's victorious
advance and of the welcome likely to be accorded him in the North, came
out strongly on July 13 in an appeal to Roebuck to withdraw his motion,
arguing that even if he were successful Great Britain ought to make no
hurried change of policy[1102]. On this day, the thirteenth, Roebuck
moved the discharge of his motion in a speech so mild as to leave the
impression that "Tear 'em" had his tail between his legs but, Lindsay,
his feelings evidently injured by the aspersions cast upon his own
"amateur diplomacy," spoke at much length of the interv