h with the same spirit of patriotism and
defiance as animated the invaded Confederates[1176]." Thus support to
Lindsay was lacking in a hoped-for quarter, but his conferences with
Association members had brought a plan of modified action the essential
feature of which was that the parliamentary motion must not be made a
_party_ one and that the only hope of the South lay in the existing
Government. This was decidedly Lindsay's own view though it was clearly
understood that the opportuneness of the motion lay in ministerial
desire for and need of support in its Danish policy. Lindsay expected to
find Palmerston more complaisant than formerly as regards American
policy and was not disappointed. He wrote to Mason on May 27:

"I received in due course your note of the 23rd. In a matter
of so much importance I shall make no move in the House in
regard to American affairs without grave consideration. I am
therefore privately consulting the friends of the South. On
this subject we had a meeting of our lifeless association on
Monday last and on the same subject we are to have another
meeting next Monday; but differences of opinion exist there
as well as elsewhere, as to the advisability of moving at
present. Some say 'move'--others, 'postpone'--but the news by
the _Scotia_ to-morrow will regulate to a considerable extent
our course of action. One thing is now clear to me that the
motion must _not_ be a party one, and that the main point
will be to get the Government to go with _whoever_ brings
forward the motion, for as you are aware I would rather see
the motion in other hands than mine, as my views on the
American question are so well known. As no competent member
however seems disposed to move or rather to incur the
responsibility, I sent to inquire if it would be agreeable
to Lord Palmerston to see me on American affairs and on the
subject of a motion to be brought forward in the House. He
sent word that he would be very glad to see me, and I had,
therefore, a long meeting with him alone last night, the
result of which was that if I brought forward a motion
somewhat as follows, on the third of June, he would likely be
prepared _to accept it_, though he asked if I would see him
again after the _Scotia_ arrived. The motion we talked about
was to this _effect_--'That the House of Commons deepl