t this idea Lindsay
had now taken definite ground. Moreover, Mason had been instructed to
shake the dust of England from off his shoes with no official authority
to return. Carefully explaining this last point to Lindsay he declined
to hold an interview with Palmerston, except on the latter's invitation,
or at least suggestion:

"Had the suggestion you make of an interview and conversation
with Lord Palmerston originated with his Lordship I might not
have felt myself prohibited by my instructions from at once
acceding to it, but as it has the form only of his assent to
a proposition from you I must with all respect decline it.

"Although no longer accredited by my Government as Special
Commissioner to Great Britain, I am yet in Europe with full
powers, and therefore, had Lord Palmerston expressed a desire
to see me as his own act (of course unofficially, and even
without any reason assigned for the interview) I should have
had great pleasure in complying with his request[1179]."

The explanation of disinclination to come was lengthy, but the last
paragraph indicated an itching to be active in London again. Lindsay
renewed his urgings and was not only hopeful but elated over the seeming
success of his overtures to the Government. He had again seen Palmerston
and had now pushed his proposal beyond the timid suggestion of overtures
when the opportune moment should arrive to a definite suggestion of
recognition of the Confederacy:

"I reasoned on the _moral_ effect of recognition, considering
that the restoration of the Union, which was utterly
hopeless, was the object which the North had in view, etc.,
etc. This reasoning appeared to produce a considerable
effect, for he appears now to be very open to conviction. He
again said that in his opinion the subjugation of the South
could not be effected by the North, and he added that he
thought the people of the North were becoming more and more
alive to the fact every day."

Lindsay's next step was to be the securing of an interview with Russell
and if he was found to be equally acquiescent all would be
plain sailing:

"Now, if by strong reasoning in a quiet way, and by stern
facts we can get Lord R. to my views, I think I may say that
all difficulty so far as our Cabinet is concerned, _is at an
end_. I hope to be able to see Lord Russell alone to-morr