emed to be, and this he (Thouvenel) had shewn in
his communications with M. de Flahault, but that he knew too
well the general opinions prevailing in England to have made
proposals. Nor, indeed, did he see what proposals could have
been made. He had endeavoured to shew both the Emperor and M.
Rouher, that to recognize the independence of the South would
not bring Cotton into the markets, while any interference
with the blockade would probably have produced a collision.
At the same time he could not conceal from me the just
anxiety he experienced to reopen the Cotton trade. Might not
the Northern States be induced to declare some one port
Neutral, at which the trade could be carried on?

I said that the events which were now passing in America
demonstrated the prudence of the policy pursued by the two
Governments. The recognition of the South would not have
prevented the North from continuing its armaments and
undertaking the expedition now in progress, and a refusal to
acknowledge the blockade as efficient must have been followed
by the employment of force, on a question of extreme
delicacy[617]."

Formal approval was given Cowley by Russell on April 16. In this Russell
stated that he agreed with Thouvenel the cotton situation was alarming,
but he added: "The evil is evident--not equally so the remedy." He
assured Cowley that "Her Majesty's Government wish to take no step in
respect to the Civil War in America except in concert with France and
upon full deliberation[618]." Meanwhile Lindsay's diplomatic career had
received a severe jolt in London. Confidently addressing to Russell a
request for an interview, he received the reply "that I thought the best
way for two Govts. to communicate with each other was through their
respective Embassies.... He [Lindsay] rejoined that he feared you
[Cowley] had not stated the reason why the Emperor wished to make the
proposal through him rather than the usual channel, and again asked to
see me, but I declined to give any other answer, adding that you and the
French Ambassr. could make the most Confidential as well as Official
Communications[619]." This rebuff was not regarded as final, though
exasperating, by Lindsay, nor by the Confederate agents, all being
agreed that Napoleon was about to take an active hand in their favour.
Lindsay returned to Paris accompanied by Mason, and on April