and Russell were in complete agreement
that an offer of mediation should be made by the three maritime powers,
but that "no actual step would be taken without the sanction of the
Cabinet[763]." Two days later Russell explained to Gladstone the exact
nature of the proposal[764], but that there was even now no thoroughly
worked out agreement on the sequence of steps necessary is shown by
Palmerston's letter to Gladstone of the twenty-fourth, in which is
outlined a preliminary proposal of an armistice, cessation of blockade,
and negotiation on the basis of separation[765].

Other members of the Cabinet were likewise informed of the proposed
overture to France and Russia and soon it was clear that there would be
opposition. Granville had replaced Russell in attendance upon the Queen
at Gotha. He now addressed a long and careful argument to Russell
opposing the adventure, as he thought it, summing up his opinion in
this wise:

"...I doubt, if the war continues long after our recognition
of the South, whether it will be possible for us to avoid
drifting into it."

"...I have come to the conclusion that it is premature to
depart from the policy which has hitherto been adopted by you
and Lord Palmerston, and which, notwithstanding the strong
antipathy to the North, the strong sympathy with the South,
and the passionate wish to have cotton, has met with such
general approval from Parliament, the press, and the
public[766]."

But Granville had little hope his views would prevail. A few days later
he wrote to Lord Stanley of Alderley:

"I have written to Johnny my reasons for thinking it
decidedly premature. I, however, suspect you will settle to
do so! Pam, Johnny, and Gladstone would be in favour of it;
and probably Newcastle. I do not know about the others. It
appears to me a great mistake[767]."

Opportunely giving added effect to Granville's letter there now arrived
confused accounts from America of the battles about Washington and of a
check to the Southern advance. On September 17 there had been fought the
battle of Antietam and two days later Lee, giving up his Maryland
campaign, began a retreat through the Shenandoah valley toward the old
defensive Southern lines before Richmond. There was no pursuit, for
McClellan, again briefly in command, thought his army too shattered for
an advance. Palmerston had been counting on a great Southern vict