possible, under such circumstances that a Peace Party might
arise; and perhaps just _possible_ that England and France
might give weight to such a Party[628]."

In brief, Lyons was all against either intervention or mediation unless
a strong reaction toward peace should come in the North, and even then
regarded the wisdom of such a policy as only "just _possible_." Nor was
Russell inclined to depart from established policy. He wrote to Lyons at
nearly the same time:

"The news from York Town, New Orleans, and Corinth seems to
portend the conquest of the South. We have now to see
therefore, whether a few leaders or the whole population
entertain those sentiments of alienation and abhorrence which
were so freely expressed to M. Mercier by the Confederate
Statesmen at Richmond. I know not how to answer this
question. But there are other questions not less important to
be solved in the North. Will the Abolitionists succeed in
proclaiming freedom to the Slaves of all those who have
resisted? I guess not.

But then the Union will be restored with its old disgrace and
its old danger. I confess I do not see any way to any fair
solution except separation--but that the North will not hear
of--nor in the moment of success would it be of any use to
give them unpalatable advice[629]."

Two days preceding this letter, Thouvenel, at last fully informed of
Mercier's trip to Richmond, instructed him that France had no intention
to depart from her attitude of strict neutrality and that it was more
than ever necessary to wait events[630].

Mercier's renewed efforts to start a movement toward mediation were then
wholly personal. Neither France nor Great Britain had as yet taken up
this plan, nor were they likely to so long as Northern successes were
continued. In London, Mason, suffering a reaction from his former high
hopes, summed up the situation in a few words: "This Government passive
and ignorant, France alert and mysterious. The Emperor alone knows what
is to come out of it, and he keeps his own secret[631]." The Southern
play, following the ministerial rebuff to Lindsay, was now to keep quiet
and extended even to discouraging public demonstrations against
governmental inaction. Spence had prevented such a demonstration by
cotton operators in Liverpool. "I have kept them from moving as a matter
of judgment. If either of the Southern armies