nger of refusing the French invitation,
and gave a strong support to Lord John. His support came
rather late ... I proposed that we should _tater le terrain_
at Washington and ascertain whether there was any chance of
the proposal being accepted. Lord John refused this. He
admitted there was no chance of an affirmative answer from
Washington. I think his principal motive was a fear of
displeasing France, and that Palmerston's principal motive
was a wish to seem to support him. There is a useful article
in to-day's _Times_ throwing cold water on the invitation. I
take for granted that Delane was informed of the result of
the Cabinet[820]."

Gladstone, writing to his wife, gave a similar though more brief
account:

"Nov. 11. We have had our Cabinet to-day and meet again
to-morrow. I am afraid we shall do little or nothing in the
business of America. But I will send you definite
intelligence. Both Lords Palmerston and Russell are _right._
Nov. 12. The United States affair has ended and not well.
Lord Russell rather turned tail. He gave way without
resolutely fighting out his battle. However, though we
decline for the moment, the answer is put upon grounds and in
terms which leave the matter very open for the future. Nov.
13. I think the French will make our answer about America
public; at least it is very possible. But I hope they may not
take it as a positive refusal, or at any rate that they may
themselves act in the matter. It will be clear that we concur
with them, that the war should cease. Palmerston gave to
Russell's proposal a feeble and half-hearted support[821]."

The reply to France was in fact immediately made public both in France
and in England. It was complimentary to the Emperor's "benevolent views
and humane intentions," agreed that "if the steps proposed were to be
taken, the concurrence of Russia would be extremely desirable" but
remarked that as yet Great Britain had not been informed that Russia
wished to co-operate, and concluded that since there was no ground to
hope the North was ready for the proposal it seemed best to postpone any
overture until there was a "greater prospect than now exists of its
being accepted by the two contending parties[822]." The argument of
Russell in the Cabinet had been for acceptance without Russia though
earlier he had stipulated her ass