I lose no time therefore, in writing to you as Lindsay goes over to-night, and will probably endeavour to see you and Lord Palmerston as soon as possible[612]." The close touch between Lindsay and the Southern agents is shown by his conveyance to Slidell of the good news.

Slidell was jubilant, writing to Mason: "Mr.Lindsay has had a long interview with the Emperor who is prepared to act at once decidedly in our favour; he has always been ready to do so and has twice made representations to England, but has received evasive responses.

He has now for the third time given them but in a more decided tone.

Mr.
Lindsay will give you all the particulars.

This is entirely confidential but you can say to Lord Campbell, Mr.Gregory, etc., that I now have positive and _authoritative_ evidence that France now waits the assent of England for recognition and other more cogent measures[613]." Two days later Slidell made a report to Benjamin, which was in substance very similar to that given by Lindsay to Cowley, though more highly coloured as favourable to the South, but he added an important feature which, as has been seen, was suspected by Cowley, but which had not been stated to him.