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 18 had still another conversation with Napoleon.

He reported Russell's refusal of an interview, and that he had seen Disraeli, but not Derby, who was ill.