He told me, as is his wont, a number of stories more or less decorous, but all he said having any bearing on political matters was: 'I suppose my position makes people in England think a great deal more of me than I deserve, pray tell 'em I mean 'em no harm[635].'" Fully a month had now elapsed in London since the arrival of news on any striking military event in America.

New Orleans was an old story, and while in general it was believed that Richmond must fall before McClellan's army, the persistence of Southern fervid declarations that they would never submit gave renewed courage to their British friends.
Lindsay was now of the opinion that it might be wise, after all, to make some effort in Parliament, and since the Washington mediation rumours were becoming current in London also, notice was given of a motion demanding of the Government that, associating itself with France, an offer of mediation be made to the contending parties in America.
Motions on recognition and on the blockade had been tried and had failed.

Now the cry was to be "peaceful mediation" to put an end to a terrible war.

Friends of the South were not united in this adventure.
Spence advised Lindsay to postpone it, but the latter seemed determined to make the effort[636].

Probably he was still smarting under his reverse of April.