At one time Campbell argued that reconquest of the South was impossible; at another that England should interfere to prevent such reconquest.

Again he urged that the North was in a situation where she could not stop the war without aid from Europe in extricating her.

Probably the motion was made merely to draw from Russell an official statement.

Production of the papers was refused.
Russell stated that the Government still maintained its policy of strict neutrality, that if any action was to be taken it should be by all the maritime powers and that if, in the parliamentary recess, any new policy seemed advisable he would first communicate with those powers.

He also declared very positively that as yet no proposal had been received from any foreign power in regard to America, laying stress upon the "perfect accord" between Great Britain and France[724].
Mason commented on this speech that someone was evidently lying and naturally believed that someone to be Russell.