Thus by letter to Palmerston and by circulation of a new memorandum Russell gave notice that all was not yet decided.

On October 24, Gladstone also circulated a memorandum in reply to Lewis, urging action by England, France and Russia[804].
Russell's second memorandum was not at first taken seriously by his Cabinet opponents.

They believed the issue closed and Russell merely putting out a denial of alleged purposes.

Clarendon, though not a member of the Cabinet, was keeping close touch with the situation and on October 24 wrote to Lewis: "Thanks for sending me your memorandum on the American question, which I have read with great satisfaction.

Johnny [Russell] always loves to do something when to do nothing is prudent, and I have no doubt that he hoped to get support in his meddling proclivities when he called a Cabinet for yesterday; but its postponement _sine die_ is probably due to your memorandum.