Napoleon hoped that England, France and Russia would join in an offer of mediation.

Cowley replied that he had no instructions and Napoleon then modified his ideas by suggesting a proposal of armistice for six months "in order to give time for the present excitement to calm down[809]...." The next day Cowley reported that Drouyn de Lhuys stated the Emperor to be very anxious to "put an end to the War," but that he was himself doubtful whether it would not be better to "wait a little longer," and in any case if overtures to America were rejected Russia probably would not join Great Britain and France in going on to a recognition of the South[810].

All this was exactly in line with that plan to which Russell had finally come and if officially notified to the British Government would require a renewed consideration by the Cabinet.

Presumably Napoleon knew what had been going on in London and he now hastened to give the needed French push.
October 28, Slidell was summoned to an audience and told of the Emperor's purpose, acting with England, to bring about an armistice[811].

Three days later, October 31, Cowley wrote that he had now been officially informed by Drouyn de Lhuys, "by the Emperor's orders" that a despatch was about to be sent to the French Ministers in England and Russia instructing them to request joint action by the three powers in suggesting an armistice of six months _including a suspension of the blockade_, thus throwing open Southern ports to European commerce[812].
Napoleon's proposal evidently took Palmerston by surprise and was not regarded with favour.