He wrote to Russell: "As to the French scheme of proposals to the United States, we had better keep that question till the Cabinet meets, which would be either on Monday 11th, or Wednesday 12th, as would be most convenient to you and our colleagues.

But is it likely that the Federals would consent to an armistice to be accompanied by a cessation of Blockades, and which would give the Confederates means of getting all the supplies they may want ?" * * * * * "Then comes the difficulty about slavery and the giving up of runaway slaves, about which we could hardly frame a proposal which the Southerns would agree to, and people of England would approve of.

The French Government are more free from the shackles of principle and of right and wrong on these matters, as on all others than we are.

At all events it would be wiser to wait till the elections in North America are over before any proposal is made.

As the Emperor is so anxious to put a stop to bloodshed he might try his hand as a beginning by putting down the stream of ruffians which rolls out from that never-failing fountain at Rome[813]." But Russell was more optimistic, or at least in favour of some sort of proposal to America.