Evidently the family guns were all trained on Russell[816].

"Historicus" drove home the fact that premature action by a neutral was a "hostile act" and ought to be resented by the "Sovereign State" as a "breach of neutrality and friendship[817]." Thus on receipt of the news of Napoleon's proposal the Cabinet crisis was renewed and even more sharply than on October 23.

The French offer was not actually presented until November 10[818].

On the next two days the answer to be made received long discussion in the Cabinet.

Lewis described this to Clarendon, prefacing his account by stating that Russell had heard by telegram from Napier at St.Petersburg to the effect that Russia would not join but would support English-French proposals through her Minister at Washington, "provided it would not cause irritation[819]." "Having made this statement, Lord John proceeded to explain his views on the question.