I think the Conservatives may be got to move as a body and if so the result of a vote seems to me very certain.

I have seen Mr.Horsfall and Mr.Laird here and will put myself in communication with Mr.Disraeli as the time approaches for action for this seems to me now our best card[1042]." That some such effort was being thought of is evidenced by the attitude of the _Index_ which all through the months from November, 1862, to the middle of January, 1863, had continued to harp on the subject of mediation as if still believing that something yet might be done by the existing Ministry, but which then apparently gave up hope of the Palmerstonian administration: "But what the Government means is evident enough.

It does not mean to intervene or to interfere.

It will not mediate, if it can help it; it will not recognize the Confederate States, unless there should occur some of those 'circumstances over which they have no control,' which leave weak men and weak ministers no choice.

They will not, if they are not forced to it, quarrel with Mr.Seward, or with Mr.Bright.They will let Lancashire starve; they will let British merchantmen be plundered off Nassau and burnt off Cuba; they will submit to a blockade of Bermuda or of Liverpool; but they will do nothing which may tend to bring a supply of cotton from the South, or to cut off the supply of eggs and bacon from the North[1043]." But this plan of 'turning to the Tories' received scant encouragement and was of no immediate promise, as soon appeared by the debate in Parliament on reassembling, February 5, 1863.