In the absence of this I fear the vote would be humiliating and would convey an impression wholly delusive, for the members are 10 to 1 in favour of the South and yet on this point the vote might be 5 to 1 against Southern interests[1096]." On July 6, Palmerston was back in the House and Roebuck secured an agreement for a resumption of the debate on "Monday next[1097]." Meantime many powerful organs of the French press had taken up the matter and were full of sharp criticism of Napoleon's supposed policy and actions as stated by Roebuck.

The effect in England was to create a feeling that Napoleon might have difficulty in carrying out a pro-Southern policy[1098].

Palmerston, wishing to avoid further discussion on Napoleon's share in providing fuel for the debate, wrote in a very conciliatory and pleasant way to Roebuck, on July 9: "Perhaps you will allow me thus privately to urge upon you, and through you upon Mr.Lindsay, the expediency of dropping altogether, whether your debate goes on or not, all further mention or discussion of what passed between you and Mr.
Lindsay on the one hand, and the Emperor of the French on the other.

In truth the whole proceeding on this subject the other day seems to me to have been very irregular.

The British Parliament receives messages and communications from their own sovereign, but not from the sovereigns of other countries...." "No good can come of touching again upon this matter, nor from fixing upon the Emperor a mistake which amid the multiplicity of things he has to think of he may be excused for making.