The real connection was with the failure of the Gettysburg campaign and the humiliating collapse of Roebuck's motion.

Even the _Times_ was now expanding upon the "serious reverses" of the South and making it clearly understood that England "has not had and will not have the slightest inclination to intervention or mediation, or to take any position except that of strict neutrality[1111]." Mason at once notified Slidell of his receipt of the recall instruction and secured the latter's approval of the communication he proposed making to Russell[1112].

A general consultation of Southern agents took place and Mason would have been vexed had he known how small was the regard for his abilities as a diplomat[1113].

_The Index_ hastened to join in a note already struck at Richmond of warm welcome to France in her conquest of Mexico, reprinting on September 17, an editorial from the _Richmond Enquirer_ in which it was declared, "France is the only Power in the world that has manifested any friendly feeling towards the Confederacy in its terrible struggle for independence." Evidently all hope was now centred upon Napoleon, a conclusion without doubt distasteful to Mason and one which he was loth to accept as final.
On September 21, Mason notified Russell of his withdrawal very nearly in the words of Benjamin's instruction.

The news was at once made public, calling out from the _Times_ a hectoring editorial on the folly of the South in demanding recognition before it had won it[1114].