Lindsay expected to find Palmerston more complaisant than formerly as regards American policy and was not disappointed.

He wrote to Mason on May 27: "I received in due course your note of the 23rd.

In a matter of so much importance I shall make no move in the House in regard to American affairs without grave consideration.

I am therefore privately consulting the friends of the South.

On this subject we had a meeting of our lifeless association on Monday last and on the same subject we are to have another meeting next Monday; but differences of opinion exist there as well as elsewhere, as to the advisability of moving at present.