Carefully explaining this last point to Lindsay he declined to hold an interview with Palmerston, except on the latter's invitation, or at least suggestion: "Had the suggestion you make of an interview and conversation with Lord Palmerston originated with his Lordship I might not have felt myself prohibited by my instructions from at once acceding to it, but as it has the form only of his assent to a proposition from you I must with all respect decline it.
"Although no longer accredited by my Government as Special Commissioner to Great Britain, I am yet in Europe with full powers, and therefore, had Lord Palmerston expressed a desire to see me as his own act (of course unofficially, and even without any reason assigned for the interview) I should have had great pleasure in complying with his request[1179]." The explanation of disinclination to come was lengthy, but the last paragraph indicated an itching to be active in London again.

Lindsay renewed his urgings and was not only hopeful but elated over the seeming success of his overtures to the Government.

He had again seen Palmerston and had now pushed his proposal beyond the timid suggestion of overtures when the opportune moment should arrive to a definite suggestion of recognition of the Confederacy: "I reasoned on the _moral_ effect of recognition, considering that the restoration of the Union, which was utterly hopeless, was the object which the North had in view, etc., etc.

This reasoning appeared to produce a considerable effect, for he appears now to be very open to conviction.

He again said that in his opinion the subjugation of the South could not be effected by the North, and he added that he thought the people of the North were becoming more and more alive to the fact every day." Lindsay's next step was to be the securing of an interview with Russell and if he was found to be equally acquiescent all would be plain sailing: "Now, if by strong reasoning in a quiet way, and by stern facts we can get Lord R.to my views, I think I may say that all difficulty so far as our Cabinet is concerned, _is at an end_.