56/73 24, 1862.] [Footnote 549: _Ibid._, March 6, 1862.] [Footnote 550: F.O., Am., Vol.825.No.146.Lyons to Russell, Feb. The fact that Slidell arrived in France just as Napoleon's plans for Mexico took clearer form has been made the ground for assumptions that he immediately gave assurance of Southern acquiescence and encouraged Napoleon to go forward. I have found no good evidence of this--rather the contrary. The whole plan was clear to Cowley by mid-January before Slidell reached Paris, and Slidell's own correspondence shows no early push on Mexico. |