“But it is very unfortunate that no result whatever is apparent from the nominal re-opening of New Orleans and other ports.  And the distress in the manufacturing districts threatens to be so great that a pressure may be put upon the Government which they will find it difficult to resist[718].”

In Parliament sneers were indulged in by Palmerston at the expense of the silent cotton manufacturers of Lancashire, much to the fury of Cobden[719].  Of this period Arnold later sarcastically remarked that, “The representatives of Lancashire in the Houses of Parliament did not permit the gaieties of the Exhibition season wholly to divert their attention from the distress which prevailed in the home county[720].”

Being refused an interview, Mason transmitted to Russell on August 1 a long appeal, rather than a demand, for recognition, using exactly those arguments advanced by Lindsay in debate[721].  The answer, evidently given after that “Cabinet” for whose decision Russell had been waiting, was dated August 2.  In it Russell, as in his reply to Seward on July 28, called attention to the wholly contradictory statements of North and South on the status of the war, which, in British opinion, had not yet reached a stage positively indicative of the permanence of Southern independence.  Great Britain, therefore, still “waited,” but the time might come when Southern firmness in resistance would bring recognition[722].  The tone was more friendly than any expressions hitherto used by Russell to Southern representatives.  The reply does not reveal the decision actually arrived at by the Ministry.  Gladstone wrote to Argyll on August 3 that “yesterday” a Cabinet had been held on the question “to move or not to move, in the matter of the American Civil War....”  He had come away before a decision when it became evident the prevailing sentiment would be “nothing shall be done until both parties are desirous of it.”  Gladstone thought this very foolish; he would have England approach France and Russia, but if they were not ready, wait until they were.  “Something, I trust, will be done before the hot weather is over to stop these frightful horrors[723].”

All parties had been waiting since the debate of July 18 for the Cabinet decision.  It was at once generally known as “no step at present” and wisdom would have decreed quiet acquiescence.  Apparently one Southern friend, on his own initiative, felt the need to splutter.  On the next day, August 4, Lord Campbell in the Lords moved for the production of Russell’s correspondence with Mason, making a very confused speech.  “Society and Parliament” were convinced the war ought to end in separation.  At one time Campbell argued that reconquest of the South was impossible; at another that England should interfere to prevent such reconquest.  Again he urged that the North was in a situation where she could not stop the war without aid from Europe in extricating her.  Probably the motion was made