day Cowley reported that Drouyn de Lhuys stated the Emperor to be very anxious to “put an end to the War,” but that he was himself doubtful whether it would not be better to “wait a little longer,” and in any case if overtures to America were rejected Russia probably would not join Great Britain and France in going on to a recognition of the South[810].  All this was exactly in line with that plan to which Russell had finally come and if officially notified to the British Government would require a renewed consideration by the Cabinet.  Presumably Napoleon knew what had been going on in London and he now hastened to give the needed French push.  October 28, Slidell was summoned to an audience and told of the Emperor’s purpose, acting with England, to bring about an armistice[811].  Three days later, October 31, Cowley wrote that he had now been officially informed by Drouyn de Lhuys, “by the Emperor’s orders” that a despatch was about to be sent to the French Ministers in England and Russia instructing them to request joint action by the three powers in suggesting an armistice of six months including a suspension of the blockade, thus throwing open Southern ports to European commerce[812].

Napoleon’s proposal evidently took Palmerston by surprise and was not regarded with favour.  He wrote to Russell: 

“As to the French scheme of proposals to the United States, we had better keep that question till the Cabinet meets, which would be either on Monday 11th, or Wednesday 12th, as would be most convenient to you and our colleagues.  But is it likely that the Federals would consent to an armistice to be accompanied by a cessation of Blockades, and which would give the Confederates means of getting all the supplies they may want?”

* * * * *

“Then comes the difficulty about slavery and the giving up of runaway slaves, about which we could hardly frame a proposal which the Southerns would agree to, and people of England would approve of.  The French Government are more free from the shackles of principle and of right and wrong on these matters, as on all others than we are.  At all events it would be wiser to wait till the elections in North America are over before any proposal is made.  As the Emperor is so anxious to put a stop to bloodshed he might try his hand as a beginning by putting down the stream of ruffians which rolls out from that never-failing fountain at Rome[813].”

But Russell was more optimistic, or at least in favour of some sort of proposal to America.  He replied to Palmerston: 

“My notion is that as there is little chance of our good offices being accepted in America we should make them such as would be creditable to us in Europe.  I should propose to answer the French proposal therefore by saying,

“That in offering our good offices we ought to require both parties to consent to