This was good news.  June 22, Slidell received a note from Mocquard stating that Baron Gros, the French Ambassador at London, had been instructed to sound Russell.  Meanwhile, Roebuck and Lindsay had hurried to Paris, June 20, saw Napoleon and on the twenty-fifth, Slidell reported that they were authorized to state in the House of Commons that France was “not only willing but anxious to recognize the Confederate States with the co-operation of England[1083].”  Slidell added, however, that Napoleon had not promised Roebuck and Lindsay to make a formal proposal to Great Britain.  This rested on the assurances received by Slidell from Mocquard, and when Mason, who had let the assurance be known to his friends, wrote that Russell, replying to Clanricarde, on June 26, had denied any official communication from France, and asked for authority from Slidell to back up his statements by being permitted to give Roebuck a copy of the supposed instruction[1084], he received a reply indicating confusion somewhere: 

“I called yesterday on my friend at the Affaires Etrangeres on the subject of your note of Saturday:  he has just left me.  M.D. de Lh. will not give a copy of his instructions to Baron Gros—­but this is the substance of it.  On the 19th he directed Baron Gros to take occasion to say to leading Members of Parliament that the Emperor’s opinions on the subject of American affairs were unchanged.  That he was disposed with the co-operation of England immediately to recognize the Confederate States; this was in the form of a draft letter, not a despatch.  On the 22nd, he officially instructed the Baron to sound Palmerston on the subject and to inform him of the Emperor’s views and wishes.  This was done in consequence of a note from the Emperor, to the Minister, in which he said, ’Je me demande, s’il ne serait bien d’avertir Lord Palmerston, que je suis decide a reconnaitre le Sud.’  This is by far the most significant thing that the Emperor has said, either to me or to the others.  It renders me comparatively indifferent what England may do or omit doing.  At all events, let Mr. Roebuck press his motion and make his statement of the Emperor’s declaration.  Lord Palmerston will not dare to dispute it and the responsibility of the continuance of the war will rest entirely upon him.  M. Drouyn de Lhuys has not heard from Baron Gros the result of his interview with Palmerston.  I see that the latter has been unwell and it is probable that the former had not been able to see him.  There can be no impropriety in Mr. Roebuck’s seeing Baron Gros, who will doubtless give him information which he will use to advantage.  I write in great haste; will you do me the favour to let Lord Campbell know the substance of this note, omitting that portion of it which relates to the Emperor’s inclination to act alone.  Pray excuse me to Lord Campbell for not writing to him, time not permitting me to do so[1085].”

This did not satisfy Mason; he telegraphed on the twenty-ninth, “Can I put in hands of Roebuck copy of Mocquard’s note brought by Corcoran[1086].”  To which Slidell replied by letter: