on “Monday next[1097].”  Meantime many powerful organs of the French press had taken up the matter and were full of sharp criticism of Napoleon’s supposed policy and actions as stated by Roebuck.  The effect in England was to create a feeling that Napoleon might have difficulty in carrying out a pro-Southern policy[1098].  Palmerston, wishing to avoid further discussion on Napoleon’s share in providing fuel for the debate, wrote in a very conciliatory and pleasant way to Roebuck, on July 9: 

“Perhaps you will allow me thus privately to urge upon you, and through you upon Mr. Lindsay, the expediency of dropping altogether, whether your debate goes on or not, all further mention or discussion of what passed between you and Mr. Lindsay on the one hand, and the Emperor of the French on the other.  In truth the whole proceeding on this subject the other day seems to me to have been very irregular.  The British Parliament receives messages and communications from their own sovereign, but not from the sovereigns of other countries....”

“No good can come of touching again upon this matter, nor from fixing upon the Emperor a mistake which amid the multiplicity of things he has to think of he may be excused for making.  I am very anxious that neither you nor Mr. Lindsay should mention those matters any more, as any discussion about them must tend to impair the good relations between the French and English Governments.  Might I ask you to show this note to Mr. Lindsay, your fellow traveller[1099].”

The next day, in the Commons, Sir James Ferguson appealed to Roebuck to withdraw his motion altogether as inexpedient, because of the uncertainty of events in America and as sure to be defeated if pressed to a vote.  Palmerston approved this suggestion and urged that if the debate be continued speakers should refrain from all further mention of the personal questions that had been raised, since these were not proper matters for discussion in the House and were embarrassing to the French Emperor.  But Palmerston’s skill in management was unavailing in this case and the “muss” (as Mason called it) was continued when Lindsay entered upon a long account of the interview with Napoleon, renewed the accusations of Russell’s “revelations” to Seward and advised Roebuck not to withdraw his motion but to postpone it “until Monday.”  The Scotia, he said was due and any moment news from America might change the governmental policy.  Again the fat was in the fire.  Palmerston sharply disavowed that news would change policy.  Kinglake thought Roebuck’s actions should be thoroughly investigated.  Forster eagerly pressed for continuation of the debate.  There was a general criticism of Roebuck’s “diplomacy,” and of Lindsay’s also.  Northern friends were jubilant and those of the South embarrassed and uncertain.  Gregory believed that the motion should be withdrawn “in the interest of the South,” but Lord Robert Cecil renewed Lindsay’s advice to wait “until Monday” and this was finally done[1100].