Mason at once notified Slidell of his receipt of the recall instruction and secured the latter’s approval of the communication he proposed making to Russell[1112].  A general consultation of Southern agents took place and Mason would have been vexed had he known how small was the regard for his abilities as a diplomat[1113]. The Index hastened to join in a note already struck at Richmond of warm welcome to France in her conquest of Mexico, reprinting on September 17, an editorial from the Richmond Enquirer in which it was declared, “France is the only Power in the world that has manifested any friendly feeling towards the Confederacy in its terrible struggle for independence.”  Evidently all hope was now centred upon Napoleon, a conclusion without doubt distasteful to Mason and one which he was loth to accept as final.

On September 21, Mason notified Russell of his withdrawal very nearly in the words of Benjamin’s instruction.  The news was at once made public, calling out from the Times a hectoring editorial on the folly of the South in demanding recognition before it had won it[1114].  In general, however, the press took a tone apparently intended to “let Mason down easily,” acknowledging that his act indicated a universal understanding that Great Britain would not alter her policy of strict neutrality, but expressing admiration for the courage and confidence of the South[1115].  September 25, Russell replied to Mason with courtesy but also with seeming finality: 

“I have on other occasions explained to you the reasons which have induced Her Majesty’s Government to decline the overtures you allude to, and the motives which have hitherto prevented the British Court from recognizing you as the accredited Minister of an established State.

     “These reasons are still in force, and it is not necessary to
     repeat them.

“I regret that circumstances have prevented my cultivating your personal acquaintance, which, in a different state of affairs, I should have done with much pleasure and satisfaction[1116].”

Thus Mason took his exit.  Brief entrances upon the stage in England were still to be his, but the chief role there was now assigned to others and the principal scenes transferred to France.  That Mason did not fully concur in this as final, easily as it was accepted by Slidell, is evident from his later correspondence with Lindsay and Spence.  He regarded the question of British recognition of the South as mainly an English political question, pinning his hopes on a Tory overthrow of Palmerston’s Ministry.  This he believed to depend on the life of the Prime Minister and his anxious inquiries as to the health of Palmerston were frequent.  Nothing in his instructions indicated a desired course of action and Mason after consulting Slidell and, naturally, securing his acquiescence, determined to remain in Europe waiting events.