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.
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