That has now for some months been demonstrated; and the fact thus established at once places the question beyond the region even of the most brilliant military successes[717]...." Gladstone was primarily influenced by the British commercial situation.
Lyons, still in England, and a consistent opponent of a change of policy, feared this commercial influence.

He wrote to Stuart: "...I can hardly anticipate any circumstances under which I should think the intervention of England in the quarrel between the North and South advisable....
"But it is very unfortunate that no result whatever is apparent from the nominal re-opening of New Orleans and other ports.

And the distress in the manufacturing districts threatens to be so great that a pressure may be put upon the Government which they will find it difficult to resist[718]." In Parliament sneers were indulged in by Palmerston at the expense of the silent cotton manufacturers of Lancashire, much to the fury of Cobden[719].

Of this period Arnold later sarcastically remarked that, "The representatives of Lancashire in the Houses of Parliament did not permit the gaieties of the Exhibition season wholly to divert their attention from the distress which prevailed in the home county[720]." Being refused an interview, Mason transmitted to Russell on August 1 a long appeal, rather than a demand, for recognition, using exactly those arguments advanced by Lindsay in debate[721].

The answer, evidently given after that "Cabinet" for whose decision Russell had been waiting, was dated August 2.