74/80 To some it will no doubt seem inconceivable that Benjamin should not have informed Mercier of his plans for France, just formulated. But here, as in Chapter IX, I prefer to accept Mercier's positive assurances to Lyons at their face value. Lyons certainly so accepted them and there is nothing in French documents yet published to cast doubt on Mercier's honour, while the chronology of the Confederate documents supports it.] [Footnote 710: Mason Papers.] [Footnote 711: _Ibid._, Mason to Slidell, July 18 and 19.] [Footnote 712: _Parliamentary Papers_, 1863, _Lords_, Vol. XXIX. 7.] [Footnote 713: _Ibid._, No. |