He told me that the three representatives of the Southern confederacy were here[139]; that he had not seen them, but was not unwilling to do so, _unofficially_; that there existed an understanding between this government and that of France which would lead both to take the same course as to recognition, whatever that course might be; and he then referred to the rumour of a meditated blockade of Southern ports and their discontinuance as ports of entry--topics on which I had heard nothing.

But as I informed him that Mr.Adams had apprised me of his intention to be on his way hither, in the steamship 'Niagara,' which left Boston on the 1st May, and that he would probably arrive in less than two weeks, by the 12th or 15th instant, his lordship acquiesced in the expediency of disregarding mere rumour, and waiting the full knowledge to be brought by my successor.

The motion, therefore, of Mr.Gregory may be further postponed, at his lordship's suggestion." May 3rd, Russell held an unofficial interview with the two Southern commissioners in fact arrived, Yancey and Rost.

As reported by them[140], Russell listened with attention to their representation, but made no informing comment.

They argued the constitutional right of secession, depicted the firm determination of the South, were confident of early acquiescence by the North, and especially laid stress on the Southern desire for free trade.