Note 224 — Chapter XV

I daresay many persons thought at the time that I was interfering, where I had no business, with the affairs of Diplomacy; but the truth was this, as I had taken upon myself the responsibility of the motion which the House of Commons adopted, Lord Russell felt, that I ought to go a step further, and do what I could to carry it into effect, more especially, as the whole question was one full of technical details. Indeed, Lord Cowley frankly stated that it was so technical in its character, that he did not feel competent to bring it under the notice of the French Government, and, in justice to his Lordship, I must state that, so far from feeling that I was interfering with his duties, he, not merely, rendered every assistance in his power, but was most anxious that I should succeed in the object of my self-imposed mission. The advantages I possessed were a practical knowledge of the subject in all its bearings and details—a slight personal knowledge of the Emperor which I had gained when I had an interview with him about his transport service during the Crimean war, and, more especially, the friendship of Michel Chevalier, through whom I became acquainted with M. Rouher, the then Minister of Commerce.