Lord John gave us to understand that he would alter his draft, but I do not feel any security that it will be done in a satisfactory manner.
I am, Sir, with the greatest respect, your Royal Highness's obedient, humble, and faithful servant,
Granville.
Earl Cowley to Lord John Russell.
(Submitted to the Queen.)
LORD COWLEY AND THE EMPEROR
Paris, 7th March 1860.
My dear Lord John,—I send a messenger this evening, in order that you may not hear from any one else of the passage of arms which took place between the Emperor and myself yesterday evening. You will find the account of it in the enclosed despatch. The more I reflect on it, the less I think that I could pass over the Emperor's conduct and language without notice. His tone and manner were really offensive, and if I had let them pass unheeded might have been repeated on another occasion. I must say that nothing could have been more friendly than His Majesty's bearing after I had spoken to him. He was profuse in his excuses, and the Empress told me later in the evening that he was désolé—"qu'il s'était laissé entraîner par un mouvement d'humeur," etc. I, of course, said that I should think no more about it.
One good thing has been gained by it, that the Emperor has declared that he does not mean to act in defiance of the opinion of the Great Powers....
I wish that I had not this disagreeable history to trouble you with, but do not attach greater importance to it than it merits. I look upon it as at an end.