1839
_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
PAVILION [BRIGHTON], _1st January 1839._
MY DEAR UNCLE,--... I don't like your _croaking_ so about damp
climates; if a niece may venture to say such a thing, I might almost
say it is ungrateful to your faithful and attached Belgians.
The Queen-Dowager's letters do tantalize one a good deal, I must
own.[1] You will see that old Lord Clarendon[2] is dead, which makes
our friend Villiers Earl of Clarendon, but I am afraid not with a
large income.
Lord Palmerston has been unwell and obliged to go to Broadlands, where
he still is. He had gone through so much grief and labour, that it was
absolutely necessary for him to recruit his strength. The Normanbys
spent two nights here.[3] Lord Melbourne is the only person staying in
the house besides several of my Court and my suite, and, I am sorry to
say, is not very well; he has also had, I fear, too much business to
do.
Lady Breadalbane[4] is my new Lady of the Bedchamber, and a very nice
person. Ever your devoted Niece,
VICTORIA R.
Forgive this short scrawl.
[Footnote 1: Queen Adelaide had described the orange-trees and
tropical fruits in the gardens of the Palace of St Antonio,
Valetta.]
[Footnote 2: John Charles, third Earl, Chief Justice-in-eyre,
North of Trent. His successor, who had been Minister to Spain
since 1833, was afterwards the celebrated Foreign Secretary.]
[Footnote 3: Lord Normanby, at this time Lord-Lieutenant of
Ireland, became successively during the year, Colonial and
Home Secretary. Lady Normanby, who had been a Lady-in-Waiting
since the accession, was a daughter of the first Lord
Ravensworth.]
[Footnote 4: Eliza, daughter of George Baillie of Jerviswood.
Her brother afterwards became tenth Earl of Haddington.]
[Pageheading: MURDER OF LORD NORBURY]
_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._
_6th January 1839._
Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and
returns his best and warmest thanks for the very kind and gracious
communication which he had the honour and pleasure of receiving from
your Majesty yesterday evening. Your Majesty will have seen in the
newspapers that Lord Norbury was shot at in his own grounds and
dangerously wounded.[5] Lord Melbourne learns to-day by a letter
from Lord Morpeth that Lord Norbury is since dead. This is a shocking
event, and will, of course, create a strong sensation, much stronger
than the death in the same manner of several persons of inferior
degree. It is almost the first time that an attempt of this kind has
been directed against an individual of that rank or station....
Lord Melbourne has seen Sir Henry Halford,[6] who says that his pulse
is low and his system languid. He has prescribed some draughts, which
Lord Melbourne trusts will be of service, but he feels much depressed
to-day. He dined yesterday at Lady Holland's, where he met Mr
Ellice,[7] civil and friendly enough in appearance, but Lord Melbourne
fears hostile at heart, and a determined partisan of Lord Durham. Lord
Durham has not yet made to Lord Glenelg the promised communication of
his report and plan, but it is said that he will do so soon....
[Footnote 5: At Kilbeggan Abbey, County Meath. The murderer
escaped.]
[Footnote 6: The celebrated physician: he attended George IV.
and William IV., as well as Queen Victoria.]
[Footnote 7: Son-in-law of Lord Grey, as was also Lord
Durham.]
_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _11th January 1839._
MY DEAR UNCLE,--The dreadful moment has arrived, and dear Marie[8] is
no more to bless her loving relations with her presence on this earth
of grief and troubles! It is a heavy dispensation, and one that it is
difficult to comprehend, but we must submit.
I thought it best to write to my poor dear Aunt, for whom this will
be a sad blow; but I abstained from doing so to the dear Queen of the
French just as yet. I have no letters, and only learnt the melancholy
event by the papers. Poor wretched Alexander! What a loss, what a
change for him, poor fellow!
_You_ will, I am sure, regret that sweet amiable creature, as poor
Marie was, very much, having known her so well, and her attachment to
you was great.
I will not prolong this letter, but merely repeat _how_ much I feel
for you all, and beg you to believe me, your most affectionate Niece,
VICTORIA R.
[Footnote 8: Princess Marie of Orleans, born 1813, sister to
the Queen of the Belgians, had married Prince Alexander of
Würtemberg, in 1837.]
[Pageheading: HOLLAND AND BELGIUM]
_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._
LAEKEN, _18th January 1839._
... Your Aunt as well as myself are very anxious to be of use to poor
Alexander. The dispositions of the whole family are extremely
kind towards him, but he is shy and a little helpless; his present
melancholy situation is of course calculated to increase this.
His position puts me in mind of mine in 1817.... He, besides, is
surrounded by people who are kind to him. Of George IV., then Regent,
it was observed that for years he had not been in such good
spirits than by the loss of his daughter. She was more popular than
himself--that was, since her mariage, her only crime....
I feel very grateful for Lord Melbourne's kindness on the subject of
our sad loss. He is so feeling and kindhearted that he, much more than
most men who have lived so much in the _grand monde_, has preserved a
certain warmth and freshness of feeling....
Your cousins kiss your hands, and I remain, my dearest Victoria, your
devoted Uncle,
LEOPOLD R.
_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._
STANHOPE STREET, _27th January 1839._
Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and
returns to your Majesty the accompanying papers which he received
from Viscount Melbourne. Your Majesty will have seen by Sir Edward
Disbrowe's[9] despatches that the concentration of Dutch troops
mentioned in these reports was purely defensive, and was the
consequence of the military demonstrations previously made by the
Belgians; and it appears, moreover, that the Dutch force is inferior
in number to the Belgian force opposite to it; and that affords an
additional security against the chance of an invasion of Belgium by
the Dutch. It is, however, undeniable that when two armies are drawn
up in face of each other, separated by a small distance, and animated
by mutual hatred, the chances of collision become great and imminent.
But it is to be hoped in the present case that the communication made
by the Conference to the two parties on Thursday last may avert danger
of hostilities between the Dutch and Belgians.[10]
[Footnote 9: Minister at the Hague.]
[Footnote 10: _See_ next letter.]
[Pageheading: BELGIUM AND ENGLAND]
_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _7th February 1839._
MY DEAR UNCLE,--I am much grieved to learn that poor Philippe[11] has
given you such anxiety. My poor Aunt! it really is too much upon her
to have these cares added to her recent severe affliction. I hope to
God that I shall get news of Philippe's complete recovery to-morrow.
I regret to hear that your Government gives you so much trouble,
but trust that you will exert all your influence, as you have so
frequently done, to persuade your Ministers to be reasonable, and not
to resist the favourable offers made to the Government. _Everybody_
here is exceedingly anxious for the conclusion of these long pending
affairs, and hope that the answer from Belgium will soon arrive.[12]
You will forgive me, dear Uncle, if I express to you my earnest hope
that these expectations may not be disappointed, for I feel that
since the Dutch have so instantly accepted the proposition of the
Conference, Belgium would suffer in the eyes of this country were she
to delay, and, what I am still more fearful of, my beloved Uncle, you
might be blamed, and suffer for what your Government may do. You will,
I know, forgive this freedom, which is prompted by my great anxiety
for your _welfare_ and _happiness_ (which I know you are well aware
of), and for the preservation of the inestimable blessings of peace.
No one feels more for you than I do at this difficult moment, nor than
I have done throughout these trying and embarrassing affairs. That all
may be peaceably and amicably settled is my earnest prayer.
Everything went off well yesterday,[13] and we are again launched into
a political campaign, which it is impossible not to contemplate with a
certain degree of anxiety.
Adieu! my dear Uncle. Give my love to my dear Aunt, and believe me,
always, your most devoted Niece,
VICTORIA R.
[Footnote 11: See _ante_, p. 65. (12th April, 1837)]
[Footnote 12: The twenty-four Articles, to which Belgium
had acceded in 1831, had then been rejected by Holland. Now,
however, Holland wished to adopt them. The Belgian Government
vainly proposed different schemes, but at last the Bill for
ratifying the proposal of the Powers (made 23rd January 1839,
and accepted by Holland on 11th February) passed the Belgian
Chambers.]
[Footnote 13: The Queen opened Parliament in person on 6th
February.]
[Pageheading: CABINET DISSENSION]
_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._
_10th February 1839._
Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and thinks
it right and necessary to acquaint your Majesty that the Cabinet
yesterday was very stormy and unpleasant. Lord John Russell brought on
the question of the Civil Government of the Army, in a temperate and
judicious manner, but Lord Howick made a most violent speech, strongly
condemning the whole of the present system and arraigning the conduct
of the Treasury and other Departments, saying that he should not throw
up his office because no measure was brought forward, but that, when
questioned upon the subject by Mr Hume in the House of Commons, as it
was certain that he would be, he should say that Government would do
nothing upon the subject, until he (Mr Hume) compelled them, and that
he should express his entire disapprobation of the present system,
and his reasons in detail for that disapprobation. Your Majesty will
perceive that nothing could be more violent than this course. It was
borne with great patience by the rest of the Cabinet, although Mr.
Rice,[14] against whom the greater part of Lord Howick's speech was
directed, felt himself most deeply hurt, and so expressed himself in
private afterwards to Lord Melbourne. Upon the whole, Lord Melbourne
cannot but consider that affairs are in a most precarious state, and
that whilst there is so much discontent fermenting within the Cabinet
itself, there must be great doubt of Lord Melbourne's being much
longer able to hold the Administration together.
[Footnote 14: The Chancellor of the Exchequer.]
_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._
_10th February 1839._
Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and is very
sorry that his communication has occasioned your Majesty so much alarm
and uneasiness. Lord Melbourne hopes that there is nothing imminent
and immediate, but this sort of outbreak and contention may so soon
become serious, that Lord Melbourne thought it his duty to take an
early opportunity of informing your Majesty of what had taken place.
Lord Melbourne would wait upon your Majesty without delay, but trusts
that this letter will be sufficient to dispel any disquietude which
his former communication may have excited.
[Pageheading: THE DUKE OF LUCCA]
_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._
WILTON CRESCENT, _20th February 1839._
Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and has
the honour to report that Mr Charles Villiers[15] moved yesterday,
after a very able speech, that the petitioners against the Corn Laws
should be heard at the Bar of the House.
Sir Robert Peel opposed the Motion on the ground that he meant to
resist any change in the Corn Laws. He made a very skilful use of the
returns of cotton, etc., exported.
[Footnote 15: M.P. for Wolverhampton 1835-1898, becoming
"Father of the House."]
_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._
STANHOPE STREET, _5th March 1839._
Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty,
and requests to be honoured with your Majesty's commands upon the
accompanying letter from Count Pollon.[16] Viscount Palmerston at the
same time begs to state that he has reason to believe, from what Count
Pollon said to him in conversation two days ago, that the Duke of
Lucca[17] has a notion that Sovereign Princes who have had the honour
of dining with your Majesty, have been invited by note and not by
card. If that should be so, and if your Majesty should invite the
Duke of Lucca to dine at the Palace before his departure, perhaps the
invitation might be made by note, instead of by card, as it was when
the Duke last dined at the Palace. Your Majesty may think this a small
matter, but the Duke is a small Sovereign.
[Footnote 16: For many years Sardinian Minister in England.]
[Footnote 17: Lucca was an independent Italian State.]
[Pageheading: PORTUGAL]
_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._
_9th March 1839._
Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and feels
very deeply the very kind and gracious concern which your Majesty
expresses for his health, as well as your Majesty's solicitude and
interest upon all occasions. Lord Melbourne will take your Majesty's
advice, but his experience teaches him that illness is not so easily
put off, and that it will have its course in spite of precaution....
Lord Melbourne thinks, upon the whole, that your Majesty had perhaps
better write by messenger a few lines of kindness and recollection.
It can be no descent on your Majesty's part to do so, and as we may be
obliged to take very strong measures with respect to Portugal, it
is as well that there should be no appearance of any deficiency of
affection or attention. Lord Melbourne [thinks] that, for the reason
given by your Majesty, your Majesty may perhaps as well not go to the
play this evening, but is very sorry to hear that your Majesty is low
and out of spirits.
_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _14th March 1839._
MY DEAR UNCLE,--Many thanks for two letters, one which I received last
Sunday, and the other enclosing a letter from Stockmar this morning. I
am glad you agree with me about Victoire.[18] Since I wrote to you,
I got these two letters from the Portuguese children--as I
disrespectfully but very deservedly call them--which I send you, in
order that you may see how they wish Victoire to come to them, which
I fear and think is totally impracticable, for it would never do for
Victoire to go so far without her mother. Nevertheless, I thought it
but right by them to send you these letters, and I have written to
them giving them little hope.
The French Ministry are gone, and I am sure the poor King will be much
vexed by it. They talk of Broglie as Minister for Foreign Affairs,[19]
but I am afraid Thiers is inevitable. We are rather in fear of Thiers
here, but it is a pity that Louis Philippe should show so much dislike
to a man he must take, for it will have the effect of a defeat.
I have no time to add more, but to beg you to believe me, always, your
most affectionate Niece,
VICTORIA R.
[Footnote 18: Daughter of Prince Ferdinand of Saxe-Coburg, and
married in April 1840 to the Duc de Nemours.]
[Footnote 19: After a provisional Cabinet, in which the Duc de
Montebello was Foreign Minister, the King appointed a Ministry
with Soult as Premier and Foreign Minister.]
[Pageheading: DIFFICULTIES OF THE MINISTRY]
_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._
_22nd March 1839._
Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs to
acquaint your Majesty that the Cabinet have decided--
1. That it is impossible to acquiesce in the vote of last night in the
House of Lords.[20]
2. That it would not be justifiable to resign in the face of the
declaration which I made in the year 1836, in the House of Lords, that
I would maintain my post as long as I possessed the confidence of the
Crown and of the House of Commons, particularly as there is no reason
to suppose that we have lost the confidence of the House.
3. That the course to be pursued is to give notice in the House
of Commons to-night, that the sense of that House will be taken
immediately after the Easter Holidays, upon a vote of approbation of
the principles of Lord Normanby's government of Ireland.
If we lose that question, or carry it by a small majority, we must
resign. If we carry it, we may go on.
This is a plain statement of the case, and this course will at least
give your Majesty time to consider what is to be done.
[Footnote 20: By 63 to 58 Lord Roden carried a motion for a
Select Committee to enquire into the state of Ireland; the
Ministry replied by obtaining a vote of the House of Commons
in their favour by 318 to 296.]
_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._
BROCKET HALL,[21] _1st April 1839._
Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and has just
received your Majesty's letters, for which he returns many and warm
thanks. Nothing could be more prosperous than his journey down,
although it rained hard the greater part of the way. Lord Melbourne
slept well, and has walked out this morning, although it was still
showery. Nothing is so fatiguing as the first exposure to the air of
the country, and Lord Melbourne feels the influence of it.
Lord Melbourne returns the letters of the King of the Belgians. He
accounts very naturally for the conduct of the poor Duchess,[22] but
she should have recollected the extreme disadvantage and discredit
which attaches to a change of religion. _Un gentilhomme ne change
jamais la religion_, was the saying of Napoleon, and is very just. It
is difficult to understand the movements and motives of parties in a
foreign country, and therefore Lord Melbourne does not feel able to
pronounce any opinion upon the transactions in France. Lord Melbourne
had seen G----'s letters, a pert jackanapes, who always takes the
worst view of every subject, and does as much mischief as he can....
Lord Melbourne is just starting for Panshanger.[23] The evening is
better than the morning was, but cold.
[Footnote 21: Lord Melbourne's house on the Lea, about three
miles north of Hatfield. Its construction was begun by Sir
Matthew Lamb, and completed by his son, Sir Peniston, the
first Lord Melbourne.]
[Footnote 22: Princess Alexander of Würtemberg. On her
death-bed, she had expressed a wish to her husband that he
should join the Roman Catholic Church.]
[Footnote 23: Panshanger, not far distant from Brocket, the
house of Lord Melbourne's brother-in-law, Lord Cowper, and
celebrated for its pictures, was bought by Lord Chancellor
Cowper, _temp._ Queen Anne.]
[Pageheading: ENGLAND AND BELGIUM]
_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _9th April 1839._
MY DEAR UNCLE,--... I regret to learn you are still not easy about
your own affairs, but trust all will now be speedily adjusted. You
always allow me, dear Uncle, to speak frankly to you; you will,
therefore, I hope, not be displeased if I venture to make a few
observations on one or two parts of your letter.
You say that the anger of the Belgians is principally directed against
England.[24] Now, I must say you are very unjust towards us, and (if
I could) I might be even a little angry with you, dear Uncle. We only
_pressed_ Belgium for her _own_ good, and _not_ for ours. It may seem
hard at first, but the time will come when you will see that we were
right in urging you not to delay any longer the signature of the
treaty.
I think that you will see in this frank expression of my sentiments no
wish to annoy or hurt you, but only an anxious desire to prove to you
that England is Belgium's sincere friend, and that my Government
are ever desirous of doing what is in their power for the welfare,
security, and prosperity of yourself and your kingdom.
I regret much the state of affairs in France,[25] which cannot but
make us all somewhat anxious; you will, I hope tell me what news you
hear from Paris.
Pray, dearest Uncle, receive my best, my very warmest, wishes for many
happy returns of dear Leopold's birthday, and also, though somewhat
late, for Philippe's birthday.
Give my love to my dear Aunt, and believe me, always, your most
devoted Niece,
VICTORIA R.
[Footnote 24: He had written on 5th April:--"The feeling is
strongest against England, in which the people expected to
see a support, and only found a strong determination to decide
_everything against them_ and at _their expense_. If there was
a great explosion in France, it would not be astonishing to
see the people here join it; it would rather be astonishing to
see it otherwise, after the kind treatment they received from
the Powers."]
[Footnote 25: The King was for a time without any Ministry,
and the meeting of the Chambers had to be postponed.]
[Pageheading: PRINCE ALBERT IN ITALY]
_Baron Stockmar to Queen Victoria._
NAPLES, _16th April 1839._
MADAM,--As it is some time that I had the honour to address your
Majesty, I hope that a further account of our crusades will meet with
a favourable reception.
It is now somewhat better than a month that we left Florence, I may
say with regret, for we were there very comfortably in every respect.
On our route to Rome we enjoyed the beautiful sight of the cataract at
Terni, the place where Queen Caroline sojourned for some time. We were
particularly fortunate that day, as the brightest sunshine heightened
its picturesque effects beyond description. We found old Rome very
full, and to see it and its ecclesiastic governors to advantage, the
Holy Week is certainly the properest time. From morning to noon the
Prince was at seeing sights, and he made so good a use of his time,
that I don't think that something really remarkable was left unseen.
Upon this very principle, we paid our respects to the Holy Father,[26]
of which interview the Prince made so admirable a sketch, so very
worthy of H.B.,[27] that I am very much tempted to send it for the
inspection of your Majesty. We assisted at the Church ceremonies of
the Holy Week from the beginning to the end. The music of the Sistine
Chapel, which is only vocal, may be well considered as unique, and has
not failed to make a lasting impression upon a mind so musical as the
Prince's....
I never think of your Majesty--and I take the liberty of thinking
very frequently of you--without praying for health, serenity of mind,
comfort and success for you, and I can well say that I am from my
heart, your Majesty's sincerely attached and devoted Servant,
STOCKMAR.
[Footnote 26: Gregory XVI.]
[Footnote 27: Initials adopted by Mr Doyle, father of Richard
Doyle, in his _Reform Caricatures_.]
[Pageheading: BELGIUM]
_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._
_19th April 1839._
... I am glad I extracted some spark of politics from your dear
Majesty, very _kindly_ and _nicely_ expressed. I know that your
generous little heart would not have wished at any time but what was
good for a country in which you were _much beloved_. But the fact is,
that certainly your Government have taken the lead in maintaining a
condition which time had rendered difficult to comply with. Physicians
will tell you that often an operation, which might have been performed
at one time, could not, without great danger for the patient, be
undertaken some years later. We have not been listened to, and
arrangements _are forced_ on us, in themselves full of seeds of
danger, when by consulting the _real interests_ of Holland and
Belgium, both countries might have been placed on a footing of
_sincere peace_ and good neighbourhood. This country feels now humbled
and _désenchanté_ with its _soi-disant_ political independence as it
pleased the Conference to settle it. They will take a dislike to a
political state which _wounds their vanity_, and will, in consequence
of this, _not wish it to continue_. Two things will happen, therefore,
on the very first opportunity, either that this country will
be involved in war to better a position which it thinks _too
humiliating_, or that it will voluntarily throw up a nominal
independence in which it is now hemmed in between France and Holland,
which begins on the North Sea, and ends, of all the things in this
world, on _the Moselle_!
I think old Pirson, who said in the Chamber that if the treaty was
carried into execution I was likely to be the first and last King
of the country, was not wrong. Whenever this will happen, it will be
_very awkward_ for England, and _deservedly so_. To see, after eight
years of hard work, blooming and thriving political plantations cut
and maimed, and that by those who have a real interest to protect
them, is very melancholy. I do not say these things with the most
distant idea of bringing about any change, but only because in the
high and very responsible position in which Providence has placed
you, it is good to tell you the truth, as you ought to have weight
and influence on the affairs of Europe; and England, not being in
the possibility of making territorial acquisition, has a real and
permanent interest in the proper maintenance of a balance of political
power in Europe. Now I will leave you to enjoy the beginning of
Spring, which a mild rain seems to push on prodigiously. Believe me
ever, my dear Victoria, your very attached Uncle,
LEOPOLD R.
[Pageheading: JAMAICA]
_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._
_26th April 1839._
Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs to
inform your Majesty that the result of the Cabinet has been a decision
to stand by the Bill as we have introduced it, and not to accede to
Sir Robert Peel's proposal. The Bill is for suspending the functions
of the Legislative Assembly of Jamaica, and governing that island for
five years by a Governor and Council.[28] If Sir Robert Peel should
persist in his proposal, and a majority of the House of Commons should
concur with him, it will be such a mark of want of confidence as it
will be impossible for your Majesty's Government to submit to.
[Footnote 28: _See_ Introductory Note, _ante_, p. 141. ( to Ch. VIII)]
_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _30th April 1839._
MY DEAR UNCLE,--I have to thank you for your last letter, which
I received on Sunday. Though you seem not to dislike my political
sparks, I think it is better not to increase them, as they might
finally take fire, particularly as I see with regret that upon this
one subject we cannot agree. I shall therefore limit myself to my
expressions of very sincere wishes for the welfare and prosperity of
Belgium.
The Grand Duke,[29] after a long delay, is at length to arrive on
Friday night; I shall put myself out of my way in order to be very
civil to such a great personage. I am already thinking how I shall
lodge all my relations; you must prepare Uncle Ferdinand for its not
being _very ample_, but this Palace, though large, is not calculated
to hold many visitors....
Believe me, always, your very affectionate Niece,
VICTORIA R.
[Footnote 29: The Hereditary Grand Duke of Russia, afterwards
the Emperor Alexander II.]
[Pageheading: MINISTERIAL CRISIS]
_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._
_7th May 1839._
Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and has to
acquaint your Majesty that the division upon the Jamaica Bill, which
took place about two this morning, was two hundred and ninety-nine
against the measure, and three hundred and four in favour of it.[30]
Lord Melbourne has not heard from Lord John Russell since this event,
but a Cabinet will of course be summoned early this morning, and Lord
Melbourne cannot conceal from your Majesty that in his opinion the
determination of the Cabinet must be that the relative numbers upon
this vote, joined to the consideration of no less than nine members
of those who have hitherto invariably supported the Government having
gone against it now, leave your Majesty's confidential servants no
alternative but to resign their offices into your Majesty's hands.
They cannot give up the Bill either with honour or satisfaction to
their own consciences, and in the face of such an opposition they
cannot persevere in it with any hope of success. Lord Melbourne
is certain that your Majesty will not deem him too presuming if
he expresses his fear that this decision will be both painful and
embarrassing to your Majesty, but your Majesty will meet this crisis
with that firmness which belongs to your character, and with that
rectitude and sincerity which will carry your Majesty through all
difficulties. It will also be greatly painful to Lord Melbourne to
quit the service of a Mistress who has treated him with such unvarying
kindness and unlimited confidence; but in whatever station he may be
placed, he will always feel the deepest anxiety for your Majesty's
interests and happiness, and will do the utmost in his power to
promote and secure them.
[Footnote 30: The numbers are apparently incorrectly stated.
The division was 294 to 289.]
[Pageheading: RESIGNATION IMMINENT]
_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._
_7th May 1839._
The present circumstances have been for some time so probable, or
rather so certain, that Lord Melbourne has naturally been led to weigh
and consider maturely the advice which, if called upon, he should
tender to your Majesty when they did arrive. That advice is, at once
to send for the Duke of Wellington. Your Majesty appears to Lord
Melbourne to have no other alternative. The Radicals have neither
ability, honesty, nor numbers. They have no leaders of any character.
Lord Durham was raised, one hardly knows how, into something of a
factitious importance by his own extreme opinions, by the panegyrics
of those who thought he would serve them as an instrument, and by the
management of the Press, but any little public reputation which he
might once have acquired has been entirely dissipated and destroyed by
the continued folly of his conduct in his Canadian Government. There
is no party in the State to which your Majesty can now resort, except
that great party which calls itself Conservative, and of that party,
his rank, station, reputation, and experience point out the Duke of
Wellington as the person to whom your Majesty should apply.
Lord Melbourne therefore advises that your Majesty should send for the
Duke of Wellington, and should acquaint him, provided your Majesty so
feels, that you were entirely satisfied with your late Government, and
that you part from them with reluctance; but that as he and the party
of which he is the head have been the means of removing them from
office, you naturally look to him to advise you as to the means of
supplying their places and carrying on the business of the country.
If the Duke should be unwilling to form the Government himself, and
should desire to devolve the task upon Sir Robert Peel, Lord Melbourne
would advise your Majesty to accede to that suggestion; but Lord
Melbourne would counsel your Majesty to be very unwilling to suffer
the Government to be formed by Sir Robert Peel, without the active
assistance in office of the Duke of Wellington.
With respect both to measures and appointments, your Majesty should
place the fullest confidence in those to whom you entrust the
management of affairs, exercising at the same time, and fully
expressing, your own judgment upon both.
Your Majesty will do well to be from the beginning very vigilant that
all measures and all appointments are stated to your Majesty in the
first instance, and your Majesty's pleasure taken thereon previously
to any instruments being drawn out for carrying them into effect, and
submitted to your Majesty's signature. It is the more necessary to be
watchful and active in this respect, as the extreme confidence which
your Majesty has reposed in me may have led to some omission at times
of these most necessary preliminaries.
The patronage of the Lord Chamberlain's Department is of the greatest
importance, and may be made to conduce at once to the beneficial
influence of the Crown, and to the elevation and encouragement of the
professions of the Church and of Medicine. This patronage, by being
left to the uncontrolled exercise of successive Lord Chamberlains, has
been administered not only wastefully but perniciously. The physicians
to the late King were many of them men of little eminence; the
chaplains are still a sorry set. Your Majesty should insist with the
new Ministers that this patronage should be disposed of, not by the
Lord Chamberlain, but, as it has hitherto been during your Majesty's
reign, by your Majesty upon consultation with your Prime Minister.
[Pageheading: DISTRESS OF THE QUEEN]
_Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne._
BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _9th May 1839._
The Queen thinks Lord Melbourne may possibly wish to know how she
is this morning; the Queen is somewhat calmer; she was in a wretched
state till nine o'clock last night, when she tried to occupy herself
and try to think less gloomily of this dreadful change, and she
succeeded in calming herself till she went to bed at twelve, and she
slept well; but on waking this morning, all--all that had happened
in one short eventful day came most forcibly to her mind, and brought
back her grief; the Queen, however, feels better now; but she couldn't
touch a morsel of food last night, nor can she this morning. The Queen
trusts Lord Melbourne slept well, and is well this morning; and that
he will come precisely at eleven o'clock. The Queen has received no
answer from the Duke, which is very odd, for she knows he got her
letter. The Queen hopes Lord Melbourne received her letter last night.
_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._
_8th May 1839._
Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and is
much grieved that he did not answer your Majesty's letter yesterday
evening, as your Majesty desired, but he did not get it till late, and
he felt much tired and harassed by all that had passed during the day.
The situation is very painful, but it is necessary for your Majesty to
be prudent and firm. It is of all things necessary not to be suspected
of any unfair dealing. Whilst Lord Melbourne holds his office,
everything of course may be written to him as usual; but still the
resolutions for the formation of the new Government will now commence,
and it will never do, whilst they are going on, either for appearance
or in reality, that Lord Melbourne should dine with your Majesty, as
he did before this disturbance. It would create feeling, possibly lead
to remonstrance, and throw a doubt upon the fairness and integrity
of your Majesty's conduct. All this is very painful both to do and to
say, but it is unavoidable; it must be said, and it must be done. Lord
Melbourne will wait upon your Majesty at eleven.[31]
[Footnote 31: Lord Melbourne had made the not unnatural
mistake of recommending to the Queen, as members of her first
Household, ladies who were nearly related to himself and his
Whig colleagues. No doubt these were the ladies whom he knew
best, and in whom he had entire confidence; but he ought to
have had sufficient prescience to see that the Queen would
probably form strong attachments to the ladies who first
served her: and that if the appointments had not in the first
instance a political complexion, yet that the Whig tendencies
which these Ladies represented were likely to affect the
Queen, in the direction of allying her closely with a
particular party in the State.]
[Pageheading: THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON]
[Pageheading: SIR ROBERT PEEL]
_Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne._
_8th May 1839._
The Queen told Lord Melbourne she would give him an account of what
passed, which she is _very_ anxious to do. She saw the Duke for about
twenty minutes; the Queen said she supposed he knew why she sent for
him, upon which the Duke said, No, he had no idea. The Queen then said
that she had had the greatest confidence in her late Ministry, and
had parted with them with the greatest reluctance; upon which the Duke
observed that he could assure me no one felt more pain in hearing the
announcement of their resignation than he did, and that he was deeply
grieved at it. The Queen then continued, that as his party had been
instrumental in removing them, that she must look to him to form a
new Government. The Duke answered that he had no power whatever in
the House of Commons, "that if he was to say black was white,[32] they
would say it was not," and that he advised me to send for Sir Robert
Peel, in whom I could place confidence, and who was a gentleman and a
man of honour and integrity. The Queen then said she hoped he would at
all events have a place in the new Cabinet. The Duke at first rather
refused, and said he was so deaf, and so old and unfit for any
discussion, that if he were to consult his own feelings he would
rather not do it, and remain quite aloof; but that as he was very
anxious to do anything that would tend to the Queen's comfort, and
would do everything and at all times that could be of use to the
Queen, and therefore if she and her Prime Minister urged his accepting
office, he would. The Queen said she had more confidence in him
than in any of the others of his party. The Queen then mentioned the
subject of the Household, and of those who were not in Parliament. The
Duke did not give any decisive answer about it, but advised the Queen
not to begin with conditions of this sort, and wait till the matter
was proposed. The Queen then said that she felt certain he would
understand the great friendship she had for Lord Melbourne, who had
been to her quite a parent, and the Duke said _no one felt and knew
that better than he did, and that no one could still be of greater
use to the Queen than Lord Melbourne_. The Duke spoke of his personal
friendship for Lord Melbourne, and that he hoped I knew that he had
often done all he could to help your (Lord Melbourne's) Government.
The Queen then mentioned her intention to prove her great _fairness_
to her new Government in telling them, that they might know there was
no unfair dealing, that I meant to see you often as a friend, as I
owed _so_ much to you. The Duke said he quite understood it, and knew
I would not exercise this to weaken the Government, and that he would
take my part about it, and felt for me. He was very kind, and said he
called it "a misfortune" that you had all left me.
The Queen wrote to Peel, who came after two, embarrassed and put out.
The Queen repeated what she had said to the Duke about her former
Government, and asked Sir Robert to form a new Ministry. He does not
seem sanguine; says entering the Government in a minority is very
difficult; he felt unequal to the task, and far from exulting in what
had happened, as he knew what pain it must give me; he quite approved
that the Duke should take office, and saw the importance of it; meant
to offer him the post of Secretary for Foreign Affairs, and if he
refused, Lord Aberdeen; Lord Lyndhurst, Chancellor; hoped to secure
Stanley and Graham; Goulburn to be the candidate for the Speaker's
Chair; he expects a severe conflict then, and if he should be beat
must either resign or dissolve Parliament. Before this the Queen said
she was against a dissolution, in which he quite agreed, but of course
wished no conditions should be made; he felt the task arduous, and
that he would require me to demonstrate (_a certain_ degree, if _any_
I can only feel) confidence in the Government, and that my Household
would be one of the marks of that. The Queen mentioned the same thing
about her Household, to which he at present would give no answer, and
said nothing should be done without my knowledge or approbation. He
repeated his surprise at the course you had all taken in resigning,
which he did not expect. The Queen talked of her great friendship for,
and gratitude to Lord Melbourne, and repeated what she had said to the
Duke, in which Peel agreed; but he is such a cold, odd man she can't
make out what he means. He said he couldn't expect me to have the
confidence in him I had in you (and which he never can have) as he has
not deserved it. My impression is, he is not _happy_ and sanguine. He
comes to me to-morrow at one to report progress in his formation of
the new Government. The Queen don't like his manner after--oh! how
different, how dreadfully different, to that frank, open, natural and
most kind, warm manner of Lord Melbourne.[33] The Duke I like by far
better to Peel. The Queen trusts Lord Melbourne will excuse this long
letter, but she was so very anxious he should know all. The Queen was
very much collected, and betrayed no agitation during these two
trying Audiences. But afterwards again _all_ gave way. She feels Lord
Melbourne will understand it, amongst enemies to those she most relied
on and esteemed, and people who seem to have no heart; but what is
worst of all is the being deprived of seeing Lord Melbourne as she
used to do.
[Footnote 32: _Sic_: an obvious mistake for "black was
black."]
[Footnote 33: Lady de Grey had written to Peel on 7th
May:--"The Queen has always expressed herself much impressed
with Lord Melbourne's open manner, and his truth. The latter
quality you possess, the former not.
"Now, dear Peel, the first impression on so young a girl's
mind is of immense consequence, accustomed as she has been
to the open and affectionate manner of Lord Melbourne, who,
_entre nous_, treats her as a father, and, with all his
faults, feels for her as such."--_Sir Robert Peel_, Parker,
vol. ii. p. 389.]
[Pageheading: LORD MELBOURNE'S ADVICE]
_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._
_9th May 1839._
Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. He has read
with the greatest attention the very clear and distinct account which
your Majesty has written of that which passed at the Audiences which
your Majesty has given to the Duke of Wellington and Sir Robert Peel.
Nothing could have been more proper and judicious than your Majesty's
conduct, and they appear to have acted upon their part with propriety
and sincerity. Lord Melbourne has no doubt that both with respect
to him (Lord Melbourne) and to themselves and their own feelings and
position, they expressed what they really think. The Duke was right in
saying that in general, in affairs of this nature, it is best not to
begin with conditions; but this matter of the Household is so personal
to yourself, that it was best to give an intimation of your feelings
upon it in the first instance. Lord Melbourne has little doubt that if
they could have acted from themselves, they would have acceded to your
Majesty's wish at once; but your Majesty must recollect that they have
others to satisfy, and must not attribute entirely to them anything
that is harsh and unreasonable. Lord Melbourne advises your Majesty
to urge this question of the Household strongly as a matter due to
yourself and your own wishes; but if Sir Robert is unable to concede
it, it will not do to refuse and to put off the negotiation upon it.
Lord Melbourne would strongly advise your Majesty to do everything to
facilitate the formation of the Government. Everything is to be
done and to be endured rather than run the risk of getting into the
situation in which they are in France, of no party being able to form
a Government and conduct the affairs of the country.[34]
The Dissolution of Parliament is a matter of still more importance,
and if this should be again pressed upon your Majesty, Lord Melbourne
would advise your Majesty to reserve your opinion, not to give a
promise that you will dissolve, nor to say positively that you
will not. You may say that you do not think it right to fetter the
Prerogative of the Crown by previous engagements, that a dissolution
of Parliament is to be decided according to the circumstances at the
time, that you mean to give full confidence to the Government that
shall be formed, and to do everything in your power to support them,
and that you will consider whether Parliament shall be dissolved, when
you are advised to dissolve it, and have before you the reasons for
such a measure.
Lord Melbourne earnestly entreats your Majesty not to suffer yourself
to be affected by any faultiness of manner which you may observe.
Depend upon it, there is no personal hostility to Lord Melbourne nor
any bitter feelings against him. Sir Robert is the most cautious and
reserved of mankind. Nobody seems to Lord Melbourne to know him, but
he is not therefore deceitful or dishonest. Many a very false man has
a very open sincere manner, and _vice versâ_....
Lord Melbourne earnestly hopes that your Majesty is better this
morning.
[Footnote 34: Alluding to the successive failures of Soult,
Thiers, and Broglie.]
_Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne._
BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _9th May 1839._
The Queen cannot sufficiently thank Lord Melbourne for his most kind
letter, and for his excellent advice, which is at once the greatest
comfort and of the greatest use to her; the Queen will follow it in
every respect, and nothing of importance shall be done without due
reflection; and she trusts Lord Melbourne will help her and be to her
what she told him he was, and begged him still ever to be--a father to
one who never wanted support more than she does now.
Lord Melbourne shall hear again after she sees Peel this morning....
The Queen has just now heard Lord Liverpool is not in town.
The Queen hopes Lord Melbourne is able to read her letters; if ever
there is anything he cannot read, he must send them back, and mark
what he can't read.
[Pageheading: LORD PALMERSTON'S GRATITUDE]
_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._
STANHOPE STREET, _9th May 1839._
Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs
to return your Majesty his grateful thanks for your Majesty's gracious
communication of this morning. It affords Viscount Palmerston the most
heart-felt satisfaction to know that his humble but zealous endeavours
to promote the interests of his country and to uphold the honour of
your Majesty's Crown, have had the good fortune to meet with your
Majesty's approbation; and he begs most respectfully to assure
your Majesty that the deep impression produced by the condescending
kindness which he has upon all occasions experienced from your Majesty
can never be effaced from his mind.
[Pageheading: THE HOUSEHOLD]
_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._
_9th May 1839._
Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs to
suggest that if Sir Robert Peel presses for the dismissal of those of
your Household who are not in Parliament, you may observe that in so
doing he is pressing your Majesty more hardly than any Minister ever
pressed a Sovereign before.
When the Government was changed in 1830, the principal posts of the
Household were placed at the disposal of Lord Grey, but the Grooms and
Equerries were not removed.
When Sir Robert Peel himself became Minister in 1834, no part of the
Household were removed except those who were in Parliament.
When I became Prime Minister again in 1835, none of the Grooms or
Equerries were removed because none of them were in Parliament.
They press upon your Majesty, whose personal feelings ought from your
circumstances to be more consulted, a measure which no Minister before
ever pressed upon a Sovereign.
If this is put to him by your Majesty, Lord Melbourne does not see how
he can resist it.
_Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne._
BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _9th May 1839._
The Queen writes one line to prepare Lord Melbourne for what _may_
happen in a very few hours. Sir Robert Peel has behaved very ill,
and has insisted on my giving up my Ladies, to which I replied that I
never would consent, and I never saw a man so frightened. He said
he must go to the Duke of Wellington and consult with him, when both
would return, and he said this must suspend all further proceedings,
and he asked whether I should be ready to receive a decision, which I
said I should; he was quite perturbed--but this is _infamous_. I said,
besides many other things, that if he or the Duke of Wellington had
been at the head of the Government when I came to the Throne, perhaps
there might have been a few more Tory Ladies, but that then if you had
come into Office you would never have _dreamt_ of changing them. I was
calm but very decided, and I think you would have been pleased to see
my composure and great firmness; the Queen of England will not submit
to such trickery. Keep yourself in readiness, for you may soon be
wanted.
[Pageheading: PROPOSED NEW CABINET]
_Extract from the Queen's Journal._
_Thursday, 9th May 1839._
_At half-past two_ I saw the Duke of Wellington. I remained firm, and
he told Sir Robert that I remained firm. I then saw Sir Robert Peel,
who stopped a few minutes with me; he must consult those (of whom I
annex the List) whom he had named:
THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON _Secretary for Foreign Affairs_
SIR JAMES GRAHAM _Secretary for the Home Department_
LORD STANLEY _Secretary for the Colonies_
LORD LYNDHURST _Lord Chancellor_
LORD ELLENBOROUGH _President of the Board of Control_
SIR H. HARDINGE _Secretary at War_
and he said he would return in two or three hours with the result,
which I said I should await.[35]
[Footnote 35: It was a curious circumstance, much commented
on at the time, that in the _Globe_ of 9th May, a Ministerial
evening paper, which would probably have gone to press at two
o'clock in the afternoon, the following paragraph appeared:
"The determination which it is well known Her Majesty has
taken, not to allow the change in the Government to interfere
with the ladies of her Court, has given great offence to the
Tories."]
_Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne._
BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _9th May 1839._
The Queen has received Lord Melbourne's letter. Lord Melbourne will
since have heard what has taken place. Lord Melbourne must not think
the Queen rash in her conduct; she saw both the Duke and Sir Robert
again, and declared to them she could not change her opinion. The
Ladies are not (as the Duke imagined was stated in the Civil List
Bill) in the _place_ of the Lords; and the Queen felt this was an
attempt to see whether she could be led and managed like a child;
if it should lead to Sir Robert Peel's refusing to undertake the
formation of the Government, which would be absurd, the Queen will
feel satisfied that she has only been defending her own rights, on
a point which so nearly concerned her person, and which, if they had
succeeded in, would have led to every sort of unfair attempt at power;
the Queen maintains _all_ her ladies,--and thinks her Prime Minister
will cut a sorry figure indeed if he resigns on this. Sir Robert is
gone to consult with his friends, and will return in two or three
hours with his decision. The Queen also maintained the Mistress of the
Robes, for as he said _only_ those who are _in Parliament_ shall be
removed, I should like to know if they mean to give the _Ladies_ seats
in Parliament?
We shall see what will be done. The Queen would not have _stood so
firmly_ on the Grooms and Equerries, but her _Ladies_ are _entirely_
her own affair, and _not_ the Ministers'.
[Pageheading: THE CRISIS]
_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._
_9th May 1839._
Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. Lord
Melbourne had certainly never expected that this demand would be
urged, and therefore had never advised your Majesty as to what was to
be done in such a case. Lord Melbourne strongly advises your Majesty
to hear what the Duke of Wellington and Sir Robert Peel urge, but to
take time before you come to a peremptory and final decision.
_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._
_9th May 1839._
Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. This is a
matter of so much importance, and may have such grave results,
that any advice which Lord Melbourne could give would be of little
importance unless it coincided with the opinions of others, and
particularly of all those who were and intend still [to] continue to
be his colleagues.
It will depend upon their determination whether your Majesty is to be
supported or not. The best course will perhaps be that you should
hear Sir Robert Peel's determination, say nothing, but send for Lord
Melbourne, and lay the matter before him. Lord Melbourne will then
summon a Cabinet to consider of it.
[Pageheading: THE LADIES OF THE BEDCHAMBER]
_Extract from the Queen's Journal._
_9th May 1839._
At half-past six came Lord Melbourne and stayed with me till ten
minutes past seven.
[Pageheading: THE LADIES]
I then began by giving him a detailed account of the whole proceeding,
which I shall state here as briefly as possible. I first again related
what took place in the two first interviews, and when I said that
the Duke said he had assisted my Government often very much, Lord
Melbourne said: "Well, that is true enough, but the Duke did all he
could about this vote." "Well, then," I said, "when Sir Robert Peel
came this morning, he began first about the Ministry. I consented,
though I said I might have my personal feelings about Lord Lyndhurst
and Lord Aberdeen, but that I would suppress every personal feeling
and be quite fair. I then repeated that I wished to retain about me
those who were not in Parliament, and Sir Robert _pretended_ that
I had the preceding day expressed a wish to keep about me those who
_were_ in Parliament. I mentioned my wish to have Lord Liverpool, to
which Sir Robert readily acceded, saying he would offer him the place
of Lord Steward, or of Lord in Waiting. He then suggested my
having Lord Ashley,[36] which I said I should like, as Treasurer or
Comptroller. Soon after this Sir Robert said: 'Now, about the Ladies,'
upon which I said I could _not_ give up _any_ of my Ladies, and
never had imagined such a thing. He asked if I meant to retain _all_.
'_All_,' I said. 'The Mistress of the Robes and the Ladies of the
Bedchamber?' I replied, '_All_,'--for he said they were the wives
of the opponents of the Government, mentioning Lady Normanby[37] in
particular as one of the late Ministers' wives. I said that would not
interfere; that I never talked politics with them, and that they
were related, many of them, to Tories, and I enumerated those of my
Bedchamber women and Maids of Honour; upon which he said he did not
mean _all_ the Bedchamber women and _all_ the Maids of Honour, he
meant the Mistress of the Robes and the Ladies of the Bedchamber; to
which I replied _they_ were of more consequence than the others, and
that I could _not_ consent, and that it had never been done before. He
said I was a Queen Regnant, and that made the difference. 'Not here,'
I said--and I maintained my right. Sir Robert then urged it upon
_public grounds only_, but I said here I could not consent. He then
begged to be allowed to consult with the Duke upon such an important
matter. I expressed a wish also to see the Duke, if Sir Robert
approved, which he said he did, and that he would return with the
Duke, if I would then be prepared for the decision, which I said I
would. Well," I continued, "the Duke and Sir Robert returned soon, and
I first saw the Duke, who talked first of his being ready to take the
post of Secretary for Foreign Affairs, which I had pressed Peel
to urge on him (the Duke having first wished to be in the Cabinet,
without accepting office), and the Duke said, 'I am able to do
anything,' for I asked him if it would not be too much for him. Then
I told him that I had been very well satisfied with Sir Robert
yesterday, and asked the Duke if Sir Robert had told him what had
passed about the Ladies. He said he had, and then I repeated all my
arguments, and the Duke his; but the Duke and Sir Robert differed
considerably on two points. The Duke said the _opinions_ of the Ladies
were nothing, but it was the _principle_, whether the Minister could
remove the Ladies or not, and that he (the Duke) had understood it was
stated in the Civil List Bill, 'that the _Ladies were instead of the
Lords_,' which is quite false, and I told the Duke that there were not
_twelve Lords_, as the expense _with the Ladies_ would have been too
great." Lord Melbourne said: "There you had the better of him,
and what did he say?" "Not much," I replied. I repeated many of my
arguments, all which pleased Lord Melbourne, and which he agreed to,
amongst others, that I said to the Duke, Was Sir Robert so weak that
_even_ the Ladies must be of his opinion? The Duke denied that. The
Duke then took my decision to Sir Robert, who was waiting in the next
room; after a few minutes Sir Robert returned. After stopping a
few minutes, as I have already stated, Sir Robert went to see his
colleagues, and returned at five: said he had consulted with those who
were to have been his colleagues, and that they agreed that, with
the probability of being beat the first night about the Speaker, and
beginning with a Minority in the House of Commons, that unless
there was _some_ (_all_ the Officers of State and Lords I gave up)
demonstration of my confidence, and if I retained all my Ladies
this would not be, "they agreed unanimously they could not go on." I
replied I would reflect, that I felt certain I should not change my
mind, but that I should do nothing in a hurry, and would write him my
decision either that evening or the next morning. He said, meanwhile,
he would suspend all further proceedings.
[Footnote 36: Afterwards Earl of Shaftesbury, the well-known
Philanthropist.]
[Footnote 37: J. W. Croker wrote to the King of Hanover:--
"_11th May 1839._
"... This is the sum of the whole affair. Sir R. Peel could
not admit that broad principle that all were to remain.
Lady Normanby (whom the Queen particularly wishes for), for
instance, the wife of the very Minister whose measures have
been the cause of the change, two sisters of Lord Morpeth, the
sisters-in-law of Lord John Russell, the daughter of the Privy
Seal and the Chancellor of the Exchequer....
"Her Majesty's ball last night was, I am told, rather dull,
though she herself seemed in high spirits, as if she were
pleased at retaining her Ministers. She has a great concert on
the 13th, but to both, as I hear, the invitations have been on
a very exclusive principle, no Tories being invited who could
on any pretence be left out. These are small matters, but
everything tends to create a public impression that Her
Majesty takes a personal and strong interest in the Whigs--a
new ingredient of difficulty."--_Croker Papers_, II. 347.]
I also told Lord Melbourne that I feared I had embarrassed the
Government; that I acted quite alone. Lord Melbourne saw, and said
I could not do otherwise. "I must summon the Cabinet," said Lord
Melbourne, at half-past nine. "It may have very serious consequences.
If we can't go on with this House of Commons, we may have to dissolve
Parliament, and we don't know if we may get as good a House of
Commons." I begged him to come, and he said: "I'll come if it is in
any time--if it's twelve; but if it's one or two, I'll write."
After dinner (as usual with the Household) I went to my room, and
sat up till a quarter past two. At a quarter to two I received the
following letter from Lord Melbourne, written at one o'clock:--
[Pageheading: THE QUEEN'S ULTIMATUM]
_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._
_10th May 1839_ (1 A.M.).
Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. The Cabinet
has sate until now, and, after much discussion, advises your Majesty
to return the following answer to Sir Robert Peel:--
"The Queen having considered the proposal made to her yesterday by Sir
Robert Peel to remove the Ladies of her Bedchamber, cannot consent to
adopt a course which she conceives to be contrary to usage, and which
is repugnant to her feelings."[38]
[Footnote 38: Greville asserts that the plan adopted by the
outgoing Cabinet, of meeting and suggesting that this letter
should be despatched, was "utterly anomalous and unprecedented,
and a course as dangerous as unconstitutional.... They ought to
have explained to her that until Sir Robert Peel had formally
and finally resigned his commission into her hands, they could
tender no advice.... The Cabinet of Lord Melbourne discussed
the proposals of that of Sir Robert Peel, and they dictated to
the Queen the reply in which she refused to consent to the
advice tendered to her by the man who was _at that moment_ her
Minister."--_Greville's Journal, 12th May 1839._]
_Queen Victoria to Sir Robert Peel._
_10th May 1839._
The Queen having considered the proposal made to her yesterday by Sir
Robert Peel, to remove the Ladies of her Bedchamber, cannot consent to
adopt a course which she conceives to be contrary to usage, and which
is repugnant to her feelings.[39]
[Footnote 39: Sixty years later the Queen, during a
conversation at Osborne with Sir Arthur Bigge, her Private
Secretary, after eulogising Sir Robert Peel, said: "I was very
young then, and perhaps I should act differently if it was all
to be done again."]
_Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne._
BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _10th May 1839._
The Queen wrote the letter before she went to bed, and sent it at
nine this morning; she has received no answer, and concludes she will
receive none, as Sir Robert told the Queen if the Ladies were not
removed, his party would fall directly, and could not go on, and that
he only awaited the Queen's decision. The Queen therefore wishes to
see Lord Melbourne about half-past twelve or one, if that would do.
The Queen fears Lord Melbourne has much trouble in consequence of all
this; but the Queen was fully prepared, and fully intended to give
these people a fair trial, though she always told Lord Melbourne she
knew they couldn't stand; and she must rejoice at having got out of
the hands of people who would have sacrificed every personal feeling
and instinct of the Queen's to their bad party purposes.
How is Lord Melbourne this morning?
[Pageheading: AN ANXIOUS WEEK]
_Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne._
BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _10th May 1839._
Half-past one will do as well as one; any hour will do that Lord
Melbourne likes, for the Queen will not go out.
There is no answer from Peel.
The Queen is wonderfully well, considering all the fatigue of
yesterday, and not getting to bed till near half-past two, which is
somewhat of a fatigue for to-night when the Queen must be very late.
Really all these Fêtes in the midst of such very serious and anxious
business are quite overwhelming.
_Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne._
BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _10th May 1839._
The Queen forgot to ask Lord Melbourne if he thought there would be
any harm in her writing to the Duke of Cambridge that she really was
fearful of fatiguing herself, if she went out to a party at Gloucester
House on Tuesday, an Ancient Concert on Wednesday, and a ball at
Northumberland House on Thursday, considering how much she had to do
these last four days. If she went to the Ancient Concert on Wednesday,
having besides a concert of her own here on Monday, it would be four
nights of fatigue, really exhausted as the Queen is.
But if Lord Melbourne thinks that as there are only to be English
singers at the Ancient Concert, she ought to go, she could go there
for one act; but she would much rather, if possible, get out of it,
for it is a fatiguing time....
As the negotiations with the Tories are quite at an end, and Lord
Melbourne _has been here_, the Queen hopes Lord Melbourne will not
object to dining with her on _Sunday_?
[Pageheading: RESIGNATION OF PEEL]
_Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria._
_10th May 1839._
Sir Robert Peel presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and has had
the honour of receiving your Majesty's note of this morning.
In respectfully submitting to your Majesty's pleasure, and humbly
returning into your Majesty's hands the important trust which your
Majesty had been graciously pleased to commit to him, Sir Robert Peel
trusts that your Majesty will permit him to state to your Majesty his
impression with respect to the circumstances which have led to the
termination of his attempt to form an Administration for the conduct
of your Majesty's Service.
In the interview with which your Majesty honoured Sir Robert Peel
yesterday morning, after he had submitted to your Majesty the names of
those whom he proposed to recommend to your Majesty for the principal
executive appointments, he mentioned to your Majesty his earnest wish
to be enabled, with your Majesty's sanction, so to constitute your
Majesty's Household that your Majesty's confidential servants might
have the advantage of a public demonstration of your Majesty's full
support and confidence, and that at the same time, as far as possible
consistently with that demonstration, each individual appointment in
the Household should be entirely acceptable to your Majesty's personal
feelings.
On your Majesty's expressing a desire that the Earl of Liverpool[40]
should hold an office in the Household, Sir Robert Peel requested your
Majesty's permission at once to offer to Lord Liverpool the office of
Lord Steward, or any other which he might prefer.
Sir Robert Peel then observed that he should have every wish to apply
a similar principle to the chief appointments which are filled by
the Ladies of your Majesty's Household, upon which your Majesty
was pleased to remark that you must reserve the whole of those
appointments, and that it was your Majesty's pleasure that the whole
should continue as at present, without any change.
The Duke of Wellington, in the interview to which your Majesty
subsequently admitted him, understood also that this was your
Majesty's determination, and concurred with Sir Robert Peel in opinion
that, considering the great difficulties of the present crisis, and
the expediency of making every effort in the first instance to
conduct the public business of the country with the aid of the present
Parliament, it was essential to the success of the Commission with
which your Majesty had honoured Sir Robert Peel, that he should have
that public proof of your Majesty's entire support and confidence
which would be afforded by the permission to make some changes in
that part of your Majesty's Household which your Majesty resolved on
maintaining entirely without change.
Having had the opportunity through your Majesty's gracious
consideration, of reflecting upon this point, he humbly submits to
your Majesty that he is reluctantly compelled, by a sense of public
duty and of the interests of your Majesty's service, to adhere to his
opinion which he ventured to express to your Majesty.
He trusts he may be permitted at the same time to express to your
Majesty his grateful acknowledgments for the distinction which your
Majesty conferred upon him by requiring his advice and assistance in
the attempt to form an Administration, and his earnest prayers that
whatever arrangements your Majesty may be enabled to make for that
purpose may be most conducive to your Majesty's personal comfort and
happiness, and to the promotion of the public welfare.
[Footnote 40: Charles Cecil Cope Jenkinson, third Earl,
1784-1851, became Lord Steward in 1841.]
[Pageheading: THE QUEEN'S JOURNAL]
_Extract from the Queen's Journal._
_Friday, 10th May 1839._
Lord Melbourne came to me at two and stayed with me till ten minutes
to three. I placed in his hands Sir Robert Peel's answer, which he
read. He started at one part where he (Sir Robert) says, "_some_
changes"--but some or all, I said, was the same; and Lord Melbourne
said, "I must submit this to the Cabinet." Lord Melbourne showed me
a letter from Lord Grey about it--a good deal alarmed, thinking I
was right, and yet half doubtful; one from Spring Rice, dreadfully
frightened, and wishing the Whig ladies should resign; and one from
Lord Lansdowne wishing to state that the ladies would have resigned.
Lord Melbourne had also seen the Duke of Richmond, and Lord Melbourne
said we might be beat; I said I never would yield, and would never
apply to Peel again. Lord Melbourne said, "You are for standing
out, then?" I said, "Certainly." I asked how the Cabinet felt. "John
Russell, strongly for standing out," he said; "Duncannon, very
much so; Holland, Lord Minto, Hobhouse, and the Chancellor, all for
standing out; Poulett Thomson too, and Normanby also; S. Rice and
Howick alarmed."
[Pageheading: CABINET MINUTE]
CABINET MINUTE.
_Present._
The LORD CHANCELLOR.
The LORD PRESIDENT.
The LORD PRIVY SEAL.
VISCOUNT MELBOURNE.
The MARQUIS OF NORMANBY.
The EARL OF MINTO.
The CHANCELLOR OF THE DUCHY OF LANCASTER.
The LORD JOHN RUSSELL.
The VISCOUNT PALMERSTON.
The VISCOUNT HOWICK.
The VISCOUNT MORPETH.
Sir JOHN HOBHOUSE, Bart.
The CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER.
Mr. POULETT THOMSON.
Her Majesty's Confidential Servants having taken into consideration
the letter addressed by Her Majesty to Sir Robert Peel on the 10th of
May, and the reply of Sir Robert Peel of the same day, are of opinion
that for the purpose of giving to an Administration that character of
efficiency and stability and those marks of the constitutional support
of the Crown, which are required to enable it to act usefully for the
public service, it is reasonable that the great offices of the Court
and the situations in the Household held by members of either House of
Parliament should be included in the political arrangements made on a
change of Administration; but they are not of opinion that a similar
principle should be applied or extended to the offices held by Ladies
in Her Majesty's Household.[41]
[Footnote 41: This paragraph was read by Lord John Russell
to the House of Commons during the course of the Ministerial
explanations on 13th May.]
Her Majesty's Confidential Servants are therefore prepared to support
Her Majesty in refusing to assent to the removal of the Ladies of her
Household, which Her Majesty conceived to be contrary to usage, and
which is repugnant to her feelings, and are prepared to continue in
their offices on these grounds.
Viscount Howick concurs in the opinion expressed in the foregoing
Minute that the removal of the Ladies of Her Majesty's Household
ought not to form part of the arrangements consequent upon a change
of Administration, and shares in the readiness his colleagues have
declared to support Her Majesty in acting upon this opinion; but
he thinks it his duty to state his conviction that the immediate
resumption of their offices by Her Majesty's Confidential Servants is
not the mode in which their support can be most effectively afforded
and is not calculated to promote the good of Her Majesty's service.
He conceives that before it is determined that the present
Administration should be continued, further explanation should be
sought with Sir Robert Peel, by which it is not impossible that his
concession to Her Majesty's just objection to the removal of the
Ladies of her Household might have been obtained, while the endeavour
to arrive at this result, even though unsuccessful, would at all
events tend to secure additional support to Her Majesty's present
Servants, and thus to enable them to surmount those difficulties,
which have recently compelled them humbly to tender their resignations
to Her Majesty, and which he fears will be found not to have been
diminished by the course it has now been determined to pursue.
In humbly submitting this opinion to Her Majesty, Viscount Howick begs
permission to add that he nevertheless acquiesces in the determination
of his colleagues, and will render them the best assistance in his
power in their endeavour to carry on Her Majesty's service.
[Pageheading: MELBOURNE RESUMES OFFICE]
_Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne._
BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _11th May 1839._
The Queen is very anxious to hear that Lord Melbourne has not suffered
from the ball last night, as it was very hot at first. The beginning
was rather dull and heavy, but after supper it got very animated, and
we kept it up till a quarter past three; the Queen enjoyed herself
very much and isn't at all tired; she felt much the kindness of many
of her kind friends, who are her _only real_ friends. Lady Cowper and
Lord and Lady Minto, the Duchess of Somerset, and Lord Anglesey were
particularly kind. On the other hand, there were some gloomy faces to
be seen, and the Duchess of Gloucester was very cross.
The Queen is ashamed to say it, but she has forgotten _when_ she
appointed the Judge Advocate; when will the Cabinet be over?
The Queen danced the first and the last dance with the Grand Duke,[42]
made him sit near her, and tried to be very civil to him, and I
think we are great friends already and get on very well; I like him
exceedingly.
[Footnote 42: The Hereditary Grand Duke of Russia, afterwards
the Emperor Alexander II.]
_Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne._
BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _12th May 1839._
The Queen anxiously hopes Lord Melbourne is quite well this morning,
and has _not_ suffered from the dinner at Pozzo's.
The Queen wishes to know if she ought to say anything to the Duchess,
of the noble manner in which her Government mean to stand by her? The
account in the _Observer_ of the whole proceeding is the most correct
both as to details and facts, that the Queen has yet seen; were they
told what to put in? There was considerable applause when the Queen
entered the Theatre, which she, however, thought best and most
delicate not to encourage, and she was cheered when she drove up to
the Theatre and got out, which she never is in general.
The Grand Duke came and sat with the Queen in her box, for at least
half an hour last night--and the Queen asked him if he knew exactly
what had happened, which he said he did not--and the Queen accordingly
gave him an account of what passed, and he was _shocked_ at Sir Robert
Peel's proposal, thought his resignation on that account absurd, and
was delighted at the continuance in office of my present Government.
The Queen supposes and fears that Lord Melbourne dines with the
Lansdownes to-morrow, but she wishes to know if Wednesday, Saturday,
and Sunday would suit him?
Lord Melbourne must not forget the List of our supporters in the
House of Commons, which the Queen is very anxious to have as soon as
possible. If Lord Melbourne can dine here to-morrow the Queen would be
glad, of course.
[Pageheading: LORD JOHN RUSSELL'S OPINION]
_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._
_13th May 1839._
Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and has
the honour to report that he this day made his statement to the House,
in answer to Sir Robert Peel.
Sir Robert Peel made a skilful, and not unfair statement. He, however,
spoke only of his intention of changing some of the Ladies of the
Bedchamber. But he did not say that he had made this intention clear
to your Majesty; only that he had so arranged the matter with his
political friends. The popular impression is greatly in favour of the
course pursued by your Majesty.
_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._
_14th May 1839._
Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and is most
sorry to hear that your Majesty does not feel well. It is very natural
that your Majesty does not. Lord Melbourne does not believe that there
was anything wanting in your Majesty's manner yesterday evening,[43]
but depend upon it, if there was, every allowance would be made for
the fatigue and anxiety which your Majesty has gone through, and for
the painful and embarrassing situation in which your Majesty is still
placed.
Lord Melbourne will wait upon your Majesty at two, and will have the
honour of conversing with your Majesty upon Peel's speech.
[Footnote 43: At the State Concert.]
[Pageheading: THE QUEEN'S VIEW]
_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _14th May 1839._
MY DEAR UNCLE,--I begin to think you have forgotten me, and you will
think I have forgotten you, but I am certain you will have guessed the
cause of my silence. How much has taken place since Monday the 7th
to yesterday the 13th. You will have easily imagined how dreadful
the resignation of my Government--and particularly of that truly
inestimable and excellent man, Lord Melbourne--was for me, and you
will have felt for me! What I suffered I cannot describe! To have to
take people whom I should have no confidence in, ... was most painful
and disagreeable; but I felt I must do it, and made up my mind to
it--nobly advised and supported by Lord Melbourne, whose character
seems to me still more perfect and noble since I have gone through all
this.
I sent for the Duke of Wellington, who referred me to Peel, whom I
accordingly saw.
Everything fair and just I assented to, even to having Lord Lyndhurst
as Chancellor, and Sir H. Hardinge and Lord Ellenborough in the
Cabinet; I insisted upon the Duke in the Foreign Office, instead
of Lord Aberdeen.... All this I granted, as also to give up all the
Officers of State and all those of my Household who are in Parliament.
When to my utter astonishment he asked me to change my Ladies--my
principal Ladies!--this I of course refused; and he upon _this
resigned_, saying, as he felt he should be beat the very first night
upon the Speaker, and having to begin with a minority, that unless he
had this demonstration of my confidence he could not go on!
You will easily imagine that I firmly resisted this attack upon my
power, from these people who pride themselves upon upholding the
prerogative! I acted quite alone, but I have been, and shall be,
supported by my country, who are very enthusiastic about it, and
loudly cheered me on going to church on Sunday. My Government have
nobly stood by me, and have resumed their posts, strengthened by the
feelings of the country....
Pray tell my dearest Aunt that I really cannot write to her to-day,
for you have no conception of what I have to do, for there are balls,
concerts, and dinners all going on besides. Adieu! my beloved Uncle.
Ever your devoted Niece,
VICTORIA R.
[Pageheading: APPROVAL OF KING LEOPOLD]
_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._
LAEKEN, _17th May 1839._
MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--I feel deeply grateful for your very kind and
interesting letter, which reached me yesterday, inclusive of the
papers.
You have passed a time of great agitation and difficulty, which will,
however, contribute to enlarge the circle of your experience. _I
approve very highly of the whole mode in which you proceeded_;
you acted with great _good faith_ and _fairness_, and when finally
propositions were made which you considered you could not submit to,
you were very right to resist them. The march of the whole affair is
very clear and fair, and does you _great credit_.... Peel in making
his demand misjudged you; he remembered George IV., and even the late
King, and dreamt of Court influence of people near the Sovereign. You
have the great merit, for which you cannot be too much praised, of
being _extremely honest_ and honourable in your dealings. If you had
kept Peel, you would have acted honestly by him, without any Lady's
having a chance of doing him a bad turn. When he asked the measure
as an expression of your great confidence in him, it was not fair,
because _you_ had not wished to take him; he was forced upon you, and
therefore, even if you had granted his request, nobody would have seen
in it a proof of your confidence in him, but rather a sacrifice to a
far-stretched pretence.
Besides, that he was to have encountered difficulties as a Minister
was partly the consequence of the policy of his party, and you were
not bound to give him any assistance beyond what he had a right to ask
as a Minister. I was sure that Lord Melbourne would give you both the
fairest and the most honourable advice in this painful crisis. He was
kind enough last year to speak to me on the subject, and I could but
approve what he said on the subject. Altogether, keeping now your
old Ministers, you will have reason to congratulate yourself on the
result; it is likely to strengthen them, by showing the Radicals what
may be the consequences.
Rumour spoke of their wishing to add some Radicals to the Cabinet;
I don't see that they could improve the Ministry by it, which is
perfectly well composed as it is at present, and new elements often
have a dissolving effect. It was very kind of you to have explained
everything so clearly to me, but I deserve it for the _great interest_
I take in all that concerns you....
[Pageheading: A SMALL LIBERAL MAJORITY]
_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._
_6th June 1839._
Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and has
the honour to report that Sir Robert Peel's Bill[44] was discussed
yesterday in the House of Commons, with great fairness and an entire
absence of party spirit.
Viscount Melbourne will have acquainted your Majesty with the result
of the Cabinet of yesterday. It appears to Lord John Russell that the
Liberal party, with some explanation, will be satisfied with the
state of things for the present, and that the great difficulties which
attend the complete union of the majority will be deferred till
the commencement of next Session. It is always well to have some
breathing-time.
[Footnote 44: The Jamaica Bill for the temporary suspension of
the Constitution.]
_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._
WILTON CRESCENT, _11th June 1839._
Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and has
the honour to state that the division of last night was extremely
encouraging to the future prospects of the Government.
Combined with the division on the Speakership,[45] it shows that the
Liberal party have still a clear though small majority in the House
of Commons, and that it may probably not be necessary to resort to a
dissolution. Indeed, such a measure in present circumstances would be
of very doubtful issue.
Lord John Russell stated last night that he would not divide on the
Canada resolutions, but move for leave to bring in a Bill.