THE PRINCE AND PEEL
Drayton Manor, Fazeley,August 1846.
Sir,—I shall be very happy to avail myself of your Royal Highness's kind permission occasionally to write to your Royal Highness. However much I am enjoying the contrast between repose and official life, I may say—I hope without presumption, I am sure with perfect sincerity—that the total interruption of every sort of communication with your Royal Highness would be a very severe penalty.
It was only yesterday that I was separating from the rest of my correspondence all the letters which I had received from the Queen and your Royal Highness during the long period of five years, in order that I might ensure their exemption from the fate to which in these days all letters seem to be destined, and I could not review them without a mixed feeling of gratitude for the considerate indulgence and kindness of which they contained such decisive proofs, and of regret that such a source of constantly recurring interest and pleasure was dried up.
I can act in conformity with your Royal Highness's gracious wishes, and occasionally write to you, without saying a word of which the most jealous or sensitive successor in the confidence of the Queen could complain.... Your faithful and humble Servant,
Robert Peel.
Buckingham Palace,3rd August 1846.
The Queen has just seen Lord Bessborough, who presses very much for her going to Ireland; she thinks it right to put Lord John Russell in possession of her views on this subject.
It is a journey which must one day or other be undertaken, and which the Queen would be glad to have accomplished, because it must be disagreeable to her that people should speculate whether shedarevisit one part of her dominions. Much will depend on the proper moment, for, after those speculations, it ought to succeed if undertaken.
The Queen is anxious that when undertaken it should be a National thing, and the good which it is to do must be a permanentand not a transitory advantage to a particular Government, having the appearance of a party move.
As this is not a journey of pleasure like the Queen's former ones, but a State act, it will have to be done with a certain degree of State, and ought to be done handsomely. It cannot be expected that the main expense of it should fall upon the Civil List, nor would this be able to bear it.
CANADIAN AFFAIRS
Buckingham Palace,3rd August 1846.
My dear Lord Grey,—The Queen wishes me to return you the enclosed letter. The subject of the Government of Canada is one which the Queen has much at heart. Canada has been for a long time, and may probablystillbe for the future, a source of great weakness to this Empire, and a number of experiments have been tried. It was in a very bad state before the Union, continually embarrassing the Home Government, and the Union has by no means acted as a remedy, but it may be said almost to have increased the difficulties. The only thing that has hitherto proved beneficial was the prudent, consistent, and impartial administration of Lord Metcalfe. Upon the continuance and consistent application of the system which he has laid down and acted upon, will depend, in the Queen's estimation, the future welfare of that province, and the maintenance of proper relations with the mother country. The Queen therefore is most anxious that in the appointment of a new Governor-General (for which post she thinks Lord Elgin very well qualified), regard should be had to securing an uninterrupted development of Lord Metcalfe's views. The Queen thought it the more her duty to make you acquainted with her sentiments upon this subject, because she thinks that additional danger arises from the impressions which the different agents of the different political parties in Canada try to produce upon the Home Government and the imperial Parliament, and from their desire to mix up Canadianpartypolitics with general Englishpartypolitics.21Ever yours, etc.
Albert.
Footnote 21: In the event, Lord Elgin was appointed.
Chesham Place,4th August 1846.
Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and is greatly obliged to your Majesty for your Majesty's communicationrespecting a Royal visit to Ireland. He concurs in your Majesty's observations on that subject. He is of opinion that if the visit partook in any way of a party character, its effects would be mischievous, and not beneficial.
He is also doubtful of the propriety of either incurring very large expense on the part of the public, or of encouraging Irish proprietors to lay out money in show and ceremony at a time when the accounts of the potato crop exhibit the misery and distress of the people in an aggravated shape.
THE WELLINGTON STATUE
7th August[1846].
With regard to the Statue22on the arch on Constitution Hill, the Queen is of opinion that if she is considered individually she is bound by her word, and must allow the Statue to go up, however bad the appearance of it will be. If the constitutional fiction is applied to the case, the Queen acts by the advice of herresponsibleadvisers. One Government advised her to give her assent, another advises the withdrawal of that assent. This latter position has been taken in Lord Morpeth's former letter to the Committee, and in the debate in the House of Commons; it must therefore now be adhered to, and whatever is decided must be the act of the Government. It would accordingly be better to keep the word "Government" at the conclusion of Lord Morpeth's proposed letter, and that the Prince should not go to Town to give an opinion upon the appearance of the figure, when up.
Footnote 22: The equestrian statue of the Duke of Wellington at Hyde Park Corner was much criticised at the time of its erection: it is now at Aldershot.
[9th August 1846.]
My dear Lord Palmerston,—The Queen is much obliged for Lord Howard de Walden's private letter to you, and begs you will never hesitate to send her such private communications, however unreserved they may be in their language, as our chief wish and aim is, by hearing all parties, to arrive at a just, dispassionate, and correct opinion upon the various political questions. This, however, entails a strict scrutiny of what is brought before us....
ENGLAND AND SPAIN
Osborne,17th August 1846.
The Queen has received a draft to Mr Bulwer from Lord Palmerston. The perusal of it has raised some apprehensions in the Queen's mind, which she stated to Lord Palmerston she would communicate to Lord John Russell.
The draft lays down a general policy, which the Queen is afraid may ultimately turn out very dangerous. It is this:
England undertakes to interfere in the internal affairs of Spain, and to promote the development of the present constitutional Government of Spain in a more democratic direction, and this for the avowed purpose of counteracting the influence of France. England becomes thereforeresponsiblefor a particular direction given to theinternalGovernment of Spain, which to control she has no sufficient means. All England can do, and will have to do, is: to keep up a particular party in Spain to support her views.
France, knowing that this is directed against her, must take up the opposite party and follow the opposite policy in Spanish affairs.
This must bring England and France to quarrels, of which we can hardly foresee the consequences, and it dooms Spain to eternal convulsions and reactions.
This has been the state of things before; theory and experience therefore warn against the renewal of a similar policy.
The natural consequence of this is that Don Enrique would appear as the desirable candidate for the Queen of Spain's hand, and Lord Palmerston accordingly for the first time deviates from the line hitherto followed by us, andurgesDon Enrique, which in the eyes of the world must stamp him as "an English Candidate." Lord Palmerston, from his wish to see him succeed, does, in the Queen's opinion, not sufficiently acknowledge the obstacles which stand in the way of this combination, and which all those who are on the spot and in the confidence of the Court represent as almost insurmountable.
The Queen desires Lord John Russell to weigh all this most maturely, and to let her know the result.
Chesham Place,19th August 1846.
Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and has the honour to state that he has maturely considered,together with Lord Palmerston, Lord Lansdowne, and Lord Clarendon, your Majesty's observations on the draft sent by Lord Palmerston for your Majesty's approbation.
Lord John Russell entirely concurs in your Majesty's wish that England and France should not appear at Madrid as countenancing conflicting parties. Lord John Russell did not attach this meaning to Lord Palmerston's proposed despatch, but he has now re-written the draft in such a manner as he trusts will obtain your Majesty's approval.
Lord John Russell will pay the utmost attention to this difficult and delicate subject.
THE SPANISH MARRIAGES
Foreign Office,19th August 1846.
Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and has endeavoured to modify and rearrange his proposed instruction to Mr Bulwer in deference to your Majesty's wishes and feelings as expressed to Lord John Russell; and with this view also Viscount Palmerston has divided the instruction into two separate despatches—the one treating of the proposed marriage of the Queen, the other of the possible marriage of the Infanta. But with regard to these new drafts, as well as with regard to the former one, Viscount Palmerston would beg to submit that they are not notes to be presented to any Foreign Government, nor despatches to be in any way made public; but that they are confidential instructions given to one of your Majesty's Ministers abroad, upon matters upon which your Majesty's Government have been urgently pressed, to enable that Minister to give advice; and Viscount Palmerston would beg also to submit that in a case of this kind it would not be enough to communicate drily the opinion of the British Government, without stating and explaining some of the reasons upon which those opinions are founded.
It is quite evident from Mr Bulwer's communication, and especially from the postscript to his despatch of the 4th of this month, that Queen Christina, the Duke of Rianzares, and Señor Isturitz, are earnestly and intently bent upon marrying the Queen Isabella to Prince Leopold of Saxe-Coburg, and it is very difficult to find conclusive grounds for saying that such a match would not perhaps, on the whole, be the best for Queen Isabella and the Spanish nation. But still, all things considered, your Majesty's Government incline to the opinionthat a Spanish Prince would be a preferable choice, and they are prepared to give that opinion to the Spanish Court.
DON ENRIQUE
There is however but one Spanish Prince whom it would be creditable to the British Government to recommend as husband to the Queen, and to that Prince Queen Christina is known to feel objections, principally founded upon apprehensions bearing upon her own personal interests. Viscount Palmerston has endeavoured to furnish Mr Bulwer with such arguments in favour of Don Enrique as appeared likely to meet Queen Christina's fears, and he has occasion to believe, from a conversation which he had a few days ago with Count Jarnac, that the French Government, impelled by the apprehension that your Majesty's Government intend to support Prince Leopold of Coburg, would be willing, in order to draw the British Government off from such a course, to give at least an ostensible though perhaps not a very earnest support to Don Henry. But your Majesty will no doubt at once perceive that although the British Government may come to an understanding with that of France as to which of the candidates shall be the one in whose favour an opinion is to be expressed, it would be impossible for the British Government to associate itself with that of France in any joint step to be taken upon this matter, and that each Government must act separately through its own agent at Madrid. For the two Governments have not only different objects in view in these matters, England wishing Spain to be independent, and France desiring to establish a predominant influence in Spain; but moreover, in regard to this marriage question, Great Britain has disclaimed any right to interfere except by opinion and advice, while France has assumed an authority of dictation, and it is essential that your Majesty's Government should so shape the mode of co-operating with France as not to appear to sanction pretensions which are founded in no right and are inconsistent with justice.
Viscount Palmerston is by no means confident that the joint advice of the British and French Governments in favour of Don Enrique will be successful, and especially because he fears that M. Bresson has taken so active a part in favour of other arrangements, that he will not be very eager in support of Don Enrique, and will perhaps think that if this arrangement can be rendered impossible the chances may become greater in favour of some other arrangement which he and his Government may prefer. But such future embarrassments must be dealt with when they arise, and Viscount Palmerston submits that for the moment, unless the British Governmenthad been prepared to close with the offers of the Duke of Rianzares, and to follow at once the course recommended by Mr Bulwer, the steps suggested in the accompanying drafts are the safest and the best.
Viscount Palmerston has great pleasure in submitting the accompanying private letter from Mr Bulwer announcing the withdrawal of the Spanish troops from the frontier of Portugal.
THE DOUBLE BETROTHAL
Madrid,29th August 1846.
My Lord,—I have troubled your Lordship of late with many communications....
I have now to announce to your Lordship that the Queen declared last night at twelve o'clock that she had made up her mind in favour of His Royal Highness Don Francisco de Asis.... Your Lordship is aware under what circumstances Don Francisco was summoned here, the Court having been, when I wrote on the 4th, most anxious to conclude a marriage with Prince Leopold of Saxe-Coburg, and only induced to abandon this idea from the repeated intimations it received that it could not be carried out....
The same night a Council was held of the Queen Mother's friends, who determined to bring matters forthwith to a conclusion. Queen Christina, I understand, spoke to her daughter and told her she must choose one of two things, either marrying now, or deferring the marriage for three or four years. That the Prince of Saxe-Coburg was evidently impossible; that Count Trapani would be dangerous; that Don Henry had placed himself in a position which rendered the alliance with him out of the question, and that Her Majesty must either make up her mind to marry her cousin Don Francisco de Asis, or to abandon for some time the idea of marrying.
The Queen, I am told, took some little time to consider, and then decided in favour of her cousin. The Ministers were called in, and the drama was concluded....
H. L. Bulwer.
P.S.—I learn that directly the Queen had signified her intention of marrying her cousin, Count Bresson formally asked the hand of the Infanta for the Duke of Montpensier, stating that he had powers to enter upon and conclude that affair, and the terms of the marriage were then definitively settled between M. Isturitz and him.
H.L.B.
THE QUEEN'S INDIGNATION
On Board theVictoria and Albert,Falmouth Harbour,7th September 1846.
My dearest Uncle,—Though I have not heard from you for ages, you will perhaps be glad to hear from us, and to hear that our trip has been most successful. We left Osborne on the 2nd, at eight in the morning, and reached Jersey at seven that evening. We landed at St Heliers the next morning, and met with a most brilliant and enthusiastic reception from the good people. The island is beautiful, and like an orchard.
The settlement of the Queen of Spain's marriage,coupled with Montpensier's, isinfamous, and wemustremonstrate. Guizot has had the barefacedness to say to Lord Normanby that thoughoriginallythey said that Montpensier shouldonlymarry the Infantawhenthe Queenwas marriedandhad children, that Leopold's being named one of the candidates had changed all, and that they must settle it now! This istoobad, forwewere so honest asalmost to preventLeo's marriage (whichmighthave been, and which Lord Palmerston, as matters now stand, regrets much did not take place), and the return is this unfaircouplingof thetwomarriages which have nothing, and ought to have nothing, to do with one another. The King should know thatweare extremely indignant, and that this conduct isnotthe way to keep up theententewhichhewishes. It is done, moreover, in such adishonestway. I must do Palmerston the credit to say that he takes it very quietly, and will act very temperately about it.
I must now conclude. Ever your devoted Niece,
Victoria R.
Vicky and Bertie enjoy their tour very much, and the people here are delighted to see "the Duke of Cornwall."
THE QUEEN OF THE FRENCH
Neuilly,8 Septembre 1846.
Madame,—Confiante dans cette précieuse amitié dont votre Majesté nous a donné tant de preuves et dans l'aimable intérêt que vous avez toujours témoigné à tous nos Enfants, je m'empresse de vous annoncer la conclusion du mariage de notre fils Montpensier avec l'Infante Louise Fernanda. Cet événement de famille nous comble de joie, parce que nous espérons qu'il assurera le bonheur de notre fils chéri, et que nous retrouverons dans l'Infante une fille de plus, aussi bonneet aussi aimable que ses Aînées, et qui ajoutera à notre bonheur intérieur, le seul vrai dans ce monde, et que vous, Madame, savez si bien apprécier. Je vous demande d'avance votre amitié pour notre nouvel Enfant, sûre qu'elle partagera tous les sentiments de dévouement et d'affection de nous tous pour vous, pour le Prince Albert, et pour toute votre chère Famille. Madame, de votre Majesté, la toute dévouée Sœur et Amie,
Marie Amélie.
Osborne,10 Septembre 1846.
Madame,—Je viens de recevoir la lettre de votre Majesté du 8 de ce mois, et je m'empresse de vous en remercier. Vous vous souviendrez peut-être de ce qui s'est passé à Eu entre le Roi et moi, vous connaissez, Madame, l'importance que j'ai toujours attachée au maintien de Notre Entente Cordiale et le zèle avec lequel j'y ai travaillé, vous avez appris sans doute que nous nous sommes refusés d'arranger le mariage entre la Reine d'Espagne et notre Cousin Léopold (que les deux Reines avaient vivement désiré) dans le seul but de ne pas nous éloigner d'une marche qui serait plus agréable à votre Roi, quoique nous ne pouvions considérer cette marche comme la meilleure. Vous pourrez donc aisément comprendre que l'annonce soudaine de cedouble mariagene pouvait nous causer que de la surprise et un bien vif regret.
Je vous demande bien pardon de vous parler de politique dans ce moment, mais j'aime pouvoir me dire que j'ai toujours étésincèreenvers vous.
En vous priant de présenter mes hommages au Roi, je suis, Madame, de votre Majesté, la toute dévouée Sœur et Amie,
Victoria R.
VIEWS OF THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT
Carlton Terrace,12th September 1846.
Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and returns with many acknowledgments the accompanying letters which your Majesty has been pleased to send him, and which he has thought your Majesty would wish him also to communicate to Lord John Russell.
The letter of the Queen of the French seems to Viscount Palmerston to look like a contrivance to draw your Majesty onto express, in regard to the Montpensier marriage in its character as a domestic arrangement, some sentiments or wishes which might be at variance with the opinions which your Majesty might entertain regarding that marriage in its political character and bearing. But your Majesty's most judicious answer has defeated that intention, if any such existed, and has stated in a firm, but at the same time in the friendliest manner, the grounds of complaint against the conduct of the French Government in this affair.
Viscount Palmerston had yesterday afternoon a very long conversation with the Count de Jarnac upon these matters.
Viscount Palmerston said that with regard to the marriage of the Queen of Spain, that was a matter as to which the British Government have no political objection to make. They deeply regret that a young Queen should have been compelled by moral force, and to serve the personal and political interests of other persons, to accept for husband a person whom she can neither like nor respect, and with whom her future life will certainly be unhappy at home, even if it should not be characterised by circumstances which would tend to lower her in the estimation of her people. But these are matters which concern the Queen and people of Spain more than the Government and people of England. But that the projected marriage of the Duke of Montpensier is a very different matter, and must have a political bearing that must exercise a most unfortunate effect upon the relations between England and France.
THE SPANISH MARRIAGES
Osborne,14th September 1846.
My dearest Uncle,—I have to thank you for a most kind letter of the 31st from Basle, by which I was sorry to see that your journey had been delayed, and that you were still not well.
We are, alas! sadly engrossed with this Spanish marriage, which, though it does not threatenwar(for the English care very little about the Spanish marriages) threatens complications. Albert has told you all that passed between the dear Queen and me, and the very absurd ground on which the French make their stand. The details of the story are very bad—and I grieve to say that the good King, etc., have behavedvery dishonestly.
We have protested, and mean to protest very strongly, against Montpensier's marriage with the Infanta,as long asshe is presumptive heiress to the Throne of Spain. The King departs from his principle, forhe insistedon aBourbon, becausehe declared he wouldnotmarry one of his sons to the Queen; and now he effects the Queen's marriage with the worst Bourbon she could have, and marries his son to the Infanta, who in all probability will become Queen! It is very bad. Certainly at Madrid [Palmerston] mismanaged it—as Stockmar says—by forcing Don Enrique, in spite of all Bulwer could say. If our dear Aberdeen was still at his post, the whole thing would not have happened; for he wouldnothave forced Enriquito (which enraged Christine), and secondly, Guizot would not haveescamotéAberdeen with the wish of triumphing over him as he has done over Palmerston, who has behaved most openly and fairly towards France, I must say, in this affair. But say what one will, it ishe againwhoindirectlygets us into a squabble with France! And it is such a personal sort of a quarrel, which pains and grieves me so; and I pity the poor good Piat,23whom we are very fond of. One thing, however, I feel, that in opposing this marriage, we are not really affecting his happiness, for he has never seen the Infanta—and she is a child of fourteen, and not pretty. The little Queen I pity so much, for the poor child dislikes her cousin, and she is said to have consentedagainst her will. We shall see if she really does marry him. Altogether, it is most annoying, and must ruffle our happy intercourse with the French family for a time at least.
I was obliged to write very strongly and openly to poor dear Louise too. You may rely upon nothing being done rashly or intemperately on our part. Lord Palmerston is quite ready to be guided by us. In haste, ever your devoted Niece,
Victoria R.
We go into our new house to-day.
Footnote 23: A name by which the Duc de Montpensier was sometimes called in the family circle.
H.M. Marie Amelie, Queen of the French, 1828.H.M. MARIE AMÉLIE, QUEEN OF THE FRENCH, 1828.From the miniature by Millet at Windsor CastleTo face p.104, Vol. II.
H.M. MARIE AMÉLIE, QUEEN OF THE FRENCH, 1828.
From the miniature by Millet at Windsor Castle
To face p.104, Vol. II.
18th September 1846.
Baron Stockmar has been honoured with your Majesty's kind note of the 17th instant. The very day the Baron heard of the Spanish news, he wrote to a man at Paris, whom the King sees as often as he presents himself at the palace. In this letter the Baron statedfairly and moderately but without palliationin what light M. Bresson's conduct must necessarily appearin London, and what very naturally and most probablymust be the political consequences of such conduct.
The Baron's statement was read to the King, word for word, the very evening it reached Paris.
His Majesty listened to it most attentively, and said after some pause: "Notwithstanding all this, the marriage will take place. I don't consider Montpensier's marriage an affair between nations, and the English people, in particular, care very little about it; it is much more a private affair between myself and the English Secretary, Lord Palmerston,and as suchit will not bring on important political consequences."
LETTER TO QUEEN LOUISE
Osborne,18 Septembre 1846.
Ma bien chère Louise,—Je te remercie pour ton retour de franchise; je ne désire pas que cette controverse entre de plus dans notre correspondance privée, comme elle est le sujet et le sera je crains encore davantage de discussion politique. Je veux seulement dire qu'il estimpossiblede donner à cette affaire le cachet d'une simple affaire de famille; l'attitude prise à Paris sur cette affaire de mariage dès le commencement était une fort étrange; il fallait toute la discrétion de Lord Aberdeen pour qu'elle n'amenât un éclat plutôt; mais ce dénouement, si contraire à la parole du Roi, qu'il m'a donnée lors de cette dernière visite à Euspontanément, en ajoutant à la complication, pour lapremière fois, celle du projet de mariage de Montpensier, aura mauvaise mine devant toute l'Europe.
Rien de plus pénible n'aurait pu arriver que toute cette dispute qui prend un caractère si personnel....
Victoria R.
THE QUEEN'S INDIGNATION
Osborne,21st September 1846.
My Dearest Uncle,—I have to thank you very much for your very kind letter of the 5th from Zurich. It is very unfortunate that you should be so far off at this moment. Since I wrote to you we have decided to remonstrate both at Madrid (this went a week ago), and at Paris, but this last not in a formal note but in a despatch to Lord Normanby, against this very unjustifiable breach of faith on the part of France. Wehave seen these despatches, which are very firm, but written in a very proper and kind tone, exposing at the same time the fallacy of what has been done; for the King himself declared that he wouldneverletone of his sons marrythe Queen, heinsistedon her marrying a descendant of Philip V. This has been done, and at the same moment he says hissonis to marry theInfanta, who maybecome Queen to-morrow!And to all this he says, "C'est seulement une affaire de famille"! The King is very fond of England, and still more of peace, and he nevercansacrifice this (for though it would not be immediate war it would cause coolness with us and with other Powers, and would probably lead to war in a short time), for a breach of faith andfor one of his sons'marriages. No quarrel or misunderstanding in the worldcould be more disagreeableand to memore cruelly painful, for it isso personal, and has come into the midst of all our communications and correspondence, and is too annoying. It is so sad, too, for dear Louise, to whom one cannot say that her father has behaved dishonestly. I hope, however, another ten days will show us somedaylight. I will not mention anything about Leopold's24answer, as Albert will, I doubt not, write to you all about it. It is very satisfactory, however.
We are since this day week in our charming new house, which is delightful, and to-morrow we go, alas! to Windsor, where we expect the Queen-Dowager and the Princess of Prussia, who will remain a week with us. Ever your devoted Niece,
Victoria R.
I received this afternoon your kind letter from Gais of the 12th. One word more I must just add. No doubt if Lord Aberdeen had been at his post what has happened wouldnothave taken place, and suspicion of Lord Palmerstonhasbeen the cause of theunjustifiableconduct of the French Government. But just as theydidsuspect him, they should have been more cautious to do anything which could bring on a quarrel, which is surely not what the King can wish.
Footnote 24: Prince Leopold of Saxe-Coburg.
THE PRINCESS OF PRUSSIA
Windsor Castle,29th September 1846.
My dearest Uncle,—I received last week your very kind andsatisfactoryletter of the 16th. Your opinion on this truly unfortunate and, on the part of the French, disgracefulaffair is a great support to us. Stockmar has, I know, communicated to you what has passed, and he will send you copies of the King's letter and my answer. Our conduct has been throughouthonest, and the King's and Guizot's the contrary.Howthe Kingcanwantonly throw away the friendship of one who has stood by him with such sincere affection, for adoubtfulobject of personal and family aggrandizement, is to me and to the whole country inexplicable. HaveconfidenceinhimI fear I never can again, and Peel, who is here on a visit, says awar mayarise any moment,oncethat the good understanding is disturbed; think, then, that the King has done this in his 74th year, and leaves this inheritance to his successor; and to whom—to aGrandchild, and aMinor!And for Nemours and Paris,ourfriendship is of the greatest importance, and yet he prefers the troubles of governing Spain, which will be a source of constant worry and anxiety, to the happy understanding so happily existing between our two countries! I cannot comprehend him. Guizot behaves shamefully, and so totally without good faith. Our protests have been presented. I feel more than ever the loss of our valuable Peel.
I wish, dearest Uncle, you would not go to Paris at all at present.
The Queen-Dowager and the Princess of Prussia25have left us this morning after a week's stay, and I have been delighted with the Princess. I find her so clever, so amiable, so well informed, and so good; she seems to have some enemies, for there are whispers of her beingfalse; but from all that I have seen of her—from her discretion, her friendship through thick and thin, and to her own detriment, for Hélène, and for the Queen-Dowager who has known her from her birth, Icannotand will not believe it. Her position is a very difficult one; she is too enlightened and liberal for the Prussian Court not to have enemies; butI believethat she is a friend to us and our family, and I do believe thatIhave a friend in her, who may be most useful to us. I must conclude, envying your being in Tyrol. Ever your devoted Niece,
Victoria R.
Footnote 25: Marie Louise Augusta, daughter of the Grand Duke Charles of Saxe-Weimar, subsequently Empress of Germany, mother of Prince Frederick William, afterwards the Emperor Frederick, who in 1858 married the Princess Royal.
ENGLAND AND THE THREE POWERS
Windsor Castle,1st October 1846.
The Queen wishes to express her approval of the step taken by Lord Palmerston in urging the Three Northern Powers tojoin in the protest against the Montpensier marriage on the ground of the Treaty of Utrecht and the Declaration of Philip V. She thinks, however, that it is necessary to do more, and wishes Lord Palmerston should send a note to the Cabinets of the three Powers, explanatory of the whole of the proceedings relative to the Spanish marriages, showing the attitude taken by us from the first, and disclosing the facts which led to this unfortunate termination. The three Powers ought to be enabled to see the whole of the transaction if we wish them to sympathise with us.
1st October 1846.
Lord John Russell saw Count Jarnac to-day, and told him that your Majesty's displeasure had not been removed. He had in his hands a memorandum, which is apparently word for word the letter of the King of the French to the Queen of the Belgians.26
Lord John Russell observed that it was admitted that the Duke of Montpensier was not to marry the Infanta till the Queen of Spain had children, and that voluntary engagement had been departed from. We might expect the same departure from the professions now made not to interfere in the affairs of Spain.
Count Jarnac protested against this inference, and repeated that the promise with regard to the Infanta was only conditional.
Lord John Russell expects that in consequence of the remonstrances of England, and the attention of Europe to the question, France will be cautious in her interference with the internal government of Spain, and may probably not be able to direct her external policy.
M. Bresson has written a long letter to Lord Minto, defending his own conduct.
Footnote 26: See Louis Philippe's long letter of the 14th of September, printed in theLife of the Prince Consort, vol. i. Appendix B. Queen Victoria's complete and unanswerable reply will be found there also.
THE SPANISH MARRIAGES
Windsor Castle,6th October 1846.
My dearest Uncle,—I thank you very much for your last kind letter from Gais of the 23rd. This unfortunate Spanishaffair has gone on, heedlessly—and ourentente wantonlythrown away! I mourn over it, and feel deeply the ingratitude shown; for—without boasting—I must say they never had atruerfriend than we; and one whoalwaysstood by them. When Hadjy wrote that foolishbrochure, who stood by him through thick and thin, but we? and our friendship for the children will ever continue, but how can weeverfeel at our ease with L. P. again? Guizot's conduct is beyondallbelief shameful, and soshabbilydishonest. Molé and Thiers both say he cannot stand. It is the King's birthday to-day, but I thought it betternotto write to him, for to sayfine wordsatthismoment would be mockery. For my beloved Louise my heart bleeds; it issosad....
I must now conclude. Begging you to believe me, ever your devoted Niece,
Victoria R.
Windsor Castle,17th November 1846.
My Dearest Uncle,—I yesterday received your long and interesting letter of the 14th. I would much rather not say anything more about this truly unfortunate and painful Spanish business; but in justice to myself I must make a few observations. You say that the King thinks meresentful; this is extraordinary, for I have no such feeling; my feelings were and aredeeplywounded at the unhandsome and secret manner (so totally, inletterandin meaning, contrary to anentente cordiale) in which this affair was settled, and in which the two marriages were incorporated.
What can I do?
The King and French Government neverexpressed regretat the sudden andunhandsomemanner, to say theleast, in which they behaved to theirbest allyandfriend, andwereallycannot admitthatthey have to forgive us for duping us!Why have they not tried to makesomesort of apology? What do I do, but remain silentfor the present?
It is a sad affair, butresentmentI have none whatever, and this accusation is a new version of the affair.
With respect to Portugal, I refute most positively the unfounded accusations against us; wecannotinterfere in internal dissensions beyond ensuring the personal safety of the King, Queen, and Royal Family. The Constitution may be, and I believe is, an unfortunate thing in those Southern countries; but once it is established, the Queen must abide by it;but, unfortunately, thecoup de mainin sending away Palmella's Government (which would inevitably have crumbled to pieces of itself), was both unconstitutional and unsafe, and I fear they are in a much worse positionvis-à-visof the country than they ever were.27
We are all going to-morrow to Osborne for four weeks. Ever your truly devoted Niece,
Victoria R.
Footnote 27: The Duke de Palmella's Ministry was abruptly dismissed by the Queen of Portugal on the 10th of October, in consequence of their inability to raise money on loan. Civil war broke out, Das Antas, Loulé, Fornos, and Sà da Bandeira being the chief rebel leaders. The British Fleet was ordered to the Tagus to support the Queen against her subjects, with the ulterior object of restoring Constitutional Government.