The Letters of Queen Victoria, Volume 1 (of 3), 1837 to 1843)

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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 Fetes 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.

[Footnote 45: Mr Shaw Lefevre was elected by 317 against 299
for Mr Goulburn.]

_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._

_6th July 1839._

Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and has
the honour to report that Mr. Rice yesterday brought forward his
financial statement with great ability.

He moved a resolution in favour of a penny postage, which Sir Robert
Peel declared it to be his intention to oppose on the report. This
will be on Friday next. This seems a mistake on the part of the
Opposition.[46]

[Footnote 46: The penny postage scheme came into operation on
10th January 1840.]

[Pageheading: THE QUEEN AND PRINCE ALBERT]

_Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _12th July 1839._ (_20 minutes to 12._)

The Queen is really quite shocked to see that her box was taken to
Lord Melbourne to Park Lane, and she fears (by the manner in which
Lord Melbourne's note is written) that he was at dinner at Lady
Elizabeth H. Vere's when he got it. The Queen had imagined that the
House of Lords was still sitting, and therefore desired them to take
the box there, but never had intended it should follow him to dinner;
she begs Lord Melbourne to excuse this mistake which must have
appeared so strange.

Did the dinner go off well at Lady Elizabeth H. Vere's, and were there
many people there? Did Lord Melbourne go to Lady R. Grosvenor's party
or did he go home?