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

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You will forgive me if I mention it to you, but I understand that the
Queen Dowager has been somewhat offended at your not taking leave of
her when she came here, and at your not answering her, when she
wrote to you. Perhaps you would write to her and soften and smoothen
matters. She did not the least expect you to come to her. Believe me
always, your most devoted Niece,

VICTORIA R.

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

SOUTH STREET, _28th August 1841._

Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs to
acknowledge gratefully the communication which he has just received
from your Majesty. Lord Melbourne feels certain that your Majesty's
sense and firmness will enable your Majesty to bear up under this
which your Majesty names a severe trial. The kindness of your
Majesty's expressions emboldens Lord Melbourne to say that he also
feels deeply the pain of separation from a service, which has now for
four years and more been no less his pleasure than his pride.

Lord Melbourne would have been anxious to have waited upon your
Majesty to-day, but he feels that his presence is in some degree
material at a meeting, at which not only the present situation of your
Majesty's servants, but also their future conduct and prospects, will
be considered.

Lord Melbourne is sure that your Majesty will at once perceive that
it would not have a good appearance if he were to return to Windsor
immediately after having announced his resignation to the House of
Lords on Monday next.

It is right that there should be no appearance of delay or of
unwillingness to carry into effect the wishes of both Houses of
Parliament, and, therefore, your Majesty will forgive Lord Melbourne
if he suggests that it would be well if your Majesty could make up
your mind to appoint Sir R. Peel on Monday next, so that there might
be as little delay as possible in the formation of a new Government.
On all accounts, and particularly on account of the lateness of
the Season, it is desirable that this should be done as speedily as
possible.

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

_29th August 1841._

Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. He knows
well what that feeling of working under the impression of trouble and
annoyance is, but if the first gloom is brushed away, confidence and
hope and spirits return, and things begin to appear more cheerful.
Lord Melbourne is much obliged by your Majesty's enquiries. He slept
well, but waked early, which he always does now, and which is a sure
sign of anxiety of mind.

Lord Melbourne will be ready to attend your Majesty at any time.

[Pageheading: DELAY UNDESIRABLE]

[Pageheading: PARTING WITH LORD MELBOURNE]

_Memorandum by Mr Anson._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _29th August 1841._

Lord Melbourne is to take his farewell audience of the Queen
to-morrow, and Her Majesty has appointed Sir Robert Peel to come down
here at three o'clock to-morrow.

I went with Lord Melbourne from luncheon to his room. He seemed in
tolerable spirits, though somewhat sad when he alluded to taking leave
of the Queen. He said he was anxious that Her Majesty should lose no
time in writing to appoint Sir Robert Peel to be here to-morrow, for
though he was not afraid of Sir Robert taking affront, his Party would
be too ready to construe any delay on the Queen's part into a slight.
He said the Prince had been with him just before, and amongst other
things had urged him to continue to him and to the Queen his advice
and assistance, especially on measures affecting their private
concerns and family concerns; he told Lord Melbourne it was on these
points that he felt Lord Melbourne's advice had been peculiarly sound,
and there was no reason why this should not be continued, and any
communication might be made through me. Lord Melbourne said that
the Prince had also entered upon the subject of the Baroness, and
expressed the constant state of annoyance he was kept in by her
interference. Lord Melbourne said to me: "It will be far more
difficult to remove her after the change of Government than now,
because if pressed to do it by a Tory Minister, the Queen's prejudice
would be immediately aroused." I admitted this, but said that though
the Prince felt that if he pressed the point against the Baroness
remaining, he should be able to carry it, still his good feeling and
affection for the Queen prevented him from pressing what he knew would
be painful, and what could not be carried without an exciting scene;
he must remain on his guard, and patiently abide the result. People
were beginning much better to understand that lady's character, and
time must surely work its own ends.

On my being sent for by the Prince, Lord Melbourne said, "I shall
see you again before I take my leave." I was much affected by the
earnestness with which this was said, and said I would certainly be
with him before he saw the Queen to-morrow.

The Prince said that Her Majesty was cheerful and in good spirits,
and the only part of the approaching scene which he dreaded was
the farewell with Lord Melbourne. The Queen had, however, been much
relieved by the Prince arranging for her hearing from Lord Melbourne
whenever she wished it.

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

_30th August 1841._

Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and thanks
your Majesty much for the very clever and interesting etchings which
your Majesty most kindly sent him yesterday evening. Lord Melbourne
will ever treasure them as remembrances of your Majesty's kindness and
regard, which he prizes beyond measure.

They will, as your Majesty says, certainly recall to recollection a
melancholy day, but still Lord Melbourne hopes and trusts that with
the divine blessing it will hereafter be looked back upon with less
grief and bitterness of feeling, than it must be regarded at present.

[Pageheading: THE PRINCE'S POSITION]

_Memorandum by Mr Anson._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _30th August 1841._

Directly I got here this morning the Prince sent for me, and said he
had been made somewhat uneasy by a conversation he had just had with
the Queen. Her Majesty said that after the manner in which the Tories
had treated the Prince (relative to annuity) he ought now to keep them
at a distance. She said they would try to flatter him, and would all
come to see him; this he should resist, and should refuse to see them,
at all events for some time.

The Prince wished me to mention this to Lord Melbourne when I went to
take leave of him, and to urge Lord Melbourne to set this right with
the Queen by his advice before he parted with the Queen, reminding him
that his view had always been that from this moment the Prince would
take up a new position, and that the Queen, no longer having Lord
Melbourne to resort to in case of need, must from this moment consult
and advise with the Prince. That Lord Melbourne should urge the Queen
to have no scruple in employing the Prince, and showing that unless
a proper understanding existed from the first, he in attempting to do
good would be easily misrepresented.

I found Lord Melbourne alone in his dressing-room and put this case
before him. He said he had always thought that when he left the
service of the Queen the Prince would of necessity be brought forward,
and must render great assistance to the Queen; and the Queen's
confidence in his judgment having so much increased, this consequence
was the more natural. The Prince must, however, be very cautious at
first, and in a little time he would fall into it. He must be
very careful not to alarm the Queen, by Her Majesty for an instant
supposing that the Prince was carrying on business with Peel without
her cognisance.

If it were possible for any one to advise Peel, he would recommend
that he should write fully to Her Majesty, and _elementarily_, as Her
Majesty always liked to have full knowledge upon everything which was
going on. He would advise the Queen to be cautious in giving a verbal
decision, that she should not allow herself to be _driven into a
corner_, and forced to decide where she felt her mind was not made up
and required reflection.

Peel should be very careful that intelligence came first from him
direct. King William was very particular upon this point, so was the
Queen.

I asked Lord Melbourne if he had considered the future position of
himself with the Queen, and also of Peel with the Queen. He said he
owned he had not and would avoid entering into any discussion--he felt
sure that he should be regarded with extreme jealousy, not so much by
Peel as by the party. He would be looked upon as Lord Bute had been in
his relation to George III.,--always suspected of secret
intercourse and intrigue. He would make me the medium of any written
communication.

With regard to Peel's position with the Queen, he thought that
circumstances must make it. He thought the Queen must see him oftener
than King William did him, as he thought the present state of things
would require more frequent intercourse. The late King used to see
him once a week after the Levee, seldom oftener; all the rest of the
business was transacted by correspondence, but this mode, though it
had its merits in some respect, very much impeded the public business.

The less personal objections the Queen took to any one the better, as
any such expression is sure to come out and a personal enemy is
made. It was also to be recollected that Peel was in a very different
position now, backed by a large majority, to when the other overture
was made. He had the power _now_ to extort what he pleased, and he
fancied he saw the blank faces of the heads of the Party when Peel
told them that he had agreed to the dismissal or resignation of only
three of the Queen's ladies.

Lord Melbourne said the Queen was afraid she never could be at ease
with Peel, because his manner was so embarrassed, and that conveyed
embarrassment also to her, which it would be very difficult to get
over.

The Queen took leave of Lord Melbourne to-day. Her Majesty was much
affected, but soon recovered her calmness.

Peel had his first audience at half-past three o'clock.

[Pageheading: MELBOURNE'S OPINION OF THE PRINCE]

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

_30th August 1841_ (6 P.M.).

Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. The
announcement has been made in both Houses of Parliament. A few words
were said by Lord Stanley[73] in the House of Commons, and nothing in
the House of Lords.

Lord Melbourne cannot satisfy himself without again stating to your
Majesty in writing what he had the honour of saying to your Majesty
respecting his Royal Highness the Prince. Lord Melbourne has formed
the highest opinion of His Royal Highness's judgment, temper, and
discretion, and he cannot but feel a great consolation and security
in the reflection that he leaves your Majesty in a situation in
which your Majesty has the inestimable advantage of such advice and
assistance. Lord Melbourne feels certain that your Majesty cannot do
better than have recourse to it, whenever it is needed, and rely upon
it with confidence.

Lord Melbourne will be anxious to hear from your Majesty as to what
has passed with Sir R. Peel. Your Majesty will, Lord Melbourne is
sure, feel that the same general secrecy which your Majesty has always
observed respecting public affairs is more particularly necessary at
the present moment.

Lord Melbourne earnestly hopes that your Majesty is well and composed,
and with the most anxious wishes for your Majesty's welfare and
happiness, remains ever your Majesty's most devoted and attached
Servant, and he trusts that he may add, without presumption, your
Majesty's faithful and affectionate Friend.

[Footnote 73: Who now became Colonial Secretary.]

[Pageheading: THE HOUSEHOLD]

_Memorandum: Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

Your Majesty might say, if to your Majesty it seems good, that in
consequence of the Addresses voted by both Houses of Parliament, your
Majesty's servants had tendered their resignations, and that for the
same reason your Majesty had accepted those resignations. That your
Majesty's present servants possessed your Majesty's confidence,
and that you only parted with them in deference to the opinion of
Parliament.

That your Majesty naturally had recourse to Sir Robert Peel as
possessing the confidence of the great Party which constitutes the
majority of both Houses, and that you were prepared to empower him to
form an Administration.

That your Majesty did not conceive that the giving him this commission
of itself empowered him to advise the removal of the officers of your
Majesty's Household; that you conceive that all that the Constitution
required was that the Sovereign's Household should support the
Sovereign's Ministers; but that you were prepared to place at his
disposal, and to take his advice upon all the offices of the Household
at present filled by members of either House of Parliament, with
the exception of those whom your Majesty might think proper to
name, _i.e._, Lord Byron[74]--and it should be understood that this
exception was not to extend further than to him.

If Sir Robert Peel should wish that in case of Lord Byron's remaining
it should be considered as a fresh appointment made by his advice,
this wish might properly be acceded to.

_The Ladies._--If any difficulty should arise it may be asked to be
stated in writing, and reserved for consideration. But it is of great
importance that Sir Robert Peel should return to London with full
power to form an Administration. Such must be the final result, and
the more readily and graciously it is acquiesced in the better.

Your Majesty must take care not to be driven to the wall, and to
be put into a situation in which it is necessary to Aye or No. No
positive objection should be taken either to men or measures.

It must be recollected that at the time of the negotiation in 1839
Lord Melbourne and Lord John Russell were still at the head of a
majority in the House of Commons. This is not the case now.

[Footnote 74: George Anson, seventh Lord Byron (1789-1868),
cousin and successor of the poet.]

[Pageheading: THE NEW CABINET]

THE CABINET OF LORD MELBOURNE,

_As it stood in September 1841._

_First Lord of the Treasury_ VISCOUNT MELBOURNE.

_Lord Chancellor_ LORD (afterwards Earl of)
COTTENHAM.
_Chancellor of the Exchequer_ Mr FRANCIS BARING
(afterwards Lord Northbrook).
_Lord President of the Council_ MARQUIS OF LANSDOWNE.
_Lord Privy Seal_ EARL OF CLARENDON.
_Home Secretary_ MARQUIS OF NORMANBY.
_Foreign Secretary_ VISCOUNT PALMERSTON.
_Colonial Secretary_ LORD JOHN (afterwards
Earl) RUSSELL.
_First Lord of the Admiralty_ EARL OF MINTO.
_President of the Board of Control_ Sir JOHN CAM HOBHOUSE
(afterwards Lord Broughton).
_Secretary at War_ Mr T. B. (afterwards
Lord) MACAULAY.
_President of the Board of Trade_ Mr LABOUCHERE (afterwards
Lord Taunton).
_Chief Secretary for Ireland_ VISCOUNT MORPETH
(afterwards Earl of Carlisle).
_First Commissioner of Land Revenue_ VISCOUNT DUNCANNON
(afterwards Earl of Bessborough).
_Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster_ Sir GEORGE GREY.

THE CABINET OF SIR ROBERT PEEL,[75]

_As formed in September 1841._

_First Lord of the Treasury_ Sir ROBERT PEEL.
_Lord Chancellor_ LORD LYNDHURST.
_Chancellor of the Exchequer_ Mr. H. GOULBURN.
(_Without Office_) DUKE OF WELLINGTON.
_Lord President of the Council_ LORD WHARNCLIFFE.
_Lord Privy Seal_ DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.
_Home Secretary_ Sir JAMES GRAHAM.
_Foreign Secretary_ EARL OF ABERDEEN.
_Colonial Secretary_ LORD STANLEY
(afterwards Earl of Derby).
_First Lord of the Admiralty_ EARL OF HADDINGTON.
_President of the Board of Control_ LORD (afterwards Earl of)
ELLENBOROUGH
_Secretary at War_ Sir HENRY (afterwards
Viscount) HARDINGE.
_President of the Board of Trade_ EARL OF RIPON.
_Paymaster-General_. Sir EDWARD KNATCHBULL.

[Footnote 75: The Peel Ministry of 1841 was unique in
containing three ex-Premiers: Sir Robert Peel himself, the
Earl of Ripon, and the Duke of Wellington, who succeeded Lord
Goderich as Premier in 1828. Ripon's career was a curious one;
he was a singularly ineffective Prime Minister, and indeed did
not, during the course of his Ministry (August 1827-January
1828), ever have to meet Parliament. He was disappointed
at not being invited to join the Wellington Ministry,
subsequently joined the Reform Ministry of Lord Grey, but
followed Lord Stanley, Sir James Graham, and the Duke of
Richmond out of it. In August 1841 he moved the vote of want
of confidence in the Melbourne Ministry, and became President
of the Board of Trade in Peel's Government. In 1846 it fell to
him, when President of the Board of Control, to move the Corn
Law Repeal Bill in the Lords.

The only later instance of an ex-Premier accepting a
subordinate office was in the case of Lord John Russell, who,
in 1852, took the Foreign Office under Aberdeen, subsequently
vacating the office and sitting in the Cabinet without office.
In June 1854, he became Lord President of the Council, and
left the Ministry when it was menaced by Roebuck's motion.
When Lord Palmerston formed a Ministry in 1855, Lord John,
after an interval, became Colonial Secretary, again resigning
in five months. Finally, in 1859, he went back to the Foreign
Office, where he remained until he succeeded Palmerston as
Premier in 1865.

The Government also contained three future Premiers, Aberdeen,
Stanley, and Gladstone.]

[Pageheading: INTERVIEW WITH PEEL]

[Pageheading: HOUSEHOLD APPOINTMENTS]

[Pageheading: THE QUEEN'S DISTRESS]

_Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne._

WINDSOR CASTLE _30th August 1841._

... The first interview with Sir Robert Peel has gone off well, and
only lasted twenty minutes; and he sends the Queen to-morrow, in
writing, the proposed arrangements, and will only come down on
Wednesday morning. He first wished to come to-morrow, but on the
Queen's saying that he need not to do that, but might send it and only
come down Wednesday, he thought the Queen might prefer having it to
consider a little, which she said she certainly should, though she
meant no want of confidence. The Queen, in the first instance, stated
that she concluded he was prepared for her sending for him, and then
stated exactly what Lord Melbourne wrote, viz., the resignation having
taken place in consequence of the Addresses--the Queen's great regret
at parting with her present Ministers--the confidence she had in them,
and her only acceding in consequence of the Addresses in Parliament,
and then that consequently she looked to him (Sir Robert Peel) as
possessing the confidence of both Houses of Parliament to form an
Administration. He made many protestations of his sorrow, at what must
give pain to the Queen (as she said to him it did), but of course said
he accepted the task. The Duke of Wellington's health too uncertain,
and himself too prone to sleep coming over him--as Peel expressed
it--to admit of his taking an office in which he would have much to
do, but to be in the Cabinet, which the Queen expressed her wish he
should. He named Lord De Grey[76] as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland,
and Lord Eliot[77] as Secretary for Ireland, who, he said, were both
moderate people. The Queen said she gave up to him the officers of
State and those of her Household who were in Parliament, and he then
asked if Lord Liverpool would be agreeable as Lord Steward (the Queen
said he would), and if she would object to Lord Jersey as Master of
the Horse (she said she would not), as she believed he understood it
perfectly. He said he was so anxious to do everything which could be
agreeable to the Queen, that he wished her to name whom she should
like as Lord Chamberlain; she said he might suggest some one, but as
he would not, and pressed the Queen to name whoever she pleased,
she said she should like the Duke of Rutland, and he said he would
certainly name it to him. The Queen said that Lord Melbourne had
always been very particular to name no one who might be disagreeable
to her in the Household, and Sir R. Peel said he felt this, and
should be most anxious to do what could be agreeable to me and for my
comfort, and that he would even sacrifice any advantage to this. The
Queen mentioned the three Ladies' resignation, and her wish not to
fill up the three Ladies' places immediately. She mentioned Lady
Byron,[78] to which he agreed immediately, and then said, as I had
alluded to those communications, he hoped that he had been understood
respecting the _other_ appointments (meaning the Ladies), that
provided I chose some who had a leaning towards the politics of the
Administration, I might take any I liked, and that he quite understood
that I should notify it to them. The Queen said this was her rule, and
that she wished to choose moderate people who should not have scruples
to resign in case another Administration should come in, as changing
was disagreeable to her. Here it ended, and so far well. He was
very anxious the Queen should understand _how_ anxious he was to do
everything which was agreeable to the Queen. The Queen wishes to know
if Lord Melbourne thinks she should name the Duchess of Buccleuch
Mistress of the Robes, on Wednesday, and if she shall ask Sir Robert
to sound the Duchess, or some one else, and then write to appoint her?
She thinks of proposing Lady de la Warr and Lady Abercorn by and by as
the two Ladies, but these she will sound herself through other people,
or Lady Canning, or Lady Rosslyn, in case these others should not take
it. She should say she meant to sound those, and no more. What the
Queen felt when she parted from her dear, kind friend, Lord Melbourne,
is better imagined than described; she was dreadfully affected for
some time after, but is calm now. It is very, very sad; and she cannot
quite believe it yet. The Prince felt it very, very much too, and
really the Queen cannot say how kind and affectionate he is to her,
and how anxious to do everything to lighten this heavy trial; he was
quite affected at this sad parting. We do, and shall, miss you so
dreadfully; Lord Melbourne will easily understand what a change it
is, after these four years when she had the happiness of having Lord
Melbourne always about her. But it will not be so long till we meet
again. Happier and brighter times will come again. We anxiously hope
Lord Melbourne is well, and got up well and safe. The Queen trusts he
will take care of his valuable health, now more than ever.

[Footnote 76: Thomas, Earl de Grey (1781-1859); he was the
elder brother of Lord Ripon, who had been previously known
as Mr Robinson and Viscount Goderich, and whose son, besides
inheriting his father's and uncle's honours, was created
Marquis of Ripon.]

[Footnote 77: Afterwards third Earl of St Germans.]

[Footnote 78: Lady Byron had been Miss Elizabeth
Chandos-Pole.]

_Memorandum by Mr Anson._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _31st August 1841._

I was sent up to Town to-day to see Lord Melbourne and Sir Robert
Peel. I found Lord Melbourne as usual up in his bedroom. He had
received the account of Her Majesty's first interview with Peel, which
he thought very satisfactory. Sir Robert very much regretted that he
should have been the instrument of obliging Her Majesty to change her
Government. The Queen had said to Sir Robert that though she did not
conceive the Minister could demand any of the Household appointments,
still it was Her Majesty's intention to give up to him the great
offices of State, and all other places in the Household filled by
people in Parliament. He was to send his proposed list for offices the
next day and be at Windsor the morning after that. Lord Melbourne
had written to the Queen the night before, stating his opinion of the
Prince--that he had great discretion, temper, and judgment, and that
he considered him to be well worthy of Her Majesty's confidence, and
that now was the time for Her Majesty to feel comfort and assistance
from giving him her fullest confidence. He had just received the
Queen's answer to this, saying what "pleasure it had given the Queen
to receive his letter with this expression of his opinion of her
beloved husband, and that what he said could not fail to increase
the confidence which she already felt in him. He was indeed a great
comfort to her in this trying moment; at times she was very low indeed
though she strove to bear up. It would always be a satisfaction to
her to feel secure of Lord Melbourne's faithful and affectionate
friendship to her and the Prince. She hoped after a time to see him
here again, and it would always be a pleasure to her to hear from him
frequently."