Page:The Letters Of Queen Victoria, vol. 3 (1908).djvu/104

90 LORD JOHN RUSSELL’S ATTEMPT [cuap. xxiv formation of a Government. 'The Queen addresses herself in this instance to Lord John Russell, as the person who may be considered to have contributed to the vote of the House of Commons, which displaced her late Government, and hopes that he will be able to present her such a Government as will give a fair promise successfully to overcome the great difficulties in which the country is placed. It would give her particular satisfaction if Lord Palmerston could join in this formation.

Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria. CHESHAM PLACE, 2nd February 1855. Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty. He acknowledges that having contributed to the vote of the House of Commons, which displaced your Majesty’s late Government (although the decision would in any case have probably been unfavourable), he is bound to attempt the formation of a Government. As your Majesty has now entrusted him with this honourable task, and desired that Lord Palmerston should join in it, Lord John Russell will immediately communicate with Lord Palmer- ston, and do his utmost to form a Government which will give a fair promise to overcome the difficulties by which the country is surrounded. Lord John Russell considers Lord Clarendon’s co-operation in this task as absolutely essential.

Memorandum by the Prince Albert. BUCKINGHAM PALACE, 3rd February 1855. Lord John Russell arrived at half-past one o’clock, and stated that he had to report some progress and some obstacles. He had been to Lord Palmerston, and had a long and very free discussion with him. He (Lord Palmerston) told him that although the general voice of the public had pointed him out as the person who ought to form a Government, he had no pretensions himself or personal views, and was quite ready to accept the lead of the House of Commons under Lord John in the House of Lords; but that he thought that, if the Queen would see him, now that she had seen Lord Derby, Lord John, and Lord Lansdowne, it would remove any impression that there were personal objections to him entertained by the Queen, which would much facilitate the position of the new Government. They then discussed the whole question of offices, agreed that Lord Panmure would be the best person for the War Department; that Lord Grey could not be asked to join,