Page:The Letters Of Queen Victoria, vol. 3 (1908).djvu/126

112 THE COMMITTEE OF ENQUIRY [chap. xxiv HOUSE OF COMMONS, 2nd March 1855. Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty. . ..

The death of the Emperor of Russia may or may not produce important changes in the state of affairs. It is probable that the Grand Duke Hereditary will succeed quietly, notwithstanding the notion that a doubt would be started whether he, as son of the Grand Duke Nicholas, would not be superseded by his younger brother born son of the Czar. It is possible that the new Emperor may revert to that peaceful policy which he was understood to advocate in the beginning of these transactions, but it is possible, on the other hand, that he may feel bound to follow out the policy of his father, and may be impelled by the headstrong ambition of his brother Constantine. At all events, this change at Petersburg should not for the present slacken the proceedings and the arrangements of the Allies.

The House of Commons has been engaged in discussing Mr Roebuck’s proposal that the Committee of Enquiry should be a secret one. This proposal was made by the majority of the Committee on the ground that they anticipated a difficulty in conducting their enquiries without trenching on the delicate and dangerous ground of questioning the proceedings of the French. The proposal was objected to by Lord Seymour and Mr Ellice, members of the Committee, by Sir James Graham as unjust towards the Duke of Newcastle, and others whose conduct ought to be enquired into with all the safe- guards which publicity secures for justice, and not before a Secret Tribunal in the nature of an Inquisition. The general sense of the House was against secrecy, and Viscount Palmer- ston expressed an opinion adverse to it, on the ground that it could not be enforced because the Committee could not gag the witnesses, and that the character of secrecy would excite suspicion and disappoint public expectation. Sir John Paking- ton, a member of the Committee, was for secrecy, Mr Disraeli spoke against it, and the Motion has been withdrawn.

Queen Victoria to the Princess of Prussia. [Translation.] BUCKINGHAM PALACE, 4th March 1855. Dear Augusta,—The astounding news of the death of your poor uncle the Emperor Nicholas reached us the day before