Page:The invasion of the Crimea vol. 1.djvu/443

 APPENDIX. 401 the case that I cannot, I think, do better than copy its principal sentences : — ' From my correspondence with Lord John and personal ' communication in 1852, he must have had no doubt of ' my reluctance to be at the head of the Government and ' of my desire to see him in that position instead of my- ' self, as being in my opinion infinitely better qualified to ' take it. When I found, from the admitted state of public ' opinion at the time and the unwillingness of my own ' friends to listen to any such arrangement, that his appoint- ' ment was impossible, I formed a resolution in my own ' mind that I would take an opportunity, in the event of ' my being placed at the head, of retiring in his favour ' whenever circumstances should permit, and as soon as I ' could do so without breaking up the Government ; for ' this I did not think it would be fair either to the Queen ' or to my colleagues to do. I cannot recollect having ' specifically declared this intention to Lord John himself ' before the formation of the Government; but I think ' that I must have done so to others ; and I have little ' doubt that from the first he must have looked to such a ' contingency. At all events I kept it constantly in view ' myself; and in the summer of 1853, when, by the accept- ' ance of the Vienna Note, it appeared that the difference ' between Russia and Turkey was entirely settled, I thought ' the time had come when something might be attempted. ' At that time I had a conversation with Lord John ' in which I very clearly explained to him my views and ' intentions. On submitting the matter to my friends I ' found that Graham, although unwillingly, acquiesced, and • I believe he informed Lord John himself to that effect. 1 My other friends would not entertain the proposal ; and I ' was compelled to delay any further proceeding, in the ' hope that during the Recess and before tho next Session of Parliament I might by persuasion change their views. VOL. I. 2 C