Page:The invasion of the Crimea vol. 1.djvu/446

 404 APPENDIX. the matter as I had already stated to you ; and it seems to me that you have obtained all the information of which the subject is susceptible. It is perfectly true that in my daily intercourse with Clarendon he became fully aware of all my views, wishes, and intentions ; and thai he had my entire confidence. ' It is right, however, you should know that, although these wishes were strongly entertained and unequivocally expressed, they were not the result of any engagement or obligation on my part ; but that the whole proceeding was perfectly spontaneous and free. It must also be re- collected that I always explicitly declared that any steps to be taken by me having in view the substitution of Lord John as the head of the Government, must have the assent of the Cabinet ; — that I would not agree to break up the Administration for this object, rlow I am bound to say that I met with as much reluctance to en- tertain the project from some other members of the Cabinet as from those avIio were more especially con- sidered my own friends. ' At all events the war put an end for the time to any further practical measures being taken on the subject. ' Situated as we then were, I could only look forward to the return of peace as the moment when the attempt to carry my wishes into effect might successfully be renewed. ' I did not regard this as a distant prospect ; for, as I had most reluctantly entered into the war, I was deter- mined, if I remained at the head of the Government, that the first reasonable terms of peace within our reach should be accepted; and in this respect I am happy to believe that I did not materially differ from Lord John.' The Duke's reply is : — ' You tell me although your wishes were strongly enter- tained and unequivocally expressed, they were not the result of any engagement or obligation on your part, and