Page:The invasion of the Crimea vol. 1.djvu/447

 APPENDIX. 405 ' that the whole proceeding was perfectly spontaneous and ' free. That is precisely my own understanding of tho ' case.' I am sorry to have troubled you at so great a length, hut my father's reputation is naturally very dear to me, and I should much regret that any part of his career should he exposed to misconstruction through the words of one whoso lightest sayings carry so much weight as yours. His name may not be, like yours, a household word throughout tho country. His fame may not, like yours, be a cherished possession of which all Englishmen are jealous. Known comparatively to few, his calm sagacity and his impartial justice may probably never be fully appreciated. But on that very account I am all the more anxious that his mo- tives and conduct should not so be represented to the pub- lic as to be needlessly misunderstood. Sir James Graham, shortly before his death, thus wrote to me : — ' I do not remember the exact terms used by mo in a ' former letter with regard to cases which might require ' your interposition, and the use of materials even of rc- ' cent date, if your father's character and conduct were ' unjustly attacked by any writer or speaker worthy of ' notice. I consider you the accredited guardian of his ' fair fame, and you are armed with weapons for its defence. ' Let me illustrate my meaning.' And he goes on to give cases which would ' require iri- ' tervention and the publication of documents of recent ' date ; and such are the subjects of pressing interests to ' which I referred.' Among these cases, the share of Lord Aberdeen in tho transactions relating to the war, and the relations existing between him and yourself, aro not omitted. I hope, therefore, you will hold me excused for thus pointing out a misapprehension which it appears to me ha3