Page:Viscount Hardinge and the Advance of the British Dominions into the Punjab.djvu/183

Rh attitude was essentially Conservative on all questions not involving the principle of Free Trade, as the following correspondence will show.

'St. James' Square,

'Feb, 23, 1852.

'My Dear Hardinge,

'Though we have not been acting as members of the same party, yet your personal kindness has been always such, and I have such a reliance upon your sense of what is due to the public interests, that having felt it my duty to take any responsibility rather than leave the Queen without a Government, and having therefore accepted office, I hope I may rely with confidence upon your giving me your valuable military assistance by accepting the office of Master-General of the Ordnance — a post which just now requires the services of our ablest administrator. I have named my intention to the Queen; and I am sure, should you accept it, the public voice will ratify the selection. I cannot imagine to myself any political question which need raise the slightest difficulty. I shall hope, therefore, to receive an early and satisfactory answer.

'Yours sincerely,

'Derby.'

The following was the reply: —

'23rd Feb., 1852.

'My Dear Lord Derby,

’I came home late, and have this instant received your very kind letter, I can truly assure you