The Letters of Queen Victoria Volume Ii Part 15

He thinks many would have been induced to follow his example.

Sir Robert Peel did not hesitate a moment in withdrawing his offer of resignation. He said he felt it his duty at once to resume his office, though he is deeply sensible of the difficulties with which he has to contend.

[Pageheading: PEEL CORDIALLY SUPPORTED]

_Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria._

WHITEHALL, _21st December 1845._

Sir Robert Peel presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and proceeds to give your Majesty an account of what has pa.s.sed since he left your Majesty at four o'clock yesterday.

The Cabinet met at Sir Robert Peel's house in Downing Street at half-past nine.

Sir Robert Peel informed them that he had not summoned them for the purpose of deliberating on what was to be done, but for the purpose of announcing to them that he was your Majesty's Minister, and whether supported or not, was firmly resolved to meet Parliament as your Majesty's Minister, and to propose such measures as the public exigencies required.

Failure or success must depend upon their decision, but nothing could shake Sir Robert Peel's determination to meet Parliament and to advise the Speech from the Throne.

There was a dead silence, at length interrupted by Lord Stanley's declaring that he must persevere in resigning, that he thought the Corn Law ought to be adhered to, and might have been maintained.

The Duke of Wellington said he thought the Corn Law was a subordinate consideration. He was _delighted_ when he received Sir Robert Peel's letter that day, announcing to the Duke that his mind was made up to place his services at your Majesty's disposal.

The Duke of Buccleuch behaved admirably--was much agitated--thought new circ.u.mstances had arisen--would not then decide on resigning.

Sir Robert Peel has received this morning the enclosed note from the Duke.[39]

He has written a reply very strongly to the Duke, stating that the present question is not one of Corn Law, but whether your Majesty's former servants or Lord Grey and Mr Cobden shall const.i.tute your Majesty's Government. Sir Robert Peel defied the wit of man to suggest now another alternative to your Majesty.

Lord Aberdeen will see the Duke to-day.

All the other members of the Government cordially approved of Sir Robert Peel's determination not to abandon your Majesty's service.

There was no question about details, but if there is any, it shall not alter Sir Robert Peel's course.

[Footnote 39: _See_ next letter.]

_The Duke of Buccleuch to Sir Robert Peel._

MONTAGU HOUSE, _20th December 1845._

MY DEAR SIR ROBERT,--That which has occurred this evening, and that which you have communicated to us, the very critical state in which the country now is, and above all the duty which I owe to her Majesty under the present circ.u.mstances, has made a most strong impression upon my mind. At the risk, therefore, of imputation of vacillation or of any other motive by others, may I ask of you to give me a few hours' time for further reflection, before finally deciding upon the course which I may feel it to be my duty to pursue? Believe me, my dear Sir Robert, yours most sincerely,

BUCCLEUCH.

_Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria._

WHITEHALL, _22nd December 1845._

Sir Robert Peel presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and has the utmost satisfaction in informing your Majesty that Mr Gladstone is willing to accept the Seals of the Colonial Office should your Majesty be pleased to confide them to him.[40]

Sir Robert Peel thinks this of great importance, and that immediate decision in filling up so eminent a post will have a good effect.

[Footnote 40: Mr Gladstone, by accepting office, vacated the seat at Newark which he had held through the influence of the Protectionist Duke of Newcastle. He did not seek re-election, and though a Secretary of State, remained without a seat in Parliament.]

[Pageheading: THE QUEEN'S ESTIMATE OF PEEL]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _23rd December 1845._

MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Many thanks for your two kind letters of the 17th and 19th, which gave me much pleasure. I have little to add to Albert's letter of yesterday, except my _extreme_ admiration of our worthy Peel, who shows himself a man of unbounded _loyalty_, _courage_, patriotism, and _high-mindedness_, and his conduct towards me has been _chivalrous_ almost, I might say. I never have seen him so excited or so determined, and _such_ a good cause must succeed. We have indeed had an escape, for though Lord John's _own notions_ were _very_ good and moderate, he let himself be entirely twisted and twirled about by his _violent_ friends, and _all_ the moderate ones were crushed....

VICTORIA R.

_Sir Robert Peel to the Prince Albert._

WHITEHALL, _23rd December 1845._

SIR,--I think Her Majesty and your Royal Highness will have been pleased with the progress I have made in execution of the great trust again committed to me by Her Majesty.

It will be of great importance to conciliate Lord Stanley's support out of office, to induce him to _discourage_ hostile combinations.

I would humbly recommend Her Majesty, when Her Majesty sees Lord Stanley to-day, to receive him with her usual kindness, to say that I had done full justice in my reports to Her Majesty to the motives by which he had been actuated, and to the openness and frankness of his conduct, to regret greatly the loss of his services, but to hope that he might be still enabled not to oppose and even to promote the accomplishment of what cannot now be safely resisted. I have the honour to be, etc., etc., etc.,

ROBERT PEEL.

[Pageheading: THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS]

[Pageheading: THE CORN LAWS]