| Collection | Victorian Papers, Main Series |
| Description | The Queen calls Russell's attention to the account in the "Revue des Deux Mondes" of affairs in Spain, which makes England's line of policy appear with little honour. This account is so plausible that the Queen fears it will be taken as the truth in France and throughout Europe, but she must admit that England's policy and the conduct of Bulwer [Henry Bulwer, British Ambassador to Spain] in Madrid lays itself open to that construction. After the duplicity of France regarding the Spanish Marriages, though France had all the profit and England all the loss, England had a strong position on the side of integrity, morality and honour; but following the diplomatic intrigues and counter-intrigues at Madrid, England has lost that advantageous position without any compensation on the other side. Queen Victoria entreats Russell not to underrate the importance of keeping England's foreign policy beyond reproach. Public opinion is recognised as a ruling power in England's domestic affairs, and it is no less important to possess the confidence of Europe. Consequently, the Queen feels uneasy about England's dealings in Greece, and anxious that the country should not be misunderstood with regard to Italy. She is sorry that France has complained of unfair dealing by England with regard to the negotiations in the River Plate, and asks if they have any rights to do so: have Lord Howden's private instructions differed in any way wtih the public instructions which had been agreed with the French Government? The Queen would consider any advantage gained at the expense of an ally to be a loss. |