| Collection | Victorian Papers, Main Series |
| Description | The Queen sends a despatch from Lord Normanby [British Ambassador to France], and the draft answer which was sent for her approval, which she cannot approve. She has repeatedly told Lord Palmerston that the establishment of an "entente cordiale" with the French Republic for the purpose of driving the Austrians out of their dominions in Italy would be a disgrace to England. France would attach the greatest importance to it, and gain the greatest advantage by it; but how would England stand in the eyes of the world when it is struggling to maintain supremacy in Ireland, and while boasting that it stands by treaties with regard to its European relations, having hitherto declined to interfere in Italy, or caution Sardinia on her unjust attack on Austria, and having refused to mediate for Austria because the terms were not good enough for Sardinia? How could England now ally itself with Austria's arch-enemy at a time when Austria has to some degree recovered its position in the Venetian territory? The notion of establishing a Venetian State under French guarantee is too absurd. Lord Palmerston's contention, in his draft, that Austria would agree to the French plan is at variance with all the information received. The French Republic does not seem anxious for war, nor able to conduct it, and the country seems decidedly against it. M. Bastide has said that there are two extremes it would be difficult to admit without opposition: the restoration of Lombardy to the dominion of Austria, and the union under one powerful state under Charles Albert [King of Sardinia] of all the principalities into which the north of Italy has been divided. Queen Victoria thinks it would surely be best for Europe for England to call upon Charles Albert to rest content with his conquest and conclude a peace with Austria, leaving to that country what he cannot take from it, and thus avoid calling in France as an arbiter. The Queen cannot understand why this was not done long ago. |