| Collection | Victorian Papers, Main Series |
| Description | The Queen has read Lord Cowley's letter with much interest, but does not think it provides sufficient justification for England to embark on the hazardous experiment of a congress on Italian affairs. England has been able to stay clear of the war and, even more happily, clear of the peace which ended it. Both were undertaken without England's intervention or consultation; France's wish now to use England to resolve the complications it has caused or to act as a scapegoat for their being unresolved is obvious. Count Walewski's well-known character of untruthfulness should make England doubly cautious. Two Emperors who were at war have suddenly concluded a peace; England only has an account of the one through his Minister, who states that his Master pledged his word on certain points, but thinks this not binding if England proposes it being broken. Honour forbids England to undertake such a step. In the treaty, the two Emperors have bound themselves to ask the Pope to introduce indispensible reforms - have they done so, and are they prepared to show the Pope's answer? They agreed to favour an Italian confederation with the Pope at the head - have they communicated with the different states on this and ascertained their willingness? Without these two initial steps, the Emperors cannot ask Europe to carry their scheme into effect: and in fact only one of them asks for it, after having promised the other he would not do so. The Queen wishes this letter, and that of Lord A. Loftus, to be shown to the Cabinet. |