| Collection | Victorian Papers, Main Series |
| Description | The Queen has received Lord John's letter, and is sorry hers of yesterday should have arrived after the Cabinet had separated, as she was anxious for it to be seen before a decision was taken regarding a conference. Having seen the draft despatch proposed for sending to Lord Cowley, she is even more anxious that the Cabinet should meet and see that letter and the despatch, to which she has two serious objections. First: the reason given in the despatch for the British Government declining to go into conference is that the plan of an Italian Confederation as settled at Villafranco does not fulfil the object given in the Emperor Napoleon's proclamation to his soldiers. How does that concern the British Government? They are not the Emperor's servants, but advisors to the Queen. The British Government's decision must be justified on the grounds of England's interests, obligations and views. How can England, who remained neutral, upbraid the Emperor for his peace not having sufficiently attained the objects of his war, and explain those objects to him? Second: the draft overlooks that there were two parties to the peace, France and Austria: to urge the one to break its engagements towards the other would not be a fitting position to take. The draft expresses England's willingness to attend the conference if the two other neutral Powers agree to it: but it does not make the adherence of Austria a condition. The Queen feels it militates against England's position as neutral, and to treat upon the execution of the peace with one of the belligerents and come to a decision upon it without having heard the other. The Queen wishes Lord John to bring this letter to the Cabinet as well as that of yesterday; and has just seen Lord Cowley's telegram requesting a delay in a decision about the Conference. |