He has sent for Mr Lee13 to offer him the Bishopric of Manchester. It is with great regret he states that Mr Stephen14 is obliged from ill health to retire from the Colonial Office. He has asked Lord Grey to be made a Privy Councillor, having received an assurance from Lord Stanley that Sir Robert Peel would propose it to your Majesty on his retirement. Lord John Russell submits the proposal to your Majesty as an honour due to Mr Stephen's long, able, and calumniated15 public services.
Lord John Russell has the honour to submit a letter of Lord Clarendon's in reference to a Memorandum of His Royal Highness Prince Albert.
Lord John Russell thinks that in the present state of affairs, the abolition of the Lord-Lieutenancy must not be thought of, and that with the exception noticed by Lord Clarendon, the suggestions made by the Prince would be the best measures for adoption, when that event takes place.
It is possible the Prince may not have a copy of the Memorandum.
[Footnote 11:] Afterwards Lord Overstone.
[Footnote 12:] There had been many failures in London, Liverpool, and elsewhere.
Footnote 13: James Prince Lee, then Headmaster of King Edward's School, Birmingham, Bishop of Manchester, 1847-1869.
Footnote 14: James Stephen, Under-Secretary for the Colonies, 1836-1847, afterwards Professor of Modern History at Cambridge.
Footnote 15: He had made enemies by supporting the abolition of slavery.