AUSTRIA DECLINES MEDIATION
Osborne, 2nd September 1848.
The Queen has read in the papers the news that Austria and Sardinia have nearly settled their differences, and also "that it was confidently stated that a French and British squadron, with troops on board, are to make a demonstration in the Adriatic."
Though the Queen cannot believe this, she thinks it right to inform Lord Palmerston without delay that, should such a thing be thought of, it is a step which the Queen could not give her consent to.
Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston.
Buckingham Palace, 4th September 1848.
The Queen since her arrival in Town has heard that the answer from Austria declining our mediation has some days ago been communicated to Lord Palmerston. The Queen is surprised that Lord Palmerston should have left her uninformed of so important an event. The Queen has received Lord Palmerston's letter respecting the proposal to mediate on the part of the central power of Germany,40 and does not see why that power, which has a responsible Government, is to be precluded from taking part in a negotiation because the Archduke John might be friendly towards Austria—whereas the French republic, which had in public documents espoused the Italian Cause, is to be a party to it.
Neither France nor England are neighbours to or directly interested in Lombardy, whereas Germany is both.41
Footnote 40: See ante, [p. 188], note 35.
Footnote 41: Lord Palmerston's object, in which he ultimately succeeded, was, by obtaining the French Government's co-operation in mediating between Austria and Piedmont, to prevent the aggressive party in France from maturing any designs on Italy.