Buckingham Palace, 14th April 1850.
The Queen has received Lord John Russell's letter with the drafts, which he mentioned last night to her, and she has sent his letter with them to Lord Palmerston.
Lord Palmerston's conduct in this Spanish question11 in not communicating her letter to Lord John, as she had directed, is really too bad, and most disrespectful to the Queen; she can really hardly communicate with him any more; indeed it would be better she should not.
Footnote 11: The question was the selection of a Minister for Madrid.
Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell.
LORD HOWDEN
Buckingham Palace, 27th April 1850.
In order to save the Government embarrassments, the Queen has sanctioned the appointment of Lord Howden12 to Madrid, although she does not consider him to be quite the stamp of person in whom she could feel entire confidence that he will be proof against all spirit of intrigue, which at all times and now particularly is so much required in Spain. But she must once more ask Lord John to watch that the Queen may be quite openly and considerately dealt by. She knows that Lord Howden has long been made acquainted with his appointment, and has been corresponding upon it with General Narvaez; the correspondent of the Times has announced his appointment from Madrid already three weeks ago, and all that time Lord Palmerston remained silent upon the matter to the Queen, not even answering her upon her letter expressing her wish to see Lord Westmorland13 appointed. Lord John must see the impropriety of this course, and if it were not for the Queen's anxiety to smooth all difficulties, the Government might be exposed to most awkward embarrassments. She expects, however, and has the right to claim, equal consideration on the part of her Ministers. She addresses herself in this matter to Lord John as the head of the Government.
Footnote 12: Lord Howden had been recently Minister at Rio Janeiro.
Footnote 13: Minister at Berlin, 1841-51.