For myself, Sir, I am most thankful, if it can be said that I have not by my own defects injured a good and an honest cause; my only title to reward lies in sincerity of purpose, and by such testimony as that of your Royal Highness I am already much more than duly rewarded....
I return the letter of Lord John Russell, and I pray your Royal Highness to believe me, Sir, your most dutiful and most obedient Servant,
W. E. Gladstone.
Queen Victoria to the Earl of Aberdeen.
THE INDIA BILL
Osborne, 27th May 1853.
The Queen has read Lord Aberdeen's letter of yesterday with great concern. She had been much surprised to hear from Lord John Russell on the 24th that "in concert with Sir Charles Wood and Sir James Graham, he had settled last night to propose to the Cabinet on Wednesday to delay the measure (on the Indian Government) till next Session, and that Sir James Graham had stated that Lord Aberdeen would be ready to assent to this course."16 She did not answer Lord John until she should have heard from Lord Aberdeen himself. From the explanation he has now given to the Queen, she must say that it would have a very bad effect if the measure were withdrawn at the eleventh hour, and after all that has been publicly and privately stated.17 Nothing damages a Government more than the appearance of vacillation and uncertainty of purpose, and no Government ought to shun this more than the present. The fact of a dissension in the Cabinet on a vital point, which it cannot be hoped will remain concealed, must besides much impair its vigour and power....
The Queen earnestly hopes that it will not become necessary to change the course announced by the Government.
Footnote 16: The India Bill, which passed during the Session, threw open the lucrative patronage of the Company (whose existence was continued but with less absolute control) to competition. The Mutiny, and the resulting legislation of 1858, tended subsequently to overshadow Sir Charles Wood's measure.
Footnote 17: The matter had been referred to a Cabinet Committee, reported upon, agreed to in full Cabinet, proposed to and sanctioned by the Queen and announced to Parliament.