Victoria to Viscount Melbourne.
LORD MELBOURNE INFORMED
Osborne, 7th December 1845.
Sir Robert Peel has informed the Queen that in consequence of differences prevailing in the Cabinet, he is very reluctantly compelled to solicit from the Queen the acceptance of his resignation, which she has as reluctantly accepted.
From the Queen's unabated confidence in Lord Melbourne, her first impulse was to request his immediate attendance here that she might have the benefit of his assistance and advice, but on reflection the Queen does not think herself justified, in the present state of Lord Melbourne's health, to ask him to make the sacrifice which the return to his former position of Prime Minister would, she fears, impose upon him.
It is this consideration, and this alone, that has induced the Queen to address to Lord John Russell the letter of which she sends a copy. The Queen hopes, however, that Lord Melbourne will not withhold from her new Government his advice, which would be so valuable to her.
It is of the utmost importance that the whole of this communication should be kept a most profound secret until the Queen has seen Lord John Russell.
Memorandum by the Prince Albert.
LORD MELBOURNE'S ATTITUDE
8th December 1845.