Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell.
ENGLAND AND NAPLES
[Undated. ? 26th April 1860.]
The Queen has just received Lord John Russell's letter. She must say that she would consider it the deepest degradation to this country if she was compelled to appear at the Emperor's Congress summoned to Paris, in order to register and put her seal to the acts of spoliation of the Emperor!
Lord Cowley was very strong on the effect which our yielding that point would have on his position at the French Court.
Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell.
Buckingham Palace, 30th April 1860.
The Queen thinks that the main argument is omitted in the draft, viz. that the attempts, such as Sardinia is suspected to contemplate, are morally bad and reprehensible in themselves, besides being politically inexpedient. The Queen would be sorry to see a despatch go forth on this subject, arguing on the ground of expediency alone. She trusts Lord John Russell will find it easy to introduce a passage which would place it on record, that we do attach importance to public justice and morality. When amended, the Queen would like to have a copy of the draft.
Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria.
THE DOCTRINES OF 1688