Within two days of the publication of the dispatch from Constantinople, Miss Nightingale and her friends had made their plans. She submitted them to the Minister in the following letter addressed to his wife:—
(Miss Nightingale to Mrs. Herbert.) 1 Upper Harley Street, October 14 [1854]. My Dearest—I went to Belgrave Square this morning for the chance of catching you or Mr. Herbert even, had he been in town.
A small private expedition of nurses has been organized for Scutari, and I have been asked to command it. I take myself out and one nurse.
Lady Maria Forester has given £200 to take out three others.[151] We feed and lodge ourselves there, and are to be no expense whatever to the country. Lord Clarendon has been asked by Lord Palmerston to write to Lord Stratford for us, and has consented. Dr. Andrew Smith of the Army Medical Board, whom I have seen, authorizes us, and gives us letters to the Chief Medical Officer at Scutari.
I do not mean to say that I believe the Times accounts, but I do believe that we may be of use to the wounded wretches.
Now to business.
(1) Unless my Ladies' Committee feel that this is a thing which appeals to the sympathies of all, and urge me, rather than barely consent, I cannot honourably break my engagement here. And I write to you as one of my mistresses.
(2) What does Mr. Herbert say to the scheme itself? Does he think it will be objected to by the authorities? Would he give us any advice or letters of recommendation? And are there any stores for the Hospital he would advise us to take out? Dr. Smith says that nothing is needed.
I enclose a letter from E. Do you think it any use to apply to Miss Burdett Coutts?
We start on Tuesday if we go, to catch the Marseilles boat of the 21st for Constantinople, where I leave my nurses, thinking the Medical Staff at Scutari will be more frightened than amused at being bombarded by a parcel of women, and I cross over to Scutari with some one from the Embassy to present my credentials from Dr. Smith, and put ourselves at the disposal of the Drs.