yours truly,

CLARENDON.

[Footnote 18: Seditious clubs had been an important factor in
the Irish disturbances of 1848.]

[Pageheading: BREVET PROMOTIONS]

_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._

OSBORNE, _3rd October 1849._

The Queen has received Lord John Russell's explanation respecting the
brevet promotions on the occasion of her visit to Ireland, but cannot
say that his objections have convinced her of the impropriety of
such a promotion (to a limited extent). To Lord John's fears of the
dangerous consequences of the precedent, the Queen has only to answer,
that there can be only _one first visit_ to Ireland, and that the
_first_ visit to Scotland in 1842 was followed by a few promotions,
without this entailing promotions on her subsequent visits to that
part of the country; that even the first visit to the Channel
Islands was followed by a few promotions, and this under Lord
John's Government. All the precedents being in accordance with
the proposition made by the Duke, an opposition on the part of the
Government would imply a declaration against all brevets except in the
field, which would deprive the Crown of a most valuable prerogative.
If such a brevet as the one proposed were to lead to great additional
expense, the Queen could understand the objection on the ground of
economy; but the giving brevet rank to a few subaltern officers is too
trifling a matter to alarm the Government. Perhaps the number might be
reduced even, but to deviate from the established precedents for
the first time altogether in this case, and that after the excellent
behaviour of the Army in Ireland under very trying circumstances,
would be felt as a great injustice.

The Queen therefore wishes Lord John to ask the Duke to send him
the former precedents and to consider with his colleagues whether a
modified recommendation cannot be laid before her.[19]

[Footnote 19: The Duke of Wellington had submitted a list
of Officers for brevet promotion, which received the Queen's
sanction; but the list was afterwards reduced.]

_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._

WOBURN ABBEY, _4th October 1849._

Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and will
consider, in communication with the Duke of Wellington, whether any
modified list can be proposed by him to your Majesty.

The economy, as your Majesty truly observes, is not a matter of much
consideration. But to reward Officers