a struggle, after an attack of fever which
had lasted four weeks. So the summons of Prince George has
never been carried out.

ALBERT.]

[Pageheading: MR ROEBUCK'S MOTION]

_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._

CHESHAM PLACE, _21st June 1850._

Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and has
the honour to report that Mr Roebuck asked him yesterday what course
the Government intends to pursue after the late vote of the House of
Lords.[18]

The newspapers contain the report of Lord John Russell's answer.

Mr Roebuck has proposed to move on Monday a general approbation of the
Foreign Policy of the Government.

What may be the result of such a Motion it is not easy to say, but
as Lord Stanley has prevailed on a majority in the House of Lords
to censure the Foreign Policy of the Government, it is impossible to
avoid a decision by the House of Commons on this subject.

The misfortune is that on the one side every detail of negotiation is
confounded with the general principles of our Foreign Policy, and on
the other a censure upon a Foreign Policy, the tendency of which has
been to leave despotism and democracy to fight out their own battles,
will imply in the eyes of Europe a preference for the cause of
despotism, and a willingness to interfere with Russia and Austria on
behalf of absolute government. The jealousy of the House of Commons
would not long bear such a policy.

Be that as it may, Lord Stanley has opened a beginning of strife,
which may last for many years to come.

[Footnote 18: Lord Stanley's Motion of Censure was carried by
a majority of 37 in a House of 301.]

[Pageheading: LORD STANLEY'S MOTION]

_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _21st June 1850._

The Queen has received Lord John Russell's letter and read his speech
in the House of Commons. She regrets exceedingly the position in which
the Government has been placed by the Motion of Lord Stanley in the
House of Lords. Whichever way the Debate in the House of Commons
may terminate, the Queen foresees great troubles. A defeat of the
Government would be _most inconvenient_. The Queen has always
approved the _general_ tendency of the policy of the Government to
let despotism and democracy fight out their battles abroad, but must
remind Lord John that in the execution of this policy Lord Palmerston
has _gone a long way_ in taking up the side of democracy in the f