people the blessings of peace. She wishes this letter
to be communicated to Lord Palmerston and to the Cabinet.

The Queen approves of Lord Cowley as her First Representative at the
Congress.

[Footnote 78: Sir James Hudson, Minister at Turin, had been
a sympathiser in the policy of Cavour, to an extent almost
incompatible with his position as a British representative.]

[Pageheading: CENTRAL ITALY]

_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._

OSBORNE, _7th December 1859_.

The Queen has received Lord John Russell's letter of yesterday.
Although to avoid a long written discussion, she has not in her last
letter stated any reason for her objecting to Sir James Hudson as
Plenipotentiary at the Congress, she has no objection to state to Lord
John that it is simply her want of confidence in him, being the result
of her having watched his conduct at his post at Turin during these
last years. The Queen's representative at Paris ought to be a person
in whom she can have entire confidence, that _English_ interests alone
will sway his conduct. From Lord John Russell's letter it appears
that many of his colleagues in Cabinet saw equal objections to the
appointment.

The Queen repeats her wish that her letter of yesterday may be
communicated to the Cabinet.

Lord Cowley's letter, which she returns, is not calculated to
diminish the Queen's alarm as to the direction in which we are being
systematically driven, viz. _War_ to support the Emperor Napoleon,
who almost claims such support already as his right! He has already
shifted his ground further, and asks for it in case Austria should
oppose "the armed interference of Sardinia in the affairs of Central
Italy." Now Sardinia can have no more right to such interference than
Austria; yet the Emperor says "he is quite determined to renew the
war in case Austria resists." It is under these circumstances that the
advice of the Prime Minister of England to the Emperor, to withdraw
the only impediment which restrains the action of Sardinia, becomes a
matter of such grave moment.

The Queen is determined to hold to her neutrality in the Italian
intrigues, revolutions, and wars. It is true, Lord John says, "it
becomes a great power like Great Britain to preserve the peace of
Europe, by throwing her great weight into the scale which has justice
on its side." But where justice lies, admits of every variety of
opinion.

The Party placed in absolute power by a revo