d this be the case, Lord Aberdeen begs to intimate that the time
for making it known has now fully arrived....

[Pageheading: HOME DEFENCES]

_Queen Victoria to the Duke, of Newcastle._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _3rd July 1854._

In consequence of the departure of these additional 5,000 men for the
East, the Queen feels very uneasy at the very defenceless state
in which the country will be left, not from any want of confidence
arising from the present conjuncture of affairs, but from a strong
sense of the impolicy and danger of leaving this great country in such
a helpless state under any circumstances, for we never can foresee
what events may not suddenly spring up at any moment (like Greece,
for instance[43]) which may require a force to be in readiness for any
particular purpose.

The Queen therefore wishes the Duke of Newcastle to give her detailed
answers upon the various points stated in the accompanying paper; but
the Queen wishes to have the "_effective_ state" and not "the state
upon paper only." The Duke will be able to obtain these reports from
the different departments.

What store of muskets are there _here?_

When will the new ones be ready?

What is the force of Artillery left in the country in men and horses?

What amount of troops are there in the country of Infantry (deducting
the 5,000 men under orders for the East), and of Cavalry, and where
are they stationed?

How much Militia has been and will be embodied?

What is the Naval Force at home?

How much serviceable ammunition is there both of Artillery and small
arms in the country?

[Footnote 43: A violently hostile feeling between the Turks
and Greeks had culminated earlier in the year in a formidable
insurrection among the Sultan's Greek subjects. It was
terminated on the 18th of June by an engagement at Kalampaka,
in Thessaly.]

_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Clarendon._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _4th July 1854._

The Queen approves the enclosed drafts, and wishes only to remark on
one passage, where Lord Clarendon says, "that he acts by the unanimous
desire of the Cabinet," which she thinks better altered or omitted. If
left, it might weaken the authority of future instructions emanating
from the Secretary of State alone; moreover, he acts constitutionally
under the authority of the Queen, on his own responsibility and not
that of the Cabinet.

_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Aberdeen._

BUCKING