position, is
a subject of such great importance, that it should not be undertaken
without the most mature consideration. Has this draft been brought
before the Cabinet? The Queen wishes to have their united advice
before giving her decision. Her opinion at present is against our
volunteering a scheme which will render us responsible for the result
of grave complications, from which we have hitherto stood happily
quite clear. The Queen wishes these lines to be communicated to the
Cabinet.[15]

[Footnote 15: Lord John Russell had written that the
withdrawal of the French troops from Rome would probably be
followed by tumults and bloodshed; and as both the Roman party
and Garibaldi hated the Government of the Pope, and wished to
put an end to his temporal power, he suggested that the
Pope should be allowed to retain his sovereignty during
his lifetime, in a restricted territory and with restricted
powers; that Italian troops should occupy the towns and
villages outside a limit of five miles from Rome; and that the
King of Italy and the Emperor of the French should agree not
to recognise the temporal power of any future Pope.]

[Pageheading: DEATH OF CAVOUR]

_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._

PEMBROKE LODGE, _6th June 1861_.

Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty; the
despatch relating to Rome had been sent, seeming to Lord John Russell
quite unobjectionable. But your Majesty will see that it was instantly
suspended, and that Count Cavour is dying.[16] The despatch was solely
intended to save the poor old Pope from insult, and Rome from tumult,
but beyond this it is of no consequence, and the death of Cavour may
give a new complexion to the affairs of Italy.

Nothing will be done on the despatch at present.

[Footnote 16: Count Cavour died at Turin on the 6th of June.
It is curious to note that the words of the Emperor Napoleon,
on hearing of the death of Cavour, appear to have been "Le
cocher est tombe du siege; il faut voir maintenant si les
chevaux iront s'emporter, ou rentrer a l'ecurie."]

_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._

PICCADILLY, _18th June 1861_.

Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty....

Viscount Palmerston submits a note from Garter King at Arms, by which
your Majesty will see that there are now three Garters vacant;
and Viscount Palmerston would beg to suggest