ss to accept the
"Neutralisation"? It is hardly possible, and if so it would be a
concession we cannot refuse to close upon. Whatever may be the case,
the Queen thinks it the wisest course not to disturb the Emperor's
plans, or to show suspicion of them, but merely to insist upon the
importance of the Army in the Crimea being kept so imposing that
Russia cannot safely arrange her plans on the supposition of a change
of policy on the part of the Western Powers.

Had the Queen known of Lord Cowley's letter a few hours earlier, she
could have spoken to the Duke of Cambridge, who was here; as it was,
both she and the Prince were very cautious and reserved in what they
told him.

The Queen thought it right to let Sir Hamilton Seymour, who is staying
here, see the letters, as his thorough acquaintance with the present
position of affairs is most important.

[Footnote 90: The Emperor was now bent on the termination
of hostilities, and the French and Austrian Governments had
concerted proposals for peace to be submitted to Russia, with
which they somewhat peremptorily demanded that England should
concur. Lord Palmerston announced that, rather than make an
unsatisfactory peace, he would continue the war without the
aid of France. States such as Saxony and Bavaria favoured
Russia, and Baron Beust and M. von der Pfordten, their
respective Prime Ministers, had interviews with the Emperor,
who was anxious for peace on the basis of the Third Point,
on which, since the fall of Sebastopol, the Allies were in a
better position to insist.]

_Queen Victoria to Sir Charles Wood._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _16th November 1855_.

The Queen wishes to draw Sir Charles Wood's attention to a subject
which may become of much importance for the future. It is the absence
of any Dockyard for building and repairing out of the Channel,
with the exception of Pembroke. Should we ever be threatened by
a combination of Russia and France, the absence of a Government
establishment in the north would be very serious. It strikes the Queen
that the present moment, when our yards hardly supply the demands
made upon them, and when attention is directed to the Baltic, is a
particularly favourable one to add an establishment in the Firth of
Forth, for which the Queen believes the Government possess the ground
at Leith. Such a measure would at the same time be very popular in
Scotland, and by making the Queen's