will not acquiesce in any such
disloyal proceeding.

The Queen does not understand Lord John Russell's voting with the
majority, for she never understood him to express any such opinion.

[Footnote 37: A question was asked whether it was the
intention of the Government to take any step in consequence
of a resolution of the House in favour of placing the
whole administration and control of the Army under the sole
authority of a single Minister. Mr. Disraeli replied that
"considering the great importance of the subject,... the
comparatively small number of Members in the House when
the division took pace, and the bare majority by which the
decision was arrived at, Her Majesty's Government do not feel
that it is their duty to recommend any measure in consequence
of that resolution."]

[Pageheading: GOVERNMENT OF INDIA]

_Mr Disraeli to Queen Victoria._

HOUSE OF COMMONS, _24th June 1858_.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer with his humble duty to your Majesty.

The India Bill was read a second time without a division.[38] Lord
Stanley made a clear and vigorous exposition of its spirit and
provisions; Mr Bright delivered a powerful oration on the condition
of India--its past government and future prospects; the rest of the
discussion weak and desultory.

No serious opposition apprehended in Committee, which the Chancellor
of the Exchequer has fixed for this day (Friday)[39] and almost hopes
that he may conclude the Committee on Monday. He proposes to proceed
with no other business until it is concluded.

When the Bill has passed, the temper of the House, and its sanitary
state,[40] will assist him in passing the remaining estimates with
rapidity; and he contemplates an early conclusion of the Session.

It will be a great thing to have carried the India Bill, which Mr
Thomas Baring, to-night, spoke of in terms of eulogy, and as a
great improvement on the project of the late Government. It is, the
Chancellor of the Exchequer really thinks, a wise and well-digested
measure, ripe with the experience of the last five months of
discussion; but it is only the antechamber of an imperial palace; and
your Majesty would do well to deign to consider the steps which are
now necessary to influence the opinions and affect the imagination of
the Indian populations. The name of your Majesty ought to be impressed
upon their native life. Royal Proclamations, Courts of Appeal, in