e subject, and though aware of the wide difference
of opinion which prevailed, has desired impartially to weigh and
examine the arguments adduced on both sides, and he has in the
meantime refused to give his sanction to a proposition, earnestly
pressed upon the Government by Lord Canning, for immediately raising
additional regiments for Indian Service. But the announcement of
your Majesty's determination (if he rightly understands it), under no
circumstances to continue an European Army in India, under terms of
service different from those of the Line, paid out of Indian Revenues,
and officered by men educated for that especial service, and looking
to India for their whole career, places Lord Derby in a position of no
little embarrassment; for notwithstanding the gracious intimation that
your Majesty does not desire unduly to influence his judgment as to
the advice which he may tender, it amounts to a distinct warning
that if tendered in a particular direction it has no chance of being
accepted by your Majesty. Nor, with that knowledge on his part not
shared by his colleagues, can he freely discuss with them the course
which they may consider it their duty to pursue.

Lord Derby humbly trusts, therefore, that your Majesty will be
graciously pleased, so far as the members of the Government are
concerned, to absolve him from the obligation of secrecy, and to allow
him to place before them a state of things which may lead to the most
serious results, so far as their power of serving your Majesty is
concerned.

Lord Derby will give Lord Stanley a caution not to say anything in
his statement of Indian Finance which may prejudge the question of a
single or separate armies; but he hardly thinks the caution necessary,
as European troops, whether in one Service or in two, will equally be
chargeable to the revenues of India, which will only be affected by
the proportion which the whole of the European may bear to the whole
of the native forces.

Lord Derby hopes that he may be permitted to offer his humble
congratulations to your Majesty on the very favourable reports
received from Paris by telegraph, and upon the highly satisfactory
effects produced by your Majesty's private letter to the Emperor.

The above is humbly submitted by your Majesty's most dutiful Servant
and Subject,

DERBY.

[Pageheading: INDIVISIBILITY OF ARMY]

_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Derby._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _7th February 1859_.

The Q