n wrote to Lord John: "I am glad that
I wrote to you yesterday evening, as your answer gave me
information which I had not gathered from your conversation
in the morning. I came away from Chesham Place with the
impression that union between you and Palmerston with or
without me was impossible. Your letter afforded a good
opportunity of arrangement. As soon as I found by it that I
was an obstacle instead of a facility towards the formation of
a strong Government. I went to the Queen to ask her to
excuse me from the task which she had so unexpectedly and so
graciously imposed upon me. In answer to a question, I stated
to Her Majesty that it was disagreeable to me to advise as to
which of you and Palmerston she should send for, but that I
was ready to do so if it was her wish.

"The Queen did not press me. It is a great relief to have
finished this business. I have asked Palmerston to do whatever
would strengthen the Government, and assist him the most as
regards myself."]

[Pageheading: LORD PALMERSTON PREMIER]

_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Derby._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _12th June 1859_.

The Queen writes to inform Lord Derby that after a fruitless attempt
on the part of Lord Granville to form a Government comprising Lord
Palmerston and Lord John Russell, she has now charged Lord Palmerston
with the task, which she trusts may prove more successful....

_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._

94 PICCADILLY, _12th June 1859_.

Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and
begs to report that he has been to Pembroke Lodge, and has had a
satisfactory conversation with Lord John Russell, who has agreed to
be a Member of the Government without any suggestion that Viscount
Palmerston should leave the House of Commons; but Viscount Palmerston
is sorry to say that Lord John Russell laid claim to the Foreign
Office in a manner which rendered it impossible for Viscount
Palmerston to decline to submit his name to your Majesty for that
post when the List of the new Government shall be made out for your
Majesty's consideration and approval....

_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._

_13th June 1859._

Lord Clarendon has just left the Queen. She had a long and full
conversation with him. Nothing could be more friendly than his
language, and he expressed himself ready to do anything for the
Queen's service. But