the date of the communication
of the despatch, it may be better for the Queen to consent to this.
Some of us will take care to have a decided opinion about the future
course of our policy.

I presume Sir George Grey will be at the Cabinet, and will be able to
report to your Royal Highness what has passed. If he is not there, I
will write again. I have the honour to be, Sir, with great respect,
your Royal Highness's obedient, humble, and faithful Servant,

GRANVILLE.

[Footnote 71: See Lord Fitzmaurice's _Life of Lord Granville_,
vol. i. chap. xiii.]

[Pageheading: THE QUEEN'S POSITION]

_Earl Granville to the Prince Albert._

PRIVY COUNCIL OFFICE, _29th August 1859_.

SIR,--The Cabinet was very satisfactory. Lord John looked ill, and
evidently ashamed of much of his case. Many of the Cabinet
thought that the despatch of 25th July had not only been sent but
communicated. Others attached a different meaning to the closing
paragraph than what it appears to bear. Lord John produced a most
objectionable draft of despatch in lieu of that of the 25th. It was
universally condemned, and Lord Palmerston was empowered to tell the
Queen that the Cabinet now thought that the despatch of the 25th might
be communicated.

Lords Palmerston and John Russell asked for further powers during the
Recess, and recommended that we should give an opinion in favour of
annexation of duchies to Sardinia. This was decidedly objected to, and
we all professed our readiness to meet again if necessary.[72]

The Cabinet thoroughly understood what had passed between the Queen
and her two Ministers, although we could not get Lord John to show us
all we required.

Gladstone took me aside after it was over to say that I must have
thought him stupid yesterday evening, that now he knew the facts he
thought Her Majesty had been put to most unnecessary annoyance. The
Chancellor said something of the same sort. I never saw the Cabinet
more united.

The Duke of Argyll, Lord Elgin, and Mr Cardwell were absent. I am,
Sir, with great respect, your obedient, humble, and faithful Servant,

GRANVILLE.

[Footnote 72: "Pam. asked for fuller powers to act during the
recess, which was met by a general assurance of readiness
to come up by night trains." Lord Granville to the Duke of
Argyll. See the _Life of Lord Granville_, vol. i. p. 358.]

[Pageheading: SARDINIA AND CENTRAL ITALY]

_Queen Victoria to Lord John R