the Barony.
Lord Beresford[63] and Lord Combermere[64] have the rank of
Viscounts, and perhaps the long, faithful services of Lord Hill as
Commander-in-Chief may appear to your Majesty to entitle him to equal
distinction in the Peerage.

Sir Robert Peel has reason to believe that when Lord Hill's retirement
shall be known there will be many competitors for the office of
Commander-in-Chief.

Sir George Murray,[65] Sir Edward Paget,[66] Lord Londonderry,[67]
Lord Combermere, and perhaps Lord Beresford, will severally urge their
pretensions.

Sir Robert Peel humbly submits to your Majesty that should the Duke of
Wellington be willing to undertake the duties of this important trust,
no claims could stand in competition with his, and no selection from
the candidates whom he has named would be satisfactory to the Army or
public in general.

Sir Robert Peel would therefore humbly recommend to your Majesty
that the offer of this appointment should be made to the Duke of
Wellington, with the signification of a wish on the part of
your Majesty (should your Majesty be pleased to approve of the
arrangement), that His Grace should continue a member of the Cabinet,
and the organ of the Government, as at present, in the House of Lords.

[Footnote 62: Lord Hill died 10th December 1842, and was
succeeded in his peerages by Sir Rowland Hill, who died in
1875.]

[Footnote 63: William Carr Beresford (1768-1854), created
Viscount Beresford in 1823 for the victory of Albuera, 1811.]

[Footnote 64: Sir Stapleton Cotton (1773-1865), created
Viscount Combermere for the capture of Bhurtpore.]

[Footnote 65: Sir George Murray (1772-1846), received a
K.C.B. for his services in the Peninsula, M.P. for Perth, and
afterwards Commander-in-Chief in Ireland.]

[Footnote 66: General Sir Edward Paget, G.C.B. (1775-1849),
brother of the first Marquis of Anglesey.]

[Footnote 67: Prior to being Ambassador at Vienna, Lord
Londonderry had distinguished himself in the Peninsula.]

[Pageheading: THE DUKE ACCEPTS]

_The Duke of Wellington to Queen Victoria._

LONDON, _12th August 1842._

Field-Marshal the Duke of Wellington presents his humble duty to your
Majesty. He has been informed by Sir Robert Peel that your Majesty had
been graciously pleased to approve of the recommendation submitted
by your Majesty's servants that he should be appointed the
Commander-in-Chief of your M