eumann,[36] the Prussian Minister, and Brunnow,[37] that
he should write to Granville, authorising him to acquaint Thiers that
if France will concur in respecting the principle of the treaty, we,
without expecting her to adopt coercive measures, will concert with
her the further course to be adopted for the purpose of carrying the
principle into effect. This is so far so good. Lord Melbourne trusts
that it will get over the present entanglement, but of course we must
expect that in a matter so complicated and which we have not the power
of immediately terminating, further difficulties will arise.

[Footnote 35: _See_ p. 231. (Ch. IX, Footnote 33)]

[Footnote 36: Austrian Minister.]

[Footnote 37: Russian Minister.]

[Pageheading: MEHEMET ALI]

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

DOWNING STREET, _2nd October 1840._

Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. We have just
had another Cabinet,[38] which was rendered necessary by Brunnow
and the Prussian Minister refusing to concur in what we determined
yesterday without reference to their Courts and authority from
them. This makes it impossible for us to take the step in the way
we proposed, but we have now settled that Palmerston should direct
Granville to submit the proposition to Thiers, and ask him how he
would be disposed to receive it if it were formally made to him. This,
so far as we are concerned, will have all the effect which could have
been attained in the other way.

Very important despatches of the 14th inst. have come from
Constantinople. The Ministers of the Porte held the last proposition
of Mehemet Ali as a positive refusal of the terms of the Convention,
and proceeded by the advice of Lord Ponsonby[39] at once to divest
Mehemet Ali of the Pashalik of Egypt; to direct a blockade of the
coasts both of Syria and Egypt, and to recall the four Consuls from
Alexandria. These are serious measures, and there are despatches from
Lord Beauvale[40] stating that Prince Metternich is much alarmed at
them, and thinks that measures should be immediately taken to diminish
and guard against the effect which they may have in France. Lord
Melbourne humbly begs your Majesty's pardon for this hurried scrawl
upon matters of such importance, but Lord Melbourne will have
the opportunity of speaking to your Majesty more fully upon them
to-morrow.

[Footnote 38: The peace party in the Cabinet were defeated and
Palmerston