ined to doubt whether it
will be carried, and if it is, it certainly will not be by so large
a majority as the former vote. When the Chancellor of the Exchequer
moved the resolution upon the Sugar Duties, Sir Robert Peel seconded
the motion, thereby intending to intimate that he did not mean to
interfere with the Supplies. This course was determined upon at a
meeting held at Sir R. Peel's this morning.

[Footnote 46: The closing words of the resolution were as
follows: "... That Her Majesty's Ministers do not sufficiently
possess the confidence of the House of Commons to enable
them to carry through the House measures which they deem of
essential importance to the public welfare, and that their
continuance in office under such circumstances is at variance
with the spirit of the Constitution."]

[Pageheading: PROSPECT OF DISSOLUTION]

_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._

WILTON CRESCENT, _28th May 1841._

Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and has
the honour to state that Sir Robert Peel yesterday brought forward his
motion in a remarkably calm and temperate speech.

Sir John Hobhouse and Mr Macaulay completely exposed the fallacy
of his resolution, and successfully vindicated the government. Lord
Worsley[47] declared he would oppose the resolution, which declaration
excited great anger, and produced much disappointment in the Tory
party.

If the debate is carried on till next week, it is probable the
Ministers may have a majority of one or two.

The accounts from the country are encouraging.

It does not appear that Sir Robert Peel, even if he carries this
motion, intends to obstruct the measures necessary for a dissolution
of Parliament.

[Footnote 47: M.P. for Lincolnshire, who had voted for Lord
Sandon's motion.]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

_31st May 1841._

... I beg you _not_ to be alarmed about what is to be done; it is
_not_ for a Party triumph that Parliament (_the longest_ that has
sat for _many_ years) is to be dissolved; it is the fairest and most
constitutional mode of proceeding; and you may trust to the moderation
and prudence of my whole Government that nothing will be done without
due consideration; if the present Government get a majority by the
elections they will go on prosperously; if not, the Tories will come
in for a short time. The country is quiet and the people very well
disposed.