d, or taken any
interest in the matter, and Palmerston conducted it all just as
he thought fit. This year Cabinet after Cabinet passed over, and
no mention was ever made of the affairs of the East, till one
day, at the end of a Cabinet, Palmerston, in the most easy
nonchalant way imaginable, said that he thought it right to
mention that he had been for a long time engaged in negotiation
upon the principles agreed upon at the Cabinet at Windsor, and
that he had drawn up a Treaty, with which it was fit the Cabinet
should be acquainted. At this sudden announcement his colleagues
looked very serious, but nobody said a word, except Lord Holland,
who said, 'that he could be no party to any measure which might
be likely to occasion a breach between this country and France.'
No discussion, however, took place at that time, and it was
agreed that the further consideration of the matter should be
postponed till the next Cabinet. The following day, Palmerston
wrote a letter to Melbourne, in which he said that he saw some
hesitation and some disapprobation in the Cabinet at the course
which he had recommended for adoption, and as he could only hope
to succeed by obtaining unanimous support, he thought it better
at once to place his office at Melbourne's disposal. Melbourne
wrote an answer begging he would not think of resigning, and
reminding him that the matter stood over for discussion, and then
sent the whole correspondence to Clarendon. Clarendon immediately
wrote word that he felt under so much obligation to Palmerston
that it was painful to him to oppose him; but as he could not
support him in his Eastern policy, it was much better that _he_
should resign, and begged Melbourne would accept _his_
resignation. Melbourne however said, 'For God's sake, let there
be no resignations at all,'[15] that his and Lord Holland's
retirement would have the effect of breaking up the Government;
and then it was suggested that they might guard themselves by a
minute of Cabinet (that which they subsequently drew up and gave
the Queen) from any participation in the measures they objected
to. After this, Palmerston continued to do just as he pleased,
his colleagues _consentientibus_ or at least _non
dissentientibus_, except Holland and Clarendon, with whom
nevertheless he seems (especially the latter) to have gone on
upon very good terms. Latterly, however, since the affair has got
so hot and critical, though their social relations have been