the injury to the public interests of a dispute between the Houses upon a question of such importance.  Then I supported the measures of the Government, and protected the servant of the Government, Captain Elliot, in China.  All of which tended to weaken my influence with some of the party; others, possibly a majority, might have approved of the course which I took.  It was at the same time well known that from the commencement at least of Lord Melbourne’s Government, I was in constant communication with it, upon all military matters, whether occurring at home or abroad, at all events.  But likewise upon many others.  “All this tended of course to diminish my influence in the Conservative party, while it tended essentially to the ease and satisfaction of the sovereign, and to the maintenance of good order.  At length came the resignation of the Government by Sir Robert Peel, in the month of December last, and the Queen desiring Lord John Russell to form an administration.  On the 12th of December the Queen wrote to me the letter of which I enclose the copy, and the copy of my answer of the same date; of which it appears that you have never seen copies, although I communicated them immediately to Sir Robert Peel.  It was impossible for me to act otherwise than is indicated in my letter to the Queen.  I am the servant of the Crown and people.  I have been paid and rewarded, and I consider myself retained; and that I can’t do otherwise than serve as required, when I can do so without dishonour, that is to say, as long as I have health and strength to enable me to serve.  But it is obvious that there is, and there must be, an end of all connection and counsel between party and me.  I might with consistency, and some may think that I ought to have declined to belong to Sir Robert Peel’s Cabinet on the night of the 20th of December.  But my opinion is, that if I had, Sir Robert Peel’s Government would not have been framed; that we should have had——­and——­in office next morning.

“But, at all events, it is quite obvious that when that arrangement comes, which sooner or later must come, there will be an end to all influence on my part over the Conservative party, if I should be so indiscreet as to attempt to exercise any.  You will see, therefore, that the stage is quite clear for you, and that you need not apprehend the consequences of differing in opinion from me when you will enter upon it; as in truth I have, by my letter to the Queen of the 12th of December, put an end to the connection between the party and me, when the party will be in opposition to her Majesty’s Government.  “My opinion is, that the great object of all is that you should assume the station, and exercise the influence, which I have so long exercised in the House of Lords.  The question is, how is that object to be attained?  By guiding their opinion and decision, or by following it?  You will see that I have endeavoured to guide their opinion, and have succeeded upon some most remarkable occasions.  But it has been by a good deal of management.