tion of the letters to Lord John
and to Lord Melbourne. We considered it necessary to write to the
latter, in consideration of the confidential position which he
formerly enjoyed.

Sir Robert Peel has not _resigned_, thinking it a matter of great
strength for the Sovereign to keep his ministry until a new one can be
got.

ALBERT.

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

BROCKET HALL, _9th December 1845._

Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty; he has just
received your Majesty's letter of the 7th inst., which, of course,
has astonished him by the magnitude of the event which it announces,
although something of this sort has been long pending and to be
expected. Lord Melbourne returns your Majesty many thanks for
this communication, and more for your Majesty's great kindness and
consideration for him personally at the present moment. He is better,
but so long a journey would still not have been convenient to him,
and he has such a horror of the sea, that a voyage from Southampton
to Cowes or from Portsmouth to Ryde seems to him in prospect as
formidable as a voyage across the Atlantic.

Lord Melbourne will strictly observe your Majesty's injunction of
secrecy.

With respect to the kind wishes about office which your Majesty
is pleased to express, Lord Melbourne will of course give to your
Majesty's new Government, if formed under Lord John Russell, all the
support in his power, but as to taking office, he fears that he would
find some difficulty. He would be very unwilling to come in pledged
to a total and immediate reform of the Corn Law, and he also strongly
feels the difficulty which has in fact compelled Sir Robert Peel to
retire, viz. the difficulty of carrying on the Government upon the
principle of upholding and maintaining the present law with respect to
corn.

Lord Melbourne again thanks your Majesty for your great and
considerate kindness.

[Pageheading: PEEL'S ATTITUDE]

_Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria._

WHITEHALL, _10th December 1845._

Sir Robert Peel presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and
influenced by no other motive than the desire to contribute if
possible to the relief of your Majesty from embarrassment, and the
protection of the public interests from injury, is induced to make
this confidential communication to your Majesty explanatory of his
position and intentions with regard to the great question which is now
agitating the public mind.