though our pride must wince on hearing it, it is an unquestionable
fact that the general belief in India at this moment is that Russia
gravely menaces the power of England, and will be more than a match
for her in the end.

This feeling cannot prudently be disregarded. The Governor-General
need hardly say to your Majesty that he believes that any direct
attack by Russia on these dominions at the present time is utterly
impracticable; and that there is no more risk of an invasion of
India by the Emperor Nicholas than of another by Mahmood of Ghuznee.
Nevertheless, the uneasy feeling which now prevails among native
States and among ourselves, partly of alarm, partly of indefinite
expectation, ought to be guarded against; and the means of meeting any
difficulties which may arise out of it should be at our command.

Earnestly desirous to contribute every possible aid to your Majesty's
arms in the great contest now going on in Europe, the Governor-General
has respectfully placed at the disposal of your Majesty's Ministers
all the four regiments of Royal Cavalry now serving in India. The
Infantry is already hardly adequate for our own necessities: and while
the Governor-General will be quite ready to accept and to face any
additional responsibilities which he may be called upon to bear, he
has felt it to be his duty to state that, beyond the four regiments
of Cavalry, European troops cannot safely be spared from India at the
present time.

The Governor-General, however, feels that he is not indulging in any
vain boast when he ventures to assure your Majesty that, under God's
good blessing, these, your Dominions in the East, are at present
absolutely safe.... Your Majesty's most obedient, most humble, and
devoted Subject and Servant,

DALHOUSIE.

[Pageheading: DEPOSED INDIAN PRINCES]

[Pageheading: MAHARAJAH DHULEEP SINGH]

_Queen Victoria to the Marquis of Dalhousie._

BALMORAL, _2nd October 1854._

As the Queen knows that the East India Company are chiefly guided by
Lord Dalhousie's advice with respect to all Indian affairs in public
as well as of a more private nature, she thinks that she cannot do
better than write to him upon a subject which she _feels_ strongly
upon, and which she is sure that Lord Dalhousie will enter into. It
is the position of those unfortunate Indian Princes who have, either
themselves or their fathers, been for public reasons deposed. Two
instances are now before the Queen's eyes