John, who is disposed to accept, but desires another
day to consider the proposal.

As our relations with the United States are of the utmost importance
at this moment, and as they have rather improved of late, Lord
Clarendon humbly hopes he may be excused if he ventures to suggest to
your Majesty the expediency of inviting Mr Buchanan[35] to Windsor.

[Footnote 34: In pursuance of the negotiations referred
to (_ante_, p. 65), a conference of the Powers was held at
Vienna. Lord John's view of the attitude which he hoped Great
Britain would take up is clearly stated in his letter of the
11th to Lord Clarendon, printed in Walpole's _Life of Lord
John Russell_, vol. ii. p. 242. He favoured the admission of
Prussia to the Conference.]

[Footnote 35: American Minister to Great Britain, afterwards
President of the United States.]

_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._

PICCADILLY, _10th February 1855_.

Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs
to state that having been very kindly received at Paris by the Emperor
of the French, he thought it would be useful to write to the Emperor
on the formation of the present Government, and he submits a copy of
the letter[36] which he addressed to the Emperor.

The Emperor, when Viscount Palmerston took leave of him, signified his
intention of writing occasionally to Viscount Palmerston, and that is
the reason why Viscount Palmerston adverts to such communications in
his letter.

Viscount Palmerston has just had the honour to receive your Majesty's
communication of this day, and will not fail to bear in mind the
suggestions which it contains.

[Footnote 36: _Viscount Palmerston to the Emperor of the
French._

LONDRES, _8 Fevrier 1855_.

SIRE,--Appele par la Reine ma Souveraine au poste que
maintenant j'occupe, je m'empresse de satisfaire au besoin que
je sens d'exprimer a votre Majeste la grande satisfaction
que j'eprouve a me trouver en rapport plus direct avec le
Gouvernement de votre Majeste.

L'Alliance qui unit si heureusement la France et l'Angleterre
et qui promet des resultats si avantageux pour toute l'Europe,
prend son origine dans la loyaute, la franchise, et la
sagacite de votre Majeste; et votre Majeste pourra toujours
compter sur la loyaute et la franchise du Gouvernement
Anglais. Et si votre Majeste avait jamais une communicati