submitted
to her of what it is intended to constitute the Baltic Fleet.[50]
We ought likewise not to leave ourselves destitute of any Reserve at
home, which the uncertain contingencies of another year's war may call
upon at any moment.

The Queen regrets Lord Shaftesbury's declining office, and approves of
Lord Elgin's selection in his place.[51]

She thanks Lord Palmerston for the clear and comprehensive explanation
of Sir George Lewis's Stamp Duties Bill,[52] and approves of Lord
Palmerston's proposal for the adjournment of Parliament for the Easter
holidays.

[Footnote 49: The expedition was commanded by Rear-Admiral
Richard Dundas. About the same time Vice-Admiral Sir James
Dundas retired from the Mediterranean Command, in favour of
Sir Edmund Lyons.]

[Footnote 50: The allied fleet comprised 23 line-of-battle
ships, 31 frigates and corvettes, 29 smaller steamers and
gunboats, and 18 other craft.]

[Footnote 51: As Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster; Mr
Matthew Talbot Baines was ultimately appointed.]

[Footnote 52: Imposing a penny stamp upon bankers' cheques,
if drawn within fifteen miles of the place where they were
payable.]

_Queen Victoria to Lord Panmure._

OSBORNE, _22nd March 1855_.

The other day, when the Queen spoke to Lord Panmure on the subject of
the distribution of the _Medal_ for the _Crimean_ Campaign amongst the
Officers, and those who _are_ in _this_ country, no decision was come
to as to how this should be done. The Queen has since thought that
the value of this Medal would be greatly enhanced if _she_, were
_personally_ to deliver it to the officers and a certain number of men
(selected for that purpose). The valour displayed by our troops,
as well as the sufferings they have endured, have never been
surpassed--perhaps hardly equalled; and as the Queen has been a
witness of _what_ they have gone through, having visited them in their
hospitals, she would _like_ to be able _personally_ to give them
the reward they have earned so well, and will value so much. It will
likewise have a very beneficial effect, the Queen doubts not, on the
recruiting. The manner in which it should be done, and the details
connected with the execution of this intention of hers, the Queen will
settle with Lord Panmure, when she sees him in Town.

Will the Medals now be soon ready?

[Pageheading: THE IMPERIAL VISIT]

_Queen Victoria to the