l
that can be done is to maintain the principle of strict neutrality
in regard to the affairs of Italy, and probably of Montenegro also,
though there is not sufficient evidence of facts in that case to
justify a positive conclusion. But in the meantime everything shows
more conclusively the absolute necessity for the increase of your
Majesty's Naval Force,[31] which was determined at the Council
yesterday, and respecting which it will be necessary, on the very
first day of the meeting of the new Parliament, to call for an
explicit expression of opinion.

Your Majesty enquires as to a supposed pledge given by the Emperor of
the French as to a denial of any Treaty with Sardinia. So far as
Lord Derby can recollect at this moment, there never was more than an
assurance that so long as Austria remained within her own limits, he
would not interfere; and that he would not support Sardinia, unless
she were herself invaded in any _unjustifiable_ attack on Austria;
and there was also a denial in the _Moniteur_, to which your Majesty
probably refers, of there having been any engagement entered into _as
a condition of the marriage_.[32] These are just the denials to
which Lord Derby has already adverted, which appear at first sight
satisfactory, but which may be afterwards explained away, so as to
escape the charge of absolute falsehood.

Lord Derby trusts that your Majesty will have understood, and excused,
his absence from the Council on Saturday, in consequence of the
misunderstanding as to the time appointed.

[Footnote 30: Lord Cowley, in a letter of the 29th of April
to Lord Malmesbury, described an interview with the Emperor of
the French, when the latter denied in terms the existence of
a signed Treaty between France and Russia. But, as Lord Cowley
added, there might be moral engagements which might easily
lead to a more specific alliance.]

[Footnote 31: The Emperor had interrogated Lord Cowley as to
this.]

[Footnote 32: In July 1858, the joint action of France and
Sardinia had been concerted at the confidential interview
at Plombieres, between the Emperor and Cavour, the former
undertaking to assist Sardinia, under certain contingencies,
against Austria. On the same occasion the marriage was
suggested of the Princess Clothilde of Sardinia to the Prince
Napoleon Joseph Paul, son of Prince Jerome Napoleon Bonaparte.
An interesting account of the events