en. I fear I must leave you and Hammond to judge of the papers
to be given.... But I hope you will not tie your hands or those of
the Government by giving arguments against what the nation may
ultimately accept. I hold that a simple provision, by which the
Sultan would reserve the power to admit the vessels of Powers not
having establishments in the Black Sea, through the Straits at his
own pleasure at all times, ... and a general treaty of European
alliance to defend Turkey against Russia, would be a good security
for peace. If the Emperor of the French were to declare that he
could not accept such a peace, of course we must stick by him, but
that does not prevent our declaring to him our opinion. Walewski
spoke to me very strongly at the Palace in favour of the Austrian
plan, but I suppose he has now made up his mind against it.

I remain, yours truly,

J. RUSSELL

[46] Spencer Walpole's "Life of Lord John Russell," chap, xxvi.

Lord Clarendon replied:

GROSVENOR CRESCENT, May 7, 1855

MY DEAR LORD JOHN,--... I am very sorry you did not come in just
now, as I wanted most particularly to see you. I now write this
_earnestly to entreat_ that you will say nothing to anybody at
present about your intended resignation. The public interests and
your own position are so involved in the question, and so much harm
of every kind may be done by a hasty decision, however honourable
and high-minded the motives may be, that I do beg of you well to
weigh _all_ the points of the case; and let me frankly add
that you will not act with fairness, and as I am sure you must wish
to act, towards your colleagues, if you do not hear what some of
them may have to say.

As you allowed me to do as I pleased about informing Palmerston, I
did not think it right to leave him in the dark upon a matter which
seems to me of vital importance. I need not tell you that your
intention causes him the deepest regret, and he feels, as I do, how
essential it is that nothing should be known of it at present. We
are not even in possession of the facts that led to Drouyn's
resignation.

Yours sincerely,

CLARENDON

"Moved by this appeal," says Sir Spencer Walpole, "and by Lord Palmerston's
personal entreaties, thrice repeated, Lord John withdrew his resignation.
Its withdrawal, however convenient it may have se