Volume I Part 109 (1/2)
I wish Clem's marriage was no longer a secret, now that it _is settled_, as it is (forgive my saying it) really a fas.h.i.+on in our family to have these _secrets de la comedie_, when one is almost forced to tell a lie about what is true. I _own_ I dislike these secrets; it was so with poor Marie and with Vecto. Now _adieu!_ dearest, kindest Uncle, and believe me, always, your most affectionate Niece,
VICTORIA R.
[Footnote 100: He had a paralytic seizure, and never regained his former health or spirits.]
[Footnote 101: Duc de Montpensier.]
[Footnote 102: Afterwards eleventh Duke of Hamilton: he was married to Princess Mary on 23rd February following.]
[Footnote 103: Sister of the d.u.c.h.ess of Kent and of the King of the Belgians, and the wife of Count Mensdorff.]
[Footnote 104: Alfred, Count Neipperg, who died in 1865.]
[Pageheading: THE CROWN JEWELS]
[Pageheading: PROVISION FOR PRINCESS AUGUSTA]
_Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria._
WHITEHALL, _11th November 1842._
Sir Robert Peel presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs leave to acquaint your Majesty that he brought under the consideration of your Majesty's servants the questions relating to certain of the Crown Jewels, and the claim upon them preferred by the King of Hanover.[105]
In the course of the discussion it appeared to Sir Robert Peel that there were still some points in respect to this very embarra.s.sing question which required the grave consideration of legal authorities, and that it would not be prudent to take any step, even that of submitting the case to arbitration, without the highest legal authority.
The submission to arbitration might avoid the evil (and a very great one it would be) of public controversy in a Court of Justice, and of public examination of members of the Royal Family on a matter partly of a domestic nature; but on the other hand, great care must be taken that by submitting the case to the award of arbitrators, even should they be nominated altogether by your Majesty, we do not relinquish any _fair_ advantage for the Crown of England which would have accompanied an appeal to the regularly const.i.tuted tribunals of the country.
Your Majesty's Solicitor-General was employed as Counsel for the King of Hanover, and it has been thought therefore advisable to make the reference to the Attorney-General and to the Queen's Advocate.
Sir Robert Peel has attempted to bring every questionable point in the case submitted to them under the consideration of your Majesty's law advisers, and when their report shall be received he will not fail to lay it before your Majesty.
Sir Robert Peel had a personal interview a few days since with His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge, on the subject of a public provision for the Princess Augusta on the occasion of her marriage.[106]
Sir Robert Peel thought it advisable to enquire from the Duke of Cambridge, as the impression of the public (of which His Royal Highness is quite aware) is that he has a considerable fortune of his own, independently of his annual allowance from Parliament.
The Duke of Cambridge seemed entirely to share the impressions of Sir Robert Peel that in the present state of the country, and of the public revenue, great caution is requisite in respect to the proposal of a grant of public money as a marriage portion to the Princess Augusta, and that it would be important that in any proposal to be made there should be a general acquiescence on the part of the House of Commons.
As the marriage is not to take place for some time it appears to Sir Robert Peel that it might be advisable to postpone a decision, at least in respect to the particular amount of any provision to be made, till a period nearer to the meeting of Parliament.
A public intimation, or the public notoriety long beforehand of the intention to propose a grant of public money might, in the present temper of the times, interpose additional obstacles in the way of it.
Sir Robert Peel proposes to return to Drayton Manor for a short time, and to leave London to-morrow morning.
[Footnote 105: The King claimed them on the ground that part belonged to the Crown of Hanover, and part had been bequeathed to him by Queen Charlotte. The matter was referred to a Commission consisting of Lords Lyndhurst and Langdale, and Chief Justice Tindal. The two former were divided in opinion, and the Chief Justice died before the award was made. It was not till 1857 that a final decision, substantially in favour of Hanover, was given.]