VOL. 14B Summary of Contents. Correspondence and memoranda relating mainly to Italian...

VOL. 14B Summary of Contents. Correspondence and memoranda relating mainly to Italian affairs. (The Queen's and Prince Consort's correspondence: There are many notes, in this and other volumes, of letters received from the Queen and the Prince Consort; the originals were returned to the Queen at J.R's request to his executors see Vol. 14D f.238. Copy extracts are found in this and other volumes as listed). Politics and government: reform legislation: J.R. proposes to Palmerston that the government should wait until there is a "manifest desire for an amendment of the representation" (fs. 9-10). Lord Enfield proposes a bill to transfer to Chelsea and Kensington two disfranchised seats of St. Albans (fs. 148-50). Foreign affairs: Italy, Austria and France: Lord Palmerston's analysis (fs. 167-8); J.R. explains British policy to the Queen (fs. 1; 5-6). Kingdom of Italy proclaimed at Turin (Feb. 1861). Naples: British legation closed following defeat of Bourbon army at river Volturno. Need to find a new post for envoy, Henry Elliot; the Times fears that due to J.R's patronage, Elliot will displace Sir James Hudson "..... the man to whom ..... the cause of Italian independence is most indebted" (fs. 7-8); fears unfounded and Hudson continues in post with increase in salary. J.R. considers that continued occupation of Gaeta by Bourbon forces should not delay recognition of the Kingdom of Italy (fs. 5-6). Rome: doubts about wisdom of evacuating French troops; question of the Pope's temporal sovereignty and recognition by Italian government of his territorial possessions. J.R. considers that the Pope's position as head of a world wide church must somehow be reconciled with the interests of Italy (fs. 235-7). Venice (Venetia): British government's wish that Austrian rule should end but without a "hasty and angry rejection" by Austria (F.O. despatch, fs. 18-22) and the Queen's observations (fs. 81-2). Fears of a general war; J.R's "dream" solution (fs. 244-5) toned down by Palmerston (fs. 247-50). Correspondence: J.R.; the Queen; Lord Palmerston; W. E. Gladstone; H. Elliot; Sir J. Hudson; Sir C. Wood and others. Foreign affairs: Prussia: the Macdonald case; "..... the Prussian govt. has shown its hostility to everything English" (J.R. to the Queen, f. 209) but Lord Palmerston asserts that "there is much more antagonism between English and French than between English and German (f. 260). Foreign affairs: Schleswig Holstein: intimations of trouble; F.O. draft despatches to British representatives at Berlin and Vienna and the Queen's views thereon (fs. 261-3). Foreign affairs: U.S.A.: proposed visit of Prince of Wales to New York; Prince Consort's insistence that he be treated as a "simple traveller" (fs. 122-5). American civil war (Apr. 1861): Lord Lyons, British ambassador, considers he is on "very dangerous ground" (f. 220). Question of cotton supplies and the blockade; Lord Palmerston's wish for neutrality "..... (we must) lie on our oars and give no Pretext to the Washingtonians to quarrel with us" (fs. 247-50). Foreign affairs: Mexico: proposal for a joint British, French and Spanish expeditionary force (J.R. to the Queen, fs. 240-3). Foreign affairs: Diplomatic service: R. Monckton Milnes's proposed select committee to enquire into improvements in the service but "without in any way embarrassing the Foreign Secretary" (fs. 145-7). Personal: Death of Duke of Bedford (May 20): letters of condolence from the Queen (f. 203), King of the Belgians (fs. 205-6), Sir G. C. Lewis and others. Personal: J.R. (having inherited by his brother's death a Bedford estate in Ireland) takes the stewardship of Northstead Manor and becomes Earl Russell and Viscount Amberley.

Topics

International

Manors

Europe and Russia

Conflict

Pay and pensions

Ireland

Americas

Operations, battles and campaigns

Personal and family papers