[Pageheading: REPLY TO THE POPE] _Draft_] _Queen Victoria to Pope Pius IX._[1] MOST EMINENT SIR,--I have received the letter which your Holiness addressed to me from Gaeta on the 4th of December last, and in which you acquaint me that in consequence of the violent proceedings of certain of your subjects, you had felt yourself obliged to depart from Rome, and for a time to quit your dominions. I assure your Holiness that I have been deeply pained at the intelligence of the events to which your letter refers, and that I do the fullest justice to the motives which induced your Holiness to withdraw for a time from your capital. Your Holiness has given so many proofs of being animated by a sincere desire to improve the condition of the people whom, under Divine Providence, you have been chosen to govern, and the clemency of your heart and the rectitude of your intentions are so well known and so truly appreciated, that I cannot but hope that the trials which you have experienced in consequence of popular commotion will speedily come to an end, and will be succeeded by a cordial, good understanding between your Holiness and the Roman people. I request your Holiness to believe that it would afford me real pleasure to be able in any degree to contribute to a result so much to be desired; and I am happy in having this opportunity of assuring you of my sincere friendship, and of the unfeigned respect and esteem which I entertain for your person and character. Given at Windsor Castle the [ ] day of January 1849. [Footnote 1: _See_ p. 204.] [Pageheading: LETTER FROM PRINCE LOUIS NAPOLEON] _The President of the French Republic to Queen Victoria._ ELYSEE NATIONAL, _le 22 Janvier 1849._ TRES CHERE ET GRANDE AMIE,--Une de mes premieres pensees lorsque le v[oe]u de la nation Francaise m'appela au pouvoir fut de faire part a votre Majeste de mon avenement et des sentiments que j'apportais dans ma nouvelle position. Des circonstances particulieres ont retarde le depart de l'ambassadeur qui devait porter ma lettre; mais aujourd'hui que l'Amiral Cecile se rend a Londres je desire exprimer a votre Majeste la respectueuse sympathie que j'ai toujours eprouvee pour sa personne; je desire surtout lui dire combien je suis reconnaissant de la genereuse hospitalite qu'elle m'a donnee dans ses etats lorsque j'etais fugitif ou proscrit et combien je serais heureux si ce souvenir pouvait servir a resserrer les liens qui unissent les gouvernements et les peuples de nos deux pays. Je prie votre Majeste de croire a mes sentiments. Votre ami, LOUIS NAPOLEON BONAPARTE. [Pageheading: THE QUEEN AND PALMERSTON] _Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ CHESHAM PLACE, _22nd January 1849._ Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and would now wish to consult Lord Lansdowne on the propriety of offering to Lord Palmerston to exchange the Foreign Office for the Lord-Lieutenancy of Ireland.[2]