_Queen Victoria to the Duke of Newcastle._
The Queen thinks that no time should be lost in announcing the intention of the Queen to confer a _medal_ on all those who have been engaged in the arduous and brilliant campaign in the Crimea.
The medal should have the word "_Crimea_" on it, with an appropriate device (for which it would be well to lose no time in having a design made) and _clasps_--like to the Peninsular Medal, with the names _Alma_ and _Inkerman_ inscribed on them, according to who had been in one or both battles. _Sebastopol_, should it fall, or any other name of a battle which Providence may permit our brave troops to gain, can be inscribed on other clasps hereafter to be added. The names _Alma_ and _Inkerman_ should likewise be borne on the colours of all the regiments who have been engaged in these bloody and glorious actions.
The Queen is sure that nothing will gratify and encourage our noble troops more than the knowledge that this is to be done.
We have just had two hours' most interesting conversation with General Bentinck,[69] whose sound good sense and energy make us deeply regret that he is not now on the spot; he is, however, ready to go out again next year, as Lord Raglan wishes to give him a Division. We hope that, after two or three months' rest, he may be able to go out again.
[Footnote 69: General (afterwards Sir Henry) Bentinck had been wounded at Inkerman; he returned to the Crimea to command a Division.]
_The Earl of Aberdeen to Queen Victoria._
Lord Aberdeen presents his humble duty to your Majesty. He would have been desirous of personally submitting to your Majesty the result of the meeting of the Cabinet last night; but he was apprehensive that his sudden journey to Windsor Castle this morning would give rise to speculations and conjectures which, in the present state of the Ministry, it is as well to avoid.
Lord Aberdeen thinks he may venture to assure your Majesty that the correspondence recently circulated is regarded by all the Members of the Cabinet precisely in the same light; and that the propositions of Lord John Russell are considered by all as quite untenable. Lord Palmerston forms no exception; and, whatever may be his views in future, it is clear that at present he contemplates no changes in the Government. Lord John was himself fully aware of this unanimity, and remained entirely silent with respect to his former suggestions. He dwelt in general terms on the absence of vigour in the prosecution of the war, and stated his conviction that the same course would be observed in future. He referred to his position in the House of Commons with much bitterness, and declared that he would never pass such another Session of Parliament as the last. He attributed the frequent defeats of the Government in the House of Commons to the Reform Bill having been withdrawn, by which it was shown that hostile attacks might be made with impunity.