Prince Gortschakoff at once pointed out that such a plan would leave Russia disarmed in the presence of Turkey armed.  Lord John considered this a perfectly just objection on the part of Russia, while the proposal had the unfortunate effect of detaching Austria from the Allies, who considered neutralization to be out of the question.  M. Drouyn de L’Huys, the French representative, held the same opinion as Lord John, and when his advice was not accepted by the Emperor, he sent in his resignation.  Lord John likewise wrote to Lord Clarendon, then Foreign Secretary, tendering his own.

    March 31, 1855, VIENNA

Private letters from Lord Clarendon and Lord Lansdowne full of distrust and disapprobation of the proceedings here, though not openly finding fault with John.  Lord Clarendon’s more especially warlike, and anti-Austrian and pro-French; the very reverse of every letter he wrote in the days of Lord Aberdeen.

    April 1, 1855, VIENNA

More letters and dispatches making John’s position still worse; representing him as ready to consent to unworthy terms, whereas he was endeavouring to carry out what had been agreed on by the Government.  No doubt Lord Clarendon’s present tone is far better than his former; but that is not the question.  John naturally indignant and talked of giving up mission and Colonies.  This I trust he will not do unless there is absolute loss of character in remaining, for another breach with Lord Palmerston, who is far less to blame than Lord Clarendon, would be a great misfortune—­besides, it might lead to the far greater evil of a breach with France.  I rejoice therefore that John has resolved to wait for Drouyn de L’Huys and do his utmost to bring matters to a better state.

On April 5, at Vienna, when he wished to resign, she wrote:  “Anxious he should delay this step till he hears again from home, as he might repent it, in which case either retracting or abiding by it would be bad.  Having regretted his acceptance of office it seems inconsistent to discourage resignation, but is not really so.  His reputation cannot afford a fresh storm, and he must show that he did not lightly consent to belong to a Ministry of which he knew the materials so well.”

At the end of April they came back to England.

    May 5, 1855, LONDON

After all the Emperor rejects the plan [the proposal to limit the Russian fleet in the Baltic to its strength at the close of the war] on the plea that the army would not bear it.  John disturbed and perplexed.

    May 6, 1855, Sunday

John went to town for a meeting at Lord Panmure’s on Army Reform—­found here on his return a letter from Lord Clarendon telling him that the Emperor had sent a telegram through Lord Cowley and the Foreign Office to Walewski, offering him Foreign Affairs and asking whether the Queen would agree to Persigny as French Ambassador.  Thus the dismissal or resignation of Drouyn obliged John to resolve on his own resignation unless the Cabinet should accept his own view.

    Lord John Russell to Lord Clarendon [46]