What John Russell reported to your Majesty was the opinion of those who act for us in that place, but as soon as Lord Melbourne saw that there was a disposition upon the part of the violent party, Radicals, Chartists, and what not, to support the Tory candidate, he knew that the contest was formidable and dubious.

The Tory party is very strong, naturally, at Nottingham, and if it received any accession of strength, was almost certain to prevail.

This combination, or rather this accession of one party to the Tories, which has taken place at Nottingham, is very likely, and in Lord Melbourne's opinion almost certain, to take place in many other parts of the country in the case of a general election, and forms very serious matter for consideration as to the prudence of taking such a step as a dissolution of the Parliament.
Lord Melbourne will wait upon your Majesty after the Levee.

It signifies not how late, as there is no House of Lords.
[Footnote 15: Where Mr Walter, a Tory, was elected with a majority of 238.] [Pageheading: THE BUDGET] _Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ WILTON CRESCENT, _1st May 1841._ Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and has the honour to report that Mr Baring yesterday brought forward the Budget in a remarkably clear and forcible speech.
The changes in the duties on Sugar and Timber,[16] and the announcement made by Lord John Russell of a proposal for a fixed duty on Corn, seemed to surprise and irritate the Opposition.
Sir Robert Peel refused to give any opinion on these propositions, and satisfied himself with attacking the Government on the state of the finances.
The supporters of the Government were greatly pleased with Mr Baring's plan, and loud in their cheers.
It is the general opinion that Lord Stanley will not proceed with his Bill,[17] and there seems little doubt of this fact.
But the two parties are now evenly balanced, and the absence or defection of some two or three of the Ministerial party may at any time leave the Government in a minority.
[Footnote 16: The proposals were to increase the duty on colonial timber from 10_s._ to 20_s._ a load, reducing it on foreign timber from 55_s._ to 50_s._, to leave the duty on colonial sugar unloaded at 24_s._ a cwt., reducing that on foreign sugar from 63_s._ to 36_s._ a cwt.] [Footnote 17: On Irish Registration.] _Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ _3rd May 1841._ Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty.

We decided at the Cabinet on Friday that we could not sanction the agreement which Captain Elliot has probably by this time concluded with the Government of China, but that it would be necessary to demand a larger amount of indemnity for the past injury, and also a more complete security for our trade in future.