Note 940 — Chapter XI

One private letter was certainly written by Palmerston to Peel. It is dated November 17, 1847, marked private, and begins—“My dear Sir.” Peel is asked to ascertain privately, “throwing out the idea as his own,” in what light the Diet would regard the proposal of mediation which Palmerston informs him, in confidence, he has just sent to Paris. He then proceeds to warn him to be on his guard against M. de Bois-le-Comte. “Keep well with him,” he says, “but it is well that you should know he is one of the most artful, cunning and intriguing of the French diplomatists.” (F.O. Switzerland 92).