Memo signed by Queen Victoria

Queen Victoria writes that she is "surprised and grieved" as to the change of policy concerning the advance on Khartoum. She writes that she was under the impression from SCC that presence in the region was to be postponed not abandoned. She writes demanding an explanation and gives her views on the abandonment. She writes making reference to the Zulu War, the "disastrous peace" with the Transvaal in 1881 and the Egyptian campaign of 1882. She further refers to the "defiant and lofty tones of Ministers" with regard to the situation in Russia and their "warlike expressions". She writes that Great Britain is "despised and even ridiculed abroad", something she states SCC is unaware of. Finally, she sets out what she believes SCC should do with regard to the region. Sent from: Windsor Castle.

Arranged in accordance with ISAD(G): General International Standard Archival Description, Second Edition, Ottawa 2000 and The Devonshire Collection Cataloguing Guidelines.

Copyright held by Chatsworth House Trust.