| Collection | Correspondence of William IV |
| Description | The King is sending a statement of his general proceedings and of the principle he followed in taking decisions, from his accession and up to the most recent changes in the administration - this the King does in order to justify his most recent decision to terminate Lord Melbourne's [William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne] government. He begins with explaining the reasoning behind the actions taken - and that were reproached by some - following the difficulties to pass Lord Grey [Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey]'s Bills for Reform [Bills for the Reform of the Representation in the United Kingdom, see GEO/MAIN/GEO/MAIN/35857-35860] and that led to clashes between the two Houses of Parliament, several modifications of the bills and, eventually, Lord Grey's resignation [in 1834]. In this situation the King thought right to try and create a Union of Parties (of Conservative feelings), and started discussing this idea with Lord Melbourne, the Duke of Wellington [Field Marshal Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington], Sir Robert Peel and Mr Hanley. As discussions were held, a crisis happened when the health of Earl Spencer [Chancellor of the Exchequer] suddenly deteriorated - this criss was generated by the fact that his death would have caused a void and a shift in the balance of power in parliament to the left. All options [of succession] suggested by Lord Melbourne were refused by the King - and, in particular, the nomination of Lord John Russell on account of his suspected encroachment - in relation to the Catholics' stance - but also because Lord Grey had once said to the King that Earl Spencer was irreplaceable in the House of Commons.
The King's continuous opposition to the Whig's plans for reform eventually brought Melbourne to resign. After stressing the fact that all decisions have always been taken in the best interest of the country, the monarchy and Europe's peace, the King recalls the beginning and evolution of the Belgian Question [early 1830s]; the King blames entirely the King of the Netherlands for the delays in the settlement of the Question and praises the late Government for following a policy in line with the King's desire. He then goes on referring to England's intervention in the affairs of other European countries (Italy, Portugal, Spain) expressing a general approval of the late Government actions; less satisfactory he finds, on the other hand, the policy adopted with Russia and the Affairs of the Levant. The King insists on strenghtening the British presence in the Mediterranean and warns the present Government about Russia: despite showing disinterest, Russia will always look at those quarters [Levant, and Turkey in particular] to expand its territory, so it is the duty of England to take action and prevent that from happening.
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