Letter from John Arthur Roebuck, London, to Rose Blaze de Bury, 1860 February 16 : autograph manuscript signed with initials.

Explaining that her previous letter to him miscarried and was much delayed in reaching him; expressing concern that the contents of his letter might compromise her should it be read by he authorities; mentioning Gladstone's proposed budget and discussing the current status of political relations between England and France, stating his opinion that the Emperor Napoleon III miscalculated in his attempts to ally himself with Russia, Austria, and Prussia, all of which have received his overtures unfavorably, and that, realizing his mistake and recognizing England's rise to prominence among the powers of Europe, he has now changed his course; writing that he intends to support Gladstone's budget and French Treaty, but that the issue of (France's annexation of) Savoy and opinions expressed in the House of Commons "will lead him [Napoleon III] to hesitate, because any grasping at dominion over an unwilling people will endanger the allience & the Treaty", Roebuck states that he intends to speak out on the subject of Savoy, that the majority of the House will do the same, and that, as Lord Palmerston's government will go out if the budget fails to pass, "he will see that he must do nothing, that will really offend the House"; stating that this is the course he intends to pursue and that "France must take care of herself", and adding that "I think any shade of bourbonism a calamity, & I should hail as a blessing to mankind an utter extinction of the whole pestilent race.", acknowledging that this may not "square" with her ideas, but they are his, and he will "be careful to avoid any thing which lends aid to any Bourbon party", and expressing his conviction that should Napoleon III be ousted, he sees nothing for France but "a return of the old, detestable orders"; noting that a pamphlet she sent him never arrived.