'The Queen is anxious to mark her sense of the services of the Army and Military Departments at home by conferring the rank of Field-Marshal on Lord Hardinge, who, from his position as Commander-in-Chief, and his long, distinguished services, has a strong claim to such an honour. Moreover, Marshal Villiant, receiving the G.C.B., whilst it has been thought more prudent not to accept the Légion d’Honneur for Lord Hardinge, makes it the more desirable. The Prince is now again the only Field-Marshal in the Army, which has always had several. The Queen thinks that Lord Combermere, being the second senior officer of the whole Army, a full General of 1825, might not expect to be passed over when Lord Hardinge is made. The only other General of distinction and seniority might be Lord Stafford, but he is only a full General of 1841. On this point Lord Palmerston might consult Lord Hardinge himself. If he and Lord Combermere alone are made, the honour is the greater for him.
The Queen thinks likewise that Lord Panmure ought to receive a mark of favour and approval of his conduct on the occasion of the Fall of Sebastopol; either the Civil G.C.B. or a step in peerage— that of Viscount Lord Palmerston would perhaps, without delay, give his opinion on these subjects to the Queen; the honours she would wish then personally bestow upon the recipients, and she thinks the arrival of the official Despatches the right moment for doing so.”