EARLY BELGIAN COLONIAL EFFORTS - The University of Texas at ...

men in Europe at that time; unencumbered by his father’s funding issues, he simply
bought his own empire, the Congo Free State.
Leopold’s unique relationships with Victoria, Stockmar, and Palmerston were
certainly assets. The problem was that each was able, for different reasons, to maintain
his trust and loyalty and yet, with the possible exception of Palmerston, not provide any
real help from the colonial perspective. The term “colonial” is relevant because Leopold
was diplomatic enough to never overtly expose his imperialistic tendencies to either
Victoria or Palmerston, although they were no doubt aware of his motives in a general
sense.
Victoria, although certainly deeply dedicated to and respectful of her uncle in
view of his immense influence in her formative years, was quite simply the Queen of
England first, Albert’s wife second, and Leopold’s niece third. The Queen of England,
from her first response to Leopold’s suggestion after her coronation that she seek his
advice and counsel, immediately informed her uncle that she was quite capable of
thinking on her own. He was her deepest confidant after Albert, but not in ways that
would compromise her strong sense of duty. Leopold never seems to have attempted to
use her influence in these overseas matters. He seemed to realize that it would have
achieved nothing. It was Leopold who wanted empire and Victoria who had one—the
largest the world has yet to see.
Palmerston, on the other hand, was constantly aware of Leopold and his
“entrepreneurial” ways. Much of Palmerston’s criticism of Leopold revolved around
what he considered Leopold’s overreaching. The Nicaraguan project and the colonial
195