is humble duty, submits for your Majesty's perusal
copies of three despatches, received yesterday from the Governor of
the Cape of Good Hope, detailing the unfortunate result of an attack
made by a small party of your Majesty's troops upon the camp of the
insurgent Boers at Natal; and also the copy of a despatch which Lord
Stanley has sent in consequence to Sir George Napier,[76] which, he
trusts, may meet your Majesty's approbation. Lord Stanley would have
submitted the draft for your Majesty's approval previous to sending
it, had not an opportunity presented itself of sending it off by a
fast-sailing private ship which sailed this morning, the intelligence
having only been received yesterday. The instructions sent to Sir
George Napier, on the 10th of April, but not received when this
unfortunate affair took place, were in substance not to attempt the
subjugation of these people by direct force, but to warn them that
their titles to the land which they occupy would not be recognised by
your Majesty, that they would have no title to claim protection from
the aggression of the neighbouring tribes, to interdict communication
between them and the settled parts of the Colony, and to prevent any
intercourse by sea with foreign or British traders. The unfortunate
event which has now occurred will render it necessary to take steps,
as Sir George Napier has already done, for vindicating the power of
your Majesty's Arms; but when that shall have been effected, Lord
Stanley would still hope that a considerable number of these misguided
men may be induced to return to their allegiance, and to the settled
parts of your Majesty's dominions, and he feels confident that in such
an event he will be fulfilling your Majesty's wishes in directing that
they may be treated with all possible lenity.

All which is humbly submitted by your Majesty's most dutiful Servant
and Subject,

STANLEY.

[Footnote 76: Sir George Napier (1784-1855) governed Cape
Colony for seven years, and the Boers were extruded from Natal
by him.]

_Queen Adelaide to Queen Victoria._

BUSHEY HOUSE, _7th September 1842._

MY DEAREST NIECE,--... Your Mamma's visit gave me great pleasure, and
it has been a great treat to me to hear her sing again, and _so well_,
which put me in mind of former happy days. I regret _much_ that she
leaves me already this afternoon again, but the strong and powerful
_magnet_ which you have left at the Castle draws her