g the offer of Thesy, particularly as I am already godmother
to one of the children of Prince Esterhazy's daughter. I am grieved,
dearest Aunt, that this occurrence should annoy you, but I can
_assure_ you that I do not remember _ever_ having spoken to you on the
subject at all.

[Pageheading: GOVERNOR-GENERALSHIP OF CANADA]

_Lord Stanley to Queen Victoria._

DOWNING STREET, _19th January 1843._

Lord Stanley, with his humble duty, submits to your Majesty that in
pursuance of the permission which your Majesty was pleased to give
him personally, he has this day offered to Sir Charles Metcalfe[6] the
Governor-Generalship of Canada; and Lord Stanley has much satisfaction
in adding that the offer has been readily and thankfully accepted.
This appointment, Lord Stanley is convinced, is, under the
circumstances, the best which could have been made, and he believes
not only that it will be generally approved, but that Sir Charles
Metcalfe's long experience and tried discretion will afford the best
prospect of conducting the affairs of Canada safely and successfully
through the present crisis. As Sir Charles Metcalfe will naturally be
anxious previous to his embarkation (which, however, will probably
not take place for at least six weeks) to have the honour of being
presented to your Majesty on his appointment, Lord Stanley hopes he
may be honoured by your Majesty's commands as to the time when it may
be your Majesty's pleasure to admit him to an audience. Perhaps Sir
Charles's attendance after the Council at which your Majesty's Speech
on the opening of the Session has to be settled, may give your Majesty
as little trouble as any time that could be named.

The above is humbly submitted by your Majesty's most, dutiful Servant
and Subject,

STANLEY.

[Footnote 6: Metcalfe had had a long Indian career, and for
a year had been Provisional Governor-General, when he removed
the restrictions on the liberty of the Press. He was created a
peer in 1845, but never took his seat. He resigned his post at
the end of that year, and died soon after.]

[Pageheading: ASSASSINATION OF MR DRUMMOND]

_Sir Robert Peel to the Prince Albert._

WHITEHALL, _20th January (1843)._

SIR,--I have the painful duty of acquainting your Royal Highness that
Mr Drummond, my Private Secretary, was shot at this day about quarter
past three o'clock, in the neighbourhood of Charing Cross.[7]

Two pistols were disc