ng of Holland, who had obstinately
withheld his concurrence for six years from the Articles on the faith
of which King Leopold accepted the throne of Belgium, now showing
overt hostility in the disputed territory. As was natural, France was
in sympathy with Belgium, and the two countries entered into a treaty
of commerce and reciprocity.

CHAPTER VII

1838

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

_1st January 1838._

... Lord Melbourne feels most deeply the extreme kindness of your
Majesty's expressions. Whatever may happen in the course of events,
it will always be to Lord Melbourne a source of the most lively
satisfaction to have assisted your Majesty in the commencement of your
reign, which was not without trouble and difficulty, and your Majesty
may depend that whether in or out of office Lord Melbourne's conduct
will always be directed by the strongest attachment to your Majesty's
person, and by the most ardent desire to promote your Majesty's
interests, which from his knowledge of your Majesty's character and
disposition Lord Melbourne feels certain will be always identified
with the interests of your People.

[Pageheading: CANADA]

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

_14th January 1838._

Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and has the
honour of acknowledging your Majesty's gracious communication, which
he received this evening. Lord Melbourne has this morning seen Lord
Durham upon the subject of his assuming the Government of Canada,[1]
and has had a long conversation with him. Lord Melbourne is to receive
his final answer before the Cabinet to-morrow, which meets at ten
o'clock. Lord Durham is anxious that your Majesty should express to
him your wish, or rather, as he phrased it, lay upon him your commands
that he should undertake this duty, and also that, as his absence will
be but temporary, that Lady Durham[2] should retain her situation in
your Majesty's household. Lord Melbourne thinks that your Majesty may
properly gratify him in both these points. Lord Durham made some other
stipulations, which Lord Melbourne will explain to your Majesty, but,
upon the whole, Lord Melbourne feels little doubt that he will accept.

Lord Glenelg[3] is on Monday to make a statement to the House of Lords
upon the subject of Canada, on which a debate may not improbably arise
by which Lord Melbourne may be detained. On Wednesday there is neither
House of Lords nor Cabine