ted, Chapoo being
taken in May, and an attack by Admiral Parker upon Nanking being
only averted by the conclusion of a favourable treaty, involving
an indemnity, the cession by China of Hong Kong, and the opening of
important ports to commerce.

A dispute had arisen between this country and the United States as
to the boundary line between the latter country and the British
Possessions in North America. Lord Ashburton was accordingly sent
out on a special mission to effect the adjustment of this and other
disputes, and a treaty was concluded for the purpose of defining each
country's territorial rights, and imposing mutual obligations for the
suppression of the Slave Trade.

CHAPTER XI

1842

_Queen Adelaide to Queen Victoria._

SUDBURY HALL, _4th January 1842._

MY DEAR NIECE,--Most grateful for your very amiable kind letter full
of good wishes for me, I hasten to answer it and to assure you that I
deeply feel all your affectionate kindness to me in wishing my life to
be prolonged. From ill-health I have become such a useless member of
your family, that I must wonder you have not long been tired of me. I
wish I was more able to be of any use to you which you might like
to make of me. My services would be most faithful, I can assure you.
Should my life be spared, there may perhaps yet be a time when I can
prove to you, that what I say is not merely a _facon de parler_, but
my sincere wish.

Your domestic happiness, dearest Victoria, gives me great satisfaction
whenever I think of it, and that is very often. God continue it so,
uninterrupted, is my daily prayer.

Your approbation of my little offering to my dear godchild gives me
much pleasure. It occupied me several days during my illness to make
the drawing, weak as I then was, and it was a _pleasant occupation_.

We have frost again, with a clear blue sky, which is much better for
me than the damp close weather of last week, which oppressed me so
much. I breathe again, and my spirits get their usual tone, which they
had lost, but I still cough a great deal, which is very fatiguing.

Will you kiss your darlings in my name and bless them, and pray
believe me ever, my dear Niece, your most affectionately devoted Aunt,

ADELAIDE.

[Pageheading: WINDSOR]

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

BROADLANDS,[1] _5th January 1842._

Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs to
return to your Majesty and to His Roya