The Letters of Queen Victoria, Volume 1 (of 3), 1837 to 1843)

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Lord Melbourne would suggest that your Majesty should say "that
your great affection for the King, as well as your anxiety for the
interests of your own country, and your desire for the promotion
of peace, render you most solicitous to have the Belgian question
speedily and definitively settled; that it appears to you that it can
only be settled by the agreement of the four Powers who constitute the
Conference, and that therefore you cannot but wish most strongly to
carry France as well as the two others along with you."[39]

[Footnote 39: See the Queen's letter of 5th December to the
King of the Belgians.]

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

_3rd December 1838._

Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs
to acquaint that as soon as he arrived at half-past two, Sir George
Grey[40] ran in to acquaint him that the whole insurrection in Canada
was put down and suppressed.[41] Despatches have been received from
Sir John Colborne to say that the British turned out with the utmost
alacrity, the volunteers beat the French wherever they met them, the
whole are dispersed, and Sir John says that he feels no doubt of the
tranquillity of the Colony during the rest of the winter. Unless,
therefore, the Americans make an attempt upon Upper Canada, all is
well. Lord Melbourne will have the pleasure of returning to Windsor
to-morrow, unless there should be any impediment, of which Lord
Melbourne will inform your Majesty.

[Footnote 40: Sir George Grey (1799-1882), at this time
Under-Secretary for the Colonies, afterwards Secretary of
State successively for Home and Colonial Affairs.]

[Footnote 41: On the 3rd of November, however, the
insurrection had broken out anew in Lower Canada, while
in Upper Canada many American "sympathyzers" joined the
insurgents there; these were decisively defeated at Prescott.
This fight cost the British 45 in killed and wounded; 159 of
their opponents (including 131 natives of the United
States) were taken, and conveyed to Kingston, to be tried by
court-martial.]

[Pageheading: BELGIAN AFFAIRS]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _5th December 1838._

MY DEAR UNCLE,--I have to thank you for two letters, one brought by
Van Praet, and the other received on Tuesday. Before I proceed further
I must tell you that both Lord Melbourne and I had already seen
your letter to Lord Palmerston, which he sent to us immediately on
receiving it. I have read these letters with the greatest attention,
and can quite understand that your difficulties are great in trying to
restrain the eagerness and violence of some of your people.

My great affection for you, of course, makes me most anxious to see
these troublesome and long pending affairs settled, for the sake of a
continuance of peace and tranquillity; but, dear Uncle, as it appears
to me that these affairs can only be settled by the agreement of the
four Powers, it is absolutely necessary that France should go with
us as well as the others, and I think, dear Uncle, you wrong us in
thinking that we urged France too much and unfairly. You must not,
dear Uncle, think that it is from want of interest that I, in general,
abstain from touching upon these matters in my letters to you; but I
am fearful, if I were to do so, to change our present delightful
and familiar correspondence into a formal and stiff discussion upon
political matters which would not be agreeable to either of us, and
which I should deeply regret. These are my reasons, and I trust you
will understand them, and be convinced of my unalterable and _very_
great affection for you, my dearest Uncle, and of the great interest
I take in all that concerns your welfare and happiness and the
prosperity of your country....

Pray give my affectionate love to Aunt Louise and the children, and
believe me, always, your most affectionate Niece,

VICTORIA R.

[Pageheading: LORD DURHAM'S RESIGNATION]

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

_8th December 1838._

Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and has
just received your Majesty's letters. Lord Durham arrived yesterday
evening, and Lord Melbourne has just seen Mr. Stanley, who has seen
him. He represents him as calm, but much hurt and vexed at the last
despatch which expresses your Majesty's disapprobation of his conduct
in issuing the proclamation.[42] Lord Durham said that he should
immediately write an answer to it, in which he should state that he
would communicate to the Government all the information which he had
collected upon the state of the Canadas. That he should not ask an
audience of your Majesty. This is his present decision. He may alter
it; if he should, and through any channel request an audience, Lord
Melbourne is now clearly of opinion that your Majesty should merely
say that an answer will be sent and the propriety of granting an
audience may then be fully considered by your Majesty's confidential
servants. Mr Stanley represents Lord Durham as not speaking with much
violence or asperity, but seeming to feel much the censure conveyed in
the last despatch.

Your Majesty will receive from the Colonial Office a _precis_ of
Sir John Colborne's despatches. Nothing can be more honourable. The
American force which made an incursion into Upper Canada have all been
taken prisoners....

Lord Melbourne thinks that as long as Lord Durham is here and some
communication has been received from him, he had better remain
to-night in London. He will return to Windsor to-morrow....

[Footnote 42: Lord Durham stated at Devonport: "I shall, when
Parliament meets, be prepared to make a representation
of facts wholly unknown here, and disclosures which the
Parliament and people have no conception of."]

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

_8th December 1838._

Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs to
acquaint your Majesty that Lord Glenelg has this evening received
a letter from Lord Durham, tendering formally his resignation, and
stating that his general report upon the affairs of Canada must be
delayed until the gentlemen connected with his Mission return from
that country, which they were to leave on or about the 20th of
last month, and therefore may be shortly expected here. It will
be necessary to ask Lord Durham whether he has no intelligence of
immediate importance to give.

[Pageheading: AN ENGLISH CHURCH FOR MALTA]

_Queen Adelaide to Queen Victoria._

PALACE, VALETTA,[43] _13th December 1838._

MY DEAREST NIECE,--The English mail going to-day gives me another
opportunity to address you, and to name a subject to you which I think
deserves your consideration, and about which I feel most anxious. It
is the want of a _Protestant church_ in this place which I mean.
There are so many English residents here, it is the seat of an English
Government, and there is _not one_ church belonging to the Church of
England.... The consequence of this want of church accommodation has
been that the Dissenters have established themselves in considerable
numbers, and one cannot blame persons for attending their meetings
when they have no church of their own.

I address myself to you, as the head of the Church of England, and
entreat you to consider well this important subject, and to talk it
over with your Ministers and the Archbishop, in order to devise the
best means of remedying a want so discreditable to our country. Should
there be no funds at your disposal to effect this object, most happy
shall I feel to contribute to any subscription which may be set on
foot, and I believe that a considerable sum may be raised amongst the
Protestants of this island, where all parties are most anxious to
see a proper place of divine worship erected; without assistance from
England, however, it cannot be effected. I therefore most humbly and
confidently submit this subject to you, dearest Victoria, who will
bestow upon your Protestant subjects of this island an everlasting
benefit by granting them what they want most.[44]...

I hope this will find you quite well and happy, and that I shall soon
again have the pleasure of hearing from you. Give my affectionate love
to your dear Mother, and all my dear sisters, and believe me ever, my
dearest Niece, your most devoted and faithfully attached Aunt,

ADELAIDE.

[Footnote 43: The Queen-Dowager was at this time cruising in
the Mediterranean, and made some stay at Malta.]

[Footnote 44: Queen Adelaide herself erected the church at a
cost of L10,000.]

[Pageheading: LORD MELBOURNE'S ANXIETIES]

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

_21st December 1838._

... Lord Melbourne saw Mr. Stephenson this morning and learns from him
that the Duke of Sussex[45] is in the highest degree discontented at
being informed decisively that there is no intention of sending him
to Ireland. He is very loud against the Government, and is also very
angry with Mr Stephenson, and the latter expects that he shall receive
his dismissal.... Mr Stephenson assures Lord Melbourne that he has
mentioned this matter to no one but Lord Melbourne and Lady Mary,
and it is of importance that it should be kept secret. Lord Melbourne
thinks it his duty to apprise your Majesty of the feelings of the
Duke, and of the possible origin of them.

Lord and Lady Holland return to London to-day and Lord Melbourne is
going to dine with them.

[Footnote 45: The Duke of Sussex was anxious to be appointed
Viceroy of Ireland. Mr Stephenson was his Private Secretary.
See _ante_, p. 129. (Ch. VII, 'Ireland and O'Connell)]

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

_22nd December 1838._

Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and cannot
express how deeply concerned he is to find himself restrained from
obeying your Majesty's commands, and repairing without delay to
Brighton. Both his duty and his inclination would prompt him to do
this without a moment's delay, if he did not find it incumbent upon
him to represent to your Majesty the very important circumstances
which require his presence for two or three days longer in London.
The session of Parliament approaches; the questions which are to be
considered and prepared are of the most appalling magnitude, and of
the greatest difficulty. Many of your Majesty's servants, who fill
the most important offices, are compelled by domestic calamity to
be absent, and it is absolutely necessary that there should be some
general superintendence of the measures to be proposed, and some
consideration of the arrangements to be made. Lord Melbourne assures
your Majesty that he would not delay in London if he did not feel it
to be absolutely necessary for your Majesty's service....

[Pageheading: BRIGHTON]

_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._

LAEKEN, _28th December 1838._

MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--I have to thank you for two extremely kind and
dear letters, which made me very happy, and your kind heart would
be pleased to know _how happy_. Sir H. Seymour[46] gave me a very
favourable account of your dearest Majesty, and was deeply gratified
by your gracious reception.

I am glad to find that you like Brighton better than last year. I
think Brighton very agreeable at this time of the year, till the east
winds set in. It also gives the possibility of seeing people without
having them on one's hands the whole day, as is the case in the
country. The Pavilion, besides, is comfortable; that cannot be denied.
Before my marriage it was there that I met the Regent. Charlotte
afterwards came with old Queen Charlotte. How distant all this
already, but still how present to one's memory.

The portrait of your Aunt and Leopold is nicely done. Don Leopoldo is
like, and has at times even a more intelligent look; he would amuse
you--he is very original and very sly. I often call him the little
tyrant, because nobody knows so well _de faire aller le monde_.... My
most beloved Victoria, your devoted Uncle,

LEOPOLD R.

[Footnote 46: Sir Hamilton Seymour, Minister at Brussels.]

INTRODUCTORY NOTE

TO CHAPTER VIII

THE chief political event of the year (1839) at home arose out of the
troubles in Jamaica. In addition to the apprenticeship question,
the state of the prisons, much overcrowded owing to the planters'
severity, had excited attention, and an Imperial Act was passed for
their regulation. To this action the Colonial Assembly showed marked
hostility, and, after the dissolution by Sir Lionel Smith, the
Governor, the new House was no more placable. Accordingly, the home
Government brought in a Bill, in April, to suspend temporarily the
Jamaica Constitution, but on a division had a majority of five only
in a house of five hundred and eighty-three. The Ministers therefore
resigned, and Sir Robert Peel was sent for; a difficulty as to
the Ladies of the Household, commonly called the Bedchamber Plot,
compelled him to resign the task, and the Whigs, much injured in
reputation, resumed office. Some changes took place, Macaulay joining
the Ministry, and Lord Normanby, who had succeeded Lord Glenelg at the
Colonial Office, exchanging places with Lord John Russell, the Home
Secretary. The trial of strength over the Speakership ended in a
victory for the Ministerial candidate, Mr Shaw Lefevre, by a majority
of eighteen in a house of six hundred and sixteen.

Penny Postage was introduced by an Act of this session.

The Princes Ernest and Albert of Saxe-Coburg arrived on a visit to the
Queen in October, and on the 14th the Queen's engagement to the latter
was announced by herself to Lord Melbourne. A few weeks later the
Queen announced her betrothal at a meeting of the Privy Council.

During the year risings in favour of the "people's charter" took place
in various parts of the country, especially Birmingham and Newport,
the six points demanded being the ballot, universal suffrage,
annual Parliaments, payment of members, the abolition of a property
qualification for members, and equal electoral districts. At
Newport one Frost, a linen-draper whom Lord John Russell had made a
magistrate, headed a riot. He was tried with his confederates by a
special commission at Monmouth, and, with two others, sentenced to
death; a sentence afterwards commuted.

In the East, war broke out between the Sultan Mahmoud and the Pasha of
Egypt, Mehemet Ali, who had originally helped Turkey against Greece,
but had since revolted and driven the Turks from Syria. On that
occasion (1833) Turkey had been saved by Russian intervention, a
defensive alliance, known as the treaty of Unkiar Skelessi, made
between Russia and Turkey, and Mehemet granted Syria as well as Egypt.
On the revival of hostilities, Ibrahim, son of Mehemet, defeated the
Turkish army on June 24; a week later the Sultan Mahmoud died, and
the Turkish admiral treacherously delivered over the Turkish fleet
to Mehemet at Alexandria. Once more the four Powers (Great Britain,
Austria, Prussia, and Russia) interfered to save the Sultan. The
Czar accepted the principle of a joint mediation, the advance of the
Egyptians was stopped, and the Sultan was informed that no terms of
peace would be accepted which had not received the approval of the
Powers. The terms were settled at a congress held in London. Mehemet
refused to accept the terms, and was encouraged by France to persevere
in his refusal.

The dispute between Belgium and Holland as to the Luxemburg territory
was settled by a treaty in the course of the year. Lord Durham
presented his report on Canada, a document drafted by Charles Buller
but inspired by Lord Durham himself; though legislation did not take
place this year, this document laid the foundation of the federal
union of the Canadas, and of the Constitution of other autonomous
colonies, but for the present the ex-Commissioner met with much
criticism of his actions.

Our troops were engaged during the year against Dost Mahommed, the
Ameer of Afghanistan, a usurper who many years earlier had driven
Shah Sooja into exile. Lord Auckland, the Viceroy of India, had sent
Captain (afterwards Sir Alexander) Burnes on a Mission to Cabul,
and the Ameer had received him hospitably at first, but subsequently
dismissed him from his Court. Lord Auckland thereupon resolved to
restore Shah Sooja, and in the autumn of 1838 issued a manifesto
dethroning Dost Mahommed. Operations were accordingly directed against
him under Sir John (afterwards Lord) Keane, who, on August 6, 1839,
entered Cabul and placed Shah Sooja on the throne. However open to
criticism, the news of this result was enthusiastically received in
England, and Lord Auckland was promoted to an Earldom.

In China a dispute of long standing became acute. With the renewal of
the East India Company's charter, in 1834, the Chinese ports had been
thrown open, and the opium trade became a source of great profit
to private traders. In spite of the prohibition which the Chinese
Government laid on importation of opium, the traffic was actively
carried on, and, as a result of the strained relations which ensued,
Captain Elliot, the British Chief Superintendent, requested that
warships should proceed to China for the protection of British life
and property.

CHAPTER VIII

1839

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

PAVILION [BRIGHTON], _1st January 1839._

MY DEAR UNCLE,--... I don't like your _croaking_ so about damp
climates; if a niece may venture to say such a thing, I might almost
say it is ungrateful to your faithful and attached Belgians.

The Queen-Dowager's letters do tantalize one a good deal, I must
own.[1] You will see that old Lord Clarendon[2] is dead, which makes
our friend Villiers Earl of Clarendon, but I am afraid not with a
large income.

Lord Palmerston has been unwell and obliged to go to Broadlands, where
he still is. He had gone through so much grief and labour, that it was
absolutely necessary for him to recruit his strength. The Normanbys
spent two nights here.[3] Lord Melbourne is the only person staying in
the house besides several of my Court and my suite, and, I am sorry to
say, is not very well; he has also had, I fear, too much business to
do.

Lady Breadalbane[4] is my new Lady of the Bedchamber, and a very nice
person. Ever your devoted Niece,

VICTORIA R.

Forgive this short scrawl.

[Footnote 1: Queen Adelaide had described the orange-trees and
tropical fruits in the gardens of the Palace of St Antonio,
Valetta.]

[Footnote 2: John Charles, third Earl, Chief Justice-in-eyre,
North of Trent. His successor, who had been Minister to Spain
since 1833, was afterwards the celebrated Foreign Secretary.]

[Footnote 3: Lord Normanby, at this time Lord-Lieutenant of
Ireland, became successively during the year, Colonial and
Home Secretary. Lady Normanby, who had been a Lady-in-Waiting
since the accession, was a daughter of the first Lord
Ravensworth.]

[Footnote 4: Eliza, daughter of George Baillie of Jerviswood.
Her brother afterwards became tenth Earl of Haddington.]

[Pageheading: MURDER OF LORD NORBURY]

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

_6th January 1839._

Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and
returns his best and warmest thanks for the very kind and gracious
communication which he had the honour and pleasure of receiving from
your Majesty yesterday evening. Your Majesty will have seen in the
newspapers that Lord Norbury was shot at in his own grounds and
dangerously wounded.[5] Lord Melbourne learns to-day by a letter
from Lord Morpeth that Lord Norbury is since dead. This is a shocking
event, and will, of course, create a strong sensation, much stronger
than the death in the same manner of several persons of inferior
degree. It is almost the first time that an attempt of this kind has
been directed against an individual of that rank or station....

Lord Melbourne has seen Sir Henry Halford,[6] who says that his pulse
is low and his system languid. He has prescribed some draughts, which
Lord Melbourne trusts will be of service, but he feels much depressed
to-day. He dined yesterday at Lady Holland's, where he met Mr
Ellice,[7] civil and friendly enough in appearance, but Lord Melbourne
fears hostile at heart, and a determined partisan of Lord Durham. Lord
Durham has not yet made to Lord Glenelg the promised communication of
his report and plan, but it is said that he will do so soon....

[Footnote 5: At Kilbeggan Abbey, County Meath. The murderer
escaped.]

[Footnote 6: The celebrated physician: he attended George IV.
and William IV., as well as Queen Victoria.]

[Footnote 7: Son-in-law of Lord Grey, as was also Lord
Durham.]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _11th January 1839._

MY DEAR UNCLE,--The dreadful moment has arrived, and dear Marie[8] is
no more to bless her loving relations with her presence on this earth
of grief and troubles! It is a heavy dispensation, and one that it is
difficult to comprehend, but we must submit.

I thought it best to write to my poor dear Aunt, for whom this will
be a sad blow; but I abstained from doing so to the dear Queen of the
French just as yet. I have no letters, and only learnt the melancholy
event by the papers. Poor wretched Alexander! What a loss, what a
change for him, poor fellow!

_You_ will, I am sure, regret that sweet amiable creature, as poor
Marie was, very much, having known her so well, and her attachment to
you was great.

I will not prolong this letter, but merely repeat _how_ much I feel
for you all, and beg you to believe me, your most affectionate Niece,

VICTORIA R.

[Footnote 8: Princess Marie of Orleans, born 1813, sister to
the Queen of the Belgians, had married Prince Alexander of
Wuertemberg, in 1837.]

[Pageheading: HOLLAND AND BELGIUM]

_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._

LAEKEN, _18th January 1839._

... Your Aunt as well as myself are very anxious to be of use to poor
Alexander. The dispositions of the whole family are extremely
kind towards him, but he is shy and a little helpless; his present
melancholy situation is of course calculated to increase this.
His position puts me in mind of mine in 1817.... He, besides, is
surrounded by people who are kind to him. Of George IV., then Regent,
it was observed that for years he had not been in such good
spirits than by the loss of his daughter. She was more popular than
himself--that was, since her mariage, her only crime....

I feel very grateful for Lord Melbourne's kindness on the subject of
our sad loss. He is so feeling and kindhearted that he, much more than
most men who have lived so much in the _grand monde_, has preserved a
certain warmth and freshness of feeling....

Your cousins kiss your hands, and I remain, my dearest Victoria, your
devoted Uncle,

LEOPOLD R.

_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._

STANHOPE STREET, _27th January 1839._

Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and
returns to your Majesty the accompanying papers which he received
from Viscount Melbourne. Your Majesty will have seen by Sir Edward
Disbrowe's[9] despatches that the concentration of Dutch troops
mentioned in these reports was purely defensive, and was the
consequence of the military demonstrations previously made by the
Belgians; and it appears, moreover, that the Dutch force is inferior
in number to the Belgian force opposite to it; and that affords an
additional security against the chance of an invasion of Belgium by
the Dutch. It is, however, undeniable that when two armies are drawn
up in face of each other, separated by a small distance, and animated
by mutual hatred, the chances of collision become great and imminent.
But it is to be hoped in the present case that the communication made
by the Conference to the two parties on Thursday last may avert danger
of hostilities between the Dutch and Belgians.[10]

[Footnote 9: Minister at the Hague.]

[Footnote 10: _See_ next letter.]

[Pageheading: BELGIUM AND ENGLAND]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _7th February 1839._

MY DEAR UNCLE,--I am much grieved to learn that poor Philippe[11] has
given you such anxiety. My poor Aunt! it really is too much upon her
to have these cares added to her recent severe affliction. I hope to
God that I shall get news of Philippe's complete recovery to-morrow.

I regret to hear that your Government gives you so much trouble,
but trust that you will exert all your influence, as you have so
frequently done, to persuade your Ministers to be reasonable, and not
to resist the favourable offers made to the Government. _Everybody_
here is exceedingly anxious for the conclusion of these long pending
affairs, and hope that the answer from Belgium will soon arrive.[12]
You will forgive me, dear Uncle, if I express to you my earnest hope
that these expectations may not be disappointed, for I feel that
since the Dutch have so instantly accepted the proposition of the
Conference, Belgium would suffer in the eyes of this country were she
to delay, and, what I am still more fearful of, my beloved Uncle, you
might be blamed, and suffer for what your Government may do. You will,
I know, forgive this freedom, which is prompted by my great anxiety
for your _welfare_ and _happiness_ (which I know you are well aware
of), and for the preservation of the inestimable blessings of peace.
No one feels more for you than I do at this difficult moment, nor than
I have done throughout these trying and embarrassing affairs. That all
may be peaceably and amicably settled is my earnest prayer.