VII)] [Pageheading: STATE DEPARTMENTS] _Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ _31st December 1837._ ...

Lord Melbourne has not yet been able to leave London.

In order to have a chance of arranging these troublesome affairs it is necessary continually to see those who are principally engaged in them.

From a conversation which he has had this evening with Lord Howick, Lord Melbourne has better hopes of producing a general agreement upon Canadian affairs, but the question of the administration of the Army, which is of less immediate importance, is of more difficulty.

Your Majesty knows the importance attached by the King of the Belgians to this matter.