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.