to cross on the 20th.
Now _addio_. Ever your most affectionate Niece,

VICTORIA R.

[Footnote 6: The Prince laid the foundation stone of the new
Royal Exchange.]

[Pageheading: THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON]

_The Duke of Wellington to Queen Victoria._

LONDON, _21st January 1842._

Field-Marshal the Duke of Wellington presents his humble duty to your
Majesty. He is much flattered by your Majesty's most gracious
desire that he should bear the Sword of State at the ceremony of the
christening of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales.

He had already received from Sir Robert Peel an intimation of your
Majesty's gracious pleasure on this subject. He is in such good
health, as to be able to perform any duty upon which your Majesty may
think proper to employ him; and he will attend your Majesty's gracious
ceremony at Windsor Castle on Tuesday morning, the 25th Jan. inst.

All of which is humbly submitted to your Majesty by your Majesty's
most dutiful and devoted Subject and Servant,

WELLINGTON.

_Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _22nd January 1842._

The Queen cannot say _how grieved_ she is, and the Prince also, at
hearing of Lord Melbourne's serious indisposition, by his letter this
morning. How _very_ provoking if he cannot come on Tuesday. It will
be the _only_ important ceremony during the Queen's reign which Lord
Melbourne has _not_ been present at, and it grieves her _deeply_. It
was already a deep mortification not to see him in his old place, but
not to see him _at all_ is _too_ provoking. If Lord Melbourne should
soon get well we shall hope to see him later during the King's[7]
stay. The Prince is gone to Greenwich to meet the King, and I expect
them about five o'clock.

The Queen hopes to hear soon of Lord Melbourne's being better, and
expresses again her very sincere regret at his being prevented from
coming.

[Footnote 7: Frederick Wilham IV., King of Prussia.]

[Pageheading: THE SLAVE TRADE]

_The Earl of Aberdeen to Queen Victoria._

_28th January 1842._

Lord Aberdeen presents his most humble duty to your Majesty. Some time
ago, your Majesty was graciously pleased to express a desire to have
a copy of the Treaty concluded by your Majesty with the Four Great
Powers of Europe, for the more effectual suppression of the Slave
Trade.[8] Lord Aberdeen has had one prepared for your Majesty's use,
which he humbly begs to lay before your Maje