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's7 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.
The Earl of Aberdeen to Queen Victoria.
THE SLAVE TRADE