The vessel had been boarded by Canadian loyalists when lying in American waters, set on fire and sent over Niagara Falls, and in the affray Durfee was killed.

M'Leod was apprehended on American territory, and hence arose the friction between the two countries.

M'Leod was acquitted 12th October 1841.] [Pageheading: PORTUGAL] _Queen Victoria to the Earl of Aberdeen._ BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _31st October 1841._ The Queen received yesterday evening Lord Aberdeen's letter with the accompanying despatches and draft.

She certainly _is_ surprised at the strange and improper tone in which Lord Howard's[148] despatches are written, and can only attribute them to an over-eager and, she fully believes, mistaken feeling of the danger to which he believes the throne of the Queen to be exposed.
The Queen has carefully perused Lord Aberdeen's draft, which she highly approves, but wishes to suggest to Lord Aberdeen whether upon further consideration it might not perhaps be as well to _soften_ the words under which she has drawn a pencil line, as she fears they might irritate Lord Howard very much.
The Queen is induced to copy the following sentences from a letter she received from her cousin, the King of Portugal, a few days ago, and which it may be satisfactory to Lord Aberdeen to see:-- "_Je dois encore vous dire que nous avons toutes les raisons de nous louer de la maniere dont le Portugal est traite par votre Ministre des Affaires Etrangeres, et nous ferons de notre cote notre possible pour prouver notre bonne volonte."_ [Footnote 148: Lord Howard de Walden, Minister Plenipotentiary at Lisbon.] [Pageheading: SECRETARIES OF STATE] _Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ SOUTH STREET, _1st November 1841._ ...

Now for His Royal Highness's questions....
How the power of Prime Ministry grew up into its present form it is difficult to trace precisely, as well as how it became attached, as it were, to the office of First Commissioner of the Treasury.