1803,
the unhappy king, by the desire of his overbearing wife, directed a
message to the House, recommending "the embarrassed state of the Prince
of Wales to their attention," and, in consequence, sixty thousand
pounds annually were further settled upon his royal highness, to
continue for three years and a half. This sum, however, was not half
sufficient to meet his lavish engagements; and therefore Mr. Calcraft
had the hardihood to move, that "means be granted to enable the prince
to resume his state and dignity!" But this inconsistent and insulting
motion was "_too bad_," and, in defiance of even the boroughmongers, was
negatived.
The supplies voted for the public service this year amounted to above
FIFTY-SIX MILLIONS! We really wonder of what materials Englishmen were
composed to allow such iniquitous grants.
Ministers again declared war with France, and men and money were in no
inconsiderable request. The French Consul possessed himself of Hanover,
and threatened an invasion of England, which frightened ministers to put
the country in a state of defence. But was not this a political _ruse_?
Mr. Addington was not so popular as his predecessor in the capacity of
minister; he had not so much hardihood as Mr. Pitt, and was not
calculated to endure the load of obloquy which he received, as he
considered himself free from the charge of having destroyed the
prospects of his country by the immense debt then contracted; for that
was the arrangement of Mr. Pitt. Mr. Addington was merely a _tool_ in
the hands of others.
Those who knew the intricate and perplexed state of affairs within the
court were only able to judge how long Mr. Addington's ministry would
continue, and also, WHY it was brought into action. Alas! not merely or
intentionally to satisfy the liberal politicians, or to change any part
of the long misrule of the former minister. Widely opposite were the
motives which proved the main-spring to the meditated result. The queen
again intended to press the king for an increase of income, to a serious
amount, for her favourite spendthrift, and she asked the minister how it
might be best attained. The plan was therefore concerted, and as Pitt
dared not so soon again ask for further advances, a new minister _might_
be induced to do it, if shielded by the royal message.
If such conduct were not juggling and acting with the most abominable
treachery and hypocrisy, we must for ever give up our claim to the
possession of one iota of common understanding. As we proceed, we will
explain to the gentle or indignant reader, whichever he may be, in what
way our enormous "national debt," as it is called, was contracted, when
we have no doubt that he will be as incensed as ourselves, and will be
ready to exclaim, "Was this the policy pursued by that paragon of her
sex, Queen Charlotte?--she who was at all times revered for her _piety_,
and admired for her inexpressible and _unspotted virtue_!" Yes, reader,
the very same; the only difference is, you have formerly beheld her in
_borrowed_ plumes,--_we_ present her in _her own_!
Let us here recur to the consideration of the treatment, exercised
against the Princess of Wales by her abominable husband and his
vindictive mother. We formerly alluded to some confidential
communications made by her to his majesty. The suspicious and mean
characters then placed about her person reported to the queen every
interview which the king had with his daughter-in-law, and maliciously,
represented the imprudence of such an intimacy. From this time, the
Prince of Wales _professed_ to believe his father was _improperly_
interested in the cause of the princess, and spies were placed in
various situations, to give notice of all visits the princess received
and paid. Notwithstanding, the plotters' most ardent wishes were
disappointed, and they could not fix upon any action, which they were
able to prove, to affect her honour or virtue. In the mean time,
Caroline's only child was removed from her, without the enjoyment of
whose endearing society life was a mere blank.
In proportion as the prince was applauded, and the queen supported him,
so was the princess abused and insulted. With respect to pecuniary
affairs, every honest and upright person saw the strange disproportion
in the incomes of the several members of the family; for the princess,
who had to keep an entirely distinct and separate establishment at her
sole expense, was allowed no more than twenty-two thousand pounds per
annum, while the other members, who were chiefly expensive to the king,
had their salaries granted without reference to this subject. Yet it was
expected that the etiquette of rank should be maintained, and with an
equal ostentatious display as if means were proportionately provided to
defray such expenses. Although living upon the establishment of the
king, the queen's real independent income was fifty-eight thousand
pounds a year! Ought we not to ask why the princess was thus neglected
and shamefully insulted?--left in debt, and in extreme perplexity of
circumstances, for which the family must ever be considered mean and
unjust? How was her royal highness to act in such a trying case? If she
had retired to _private_ life, her enemies would have pronounced her an
improper person to retain the high station which she had formerly
occupied. If appearances were to be maintained, and royal splendour
continued, she must mix with _certain_ society, and debt be the
inevitable consequence. The princess felt there were points, beyond
which a virtuous, insulted female could not shew forbearance; and she,
therefore, resolved no longer to endure the galling yoke of oppression,
without farther explanation.