1812.
We will not, however, record the scenes of devastation and horror
consequent from it; neither will we eulogize Lord Wellington for the
_victories_ he obtained. Much rather would we shed a tear at the
remembrance of the slaughtered victims to kingly or ministerial
ambition. Who that believes in the immortality of the soul can think of
these horrid engagements without shuddering at the immense and
inexpressible accountability of the destroyer? It would be utterly
impossible to give an idea of the number of WIDOWS and ORPHANS who have
had to mourn the consequences of _splendid_ victories, as a _wholesale
murdering of soldiers_ are denominated. How many _ducal coronets_ have
been purchased at the expense of human existence! Rather should our
brows never be encircled than at such an unnatural price!
On the 13th of February, the restrictions formerly in force against the
prince regent terminated; and, properly speaking, it may be declared,
_he then assumed the kingly power_. One hundred thousand pounds were
voted for him, _professedly_ to meet the expenses attendant upon his
assumption of the regal authority.
This was a moment of triumph to the queen, and the sequel will prove
that her majesty took especial care to turn it to her own account. The
Duke of York was fully reinstated as "Commander-in-Chief," and,
therefore, ready ways and means presented themselves to her majesty. The
regent engaged that the queen should have the continued sanction of his
name and interest, in all the various ways she might require.
Accordingly, it was soon arranged, that _her majesty should receive an
additional sum of ten thousand pounds per annum_ FOR THE CARE OF HER
ROYAL HUSBAND'S PERSON!
We cannot pass by this shameful insult to the nation without making an
observation upon so _unnatural_ an act. If the queen were the kind and
affectionate wife she had so very frequently been represented to be,
could she have allowed herself to receive an immense payment for merely
doing her _duty_? But a more selfish woman, and a more unfeeling wife,
never disgraced humanity, as this wicked acceptance of the public money
fully testifies.
An additional nine thousand pounds annually were also granted to each of
the princesses, whilst places and pensions were proportionally
multiplied. In the case of Colonel M'Mahon, upon whom a private
secretaryship had been conferred, much very unpleasant altercation took
place in the House of Commons; but _bribery_ effected that which
argument proved to be _wrong_. It was a well-known fact, indeed, that
this individual was nothing more than a pander to the regent's lust, to
which infamous engagements and practices we shall hereafter refer.
On the 11th of May, as Mr. Perceval was entering the lobby of the House
of Commons, he received a shot in his left breast, and, after staggering
a few paces, fell down and expired. The assassin was tried on the 15th
and executed on the 18th of the same month. He defended his conduct on
the ground of having received much injury from the government, who had
denied redress of his grievances, and, therefore, thought he had only
done an act of justice in taking away the life of a member of so callous
an administration.
Agreeably to the regent's message, fifty thousand pounds were voted for
the use of Mr. Perceval's family, and two thousand annually to be paid
to his widow. In case of her demise, however, the same amount was to be
continued annually to such male descendant as might at that time be the
heir, for the term of his life.
Let us here inquire into the services which Mr. Perceval had rendered
his country to warrant ministers in this lavish expenditure upon his
family, one of whom now frequently intrudes his crude notions in the
House of Commons. Mr. Perceval had been for a long period the _pretended
friend_ of the ill-fated Princess of Wales. "The Book" which he
arranged, and which had been printed, but not published, in 1807, giving
the particulars of the "Delicate Investigation," improperly so called,
_was bought up_ in 1809, and as much as fifteen hundred pounds GIVEN
_for a single copy_. The rancour and malice of the unprincipled enemies
and calumniators of the open-hearted Princess of Wales had been much
exposed by Mr. Perceval, and by his apparent generous and manly defence
in her royal highness' favour, the storm materially abated. After a long
period, she was again received at court, and acknowledged _innocent_ of
the charges preferred by her assailants. Apartments were given to her at
Kensington Palace, and it appeared very probable that her wishes would
finally be completed, in the restoration of her beloved daughter to her
society. But mark the ensuing change. Mr. Perceval was chosen by the
regent to assist in his councils; and as no man can serve two causes at
the same time, Mr. Perceval deserted the princess, and became the
servile minister of the prince! Surely there must be something
supernatural in the smile of royalty, when, in some instances, principle
and conscience have fallen subdued before it! We know for an
_incontrovertible_ fact, that but a few months before Mr. Perceval's
acceptance of office, he delivered his sentiments concerning the
Princess of Wales to a particular friend, in these words: "I am
decidedly friendly to the Princess of Wales, because I am well satisfied
and assured her royal highness is a much-injured lady. I am also
convinced her mother-in-law had conceived an inveterate dislike to her
before she arrived in this country, on account of the objections
preferred by the prince against any connexion, except that which his
royal highness had already formed. From these unhappy circumstances, I
am obliged to believe, that the sufferings of her highness are unmerited
on her part, and very much increased by the dictatorial behaviour of her
majesty." At another interview with the same person, the following
question was put, unreservedly, to Mr. Perceval: "Do you, Sir, think her
royal highness has been deserving of the persecutions she has endured,
by any deviation from virtue and propriety?" "I do not think the
princess guilty," earnestly rejoined Mr. Perceval, "and I am fully
satisfied, in my own mind, that if there had not existed ungenerous
intentions on the part of the royal family, the affair would long since
have sunk into silence. There is a gaiety and levity about her royal
highness which is not usual with the _English_ ladies generally; but,
with all the exterior frivolity of the princess, when she chooses to be
lively, _I would prefer her infinitely to the professedly-modest and
apparently-reserved of the sex in high life_. I believe the princess to
be playful, and incautiously witty, in her deportment; but _I prefer
that to secret intrigue and infamous practices_."
We leave our readers to judge whether this simple declaration was not
honourable to the princess, and whether it does not correspond with
every speech delivered by this gentleman in his public and private
defence of her royal highness. Humanity, however, is weak, and the
ingratiating attentions of the prince were too powerful to be resisted
by Mr. Perceval. At his royal command, Virtue, Goodness, and Truth,
assumed the garb of Vice, Infamy, and Falsehood. "Oh, blasting privilege
of sovereignty! The bare scent of thy perfume spreads desolation to
society; changes man, the noblest of God's works, into a monster; and
the consequences of thy _unnatural existence_ will most probably produce
the engine to be used for _thine own destruction_!"
Shortly after the untimely death of Mr. Perceval, Lord Liverpool was
appointed first lord of the Treasury; Mr. Nicholas Vansittart,
chancellor of the Exchequer; and Lord Sidmouth, secretary of state for
the home department.
On the 17th of June, Mr. Vansittart brought forward his budget,--the
amount of the supplies required being more than sixty-two millions.
Certainly this was not a very exhilirating or agreeable prospect to the
nation of the retrenchments intended by the new ministry; but
notwithstanding the divisions on the subject, it finally received the
sanction of parliament. Had it not been for the corrupt state of the
representation, can we suppose it possible that such a sum would have
been permitted to be drawn from the starving multitudes, when there
existed such pecuniary distress in the manufacturing and commercial
districts, unequalled in former years?
The new parliament met for business on the 30th of November, and one of
its first acts was, to grant the sum of one hundred thousand pounds to
Lord Wellington for the part he had taken in legal slaughter!
It may, with propriety, be submitted here, how large a grant would have
been made to any man who should have presented a _plan for the
comfortable and honourable maintenance of the perishing millions_? We
fear any patriot, who had dared to press such a scheme would have soon
been consigned to a damp and dreary dungeon, charged with disaffection
to the monarch, or commanded, under _certain protection_, to set sail
for another country; and, if permitted to reach the destined shore,
there to be received and treated as one of the most infamous of the
human race! But in these days, the _will_ of the regent, supported by
the queen, was supreme law. There was not one who ventured to _insult
his dignity_ by speaking to him TRUTH!--not one _dared_ to stem the
torrent of his royal displeasure! It is true that, when Lord Liverpool
first entered office, he once _hinted_ to his royal master the general
voice of dissatisfaction which the people expressed; but the imperious
regent commanded silence upon all such subjects, and desired Lord
Liverpool never again to meet his highness, unless under a positive
resolve not even to give the most distant hint at matters so very
disagreeable to the royal ear, and which were of _no considerable
importance_! His lordship proved himself wanting in fortitude to set an
example to courtiers, and the principle of his mind was, consequently,
bartered for the _pleasure_ of being the _slave_ of a haughty prince,
who had "relinquished Justice, and abandoned Mercy!"
We must here refer to a most interesting circumstance with respect to
the Princess of Wales. Her royal highness was well aware of the bonds,
_still in existence_, given by the Princes George, Frederick, and
William, to the firm of Perigoux and Co., of Paris, which were to the
amount of several hundred thousand pounds, as we have before named; and,
in an open and friendly conversation with Messrs. Whitbread and
Perceval, the princess said, "The regent and the royal dukes engaged in
those bonds are perfectly aware they deserve severe exposure. Their
action was not only wicked, but their intention also; as every person in
any way acquainted with their concerns must be sure they undertook to
pay more than their means would ever permit, seeing how deeply the
country was in debt, and that the revenue did not then meet the annual
amount required. And," emphatically added the princess, "if the world
did but _know of the_ LIVES SACRIFICED _in this affair, to preserve the
good reputation of these princely brothers, I suppose royalty would not
gain much in the estimation of good people by the exposure_!"
The substance of this conversation soon afterwards transpired to the
Prince of Wales. There cannot be a doubt that his royal highness was
_afraid_, but he resolved not to _appear so_; and from that period, he
and the queen were the unalterable and bitterest enemies of the
princess, both publicly and privately. So, then, for the simple
expression of _truth_, to those who were already in possession of the
whole affair, was an injured princess to be pursued by the hounds of
destruction until her capture should be accomplished. The prince sought
an immediate divorce; but as the former attempts on this ground, in
the year 1806, had failed, there appeared great difficulty in the
attainment of his object. The former charges and gross calumnies were
declared false, and Lady Douglas had been shunned by all good and
strictly-honourable society; for, except where she was received in
compliment to the queen, her invitations were, indeed, but very few. The
old story was again resorted to, and as Mr. Perceval was now no more, a
bold attempt was resolved on, as the last resource, to obtain the
desired end.
Mr. Whitbread communicated to the Princess of Wales the scheme then
forming against her honour, and that the ministry were favourable to the
wishes of the regent. Her royal highness stood amazed at this unexpected
information. "What!" said the princess, "is not the Prince of Wales
satisfied with the former abuses he has poured upon me? Is he so
abandoned, being heir-apparent, as to risk his life, or engage the
vengeful disposition of the nation, in the punishment due to the crimes
he has committed against me? _If the generous English people were
informed of half the sufferings I have endured since my arrival in this
country, they would never be induced to yield obedience to the commands
of a prince whose virtues are not the least balance to his_ VICES! But,"
continued her royal highness, "I will go down to Windsor, and request an
interview with the queen." Mr. Whitbread remonstrated, and at last the
princess consented to write, and ask an audience. A courier was
despatched with it, and the _verbal_ reply of her majesty was, "She
would see the Princess of Wales, provided her royal highness was at
Windsor Castle by _eight o'clock in the evening_."
Not a moment was to be lost; the carriage was announced in a few
minutes, and the princess, attended by only one lady, entered it. "Drive
quickly," said her royal highness. It was only half-past seven when the
princess was announced. Her royal highness was received in courtly style
and unbending manner by her majesty, who, in her usual way, inquired
"the cause which gives me the pleasure of a visit, so very unexpectedly,
from the Princess of Wales?"
"Madam," answered her royal highness, "I am quite sensible of your
surprise at my hasty request and appearance; but as I am tired of
hearing the false reports in such general circulation in the court, I am
resolved to ask your majesty in person, if I am likely to experience any
renewal of those bitter persecutions which, in former years, were
agitated to my horror and surprise. I am well aware the regent would
not enter upon such a business, unless he had your majesty's sanction
and countenance, as well as assistance. Is it because Mr. Perceval is
dead, that your majesty thinks me so unprotected as to fall immediately
a prey to my base enemies?--if so, your majesty will be in the wrong;
for although Mr. Perceval forsook my interest when he engaged himself in
confidence to the regent, my husband, I never shall forget the gratitude
I owe him for former benefits, and his letters speak volumes of truths,
which it was entirely impossible for him to name or attest, unless his
mind had been duly influenced by the solid foundation upon which his
opinion was fixed."
Her majesty appeared vexed and astonished; then, assuming that hauteur
for which she was so remarkable, said, "I do not know, princess, that I
am under any necessity to answer your question, as it seems to me
improper to do so. The prince regent has an unquestionable right to
choose his ministers and counsellors, and also to engage their
attentions and services _for any purpose his royal highness may
please_,(?) and therefore I decline to answer any interrogatory upon the
subject. Your royal highness must be aware this interview and
conversation is very unpleasant to me, and I hope, in future, you will
not put me to the very disagreeable task of refusing you an audience, or
of permitting one, under similar circumstances. I must, therefore,
desire your royal highness will take some refreshment in the adjoining
room, and I wish you a very good evening."
It hardly need be told that the insulted Caroline did not stay to
partake of the proffered _hospitality_ of this German princess. To be
injured by the son, and insulted by the mother, was as much as human
feeling could endure, and the princess reached her home in a state of
mind little short of distraction. On the following morning, one of the
royal dukes called upon the princess, and told her, he was informed of
her journey to Windsor by an express from his mother, and also stated
his opinion that no measures of an unpleasant nature were in agitation.
The princess hastily answered, "Do you think I was not fully satisfied
of the regent's intention upon the subject before I resolved to visit
the queen? You forget, prince, that I am an injured lady. You know I was
brought into this country to afford money to pay my intended husband's
enormous debts, and to give him means to live in the greatest splendour
with his numerous mistresses! I am deprived of the society of my only
child! Injurious reports are circulated and received against my honour,
and I am not even permitted to exonerate myself from these vile and
slanderous imputations, because I am injured by the reigning authority."
The royal duke said, "I beg, my dear cousin, you will not permit the
harsh and unfeeling conduct of the queen to operate on your mind. _We
all know she is revengeful in the extreme_, but she always _favours
George_ in every thing; and, from her very bitter conduct to you, we are
well assured George is meditating some new scheme against you. One thing
I promise you: I will abide by you, even presuming any thing
_disreputable is proved_; and I only beg you will give me your _private_
confidence, that I may be prepared for the worst."
Her royal highness, hastily rising, said, "Sir, if you intended to
insult me, I feel it such; but if, from unguarded or not well-considered
language, you have so very improperly expressed yourself, then I am not
captious to place any ungenerous meaning upon your words! If my
rectitude did not rise higher in the scale of truth and uprightness than
that of your family, including _both sexes_, I should not have ventured
the close and determinate inspection into my conduct at the will or
command of my avowed foes! If it were not for my child's sake, I would
_satisfy you all_ that I am privy to TRANSACTIONS which one day or
another will be punished with the vengeance of heaven, and which I
solemnly believe to be my duty to explain, though it may even cause 'the
cloud-capp'd towers and gorgeous palaces' to fall into one general heap
of ruins!"
The duke was almost petrified with the language and manner of the
princess, and strongly urged the necessity of _silence_ upon any and all
of the unfortunate or dishonourable transactions in which the family had
been engaged, observing, "Your own welfare depends upon their's, and
that is a consideration of positive importance, which I hope your royal
highness will justly appreciate!"
This suggestion of the cowardly duke produced the opposite effect to
that which was intended; the princess declared that the mean sentiments
of the queen had also found way into the minds of her sons, and instead
of proving their royal descent by greatness of mind and action, they
condescended to suggest self-preservation and self-enjoyments in
preference to an open avowal of truth, and an honourable meeting with an
enemy. "And," hastily said her royal highness, "is this, Sir, a specimen
of the character of the English royal family? What would my ever dear
and lamented father have thought of such principles and opinions?
Doubtless, he would rather have followed his daughter to the tomb, and
have seen her remains deposited with his ancestors, than have had her
associated with persons who could sacrifice HONOUR for mean and paltry
conveniences. Your royal highness must be well assured, that I am not a
stranger to the unfounded and most abominable assertions or suggestions
issued against my child's legitimacy; certainly, if I am only the
Princess of Wales _nominally_, then my daughter bears a surreptitious
title, and if either of us is considered as an obstacle to the interests
of the nation, why are not the assertions upon that point made in an
honourable and open manner. You well know, Sir, that I would sacrifice
any thing and every thing for the happiness and future prosperity of my
child; but I must be fully convinced, that _my_ destruction of rights
or enjoyments of privileges would not produce the entire annihilation of
_her's_ also. I must be made to understand that the mother and child
have separate interests, and that insults received by one are not
dishonourable to the other. I have also another powerful objection to
keep silence upon these heart-rending and distracting subjects, which
is, Charlotte's deep-rooted aversion to those persons who have insulted
me most. This feeling assures my mind that I ought not to shrink from
any avowal of truth which I may in justice to this generous nation be
called upon to make, and nothing less than my child's safety shall keep
me from making a disclosure of the unmerited and most incomparable
wicked conduct manifested towards me. If I find that likely to operate
against my daughter's happiness, I will forbear; but not upon any other
ground."
The determined manner of her royal highness fully satisfied the abashed
duke that the sentiments thus boldly expressed were the unalterable
principles entertained by the princess, and would only gather energy and
force by opposition and remonstrance; he therefore very soon afterwards
took his leave, and gave the outline of the conversation to his _august_
mother, BY WHOSE EXPRESS WISH THE INTERVIEW HAD TAKEN PLACE.
The queen was posed by the firmness her royal highness had displayed;
and, in reply to the communication, said, "I will not be disappointed by
this seeming boldness; the princess shall _feel my_ POWER. She shall see
Charlotte still less; the restrictions shall be enforced with greater
severity, and she shall repent of her stupidity. Does the Princess of
Wales imagine that I am to submit to _her_ opinions upon my conduct, or
to _her_ abuse of any of my family? _My only fear is that the daughter
will prove_ AS UNBENDING AND AS DETERMINATELY RESOLUTE _as the mother
is_, and I am therefore resolved to separate them as much as possible."
The result proved the queen's indignation and resentful disposition; as,
immediately, a council was held upon the subject, and her majesty was
positive in her instructions, that the restrictions between the Princess
of Wales and her daughter should be more rigidly enforced.