"We are sensible how much it were to be desired that the obligations
provided for could have been traced without the necessity of our
writing. But we are yet more sensible how much it is our duty to promote
the happiness of our most dear and most beloved son, who so justly
deserves the efforts which we make for him. Whatever price will cost our
tender love, we shall at least have the comfort, in the melancholy
circumstance of this juncture, which our kingdom most justly laments
with us, to give to our subjects a successor more worthy of the
possession of our crown, either partly or wholly, than the detested
daughter of our dearest brother, who, by her conduct, has brought
disgrace upon our royal house, and whom now we will, for us, and our
descendants, without difference of the substance of blood and quality,
that she shall at all events be estranged from us and our line for ever.
To this end, we believe the method concerted by our faithful friends at
Trieste is the most effectual to ensure it, not by divorce; be it by
whatever means which may seem effectual to our friends, to whom we
grant full power in every thing, as if we ourselves were present, to
obtain the conclusion we so much desire; and whosoever shall accomplish
the same shall be placed in the immediate degree with any peer of our
kingdom, with fifty thousand pounds, which we guarantee to our worthy
friend, Sir Richard Croft, on whom we can rely in every thing,--his
services being considered unavoidable on this occasion. And for the
better security of all, we promise the bearer hereof, being in every
part furnished with sufficient power to write, sign, and secure, by
letter or any other obligation, in our name, and which is to be
delivered to Sir Richard Croft before his departure from
London,--reminding him of his own engagements to the secrecy of this
also,--whereunto we put our name, this 12th day of November, 1817.
"Let him be faithful unto death.
(Signed) "C. R."
Who can peruse these letters, and the particulars with which they are
accompanied, without being shocked at the dark and horrible crime proved
to have been committed, as well as those deep-laid plans of persecution
against an innocent woman, which they unblushingly state to have had
their origin in the basest of motives,--to gratify the vindictive
feelings of her heartless and abandoned husband! It must appear
surprising to honourable minds that these atrocities did not find some
one acquainted with them of sufficient virtue and nerve to drag their
abettors to justice. But, alas! those who possessed the greatest
facilities for this purpose were too fond of place, pension, or profit,
to discharge such a duty. Queen Caroline, at this period, resolved to
ask for a public investigation of the causes and attendant circumstances
of the death of her daughter, and expressed her determination to do so
in the presence of several noblemen. Her majesty considered these and
other important letters to be amply sufficient to prove that the
Princess Charlotte's death was premeditated, and procured unfairly. Her
majesty also knew that, in 1817, a most respectable resident of
Claremont publicly declared that the regent had said, "_NO HEIR OF THE
PRINCESS CHARLOTTE SHALL EVER SIT UPON THE THRONE OF ENGLAND!_" The
queen was likewise _personally_ assured of the truths contained in the
letter signed "C. R." dated 12th of November; for the infamous Baron
Ompteda, in conjunction with another similar character, had been
watching all her movements for a length of time, and they were actually
waiting her arrival at Trieste, at the time before named, while every
one knew they had a coadjutor in England, in the person of Souza Count
Funshall!!!
Her majesty was also well acquainted with the scheme of the king or his
ministers, that the former or the latter, or both conjointly, had caused
a work to be published in Paris, the object of which was "to set aside
the succession of the Princess Charlotte and her heirs, (under the plea
of the illegality of her father's marriage) and to supply the defect by
the DUKE OF YORK!" Lord Moira offered very handsome terms to an author,
of some celebrity, to write "Comments in favour of this book;" but he
declined, and wrote explanatory of the crimes of the queen and her
family. This work, however, was bought up by the English court for seven
thousand pounds! In this book of comments was given a fair and impartial
statement of the MURDER OF SELLIS, and, upon its appearance, a _certain
duke_ thought it "wisest and best" to go out of this country! _Why_ the
duke resolved to seek safety in flight is best known to himself and
those in his immediate confidence; but to uninterested and impartial
observers, such a step was not calculated to exonerate the duke's
character. This took place at a very early period after the murder had
been committed in the palace of St. James, and all the witnesses were
then ready again to depose upon the subject, as well as those persons
who had not been permitted to give their evidence at the inquest.
Another examination of the body of Sellis might have been demanded,
though doubtless in a more public manner than before, as it was not
supposed to be past exhumation! The people reasoned sensibly, when they
said, "The duke certainly knows something of this awful affair, or else
he would cause the strictest inquiry, rather than suffer such a stain
upon his royal name and character, which are materially injured in
public opinion by the royal duke's refusal to do so, and his sudden
determination to go abroad." The duke, however, _did_ go abroad, and did
not return until inquiry had, apparently, ceased.
Such were the remarks of Caroline, Queen of England, upon these serious
subjects, of which she felt herself competent to say more than any other
subject in the realm. The secret conduct of the government was not
unknown to her majesty, and her sufferings, she was well aware, had
their origin in STATE TRICK; while fawning courtiers, to keep their
places, had sacrificed _truth_, _justice_, and _honour_. "Then," said
the queen, "can I wonder at any plan or plans they may invent to
accomplish the wish of my husband? No; I am aware of many, very many,
foul attempts to insult, degrade, and destroy me! I cannot forget the
embassy of Lord Stewart, the base conduct of that most unprincipled man,
Colonel Brown, and other unworthy characters, who, to obtain the favour
of the reigning prince, my husband, condescended to say and do any and
every thing prejudicial to my character, and injurious to my dignity, as
the legitimate princess of the British nation; and for what purpose is
this extraordinary conduct pursued? Only to gratify revengeful
inclinations, and prevent my full exposures of those odious crimes, by
which the honour of the family is and will ever be attainted! But,"
added her majesty, "the untimely, unaccountable death of my Charlotte
is, indeed, heavy upon my heart! I remember, as if it were only
yesterday, her infant smile when first I pressed her to my bosom; and I
must always feel unutterable anguish, when I reflect upon the hardships
she was obliged to endure at our cruel separation! Was it not more than
human nature was able to endure, first to be insulted and deceived by a
husband, then to be deprived of an only and lovely child, whose fondness
equalled her royal father's cruelty? Well may I say, my Charlotte's
death ought to be explained, and the bloodthirsty aiders in the scheme
punished as they really merit. Who are these proud, yet base,
tyrants,--who, after destroying the child, still continue their plans to
destroy her mother also? Are they not the sycophants of a voluptuous
monarch, whose despotic influence has for a long period destroyed the
liberties and subverted the rights of the people, over whom he has
exercised such uncontrouled and unconstitutional power? And what is the
MORAL character of these state hirelings, (continued the queen) who
neither act with judgment, or speak with ability, but who go to court to
bow, and cringe, and fawn? Alas! is it not disgraceful in the
extreme?--are they not found debasing themselves in the most infamous
and unnatural manner? From youth, have not even some of the late queen's
sons been immoral and profane? Was not one of them invited to dinner, by
a gentleman of the first rank, during his stay in the West Indies, and
did he not so conduct himself before one of the gentleman's daughters,
that his royal highness was under the necessity of making a precipitate
retreat? Yet this outrage upon decency was only noticed by one fearless
historian! And amongst the courtiers, where is morality to be found? Yet
these individuals are the judges, as well as the jury, and are even
empowered to assault, insult, and reproach the consort of the first
magistrate, their sovereign the king! But he is in their power; guilt
has deprived my lord and husband of all ability to set the perfidious
parasites at defiance! If this were not the case, would his proud heart
have allowed him to be insulted by my Lord Bloomfield, or Sir W.
Knighton? No; the answer must be obvious. Yet such was actually the
fact, as all the _private_ friends of his majesty can testify. My honour
is indeed insulted, and yet I am denied redress. I suspected what my
fate would be when so much equivocation was resorted to during my
journey to this country. I was not treated as any English subject,
however poor and defenceless, ought to expect; far otherwise, indeed. I
waited some months to see Mr. Brougham, and was disappointed from time
to time, until I determined to return to England in despite of all
obstacles. I reached St. Omers on the 1st of June; Mr. Brougham did not
arrive until the evening of the 3rd; he was accompanied by his brother
and Lord Hutchinson; and I judged from their conversation, that my only
safety was to be found in the English capital. Propositions were made
me, of the most infamous description; and, afterwards, Lord Hutchinson
and Mr. Brougham said, 'they understood the outline of those
propositions originated with myself.' How those gentlemen could indulge
such an opinion for one moment, I leave the world to judge. If it had
been my intention to receive fifty thousand pounds per annum to remain
abroad, UNQUEENED, I should have reserved my several establishments and
suite. I was requested to delay my journey until despatches could be
received; but my impatience to set my foot once more on British ground
prevented my acquiescence. I had been in England a very short time, when
I was most credibly informed the cause for soliciting that delay;
namely, that this government had required the French authorities to
station the military in Calais, at the command of the English consul,
for the express purpose of seizing my person, previous to my
embarkation! What would not have been my fate, if I once had been in the
grasp of the Holy Alliance!! This fact will satisfy the English people,
that the most wicked plans were organized for my destruction. The
inhabitants of Carlton House were all petrified upon my arrival, having
been assured that I never should again see England, and that my legal
adviser had supported the plan of my remaining abroad, and had expressed
his opinion that I should accept the offer. It is also a solemn fact
that, at that period, a PROCESS OF DIVORCE, in the Consistory Court in
Hanover, was rapidly advancing, under the direction of Count Munster;
and, as the king is there an arbitrary sovereign, the regal will would
not have found any obstacle. When the day of retribution shall arrive,
may God have mercy upon Lords Liverpool, Castlereagh, and their vile
associates,--even as they wished to have compassion upon their insulted
and basely-treated queen! Had I followed my first opinion after these
unhandsome transactions, I should have changed my counsel; but I did not
know where to apply for others, as I too soon found I was intended to be
sacrificed, either privately or publicly. Devotion in public characters
is seldom found to be unequivocally sincere in times of great trouble
and disappointment! What is a defenceless woman, though a queen, opposed
to a despotic and powerful king? Alas! but subject to the rude
ebullition of pampered greatness, and a mark at which the finger of
scorn may point. Well may I say--
"Would I had never trod the English earth,
Or felt the flatteries that grow upon it!
Ye have angels' faces; but heaven knows your hearts.
What will become of me now, wretched lady?
I am the most unhappy woman living.
No friend, no hope, no kindred, weep for me;
_Almost no grave allowed me_! Like the lily,
That once was mistress of the field, and flourished,
I'll hang my head, and perish!"
A very few weeks after making these remarks, her majesty, in
correspondence with a friend, wrote as follows:
"I grow weary of my existence. I am annoyed upon every occasion. I am
actually kept without means to discharge my honourable engagements. Lord
Liverpool returns the most sarcastic replies (if such they may be
called) to my notes of interrogation upon these unhandsome and unfair
delays, as if I were an object of inferior grade to himself. I think I
have sufficient perception to convince me what the point is to which the
ministers are now lending their ready aid, which is nothing less than to
FORCE ME TO RETURN ABROAD! This they never shall accomplish, so long as
my life is at all safe; and in vain does Mr. WILDE press upon my notice
the propriety of such a step."
Illuminations and other rejoicings were manifested by the people at the
queen's acquittal; but the state of her majesty's affairs, as explained
in the above extract, were such as to preclude her receiving that
pleasure which her majesty had otherwise experienced at such testimonies
of the affectionate loyalty of the British people.