cellor, of the 28th ult.; but also to the private letter of your Majesty, of the 12th instant, I have thought it most respectful to your Majesty and your Majesty's servants, to send this letter in duplicate, one part through Colonel Taylor, and the other through the Lord Chancellor, to your Majesty. (Signed) To the King, C. P. SIRE, When I last troubled your Majesty upon my unfortunate business, I had raised my mind to hope, that I should have the happiness of hear-. ing from your Majesty, and receiving your gracious commands, to pay my duty in your Royal Presence, before the expiration of the last week. And when that hope was disappointed, (eagerly clinging to any idea, which offered me a prospect of being saved from the necessity of having recourse, for the vindication of my character, to the publication of the proceedings upon the Inquiry into my Conduct,) I thought it just possible, that the reason for not having received your Majesty's commands to that effect, might have been occasioned by the circumstance of your Majesty's staying at Windsor through the whole of the week, I, therefore, my determined to wait a few days longer, before I took a step, which, when once taken, could not be recalled. Having, however, now assured myself, that your Majesty was in town yesterday as I have received no command to wait upon your Majesty, and no intimation of your pleasure-I am reduced to the necessity of abandoning all hope, that your Majesty will comply with my humble, my earnest and anxious request. Your Majesty therefore, will not be surprised to find, that the publication of the Proceedings alluded to, will not be withheld beyond Monday next. As to any consequences which may arise from such publication, unpleasant or hurtful to my own feelings and interests, I may, perhaps, be properly responsible; and, in any event, have no one to complain of but myself, and those with whose advice I have acted; and whatever those consequences may be, I am fully and unalterably convinced, that they must be incalculably less than those, which I should be exposed to from my silence: but as to any other consequences, unpleasant or hurtful to the feelings and interests of others, or of the public, my conscience will certainly acquit me of them; I am confident that I have not acted impatiently, or precipitately. To avoid coming to this painful extremity I have taken every step in my power, except that which would be abandoning my character to utter infamy, and my station and life to no uncertain danger, and possibly, to no very very distant de struction. With every prayer, for the lengthened continuance of your Majesty's health and happiness; for every possible blessing, which a Gracious God can bestow upon the beloved Monarch of a loyal People; and for the continued prosperity of your dominions, under your Majesty's propitious reign, I remain, Your Majesty's Most dutiful, loyal, and affectionate, but most unhappy, and most injured Daughter-in-Law, Subject, and Servant. C. P. Montague House, March 5, 1807. To the King. |