511] but it could have been but ten minutes, as she | the audience was required for the purpose of remonstrance and explanation upon this circumappears to have been absent twenty minutes the second time. The Commissioners, though they stance; and as I was determined not to alter my particularly return to the inquiry with respect to resolution, nor admit of any discussion upon it, the length of time of her second absence, did I requested His Royal Highness, who happened not require her to tell them the occasion of it; to be acquainted with Sir Sidney Smith, to try if they had, she would have told them, that it to prevent my having any further trouble upon was in search of the same book; that having on the subject. His Royal Highness saw Sir Sidney the first occasion looked for it in the drawing. Smith, and being impressed by him with the beroom, she went afterwards to see for it in Mrs. lief of Lady Douglas's story, that I was the auFitzgerald's room. But I made him a present of thor of these anonymous letters, he did that an inkstand. I hope your Majesty will not think which naturally became him, under such belief; I am trifling with your patience when I take no- he endeavoured, for the peace of your Majesty, tice of such trifles. But it is of such trifles as and the honour of the Royal Family, to keep these that the evidence consists, when it is the from the knowledge of the world what, if it had evidence of respectable witnesses speaking to been true, would have justly reflected such infifacts, and, consequently, speaking only the truth. nite disgrace upon me; and, it seems, from the Captain Moore had conferred on me what I felt narrative, that he procured, through Sir Sidney as a considerable obligation. My Mother is very Smith, Sir John Douglas's assurance that he partial to the late Dr. Moore's writings. Cap. would, under existing circumstances, remain tain Moore, as your Majesty knows, is his son, quiet, if left unmolested. "This result (His and he promised to lend me, for the purpose of Royal Highness says), he communicated to me sending it to my mother, a manuscript of an un- the following day, and I seemed satisfied with published work of the Doctor's. In return for it." And, undoubtedly, as he only communithis civility, I begged his acceptance of a trifling cated the result to me, I could not be otherwise present. There is one circumstance alluded than satisfied: for as all that I wanted was, not to be obliged to see Sir John and Lady Douglas, to in these examinations, which I know not how to notice, and yet feel it impossible to omit: I and not to be troubled by them any more, the mean what respects certain anonymous papers or result of His Royal Highness's interference, letters, marked A. B. and C., to which Lord through Sir Sidney Smith, was to procure me all Cholmondeley appears to have been examined, that I wanted. I do not wonder that His Royal upon the supposition of their being my hand- Highness did not mention to me the particulars of these infamous letters and drawings, which writing. A letter marked A. appears, by the exwere ascribed to me; for, as long as he believed amination of Lady Douglas, to have been produced by her; and the two papers marked B. they were mine, undoubtedly it was a subject and a cover marked C. appear to have been pro- which he must have wished to avoid; but I laduced by Sir John. These papers I have never ment, as it happens, that he did not, as I should have satisfied him as far, at least, as any asserseen; but I collect them to be the same as are alluded to in Lady Douglas's original declaration; tions of mine could have satisfied him, by deand, from her representation of them, they are claring to him, as I do now most solemnly, that most infamous productions. From the style and the letter is not mine, and that I know nothing language of the letter, she says, Sir John Doug- whatever of the contents of it, or of the other las, Sir Sydney Smith, and herself, would have papers; and I trust that His Royal Highness, no manner of hesitation in swearing point blank and every one else who may have taken up any (for that is her phrase) to their being in my hand- false impression concerning them to my preju writing and it seems, from the statement of His dice, from the assertion of Sir John and Lady Royal Highness the Duke of Kent, that Sir Syd- Douglas, will, upon my assertion, and the eviney Smith had been imposed upon to believe, dence of Lord Cholmondeley, remove from their that these letters and papers were really written minds this calumnious falsehood, which, with and sent to Sir John and Lady Douglas by me. many others, the malice of Sir John and Lady I cannot help, however, remarking to your Ma- Douglas has endeavoured to fasten upon me. jesty, that though Sir John and Lady Douglas To all these papers Lady Douglas states, in her produce these papers, and mark them, yet nei- Declaration, that not only herself and Sir John ther the one nor the other swears to their belief Douglas, but Sir Sidney Smith, would have no of my hand-writing; it does not, indeed, appear, hesitation in swearing to be in my hand-writing. that they were asked the question; and when it What says Lord Cholmondeley? That he is peronce occurred to the Commissioners to be ma- fectly acquainted with my manner of writing. terial to inquire whose hand-writing these papers Letter A. is not of my hand-writing: that the were, I should have been much surprised at their two papers marked B. appear to be wrote in a not applying to Sir John and Lady Douglas to disguised hand; that some of the letters in them swear it, as in their original declaration they of- remarkably resemble mine, but, because of the fer to do, if it had not been that, by that time, I disguise, he cannot say whether they are or not: as to the cover marked C. he did not see the suppose, the Commissioners had satisfied themselves of the true value of Sir John and Lady same resemblance." Of these four papers (all of which are stated by Lady Douglas to be so Douglas's oaths, and therefore did not think it worth while to ask them any further questions. clearly and plainly mine, that there can be no hesitation upon the subject), two bear no resemblance to it; and although the other two, written in a disguised hand, have some letters re markably resembling mine, yet, I trust, I shall not, upon such evidence, be subjected to so base an imputation; and really, Sire, I know not how to account for the Commissioners examining and reporting upon this subject in this manner. For I understand from Mrs. Fitzgerald, that these His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent, as appears by his narrative, was convinced, by Sir Sidney Smith, that these letters came from me. His Royal Highness had been applied to by me, in consequence of my having received a formal note from Sir John, Lady Douglas, and Sir Sidney Smith, requesting an audience immediately: this was soon after my having desired to see no more of Lady Douglas. I conceived, therefore, drawings were produced by the Commissioners the compass of their Inquiries-that they would to her; and that she was examined as to her not be warranted in expressing any doubt reknowledge of them, and as to the hand-writing specting the alleged pregnancy of the Princess, upon them; that she was satisfied, and swore as stated in the original declarations, a fact so that they were not my hand-writing, and that fully contradicted, and by so many witnesses, to she knew nothing of them, and did not believe whom, if true, it must in various ways have they could possibly come from any lady in my been known, that we cannot think it entitled to house. She was shewn the seal also, which Lady the smallest credit."There are, indeed, some Donglas, in her Declaration, says, was the other matters mentioned in the original declara"identical one with which I had summoned Sir tions, which I might have found it necessary to "John Douglas to luncheon." To this seal, observe upon; but as the Commissioners do not though it so much resembled one that belonged appear to have entered into any examination to herself, as to make her hesitate till she had with respect to them, I content myself with particularly observed it, she was at last as posi-thinking that they had found the means of satistive as to the hand-writing; and having expressed fying themselves of the utter falsehood of those herself with some feeling and indignation at the particulars, and, therefore, that they can require supposition, that either I, herself, or any of my no contradiction or observation from me.—On ladies, could be guilty of so foul a transaction, the declaration, therefore, and the evidence, I the Commissioners tell her they were satisfied have nothing further to remark. And, conscious and believed her; and there is not one word of of the length at which I have trespassed on your all this related in her examination.-Now, if Majesty's patience, I will forbear to waste your their Lordships were satisfied from this, or any time by any endeavour to recapitulate what I other circumstance, that these letters were not have said. Some few observations, however, my writing, and did not come from me, I cannot before I conclude, I must hope to be permitted account for their not preserving any trace of to subjoin. In many of the observations Mrs. Fitzgerald's evidence on this point, and which I have made, your Majesty will observe leaving it out of their inquiry altogether; but, if that I have noticed, what have appeared to me they thought proper to preserve auy evidence to be great omissions on the part of the Comupon it, to make it the subject of any examina- missioners, in the manner of taking their examition, surely they should not have left it on Lord nations; in forbearing to put any questions to the Cholmondeley's alone; but I ought to have had witnesses, in the nature of a cross-examination the benefit of Mrs. Fitzgerald's evidence also; of them; to confront them with each other; and but, as I said before, they take no notice of her to call other witnesses, whose testimony must evidence; nay, they finish their Report, they either have confirmed or falsified, in important execute it according to the date it bears upon particulars, the examinations as they have taken the 14th of July, and it is not until two days af- them. It may perhaps occur, in consequence of terwards, namely, on the 16th, that they ex- such observations, that I am desirous that this amined Lord Cholmondeley to the hand-writing Inquiry should be opened again; that the Com-with what view, and for what purpose, I can- missioners should recommence their labours, and not even surmise; but with whatever view, and that they should proceed to supply the defects in for whatever purpose, if these letters are at all their previous examinations, by a fuller executo be alluded to in their Report, or the exami- tion of their duty.-I therefore think it neces nations accompanying it, surely I ought to have sary, most distinctly and emphatically to state, had the benefit of the other evidence, which dis- that I have no such meaning; and whatever may proved my connexion with them.- I have now, be the risk that I may incur of being charged Sire, gone through all the matters contained in with betraying a consciousness of guilt, by thus the examination, on which I think it, in any de- flying from an extension or repetition of this Ingree, necessary to trouble your Majesty with quiry, I must distinctly state, that so far from any observations. For as to the examination of requesting the revival of it, I humbly request Mrs. Townley the washerwoman, if it applies at your Majesty would be graciously pleased to unall, it must have been intended to have afforded derstand me as remonstrating and protesting evidence of my pregnancy and miscarriage. against it, in the strongest and most solemn man And whether the circumstances she speaks to ner in my power. I am yet to learn the lewas occasioned by my having been bled with gality of such a Commission to inquire, evén in leeches, or whether an actual miscarriage did the case of High Treason, or any other crime take place in my family, and by some means known to the laws of the country. If it is iavfini linen belonging to me was procured and used in the case of High Treason, supposed to be upon the occasion, or to whatever other circum committed by me, surely it must be lawful also stance it is to be ascribed, after the manner in in the case of High Treason, supposed to he which the Commissioners have expressed their committed by other subjects of your Majesty. opinion, on the part of the case respecting my supposed pregnancy, and after the evidence on which they formed their opinion, I do not conceive myself called upon to say any thing upon it; or that any thing I could say could be more satisfactory than repeating the opinion of the Comanissioners, as stated in their Report, viz. "That nothing had appeared to them which would warrant the belief that I was pregnant in that year (1802), or at any other period within That there is much objection to it, in reason and principle, my understanding assures me. That such Inquiries, carried on upon ex parte examination, and a Report of the result by persons of high authority, may, nay must, have a tendency to prejudice the character of the parties who are exposed to them, and thereby influ ence the further proceedings in their case;that are calculated to keep back from notice, and in security, the person of a false accuser, R Supplement to No. 14, Vol. XXIII.-Price Is. strate and to protest against them. If such tribunals as these are called into action against me, by the false charges of friends turned enemies, of servants turned traitors, and acting as spies, by the foul conspiracy of such social and domestic treason, I can look to no security to my honour in the most spotless and most cautious innocence. and to leave the accused in the predicament of | to my dearest interests, most solemnly to remonneither being able to look forward for protection to an acquittal of himself, nor for redress to the conviction of his accuser. That these and many other objections occur to such a mode of proceeding, in the case of a crime known to the laws of this country, appears to be quite obvious. But if Commissioners acting under such a power, or your Majesty's Privy Council, or any regular Magistrates, when they have satisfied By the contradiction and denial which in this themselves of the falsehood of the principal case I have been enabled to procure, of the most charge, and the absence of all legal and sub-important facts which have been sworn against stantive offence, are to be considered as empow- me by Mr. Cole and Mr. Bidgood-by the obered to proceed in the examination of the parti-servations and the reasonings which I have adculars of private life; to report upon the pro- dressed to your Majesty, I am confident, that to prieties of domestic conduct, and the decorums those whose sense of justice will lead then to of private behaviour, and to pronounce their wade through this long detail, I shall have reopinion against the party, upon the evidence of moved the impressions which have been raised dissatisfied servants, whose veracity they are to against me.-But how am I to ensure a patient hold up as unimpeachable; and to do this with attention to all this statement? How many will out permitting the persons, whose conduct is in- hear that the Lord Chancellor, the Lord Chief quired into, to suggest one word in explanation Justice of the King's Bench, the First Lord of or contradiction of the matter with which they the Treasury, and one of your Majesty's Princicharged: it would, I submit to your Majesty, pal Secretaries of State, have reported against prove such an attack upon the security and con- me, upon evidence which they have declared to fidence of domestic life, such a means of record-be unbiassed and unquestionable; who will ne ing, under the sanction of great names and high ver have the opportunity, or if they had the authority, the most malicious and foulest impu- opportunity, might not have the inclination, to tations, that no character could possibly be se- correct the error of that Report, by the examieure; and would do more to break in upon and nation of my statement.- -I feel, therefore, undermine the happiness and comfort of life, that by this proceeding, my character has rethan any proceeding which could be imagined. ceived essential injury. For a Princess of Wales -The public in general, perhaps, may feel not to have been placed in a situation, in which it much interest in the establishment of such a was essential to her honour to request one genprecedent in my case. They may think it to be tleman to swear, that he was not locked up at a course of proceeding, scarcely applicable to midnight in a room with her alone: and another, any private subject: yet, if once such a court of that he did not give her a lascivious salute, and honour, of decency, and of manners, was esta- never slept in her house, is to have been acblished, many subjects might occur, to which it tually degraded and disgraced.-I have been, might be thought advisable to extend its juris- Sire, placed in this situation, I have been diction, beyond the instance of a Princess of eruelly, your Majesty will permit me to say so, Wales. But should it be intended to be confined cruelly degraded into the necessity of making to me, your Majesty, I trust, will not be sur- such requests. A necessity which I never could prised to find that it does not reconcile me the have been exposed to, even under this Inquiry, better to it, should I learn myself to be the sin- if more attention had been given to the examigle instance in your kingdom, who is exposed to nation of these malicious charges, and of the the scrutiny of so severe and formidable a tribu- evidence on which they rest. Much soliciual. So far, therefore, from giving that sanc- tude is felt, and justly so, as connected with this tion or consent to any fresh Inquiry, upon similar Inquiry, for the honour of your Majesty's illusprinciples, which I should seem to do, by re trious Family. But surely a true regard to that quiring the renewal of these examinations, I honour should have restrained those who really must protest against it; protest against the nature felt for it, from casting such severe reflectious of the proceeding, because its result cannot be on the character and virtue of the Princess of fair. I must protest, as long at least as it re- Wales.If, indeed, after the most diligent mains doubtful, against the legality of what has and anxious Inquiry, penetrating into every cir already passed, as well as the legality of its re- cumstance connected with the charge, searching petition. If the course be legal, I must submit every source from which information could be to the laws, however severe they may be; but I derived, and scrutinizing with all that acuteness trust new law is not to be found out, and applied into the credit and character of the witnesses, to my case. If I am guilty of crime, I know I which great experience, talent, and intelligence am amenable; I am most contented to continue could bring to such a subject; and above all, if, so, to the impartial laws of your Majesty's king- after giving me some opportunity of being heard, dom; and I fear no charge brought against me, the force of truth had, at length, compelled any in open day, under the public eye, before the persons to form, as reluctantly, and as unwill known tribunals of the country, administering ingly as they would, against their own daughjustice under those impartial and enlightened ters, the opinion that has been pronounced; no laws. But secret tribunals, created for the first regard, unquestionably, to my honour and cha time for me, to form and pronounce opinions racter, nor to that of your Majesty's Family, as, upon my conduct without hearing me; to re- in some degree, involved in mine, could have cord, in the evidence of the witnesses which justified the suppression of that opinion, if lethey report, imputations against my character gally called for, in the course of official and pubupon ex parte examinations-till I am better re-lic duty. Whether such caution and reluctance conciled to the justice of their proceedings, I cannot fail to fear. And till I am better informed as to their legality, I cannot fail in duty are really manifest in these proceedings, I must leave to less partial judgments than my own to determine.In the full examination of these proceedings, which justice to my own charaeter | to admit, by my silence, the guilt which they has required of me, I have been compelled to imputed to me, or to enter into my defence, in make many observations, which, I fear, may contradiction to it--no longer at liberty to reprove offensive to persons in high power.-Your main silent, I, perhaps, have not known how, Majesty will easily believe, when I solemnly with exact propriety, to limit my expressions. assure you, that I have been deeply sorry to -In happier days of my life, before my spirit yield to the necessity of so doing. This pro- had been yet at all lowered by my misfortunes, I ceeding manifests that I have enemies enough; should have been disposed to have met such a I could not wish unnecessarily to increase their charge with the contempt which, I trust, by number, or their weight. I trust, however, I this time, your Majesty thinks due to it; I have done it, I know it has been my purpose to should have been disposed to have defied my do it, in a manner as little offensive as the jus enemies to the utmost, and to have scorned to tice due to myself would allow of; but I have answer to any thing but a legal charge, before a felt that I have been deeply injured; that I have competent tribunal: but in my present misforhad much to complain of; and that my silence tunes, such force of mind is gone. I ought, pernow would not be taken for forbearance, but haps, so far to be thankful to them for their would be ascribed to me as a confession of guilt. wholesome lessons of humility. I have, thereThe Report itself announced to me, that these fore, entered into this long detail, to endeavour things, which had been spoken to by the wit- to remove, at the first possible opportunity, any nesses, great improprieties and indecencies of unfavourable impressions; to rescue myself from conduct," necessarily occasioning most unfa- the dangers which the continuance of these susvourable interpretations, and deserving the most picions might occasion, and to preserve to me serious consideration, "must be credited till de- your Majesty's good opinion, in whose kindness, cidedly contradicted." The most satisfactory hitherto, I have found infinite consolation, and disproof of these circumstances (as the contra- to whose justice, under all circumstances, I can diction of the accused is always received with confidently appeal. Under the impression of caution and distrust) rested in the proof of the these sentiments I throw myself at your Mafoul malice and falsehood of my accusers and jesty's feet. I know, that whatever sentiments their witnesses. The Report announced to of resentment; whatever wish for redress, by your Majesty that those witnesses, whom I felt the punishment of my false accusers, I ought to to be foul confederates in a base conspiracy feel, your Majesty, as the Father of a Stranger, against me, were not to be suspected of unfa- smarting under false accusation, as the Head of vourable bias, and their veracity, in the judg- your illustrious House dishonoured in me, and as ment of the Commissioners, not to be questioned. the great Guardian of the Laws of your King-Under these circumstances, Sire, what dom, thus foully attempted to have been ap could I do? Could I forbear, in justice to my-plied to the purposes of injustice, will not fail to self, to announce to your Majesty the existence of a conspiracy against my honour, and my station in this country at least, if not against my life? Could I forbear to point out to your Majesty, how long this intended mischief liad been meditated against me? Could I forbear to point out my doubts, at least, of the legality of the Commission under which the proceeding had been had? or to point out the errors and inaccuracies, into which the great and able men who were named in this commission, under the hurry and pressure of their great official occupations, had fallen, in the execution of this duty? Could I forbear to state, and to urge, the great injustice and injury that had been done to my character and my honour, by opinions pronounced against me without hearing me? And if, in the execution of this great task, so essential to my honour, I have let drop any expressions which a colder and more cautious prudence would have checked, I appeal to your Majesty's warm heart and generous feelings, to suggest my excuse and to afford my pardon.-What I have said I have said under the pressure of much misfortune, under the provocation of great and accumulated injustice. Oh! Sire, to be unfortunate, and scarce to feel at liberty to lament; to be cruelly used, and to feel it almost an offence and a duty to be silent is a hard lot; but use had, in some degree, inured me to it: but to find my misfortunes and my injuries imputed to me as faults; to be called to account upon a charge made against me by Lady Douglas, who was thought at first worthy of credit, although she had pledged her veracity to the fact, of my having admitted that I was myself the aggressor in every thing of which I had to complain, has subdued all power of patient bearing, and when I was called upon by the Commissioners, either feel for me. At all events, I trust your Majesty will restore me to the blessing of your Gracious Presence, and confirm to me, by your own Gracions Words, your satisfactory conviction of my innocence.--I am, Sire, with every sentiment of gratitude and loyalty, your Majesty's most affectionate and dutiful Daughter-in-law, C. P. subject and servant, Montague House, 2d October, 1806. The Deposition of Thomas Manby, Esquire, a Captain in the Royal Navy. Having had read to me the following passage, from a Copy of the Deposition of Robert Bidgood, sworn the 6th of June last, before Lords Spencer and Grenville, viz," I was waiting one day " in the anti-room; Captain Manby had his hat "in his hand, and appeared to be going away; "he was a long time with the Princess, and, as "I stood on the steps, waiting, I looked into "the room in which they were, and, in the re"flection on the looking-glass, I saw them sa"lute each other-I mean, that they kissed "each other's lips. Captain Manby then went I then observed the Princess have her away, "handkerchief in her hands, and wipe her eyes, "as if she was crying, and went into the draw❝ing-room.”—I do solemnly, and upon my oath, declare, that the said passage is a vile and wicked invention; that it is wholly and absolutely false; that it is impossible he ever could have seen, in the reflection of any glass, any such thing, as I never, upon any occasion, or in any situation, ever had the presumption to salute Her Royal Highness in any such manner, or to take any such liberty, or offer any such insult to her person. And having had read to me another passage, from the same Copy of the same Deposition, in which the said Robert BidR 2 519] Hints were good says "I suspected that Captain Manbyculars of the conversation which then took place, slept frequently in the house; it was a subject I do solemnly swear, that nothing passed between Her Royal Highness and myself, which I "of conversation in the house. "given by the servants; and I believe that could have had the least objection for all the "others suspected it as well as myself."I world to have seen and heard. And I do further, upon my oath, solemnly declare, that I solemnly swear, that such suspicion is wholly unfounded, and that I never did, at Montague never was alone in the presence of Her Royal House, Southend, Ramsgate, East Cliff, or any Highness in any other place, or in any other where else, ever sleep in any house occupied by, way, than as above described; and that neither, or belonging to, Her Royal Highness the Prin- upon the occasion last mentioned, nor upon any cess of Wales, and that there never did any other, was I ever in the presence of Her Royal thing pass between Her Royal Highness the Highness, in any room whatever, with the door Princess of Wales and myself, that I should be locked, bolted, or fastened, otherwise than in the common and usual manner, which leaves it in any degree unwilling that all the world should in the power of any person on the outside of the have seen. door to open it. (Signed) THO. MANBY. Sworn at the Public Office, Hatton (Signed) THOMAS LEACH. The Deposition of Thomas Lawrence, of Greekstreet, Soho, in the County of Middlesex, Portrait Painter. Having had read to me the following Extract from a Copy of a Deposition of William Cole, purporting to have been sworn before Lords Spencer and Grenville the 10th day of June, 1806, viz.——" Mr. Lawrence, the painter, "used to go to Montague House about the latter "end of 1801, when he was painting the Prin- | cess, and he has slept in the house two or "three nights together. I have often seen him "alone with the Princess at eleven or twelve "o'clock at night; he has been there as late as "one or two o'clock in the morning. One night "I saw him with the Princess in the blue room, "after the ladies had retired; sometime after"wards, when I supposed he was gone to his "bed-room, I went to see that all was safe, and "found the blue room door locked, and heard "a whispering in it, and then went away." I do solemnly, and upon my oath, depose, that having received the commands of Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales to paint Her Royal Highness's portrait, and that of the Princess Charlotte; I attended for that purpose at Montague House, Blackheath, several times about the beginning of the year 1801, and having been informed that Sir William Beechey, upon a similar occasion, had slept in the honse, for the greater convenience of executing his painting; and it having been intimated to me, that I might probably be allowed the same advantage, I signified my wish to avail myself of it; and accordingly I did sleep at Montague House several nights: that frequently, when employed upon this painting, and occasionally, between the close of a day's sitting and the time of Her Royal Highness dressing for dinner, I have been alone in Her Royal Highness's presence; I have likewise been graciously admitted to Her Royal Highness's presence in the evenings, and remained there till twelve, one, and two o'clock; but, I do solemnly swear, I was never alone in the presence of Her Royal Highness in an evening, to the best of my recollection and belief, 'except in one single instance, and that for a short time, when I remained with Her Royal Highness in the blue-room, or drawing-room, as I remember, to answer some question which Had been put to me, at the moment I was about to retire, together with the ladies in waiting, been previously present as well as my (Signed) THOMAS LAWRENCE, Sworn at the Public Office, Hatton Garden, this 24th day of September, 1806, before me, (Signed) THOMAS LEACH. The Deposition of Thomas Edmeades, of Green- -Lord Moira, in a very significant manner, with his hands behind him, his head over one shoulder, his eyes directed towards me, with a sort of smile, observed, "that he could not help thinking that there must be something in the white diad not recollect the parti- servant's deposition;" as if he did not give per LATA |