The Prince of Wales to the King
Carlton House, 6.30 p.m., 19 Feb. 1796
Sir, I waited at the Queen’s House in hopes of seeing your Majesty in private for a few minutes before your dinner this day, but it growing late I did not wish to intrude, and therefore have taken the liberty of stating my pressing situation at the present moment in writing in a short and general manner for your information.
By the provisions of the Act of last year I am left personally responsible to my creditors and the means of discharging my debts are transferr’d to the Comissioners appointed by that Act. But they have represented in writing this day, that ‘the hopes which were generally entertain’d of securing me from molestation and inconvenience must be exposed to frequent disappointments which the Comissioners unfortunately have not the power to prevent’.
The consequence is that one execution is expected in Carlton House tomorrow, and others as soon as that example shall appear effectual. Having receiv’d from Mr. Pitt last year assurances that the situation of my family should be secured from such insults, I sent Lord Cholmondeley to acquaint Mr. Pitt with the foregoing circumstances, and to learn what measures he would think himself bound in justice and honor to take for my redress. The answer was short: ‘that he would do nothing without your Majesty’s express commands, unless I had something to propose’.
It is but too manifest that my situation leaves me nothing to propose. I must therefore throw myself, the Princess and my child upon your Majesty’s protection alone, of which I have receiv’d so many proofs during the course of this unpleasant business, and of which I had such gracious assurances in the last interview which your Majesty honour’d me with. It is needless to remind your Majesty that immediate steps will be necessary, in so pressing a situation.
Queen’s House, 19 Feb. 1796
I have just received your letter of this evening. I am sorry to find you meet with more difficulties from your creditors; I have no doubt but the Commissioners feel the duty incumbent on them from the trust reposed in them as well as inclination to do all that is in their power. To prevent all misapprehension which too frequently arises from the manner of relating any event, I shall send to Mr. Pitt the letter I have received from you. I trust you as well as the Princess are convinced how much I am interested in whatever regards you and the dear little infant.
Would it not save you much trouble and uneasiness if you would fix on any man of rank and legal knowledge who might examine this whole subject for you? You cannot be sufficiently master of such an unpleasant and intricate business; I do not chuse to be the proposer of the person, but should not be surprised if, from your having much consulted Lord Thurlow, he should occur to you. He could converse on all these subjects with the Lord Chancellor if authorized by you, and I can answer the latter will not decline so effectual a method of being useful in an affair that so much concerns the comfort of my whole family.
Carlton House, 9 p.m., 19 Feb. 1796
It is impossible for me to find words adequate to the feelings of my heart in reading your Majesty’s most gracious, most kind, & most condescending letter. I this instant have left the Chancellor, & was on the point of writing to your Majesty to acquaint you how satisfactorily our interview had gone off, in which he had voluntarily offer’d to meet Lord Thurlow & talk over every circumstance with him, when I received your gracious answer to my letter. Judge, Sir, then what impression your Majesty’s kindness must make upon me in anticipating the very proposal I was going to venture to submit to you for your approbation, having determin’d through the whole course of this business to act in conformity to your opinions & pleasure.
Gratitude may be felt, but it is difficult to be express’d. All I can say is, that I trust that the whole conduct of my life will ever prove the just sense I entertain of your goodness. I am with every sentiment of veneration [etc.].
