Lord Malmesbury to the Prince of Wales
Brunswick, Thursday, 11 Dec. 1794
I expected to have had it in my power before this date to have announced to your Royal Highness our departure from hence and the probable day of our arrival in England, but the messenger Dupins, who pass’d thro’ Brunswick a few days ago in his way to Berlin, brought official accounts dated the 29th Novr. (a week later than Y.R.H. letter by Major Hislop) which say in the most express terms that on that day no time was fix’d on respecting the sailing of the convoy, nor any determination then taken as to the place at which I was to embark with the Princess. It was absolutely impossible, under this uncertainty, for me to think of setting out, & I am sure your Royal Highness cannot disapprove my having not venturing to expose so very valuable trust as that I have in charge to anything like risk or difficulty. Not a possible delay can arise on this side of the water; everything & everybody is ready here, neither will a moment be lost in getting away, or on the road, the instant I receive from Ld. Grenville the necassary orders & information. I have written to him every post since my arrival to press him on this subjecy, and I humbly intreat Y.R.H. to do the same, otherwise I do not really know when I shall be able to acquitt myself of my very pleasing duty and deliver into your hands what I sincerely hope & believe will be the great source of all your future happiness, and this idea is so strongly impress’d on my mind that I regret more & more every day that is pass’d here, because I consider them as so many deducted from it.
I am order’d by the Princess to say everything that is respectful, grateful & affectionate to your Royal Highness. She has receiv’d a box from England with English dresses & it is amazing how much they become her.
I have mention’d to Ld. Grenville the subject of presents to be made here on this occasion. I fancy (as nothing is settled on this point) that they had better be sent from London after the Princess’s arrival. I shall be able to explain to Y.R.H. by this means to whom they should be given & what they should be, & I mention’d the subject to his Majesty’s Secretary of State as I consider it as an expence (& it will not be an inconsiderable one) which ought to be repay’d by the publick, not by your Royal Highness.
I must again intreat your Royal Highness not to impute to me a delay I can almost venture to say I feel as sensibly as your Royal Highness.