The Secret History of the Court of England from the commencement of 1750, to the reign of William the Fourth

Front matter

"Part 3. THE SECRET HISTORY OP THE COURT OF ENGLAND, FROM THE COIVIIVIENCEIVISNT OF 1750, TO The Reign of 'William the Fourth. INTENDED TO SUPPLY THE DEFICIENCIES APPARENT IN EVERY PRECEDING WORK, THE FACTS BEING GIVEN FROM ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS WHICH ARE BEYOND REFUTATION. APRIL. «' He who hopes that he shall be able to hide his faults, by affecting to support them with arrogance and pride, discovers the most deplorable weakness, the most despicable vanity, and the grossest ignorance of his own interest ; but he who acknowledges his faults, and offers reparation, gives the strongest proof that he can never commit them again, and displays a wisdom and fortitude which, if peace is rejected, must make his enmity formidable."— Feneiox. LONDON: W. BRITTAIN, 11, PATERNOSTER ROW. 1841. Price Is. ADDRESS.

The present state of society presents a very powerful apology (if any be required) for the introduction of this unprecedented Publication, the pag;es of which are presented free from every objectionable or erroneous expression. All possible care has been taken to supply truths, in which every individual has an interest, in addition to those details connected with the " golden but the fatal circles of courts." Great and multiplied exertions have been made to render these circumstantial accounts free from alteration ; and in their original dress they are now presented. Particular care has been used to show the progressive rise of the " National Debt ; the simple and plain statement regarding the oppressive Corn Laws (even as allowed by the abettors thereof) ; and the consequent degradation, in condition, of the worthy, industrious majority ofthe population.

Free from prejudice, and abounding with facts of strange character, these startling realities are thus introduced to general notice ; not as the phantoms of distorted mental vision, but, as they are, realities ! Here may be contrasted the epistolary correspondence of th«e statesman, and the dependant — the highest, and the noble poor. Here also will be found post bags, presumed long since to have been lost ; the contents engagingly interesting, as the contributors were of importance. Neither will the design of these soul-stirring pages be misin terpreted by the community at large, who, while fearing any act of injustice, embrace sentiments which are sufficient to preserve from the fear of being vanquished. The well-informed Doctor Franklin observes, " There is real satisfaction in holding out the hand of kindness to those who are sensible of the boon:" so it is with the communication of useful information to the good and inquiring citizen, who desires to occupy an honourable station in life.

Chapter I

" They who judge rashly of what they know but in part, are liable to injure the reputation of others." — Wise Man. In what is termed good society, the rules of decorum forbid interruption while a tale is being related ; and the higher the grade, the less excusable the intru sion must be considered. The wearers of crowns, coronets, and mitres, of well-dressed wigs, and robes of sable hue, as also the owners of the sword, and rich emblems of war like prowess, skill, and reward, must allow they are only mortals, and will very likely look at this chronometer, which cannot fail to keep strict time, upon whose true balance the seasons will not have any effect, whose regularity all will have occasion to acknowledge. Now, gentle or guileful reader, receive one pre caution before you commence to think well of this " Secret" — remember it is a revealer of such things, as may not please "all ears polite;" but while all indecorous observations will be banished from the presence, very fact of very fact will be allowed to occupy such space, and little doubt can be enter tained of the flattering reception which these pages will meet amongst the lovers of all curiosities, as the " secret" is one worth knowing and preserving.

Then, having thus courted respect for the court, it may be well to present thanks for the honor con ferred, and conduct the reader to that wonderful epoch of time when a new state of things was about to be effected by powerful mediums. Start not with the supposition that those mediums were unfair, unjust, or illegal — I trow not ! Every thing in this lower world is liable to defect, severally and con jointly ; but there is an extraordinary dignity in those who surround the court, that trifling omissions may not seem to demand very strict reprehension, or very severe animadversion. At the period to which reference has just been made, a very .singular and rather interesting occurrence took place — it was as follows : — A great personage, destined for authority, and then about twelve years of age, was rigidly in structed by his preceptor to embrace a certain train of rules and declarations, which, in after life, were to be religiously observed.

Consent was given. But, attached to these, were some most annoying opinions, calculated to produce inquiry in a mind competent to reflect, and that inquiry was productive of misery. It was canvassed over and over again by the young heir ; and knowing he should succeed his grandfather, (who was then in his sixtyseventh year), he endeavoured to judge of, and pre pare to fulfil his duties accordingly. The world and its inhabitants are, in the estimation of some persons, (at least we may suppose they believe so) made, and designed for their especial use or abuse : each labourer, who tills the soil in sadness, and reaps with sharpened sickle the abundant yieldings of the fertile earth, eats but the scanty meal which hunger calls for, and sinks upon his humble bed to rally strength for the ensuing day.

Not so this young inquirer, but — sad ex ample — all good is mixed with evil : where the seeds of pride and prejudice are sown, the air is tainted ; thus are encouraged Folly, and her sister Vice. The Lord Bute was chosen preceptor to him who afterwards was to hold reign over millions of the human species — each one endowed with equal im mortality, and many far superior in all mental faculty : — -yet, he was born to reign. At this period, the blandishments of folly did not appear to attract the attention of the youthful prince in any particular degree ; yet, by advances almost imperceptible, the opinions became similar to those of the preceptor, and were advocated accordingly. It is very probable, there never was less intention to do injury than was exemplified by this young personage ; and indeed his brothers and sisters were remarkable for amiability, even tlrough they did not shine as stars of the first magnitude in the hemisphere of genius.

They could not be considered a happy family ; yet they were united. But strange adversities befel some of them — such as premature b2 death, cruel imprisonment, and loss of reason — as will hereafter appear. It very rarely happens that the gay inhabitants of a palace can preserve (presuming they once pos sessed) stability and true courage : so great is the destructive influence of ambition and power, as to render steadfastness of mind, and integrity of soul most rare, within the enchanted ground. A very highly-esteemed divine, who about that time was frequently selected to preach before royalty, left this remark in his note-book, " This day preached at before and for the first time, I think, contrived to keep the audience attentive." This clergyman was avowedly opposite in senti ments to Lord Bute ; and the test of which was the best friend of the country may be imagined by re viewing, as occasion allows, the life and wealth which a continued war cost this country.

It is only by dispassionate inquiry and comparisons, that a correct judgment can be deduced. The hydra-headed monster, war, from that period was permitted to spread the most baneful and de structive influence in the most fertile and happy nations : yet, while horrors and unspeakable miseries were accumulating on every hand, the external forms of Christianity were not only retained, but were en forced by proclamations and royal command. So much for the clemency of those who take pleasure in the destruction of the human race. Thus the wild beasts of the desert are less cruel : for even the lion and fierce tiger do not destroy each other; while he, who has a sparkling flow of reason, seeks to deprive his fellow man of life. From this it will be vividly seen, how important is the education of those whose station it may be to rule : and it will be readily granted, that the royal heir had not such strength of mind as was sufficient to preserve him from entertaining a bias, in proportion to the influence his favourite enjoyed.

This was the case for a considerable time after the demise of Frederick, prince of Wales ; and, indeed, until a period when his affections became engaged, and his situation rendered more perplexed, not knowing to whom he should 'communicate his hopes and fears. Battles and naval conquests were of common occurrence, and the young prince became accustomed to con verse upon loss of life without any agitation. Thus the secret history of the Court of England, during those reigns, will afford the reflecting mind abundant matter for regret and abhorrence. It has, however, been so much the fashion for historians to speak of kings and their ministers in all the fulsome terms of flattery, that the inquirer frequently finds it a matter of great difficulty to arrive at truth. But, fearless of consequences, we will speak of facts as they really occurred ; and only hope our readers will accompany us in the recital with feelings un warped bv party prejudice, and with a determination to judge the actions of kings, lords, and com mons, not as beings of a superior order, but as men.

Minds thus constituted will have little difficulty in tracing the origin of our present evils, or of perceiving « How many that command should be commanded !" About the commencement of 1761, George the Third was pressed by his ministers to make choice of some royal lady, and demand her in marriage. They urged this, under the pretext that such a con nexion was indispensably necessary to give stability to the monarchy, to assist the progressive improve ments in morality and religion, and to benefit all artificers, by making a display at court of their in genious productions. His majesty heard the pro posal with an aching heart ; and, to many of his ministers, he seemed as if labouring under bodily indisposition. Those persons, however, who were in the immediate confidence of the king, felt no surprise at the distressing change so apparent in the countenance of his majesty, the cause of which may be traced in the following particulars : — The unhappy sovereign, while Prince of Wales, was in the daily habit of passing through St. James's street, and its immediate vicinity.

In one of his favourite rides through that part of town, he saw a very engaging young lady, who appeared, by her dress, to be a member of the Society of Friends. The prince was much struck by the delicacy and lovely appearance of this female, and, for several succeeding days, was observed to walk out alone. At length, the passion of his royal highness arrived at such a point, that he felt his happiness depended upon receiving the lady in marriage. Neither is it cause for astonishment, that the individual, as also her father, should feel the importance of such an alliance, which, however, they took all possible pains to prevent. Every individual in his immediate circle, or in the list of the privy council, was very narrowly questioned by the prince, though in an indirect manner, to ascertain who was most to be trusted, that he might secure, honorably, the possession of the object of his ardent wishes.

His royal highness, at last, confided his views to his next brother, Edward, Duke of York, and another person, who were the only witnesses to the legal marriage of the Prince of Wales to the before-mentioned lady, Hannah Lightsoot, which took place at Curzon-street Chapel, May Fair, in the year 1759. This marriage was productive of issue, the par ticulars of which, however, we pass over for the present. Shortly after the prince came to the throne, by the title of George the Third, ministers became suspicious of his marriage with the quakeress. At length, they were informed of the important fact, and immediately determined to annul it, if possible. After innumerable schemes how they might best attain this end, and thereby frustrate the king's wishes, they devised the " Royal Marriage Act," by which every prince or princess of the blood might not marry or intermarry with any person of less degree.

This act, however, was not passed till thirteen years after George the Third's union with Miss Lightsoot, and therefore it could not render such marriage illegal. From the moment the ministry became aware of his majesty's alliance with the lady just named, they took possession of their watch-tower, and deter mined that the new sovereign should henceforth do even as their will dictated ; while the unsuspecting mind of George the Third was easily beguiled into their specious devices. In the absence of the king's beloved brother, Edward, duke of York, (who was then abroad for a short period) his majesty was assured by his ministers that no cognizance would be taken at any time of his late unfortunate amour and marriage ; and persuaded him, that the only stability he could give to his throne was demanding the hand of the Princess Charlotte of Mecklenburgh Strelitz.

Every needful letter and paper for the negociation was speedily prepared for the king's signature, which, in due course, each received ; and thus was the foundation laid for this ill-fated prince's future malady ! How much do they mistake, how little know Of kings, of kingdoms, and the pains which flow From royalty, — who fancy that a crown, Because it glistens, must be lin'd with down." Who can reflect upon the blighted first love of this monarch, without experiencing feelings of pity for his early sorrows ! With his domestic habits, had he only been allowed to live with the wife of his choice, his reign might have passed in harmony and peace, and the English people now have been affluent, happy, and contented. At the same time, such weakness was but. a poor presage of the after periods of his reign.

On the 18th of September, the king subscribed to the formal ceremony of a marriage with the princess, at the palace of St. James. His majesty's brother Edward, who was one of the witnesses to the king's first marriage with Miss Lightsoot, was now also present, and used every endeavour to support his royal brother through the " trying ordeal," not only by first meeting the princess on her entrance into the garden, but also at the altar. In the mean time, the earl of Abercorn informed the princess of the previous marriage of the king, and of the then existence of his majesty's wife ; and Lord Harcourt advised the princess to well inform herself of the policy of the kingdoms, as a measure for preventing much future disturbance in the country, as well as securing an uninterrupted possession of the throne to her issue.

Presuming, therefore, that this princess had hitherto been an open and ingenuous character, (which are certainly traits very rarely to be found in high life,) such expositions, intimations, and dark mysteries, were ill calculated to nourish honorable feelings, but would rather operate as a check to their farther existence. To the public eye, the newly-married pair were contented with each other ; — alas ! it was because each feared an exposure to the nation. The king reproached himself that he had not fearlessly avowed the only wife of his affections ; the queen, because she feared an explanation that the king was guilty of bigamy, and thereby her claim, as also that of her progeny, (if she should have any) would be con sidered to be illegitimate. It appears as if the result of these reflections formed a basis for the misery of millions, and, added to that number, millions then unborn.

The secret marriage of the king proved a pivot, on which the destiny of kingdoms was to turn. At this period of increased anxiety to his majesty, Miss Lightsoot was disposed of during a temporary absence of his brother Edward, and from that time no satisfactory tidings ever reached those most in terested in her welfare. The only information that could be obtained was, that a young gentleman, named Axford, was offered a large amount, to be paid on the consummation of his marriage with Miss Lightsoot, which offer he willingly accepted. Amongst the few friends esteemed by the beautiful quakeress, was a lady of the name of Hancock^ who resided not far from the palace, and to whom application was made : the result was, that the following intelligence was communicated : "That Miss Hannah Lightsoot, when young, lived with her parents, who, at the time of Prince George's residence at Leicester House, kept a linen draper's shop, at the corner of St. James's Market.

That the prince became enamoured of her, and employed Miss Chudleigh, afterwards Duchess of Kingston, to concert an interview. From this time, frequent meetings were secured at the house of a Mr. Perrhyn, of Knightsbridge, who was related to the family. When the court took alarm upon these circumstances, Miss Chudleigh, seeing the danger likely to ensue, privately offered to become a medium, to get the young quakeress married. With this view, she contrived an acquaintance with a person (who was particularly acquainted with the Lightsoot family,) whose name 'should be his disgrace, as he consented to receive a considerable reward, and nominally to marry the wife of his superior — and also it is declared he never saw her from the moment of leaving the altar — nevertheless, he received the gold !

It is, no doubt, true, that this gentleman did make, or cause to be. made, many inquiries at Windsor, Weymouth, and Kew ; but hearing no tidings to satisfy him, he married a lady in Wiltshire, and died in his fifty-eighth year, with out having obtained any intelligence of his first bride." The king was greatly distressed to ascertain the fate of his much-beloved and legally-married wife, the quakeress, and entrusted Lord Chatham to go in disguise, and endeavour to trace her abode ; but the search proved fruitless, and the king was again almost distracted. Every one in the queen's confidence was expected to make any personal sacrifice of feeling whenever her majesty might require it ; and, consequently, new emoluments, honors, and posts of dignity, were continually needful for the preservation of such un natural friendships.

From this period, new crea tions of peers were enrolled; and, as it became expedient to increase the number of the "privy council," the nation was freely called upon, by extra taxation and oppressive burdens of various kinds, to supply the necessary means to support this system of bribery and misrule ! We have dwelt upon this important period, be cause we wish our countrymen to see the origin of our overgrown national debt, — the real cause of England's present wretchedness. The coronation of their majesties passed over, a few days after their marriage, without any remarkable feature, save that of an additional expense to the nation. The queen generally appeared at ease, though she seized upon every possible occasion to slight all persons from whom she feared any state explanation, which might prove inimical to her wishes.

Her majesty thought this would effectually prevent their frequent appearance at court, as well as cause their banishment from the council-chamber. A bill was passed this year to fix the civil list at the annual sum of eight hundred thousand pounds, payable out of the consolidated fund, in lieu of the hereditary revenue settled on the late king. Another act passed, introduced to parliament by a speech from the throne, for the declared purpose of giving additional security to the independence of the judges ; although there was a law then in force, passed in the reign of William the Third, for con tinuing the commissions of judges during their good behaviour : they were legally determined on the death of the reigning sovereign. By this act, however, their continuance in office was made independent of the royal demise.

Twelve millions of money were raised by loans this year, and the interest thereon agreed to be paid by an additional duty of three shillings per barrel on all strong beer or ale,— the sinking fund being a collateral security. The imposition of this tax was received by the people as it deserved to be ; for every labourer and mechanic severally felt himself in sulted by so oppressive an act. The year 1762 was ushered in by the hoarse clarion of war. England declared against Spain, while France and Spain became opposed to Portugal, on account of her alliance with Great Britain. These hostilities, however, were signed, before the con clusion of the year, by the English and French plenipotentiaries at Fontainbleau. By this treaty, the original cause of the war was removed by the cession of Canada to England.

This advantage (if advantage it may be called) cost this country eighteen millions of money, besides the loss of three hundred thousand men ! Every friend of humanity must shudder at so wanton a sacrifice of life, and so prodigious an expenditure of the public money ! But this was only the commencement of the reign of ministerial despotism ; not the epoch of kingly kindness, or justice. On the 12th of August, her majesty was safely delivered of a prince. Court etiquette requires numerous witnesses of the birth of an heir-apparent to the British throne. On this occasion, however, her majesty dispensed with a strict adherence to the forms of state ; for only the Archbishop of Canter bury was allowed to be in the room. On the 19th of September following, the cere mony of christening the royal infant was performed by the Archbishop of Canterbury, in the great council-chamber of his majesty's palace, and the young prince was named George Augustus Fre derick.

In this year, the city of Havannah surrendered to the English, whose troops were commanded by Lord Albemarle and Admiral Pococke. Nine sail of the line and four frigates were taken in the harbour ; three of the line had been previously sunk by the enemy, and two were destroyed on the stocks. The plunder in money and merchandise was supposed to have amounted to three millions sterling, while the sum raised by the land-tax, at four shillings in the pound, from 1756 to 1760 inclusive, also produced ten millions of money. But to what puprpose this amount was devoted remained a profound secret to those from whom it was extorted. In the November of this year, the famous Peter Annet was sentenced by the Court of King's Bench to be imprisoned one month, to stand twice in the pillory within that time, and afterwards to be kept to hard labour in Bridewell for a year.

The reader may feel surprised when informed that all the enor mity this man had been guilty of, consisted in no thing more than writing the truth of the govern ment, which was published in his " Free Inquirer." The unmerited punishment, however, had only this effect — it made him glory in suffering for the cause of liberty and truth. The words of Gordon, in his " Cato's Letters," are not at all inapplicable here : " As long as there are such things as printing and writing, there will be libels — it is an evil arising out of a much greater good. However, it does not follow, that the press is to be sunk for the errors of the press ; for it is certainly of much less consequence that an innocent man should now and then be aspersed, than that all men should be enslaved." Towards the end of this letter, he says, " What mischief is done by libels to balance all these evils ?

They seldom or never annoy an innocent man, or promote any considera ble error. Wise and honest persons laugh at them, and despise them ; and such arrows always fly over their heads, or fall at their feet. The best way to prevent libels is not to deserve them. Guilty persons alone fear them, or are hurt by them ; whose actions will not bear examination, and therefore must not be examined. 'Tis fact alone which annoys them : for if you tell no truth, I dare say you may have their leave to tell as many lies as you please." The price of wheat, this year, was from twenty nine to thirty-five shillings per quarter. Coals fifty-five shillings per chaldron. The year 1763 was a continuation ofthe misrule which characterised the preceding. In May, Lord Bute resigned the office of First Lord of the Treasury, and the conduct of the earl became a question of much astonishment and cri ticism.

He was the foundation-stone of Toryism, in its most arbitrary form ; and there cannot be a doubt that his lordship's influence over the state machinery was the key -stone of all the mischiefs and miseries of the nation. It was Lord Bute's opinion, that all things should be made subservient to the wishes of the queen, and he framed his measures accordingly. The earl was succeeded by Mr. George Grenville. Little alteration for the better, however, was mani fested in the administration, although the characters and principles of the new ministers were supposed to be of a liberal description ; but this may possibly be accounted for by the earls of Halifax and Egre mont continuing to be the secretaries of state. In this memorable year, the celebrated John WiHves, editor of " The North Briton," was com mitted to the Tower, for an excellent (though biting) criticism on his majesty's speech to the two houses of parliament.

The queen vigorously promoted this unconstitutional and tyrannical act of the new government, which was severely censured by many members of the House of Commons. Among the rest, Mr. Pitt considered the act as an infringement upon the rights of the people ; and, although he condemned the libel, he said he would come at the author fairly, — not by an open breach of the con stitution, and a contempt of all restraint. Mr. Wilkes, however, came off triumphantly, and his victory was hailed with delight by his gratified countrymen. During this public agitation, and on the 16th of August, the birth of a second prince was announced, who was afterwards created duke of York and Albany, &c, bishop of Osnaburgh, &c. &c. ; yet only eleven months old, when the receipts from such sinecures fell to his portion •' An after-explanation in this work will prove the fact, of " Who were the sinned against, and sinning ?"

Colonel Greme, who had been chiefly instrumental in bringing about the marriage of the Prin cess Charlotte of Mecklenburgh with the king of England, was this year appointed Master of St. Ca therine, near the Tower, an excellent sinecure in the peculiar gift of the queen ! The most important public event on the continent was, the death of Augustus, third king of Poland, and elector of Saxony, who had lately returned to his electoral dominions, from which he had been banished for six years, in consequence of the war. Immediately after his demise, his eldest son and successor to the electorate, declared himself a can didate for the crown of Poland, in which ambition he was supposed to be countenanced by the Court of Vienna ; but he fell a victim to the small-pox, a few weeks after his father's death.

During the year 1764, much public anxiety and disquietude was manifested. Mr. Wilkes again appeared before a public tribunal for publishing opinions not in accordance with the reigning powers. The House of Commons sat so early as seven o'clock in the morning to consider his case, and the speaker actually remained in the chair for twenty hours, so important was the matter con sidered. About the end of this year, the king became much indisposed, and exhibited the first signs of that mental aberration, which, in after years, so heavily afflicted him. The nation, in general, supposed this to have arisen from his majesty's anxiety about the fearful aspect of affairs, which was then of the most gloomy nature, both at home and abroad. Little, indeed, did the multitudes imagine the real cause ; little did the private gentleman, the c industrious tradesman, the worthy mechanic, or the labourer, think that their sovereign was living in splendid misery, bereft of the dearest object of his solicitude.

Nature had not formed George the Third for a king ; she had not been profuse to him either in elegance of manners, or capacity of mind ; but he seemed more fitted to shine in a domestic circle, where his affections were centred, and in that sphere only. Yet, with all hereditary monarchies, an in competent person has the same claim as one adorned with every requisite and desirable ability ! In this year, Lord Albemarle received twenty thousand pounds, as his share in the Havannah prize-money ; while one pound, two shillings, and six-pence was thought sufficient for a corporal, and thirteen shillings and five-pence for a private ! How far this disbursement was consistent with equity, we leave every honest member of society to determine. In December, a most excellent edict was regis tered in the parliament of Paris, by which the king of France abolished the society of Jesuits for ever.