St. Vincent. Rochetts, December 4, 1814.
I rejoice in every event which contributes to the gratification of Prince Castelcicala. Miss Brenton is very sensible of your kind attention to her brother and sister; she and Thomas Parker send you their best wishes.
St. Vt.
CHAPTER II.
THE PRINCESS’S BIRTHDAY—SUSPECTED INTRIGUES—LETTER TO THE QUEEN—THE YEAR 1815—JOURNAL CONTINUED.
On Princess Charlotte’s birthday, 7th January, 1815, I wrote to Princess Mary,[[7]] enclosing a few lines for Princess Charlotte, merely to express my sentiments on the day. Princess Mary answered that the Prince had desired that his sisters should not deliver any letter or message to his daughter, but that when she had an opportunity she would ask his leave. I have heard nothing more of it, and I am now writing on the 24th February. Miss Mercer Elphinstone has been allowed to visit Princess Charlotte since her return from Cranbourne, and is in constant and undisturbed correspondence with her. I am told she continues to be very intimate with the Russian Ambassadress, Madame de Lieven,[[8]] and most people think the latter a great intriguante, whether truly or not I cannot say. Miss M. is also accused by many of playing a double part. I believe her to be desirous of governing Princess Charlotte without a rival, but I cannot think she would deal treacherously by her, though she may not be aware of the use made of her by her uncle, Mr. Adam, who is the Prince’s Chancellor for the Duchy of Cornwall, and is supposed to be devoted to the Duke of York. Miss Mercer is in her politics strongly attached to the Opposition, and very intimate with many of them. The motion made by the Duke of Sussex (or rather, I should say, announced, for by the advice of Lord Grey he withdrew it), relative to an inquiry into the measures pursued with respect to Princess Charlotte, was disapproved by many of the Opposition[[9]] as well as Ministers, but His Royal Highness gives as a reason for it, his wish to clear his character. It is supposed that Mr. Brougham was sent to meet Lord Grey on the road to persuade him to give the advice he did to the Duke of Sussex. All this involves matters in much mystery, and naturally raises suspicion in the minds of many; but it is to be remembered that Miss Mercer is an heiress, and very clever, and will, therefore, always excite jealousy. Time alone can show what her real intentions are, and consequently what her real conduct has been.
Lady Downshire, whose intimacy with the Prince Regent ceased when he left his old associates for the present Ministry, has been particularly kind to me since I left Warwick House, and very anxious about Princess Charlotte. Another affair has interested her warmly, the dismissal of twenty-five officers of the Prince’s own regiment of Hussars (the 10th), for their complaint against Colonel Quentin. Lord Arthur Hill being one of these, it was natural that his mother should feel it acutely, and Colonel Palmer (who was obliged to be the prosecutor, and who had already suffered great anxiety on account of his father’s affair, which the Regent first patronised warmly, and afterwards opposed) is not only her friend, but also a protégé of Lord St. Vincent and Lord Moira.
Peace with America (at least, the preliminaries) was signed at Ghent in the beginning of January, I think, and there was much talk of a change of Ministers. I came to Rochetts on the 23rd January, and soon after heard of Colonel Quentin challenging Colonel Palmer at Paris. The friends of the latter had heard of this intention some time before he did, as he was gone to Bordeaux to see an estate he had bought in that neighbourhood, and they advised Colonel Palmer not to accept the challenge. However, he did, but would not cock his pistol till Quentin had fired at him and missed, when he did, and fired it into the air. After his return he went and spent a day and night at Rochetts. Parliament met on the 9th February, but the Prince did not arrive till the Monday following.
I wrote to inquire about the time of payment of my pension, when I heard of it from Lord Liverpool the last time I was at Rochetts. I was advised by Lord St. Vincent to explain to Lord Liverpool how inadequate it was as a compensation to what I had with the Queen, as, besides the 300l. a year, I had apartments, &c. I saw Lord Liverpool on this subject, and showed him letters which contained great promises: but nothing more was done, and I am tired of the subject, being at the same time truly thankful to Providence that I am in the situation in which I am. I have received for answer to my last inquiries, that it is dated 28th October, and that the first quarter will not be paid for some time.