But Sir R. M. Keith had been working hard in the meanwhile, and on the receipt of his letters of recall and news of the menaces of England in equipping a fleet, the regency gave in at once, promised to repay the queen's dowry, allow her five thousand a-year, and let her go to Hanover, beyond Jordan, anywhere, so long as they could only be rid of her. In reply to the despatch in which Sir R. M. Keith announced his success, he received the following official letter:—
LORD SUFFOLK TO SIR R. M. KEITH.
St. James's, May 1, 1772.
SIR,
Your despatches by King the messenger have been already acknowledged; those by Pearson were received on Wednesday afternoon, and I now answer both together.
His Majesty's entire approbation of your conduct continues to the last moment of your success, and his satisfaction has in no part of it been more complete than in the manner in which you have stated, urged, and obtained the liberty of his sister. The care you have taken to distinguish between a claim of right and the subjects of negotiation, and to prevent the mixture of stipulations with a demand, is perfectly agreeable to your instructions.
The national object of procuring the liberty of a daughter of England confined in Denmark, after her connection with Denmark was dissolved, is now obtained. For this alone an armament was prepared, and therefore, as soon as the acquiescence of the court of Copenhagen was known, the preparations were suspended, that the mercantile and marine interests of this kingdom might be affected no longer than was necessary by the expectation of a war.
Instead of a hostile armament, two frigates and a sloop of war are now ordered to Elsinore. One of these is already in the Downs—the others will repair thither immediately; and, so soon as the wind permits, they will proceed to their destination. I enclose to you an account of them, which you may transmit to Monsieur Ostein (Von der Osten) ministerially, referring at the same time to the assurance of these pacific proceedings.
The compliance of the Danish court with his Majesty's demand is still a compliance. Their continuing, unasked, the title of queen, and other concessions, and the attainment of the national object accompanying each other, his Majesty would think it improper to interrupt the national intercourse from any personal or domestic consideration. You will therefore inform Mr. Ostein that his Majesty intends to leave a minister at the court of Copenhagen, the explanation you may give of this suspension of former directions, and his determination, being left to your own discretion.[38]
It was with feelings of pride that the British envoy passed through the vaulted entrance of "Hamlet's Castle," to carry to an afflicted and injured princess the welcome proofs of fraternal affection and liberty restored. The feeling was reciprocal, for when Keith brought the order for Caroline Matilda's enlargement, which he had obtained by his spirited conduct, she was so surprised by the unexpected intelligence, that she burst into a flood of tears, embraced him in a transport of joy, and called him her deliverer.[39]