to my dearest interests, most solemnly to remon strate and to protest against them.If such tribunals as these are called into action against me, by the false charges of friends turned enemies, of servants turned traitors, and acting as spies, by the foul conspiracy of such social and domestic treason, I can look to no security to my honour in the most spotless and most cautious innocence.

and to leave the accused in the predicament of neither being able to look forward for protection to an acquittal of himself, nor for redress to the conviction of his accuser. That these and many other objections occur to such a mode of proceeding, in the case of a crime known to the laws of this country, appears to be quite obvious. But if Commissioners acting under such a power, or your Majesty's Privy Council, or any regular Magistrates, when they have satisfied By the contradiction and denial which in this themselves of the falsehood of the principal case I have been enabled to procure, of the most charge, and the absence of all legal and sub-important facts which have been sworn against stantive offence, are to be considered as empow- me by Mr. Cole and Mr. Bidgood;-by the obered to proceed in the examination of the parti- servations and the reasonings which I have adculars of private life; to report upon the pro- dressed to your Majesty, I am confident, that to prieties of domestic conduct, and the decorums those whose sense of justice will lead them to of private behaviour, and to pronounce their wade through this long detail, I shall have reopinion against the party, upon the evidence of moved the impressions which have been raised dissatisfied servants, whose veracity they are to against me.-But how am 1 to ensure a patient hold up as unimpeachable; and to do this with- attention to all this statement? How many will out permitting the persons, whose conduct is in- hear that the Lord Chancellor, the Lord Chief quired into, to suggest one word in explanation Justice of the King's Bench, the First Lord of or contradiction of the matter with which they the Treasury, and one of your Majesty's Princicharged: it would, I submit to your Majesty, pal Secretaries of State, have reported against prove such an attack upon the security and con- me, upon evidence which they have declared to fidence of domestic life, such a means of record-be unbiassed and unquestionable; who will ne ing, under the sanction of great names and high authority, the most malicious and foulest imputations, that no character could possibly be secure; and would do more to break in upon and undermine the happiness and comfort of life, than any proceeding which could be imagined. The public in general, perhaps, may feel not much interest in the establishment of such a precedent in my case. They may think it to be a course of proceeding, scarcely applicable to any private subject: yet, if once such a court of honour, of decency, and of manners, was established, many subjects might occur, to which it might be thought advisable to extend its jurisdiction, beyond the instance of a Princess of Wales. But should it be intended to be confined to me, your Majesty, I trust, will not be surprised to find that it does not reconcile me the better to it, should I learn myself to be the single instance in your kingdom, who is exposed to the scrutiny of so severe and formidable a tribunal. So far, therefore, from giving that sanction or consent to any fresh Inquiry, upon similar principles, which I should seem to do, by requiring the renewal of these examinations, I must protest against it; protest against the nature of the proceeding, because its result cannot be fair. I must protest, as long at least as it remains doubtful, against the legality of what has already passed, as well as the legality of its repetition. If the course be legal, I must submit to the laws, however severe they may be; but I trust new law is not to be found out, and applied to my case. If I am guilty of crime, I know I am amenable; I am most contented to continue so, to the impartial laws of your Majesty's kingdom; and I fear no charge brought against me, in open day, under the public eye, before the known tribunals of the country, administering justice under those impartial and enlightened laws. But secret tribunals, created for the first time for me, to form and pronounce opinions upon my conduct without hearing me; to record, in the evidence of the witnesses which they report, imputations against my character upon ex parte examinations-till I am better reconciled to the justice of their proceedings, I cannot fail to fear. And till I am better in formed as to their legality, I cannot fail in duty

ver have the opportunity, or if they had the opportunity, might not have the inclination, to correct the error of that Report, by the examination of my statement.- -I feel, therefore, that by this proceeding, my character has received essential injury. For a Princess of Wales to have been placed in a situation, in which it was essential to her honour to request one gentleman to swear, that he was not locked up at midnight in a room with her alone: and another, that he did not give her a lascivious salute, and never slept in her house, is to have been ac tually degraded and disgraced.-I have been, Sire, placed in this situation, I have been cruelly, your Majesty will permit me to say so, cruelly degraded into the necessity of making such requests. A necessity which I never could have been exposed to, even under this Inquiry, if more attention had been given to the examination of these malicious charges, and of the evidence on which they rest.- Much solicitude is felt, and justly so, as connected with this Inquiry, for the honour of your Majesty's illustrious Family. But surely a true regard to that honour should have restrained those who really felt for it, from casting such severe reflections on the character and virtue of the Princess of Wales.If, indeed, after the most diligent and anxious Inquiry, penetrating into every circumstance connected with the charge, searching every source from which information could be derived, and scrutinizing with all that acuteness into the credit and character of the witnesses, which great experience, talent, and intelligence could bring to such a subject; and above all, if, after giving me some opportunity of being heard, the force of truth had, at length, compelled any persons to form, as reluctantly, and as unwill ingly as they would, against their own daughters, the opinion that has been pronounced; no regard, unquestionably, to my honour and cha racter, nor to that of your Majesty's Family, as, in some degree, involved in mine, could have justified the suppression of that opinion, if le gally called for, in the course of official and public duty. Whether such caution and reluctance are really manifest in these proceedings, I must leave to less partial judgments than my own to determine.- In the full examination of these

proceedings, which justice to my own character | to admit, by my silence, the guilt which they has required of me, I have been compelled to imputed to me, or to enter into my defence, in make many observations, which, I fear, may contradiction to it-no longer at liberty to reprove offensive to persons in high power.-Your main silent, I, perhaps, have not known how, Majesty will easily believe, when I solemnly with exact propriety, to limit my expressions. assure you, that I have been deeply sorry to -In happier days of my life, before my spirit yield to the necessity of so doing. This pro- had been yet at all lowered by my misfortunes, I ceeding manifests that I have enemies enough; should have been disposed to have met such a I could not wish unnecessarily to increase their charge with the contempt which, I trust, by number, or their weight. I trust, however, I this time, your Majesty thinks due to it; I have done it, I know it has been my purpose to should have been disposed to have defied my do it, in a manner as little offensive as the jus- enemies to the utmost, and to have scorned to tice due to myself would allow of; but I have answer to any thing but a legal charge, before a felt that I have been deeply injured; that I have competent tribunal: but in my present misfor-> had much to complain of; and that my silence tunes, such force of mind is gone. Fought, përnow would not be taken for forbearance, but haps, so far to be thankful to them for their would be ascribed to me as a confession of guilt. wholesome lessons of humility. I have, thereThe Report itself announced to me, that these fore, entered into this long detail, to endeavour things, which had been spoken to by the wit- to remove, at the first possible opportunity, any nesses, great improprieties and indecencies of unfavourable impressions; to rescue myself from conduct," necessarily occasioning most unfa- the dangers which the continuance of these sus vourable interpretations, and deserving the most picions might occasion, and to preserve to me serious consideration, "must be credited till de- your Majesty's good opinion, in whose kindness, cidedly contradicted." The most satisfactory hitherto, I have found infinite consolation, and disproof of these circumstances (as the contra- to whose justice, under all circumstances, I can diction of the accused is always received with confidently appeal.- -Under the impression of caution and distrust) rested in the proof of the these sentiments I throw myself at your Mafoul malice and falsehood of my accusers and jesty's feet. I know, that whatever sentiments their witnesses. The Report announced to of resentment; whatever wish for redress, by your Majesty that those witnesses, whom I felt the punishment of my false accusers, I ought to to be foul confederates in a base conspiracy feel, your Majesty, as the Father of a Stranger, against me, were not to be suspected of unfa- smarting under false accusation, as the Head of vourable bias, and their veracity, in the judg-your illustrious House dishonoured in me, and as ment of the Commissioners, not to be questioned. the great Guardian of the Laws of your King-Under these circumstances, Sire, what dom, thus foully attempted to have been apconld I do? Could I forbear, in justice to my-plied to the purposes of injustice, will not fail to self, to aunounce to your Majesty the existence feel for me. At all events, I trust your Majesty of a conspiracy against my honour, and my sta- will restore me to the blessing of your Gracious tion in this country at least, if not against my Presence, and confirm to me, by your own life? Could I forbear to point out to your Ma- Gracions Words, your satisfactory conviction of jesty, how long this intended mischief had been my innocence.- -I am, Sire, with every sentimeditated against me? Could I forbear to point ment of gratitude and loyalty, your Majesty's out my doubts, at least, of the legality of the most affectionate and dutiful Daughter-in-law, Commission under which the proceeding had subject and servant, C. P. been had? or to point out the errors and inaccuracies, into which the great and able men who were named in this commission, under the hurry and pressure of their great official occupations, had fallen, in the execution of this duty? Could I forbear to state, and to urge, the great injustice and injury that had been done to my character and my honour, by opinions pronounced against me without hearing me? And if, in the execution of this great task, so essential to my honour, I have let drop any expressions which a colder and more cautious prudence would have checked, I appeal to your Majesty's warm heart and generous feelings, to suggest my excuse and to afford my pardon.What I have said I have said under the pressure of much misfortune, under the provocation of great and accumulated injustice. Oh! Sire, to be unfortunate, and scarce to feel at liberty to lament; to be cruelly used, and to feel it almost an offence and a duty to be silent is a hard lot; but use had, in some degree, inured me to it: but to find my misfortunes and my injuries imputed to me as faults; to be called to account upon a charge made against me by Lady Douglas, who was thought at first worthy of credit, although she had pledged her veracity to the fact, of my having admitted that I was myself the aggressor in every thing of which I had to complain, has subdued all power of patient bearing, and when I was called upon by the Commissioners, either

Montague House, 2d October, 1806.

The Deposition of Thomas Manby, Esquire, a Captain in the Royal Navy.

Having had read to me the following passage, from a Copy of the Deposition of Robert Bidgood, sworn the 6th of June last, before Lords Spencer and Grenville, viz." I was waiting one day "in the anti-room; Captain Manby had his hat "in his hand, and appeared to be going away; "he was a long time with the Princess, and, as "I stood on the steps, waiting, I looked into "the room in which they were, and, in the re"flection on the looking-glass, I saw them sa"lute each other-I mean, that they kissed "each other's lips. Captain Manby then went

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away, I then observed the Princess have her "handkerchief in her hands, and wipe her eyes, "as if she was crying, and went into the draw"ing-room.”—I do solemnly, and upon my oath, declare, that the said passage is a vile and wicked invention; that it is wholly and absolutely false; that it is impossible he ever could have seen, in the reflection of any glass, any such thing, as I never, upon any occasion, or in any situation, ever had the presumption to salute Her Royal Highness in any such manner, or to take any such liberty, or offer any such insult to her person. And having had read to me another passage, from the same Copy of the same Deposition, in which the said Robert Bid

(Signed) JONATHAN PARTRIDGE. Sworn at the County Court of Middlesex, in Fullwood's Rents, the 25th day of September, 1806, before me,

(Signed) THOMAS LEACH.

my character, being educated as Surgeon, and (Royal Highness's servants waited upon them, as having had an honorary degree of Physic confer- I was in a dishabille. His Lordship asked me, red on me. Her Royal Highness condescended whether they went up stairs? and I told them to appoint me her Surgeon only. His Lordship that they did not. He asked me, how long they rang to know if Mr. Lowten was come; he was staid? and I said, as far as I recollected, they did in the next room. His Lordship left me for a not stay above an hour, or an hour and quarter; few minutes, returned, and introduced me to that they waited some little time for the carriMr. Lowten with much politeness, as Dr. Mills; age, which had gone to the public-house, and, repeating the assurance of what passed being till it came, they walked up and down altogether confidential. I asked Mr. Lowten the date of in the portico before the house. His Lordship, the declaration, that had been asserted to be in the course of what he said to me, said, it was a made by me? He said, in the year 1802. I subject of importance, and might be of consethen, with permision of his Lordship, gave the quence. His Lordship, finding that I had nothing history of my appointment, adding, since then more to say, told me I might go.- -Sometime I had never seen the Princess as a patient. Once afterwards his Lordship sent for me again, and she sent for me to bleed her; I was from home; asked me, if I was sure of what I said being all Mr. Edmeades went; nor had I visited any one that I could say respecting the Princess? I said, in the house, except one Mary, and that was in it was; and that I was ready to take my oath of a very bad case of surgery; I was not sure whe- it, if his Lordship thought proper. He said, it ther it was before or after my appointment. Mr. was very satisfactory; said, I might go, and he Lowten asked me the date of it; I told him I should not want me any more. did not recollect. He observed, from the warmth of my expressing my contradiction to the deposition, that I saw it in a wrong light; that I might suppose, and very innocently, Her Royal Highness to be pregnant, and then the inquiries were as innocently made. I answered, that the idea of pregnancy never entered my head; that I The Deposition of Philip Krackeler, one of the Footnever attended Her Royal Highness in any sexual men of Her Royal Highness the Princess of complaint; whether she ever had any I never Wales, and Robert Eaglestone, Park-keeper to knew. Mr. Lowten said, I might think so, from Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales. her increase of size; I answered, no; I never did These Deponents say, that on or about the think her pregnant, therefore never could say it, 28th day of June last, as they were walking toand that the deposition was an infamous false-gether across Greenwich Park, they saw Robert hood. His Lordship then observed, that he perceived there must be a mistake, and that Mr. Edmeades was the person meant, whom he wished to see; I said, he was then at Oxford, and did not return before Saturday; his Lordship asked, if he came through London; I said, I could not tell.Finding nothing now arising from conversation, I asked to retire; his Lordship attended me out of the room with great politeness.When I came home, I sent his Lordship a letter, with the date of my warrant, April 10, 1801; he answered my letter, with thanks for my immediate attention, and wished to see Mr. Edmeades on Sunday morning. This letter came on the Saturday; early on the Sunday I sent Timothy, to let his Lordship know Mr. Edmeades would not return till Monday; on Tuesday I promised he should attend, which he did.--The preceding Memorandum is an exact copy of what I made the day after I had seen Lord Moira.

(Signed) SAM. GILLAM MILLS. Croome Hill, Greenwich, Aug. 20, 1806. This is the paper marked B. referred to by the Affidavit of Thomas Edmeades, sworn before me this 26th Sept. 1806.

(Signed) THOMAS LEACH.

The Deposition of Jonathan Partridge, Porter to
Lord Eardley, at Belvidere...

I remember being informed by Mr. Kenny, Lord Eardley's Steward, now dead, that I was wanted by Lord Moira, in town; accordingly I went with Mr. Kenny to Lord Moira's, in St. James's-place, on the King's Birth Day of 1804. His Lordship asked me, if I remembered the Princess coming to Belvidere some time before? I said, yes, and told him that there were two or three ladies, I think three, with Her Royal Highness, and a gentleman with them, who came on horseback; that they looked at the pictures in the house, had their luncheon there, and that Her

Bidgood, one of the Pages of Her Royal High ness, walking in a direction as if he were going from the town of Greenwich, towards the house of Sir John Douglas, and which is a different road from that which leads to Montague House, and they at the same time perceived Lady Douglas walking in a direction to meet him. And this Deponent, Philip Krackeler, then desired the other Deponent to take notice, whether Lady Douglas and Mr. Bidgood would speak to each other; and both of these Deponents observed, that when Lady Douglas and Mr. Bidgood met, they stopped, and conversed together for the space of about two or three minutes, whilst in view of these Deponents; but how much longer their conversation lasted these Deponents cannot say, as they, these Depouents, proceeded on their road which took them out of sight of Lady Douglas and Mr. Bidgood.

(Signed)

PHILIP KRACKELER. ROBT. EAGLESTONE. Sworn at the Public Office, Hatton Garden, this 27th day of September, 1806, before me,

To the King.

Sire,-I trust your Majesty, who knows my constant affection, loyalty, and duty, and the sure confidence with which I readily repose my honour, my character, my happiness in your Majesty's hands, will not think me guilty of any disrespectful or unduteous impatience, when I thus again address myself to your Royal grace and justice.It is, Sire, nine weeks to-day, since my counsel presented to the Lord High Chancellor my letter to your Majesty, containing my observations, in vindication of my honour and innocence, upon the Report presented to your Majesty by the Commissioners, who had been appointed to examine into my conduct.