Life and Times of Her Majesty Caroline Matilda, Vol. 3 (of 3): Queen of Denmark and Norway, and Sister of H. M. George III. of EnglandWraxall, Lascelles, Sir
History
Life and Times of Her Majesty Caroline Matilda, Vol. 3 (of 3): Queen of Denmark and Norway, and Sister of H. M. George III. of England
Wraxall, Lascelles, Sir
Caroline Mathilde, Queen, consort of Christian VII, King of Denmark, 1751-1775; Denmark -- History -- Christian VII, 1766-1808
In about three hours Baron von Seckendorf waited on him, and informed
him that her Majesty had sent him in the quality of her confidential
agent: that she had perused with great attention the letter, the contents
of which she had communicated to him, and had chosen him from among
the persons composing her court to conduct the business on her part.
He added, that the queen would, with the utmost readiness, grant Mr.
Wraxall that same night the audience he desired, if the presence of the
princess her sister, who never quitted her for a moment, did not render
it dangerous and impossible. She fully felt the necessity of caution, and
the suspicions which even Mr. Wraxall's stay at Celle might occasion.
Under these circumstances, she wished and enjoined Mr. Wraxall to deliver
his credentials to Baron von Seckendorf, and confide to him the names
of the noblemen from whom he came, as well as every other particular not
contained in the letter.
Thus authorized, and after receiving from Baron von Seckendorf his most
solemn promises of fidelity and secrecy, Mr. Wraxall delivered to him
Baron von Bülow's ring, and acquainted him with everything necessary to
be laid before the queen. On the following morning the baron returned
with the queen's answer, which Mr. Wraxall at once committed to paper in
his presence. It was to the following effect:--
That her Majesty, being under the immediate protection, and depending
on the king her brother, could not consent to any proposition involving
her future destiny and interests, without obtaining his consent and
approbation. That, if she only consulted her own tranquillity and
happiness, she would never desire to revisit Copenhagen, where she had
been so unworthily treated. But that the duties of a mother, and a
queen, being superior to every other sentiment, impelled her not only to
forgive these outrages, but to resume her station in Denmark. That, as
far, therefore, as depended on herself, she agreed to the propositions
made by the Danish nobility, provided it should appear to her, on further
information, that they were sufficiently powerful to effect the intended
counter-revolution. That she desired to be more fully informed at Mr.
Wraxall's next visit of the names of the principal persons concerned,
and the means. Lastly, that she would write in the most pressing and
strenuous manner to his Britannic Majesty, whenever it should be judged
proper so to do, requesting of him to lend his aid and assistance toward
effecting her restoration.
The queen, at the same time, returned Mr. Wraxall Baron Bülow's seal,
which she had recognised, and the letter which he had addressed to
herself. In conformity with a request Mr. Wraxall had made, the queen had
subscribed on the first page of the letter the initials of her name C. M.
She likewise inclosed it in a cover, addressed in her own handwriting to
Baron von Bülow, and sealed with one of her private seals.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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