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
"On the day fixed, certain of them would repair to the palace, obtain
access to the king, and either induce or compel him to affix his name to
an instrument ready drawn up for the purpose. The instrument would simply
contain an order to the queen dowager to retire to her own apartment
till his further pleasure was known; and to Prince Frederick, to remove
to one of the palaces, probably that of Frederiksborg, about twenty
miles from Copenhagen. That at the same time, by virtue of a similar
order, the ministers would be dismissed or arrested; and a messenger
sent off to invite the queen to return, without an instant's delay, to
Denmark, to resume her proper rank and authority. That their measures
would be so well concerted and so rapidly executed as to produce the
counter-revolution in the space of one or two hours.
"That they trusted, therefore, she, on her part, would repair with all
possible expedition to Copenhagen. That a proper escort, becoming her
dignity, should be formed, to accompany her from Altona through the
Danish territories, and that they calculated she might, with despatch,
reach Copenhagen in four days from the time of her quitting Celle, if
no extraordinary impediment arose in her passing the two Belts. That
her presence in the capital of Denmark would animate the courage of
her adherents, cover her enemies with consternation, and complete the
counter-revolution. Lastly, that though they could not yet name the
precise time when they hoped to proceed to action, which must in a
certain degree depend on the answer of his Britannic Majesty to their
present request, yet, that for many and urgent reasons, they neither
could nor would long defer the blow."
Having received the above-mentioned letter from Baron von Bülow, and
general directions for his conduct, Mr. Wraxall again set out from
Hamburg on March 21, 1775, and reached Celle on the following night, at
ten o'clock. He gave the same name to the sentinel at the gates, and
drove to the same obscure inn, as on former occasions. Next morning he
went to Baron von Seckendorf to inform him of his arrival. The baron
entreated him to remain concealed as much as possible, and not to stir
out by day, as the Princess of Brunswick was then on a visit to the
queen. But, he added, that her Majesty was determined to see Mr. Wraxall,
at all events, previous to his departure, as she had various matters to
impart to him of a confidential nature.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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