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
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]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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