| Collection | Additional papers of George IV, as Prince, Regent, and King |
| Description | Thanking Henrietta for her affectionate and 'most flattering' letter and assuring her of the 'real Love & affection' that he has felt for her and her family. Granting his permission to be godfather to her grandson [George Augustus Frederick Lamb] 'I only pray to God that it may be more auspicious to Him than it has been to me, & that none of the ill & hard fate whic has attended his God Father may ever fall to his Lot'. However, he will not dwell on these misfortunes as Henrietta knows these well enough having herself participated in some of them. He acknowledges that he has not yet written to her directly but he hopes that Lady Melbourne had read or relayed parts of his letter as concerns herself 'Caro' [her daughter Lady Caroline Lamb] and he therefore he did think it worthwhile to write a separate letter. He 'really was quite angry' with both Caro (and Henrietta) for writing to him only two days after her confinement as 'nothing could be so bad for her poor dear eyes, & I would not add my mite to any further exertion of them by exposing Her to read one of my scribbles, for I had infinitely rather be accused of want of attention, than be a party concerned in making her run any risk of suffering hereafter.' Asking Henrietta to relay 'every thing that is most affectionate from me to dear William [Lamb]' whom he holds in great esteem. As he has every intention of attending the Christening in person, he awaits information on the time and place. Asking her to kiss Lady Melbourne from him '(for I well know how much you like to kiss all your friends, & therefore it will only be furnishing you with an excuse for an additional pleasure)' and to relay best regards to Lord Melbourne and to the rest of their families that he hopes is now a 'Bande Joyeuse'. He has no further news and continues much as an invalid.
Signed
With postscript that Sir Robert Wilson is just arrived from Russia and hopes that Henrietta has had good accounts from St Petersburg.
?Contemporary copy. |
| Custodial History | Purchased 1969 along with GEO/ADD/1/27 |