| Description | 'My dearest Son. Your Letter was delivered but a few minutes, before the Committee of both Houses came to me by my own appointment. Considering the Proposition as a Resolution of Parliament, I thought only one answer could be given to it: And, if Your suggestions had come in time, they are not sufficiently particular to furnish an alternative.
I saw Nothing in the address of the two Houses, but their Desire to charge me with a Trust, which, in all private Respects was my Duty before, with such Powers as seemed to them necessary for that purpose. That tender, and anxious Office I have endeavoured to perform, ever since the Melancholy occasion arose; and I have no views beyond it.
How the Kings Government is to be carried ['carried' crossed through'] Administered, who provisions are to be made for replacing it in His hands, and what stile of dignity should attend His Person in the mean Time are considerations, upon which I can form no adequate Judgement.
If the care of so great a Person is thought by the Public necessarily to draw after it an establishment, which is really capable of being abused in the manner You represent, I must Consider Even that circumstance as a mark of Their confidence, that no such abuse will be attempted.
Conscious of my Claim to Your Affection and Confidence, I believe You without hesitation, when You assure me, that You depend upon my Duty to the King, and my constant affection to my Children, for preserving harmony & mutual kindness in the Family. Nor can I omit to thank You from my Heart for this solemn promise, that I shall continue the constant Object of Your wish to cherish and promote it.
When it shall please God to restore the King to Us and the Nation, I will not fail to lay before Him Every Paper, and make every other representation, which You may wish to convey through me: for I shall resume with joy in the Office, in which I have always delighted, of Conciliating and maintaining the harmony of my Family.
How long our Common calamity may last, God, who inflicts it, alone can foresee. In the mean time You will Easily conceive, how much of my Consolation must depend on preserving the Affection of my Family.
I am my dearest Son
Your very affectionnate Mother & Friend
Charlotte'
Signed |