| Collection | Correspondence of William IV |
| Description | Lord Hill confirms to have received Sir Herbert's letter; he, then, proceeds to defend his position [as Commander-in-Chief of the Forces]. Similarly to his predecessors Lord Hill is willing to be at the service of the King's ministers'; from Sir Taylor's and Lord Grey's most recent letters, however, it seems that Lord Hill is not to exercise his duties of command anymore, being put under the control of the King's ministers who are also to be in charge of giving rewards and honours of the profession to the Officers of the British Army. If this is the King's will, Lord Hill enquiries, he would like to resign from his position. With regard to the Rule that Officers having Regiments should not have Governments, Lord Hill would not support it on principle, but the present circumstances [the reference is to the proposed appointment of Sir John Byng as Governor of Londonderry and Culmore] suggest that it would be a good solution. He will, however, abides with the King's final decision. |