Alexandria Daily Gazette, Commercial & Political

Letter from the Prince Regent to the Duke of York.

MY DEAREST BROTHER--

As the restrictions on the exercise of the royal authority will shortly expire, when I must make my arrangements for the future administration of the powers with which I am invested, I think it right to communicate these sentiments which I was withheld from expressing at an earlier period of the session, by my warmest desire, that the expected motion on the affairs of Ireland might undergo the deliberate discussion of Parliament, unmixed with any other consideration.

I think it hardly necessary to call your recollection to the recent circumstances under which I assumed the authority delegated me by Parliament. At a moment of unexampled difficulty and danger, I had to make a selection of persons to whom I was called upon to entrust the function of the executive government. My sense of duty to our royal father solely decided that choice; and every private feeling gave way to considerations which admitted of no doubt or hesitation. I trust I acted in that respect as the genuine representative of the august person whose function I was appointed to discharge; and have the satisfaction of knowing, that such was the opinion of persons, for whose judgment and honorable feelings I entertain the highest respect in various instances, you well know.

When the law of the last session left me at full liberty, I waived any personal gratification, in order that his Majesty might resume on his prerogative restoration belonging to his Crown I am the last person in the kingdom to whom it can be permitted to despair of our Royal Father's recovery.

A new era is now arrived, and cannot but reflect with satisfaction on the events which have distinguished the short period of my restricted Regency Instead of suffering in the loss of her possessions by the gigantic force which has been employed against them Great Britain has added most important acquisitions to her empire. The national faith has been preserved inviolable towards our allies; and if character is strength, as applied to a nation, the increased and increasing reputation of his majesty's arms will shew to the nations of the continent how much they may achieve when animated by a glorious spirit of resistance to a foreign yoke.

In the critical situation of the war in the Peninsula, I shall be most anxious to avoid any measure which can lead my allies to suppose that I mean to depart from the present system Perseverance alone can achieve the great object in question; and I cannot withhold my approbation from those who have honorably distinguished themselves in support of it. I have no predilection to indulge--no resentments to gratify--no objects to attain but such as are common to the whole empire. If such is the leading principle of my conduct--and I can appeal to the past as evidence of what the future will be--I flatter myself I shall meet with the support of parliament, and of a candid and enlightened nation. Having made the communication of my sentiments in this new and extraordinary crisis of our affairs, I cannot conclude without expressing the gratification I should feel, if some of those persons with whom the early habits of my life were formed, would strengthen my hands, and constitute a part of my government. With such support, and aided by a vigorous and united administration, formed on the most liberal basis, I shall look with additional confidence to a prosperous issue of the most arduous contest in which Britain was ever engaged. You are authorised to communicate these sentiments to lord Grey, who I have no doubt, will make them known to lord Grenville.

I am always, my dearest Frederick, your ever affectionate brother,
(Signed) GEORGE, P. R.
Carlton House, Feb. 13, 1812.

P. S. I shall send a copy of this letter immediately to Mr. Perceval.