y 
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APPENDIX to the CHRONICLE. 
of my family are promoted to the 
__ highest military situations, my birth, 
" according to the distinctions ‘usually 
' conferred on it, should have placed 
me first on. that list. 
i hope you know me too well, to 
imagine that idle inactive rank is in 
my view ; much less is the direction 
and patronage of the military de- 
_ partments an object which suits my 
place in the state, or my inclinations; 
but, in a moment when the danger 
of the country is thought by go- 
~vernment so urgent as to call forth 
the energy of every man in its de- 
fence, I cannot but feel myself de- 
graded, both as a prince and as a 
soldier, if 1 am not allowed to take 
a forward and distinguished part in 
the defence of that empire and 
crown, of the glory, prosperity, and 
eyen existence of that people in all 
which mine is the greatest stake. 
To. be told I may display this zeal 
solely and simply at the head of my 
regiment, is-a degrading mockery. 
If that be the only situation al- 
' loted me, I, shall certainly do my 
duty, as others will; but the consi- 
derations to which 1 have already 
alluded. entitle me to. expect, and 
bind me in every way to require, a 
situation more correspondent to the 
dignity of my own character and to 
the public expectations. 
It is for the sake of tendering my 
services in a way more formal and 
official than 1 have before pursued, 
that I address this to you, my dear 
brother, as the commander in chief, 
‘by whose counsels the constitution 
presumes that the military depart- 
ment is administered. 
If those who have the honour to 
advise his majesty on this occasion, 
shall deem my pretensions, among 
those of all the royal family, to be 
the. only one. fit to be rejected. and, 
569 
disdained, I may at least hope, as a 
debt of justice ‘and honour, to have 
it explained, that I am laid by in 
virtue of that judgment, and not in 
consequence of any omission or want 
of energy on my part, &c. &c. &e-. 
(Signed) G. P) W 
His Royal Highness the Duke of 
York, &c. 
Horse Guards, Ott. 6, 1803: 
Dearest brother, 
Nothing but au extraordinary: 
press of business would have pre- 
vented me from acknowledging 
sooner your letter of the 2d instant, 
which I received, while at Oatlands, 
on Monday evening. 
I trust that you are too well ac- 
quainted with my affection for you, 
which has existed since our most 
tender years, not to be assured of 
the satisfaction I have-felt, and ever 
must feel, in forwarding, when in 
my power, every desire or object of 
your’s; and, therefore, will believe 
how much I must regret the impos- 
sibility there is, upon the present 
occasion, of my executing your 
wishes of laying the representation 
contained in your letter before sn 
majesty. 
Suffer me, my dearest premier 
as the only answer that I can pro- 
perly give you, to recal to your 
memory what passed upon the same: 
subject soon after his majesty was’ 
graciously pleased’ to place me at 
the head of the army; and [ have 
no doubt that, with your usual 
candour, you vil yourself see the 
absolute necessity of my declining 
it. 
In the year 1795, upon a gene-- 
ral promotion taking place, at your 
instance, I delivered a letter from 
you to his majesty; urging your 
pretensions: to, promotion in the, 
army 5 
