Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1839-05-24
FOREIGN
From the London Standard }
LADY FLORA HASTINGS.

The following correspondence between the Queen,
the Dowager Marchioness Of Hastings and Lord Mel
bourne has been placed in hands for publication oy
the mother of Lady Flora Hastings. In laying before
the world we discharge painful hut an indispensable
duty We the letter Of The Marquis OF Hastings
TO Lord Melbourne, which exposes the very unsatstac.
tory and d;scredi,abie petition 10 which the affair re
mains for the PRESENT.
Sir-Being unable to reach the original calnmnstor
or caumniators Of my daughter, Lady Flora Hastings,
and having received mark Of public eparation from
her Msjestys responsible advisers consider II due 10
10 nv personal and family honor TO show that have
sought il. am reluctantly obliged 10 have recourse to
the publication Of the following letters. The first letter
in this correspondence addressed TO her Majesty would
have been very incorrectly placed here, had it not BEEN
for its official answer end the report which is in ccu.
lation, that had been Guilty Of writing an improper
letter. called San imper,inent letter TO the Queen
With whom such an impuiation originated as no copy
of il has been given beyond my own family may ap
pear extraordinary but is me quite mmaieIa; no,
so the refu,a,ion Of q charge serious. Some other
letters received from ond addressed TO her Royal High
aeaa the Dpehesa -of-kent> are -t1setede RhopSh
10 withhold, far possible every thing that would
necessarily associate her Royal tlighness name with
these occurrences except The expression Of my unal,e
able respect and gratitude tor her conduct towards my
daughter and myself.
F. HASTINGS and (Mure) LoupouS.
Loudoun Castle, April 8, 1880.
tCoplEs)
The uarehioness Of Hastings Countess of Loudoun
Her Majesty.
Madam-It is hardly TO be imagined that your Males
ty should feel any surprise receiving the present let
fer The anguish Of a mothers heart, under crc.m
stances such as mine, can only be understood by
Their But can be at loss TO know that loyalty
to her Majesty and justice TO my innocent child demand
from me an explicit reference 10 your Majesty the
atrocious calumnles and unbushng falsehoods against
my daughters reputation, which the perpetrators have
dared to circulate even in the Palace Of the Sovereign
have had the honvr oil remembering your Majesty in
,lsal,,
admirable mother; and | have cherished, in distance,
absence bad health and many sorrows deep interest
in the real honor and glory Of your reign My husband
served his country honoraby and with de voted zeal
and was particularly known your Royal race; and
my own family during long line have been distin
guished as faithful servants Of their Kings My grand
father lost his life in the service Of his sovereign With
many claims on my feelings Of old-allhough now
unfsshonoble aristocracy, is impossible to suppose
me capable of disrespeci want of loyalty towards
your Majesty-a feeling, Madam, not less unbecolning
towards you than repugnnnt 10 what feel suitable in
myself But ! trust, sense of morality is not yet
so caous q thing not be held in some due respect
in the sight of lhoush;;rss world and justify
my appealing directly to your Mojesty TO refue, by
some calculated 10 mark your indignant of the
ISLANDERS which some person or persons have ventured
to your klaJesys presence upon my daughter,
and betrayed your Majesty 10 follow up by Of
proceeding such as was, no doubt, done their part
with wish to try TO degrade the victim Of their per.
secution II my duty respectfully to call your Ma
jesys attention to its being not important for my
daughter than essentially consonant TO your Majestys
honor and Justice, not suffer the criminal nveuor
such falseboods 10 remain without discovery To fe
male Sovereign especially, Of all rank in Britain
look with confidence Tor protection, and (notwhstand
ing the difference Of their rank) for sympathy To such
honest feelings of respect or they take their origin in
tha,) ought no, to suppose your Majesty ind1eren,-
far less imagine that, as your Majesty increases in
years you will not feel Madam more and more the va
lue of that estimate of your high place, which would
make doubt your commanding re- araon las far
reparation can te made) for Infamous calumny as
not less incumbent act Of necessary morality in
the Of the public as it assuredy is To the indv
dual who severely suffers from such defamation
This is not matter that can will be hushed up and
il amportant that time should be lost in calling
the eupable TO account With this appeal 10 your Ma
jes.ys upright feelings, have the honor 10 be- Madam
your Majesy's dutifol subject and servant.
(Signed) +. HAsrlSos and (Muie} LoupoUS.
Loudoun Castle, March S, 1889.
My Lord trouble your Lordship with The enclosed
letter, in order its immediate and sats delivery
and have TO request you will present yourself 10 her
Majesty. have the honor TO be, &C.
(Signedo F. HAsrISos and (Mure) Loupous
To Viscount Melbourne, &C.
South Street, March IL, 1885,
Madam have this morning received yonr ladv,hin's
letter OF the en together with letter addressed
before her Majesty and remain, Madam. yonr ADV.
ships faithful and obedient servant 10y
The ssSss sfesones. Of Hastings, &c. melbourne
DoDnins Street, March l2. 1890
Misunderstanding to your Ladyships desire, have
delivered TO her Majesty your letter Of the Eth ns,an,
The allowance which her Majesty is anxious 10 make
for the natural feelings Of mother upon such an
sion tended to diminish that SURPRISE which could no, be-
otherwise than excited the and Substance of your
Ladysbips letter. Her Msjes,y commands me 10 con.
vey yonr Ladyshp the expression of her deep concern
II the unfortunate circumstances which have recenv
taken place Her Mejes.y FASTENED to seize the frst
opportunity Of testifyng 10 Lady Flora Has,inea her
conviction Of the Of the which bsS
vailed and her Msesty sill DESTROYS to do
thing in her power to soothe the Feelings of Lady Fo
and her family under the circumstances which have ~
eurred-l have the honor to remain, Madam, YOUR f..
aysbip's obedlent and humble servant,
(signed) MEIsovx,,