The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-12-06
R|GHTFUL HEIR Of A KING
FELL FIGHTING FOR US.

there was drawn up a statement of
what had occurred. Almost immed-
lately after this event Mrs. Fftzherbsrt
left England, to remain abroad for
more than a year, but the prince was
in constant communication with her.
He sent courier after courier after her,
urging her to return to England and
become his wife. Lord Stourton SAYS
in n manuscript which he left that he
saw a letter from the prince that was
thirty-seven pages long. The heir APP
parent brought every possible argument
to bear, ven declaring that his father,
George Ill, would connive at their un-
ion. For more than a yea the great
grandmother of the American officer
who fell at Santiago struggled. She
had a very exacting Catholic conscience
n very great love for the prince.
At last she consented to marry the
prince under certain conditions which
satisfied her conscience. There are laws
regulating the marriages of those who
are to sit on thrones. They can only
wed those of royal blood unless the
crown consents and special acts are
passed. In the case of Primo George
the royal marriage act of 1772 forbade
his marriage, as he had not obtained
the kings consent, while, according to
English law, he lost his right to the
throne by wedding a Catholic. When
il became known that the prince of
Wales was to marry Mrs. Ftzherbert
a cry was raised. Fox wrote the prince
a letter of protest. n on the strength
of a reply which was received Fox de-
MED OF the floor of the house of COM
mons that there was any truth in the
report.
Not long after this there came forth
a pamphlet by Horne Tooke. a celebrate
ed religious controversialist, who
spoke of Mrs. Fitzherbert as being leg
ally, really. worthily and happily for
the country her royal highness the
princess of Wales" There is no doubt
that the marriage took place and was
performed with all the rites and SOL
cmnities OF the Catholic church. Mrs.
FftZherbert's brother. the Honorable
Jack Smythe, and her cousin, Lord
~Stourton, were certainly present. Tooke
says the marriage was performed by q
Catholic priest. Banvord says that the
celebrant was the Able Sechamp and
that Mr.. Fox was present.
The subsequent marriage of the prince
10 the Princess Charlotte of Brunswick
was forced upon him as a condition to
the payment OF his debts. Lord Holland
says that at the time of the marriage
the prince was so under the influence of
stimulant as to almost d~isqualify him
from going through the ceremony, at
tributing this condition to a desire TO
remove from his memory his previous
marriage with Mrs. Fitzherbert. This
second marriage was a very unhappy
n as history shows. When the appli-
cation for a divorce was made the prin-
cess Charlotte made solemn denial of
any criminal conduct. but afterward
she declared that she ought to have
nae an exception of her marriage with
the prince.
After the divorce was granted Prince
George desired to return to his alleg-
lance to Mrs. Fitzherbert. She refused
until after the matter had been passed
upon by the pope. Upon the pontifical
decision she finally received the prince
as her husband at n reception given in
her residence, where members of the
royal family and nobility were present.
For several years they lived very hap
PLY and contentedly together. 1t was
after rim George had succeeded to
the throne that he took another woman
to his affections. a beauty Of rank. Then
Mrs. Fitzherbert separated from him
During his last illness. however, she
wrote to the king. rendering him any
attention she could give HIM. This let
ter vas ound under a pillow after his
death.
After the death of George ". Lady
Fitzherbert was treated as one Of the
family. She received every attention
and consideration. The duke of York
was her devoted friend throughout her
life. She was looked upon as a peace
maker OF the royal family. William w.
offered TO make her a duchess, and he
authorized her to wear mourning for
her husband. his brother. IL was known
that Mrs. F,tzherbert a a son born TO
her. and there were grave questions
about the succession To the throne. She
had no ambition for rank or position.
either for herself or for her son. There
were questions as to his right to sue
coed TO the throne. but she was not Of
royal blood. on the other hand. there
was the great English noncomformist
conscience 10 deal with. Wherefore IL
was looked upon as the art of wisdom
that the secret Of the boys birth u
not be known.
The son of George w. and Lady Fltz-
herbert was placed under the care of
James Ord. a many Of family and dis
t~inction. who had won high place In
naval construction and had been engag-
ey by Spain to design warships. This
place was secured for him ~ the duke
Of. York. brother Of the prince of Wales
A few years later james Ord went 20
America. still accompanied by the
young lad. whom he called his nephew.
and whose gre~at-grandson fell before
Sant!ago.-Baltimore N