Page:Memoirs of the Lady Hester Stanhope.djvu/216

 called upon to address you upon the subject of the debt so long due by you to Mr. Homsy.

The Government of the Viceroy has addressed that of Her Majesty upon the subject, and, by a despatch which I have received from Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, I am led to believe that a confidential friend of your ladyship will have already written to you to entreat you to settle this affair.

Your ladyship must be aware that, in order to procure your pension from Her Majesty's Government, it is necessary to sign a declaration, and to have the consular certificate, at the expiration of each quarter.

I know that this certificate has hitherto been signed by M. Guys, the consul of France at Beyrout; but, in strict legality, it ought to be certified by the British, and not by any foreign consul; and, should your ladyship absolutely refuse the payment of this just claim, I should feel myself, however deeply I may regret it, forced to take measures to prevent the