SOME persons out of a worthy intent , desired that an Application by way of Reference might be made to my Lady Elizabeth Bruce's Mother the Duchess of Beaufort , who opposes every individual Article of the Bill , her reasons for it yet unknown .

An Application was made , and four days spent in it , two or three Meetings each day appointed and put off to their great prejudice .

The Lord Bruce came to this fair Proposition , That he would refer the whole business to any one person she would name , and to stand to his Award whatever it was .

At the end of four days the Duchess of Beaufort was waited upon by the Lord Bruce and his Referee , the several particulars of the Bill were Read , a general Objection to them all , with no other answer but Sic Volo sic Jubeo .

Not any one particular of the Bill is of any advantage to the Lord Bruce , but only to rectifie some omissions and make some alterations in an agreement made last year , which was consented to most unwillingly by the Lord Bruce and his Lady , being compelled thereunto , by reason of the great and uncontroulable power the Duchess of Beaufort had over the Estate , occasioned by Settlements many years since at her former Marriage , and by some obtained Settlements at the Lady Elizabeth Bruce's Marriage ; which were most unwillingly consented to , it being thought very hard to be imposed on to settle half her Estate on her Brother the Earl of Worcester , who was but of the half Blood , in case she had no Children , which contingency is the only reason this unreasonable opposition is made , although it be pretended it is done for the good of the Children , the Father and Mother being conceived to be persons who wholly study the ruine of them .

There is a Debt of 15000 l. which remains as yet unpaid , or most part of it , which is acknowledged to be a Debt contracted for the payment of the Debts and Annuities the Estate was charged with before the Marriage , this they say must be paid before any part shall be applied to the Lord Bruce's use , contrary to a promise which can be made upon Oath , that a certain yearly allowance should be consented to , until the debt was paid , but because it was not under Hand and Seal , it is thought not binding although a firm promise , it being nine years since the Marriage , and during the whole time not one Farthing of that Estate has been applied to any use but paying the Debts , &c. of John late Duke of Somerset ; and the Lord Bruce has disbursed of his own proper Mony above 4000 l. for the same use , which is denied to be paid , and took up after above 20000 l. more at one time on his own security , to free the Estate from the Debts and Legacies , and by consequence many Law Suits which were commenced for the same , and every part of it is Confessed to be applied it s to use ; and yet they refuse to have the said Debt charged on the Estate , as also to allow the Interest thereof : Which unheard of Proceedings , the Lord and Lady Bruce Humbly pray to be relieved from .