Asgill was almost 50 years old at the time, and explains, in his reply to Colonel John McMahon, Private Secretary to the Prince Regent: "I shall for the first time in my life return to England with a reduced income, and without any employment, which is not very pleasant to my feelings after an uninterrupted service of thirty four years, fifteen of which have been spent on the Staff of Ireland." He continues: "As it is probable, the Prince Regent's Establishment will be soon arranged, I beg leave to mention to you that I should consider myself highly honoured if His Royal Highness would be pleased to appoint me to any Situation he might deem me competent to fill … I should esteem it a very great favour if you will have the goodness to take an opportunity of making my wishes known." It is not known whether his request was even acknowledged.