LORD DUNDONALD'S DEPARTURE FOR NORTH AMERICA.--EXTRACTS FROM THE
CORRESPONDENCE OF LORD AUCKLAND AND OTHERS RESPECTING WEST INDIAN
AFFAIRS AND EUROPEAN POLITICS.--BERMUDA.--THE FRENCH REVOLUTION OF
1848 AND ITS ISSUES.--IRELAND AND THE CHARTISTS.--THE DEATH OF LORD
AUCKLAND.
[1848.]
Lord Dundonald left London for Devonport on the 16th of March, 1848,
and on the following day hoisted his flag on board the _Wellesley_ as
Admiral in command of the North American and West Indian Fleet. On the
25th of March he set sail for Halifax, which was soon reached, and
was, during three years, the head-quarters from which he proceeded on
numerous voyages in fulfilment of the duties of his office. These
duties were not very onerous or various. They were relieved, however,
by much careful study of the circumstances and prospects of our
colonies in British North America, and by correspondence thereupon,
and on other subjects, with influential friends at home, and
especially with Lord Auckland, the First Lord of the Admiralty. From
this correspondence some selections will be made in the ensuing pages.
"I am very much pleased with your letter of the 19th," wrote Lord
Auckland, on the 21st of March, while the _Wellesley_ was still at
Devonport, "and the good spirit with which you look forward to your
coming duties. I know how irksome is the succession of the petty
duties which are incident to places of authority, and how far more
attractive is the excitement of great actions to those who are capable
of performing them. But even the first class of duties is not without
interest, and carries credit as it is performed with justice and
exactness; and I hope that for the second the necessity of great
exertions will not arise. But it is always well that the possibility
of their being called for should be borne in mind; and, while you
follow the peaceful avocations of your station, I should be glad that
you become acquainted with all its points of strength and of weakness.
All the information and advice that you may give to me will be
gratefully received and carefully considered."
"I hope," wrote Lord Auckland, three days later, "that the Mosquito
affair will have been brought to a termination before your arrival,
and that the necessity for the presence of ships in the Bay of Mexico
will have terminated with a cessation of hostilities between the
United States and Mexico. You will then have the slave-trade and the
fisheries mainly to attend to. You will learn from the Consul at Cuba
whether the slave-trade is now actively carried on. It had for some
time entirely ceased, but it may have revived, and, with good
information and force for interception applied at the right time, I
should hope that it will not require many of your ships. The fisheries
will, for a season, be a regular and fixed object of attention. Though
I feel that your number of ships is small, it is difficult for me to
increase it. I hate to fritter away our men and naval strength on a
multitude of brigs and sloops and petty objects."
Lord Auckland communicated to his friend many interesting opinions
respecting the state of politics and the condition of affairs on both
sides of the Atlantic. A letter from him, dated the 30th of April, had
reference chiefly to the troubles occasioned at that time by the
interference of Nicaragua with British commerce, which had
necessitated the sending of Captain Lock, in the _Alarm_, to watch the
course of events and compel proper behaviour by the turbulent state.
"A 'little war' is always a vexatious thing," he wrote, "and our
relations with the state of Mosquito, though they have long and
ancient standing to recommend them, are strange and anomalous. But the
insults of Nicaragua were highly provoking. The detention of British
subjects was not to be borne, and the spirit which has been exhibited
by Captain Lock, the spirit and enterprise with which his operations
were directed, the conduct of all who served under him, and the
successful results which have been achieved, are all highly to be
applauded. I am glad, however, that they have left the river of San
Juan. I see that in 1780 Nelson lost by the climate there fifteen
hundred out of eighteen hundred men; and I well know what is the
effect of a low country in the tropics, particularly after exertion
and fatigue."
The rest of the letter related to the turmoil excited in Europe by the
deposition of Louis Philippe in February, 1848, and the less
successful revolutions in other countries. "We continue to be on the
very best terms with the Provisional Government, and there is a better
disposition towards us on the part of the French people than there was
at the first outbreak of the Revolution. I have therefore at present
no apprehension of war. There is, however, this danger; that Germany
and Italy are greatly disturbed, and that Austria and Sardinia are
engaged in war on the side of Italy, and Prussia and Denmark to the
north, and it will not be easy for France and England to be peaceful
lookers-on. Besides which, the Government of France will long be
subject to popular gusts, and it is never easy to say in what
direction they may blow. In the meantime, however, all wears the
appearance of peace, and at home the chances of disturbance both from
Chartists and Repealers have become less. We have only danger from the
distress and want of employment which have followed upon the shock
given to credit throughout Europe."
Unfortunately, most of the letters written by Lord Dundonald during
these months have been lost; but something of their purport may be
gathered from the replies to them. "I am very glad," Lord Auckland
wrote, on the 28th of May, "that your thoughts appear to be very
considerately given to the health of those that are under your
command. You will, of course, have consideration for the ships that
have served in the Gulf of Mexico, or other unhealthy places, and give
them a turn in the north. I did not lose a moment in sending to Lord
Grey your suggestions in favour of removing the convict hulks at
Bermuda, and he has promised me that he will, without delay, issue
orders accordingly."
Lord Auckland wrote again to his friend on the 23rd of June. "I have
your valuable memoranda on the defences and dockyard of Bermuda," he
said, "and I am greatly obliged to you for them, as will be Lord Grey.
I will promise to give them early and deep consideration. In the
meantime I will press the Board to give immediate authority for the
improvement of the drains of the hospital, and of the supply of water.
I am greatly obliged to you for the steadiness with which you keep
considerations of economy in view. The disinterestedness with which
you regard the schemes which have been proposed for a new Admiralty
House at Bermuda will give you authority in checking expenditure in
other objects."
"The affairs of France," we read in the same letter, written while
General Cavaignac was suppressing the June revolution, "are most
unsettled. There is no confidence in any man or party, and there are
discontent, and mistrust, and alarm. All feel that things cannot go on
in their present form; but none can foresee what will follow. It may
be a continuance of internal dissension, but in an aggravated form. It
may be a disposition to external violence. At home the condition both
of England and Ireland is quieter than it was." "There is more
brightness in our prospects at home just now," wrote Lord Auckland,
three weeks later, on the 14th of July, "than has been the case for
some months. Commerce and credit are reviving; Chartism is dormant,
and Ireland is less troublesome. And on the Continent there is a more
general disposition to return to institutions of order. I confess that
I should be glad to hear that just at this moment there were a larger
force than usual at Bermuda. The presence there of Mitchell[21] is
apparently raising some excitement. Though I cannot apprehend any
formidable attempt at rescue, yet the notoriety of a force being at or
about the island may put an end to the vapouring menaces which are
proclaimed, and prevent any rash or foolish enterprise that may be
projected."
[21] The great Chartist who, having been tried and sentenced to
transportation, had been sent to Bermuda in May, 1848.
"Thanks to you for your letter from Halifax," Lord Auckland wrote
again, on the 21st of July, "and for your last sheets on the defences
of Bermuda. I did not think, when we parted, that the question of
these defences would so soon come under serious discussion, with a
view to their practical efficiency, but I do not yet think they will
be put to the test by any formidable attempt for the rescue of Mr.
Mitchell. Such apprehensions of danger, however, as they occur
occasionally, do good, and lead men to think of and correct their weak
points. What you say of the accessible nature of the southern reef
surprises me, and strengthens your recommendation of gunboats as the
means of defence which are least to be neglected. I only hang back in
regard to them, as the Naval Department could not bear the expense of
such defences for the many colonies that would require them, and they
must be provided by the Colonial Governments. Our arrangements,
however, may in some cases be subsidiary to theirs, and, wherever it
is possible, the craft of the dockyard and other establishments should
be so fitted as to be capable of carrying a gun. I am glad you sent
off the _Scourge_ to Bermuda. She is a handy vessel and well
commanded, and the notoriety of her presence will not be without a
useful effect. What you say of the character of the emigrants that are
sent forth from Ireland to our colonies is but too true. Yet it is
better that they should go than accumulate famine and disturbance at
home. The present condition of Ireland menaces trouble and
difficulty."
"I am quite aware," wrote Earl Grey, who was then Secretary of State
for the Colonies, to Lord Dundonald, on the 3rd of August, "of the
unfortunate tendency of the emigration to the North American provinces
being chiefly from Ireland; but I do not see how it is in the power of
the Government effectually to counteract the causes which are leading
to the settlement of so large a proportion of Irish in this part of
the British dominion. I fear this will, hereafter, be attended with
very unfortunate results." "I beg to thank your lordship," he also
said, "for the important information you have transmitted to me, and
for the pains you have taken in considering the subject of the defence
of Bermuda, which I recommended to your attention before you left
England. I am in communication with Lord Auckland upon this subject,
and we shall endeavour to act upon your suggestions so far as we are
enabled to do so, under the financial difficulties with which we have
to contend."
In the next letter written by Lord Auckland to Lord Dundonald, on the
18th of August, he again referred to European politics. "There is,
with regard to the Continent, more promise of peace at this moment
than there has been for a long time past, and there is a tone of more
moderation on the part of France towards other countries than I have
ever expected to see. But she yet has within her fearful elements of
disturbance; her Government is yet unsettled, and, whenever
determined, it will be subject to strong popular influences, and there
can be no security. I almost apprehend earlier mischief from the
popular influences of the United States. They have had a task of
conquest and annexation, and Cuba lies temptingly. The uneasiness of
the black population of many of the West India Islands may lead to
opportunities, and disagreeable events may grow out of such
circumstances. But these are matters of speculation, and nothing turns
out as men think that they foresee. I wish that your squadron was
stronger; for you are weak in numbers for the many points that you
have to cover. Our home politics are rather more satisfactory than
they were; that is to say, the dangers of Irish insurrection and of
formidable Chartist outbreak are over. But there is still much
uneasiness and disaffection in both countries, and the various events
of Paris have given encouragement to strange enterprises. I apprehend,
however, no serious mischief from these quarters at present; but we
have in prospect a very general failure of the potato crop, and a very
indifferent harvest, and here will be new causes of embarrassment."
There were many causes of embarrassment to English statesmen during
the ensuing months. "For the present," wrote Lord Auckland, on the 1st
of September, "there is a cordial and friendly understanding between
the Governments of this country and France, and the chances of war
seem to be distant. General Cavaignac seems to be a prudent and
moderate man. But no one can predict into what courses the popular
influences of France may force him, or what changes may on any day
occur. The extreme Communist party is weaker than it was; and a
Royalist party--for some king, but not for Louis Philippe--is growing
up; and between these is a Government of a republic and an army. The
first political difficulty will be that of Italy, where the Austrians
will not readily make any concession, and where the French will not
readily see them again accumulate strength. It is to be seen whether
their mediation and ours will be of any avail."
"The condition of the present French Government is precarious," Lord
Auckland said in another letter, dated the 9th of November. "According
to present appearances, Louis Napoleon will be elected President, not
because he is personally esteemed, but from his name, with some
parties, and because it is anticipated by others that his rule will be
short, and that he will be made to make way for others." "The election
of a French President is over," Lord Auckland was able to say on the
25th of December, "and has been carried at last with a rush; and we
are to have a new dynasty of Napoleons. Louis Napoleon was supported
by the army for his name, by the bulk of the nation because Cavaignac
and the Republic were hated, and by the Legitimists because they think
he may presently be overthrown. He is pronounced to be a foolish man;
but his course has been lately one of prudence and perseverance, and
he will enter upon power with good auspices. But he will have many
difficulties to contend with, and we may yet see many changes before
the condition of France will be settled."
The Earl of Auckland, one of the worthiest and most generous statesmen
of his time, Lord Dundonald's firm friend, and the friend of all with
whom he came in contact, did not live to see these changes. Just a
week after that letter was written, Admiral John Dundas, who had been
his chief adviser on Admiralty matters, had to write to Lord
Dundonald. "It is with great regret," he said, on the 1st of January,
1849, "I have to inform you of the death of Lord Auckland, after a few
hours' illness. He was on a visit to Lord Ashburton, near Winchester,
on Saturday--seized with a fit--never spoke after--and died this
morning. You may well imagine the universal sorrow at such a loss; and
I am sure you will join in that, for I know well the friendship that
existed between you."
By Lord Auckland's letters, it has been shown that, among much else,
Lord Dundonald made special study of the actual condition and the
possible improvement of Bermuda, both as a convict settlement and as a
centre of defence against any attacks that might be made upon the West
Indies. He suggested various beneficial changes for the strengthening
of its fortifications and for lessening its unhealthy character by
better drainage and other expedients. In all of these he was supported
by Lord Auckland. But from the new First Lord of the Admiralty, Sir
Francis Baring, he met with less encouragement. Bermuda had been made
a subject of inquiry by a Parliamentary Committee, and the House of
Commons being averse to any further expense, Sir Francis Baring was
compelled to countermand much of the action that had been resolved
upon.
With Sir Francis Baring Lord Dundonald corresponded on little but
strictly official matters, and therefore their letters are of less
general interest than those which passed between him and Lord Auckland.