Hertford St., March 4th, 1788.
My dear Lord,
As I know that William Grenville has not been quite well for
this day or two, and that he does not mean to write to you by
this post, I trouble you with a few lines, in order to give you
the earliest account of the business of last night. Erskine and
Rous came to the bar in support of the Petition from the
Directors against the East India Declaratory Act, and there was
a great muster of the forces of Fox, Lord North, Lord Lansdowne,
and of the refractory directors, with every appearance that some
great exertion was to be made. Erskine made the most absurd
speech imaginable: and after having spoke for near three hours,
he was taken ill, and obliged to leave the bar. Rous was then
heard; and when he had finished, Erskine (who had dined in the
coffee-room with the Prince of Wales, and been well primed with
_brandy_), returned to the charge, I understand at the express
desire of His Royal Highness. Erskine now spoke for near two
hours, and delivered the most stupid, gross, and indecent libel
against Pitt, that ever was imagined; the abuse was so
monstrous, that the House _hissed_ him at his conclusion. After
this, Rous proposed to produce some letters from the Treasury
and the Board of Control, as evidence of the construction of
Pitt's East India Bill; on this question we divided--for
receiving the evidence, 118; against, 242. The Lansdownes
divided against us; Pitt then moved himself for the letters. The
Bill was read a second time, and is committed for Wednesday,
when another attack will be made.
We reckon this a great triumph. You cannot conceive the clamour
that has been attempted to be raised on this occasion; and the
question of the new Act is certainly well contrived for the
union of the great men whom I have mentioned. It seemed great
mismanagement in the Opposition to divide on the question of
evidence, instead of pressing an adjournment, on which they
might have made a much better appearance. It is hardly to be
expected that we shall be quite as strong on the question of the
Bill itself; but you know the effect of a great majority, even
in preliminary questions, on the main subject.
Pitt took no sort of notice of Erskine's Billingsgate.
I will write to you after Wednesday, and shall then have some
other points to state to you. I am much obliged to you for your
kind attention to my Windsor job; but I beg you to consult your
own convenience in it, as it is not at all material to me.
Hastings's trial you hear enough of from others. One fact you
cannot have heard, as we have but just received the accounts at
the Treasury; the expense of the counsel and solicitors
attending the management has already amounted to near £5000, the
trial having lasted as yet only eleven days. There are five
counsel employed at ten guineas a-day, besides consultation
fees, and consultations are held every night. The first charge
is not yet finished. Make your own calculations of the probable
expense of this business, and of the patronage which it has
placed in the immaculate hands of the great orators.
Ever yours most affectionately,
Mornington.
I cannot say how I rejoice in your success in Ireland--we hear
nothing but good news of you in every way, and even from all
quarters.