in which he was very carefully dressed by the Laird of Garth, but the
pride of the Macgregors and Glengarries who thronged around the royal
person, suffered a serious blow when a London alderman entered the
circle clothed in a suit of the same tartan. The portly figure and
civic dignity of Sir William Curtis gave to the costume too much the
appearance of a burlesque to pass unnoticed either by the Sovereign or
his loyal admirers, and it was some time before they recovered their
gravity. On the 24th, the magistrates of "the gude town" entertained
the King with a banquet in the Parliament House, in the course of which
his Majesty gave as a toast, "The Chieftains and Clans of Scotland, and
prosperity to the Land of Cakes." The King did not quit his Scottish
dominions till the 29th, when he embarked from Lord Hopetoun's seat on
the Firth of Forth, previously directing a letter to be written to Sir
Walter Scott by Sir Robert Peel, expressing his warm personal
acknowledgments for the deep interest he had taken in every ceremony
and arrangement connected with his Majesty's visit.[92]
[92] Lockhart's "Life," vol. v. p. 215.
THE RIGHT HON. CHARLES W. WYNN TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.
East India Office, Friday.
MY DEAR B----,
I have only time to write one hurried line to say that I am in
town, but know nothing. Lord Liverpool very cast down, and
depressed in the extreme. No arrangement or preparatory discussion
to take place till after the King's return, and till we are
collected from the different quarters in which we are at present
scattered. The Duke of Wellington is expected back to-night or
to-morrow, and is immediately to be dispatched with the
instructions which had been prepared for Lord Londonderry, to
Vienna.
I think that though nothing can absolutely be determined in the
absence of Peel, Lord Harrowby, and Lord Melville, there still must
be something substantially understood before the Duke will turn his
back on England, and this something _must_, I am convinced, be
Canning. What other changes may take place cannot yet be foreseen,
but from a word which Lord Liverpool dropped, I think he
anticipates more than simply a new Secretary.
The funeral takes place on Tuesday, by Lady Londonderry's
particular desire, in the Abbey!!! I think it most unwise to run
the chance of the insults of a London mob on such an occasion.
THE RIGHT HON. W. H. FREMANTLE TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.
Stanhope Street, Aug. 20, 1822.
MY DEAR DUKE,
I came to town last night for the funeral, and am returning this
instant. I find Wynn has written to you, and I hope you will go to
him at Broadstairs; he is _quite satisfied_ with the prospect,
though of course nothing is or can be arranged till the King's
return. I was at Dropmore; your uncles both think it would be worse
than nothing to attempt a Government without Canning, and such
seems to be the opinion of everybody, such was the language of
_all_ the official men this morning. But after all, I fear we shall
not, even with Canning and Peel, and even Grant in addition, be
altogether so well off as with Londonderry. His rank, his long
standing, the sort of authority and power he possessed, all
contributed to his advantage and that of the Government.
Ever most truly yours,
W. H. FREMANTLE.
THE RIGHT HON. CHARLES W. WYNN TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.
East India Office, Aug. 20, 1822.
MY DEAR B----,
The formal determination transmitted to the King is, that there
shall be not only no arrangement but no discussion till his return.
Tho real effect of which is only to enable Lord Liverpool to lock
himself up, and decline talking to those whom he wishes to avoid,
among whom I must reckon myself. I have, however, seen the Duke of
Wellington and Frederick Robinson, and had much conversation with
both of them, and the result of the whole is very satisfactory to
me so far as it goes. Neither of them seems to anticipate the
possibility of any other arrangement, but that of Canning
succeeding to the lead of the House of Commons, and the Duke of
Wellington expressed much anxiety that he should also succeed to
the vacant seals.
He showed me, however, the King's letter, which seems distantly to
allude to objection to Canning for that particular department.
This, however, he thinks, can be overcome, and I am therefore the
more pleased that he remains till after the King's return, instead
of proceeding immediately to Vienna. I should I believe myself, if
Canning could be induced to accept the Exchequer (which at one time
he certainly was ready to have done), with the lead of the House of
Commons, like to transport Nic Van to India, send Lord Bathurst to
the Foreign Department, Robinson to the Colonial, and Huskisson to
the Board of Trade.
The strongest proof to me of the universal impression of the
necessity of consigning the lead of the House of Commons to
Canning, and that the No Popery party will not venture to propose
Peel, was, that I found Westmoreland, with whom I was associated in
the funeral this morning, quite of that opinion. Now, if the
Chancellor were intriguing for Peel, would he not have secured
Westmoreland.
I concur very much in your view of the impropriety of remaining in
an Administration, _both_ the leaders of which are the most decided
opponents of the Catholic question, and intimated as much to
Robinson, who appeared to feel the similarity of his own situation.
I have had much conversation also with an intimate personal friend
of Peel's, whose opinion it was that Peel would be by no means
desirous of undertaking the lead, as independent of other
objections, his health was not sufficiently strong to admit of his
assuming functions so laborious and incessant.
The King has mentioned his intention of leaving Edinburgh as on
Saturday next. Poor Liverpool's bridal ideas have been quite driven
out of his head, and I do not yet hear of a fresh day for
consummation being fixed. I am very sorry for the public effect of
the visit to Bowood at this time, but it had been fixed I believe
before Lord Londonderry's death, and Lord G---- does not feel any
necessity of extending to Opposition any of that coyness he shows
towards Government. Both my uncles are fully satisfied of the
absolute necessity of Canning's leading the House of Commons, and
probably the more so from his having lately paid a visit of two
days to Dropmore.
Ever most affectionately yours,
C. W. W.
THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.
London, Aug. 21, 1822.
MY DEAR DUKE,
I have received your letter, which, according to your permission, I
have communicated to Lord Liverpool. When the deplorable event
occurred which gave reason for your writing it, Lord Liverpool
requested the King not to consider of the measures to be adopted to
fill the situation in H. M.'s Councils which had been held by Lord
Londonderry, till H. M. should return to London, and he assured the
King that he likewise on his part would take no step whatever on
the subject till he should have the honour of seeing his Majesty.
This matter then stands exactly as it did on the day of the fatal
catastrophe, and so will remain till the King's return.
Lord Liverpool is very anxious that your Grace, and those who wish
well to the Government, should take no step and make no declaration
previously to his Majesty's return, which might embarrass the
Government or themselves. He hopes that you will so far confide in
him as to be certain that he will do what he ought upon this
occasion, and you may rely upon his taking the earliest opportunity
of making you acquainted with the steps which he will have taken.
Believe me, my dear Duke,
With the most sincere respect and affection,
Ever yours most faithfully,
WELLINGTON.
THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM AND CHANDOS, K.G., TO THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON.
MY DEAR DUKE,
I beg that you will assure Lord Liverpool that nothing could be
further from my intention or my wishes, than to hasten forward any
discussion or precipitate any decision respecting the steps to be
taken to complete and strengthen the Government under existing
circumstances: on the contrary, no one is more convinced than I am
of the absolute necessity of the Government having most mature
deliberation on this very momentous question. For this very reason
I thought it due to Lord Liverpool that he should at as early a
moment as possible be put in possession of the sentiments and
feelings of those connected with his Government, provided you
thought mine of sufficient importance to be transmitted to him.
Believe me always yours sincerely,
B. C.
Of Canning at this period one of his intimate friends thus
speaks:--"Great as his talents for Parliament are, and great as is the
want of them on the Ministerial side of the House, it is not without
the utmost reluctance that the rest of the Cabinet will consent to
receive him as an associate. If they make him any proposal, it will be
only because they are forced to it by the opinion and wishes of their
own friends, and if they make him a _fair_ proposal, it will be a clear
proof that they think that the Government cannot go on without his
aid."[93]
[93] Lord Dudley's "Letters," p. 351.
A little later we learn from the same authority: "The delay that has
taken place in filling up the very important station that was held by
Lord Londonderry is itself a pretty good proof of the embarrassment of
the King and his Ministers. Canning will be a bitter pill to them, and
yet I am more inclined than I was at first to think that they will
swallow it. I give Canning full credit for what he declared at
Liverpool, that he _knew nothing_; and yet without imputing to him any
Jesuitical reservation, I consider his speech to be that of a man who
thought that he was more likely to come in than not."[94]
[94] Lord Dudley's "Letters," p. 356.
Canning knew well enough that he had only to wait, and the necessities
of the Government, notwithstanding the aversion of the majority, would
force him into the position his great rival had left vacant. Many
persons of influence shared in this conviction, and though far from
cordial in their admiration for this political leader, they were eager
to adopt him as their colleague or superior, seeing no other assistance
at hand so capable of advancing their particular policy.
THE RIGHT HON. CHARLES W. WYNN TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.
Broadstairs, Aug. 24, 1822.
MY DEAR B----,
My letter of yesterday will have sufficiently put you in possession
of my opinion, that although I agreed in the principle of your
letter, yet the addressing it under the present circumstances to
the D---- of W----, and through him to Lord Liverpool, was
premature. They seem to have thought the same, though I wish they
had expressed it in a manner less unambiguous.
It is difficult to make up one's mind whether it would, on the
whole, be more desirable to see Canning at the Exchequer or in the
Foreign Office. I rather believe that by Huskisson's assistance he
would discharge the duties of the former office better than the
latter, to which the disinclination of Carlton House and the very
unconciliating style of correspondence in which he indulges himself
(and of which the records of the Board of Control have shown me
some specimens) are great objections. If, indeed, the arrangement
which I chalked out in a former letter for the promotion of Lord
Bathurst, Robinson, Huskisson, and either W. Lambe or C. Grant,
could take place, I should have no doubt that it would be best to
give Canning the Exchequer. But if the result should be, as many
anticipate, to consign the Foreign Seals to your friend the D----
of W----, it is not easy to decide whether the inconvenience of
that appointment would not counterbalance the benefit of removing
Van.
From being in the first coach, I could see little of the behaviour
of the mob at the funeral, but all that I saw or heard was
perfectly proper till the moment of the removal of the _coffin_
from the hearse to enter the Abbey, when a Radical yell was set up
from St. Margaret's churchyard.
Lady Londonderry's wish that he should be interred in Westminster
Abbey, and with the pomp of a private funeral, seems to me
extraordinary, and under the unfortunate circumstances of his
death, very ill-judged. I had myself proposed, in order to obviate
the possibility of any expression of hostile or disrespectful
feeling, that the body should at once have been brought on the
preceding night to the Jerusalem Chamber, instead of to his house
in St. James's-square, and that the procession should be formed
from thence on foot.
Sunday, 25th.
A letter from town this morning tells me that the King is not to
leave Edinburgh till the 28th, which will of course extend my stay
at this place. Everything leads me to believe that the discussion
will rather turn on the particular official situation to be held by
Canning, than on the vesting in him the lead of the House of
Commons, the necessity of which seems to be so generally and
strongly felt, that opposition to it must be ineffectual. At the
same time nothing is yet known of Peel's sentiments, and there will
not be wanting those among his friends who will urge him to refuse
serving _under_ Canning.
Have you any ground for mentioning Harrowby as a decided opponent
of C----'s admission? I should have thought that agreement on the
Catholic question would have reconciled him to it.
Ever most faithfully yours,
C. W. W.
THE RIGHT HON. CHARLES W. WYNN TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.
Whitehall, Sept 3, 1822.
MY DEAR B----,
My principal reason for doubting the expediency of your step was,
that if, as I believed, the view which you yourself took was also
entertained by those to whom you addressed it, the declaration
which it contained might have been reserved, to be afterwards
brought forward in support of them, when it might be better applied
to the existing circumstances. My own inclination is to consider
the offer of the lead to Canning as indispensable, and that no
other proposition should be offered as an alternative. Yet, did he
or any one else ever give a proof of worse judgment than his speech
at Liverpool, in which he recommends a compromise, and that the
question should be allowed to rest after "_perhaps_" one more
general discussion? Admitting that the advice might be good if
addressed to the Catholics, his bringing it into his Liverpool
speech at the present moment is just the way to defeat his object,
and to persuade the Catholics that he is ready to sacrifice them to
his own objects of ambition.
Matters are but little advanced, that is to say, that Lord L----
has laid the proposition of an application to Canning before the
K---- this morning, and desired him to take till Thursday to
consider it, and to consult any others of his servants. This makes
me feel strong hope that none of them have decidedly opposed it.
Repugnance was expressed, but I see that L----[95] as well as
W----[96] thinks that it will finally succeed. To-morrow we are to
have a Cabinet, which, but for the delight of procrastinating
everything, might just as well have been held yesterday or on
Sunday.
L---- distinctly stated to me, that he felt that the country could
not be satisfied unless a proposal were made to Canning, but
referred to the possibility of his insisting on unreasonable
conditions. Should this be the case, I can only say _alors comme
alors_, and that the course to be pursued must depend on the
peculiar circumstances which one cannot anticipate.
Ever affectionately yours,
C. W. W.
[95] Lord Liverpool.
[96] The Duke of Wellington.
THE RIGHT HON. W. H. FREMANTLE TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.
Englefield Green, Sept. 8, 1822.
MY DEAR DUKE,
Having had nothing to communicate I have not written to you; indeed
now there seems nothing to discuss till you know the terms on which
Canning is to come in; I have no doubt the offer is, the
Chancellorship of the Exchequer and lead of the House of Commons,
and Cabinet for Huskisson or any one other friend. Whether he will
think this enough I doubt; I am rather confident from what I have
heard, that he will not surrender the foreign seals to anybody but
the Duke of Wellington. I have no doubt they are intended for Lord
Bathurst. He must feel and know we cannot do without him, and
having so good a thing in his present possession, he will of course
not accept office but in such a way as shall fully meet his wishes.
The King sent for the Duke of York, who, with the Chancellor, will,
I am sure, throw every difficulty in the way, though they must know
that nothing but his connexion can save and support the Government.
The arrangement of getting rid of _Van_ would certainly be the most
eligible and satisfactory to the public that could be adopted. The
Duke of Wellington has been seriously ill, but is now better.
Whether this will impede his expedition to Vienna I know not, but
should not think it would. The King is most delighted with his
expedition to Scotland, preferring it infinitely to his Irish
jaunt; this will not please _Paddy_.
I should be delighted to hear that Nugent got Ireland, but I am
sure his rank is now too high, the station has been lowered to a
_commanding_ officer only, and a full General's staff is not
allowed. The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester are come to Bagshot;
they seem to think the _Regnante_ is losing ground; I don't believe
one word of it, indeed I am quite sure of the reverse.
Ever most faithfully yours,
W. H. F.
THE RIGHT HON. CHARLES W. WYNN TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.
East India Office, Sept. 10, 1822.
MY DEAR B----,
A communication to Canning was authorized on Sunday, and he may be
expected in town I believe to-night. The proposal is to succeed
Lord Londonderry in all respects, and there I fear it stops, and
that there will be resistance to the stipulation which will
probably be pressed for Huskisson's promotion.
Ever affectionately yours,
C. W. W.
THE RIGHT HON. W. H. FREMANTLE TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.
Englefield Green, Sept. 12, 1822.
MY DEAR DUKE,
I find the offer is made to Canning for the full succession to Lord
Londonderry in his office, and leader of the House of Commons;
this, as far as it goes, is a measure that will strengthen the
Government, but I was in hopes it would be followed up by the
resignation of _Van_; however, if it should not now happen, the
thing must ere long--it is not likely that Canning will do his
business in the House of Commons as Londonderry did, and even if he
were so inclined, I should think that Van with a grain of spirit
would not allow him to do so. It will be curious to see how the
Chancellor reconciles himself to his quondam associate, after the
last speech of Canning. I am told it has been the most bitter pill
for the K---- to swallow, and nothing but necessity has induced
him. I have no idea that Canning can refuse such a proposal; he can
never have a greater situation, for in fact he becomes at once the
chief of the Government. Surely Van could be tempted by India, he
would make an excellent Governor-General, and Robinson or Grant a
much better Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Ever, my dear Duke,
Most faithfully yours,
W. H. FREMANTLE.
THE RIGHT HON. CHARLES W. WYNN TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.
MY DEAR B----,
Canning is just sworn in. The language of Lord Liverpool and others
is that the consideration of any other changes is postponed, and
that it was particularly desirable that Canning's appointment
should not be clogged by any other discussion. The Chancellor did
not attend the Council to-day--indeed, we had only Liverpool, Van,
Lord Bathurst, Westmoreland, Robinson, Canning, and myself, all the
rest being out of town.
Melville will have the offer of India if he wishes it, but he has
before refused it when pressed, and if otherwise disposed at
present, would hardly have started back for Scotland the moment
Canning notified his acceptance. However, till he sends his answer,
nothing further will be done, and by that time, if the Speaker
wishes it, he will probably make it known.
I do not, however, hear anything of the Chancellor's resignation,
but everything points, I trust, to Van. Lord Redesdale is quite
superannuated, and nothing would seem to me so impossible as his
appointment.
Ever affectionately yours,
C. W. W.
THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.
London, Sept. 14, 1822.
MY DEAR DUKE,
You will be anxious to learn the result of the discussions with Mr.
Canning, and I have great pleasure in informing you that he has
accepted the Foreign Office, and is to lead in the House of
Commons.
This was settled yesterday, but as I have been confined to my
house, I did not hear it till it was too late to write to you by
last night's post.
I hope to be able to set out for Vienna on Monday.
Believe me, my dear Duke,
Ever yours most sincerely,
WELLINGTON.
"The bitter pill" was at last swallowed by the King, and despite of
both open and concealed hostility from persons of influence very near
the Royal person, Mr. Canning filled the important position in the
Cabinet left vacant by the late Marquis of Londonderry. The reader will
presently see how soon he won powerful friends at Court; but superior
as he may have been in some things, his subsequent career shows--what
indeed his previous political life prominently indicates--that there
were other qualifications, less brilliant but more useful, possessed in
an eminent degree by his predecessor, in which he was singularly
deficient.
CHAPTER X.
[1822.]
MR. CANNING AGAIN IN THE CABINET. RUMOURED MINISTERIAL ARRANGEMENTS.
MR. CANNING OFFERS MR. WILLIAMS WYNN THE SPEAKERSHIP OF THE HOUSE OF
COMMONS. A POLITICAL RUSE. THE KING AT WINDSOR. THE SPEAKER. FOREIGN
AFFAIRS. PROCEEDINGS OF THE CONGRESS OF VERONA RESPECTING SPAIN. MR.
HENRY WILLIAMS WYNN'S PROPOSED DIPLOMATIC CHANGE. MR. CANNING'S
UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE. CONDITION OF IRELAND. M. VILLELE.
CHAPTER X.
The addition of Mr. Canning to the Government was regarded with
different sentiments when looked at from different points of view. His
brilliant talents and great popularity were recognised advantages, but
then the necessity by which he might consider himself bound to put
forward an original policy, made reflecting politicians regard his
appointment with distrust. He appears to have exhibited a wish to serve
some members of the Grenville family, though not in the required
direction. Mr. Charles Williams Wynn was ambitious of filling the
distant but lucrative post to which the new Foreign Secretary had been
appointed before Lord Londonderry's death, but Mr. Canning suggested a
position scarcely less honourable at home. How these and other
negotiations proceeded, may be learnt from the following letters:--
THE RIGHT HON. W. H. FREMANTLE TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.
Englefield Green, Sept 19, 1822.
MY DEAR DUKE,
Charles Wynn, I am told by my servant, called on me here yesterday,
and was anxious to see me. Probably it was to communicate some
change or probable change. I should be very happy to hear that he
got India, if he wishes it; the situation to a younger brother with
a family, is undoubtedly most valuable, and at his age would be a
most flattering station. I doubt greatly, however, his success, for
I am thoroughly aware that the Directors hated our appointment at
the Board, and I see no reason to imagine that the President or the
Board have made themselves more popular with them. I do not say the
contrary, but there has been no opportunity, and the little
discussions which have taken place have been rather of a
controversial nature. Lord Maryborough wants it, but I think won't
succeed: Lord Melville, I am _almost certain_, will not take it.
Vansittart would be the best appointment (supposing Charles Wynn
can't succeed), and by this means we should get rid of a great
encumbrance to the Government. I understand Lord Liverpool will
_not_ have Huskisson, and the King does not approve of his being
in the Cabinet; but this, however, would be easily got over by
making Robinson or Grant Chancellor of the Exchequer, and Huskisson
Board of Trade and Treasurer of the Navy. The King comes to the
Cottage on Saturday, and has at present determined to stay five
weeks. The Regnante comes also.
Ever faithfully yours,
W. H. F.
Lord Harrowby is the candidate for the Garter, which, if he don't
get, I think will drive him from the Government. This would be the
best opening for you, if the Admiralty or Ireland does not offer.
Lord Hertford and the Duke of Portland are also talked of for the
Garter.
THE RIGHT HON. CHARLES W. WYNN TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.
East India Office, Sept. 23.
MY DEAR B----,
I am, I think, at length perfectly _au fait_ of the arrangement
which is desired, and the motive for proposing it. Canning is most
anxious, by any means, to procure my resignation of my present
appointment, in order that it may fall to Huskisson, who
particularly desires it. Last night I received the enclosed from
C----, together with the letter from Lord G----, which I also send
to you,[97] and this morning met L---- and C---- accordingly. The
former told us that he had, as he anticipated, received a decided
refusal from Scotland, and we then entered on the discussion of the
different candidates. C---- said that in his conversation with the
Directors, when he informed them of his resignation, he found that
their first preference would be for Lord Melville; 2ndly, very
strongly in favour of Lord W. B----;[98] 3rdly, Lord Amherst; that
if none of these were offered to them they would accept the
Speaker, but that it was clear that no other candidate would go
down without a considerable struggle. I expressed my own opinion of
the insufficiency of the Speaker for a post of so much importance,
and my fear that a man naturally indolent, would in so indolent a
climate be wholly inefficient, and rather recommended Lord W.
B----. C----, in reply, dwelt not on Sutton's fitness for India,
but his unfitness for the Chair. Perceiving his drift, I suggested
the possibility for replacing him there by William Courtenay, but
C---- immediately said, that unless it would lead to my accepting
the Chair, he did not think that there was any reason to make it
worth while to remove S----. I adverted to some of the reasons,
which we have already talked over, which indisposed me to the
change, and they then desired me to take a week to consider the
subject, and if I liked it to talk to Lord Grenville after his
return from Elton.
I hear from other quarters, that there is a strong party among the
Directors disposed to object to me if I am proposed for India. It
is, indeed, possible that if I held that out as the only condition
upon which I would give up this office, Canning might, by the
exertion of his personal influence among them, carry the question;
but I doubt much whether, even supposing I was more anxious to
obtain it than I am, it would be creditable to me or to any
President of the Board of Control, to have his nomination the
subject of a struggle, which, if it should succeed on the part of
the Directors, and he should continue in office, must render all
future intercourse acrimonious and unconciliating.
[97] The enclosures have not been preserved.
[98] Lord William Bentinck.
THE RIGHT HON. W. H. FREMANTLE TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.
Englefield Green, Sept. 26, 1822.
MY DEAR DUKE,
The communication you have made to me is not a matter of surprise,
for I own I expected this would be the result. The proposition,
however, being now made by one Cabinet Minister to Lord Grenville,
and communicated by another to you, see how I should stand
committed if I were to meddle with it by asking an interview with
Lord Liverpool. In the former case Lord Liverpool opened the
proposition to me, and it was my duty to lay it before you, even
before I spoke to Lord Grenville; but in this case Wynn has
informed you of it, and he would have a right to demand why I
presumed to communicate at all with Lord Liverpool without his
authority or permission, on a subject so deeply involving his
interests and wishes. By his communication to you, he has entitled
you to write to Lord Liverpool, as you have done to Canning,
expressly stating your views and feelings on the subject; and I am
witness that a station in the Government was undoubtedly one of the
primary objects of your contemplation in the former negotiation. I
have no doubt that if I were to see Lord Liverpool, even under your
authority, he would treat it as a Cabinet question, and refuse to
enter into any discussion with me upon it, but I am quite sure I
could not discuss it without touching upon the views and objects of
Charles Wynn in a way that might offend him; it is an object of
such moment and importance to him, that I cannot be surprised that
he receives it so favourably. I heard from him the moment he came
to town, telling me he was quite sure the Directors would not
nominate him, but he says nothing of the new proposal, and probably
it had not then been made, or if so, he did not choose to confide
it to me. With regard to the advantages the Government derived from
his efforts as a speaker on the Treasury Bench during last session,
it must be obvious to you as it was to him, that he failed
altogether. The difference which you point out, as to the effect
this change would have on the Catholic question, may to a certain
degree be past, but still I think, _as a Speaker_, his influence
would have much more weight than even if he remained in Cabinet.
The question is also one which materially affects Lord Grenville's
support of the Government; and Canning, Lord Liverpool, and Wynn
are now evidently treating with a view of connecting your uncles
more closely with them; also you must consider that Plunket, who is
also the organ of your party, still commands this question.
I know you will say, and feel naturally, that these considerations
have nothing to do with your personal objects, and the claim which
you have to Cabinet; but on the other hand the Government will feel
that if they can more strongly and generally unite your family
interests with theirs, it is the best course they can pursue. I
cannot think that the public would view this transfer of Cabinet to
the Chair as a sale of your support, originally contemplated, for
this distinct object and your Dukedom; nobody could have calculated
on anything occurring which would induce Manners Sutton to quit the
Chair, and surely there is no trafficking on your part or that of
your family for the object; the proposition comes to you, and is
always to be so stated and avowed. I take it for granted the
difficulty is opening a Cabinet office; Lord Wellesley could not be
removed without disgracing him, unless he applies for recall, and I
should presume Lord Harrowby has no disposition to retire.
I see how very difficult your situation is, for in resisting this
arrangement you bar the anxious wishes and hopes of Charles Wynn,
and in giving way to it you for a time put by your claim, but at
the same time it is but for a time, for it makes it stronger
whenever the vacancy occurs. I cannot, however, concur in thinking
the public would condemn you, or think it was an excess _of job_ if
the proposition is acceded to, for it must always be Canning's
_job_, and not yours. I trust you will give me credit for the
motives which I have placed before you, as inclining me to hesitate
in writing to Lord Liverpool; I really hope on reflection you will
see them in the same point of view.
Believe me ever, my dear Duke,
With sincere attachment and affection,
Most faithfully yours,
W. H. FREMANTLE.
THE RIGHT HON. CHARLES W. WYNN TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.
East India Office, Sept. 26, 1822.
MY DEAR B----,
Enclosed I send you a letter which I yesterday received from Lord
G----, together with the draft of my answer,[99] in which I have
expressed myself fully. You will see that I had anticipated a part
of your feelings upon the proposed plan, though I speak of them as
likely to arise hereafter instead of at present. What has most
struck me in all that has passed, is the manner in which Canning
has assumed to himself, even in the presence of Lord Liverpool, the
tone and authority of Premier.
You will see I mention in my letter to Lord G---- my opinion of the
manner in which he has put off seeing me as a mark of
disinclination. On Monday, the business was scarcely commenced when
he expressed his wish to discuss foreign business with Lord L----
before he left town, in order to get rid of me. Knowing that the
latter was not to return to town during the week, I expressed my
wish for further discussion with C----, and asked him when he could
see me. He said Tuesday was foreign post day, Wednesday he had
several appointments, and then named to-day. Yesterday I had a note
from him that he wished to shut himself up to-day, and to-morrow to
write to the Duke of Wellington, and naming Saturday. Now,
considering that we have as yet had no discussion whatever on the
general state of things, I think this is, to say the best,
unconciliating conduct. Still, on Saturday I will endeavour either
to lead or to force him upon different subjects, and particularly
on the Catholic question, which will naturally arise out of your
letter. His want of judgment is such, that I really think it is an
even chance that in the first session he gets into some difficulty
from which he cannot extricate himself, and in which his friends
will delight to leave him. If he survives that, I expect him to
govern the House with a rod of iron, and fix his power absolutely.
He seems to me fully aware of the weakness of character he has to
deal with, and that the assumption of power will probably confer
it. I am to see the Chairman of the E.I.C. alone to-morrow, and
probably shall from him learn more of the feelings of the Directors
than C---- has communicated to me.
Ever most truly yours,
C. W. W.
[99] Enclosures not preserved.
THE RIGHT HON. CHARLES W. WYNN TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.
East India Office, Sept 28, 1822.
MY DEAR B----,
I read part of your letter to C---- to-day, but did not show it to
him, as there were parts of it which I thought referred rather too
much to topics which are private to ourselves, and my uncle Tom had
particularly entered his _veto_ against communicating the reference
to his letter. I saw it discomposed him extremely, and he agreed
that it would be necessary for me to see Lord Liverpool and talk
the matter over with him before it goes any further. He told me
that previous to making this proposal, he had ascertained that the
Directors would not be disposed to send me to India, and that their
motive to accept the Speaker would only be with the view of making
room here for Huskisson. That he had originally determined before
he came to town to have stipulated for the promotion of Huskisson
before he made himself "the immense sacrifice he did in accepting
office," but that the concurrent opinion of his friends had
deterred him from this, and that he was most especially moved to it
by your letter to Lord Morley, which had peculiar weight with him,
and that now, standing as he did single in the Cabinet, he felt
that he was entitled to have every facility afforded him for that
purpose, or that it might still be necessary for him to retire.
I have written to Lord L---- to offer to go down to Combe Wood
to-morrow, as I am sure it is desirable to bring the matter to an
upshot one way or the other. My uncle Tom comes up to town, and
dines with me to-day. I must own it appears to me that C---- has
completely _got round_ both him and Lord G----. They are astonished
that I can think he shows disinclination to me personally, &c. &c.
I must say that I think your view of the question is a fit one, and
such as you are thoroughly entitled to take, and have only to beg
earnestly that no consideration of my interests may induce you to
depart from what you feel to be due to yourself and your own
consistency.
Ever most faithfully yours,
C. W. W.
THE RIGHT HON. THOMAS GRENVILLE TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.
Cleveland Square, Oct. 3, 1822.
MY DEAR DUKE,
Having learnt from Charles that you have expressed to him some
uneasiness at not hearing from me in reference to the discussions
which have, as he tells me, been going on between you and the
Government upon the proposal of his taking the Chair, I do not
hesitate to assure you that no man living can take a more cordial
and affectionate interest than I do in everything which regards
your happiness and gratifications, public and private, and that
whatever could be done, on my very limited scale, that could in the
least degree contribute to any of those objects, I should do with
all the kind and ready feelings of warm and sincere affection. From
political discussions, however, I have, as you know, entirely
withdrawn myself for a very long time past, and the very little
share which I took in the discussion respecting yourself and
Charles, at the beginning of last winter, convinced me how much
pain to myself and how little advantage to you, must arise from my
renewing them. In truth, I am much too antiquated to enter into the
councils of a mind as ardent as yours, and much too little
conversant with the politics of these times to be a useful or safe
adviser. I have the more readily adopted this negative course from
the persuasion that you, who are in the prime of life for business,
with more than forty years over your head, with good talents, and
with no little experience of men and manners, are a much more
reasonable judge of what is fit for you to do or not to do, than
any other man can be for you. Who is there that can sufficiently
adopt the thoughts and feelings and taste of another, to decide for
him what is best for his own happiness? Why should it be required
that I, who have one foot in the grave, should see the objects of
public life or the means of attaining them, in the same points of
view with yourself, who are in the prime of active life, and
ardently alive to all those pursuits which are flat and
unprofitable to my antiquated eyes? It is perhaps not unreasonable
in me, who see you one of the first men in the country, with a
Dukedom and the Garter, and having already all that the Crown can
give, to consider you as standing upon very elevated ground, and as
being one who ought not easily to be persuaded by any Government to
accept of any office from them. On the other hand, it is quite
natural for you or any man who has the ambition to be decidedly the
one first man in the country, to take the course which in your
judgment leads most directly to the object of your wishes; but how
can I advise in this, who do not start from the same post or look
towards the same goal? I am prouder, it seems, for you than you are
for yourself, and while you seem anxious to establish a claim for
office in the present Government, I am too proud to see you as that
claimant, or to agree that any consideration should induce you to
take official share in this Government, unless it were for the
single act of dispensing to Ireland the blessing of Catholic
emancipation? This different view of your situation from that which
you entertain, leaves therefore no possibility of my old-fashioned
eyesight adopting what your younger and stronger eyes see with an
ardour of which mine are no longer capable. As long as I see my
dear Duke, I do not see upon earth anybody in whose prosperity and
happiness I take a warmer and more sincerely cordial feeling than I
do in yours--and that is better in an old, decaying uncle, than
discussions that he is no longer fit for.
This sensible communication anticipates the result of the overtures of
Mr. Canning, who was already beginning to feel his strength, and did
not hesitate to show it. What his object was is expressed in the next
letter; it was foiled by the Duke of Buckingham placing it in a strong
light before the observation of the now nominal Premier, Lord
Liverpool.
THE RIGHT HON. W. H. FREMANTLE TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.
Englefield Green, Oct. 7, 1822.
MY DEAR DUKE,
I thank you for your communication, and am glad to find the whole
business, as far as it was connected with your party, is
terminated; I received a letter from Charles Wynn yesterday
morning, informing me of the result of your communication with Lord
Liverpool.
No one can undoubtedly so well judge the question, as it may affect
your honour and character, as yourself; the removal of Charles Wynn
from the Cabinet, if done either by intrigue or force, was a
measure which you could not submit to, and if you were satisfied
that such was the intention, the steps you adopted were such as
became you; I consider that it would have been impossible for any
one of your party who had accepted office, to hold it one moment
after you had come to the decision of separating yourself from all
official connexion; nor do I think that under such a declaration
Charles Wynn could doubt of the line which he so promptly and
honourably adopted. Indeed, I must fully agree with you in
applauding his feelings towards you and his friends. I am rejoiced
that no new arrangements take place in your political relations
with the Government, for I am persuaded the best, the most
advantageous, and most popular state in which your interests can
stand, for some time at least, is by remaining perfectly quiet, and
suffering public discussion on men and parties and official
situations to be diverted to other quarters. We had our full share
last Session, and let Mr. Canning, if he chooses to commence his
career by Cabinet intrigue, have the full benefit of it; no change
would at this moment occur in your party without incurring (whether
true or false) the charge of official rapacity on the one hand, or
a want of common gratitude on the other.
The King is arrived at the Cottage with his _usual_ party, and I
understand remains about three weeks: he sees nobody as yet, but is
reported to be very well and in good spirits; he was at chapel
yesterday, and is driving in the Park every day.
Ever, my dear Duke,
Most faithfully yours,
W. H. FREMANTLE.
THE RIGHT HON. W. H. FREMANTLE TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.
Brighton, Nov. 5, 1822.
MY DEAR DUKE,
Charles Wynn wrote to me to say he wished to come and lay before
the King Lord Amherst's appointment to sign, thinking it would be a
good occasion of presenting himself for an audience, and I strongly
recommended him to do so, though it was uncertain how he might take
it; however, nothing could have been better received. The King has
not appeared since he has been here, now ten days, and has confined
himself to his room under a slight affection of gout, for which he
is taking Wilson's medicine, but he received him most graciously,
talked for an hour and a half, and Wynn came away delighted. I am
quite happy that he came down for the purpose. I can't make out
exactly how matters stand at the Pavilion. The Regnante has not yet
arrived. He has been quite alone, literally, with Lord Conyngham
and Sir W. Knighton, and not another person. It is said she has
taken an aversion to this place, and I rather give credit to it,
for Lord Conyngham told me he was going to fit up the Castle at
Windsor, as the King had taken a fancy to it, and now seemed to
prefer it to the Cottage. What this means I know not; I do not
think, notwithstanding, that she is out of favour, or even to have
lost ground, but that the strangeness of his conduct daily
increases.
Did you ever hear of anything half so absurd as the conduct of the
Speaker? He first wrote to Lord Liverpool to ask his opinion about
standing for the University, and having received a very cold
answer, declaring his wishes to be in favour of Lord Hervey, he
immediately declared himself with his _re_consideration
advertisement; afterwards Charles Wynn hit the blot which bad been
overlooked, or probably never looked for, in the case of Charles
Dundas when proposed by Sheridan, and who was objected to by Mr.
Pitt, as not being capable on account of not having previously
taken the oath at the table before the Speaker, which by the act
is necessary in every case but at the commencement of a new
Parliament. When Charles Wynn mentioned this, it set them all
aback, and after requiring a day to consider it, it ended by his
giving up; the consequences of all this has been that the
Solicitor-General has been driven from a certain success, and the
Government interest being divided between R. Grant and Lord Hervey,
it is not improbable that Scarlett may succeed.
I should judge from the language of Tierney on general points, that
he thinks the Government stronger and more likely to hold a firm
and vigorous language and line of conduct by the introduction of
Canning, than it was last year. I believe the latter is to name
Frederick Lamb[100] his Under-Secretary, and Lord Clanwilliam to
succeed Frederick Lamb.
The appointment of Lord Amherst, taking all things into
consideration, is, I believe, as good a nomination as could have
taken place; and as far as it regards our Board, I should think the
best, for he has no intrigue, and will act straightforward with us.
Canning is gone down to Walmer, and you may rest assured that it
will very soon end in his leading Lord Liverpool; if he can
persuade him to get rid of Vansittart, it would be the best
exercise he could make of such an influence.
Ever, my dear Duke,
Most assuredly yours,
W. H. FREMANTLE.
Of course you know Sir Henry Wellesley is named to succeed Lord
Londonderry; better accounts of the Duke of Wellington's health.
[100] Afterwards, in 1839, created Lord Beauvale; he was for some
years Envoy-Extraordinary and Minister-Plenipotentiary at Vienna.
THE RIGHT HON. CHARLES W. WYNN TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.
East India Office, Nov. 6, 1822.
MY DEAR B----,
I thought it right to take down the approbation of Lord Amherst's
appointment to Brighton myself on Sunday, and was most graciously
received.
He [the King] complained much of flying gout, with which he had
been extremely unwell during the last week, but was in excellent
spirits, and kept me sitting with him more than an hour. He was
lame, and moved with difficulty, and told me (at nine P.M.) that he
had only been up for two hours. Not a soul in the palace but Lord
Conyngham, Lord Francis, and Sir William K----n. His face was
deeper sunk in the lines than I have yet seen it, but the colour
was better than I expected--a dark brown, instead of the dead,
tallowy colour which I have sometimes seen.
The Speaker has made the most stupid and unpardonable mess at
Cambridge ever made by man. He wrote to Lord Liverpool, who
answered him that he thought his situation created much difficulty,
and advised his consulting Lord Sidmouth and Lord Colchester, both
of them having, when in the Chair, been intended candidates for
Oxford. He asked neither, but talked to the Attorney and
Solicitor-General and his own clerks, declared himself a candidate
without ever communicating with a single Minister in the House of
Commons. As soon as I found that he had declared, I was convinced
of the impossibility of his being re-elected Speaker if he vacated
his seat, after the decision of the House in 1801 in favour of
Pitt's objection to C. Dundas, and therefore went to Canning, who
begged me to write to Liverpool, who in return wished Canning to
write to the Speaker about it. Canning begged me to go to Peel.
There I met the Speaker, who had not in the least adverted to this
difficulty, but allowed that it would be unreasonable to expect the
Government to fight his battle against such an authority, and
finally agreed to retire from the contest!
Fremantle tells me that he is quite in the hands of a sister of
Lady B----, with whom he passes all his time, so I suppose Miss
H---- wears the willow.
Some suspicion had been excited by the numerous stacks burnt in
Ireland, some of them the property of persons by no means obnoxious
to the Rockites. A search was therefore made in a small district,
in which no less than thirty were found prepared for the flames,
the wheat having been threshed out and the straw re-stacked for the
convenience of charging the barony for the bonfire.
You will see that Wellesley has, on the authority of the law
officers, taken steps to prevent the dressing up Old Glorious on
Monday at Dublin. I shall be curious to see the result, which I
expect will be only some offensive speeches in the Quarterly
Assembly, &c.
Lloyd of Aston, after declaring himself a candidate for Shropshire,
has again retired. The only candidates now are Childe and mad
Cresset Pelham. I trust that the former will carry it, and that
then B. Thompson will come in on Watkins's interest for Wenlock.
Ever affectionately yours,
C. W. W.
THE RIGHT HON. CHARLES W. WYNN TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.
East India Office, Nov. 12, 1822.
MY DEAR B----,
There is little at present going on, as everything is reserved till
the latter end of this week, when we are to have ten days of
Cabinets to consider the various subjects for the next session.
Among others we have the promise of a despatch from Lord Wellesley,
on the subject of tithes, by the 15th. C---- is civil (which for
him is a good deal), but I cannot say cordial. I seem not to find
it out, and mean to allow time for the little irritation which has
arisen from the failure of his plan, to subside. No allusion was
made to the subject during my visit of last week, and indeed the
conversation was chiefly on Stuart Papers, Horace Walpole, &c. &c.
Notwithstanding the panic on the Stock Exchange, our news from
Congress is still of a decidedly pacific tendency. The Spanish
insurrection, we are told, gains strength, and the Greek loses; but
on the latter head we have found our informants somewhat partial.
Ever most affectionately yours,
C. W. W.
THE RIGHT HON. CHARLES W. WYNN TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.
Nov. 22, 1822, half-past five P.M.
MY DEAR B----,
Your apprehensions relative to the issue of what is passing at
Verona certainly would derive more support from our last accounts
than from the previous ones, and the way which had been made with
France by exciting her political apprehensions, and with Russia by
a representation of the military difficulties, seems now to be very
much _en retrograde_.
Still, the language and assurances of Villele and the King of
France are perfectly pacific; and Montmorenci, who has adopted the
other line at Verona, still states the necessity of his returning
himself to Paris before any communication even of the nature of a
threat is held out to Spain. Meantime he wishes France should be
allowed to manage the interference entirely herself, and protests
against Russia having any share in it, or marching a single
regiment through her territory.
The only real object of Alexander is to ward off the present and
pressing danger from his army, for whom he wants employment, and
has proposed this Spanish campaign merely as a substitute for the
Turkish.
Wellesley's despatch has, as I told you, arrived, but is not yet
circulated.
We are about to recognise the S. American Republics and Brazil, and
at the same time to adopt measures of reprisal against Porto Rico
and Porto Cabildo, unless the Royalist Governors of those places
will give up the Lord Collingwood, and cancel their orders for
impeding our trade.
I have just been at Council, and thought that the K---- looked
worse than at Brighton, but still his colour was tolerably good.
Ever affectionately yours,
C. W. W.
The proceedings of the French Government with relation to Spain, now
began to excite a good deal of attention in this country; appearances
being in favour of the supposition generally entertained, that the
labours of Wellington in the Peninsula were about to be rendered
nugatory by the presence there of a powerful French army, and the
consequent return of Spain to the position she held as a French
dependency before the war.
THE RIGHT HON. CHARLES W. WYNN TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.
Tuesday evening.
MY DEAR B----,
I do not believe that the French Cabinet is mad enough to entertain
any view of the conquest of Spain. Experience must have taught even
to them more wisdom, but Monsieur and the Ultra-Royalist party
dread the intercourse with a _Republic_ on their frontiers, and
besides, have revived the old notions of the family connexion, and
their duty to protect a Bourbon monarch. This is fed by their
communications with Spain, where for the last ten months they have
been active in exciting, both by money and other means, the
Royalist or insurgent party, and these designs are equally
instigated by the Ultra-Royalist and Ultra-Liberal party in both
countries. The former, with the view of re-establishing the
authority of the beloved Ferdinand; the latter, of raising by any
means a war, which they calculate must end in the overthrow of both
thrones.
We have no wish ourselves to take Cuba, but are inclined to give
her the fair option of either continuing Spanish, becoming
independent, or uniting with Mexico, positively resisting, however,
even if necessary with arms, her occupation by any third power,
_i.e._, North America.
I continue most completely separated from the rest of the Cabinet.
Whether they live at all together I know not, but believe they do.
However, we have all been in town now for more than a week, and I
never have seen anything of any of them except in Cabinet. No one
dinner have I been asked to since the conclusion of the Session,
excepting one in the beginning of September at Robinson's. Now we
all know that business can never be really settled in the meetings
of so numerous a Cabinet, but that it must be _in fact_ arranged at
more private meetings and dinners.
Canning is certainly not cordial, though there is nothing I have a
right to complain of. Still I see that he is disposed to discuss
the business of his own office, &c., with Lord Bathurst, Peel, or
Robinson, but not with me. Peel is reserved in his natural manner,
but I rather get on with him. What is Canning's object I cannot at
all discover. His obvious policy would be to unite us to himself,
but I am clear that is not in his view. His language to me on the
Catholic question was in such a tone as to lead me to doubt
extremely whether he can be relied upon. He dwelt to much on the
disposition of the Duke of York, if he succeeded to the throne, to
stake his Crown entirely upon opposition to it, and talked so much
on the advantages of a compromise, which should secure everything
except Privy Council and Parliament; professing willingness
himself, if that was conceded, to oppose any agitation of the
question for a considerable time, that I am myself convinced that
he is disposed to consider it as a millstone, to which he is not
absolutely pledged, and which he will for his own interest shake
from off his neck. We have begun on Wellesley's plan, but as yet
made no progress. Indeed it is so defective, that though it
professes to rest upon two or three plain principles to be adopted
or rejected, there are double that number not adverted to which
must be previously understood and determined.
Ever affectionately yours,
C. W. W.
THE RIGHT HON. CHARLES W. WYNN TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.
East India Office, Dec. 7th, 1822.
MY DEAR B----,
I had yesterday a conversation with Canning, when he offered me
either Copenhagen or Stuttgard for Henry, as a remove from
Switzerland. I obtained from him that the question should be kept
open till I heard from him, though I cannot feel a doubt that he
will gladly accept the former, as though the business is in truth
as little or less than that of his present situation, it is in the
public eye a decided promotion, the salary is 1000_l._ a year
higher, and whenever anything more desirable may become vacant, any
Secretary of State will be better disposed to promote him than from
Switzerland, the mission to which can never be vacant without again
raising a question upon its suppression. The residence is certainly
less desirable as well as the climate, but these are inconveniences
which any man who wishes to rise in his profession must be disposed
to overlook. The offer is also valuable, as I think it shows good
disposition.
We have to-day the D---- of W----'s despatches from Verona of the
26th. He proposes setting off on the 30th, and coming home through
Paris. He sends copies of the despatches of Russia, Austria, and
Prussia to their Ministers at Madrid, which are to be communicated
to the Spanish Government _in extenso_. They are couched in very
strong, indeed, offensive terms, announcing their intention to make
common cause with France in the event of the violent death of the
King or any of the Royal Family, of his dethronement, or any
alteration in the succession, or of any aggression on the territory
of France. The note of Russia goes through a kind of history of the
revolutionary steps of Spain. Meanwhile, Villele continues the
assurance of his determination, supported by the King, and _also
by Monsieur_ (who I suppose now, as is his custom, has taken
fright), to avoid a rupture, and expressing his hope of having the
support of Sir C. S----[101] to resist Rozzo di Borgo. Metternich
also, while he joins in the impulse which Russia has given to the
Congress, begs the D---- of W---- that Sir William A'Court[102] may
be instructed to mediate as far as possible with Spain, and to
prevent her from resenting these extraordinary measures.
Altogether, if A'Court can succeed in persuading Spain that it is
her interest to wait till she is attacked, and only to resent these
words with words, I think it is very probable peace may still be
preserved, as Villele has extremely increased his strength in the
Legislative Assembly, and the danger of again bringing a French
army into action is felt by every one but the Emperor Alexander,
who, as usual, acts from his own feelings only, and particularly
from aversion to the example of a successful military mutiny, to
which Prussia also is most sensible.
Ever affectionately yours,
C. W. W.
[101] Sir Charles Stuart, created in 1828 Lord Stuart de
Rothesay.
[102] In 1828 created Baron Heytesbury.
THE RIGHT HON. CHARLES W. WYNN TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.
East India Office, Dec. 30, 1822.
MY DEAR B----,
You will probably have heard from other quarters of the intended
appointment of Lord Francis Conyngham to be Canning's
Under-Secretary of State. I only know it from report, but am
disposed to believe it; and it is added that the King on his late
visit to Brighton leant on his shoulder and patted his head.
I cannot conceive how Lord F. C---- can retain the Mastership of
the Robes.
The next report is that the newly-erected pillar of orthodoxy,
young Bankes, has to encounter an action for crim. con. from Lord
Buckinghamshire, and that Scarlet is retained for the plaintiff.
Surely Wellesley is making too ridiculous a parade, even for the
taste of Paddy, when he talks of the _horror_, the _awful moment_,
&c.; and when we consider that the King and his father have both
had to encounter bullets, it is but in proper subordination that
the piece of a rattle and of a glass bottle should be directed
against the occupant of "_the throne on which he has been placed by
the favour of his Sovereign_."
Still it may be of use towards the suppression of the Orange
Lodges, which I have great hopes will result from it. It has been
proposed to extend the English Act against Secret Societies, to
Ireland, with a view to some of the cases of conspiracy which they
have been unable to deal with; and upon mentioning to Peel that
that was the Act upon which the House of Commons in general agreed
in 1813 to consider the Orange Association as illegal, I had much
pleasure to see that he looked upon this as a recommendation rather
than an objection.
The conduct of Villele is to me quite inexplicable, nor can I
conceive his motive for resorting to so offensive and irritating a
step as the publication of a despatch (in itself calculated to
provoke a war) immediately after he had triumphed over the war
party, and their expulsion from the Cabinet.
Ever most faithfully yours,
C. WILLIAMS WYNN.
CHAPTER XI.
[1823.]
CONTINENTAL AFFAIRS. DIPLOMATIC POSTS. PROPOSED MINISTERIAL CHANGES.
MISSION OF LORD FITZROY SOMERSET TO SPAIN. STATE OF IRELAND. OBJECTS OF
FRANCE. APPOINTMENT OF REGINALD HEBER. INCREASING POPULARITY OF MR.
CANNING. THE KING'S SPEECH. TRIALS IN IRELAND. MR. PLUNKET. THE
BEEFSTEAK CLUB IN DUBLIN. OBJECTIONABLE TOAST. THE DUKE OF CLARENCE.
IMPRUDENCE OF LORD WELLESLEY. THE LORD-LIEUTENANT'S EXPLANATION.
CHAPTER XI.
Continental affairs were at this time attracting general attention
throughout the British Empire, principally in consequence of the
recently-published declaration from the Allied Sovereigns at the
Congress of Verona, threatening interposition in the affairs of Spain,
and the attitude of France with a view to the same object. To the new
Foreign Secretary an opportunity presented itself for directing the
policy of Great Britain in a manner worthy of the position she had
acquired by her prodigious exertions in the last European war; and
remembering the largeness of his professions when out of office, the
political world waited with much eagerness the measures of this
brilliant statesman to maintain the dignity of his country. Mr. Canning
appeared sensible of the gravity of the threatened complication, but
occupied himself much more in endeavouring to strengthen himself in the
Cabinet than in developing a policy likely to realize the expectations
of his admirers.
THE RIGHT HON. CHARLES W. WYNN TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.
East India Office, Jan. 3, 1823.
MY DEAR B----,
I am sorry to say that in consequence of William Hill altering his
mind and declining the Under-Secretaryship, the intended promotion
in the diplomatic line which was to have opened Copenhagen to Henry
is stopped, and Canning now strongly presses his removal to
Stuttgart with the same rank and salary, with a view to an
arrangement by which the missions to Switzerland and Frankfort will
be reduced to a Minister Plenipotentiary, with about half the
present allowances.
This I think, though by no means pleasant to Henry, he ought to
accede to, both for the public benefit and the gratification of his
immediate superior, it being clearly understood that he is to be
considered as entitled to promotion on the first occasion.
Canning is very gracious and confidential. He certainly wishes in
no moderate degree to get his friend Huskisson into my particular
office, but would be quite willing to give me any other I chose in
exchange which he could obtain, but as I really prefer it to any
other which could be given to me, except that of Secretary of
State, or possibly the Admiralty, if there were no better claimant,
I do not see any probability of his wishes being gratified _a
l'aimable_.
It is most vexatious that, in spite of all admonition, the
_Courier_ persists in its warlike tone and justification of the
interference of the Continental Powers in the internal affairs of
Spain, in opposition to all the known views and declarations of the
British Government.
Of this I have given a hint, and desired that it may be noticed in
the next.
With respect to France, I can tell you hardly anything which you
do not already know. They continue assurances of their pacific
intentions to us, and it seems clear that Montmorenci resigned
because his note was deemed too warlike; and yet one can scarcely
conceive how it could have been more likely to create a rupture
than that of Villele, particularly followed up as the latter has
been by the very offensive step of giving it publicity in the
_Moniteur_ within forty-eight hours after it had left Paris.
It cannot be denied that this note so published is in itself a
legitimate ground of war to Spain if she chooses to avail herself
of it C---- believes that she is not yet sufficiently ready, and
will prefer remaining at peace. Meantime she has made the greatest
haste to grant all our demands which had been so long pending, and
to promise immediate satisfaction on our different grounds of
complaint.
Ever most affectionately yours,
C. W. W.
I agree with you in thinking that the Indian Juggler has
disappointed expectation most lamentably, and I fear that we must
say the same of _our_ own friend, who seems to me a _Diabolus
Domini Vice Regis, tout comme un autre_.
THE RIGHT HON. CHARLES W. WYNN TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.
East India Office, Jan. 6, 1823.
MY DEAR B----,
Canning not having come up to town, I have not been able to speak
to him on the subject of your letter, but after communicating with
Lord Liverpool, I can, I believe, say with certainty, that though
of course no part of the King's speech has yet been framed or
considered, you may depend upon its containing such a
recommendation of relief from taxation as will satisfy the
principle upon which Lord C---- wishes for information.
I have much pleasure in telling you that a change will, I trust,
take place by the retirement of Bragge Bathurst, which will enable
us to take the field with better auspices at the meeting of
Parliament.
It is proposed that Vansittart shall succeed to the Chancellorship
of the Duchy, with a _Peerage_; Robinson to the Exchequer;
Huskisson, Board of Trade and Treasurer of the Navy, without
Cabinet; Arbuthnot, Woods and Forests; Herries, Secretary to the
Treasury. As yet, this is completely a secret even to the Cabinet,
but as the King has approved it, it probably cannot long so
continue. One consequence I apprehend will be, that Peel and I must
stand the pelting of the first fortnight of the Session by
ourselves, which probably your kindness will admit as an additional
reason for my wishing C---- to listen favourably to Canning's
request.
I really do not think that there is the least ground for your
supposition of intentional neglect on the part of Government
towards you. Nothing which I have seen looks at all like it. It is
possible that you may think that you ought to have been written to
oftener, but it has naturally been supposed, that as I was in
constant communication with you, it was not necessary for anybody
else.
I have to-day heard from Dublin that the Grand Jury has thrown out
Bills preferred against the rioters for a misdemeanour, very much
in consequence of the feeling originally excited by the first
design of proceeding against them capitally for a conspiracy to
assassinate. Plunket has, I understand, immediately declared that
he would file an _ex officio_ information against them. Whether
this is wise or not depends, I think, wholly on the nature of his
evidence; if he can produce sufficient to warrant a conviction it
will be quite right, and expose the Orange spirit of Dublin; but if
it is deficient, it will have a most mischievous effect to subject
them to such a proceeding, after the Grand Jury has thrown out the
Bill.
I am very sorry that you differ with me about Henry, but it really
seems to me that after Canning has intimated this opinion in favour
of the reduction of the mission, he has only the choice of leaving
it or of carrying into execution his original offer of taking it
with his own rank, but a reduced salary. In the event of a
repetition of last year's attack, it would be no trifling change if
the Secretary of State were in his heart against us, and if,
perhaps, his intimates knew that he had proposed an arrangement for
averting it. I will also fairly state that, after thwarting
Canning's favourite plans for Huskisson, I am the more anxious not
to interpose unnecessary difficulty in the way of this.
I have to-day heard from Lord Hastings, that he awaits his
successor in India. The last _Guardian_ is not quite as good
as that of the preceding week, but the letter to Lethbridge is
excellent, and the general tone and conduct quite right.
Ever affectionately yours,
C. W. W.
THE RIGHT HON. CHARLES W. WYNN TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.
Audley End, Jan. 14, 1823.
MY DEAR B----,
The mission of Lord F. Somerset[103] is not of a nature to give any
jealousy to A'Court, being rather despatched by the Duke of
Wellington to Alava, and some of his old friends in the Spanish
army, than by Canning to the King of Spain; besides, he having been
at Verona, can more correctly state to them the means by which they
may enable us to avert the war with which they are menaced.
Henry accepts Stuttgart, though extremely reluctantly. You have
never made any observation on the changes which I announced to you
before I left town, and which I thought would please you. An
attempt was made to persuade me to take Robinson's succession, but
I really was exactly of Mr. Huskisson's opinion, and thought
2000_l._, or rather 1800_l._ a-year, worth more than a house,
coal and candles; besides which, I did not like the idea of a
second time undertaking a new department of the business, of which
I knew nothing, just at the outset of the Session.
I think Old Nick ought to be Viscount Van, for alliteration sake. I
believe he trusts still to his own loins to perpetuate the peerage,
and applies for no remainder. With this exception, I think the
arrangement as far as it goes good. Indeed, I do not know why
Arbuthnot should have the Woods and Forests, but that the
diplomatic pension list is full. I wish Lushington would retire
also, for I believe he does his work ill. I suppose you have had a
due announcement of the marriage of M. F----. Poor man, with such a
simpleton of a wife, and such a collection of radical
brethren-in-law, I think he has a good thing of it. Lord Braybrooke
has been ill, and was last week very largely bled; he is now
better, but has not yet quite recovered.
Lord Liverpool positively asserts that he has neither directly nor
indirectly pensioned Cobbett. I really think the Duke of Wellington
not a little indebted to him for forcing the Whigs to declare
county meetings a farce.
Ever affectionately yours,
C. W. W.
[103] The late Lord Raglan.
East India Office, Wednesday.
Reginald Heber has, after much hesitation, to-day accepted the
Bishopric of Calcutta; I grieve at losing him, but believe that the
appointment will be most extensively beneficial. Our Brighton
detachment reports the K---- to have been in excellent humour and
spirits, and the general health good, but so lame as to occasion
considerable doubt whether he may recover the use of his feet,
which are much contracted.
THE RIGHT HON. CHARLES W. WYNN TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.
East India Office, Jan. 20, 1823.
MY DEAR B----,
I see the changes have at length got into the newspapers. I am only
astonished that the secret has been preserved longer than any
similar one which I recollect, as it has been in agitation ever
since Canning came into office, and the hope of assisting it by
inducing Van to take my office was one of the considerations most
strongly urged upon me at the close of our discussion relative to
the Speakership.
For the best possible reason I cannot tell you our finance plans,
but I trust that considerable reduction of taxes must form a part
of them, agreeably to Liverpool's assurances. In the course of two
or three days I shall know more.
Robinson[104] will be a decided improvement on poor Van, both in
manner and popularity with the House, but as to measures, Liverpool
must of course give the orders, and he obey. Still he is a man of
sense and judgment, though perhaps deficient in energy, and if (as
I am told) Huskisson will draw well with him, it really is the best
appointment, both ostensibly and in fact, that we have materials
for.
Lord F. Somerset's instructions are decidedly to act under
A'Court's orders, and only to make those communications from the
D---- of W---- to Alava and other individuals, which could not with
any propriety be conveyed through the accredited Minister, and
which would in truth excite all the clamour against interference in
the internal affairs of Spain, which we most desire to avoid.
With respect to the question of sugars, I am very far from having
formed any definite opinion, and am disposed to go into the
Committee which Van last year pledged himself to grant, with a most
impartial spirit. The bias of my mind certainly is to believe that
by no means in our power can the ruin of the old sugar islands be
averted, and that the present plan only sacrifices the East Indies
to the new ones, which in their turn will be obliged to give way to
the S. American Continent.
The state of India is now certainly most critical, as by the
successful introduction of the British muslins you have completely
destroyed that which till within a very short time has been their
great staple export, and which now they have ceased to use
themselves. I doubt, however, whether Robinson will even consider
himself bound by Vansittart's pledge to go into the Committee, as I
know he disapproved extremely of its being given, and thinks that
the East Indies ought rather to look for relief from encouragement
to the silk trade, and consequently to their growth of raw silk,
than to any other source.
The question, however, is one of which I am by no means master, and
on which I am not in any way committed.
Ever most affectionately yours,
C. W. W.
[104] Afterwards created Viscount Goderich and Earl of Ripon.
The presence of a popular Lord-Lieutenant, as the Marquis Wellesley was
considered on his first arrival in Ireland, did not eradicate that
feverish spirit of disaffection in a certain portion of the population
of the island, which had been the great difficulty of his predecessors.
Indeed, his Lordship had lately become an object of open hostility, and
an outrage had been perpetrated apparently against the vice-regal
dignity, that was now undergoing investigation before the proper
tribunal. This was only one indication of a mischievous spirit that had
defeated the wisest intentions; in other places, the chronic disorder
was so conspicuous as almost to make the friends of Ireland despair of
being able to effect any permanent good in this unfortunate country.
THE RIGHT HON. CHARLES W. WYNN TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.
East India Office, Jan. 23, 1823.
MY DEAR B----,
I have scarce a moment to write to you, as between general business
and that belonging to the office, which presses particularly at
this moment, I am hard pressed. The depositions in the Dublin riot
seem to me completely to establish the fact of a preconcerted
disturbance, but rather directed against the Lord Mayor than the
Lord-Lieutenant; but there is nothing to support the idea of a
capital charge, unless some subsequent declarations that they
should not so miss him another time, and that they were ready to
sacrifice their lives for the object, should be so thought. We are
to-morrow to consider the steps to be adopted.
On the first flush, the proceeding by information after an
indictment has failed, certainly seems objectionable, but I believe
it must certainly be legal, just as preferring a second indictment
would. I am myself, however, most inclined to support this course,
not because I approve it, but because after all that has happened,
it would degrade both Wellesley and Plunket, and exalt the Orange
faction in the public eye, to refuse our sanction to the measures
which they have adopted.
The great object of France, in all her twisted course, has been to
have the question of War and Peace left in her hands by the rest of
Europe, then by a dexterous application of this power to produce a
restoration of some portion of the King of Spain's authority, and
on that ground to regain her ancient influence in his Court. In
this, at all events, she has completely failed. Spain now promises
payment of all our just claims, some of which she admits, and is
willing to refer the remainder to a mixed commission. She also
sends over a specific request for our good offices, to avert from
her the calamities of war. Canning, I think, expects that peace
will be preserved, and reasons much as you do. Both the King of
France and Villele profess to see how prejudicial to the interest
of France war must be.
I verily believe Lord Melville's conduct to you to be only the same
by which he gives offence to everybody else. Hay, I believe, told
Phillimore that Lord M---- had not answered one letter of all those
which arrived during the time he was in Scotland. Canning retires
from Liverpool, and succeeds to one of the seats for Harwich,
vacated by B. Bathurst's retirement and Nick's peerage.
Ever most affectionately yours,
C. W. W.
There is some talk of Lord Maryborough quitting the Cabinet, and I
believe that the Doctor only remains till he can appear to leave it
without any reference to Canning's appointment.
THE RIGHT HON. CHARLES W. WYNN TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.
East India Office, Jan. 25, 1823.
MY DEAR B----,
There is much reason to fear that Chateaubriand is still more
favourably disposed towards the War party than his predecessor, and
is run away with a true French notion that the _glory_ of success
can only exist in connexion with the white cockade. Should he
prevail, there is little doubt that Villele will retire, and _then_
the Ultra-Royalists will drive to the Devil with a rapidity that
nothing can check.
This is the gloomy side; on the other, Villele has certainly great
strength, and even the Royalists will think twice before they allow
the million (English) of surplus which is about to be applied to
indemnify them, to go towards the _frais_ of an armament, the
recommendation of which is that it is to be levied without a loan
and without an additional tax.
I quite agree with you in the necessity of supporting Wellesley and
Plunket, though we may _in private_ think they have acted absurdly.
I am convinced that the Orange party will make a run against them
with all the power they can, of which I already see symptoms which
cannot be mistaken; but as far as I can judge, L---- will behave
_honestly_.
The depositions have all been sent over, and I am not surprised
that the English lawyers are unable to find among them any ground
to maintain the committal for the capital charge. As, however, this
was abandoned, the practical battle will be upon the propriety of a
prosecution by information, after an indictment preferred by the
Attorney-General has been ignored. Of this there is no example in
England. Whether there is or not in Ireland I do not know, but at
all events Plunket must be supported in it, and allowed to proceed.
The Irish Government now stand publicly committed to that course,
and if they were compelled to abandon it, _must_ immediately
resign, and afford a triumph to the Orange faction. It is no small
misfortune that our law advisers should be so entirely in one
interest, and under one influence, as to exercise no free agency of
their own. I trust that we have put a stop to the practice of
submitting Plunket's conduct and opinions to _their_ revision, by
treating their communication as one of a nature strictly private,
and as one which it would be impossible to make known to any one
individual without giving the justest offence both to Wellesley,
Plunket, and Bushe.
The Speech will recommend considerable relief from taxation, and
notice will be given of Robinson's intention to bring the subject
forward as soon as he resumes his seat. It signifies little what we
do. Lethbridge and the Squires will feel bound to go beyond us; but
if we can extend the relief to 50 per cent. on houses and windows,
carriages, horses, and servants, all reasonable men ought to be
satisfied.
I have spoken to Lord Liverpool about Sir George Nugent, and he
vows and protests nothing could be further from his intention than
the slightest disrespect to a person towards whom no one can feel
anything but regard, &c. &c. &c. In short, he says all that a man
in the unfortunate situation of having done an awkward absent thing
can say, and I know not what can be done further.
I believe my appointment of Reginald Heber is really the very best
for India that the kingdom could have supplied. Henry is to be
accredited to Baden and Carlsruhe, as well as to Stuttgart.
Ever affectionately yours,
C. W. W.
THE RIGHT HON. W. H. FREMANTLE TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.
East India Office, Jan. 27, 1623.
MY DEAR DUKE,
Of course Wynn has communicated with you upon the changes which
have taken place; I was completely ignorant of them till the papers
announced them, but think altogether it is a much improved
administration; the weak point of Vansittart is strengthened, and
though perhaps Robinson may not have been the fittest man for a
Chancellor of the Exchequer, there is none other who would have
done so well with Lord Liverpool, and he is a very popular man in
the House of Commons. Wallace is most indignant at Huskisson being
put over his head, and has resigned the Vice-Presidency of the
Board of Trade; this has been offered to Vesey Fitzgerald,[105] who
I have no doubt will take it, but should he not, I understand it is
to be offered to Charles Grant;[106] and it is also said that Lord
Maryborough goes out, and Wallace is to replace him at the Mint.
The change at the Treasury would certainly make it easy for Canning
to take a jump at any future opportunity by the resignation of Lord
Liverpool, by becoming First Lord and Chancellor of the Exchequer,
and giving the Foreign Seals to Robinson; how far this may be in
his contemplation, you have better means of judging than I have,
but it is not very foreign to his character to entertain such a
view.
Every human being seems to condemn in the strongest terms the
conduct of Wellesley; there never was such an ass, and if he has
hatched all this trumpery and made Plunket his dupe, the latter
will never get over it; such is the belief, and it really looks
like it. Plunket must of course come to the meeting, and we shall
then see what he chooses to disclose to the public; for a
justification he must make. The Opposition are not disposed to
attack Lord Wellesley, and are of course in trammels on the
question, but there are plenty of Orangeists who will not be
wanting. The thing that I think looks most suspicious in all these
measures, is the unmeasured applause which the Opposition papers
give to Canning, and I hear that at Brookes's he is much the most
popular man in the country; we know his avidity for popular
applause, and I own I cannot but entertain some fears as to the
abstainment on his part from all intrigue; the best security
against this will be in the meeting of Parliament, when he will be
soon brought in contact with those who are now upholding him. He
does not come in for Liverpool, but for Harwich, as also Mr.
Herries. Young Disbrowe comes in for Windsor, in the room of Sir
Herbert Taylor, who resigns his seat. The Duke of York has been
alarmingly ill, but is now much better; I understand you met him at
the grand _chasse_ at Ashridge.
Although it is very likely the French Government will be forced
into a war, yet I am for my own part still disposed to think they
will not, from all Lionel Hervey tells me on the subject; it is
fraught with too much danger to France itself, and too certain a
failure in the object for which the war is contemplated, to be
persisted in, however they may bully and prepare for it. Canning
has certainly recommended himself greatly to public opinion by the
line he has adopted, and though _we are given to understand_ there
has been considerable differences in the Cabinet upon it, he has
never changed his tone for one moment, and has carried his views.
Adieu, my dear Duke,
Ever most unfeignedly yours,
W. H. F.
[105] Created Baron Fitzgerald in 1826.
[106] Created Baron Glenelg in 1836.
THE RIGHT HON. CHARLES W. WYNN TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.
East India Board, Jan. 31, 1823.
MY DEAR B----,
The die seems at length to be cast, and the throw cannot be
altered, though the French continue to profess the same desire of
avoiding war, and with as much sincerity as they have done
throughout the discussion. They have taken the worst course, and in
the worst possible way. I really am so much out of humour with the
_gros cochon_, that I rather hope that his life may be prolonged,
so as to taste a little of the evil which he is about to produce.
Poor Liverpool is in a state of worry and dejection which exceeds
anything I have yet seen, but I am assured by Lord Melville this is
not for him extraordinary when hard-worked.
The Speech states the King, faithful to his principles, &c., to
have declined any measure which could lead to a foreign
interference in the internal affairs of France; his endeavours to
prevent hostilities, and his determination if they should take
place, to use every effort to put an end to them, maintaining in
the mean time the strictest and most exact neutrality; pleasure at
the state of the Revenue, and that Parliament will be enabled
thereby to relieve the burthens without any violation of public
credit; condolence to the agriculture, congratulation to the
commerce.
We have plenty of business to bring forward: Irish tithes, Irish
distillery, finance, &c. &c.
I heard this morning from Plunket, desiring me to fix with Canning
an early day for the Catholic question, which he will bring forward
accordingly. I think of Thursday, the 20th, or Tuesday, the 25th.
He waits for the trials, but hopes to be over, as I understand him,
on the 10th. He is prepared for violent attacks from the lawyers on
the filing of his information after indictment, but speaks
confidently of his defence.
Liverpool, Bathurst, Robinson, the Duke, Harrowby, and
Westmoreland, are gone down to Brighton to read the Speech.
I do not yet even know what Burdett's motion for to-morrow is to
be, but I am told resolutions of moderate censure on the Sheriff;
and still less do I know what the course of the Orange Party will
be; and it is on the latter that ours must principally depend, as
their only object will clearly be to inculpate Plunket either
directly or impliedly.
I go on with very little intercourse with my colleagues in the
House of Commons, but must say that they seem not to have any more
one with another.
I must break off.
Ever affectionately yours,
C. W. W.
THE RIGHT HON. CHARLES W. WYNN TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.
East India Office, Feb. 1, 1823.
MY DEAR B----,
I have not myself the least idea that a wish for the admission of
Lord Colchester into the Cabinet exists in any mind except his own,
or that Lord Harrowby has any idea of retiring at present.
It is perfectly true that France still continues to say that it
must be six weeks before any blow can be struck or a shot fired,
and to beg us to continue our good offices, though she cannot admit
any mediator between Princes of the House of Bourbon and near
neighbours, but she still urges the necessity not so much of any
real or efficient change being made, as of its emanating directly
from the authority of the King--in short, that because they had a
charte, two chambers, and an amnesty, Spain shall have them all
likewise.
I have seen no symptom whatever of division among Ministers on this
point.
The Lord Chancellor had viewed the introduction of Mr. Canning into the
Cabinet with more discontent even than he had bestowed upon the
admission of the Grenvilles; but an arrangement that brought him
another popular statesman as a colleague, he regarded with so much ill
feeling that it amounted to the expression of a desire to resign. "The
_Courier_ of last night," he writes, "announces Mr. Huskisson's
introduction into the Cabinet. Of the intention or the fact I have no
other communication. Whether Lord Sidmouth has or not, I don't know,
but really this is rather too much. Looking at the whole history of
this gentleman, I don't consider this introduction, without a word said
about the intention, as I should perhaps have done with respect to some
persons that have been or might be brought into Cabinet, but turning
out one man and introducing another in the way all this is done, is
telling the Chancellor that he should not give them the trouble of
disposing of him, but should (not treated as a Chancellor) cease to be
a Chancellor. What makes it worse is, that the great man of all has a
hundred times most solemnly declared that no connexions of a certain
person's should come in. There is no believing one word anybody says,
and what makes the matter still worse is, that everybody acquiesces
most quietly, and waits in all humility and patience till their [his]
own turn comes."[107]
[107] Twiss's "Life of Lord Eldon," vol. ii. p. 76.
A recollection of Mr. Huskisson by another political cotemporary of
eminence, may here be put forward by way of contrast to the preceding.
"Besides possessing considerable abilities, and upon some subjects
extensive knowledge, he is cheerful, good-natured, and obliging--a man
of the world of the best sort. When you come to converse with him upon
other topics than those to which the purpose of your first interview
limited you, you will find that nothing can be more rational and
agreeable than his conversation."[108]
[108] Lord Dudley's "Letters," p. 321.
Though an able man, his subsequent political career was short and
unsatisfactory. His known devotion to Mr. Canning, who had long
endeavoured to bring him forward, after the demise of that eminent
statesman, exercised a prejudicial influence over his fortunes, and the
first opportunity that presented itself was eagerly seized to get rid
of him.
About the end of January, Lord Grenville had a serious attack of
illness--a paralytic seizure--that caused considerable alarm among his
relatives and friends; but Sir Henry Halford having been summoned to
the assistance of the ordinary medical attendants at Dropmore, an
improvement shortly took place, and in a few days he was pronounced out
of danger.
The proceedings going on in Ireland, arising out of the alleged
conspiracy and rebellion, were regarded with as much interest in
England as the threatened invasion of Spain by France.
THE RIGHT HON. W. H. FREMANTLE TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.
East India Office, Four o'clock.
MY DEAR DUKE,
I am just come from the House, which was not made, owing to the
horrid weather and fall of snow, therefore I cannot move the writ
till to-morrow, when I shall certainly do so.
I saw Spring Rice,[109] who had just received letters from Dublin,
giving an account of the first day's trial. His letters were from
Maurice Fitzgerald, Mr. Goold, and another whose name he did not
mention, but he read them all to me, and they perfectly agreed in
stating that nothing could have been more favourable to the proof
of the conspiracy than the first day's trial. The Sheriff evidently
attempted to secure a good jury; there were six trials, and he had
only collected sixty individuals for the formation of the juries;
the Court directed him to enlarge his numbers, which he was obliged
to do, and the jury was considered tolerably good, though not a
single Catholic upon it, only one individual who they knew to be a
sworn and decided Orangeman. Nothing could exceed the eloquence,
temper, and firmness of Plunket, exceeding his acknowledged powers.
One witness only examined as yet, but all agreeing that if he
[Plunket] only proves half that he has stated himself prepared to
bring forward, a conviction must follow. In the course of his
speech he stated that Lord Wellesley was supported in all the steps
he had taken by the Government in England, and by the personal
sanction and approbation of his Sovereign. He laid it very heavily
on the Sheriff, Thorpe, and others of the Corporation. Altogether,
from these letters (which of course must be taken with some
abatement, from the character and opinions of the writers), it
would appear that Plunket will not only come out most triumphantly,
but that the Orangeists are fallen beyond all belief in their
triumphant expectation.
Fitzgerald's phrase is, "The case even exceeds the most sanguine
statement which Lord Wellesley had made me the day before."
Ever truly yours,
W. H. F.
I merely add a few words, to say that our first day has been most
favourable to the Government, and that we are all in tip-top
spirits. No one can yet believe that France will be mad enough to
march troops into the Peninsula. Brougham's certainly one of the
most, if not the most eloquent speech he ever made, but most bitter
and vindictive towards the allies and the magnanimous Alexander.
Nothing can be better than the accounts from Dropmore.
W. H. F.
I forgot to say that Plunket has two Orange informers to produce as
witnesses, who were parties to the conspiracy. There was no
prevarication or difficulty with the only witness examined.
[109] In 1839 created Baron Monteagle.
THE RIGHT HON. W. H. FREMANTLE TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.
House of Commons, Five o'clock.
MY DEAR DUKE,
Nothing is talked of but Lord Wellesley's business; he really seems
to have lost his head, though Plunket and Newport are come full
primed and most loud in his defence; the Opposition, I have no
doubt, will support him, and I have as little doubt that the
Cabinet will do the same; but all the Orange part of the Government
are trumpeting forth his misconduct, and folly, and madness. The
real fact I believe to be, that he has been guilty of great
imprudence, but that the Orange faction in Ireland were determined
to drive him away, and Lord Manners was at the head of this
faction. It is impossible that they can both now remain, and
therefore I have not the least doubt that Lord Manners will be
recalled. There is a story in town to-day, of a message having been
sent by Lord Wellesley to Lord Manners, in which the former
upbraids the latter with the most culpable, unfair, treacherous
conduct towards him from the moment he set foot in Ireland, and
letting him know if it were not for their public situations he
should have resented it in another mode. I do not believe one word
of this, though I give full credit for his indiscretion.
I have just seen Newport, who says it is impossible. He is just
come from Dropmore, and gives a good account of Lord G----. Lord
Liverpool I hear is quite firm about Wellesley; how the Chancellor
will act upon it remains to be seen; the question must now come to
an issue.
We expect much effect from Robinson's first essay on Friday.
Canning has done remarkably well as yet, and gives great
satisfaction. Nothing can prevent the mad war of the French.
Ever most faithfully,
W. H. F.
THE RIGHT HON. W. H. FREMANTLE TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.
House of Commons, Feb. 10, 1823.
MY DEAR DUKE,
The Dublin jury were out for six hours, and then requested the
judge to dismiss them, for they could not come to a decision. They
were of course remanded, and ordered to be locked up till the next
morning. We shall probably next hear of their fighting among
themselves. Lady Rossman, in her evidence (ninety years of age),
says it must have been an older woman than herself to be frightened
by such a proceeding at the theatre.
I heard to-day (_quite private_) that a demur arises as to
Huskisson's appointment to the Board of Trade, he being agent to
Ceylon, and in that capacity a continual suitor on the part of the
island to the Board. The agency is 1200_l._, the Presidentship
_nil_. He therefore of course will not hesitate, should it be found
to be a vital objection. It makes no difference as to his election.
Banks stands for Dorsetshire, _vice_ Portman, dead; it it not
known yet if any other person stands. No further news.
Ever, &c.,
W. H. F.
THE RIGHT HON. CHARLES W. WYNN TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.
Feb. 10, 1823.
Nothing more decisive has, I believe, arrived from France; and the
latest account from Ireland is, that at eight o'clock on Friday
night the jury were considering their verdict.
I shall not be surprised if the evening papers obtain the result,
though it may not reach Peel till to-morrow.
The war-whoop of Opposition may possibly have some effect towards
frightening old Louis, and in that case it may be useful, but I
trust there is little chance of its communicating its effects
either in the Cabinet or Parliament on this side the water. Canning
will, I believe, return in time to take his seat to-morrow.
Ever affectionately yours,
C. W. W.
THE RIGHT HON. CHARLES W. WYNN TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.
Feb. 11, 1823.
MY DEAR B----,
The newspapers will tell you the result of the Dublin trials, but
we have had no letters, and know nothing of Plunket's intentions.
The report is that the Orangemen are quite triumphant and insolent.
What line C----g intends to take I do not know, but I have observed
that he never omits an opportunity of quizzing the Bottle Plot, and
that all his friends ridicule Wellesley on every opportunity.
Stocks are down to 73-1/2, but we have nothing new either from
Paris or Madrid.
Ever yours affectionately,
C. W. W.
THE RIGHT HON. CHARLES W. WYNN TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.
East India Office, Feb. 13, 1823.
MY DEAR B----,
We are, I believe, going to augment our estimates from 21,000 to
25,000 seamen, which it is thought will be sufficient to protect
our neutrality in the contest which now seems all but certain.
I am glad to say that the increase of the number of judges is
consented to, and the measures of a third assize, the alteration of
the Welsh Judicature, and the appointment of a Committee of Lords,
with certain judges as assessors, are to be consequent upon it.
We are also to increase the efficiency of secondary punishments by
sending convicts to different parts of our colonies, there to be
employed in hard-labour; the worst to Sierra Leone; and to diminish
the number of offences liable to capital punishment.
I expect Plunket every hour. He sailed from Dublin on Monday night,
and I should think ought at latest to have been in town to-day. The
remarks mentioned in my last have been general enough to have
produced much observation, and they are, I am told, attributed
rather to disinclination to the _master_ than the man.
THE RIGHT HON. CHARLES W. WYNN TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.
East India Office, Feb. 15, 1823.
MY DEAR B----,
No one who does not reside the greatest part of his time in London,
can possess real influence in public affairs. Lord Chatham at
Hayes, and Lord Grenville at Dropmore, neither of them half your
distance, are instances of the loss of political consequence at a
time when from the extreme multiplication of correspondence,
Parliamentary inquiries, &c., every single department was not
over-worked and over-occupied to the degree they now are. There
really now is no time even for communication among the different
members of the Government, each member of which manages his own
department almost without interference from his colleagues, except
when he thinks it necessary to call a Cabinet on any point of
peculiar importance.
Plunket arrived yesterday evening, and I have had a long
conversation with him to-day. He is harassed and fatigued to a
great degree by all he has lately been going through. The
dismissals of Sir C. Vernon, St. George, and Stanhope, have taken
place since he left Dublin, he having dissuaded Lord W----y
strongly from the removal of the former before he went, and as he
thought with success, he being just the good-natured, silly animal
whom everybody would compassionate, and the women in particular.
The particular offence is their presence at the Beef-steak Club,
where the _Chancellor and Commander-in-Chief_ also dined, when the
Lord-Lieutenant was drunk to the tune of "Now Phoebus sinketh in
the west," with dead silence, and Lord Talbot with great applause;
and afterwards the toast, which you will read in the _Courier_.
Now really, as the Dublin paper observes, for poor Charley Vernon
to have got up, and in the presence of the Chancellor and Lord
Combermere to have objected to the toast which they joined in
because the Lord-Lieutenant was clearly the person who wished to
"_subvert the constitution_," would have been rather a strong
measure; and it seems pitiful to resent conduct in the Chamberlain,
because he was part of his household, which the Lord-Lieutenant
dare not notice in the Chancellor.
He [Plunket] has seen Liverpool, who, as is usual with him, dealt
in generals, and avoided any particular conversation on the late
events.
It seems to me that the proposition for extending the Act against
secret and affiliated societies to Ireland (which has not yet been
decided upon by the Cabinet) will probably bring the matter to an
upshot. If that is agreed to, it will be evident that the
Government are determined to support Lord Wellesley, and if not,
that they are willing to resign Ireland to the tyranny of the
lodges.
Plunket describes the flame in Dublin as beyond description, and
regretted Wellesley being surrounded by a set of people totally
incapable of assisting or advising him, and who merely carry
rumours to irritate him.
I have no time to write more.
Ever affectionately yours,
C. W. W.
The Duke of Buckingham having accepted a proposal made to him to
preside at the anniversary meeting on St. Patrick's day, wrote to the
Duke of Clarence to obtain for the festival the advantage of his Royal
Highness's presence, who thus replied:--
H.R.H. THE DUKE OF CLARENCE TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.
Bushey House, Feb. 10, 1823.
Late at night.
DEAR DUKE,