Chapter XII

The changes that had taken place in the Government this year comprised the appointment of the Right Hon. Frederick John Robinson as Chancellor and Under Treasurer of the Exchequer, the Right Hon. William Huskisson as Treasurer of the Navy, and the Right Hon. Nicholas Vansittart as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, he was also raised to the Peerage by the title of Baron Bexley. Mr. Henry Watkin Williams Wynn had also been gazetted Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to the King of Wurtemberg. The debates in the two Houses of the Legislature did not indicate any pressing necessity for more important alterations, the principal subject being the reduction of the National Debt, the Tithe System in Ireland, and the Irish Volunteer Corps; the last two giving occasion for attacks on the proceedings of the Government in Ireland. On these points the President of the Board of Control will be found sufficiently communicative.

THE RIGHT HON. CHARLES W. WYNN TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.

East India Office, March 4, 1823.

MY DEAR B----,

Lord W----'s answer has at length just arrived, and is rather an
extraordinary one. He professes himself still decidedly of opinion
that the extension of the Act against secret societies is
necessary, but indifferent as to the time of its being brought
forward. He dwells, however, much on the importance and utility of
Abercromby's motion, and urges a full Parliamentary inquiry into
the condition of Ireland, the nature of the Orange societies, and
of the impediments his Government has met with. In short, if
instead of a private it were a public one, I should think that he
was making a preparatory case of grievance prior to resignation, to
be hereafter moved for in Parliament.

Nothing was decided in the Cabinet yesterday, which in the hope of
receiving this despatch was adjourned till to-morrow; but I flatter
myself the result will be to announce that we are prepared to bring
forward the proposed measure, though I fear this notice will be
accompanied by explanations from P---- which will provoke a debate,
and make it necessary for each of us to state his separate views. I
regret the discussion on general grounds, but most on account of
Plunket.

Ever affectionately yours,

C. W. W.

I conclude, among so large a party as that at Strathfield-saye, you
will have had little opportunity of conversation with your host.

THE RIGHT HON. CHARLES W. WYNN TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.

East India Office, March 5, 1823.

MY DEAR B----,

Just returned from Cabinet, and going to the House. The
determination, unanimous and quite satisfactory, to announce our
own intention of bringing forward, immediately after Easter, a Bill
to enforce the laws against secret societies, founded on the
Lord-Lieutenant's despatches of November and January last, and
fortified by what has since passed, and a general declaration of
support to the Irish Government.

Ever yours,

C. W. W.

The letter I mentioned yesterday recommended inquiry and public
discussion, for the purpose of placing in the broadest light the
condition of Ireland, the nature of secret societies, the whole
conduct of the Government, and of those who have thwarted and
opposed it!! The two brothers strongly condemn the conduct of the
third.[110]

[110] The Duke of Wellington, Lord Maryborough, and the Marquis
Wellesley.

THE RIGHT HON. CHARLES W. WYNN TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.

March 6, 1823.

MY DEAR B----,

My letter of yesterday will have prepared you for the debate, of
which you will read the account in the papers. Undoubtedly the best
course would have been to have given the notice of our intended
Bill in the first instance, and so have precluded the debate, but
P----[111] would not then have had the opportunity of making his
explanation, to which he attached much importance.

Part of his speech was good, but he showed too much anxiety to
justify himself and prove his own consistency, and a sort of
soreness which conveyed, I find, pretty generally, the idea that he
was acting on compulsion, which the Purple (Orange is not an
epithet strong enough) speech of his brother-in-law and
Under-Secretary strongly confirmed.

Canning expressed well and decidedly the concurrence and union of
the Governments of England and Ireland. Altogether we have got
through the business _so far_, more smoothly than I had
anticipated. I remained silent, as you advised. When I spoke of
unanimity yesterday, I should have excepted W. W. P----,[112] who
was too apprehensive of the consequences of the measure in the
north, to be swayed by paternal regard. Plunket continues to look
wretchedly ill, and from his own account of constant headaches,
&c., I cannot help feeling uneasy about him.

We have not for some time had any discussion on foreign politics,
but I quite concur in the view which my uncles, the Duke, and you
all take of it, except that I could not _swallow_ any permanent
occupation of Spain by France without great difficulty.

Ever yours,

C. W. W.

[111] Mr. Plunket.

[112] William Wellesley Pole, created in 1821 Baron Maryborough.

THE RIGHT HON. CHARLES W. WYNN TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.

East India Office, March 7, 1823.

MY DEAR B----,

It is true that there be many things which may arise between this
and the end of the Session, but at present the one point upon which
all the House of Commons seems to agree is, that we are the _best_
and WISEST Ministers since the days of Lord Burleigh, and we only
stand in need of fans to hide our blushes when our modesty is so
severely put to the proof by the compliments of the opposite side.

Seriously, the effect of the two last nights' debates, if properly
taken advantage of by Wellesley, ought to place his Government for
some time upon velvet, particularly when accompanied by the humble
Palinodia of the Chancellor to the beef-steaks, which, I must
confess, in despite of all regard for an old friend, seems somewhat
contemptible. W---- has again the cards in his own hand if he knows
how to play them, but the next _revoke_ will be fatal to him
if it soon occurs.

Ever affectionately yours,

C. W. W.

THE RIGHT HON. CHARLES W. WYNN TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.

East India Office, March 12, 1823.

I have little now to tell you, my dear B----, but that on Monday a
private letter was written to W---- by Peel, with the concurrence
of the Cabinet, containing strong assurances of support, but
stating at the same time an opinion that the evidence did not
warrant the committal for an attempt to murder, or the language of
the addresses or answers, and terminating with a recommendation of
endeavours to secure the co-operation of persons of influence and
consequence, whatever their persuasions or opinions might be.
Altogether it had too much the tone of a lecture, but was so
strongly supported by the brethren, that as there was no particular
part I could say that I disapproved, after some modifications which
I suggested, I acquiesced in it. The accounts which you give me of
the D----'s language certainly seem to tally with his conduct, but
yet I cannot conceive what possible arrangement he can look to to
remove him; to recall him would really be a signal of civil war;
and I do not see to what place he could be removed, but to the
Cabinet or to Paris. For the latter, he would be particularly
unfit, and it would not be easy to make room for him in the former
but by removing Westmoreland, which I conclude the Lowthers, &c.,
would resent in a manner which would be inconvenient.

Ever affectionately yours,

C. W. W.

Although the current of politics seemed to be getting smoother, much uneasiness existed at Court in consequence of the King's state of health, which is thus described:--

THE RIGHT HON. W. H. FREMANTLE TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.

Brighton, April 4, 1823.

MY DEAR DUKE,

I came here for a few days during the Easter, fortunately after the
Pavilion party had broken up, or probably I should not have found a
room at the hotel. I merely write to give you the gossip of the
King; the papers would make you believe he is quite well, but
_tout au contraire_, he has appeared not more than twice or
three times, and for the last three days has been in his bed. He
held his Council yesterday in bed, and during this last visit of
the Duke of York, he has never been out of his bed or bedroom. You
may rely upon it he is most extremely unwell, and I take it to be a
complete break up; he is low to a degree, and his expressions
yesterday, while the Council were sitting in his bedroom, were most
melancholy. The Council consisted of Lord Bathurst, Colchester,
Conyngham, Becket, and Vice-Chancellor, who was here by accident. I
suppose if they had wanted another they would have sent for me.
There is no party at the Pavilion, and everything looks glum and
melancholy.

Ever, &c.,

W. H. F.

THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.

London, April 10, 1823.

MY DEAR DUKE,

I imagine that Lord Liverpool's statement of Monday will scarcely
be allowed to pass off without reply. Indeed it will afford a fine
opportunity for dealing in general assertion and declamation. But
if it should, I imagine that the Opposition will be the side to fix
upon the time and nature of any ulterior proceeding. We don't
propose to make any further proposition. Indeed, I doubt the
expediency and propriety of doing what we are about to do without
previous motion.

I don't recollect Mr. Henry Murray. But that is not surprising,
considering that there are so many in the same situation who apply
to me.

I hear that the King is now better. Could you not write to Sir W.
Knighton, and recommend to his attention your course of regimen,
&c.? He is not now the King's medical adviser; but he is not a
person to mount his horse upon such a letter being written to him;
and I am certain that such a letter from you will be received as an
affectionate attention, even though it should not produce any other
effect.

Believe me, ever yours most sincerely,

WELLINGTON.

The smoothness of the political current did not long continue; a passage in one of Mr. Charles Wynn's numerous communications thus describes its disturbance:--

THE RIGHT HON. CHARLES W. WYNN TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.

April 10, 1823.

It is a time when it is necessary to press for all the exertion to
which Lord L---- can be spirited up to resist the motion of
Brownlow on Tuesday next, which will receive a most formidable
support from the Opposition, the Irish Orange members, and the
irritated English Protestant country gentlemen.

Macnaghten has already tendered his resignation (but now says he
will wait to hear Pl----'s explanation), which, connected as he is
with Lord Hertford, is somewhat ominous. O'Neill is expected to do
the same.

Opposition, notwithstanding a considerable schism among themselves,
are, I hear, elated with the expectation of carrying the question.
Lord Grey and the Mountain are most eager. Mackintosh, on the
contrary, promises to attend and speak. Calcraft, Michael Angelo
[Taylor], Grenfell, Ricardo, Newport, Rice, and some others, will
support Plunket. Abercrombie is, I hear, undecided. But what is
material is that it should be considered that all who vote with
Brownlow are declaring direct hostility against the Government, and
that a censure upon the Irish Administration is a censure upon the
English, which supports and continues it.

I think we shall certainly have a good deal of desultory debate on
Monday, when the papers are produced, after Canning's detailed
explanation and statement; but as Lord Althorpe's motion for the
repeal of the Foreign Enlistment Bill stands for Wednesday, that
will open a better vent for the comments upon the papers when they
have been read. I feel little doubt, however, that the Opposition
will originate some question in both Houses upon them, especially
when they are accompanied with the news of passing the Bidassoa.

The Duke of Norfolk is, I hear, very indignant at the intention of
Opposition to vote against Plunket, and threatens to break with
them.

Ever affectionately yours,

C. W. W.

Mr. Fremantle wrote the next day as usual, _de omnibus rebus_.

THE RIGHT HON. W. H. FREMANTLE TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.

East India Office. April 11, 1823.

MY DEAR DUKE,

I find we are in a great fright about Plunket's motion on the 16th.
The Opposition are fortunately split upon it, but our _country_
support is very slack upon it, and if Plunket don't make a better
case than he did before, we shall be in a scrape--in fact, it will
come to the question of whether the Irish Government is to stand or
fall, or whether the Catholic or Protestant is to have exclusive
powers.

You may be assured the K---- is breaking up. He may rally for a
short time, but he has no stamina to resist attacks of the gout
constantly prevailing in his habit. I have this from an authority I
cannot doubt. He was in his bed the whole time I was at Brighton,
from Wednesday to Monday, and I believe has not been out since. I
am assured here that the markets are rising, and along the coast
where I pursued my trip--I mean at Hastings, E. Bourne, &c.--the
markets were improving greatly, and the corn rising. If you are not
in town on Monday, I will let you know what passes in Canning's
explanation.

The Duc d'Angouleme is thought to have started well, as far as his
orders go, but the impression in town is still that France cannot
succeed. I have not seen or heard what Fitz Roy Somerset says upon
it, but he gives the most lamentable account of the state of the
Constitutional Spaniards' preparation. Never was anything so
disorganized, so wanting altogether in preparation, concord, or
means.

Ever most truly yours,

W. H. F.

P.S.--I cannot get you Canning's papers before Monday, for there is
so much erasure, and change, and discussion in them, that you may
depend upon it they will not be ready till the moment of their
presentation.

To these extracts may be added the following communications:--

THE RIGHT HON. CHARLES W. WYNN TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.

East India Office, April 14, 1823.

MY DEAR B----,

We continue to be most nervous about the result of to-morrow. There
is a disinclination to attend among the friends of Government which
is alarming. The resignations of Barry and Macnaghten, the latter
in particular, who is supposed to be as fond of money as any man,
are strong indications of the violence of Orange feeling.

P---- has with great difficulty kept his _beau frere_, Dawson,
from pursuing the same course. At the same time, he and Lord G.
Beresford have done all the mischief they could by their
conversation and language.

Lord Grey has been particularly active to stimulate the Opposition
to violent hostility and censure, but it was supposed yesterday,
that in order to avoid the hazard of a permanent and acrimonious
split, they would all unite in favour of inquiry as a _mezzo
termino_. Should this be the case, it is almost certain we shall
find ourselves in a decided minority; still, the infinite evil
attendant upon an inquiry, the irritation which it would create in
Ireland, are considerations so weighty that we all think it better
to be beaten on such a question than to concede it.

We are trying in secret to stimulate Wilberforce, Wortley, Acland,
&c., to take the line of rising immediately after Plunket has
concluded his defence, deprecating discussion as likely to
exasperate and prolong the inflammation of both parties, and then
proposing an adjournment. This I think is a course which the
country gentlemen in general would be disposed to fall into, and
which would be adopted by several of those who are equally disposed
to avoid offending their Orange constituents and the Government.

It is in itself far from desirable to meet a censure by anything
but a direct negative, but I think that such an expedient is, on
the whole, preferable to the chance of defeat either on censure or
inquiry.

The papers were not ready yesterday. We had some of the proofs at
the Cabinet yesterday, but they were not then arranged or in any
forwardness. I think it so likely that they may not be sent to the
House of Commons till too late for the post, that I have desired
Fremantle to go to Planta and beg that a copy may be sent down to
you from the Foreign Office. I cannot conceive that any regular
debate can take place to-night; some observations may be made, but
it is obvious that they must wait till they have read the papers
and compared them with Canning's speech, before they can really
proceed to any discussion of the conduct of Government.

Ever most affectionately yours,

C. W. W.

THE RIGHT HON. CHARLES W. WYNN TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.

East India Office, Wednesday.

Nothing, my dear B----, could be more satisfactory than the result
of last night. The triumph of Plunket was complete. He addressed a
House evidently unfavourably disposed to him, and for the first
hour we could scarcely raise a decent cheer to encourage him. It
then became evident that he was making progress, and he proceeded
till the applause fairly rung from every part of the House, and his
adversaries, who had every reason to expect a majority, found it
impossible even to venture on a division. On his account I wish
more confidence had been placed in the effect of his speech, and
that it had been determined to meet the motion with a direct
negative, but the extreme reluctance of the majority of the friends
of Government to pledge themselves beforehand to any course more
decided than the orders of the day, would have made it too
hazardous. In one respect the line adopted is fortunate, as it
enables us the better to resist Burdett's motion for inquiry on
Tuesday.

Canning's speech on Monday would have been a very good one for an
independent member who spoke his own sentiments only, but ill
suited the character of a Minister for Foreign Affairs. Such a
speech in the Chamber of Deputies from Chateaubriand with regard to
England, would at some periods disable an English Administration
from maintaining neutrality. I conclude that the discussion of the
papers in the House of Lords, of which Lord Grey gave notice, will
bring you to town.

Ever affectionately yours,

C. W. W.

THE RIGHT HON. W. H. FREMANTLE TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.

East India Office, April 16, 1823.

MY DEAR DUKE,

I find you do not come till Thursday or Friday, I therefore send
you a few lines to say how triumphantly the business went off
yesterday. Brownlow made a very eloquent and able speech, but
Plunket's explanation was perfectly satisfactory and convincing to
the House, and the general feeling was decidedly in favour of
crushing all further discussion upon it. The friends of Government
had been summoned in the morning by Canning, and then a very calm
and friendly communication took place, in which the violent
Orangeists, I mean Sir George Hill, Dawson, &c. &c., all concurred
in the propriety of preventing, if possible, any decision being
pronounced upon the question, which could only go to the increase
of the irritation and violence now existing, and could be of no
advantage, but on the contrary the greatest disadvantage, to
Ireland; and accordingly the motion of Courtenay's was suggested
and unanimously approved; I must, however, do Peel the justice to
say, that he distinctly stated that if the result of the debate was
to be an opinion on Plunket's conduct, he should not hesitate one
moment in giving his heartfelt and sincere opinion in favour of the
proceeding he had adopted.

In the House, Plunket laboured, I think, a good deal in bringing
his precedents to bear on the subject, and showed infinite
dexterity in all this part of his argument; but when he came to the
whole of the proceedings of the Grand Jury and the High Sheriff, he
carried the House along with him, and ended his speech with the
unanimous feeling of the House in his favour; indeed, I am not sure
but that we might have carried a decided negative; however,
altogether it is better as it is, more particularly as Plunket is
equally satisfied.

The King comes to town to-day, and I understand has made up his
mind to hold a drawing-room, and sit during the time; I doubt even
his ability to do this, if he has not greatly mended since I left
Brighton. We shall lose the Catholic question to-morrow, at least
this is my opinion; the state of Ireland, and of parties in that
country, has made a great alteration in opinions of those who were
not very stout upon it before.

The papers which have been presented to Parliament regarding the
negotiations at Verona, and Paris, and Madrid, are considered so
far satisfactory as to meet the feelings of the country in
maintaining a neutrality--that is, in avoiding to commit England to
any share in hostilities; but I should say that they have given an
impression that we were duped by the French Government up to the
moment of the King's Speech, and even afterwards, and that the tone
maintained by England throughout the whole of the proceedings was
not sufficiently high and commanding. There is also throughout the
whole of the negotiations, a continued exertion on the part of
England to induce the Spaniards to give way by some modification of
their constitution, without a corresponding attempt to induce
France to remove her army. The Opposition think that the papers
altogether afford them a very good case; no notice is yet given in
the House of Commons upon the subject, but probably there will
to-day or to-morrow.

Adieu, my dear Duke,

Ever most truly yours,

W. H. F.

P.S.--I fear poor General Grenville cannot last many days, he is
considerably worse.

General Grenville died a short time after the date of this letter. He was the younger brother of Lord Glastonbury, and therefore the second son of Mr. James Grenville.

The state of our foreign relations began to create some uneasiness in the public mind; indeed, a grave complication was arising, that demanded the exercise of the profoundest statesmanship to treat in a manner worthy the reputation of this country.

THE RIGHT HON. CHARLES W. WYNN TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.

East India Office, April 17, 1823.

MY DEAR B----,

My letter of yesterday will show you that we do not disagree in
principle as to the speech of Monday night. I cannot conceive a
course more derogatory to the dignity or contrary to the interest
of two great nations, than for the Ministers of Foreign Affairs to
animadvert on the conduct of each other's Government, as those of
England and France have done.

Still, I am very far from viewing it in the light which it has on
the first impression appeared to you, nor can I participate in your
apprehensions of its leading to the withdrawal of the Minister of
the Court of France, or that it will be considered tantamount to a
declaration of war.

Lord Grenville concurs in disapprobation of the speeches, but not
to the degree which you seem to feel, and expresses his opinion
that "the papers are, on the whole, satisfactory, and the last
instructions _good_."

You have not stated what your objections to them are, and therefore
it is impossible for me to address myself to meet them.

Ever most affectionately yours,

C. W. W.

I fear that we have not a chance of success to-night.

THE RIGHT HON. W. H. FREMANTLE TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.

Stanhope Street, April 18, 1823.

MY DEAR DUKE,

You will see by the papers the turbulent discussion we had last
night. I was not in the House till afterwards, and therefore can
only give you what I heard of the impression made, which was
altogether favourable to Canning. His want of temper was condemned
in the first instance, but at the same time it is thought that it
will be most beneficial in stopping those strains of invective and
abuse which are daily increasing, and likely still more to increase
if not put down. The fact is, that the Opposition have been buoying
themselves up with the hope and expectation of connexion and
friendship with Canning--they now see this to be visionary, and are
determined to try and drive a dissention in the Cabinet by
violence; and in this they are encouraged by the language held, and
general conduct of the Chancellor.

Wynn made an indiscreet speech, as far as it regarded Peel, but I
hope nothing will arise from it--indeed, there is no reason to fear
there may, as the explanation was perfectly satisfactory. As to our
Catholic question, it is gone to the d----l, and what is to be the
result of this I have not a guess.

With regard to the negotiations, I perfectly agree with you that
nothing can display greater weakness than the papers do; but the
feeling in the country is so strong in favour of neutrality and of
the Spaniards, and also the feeling of Parliament, that you may
rely on it the Government will come out of the discussion
triumphantly. I do not entertain the smallest idea that France will
carry her resentment so far against Canning's and Lord Liverpool's
speeches as to recall her Minister, or to think of quarrelling with
us. I can understand your feeling with regard to their declarations
in favour of the revolutionary Spanish Government; but however you
may feel, depend upon it no Minister, no Government, and no man is
powerful enough in this country, either in political or personal
character, to stand up to fight the battle of the Ultras. I should
say that the King and the Duke of York would do so if they could
find the means, but these are impossible, and the public odium
which would follow such an attempt would be fatal to any man or set
of men.

There will certainly be a Levee on the 21st, and I suppose a
Drawing-room. I take it for granted some notice will be given
to-day in our House of a motion on the papers. As I shall see you
so soon, I will add no more.

Yours truly,

W. H. F.

The relations between France and Spain continued to attract very great attention, both in and out of Parliament, and not only were suggestive questions asked of the Government as to this country being bound by treaty to support the Bourbons in France, but the Earl of Liverpool in the House of Lords, and Mr. Canning in the House of Commons, while producing papers illustrating the late negotiations at Vienna, Paris, and Madrid, gave an exposition of affairs that strongly reflected on the conduct of the French Ministers. A still more important debate on the same subject came on on the 24th of April, in which Lord Grenville and the Duke of Buckingham spoke in favour of Ministers.

The question of the Catholic claims came on for discussion in the House of Commons on the 17th of April, but Mr. Plunket went through the usual arguments in favour of the Catholic claims with less than the ordinary amount of success, and the last of these motions of adjournment was carried by 333 to 111. In a subsequent debate, a misunderstanding between Mr. Peel and Mr. Charles Williams Wynn, as to the system on which each considered Ireland was to be governed, threatened serious consequences, according to the following representations:--

THE RIGHT HON. W. H. FREMANTLE TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.

East India Office, Ten o'clock.

I have been here from ten, and am going to the Aylesbury
Commission, or should have called on you. I met the Duke of
Wellington yesterday in the Park, who had been sent to by Lord
Liverpool in the morning, to discuss the question regarding Wynn
and Peel. He threw the whole blame on Lord Liverpool for not having
originally shown the papers to Peel, but said that it could not
lead to ultimate quarrels--that Lord Liverpool must interfere, and
that he, the Duke, was to see Peel _this morning_. It appears to
me, from the Duke's language, that the discussion and the
settlement of the difference must now proceed from Lord Liverpool,
as it is the complaint of Peel against him for not being apprised
of the terms on which we came into the Government. The Duke
appeared to entertain no doubt of settling it amicably, but my
object, pressed upon him, was to take care it should be done
speedily, and that no public appearance of difference should be
manifested in the House of Commons. Probably you have seen the Duke
of Wellington before you receive this. A good speech from you in
the House of Lords to-night would be more likely to strengthen us
and set us right than anything else.

W. H. F.

The Duke of Wellington had never seen the correspondence till
yesterday, when shown to him by Lord Liverpool.

THE RIGHT HON. W. H. FREMANTLE TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.

Stanhope Street, May 31, 1823.

MY DEAR DUKE,

I met the Duke of Wellington this morning, and had a great deal of
conversation with him of a most confidential nature. He began it by
asking if you had left town, saying he had received your letter,
and had taken immediate steps for bringing matters right between
C---- and W----.[113] That "I knew perfectly well how ticklish a
gentleman the former was, and how difficult to manage, and with how
little ground he was in the habit of taking exception; that in this
case he knew he could have no ground, but on the contrary he
(C----) ought and must know, that he owed W---- every attention and
kindness for the manly and decided manner you had acted on the
proposal of taking him into office after the death of Lord
L----."[114] I found evidently that the Duke of W---- disliked C----,
for he could not resist the pleasure of attacking and condemning
him in many points of his conduct since he has held the Seals, and
entered at large into it in a manner that I cannot well detail in a
letter, going through his quarrel with the Chancellor, and what had
since occurred in an attempt which the Duke had made to reconcile
them, and in which he thought C---- had behaved with great want of
judgment and temper; again, in his conduct about Spain, and on the
questions regarding Ireland; but with all this (admitting of
course), his value to the Government, and the necessity of keeping
him in good humour if possible. It was most satisfactory to hear
him say, that the whole of Wynn's conduct in the Cabinet since he
had belonged to it had been uniformly conciliatory and temperate,
and such as had universally given satisfaction, and that he could
not understand why C---- had taken the exception.

I see evidently from all this that the K---- still continues to
feel indisposed to C----, for I am quite sure the language the Duke
holds is the same held by his Royal Master; and there is another
view which is not less satisfactory, namely, that he (C----) is not
sufficiently strong with the Cabinet to carry everything his own
way. All I should recommend to W----, and which I shall speak to
him about, is to follow the Duke of W----'s advice in going on, not
pretending to see the coolness, and leave C---- to amuse himself
with his own ill-humour.

I was delighted to hear from Wynn of his Majesty's gracious
language about you, and at the manner in which he was received, and
that you have judged quite wisely in writing to express your
feelings upon it; at the same time I would recommend you not to
press it further at present, but to see how matters go on, and
whether anything occurs previous to the prorogation. I still think
the Chancellor will go when this takes place, but not before, but I
doubt of the manner in which the law arrangements are to be made.
The Government are determined to get the Irish Tithes Bills through
if they can, and Canning told me he thought nothing could be so
dangerous or desperate as to leave them still hanging over.

You shall hear from me whenever I hear anything further.

Ever most faithfully yours,

W. H. F.

[113] Canning and Wynn.

[114] Lord Londonderry.

The Duke of Wellington, who undertook the office of peace-maker between Mr. Canning and Mr. Wynn, refers in the course of the following communication to the well-known verse--

"I do not like thee, Dr. Fell,
The reason why, I cannot tell,
But this, in truth, I know full well,
I do not like thee, Dr. Fell."

THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.

London, May 30, 1823.

MY DEAR D----,

I received your letter of the 28th, and took steps immediately to
effect your object. Although not so important as the affair of the
same description I settled before, it is not so easy, as the
disposition and manners of the men are very different, and it will
take more time. But I am at work upon it, and have communicated
with Lord Liverpool, who agrees with me; and I recommend that
Charles Wynn should act as usual, and take no notice either of the
continuance of the contrary state of things, or of any change which
we may produce. I know there is no reason for the conduct
complained of, excepting it be the same that was given for the
dislike of Dr. Fell.

I will let you know anything that may pass upon this subject; and I
beg you to

Believe me,

Ever yours most sincerely,

WELLINGTON.

The state of our foreign relations elicited from Lord Grenville the following characteristic communication, referring to a boastful speech often attributed to Mr. Pitt.

LORD GRENVILLE TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.

Dropmore, Tuesday.

I send the petition by the coach. I believe I mentioned to you my
wish that nothing should be said upon it, except that you present
it in my absence on account of illness.

As I do not at all partake in the _virtuous_ enthusiasm for the
cause of Jacobinism in Spain, I allow myself to hope that things
there are going on well. I am entirely of opinion that the war is a
most unadvised step on the part of France, and that nothing could
be more impolitic, except our having the folly to mix ourselves in
the squabble either way by word or deed.

Some wiseacre in the House of Commons has said that Lord Chatham
declared that not a gun should be fired in Europe _without his
leave_. Lord C---- came into office when this country was
involved in a war in which she had so much the worst of it, that
all men despaired of the issue. He went out of office before the
peace was made, and his merit was that he had by his successes in
the war secured the means of making an advantageous peace.
Secondly, in which part of his administration did any power of
Europe take out a licence for shooting from him? Yet this is the
sort of nonsense that passes current. Adieu.

CHAPTER XIII.

[1823.]

IMPORTANT DEBATES. EXPENSES OF THE CORONATION. STATE OF THE PENINSULA. MR. PLUNKET'S DISAPPOINTMENT. CONDITION OF IRELAND. DESPATCH FROM THE LORD-LIEUTENANT. THE KING OF SPAIN AND THE CORTES. MR. CANNING IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS. LORD NUGENT'S BILL FOR RESTORING THE FRANCHISE. FESTIVITIES AT CARLTON HOUSE. THE MARQUIS OF HASTINGS. THE FRENCH IN SPAIN. LORD ELDON. CANNING. PEEL AND ROBINSON. THE PRESS IN INDIA. THE KING AT "THE COTTAGE". IRVING AND THE HEAVENLY PAVILION. POLICY OF AUSTRIA. THE KING IN COUNCIL. SCHISMS IN THE FRENCH CABINET.