Chapter XIII

Lord John Russell brought forward in the House of Commons his motion for a reform of Parliament, on the 24th of April, which, after an animated discussion, was negatived by a majority of 280 to 169; but a more important debate was that which arose out of a motion made by Mr. J. Macdonald, for an address to the Crown censuring the conduct of Ministers in the late negotiations with foreign powers. It continued for three days--28th, 29th, and 30th of the same month--and gave occasion for the delivery of several effective speeches, particularly those of Sir James Mackintosh and Mr. Brougham against the Government, and of Mr. Peel and Mr. Canning in its defence. In the end, however, the policy of Ministers was endorsed by Parliament, the division being in their favour by a majority of 372 to 20. A few days later, the attention of the House was taken up by a charge preferred by Mr. Plunket against Mr. Thorpe, the High Sheriff of Dublin, for having caused the bill of indictment against the rioters at the Dublin Theatre to be ignored. Debate followed debate on this subject, till the House adjourned about the middle of May. But the subject was resumed on the 23rd and on subsequent days, when a fierce attack was made by Opposition members on the conduct of Orangemen and on the system they supported. On the 26th, the motion was rejected in a small House by a majority of 131 to 77, when Mr. Plunket voted in opposition to Ministers.

We now resume the correspondence. The first paragraph refers to the state of affairs in the Peninsula, a complication regarded in England with increasing anxiety; but the writer, as will be seen, soon passes to a subject that excited at the time a good deal of interest among the economists--this was the expenses of the Coronation, some of which, it is plain, were open to objection. Subsequently, Irish politics--that had been rendered more interesting since the appointments of the Marquis Wellesley and Mr. Plunket to two important offices in the Government of Ireland--began to assume larger dimensions. From these causes Mr. Canning's position had become anything but a bed of roses.

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

East India Office, June 11, 1823.

MY DEAR B----,

All the accounts from Spain speak of the enormous expense to the
French, and that the most effectual means resorted to to resist the
invaders consist in the patriotic spirit with which their friends
draw upon them. They are also distributing money very largely to
the Portuguese insurgents.

The spirit of reaction and the cry for the Absolute King, with the
Inquisition, mean time greatly embarrass them. They have increased
the columns detached to the south to 20,000 men. Scarcely anything
is known of what is passing at Seville, and much apprehension is
entertained for the King's life.

Hume has given notice of a motion for a committee to examine into
the Coronation expenses, which is most embarrassing. It must, I
suppose, be resisted; but true it is that the crown, made up of
hired jewels, was kept till within the last three weeks, so that
there will be twenty-two months' hire to be paid, which might have
been saved, amounting to 11,000_l._ The charge of 24,000_l._ for
robes is also terrible!

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

Whitehall, June 14, 1823.

MY DEAR B----,

The Duke of Devonshire's motion on the state of Ireland certainly
comes on on Thursday, but what is to be its precise nature is not
yet known, probably even to himself. Plunket went to Ireland on
Thursday, much out of spirits, anticipating all evil from the
irritation of the two factions, and I fear from the want of energy
and vigour in him who ought to control them. You will see the
violent proceedings of the Catholic meeting, and their talk about
_physical strength_, &c. I am glad to find that Blake, the Catholic
barrister, is appointed by Lord Wellesley, Deputy Remembrancer of
the Exchequer, as I think he will be of use in Ireland, and will
strengthen Plunket's influence.

I do not wonder that in this weather you are averse to quit the
country, but I think you are quite right in coming for such an
occasion as the present, upon which an explanation of your views
may be extremely useful.

Ever affectionately yours,

C. W. W.

If you can, pray come on Wednesday. Brougham is on that day to move
in the House of Commons on presenting the R.C. Petition, and in
case I should wish to speak, I should particularly like to have
talked the subject over with you previously, in order that we may
chime in as far as may be.

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

East India Office, June 17, 1823.

MY DEAR B----,

You must not wonder that Plunket did not stop to visit you in his
way. He has now been four months absent from Ireland, suffering all
the while from vexation and indifferent health, which have produced
the effect of making him low and hypochondriac about himself. He
was convinced nothing but the native breeze of the potatoes could
revive him, and he was besides not a little uneasy as to the
consequences of this absence upon his professional business, and
very anxious again to see his family. Nothing else could, I will
not say justify, but excuse his turning his back upon the Tithe
Bill while in the Committee, which I must say it was his duty to
have stayed if possible to have fought through; but he is
thoroughly dejected, and often talks of the probability of his
being obliged to retire.

Lord Hastings, I apprehend, returns only to see whether he can get
any better appointment than the mission to Naples, which, as he
intended to go to Vienna, not a little disappoints him. I am going
to Cabinet, and if I hear any news, will add it.

Ever affectionately yours,

C. W. W.

Accounts from Paris mention that an agent has been dispatched from
Madrid to Seville with arguments _to persuade_ the Cortes to join
the Royal cause.

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

Board of Control, June 25, 1823.

MY DEAR DUKE,

We are getting on, though very slowly. It is thought the session
will close in three weeks, which I think most probable, as
everybody is going out of town, and they will not be able to make
houses. Ireland still hangs upon us, and every day makes it more
and more alarming. They can get no communication whatever from Lord
Wellesley. He will not write, and this adds to the perplexity of
the Government. I have not the least doubt whatever but that in a
very short time you will see a decided rebellion. It can hardly be
called less than a general insurrection now. Plunket is gone back
very sore and very desponding.

The King is quite re-established, and I hear in very cheerful
spirits. He has put off the match between Lady Elizabeth Conyngham
and Lord Aboyne. He does not go to the sea, as I understand, till
the end of July, and has not yet decided what day he comes to town.

Canning does nothing in the House, and I think suffers Peel to take
completely the lead. The Spaniards must ultimately give way, and
the greatest ridicule is thrown on this subscription and ball now
going forward. It is exclusively with the Opposition, and will
fail. It is curious now to observe how those who had not courage at
the time to support your opinions against the revolutionary
Government of Spain, are now coming forward and applauding your
language and opinions. What Canning is doing about it I know not,
but he is very busy with the diplomacy there. He is disposed to
appoint Hervey to some other station, in order to get rid of the
anomaly of a Secretary of Embassy to a Minister (not with the rank
of Ambassador), but he has great difficulty, having neither pension
fund nor vacancy at an ambassador's court; therefore, what he will
do remains to be seen. He cannot remove him without provision, and
Hervey is ready to return, if required. Lord Salisbury is succeeded
by Lord Verulam in the Lieutenancy of Hertford. I don't know who
comes in for Hertford. I cannot tell you how things are going on
with Wynn, &c., not having had the opportunity lately of
observing--but I should hope better. I think Canning loses ground
greatly. He is anything but a leader of the House of Commons.

The Lords have decided on appointing a Chairman to hear _Scotch
appeals only_, with a salary--this Chairman to be some eminent
Scotch judge. The question for the Commons to decide will be the
_salary_, which the Lord Chancellor will not pay, but which I
think the Commons will be disposed to fasten upon him.

I have not heard from Freeling.[115] I take it for granted he will
not stir a step with regard to the mail coach, without first
apprizing me, or making some communication to the country.

Ever, my dear Duke,

Most faithfully yours,

W. H. F.

The Lords' Report on this Appeal Committee has been called for by
Kennedy. I _believe_ Canning, when he heard of it, called a
Cabinet to remonstrate, and whether he was outvoted, remains to be
seen. I think they will not venture to move upon it this session.

I hear Lord Bath gets the blue riband. This will be a severe blow
to Lord Harrowby.

[115] Mr. Francis Freeling, in 1828 created a Baronet--Secretary
to the Post Office.

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

East India Office, June 26, 1823.

MY DEAR B----,

We have at last a despatch to-day, assuring us that he[116] considers
the alarm as groundless, and to the extent to which it at present
prevails, perfectly absurd. He admits the general expectation of
rising, but has not been able to ascertain any facts to justify it.
He denies the increase of the guards of Dublin to any material
degree, and expressly disclaims any wish for further legislative
powers, or, as things now appear, for any additional military
force. He laments the mutual exasperation between the two parties,
and _complains_ that the leaders of each will not unite in a
system of conciliation.

More arrant fudge could scarcely be found if Dr. Burdock's copy of
verses had been recorded by Miss Amelia Wilhelmina Skeggs in "The
Vicar of Wakefield."

I hope, however, he is right in his want of apprehension of danger,
and may not be waked to it by such an affair as that in
Thomas-street, of 1803. He speaks of the concurrence of Lord
Combermere and of the Solicitor-General, which does not quite tally
with what I have heard of their sentiments; but this is of little
importance, heaven knows, either way.

Your scandal is good indeed--I should have thought too much so to
be true.

Respecting the fate of the two Bills in the Lords, I apprehend the
first half of George's (granting the elective franchise) will pass,
the other miscarry. I can hardly think it possible that the Tithe
Bill should, notwithstanding Liverpool's eagerness upon the
subject.

Out of eighty-four days which we had sat, up to Monday last,
forty-nine have been occupied in Irish business! We now _begin_ to
be heartily tired, and _therefore_ may, I hope, be expected to
travel _au galop_.

Ever affectionately yours,

C. W. W.

[116] The Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland.

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

East India Office, June 30, 1823.

MY DEAR B----,

A'Court has, as you will have already learnt, very properly
declined the invitation of the Regency to Cadiz. He is directed to
proceed to Gibraltar, unless he shall find that the King, after
being, as intended, restored to nominal liberty and sanity at
Cadiz, shall press his going there as affording a certain degree of
protection to his life.

The removal to Cadiz I take to have been a mere act of desperation.
Many members of the Cortes have slipped away, and it is a fact that
the Regency could not get any individual to hold office _ad
interim_ under them, or even a clerk to countersign their letter to
A'Court. They may have in Cadiz, it is said, possibly from 10,000
to 12,000 men.

Harrowby's disappointment seems to sit easy upon him.

I enclose a letter just received from P----.[117] I do not know what
foundation he has of the report of dudgeon in the Home Office. It
is perfectly true that his objection to reversal of attainders was
supported by no one. Both he and his man complain much of being
left to carry through the Tithe Bill unassisted by Plunket, and I
think not without reason.

It certainly is odd that a measure for getting rid of tithes should
fall into the hands of the members for the Universities of Oxford
and Dublin, and of a candidate for that of Cambridge.

It is quite determined to carry it through in the present session.

Ever affectionately yours,

C. W. W.

[117] Not preserved.

LORD GRENVILLE TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.

Camelford House, July 3, 1823.

I most heartily join with you in taking joy at what I consider as
_the triumph of the cause of freedom_ in the Peninsula;--having
read enough to know, and having seen enough to observe, that of all
possible tyrannies--and I cordially hate them all--the most
contemptible, corrupt, and cruel is the tyranny of absolute
democracy, most especially when resting, as in Spain and Portugal,
on that new instrument of freedom, a mutinous and self-governed
army.

Your friend Sir Robert[118] makes a pretty figure in this puppet-show!

[118] Sir Robert Wilson.

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

East India Office, July 3, 1823.

MY DEAR B----,

The last judicial appointment which I made was about a twelvemonth
ago, of Sir Edward West, to be Recorder of Bombay. As soon as the
Bill for establishing a new judicature there shall receive the
Royal assent, he will be nominated Chief Justice.

The elder brother was also recommended to me, among other grounds,
on the sacrifice which he had made in voting for Lord Grenville in
1809, being then a Fellow of University College, which had been
remembered to his disadvantage by the Chancellor on different
occasions. I laid both their names, among others, before the Chief
Baron, who is my ordinary legal adviser on these occasions. The
result of his inquiries was very favourable to Edward West, but
your friend Martin West, though described to be of excellent
character, all the cardinal virtues, and _meilleur enfant du
monde_, was allowed by his friends to be unfortunately indolent,
which, for the climate of India, is the greatest fault that can be
attributed to a public functionary.

You have not returned to me Plunket's letter; pray send it
forthwith, as I transmitted to you the very day I received it, and
have not yet answered it. The passage you allude to refers to Peel.
The question was the reversal of Scotch, not Irish attainders, but
he so little pressed his objection, and was so little supported,
that I do not think it likely to have been the ground of such
serious complaint.

Nugent's Bill for restoring the elective franchise will, I believe,
pass the House of Lords; the other will, I conclude, be dropped in
the Commons. I still hope we may adjourn to-morrow sevennight, but
we must depend for that on the forbearance or fatigue of
Opposition, since, if they choose to go on with the system of
raising discussions every day, they may prevent us.

Canning has sent out his cards for a Cabinet dinner on the 23rd, so
I suppose he does not contemplate the prorogation till about that
time. Lord Grenville is in town, looking much better than when I
last saw him. He has had no offer for Camelford House, and seems to
be making up his mind to retain it and live there, notwithstanding
the faults of its situation.

Ever most affectionately yours,

C. W. W.

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

Board of Control, July 9, 1823.

MY DEAR DUKE,

We are now nearly closing the session, and certainly with more
success altogether than one could have expected; but one thing has
been manifested--namely, that we should have done just as well
without Canning as a leader, as with him. He has taken upon himself
no authority, either by putting down or assisting questions
doubtful or difficult. Robinson and Peel have both risen much
beyond him in estimation as general speakers and men of business.

The accounts from Ireland are better, and at last they have got
communications from Lord Wellesley. I think the House of Commons
have not done well in whitewashing O'Grady, which I think they have
done. The King came to town yesterday, and gives a great dinner
to-morrow. They say he also gives a ball on Friday. I understand he
remains about a fortnight in town, and then proceeds to the Yacht.

Ever most faithfully yours,

W. H. FREMANTLE.

P.S.--Lord Hastings is expected in town to-morrow or next day.

The next letter refers to a measure alluded to in a previous communication, brought forward by Lord Nugent, for restoring the elective franchise to places in which it had been forfeited. Mr. Wynn expected that it would pass the House of Lords, but he found himself mistaken.

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

House of Commons, July 10, 1823.

MY DEAR B----,

The defeat of Nugent's Bill, though supported by the speeches of
Liverpool, Westmoreland, Harrowby, and Melville, together with the
votes of Bathurst and Bexley, by the Chancellor, Duke of York, and
Shaftesbury, has produced much sensation. Brougham is now speaking
upon the Scotch Appeal Commission Bill, and has been describing the
Chancellor as Prime Minister, and constantly denominating Lord
Liverpool "My noble coadjutor," "the noble Earl with whom I have
the honour to act," &c. &c., with much humour. Sidmouth slunk away
without voting. It is most vexatious that the Bill should have been
lost, as with common exertion to enter proxies, it might have been
carried. You will see the Chancellor denied the possibility of any
man who refused the oath of supremacy being a loyal subject! The
D---- of Y----, I regret to say, most conspicuously active.

My wife and I are _at last_ going to a dress party to-night at
Carlton House.

Thank heaven, to-morrow the House of Commons adjourns, and we
conclude with my E.I. Mutiny Bill, which Bobus Smith is to oppose
violently.

Ever affectionately yours,

C. W. W.

Lord Grenville sets out on Sunday on a tour to the Lakes.

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

East India Office, July 18, 1823.

MY DEAR B----,

As I am to dine the Lion of the East, Commander of the Faithful,
&c. &c., the most exalted Caliph Hastings, on this day sevennight,
you will extremely oblige me by contributing towards the gorging of
his royal jaws.

I have asked sundry of my _confreres_ to meet him, but I do not
think he appears graciously inclined towards us.

We had a very grand party at Carlton House on Thursday last, and a
gay ball for the children last Tuesday; so I suppose we are either
in favour, or, which is more likely, that the people in attendance
have found out the blunders and omissions which they made last
year. I hear the absence of all Grenvilles, either in person or
proxy, from the division on the Elective Franchise Bill, is much
commented upon, and considered as a retaliation for the desertion
of Plunket in the House of Commons.

Much apprehension is entertained of the Cortes being driven into
desperation by the violence of the Madrid Regency, and bringing the
beloved Ferdinand to trial, for which proofs certainly are not
wanting.

The French profess the greatest disapprobation of the persecuting
spirit of the Regency, but seem to take no steps to control it; and
it seems to be encouraged by the other members of the Holy
Alliance.

Ever most affectionately yours,

C. WILLIAMS WYNN.

The Prorogation will be on Saturday, notwithstanding a blunder
about the Commission, by which we lose to-day in the House of
Commons.

Westmoreland is so extremely pleased with his own speech on
Nugent's Bill, and so angry with the Chancellor for opposing it,
that he only wants a little flattery to make him a good Papist.

Sundry of my colleagues are also angry with said noble and learned
Lord, for throwing out the Slave Trade Consolidation Bill, which
had been approved and settled by Lord Bathurst, and for leaving out
the disputed parts of the Silk Bill.

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

East India Office, July 21, 1823.

MY DEAR B----,

I agree with you that my stairs are somewhat narrow for the whole
full-blown dignity of the Caliph to ascend. If he would engage to
remain in England till the autumn, I would receive him in a better
house, and would provide a grander assortment of company to meet
him; but, unfortunately, I have found all my colleagues engaged,
and must make my table up with directors, military men, and such
like _second chop_.

The Chancellor's[119] language is exactly the same as he held in
1808, and has continued to hold at the close of every Session
since. He certainly has been obliged to swallow some pills _contre
coeur_, but has his own way infinitely too far. I am not surprised
that he is somewhat angry at the silence with which Brougham's
attack upon him was received by the Treasury Bench in the House of
Commons. Peel continues very glum and sulky.

As to Spain, if one can judge from our accounts, the French are
more embarrassed than ever. They are obliged to find money for
everything, for not a single dollar can the Spaniards muster, and
they find that they have less weight, notwithstanding, with the
Regency than the Russian Minister, who encourages them in all their
violent measures. The Regency have actually refused to treat with
Cadiz, though there are many there who are much disposed to it. The
force which occupies it is almost entirely militia, and, therefore,
cannot be expected to hold out long when there shall be a naval
force to co-operate.

Duc d'Angouleme is completely sick, and the present plan is, that
if they can get the King at liberty, he is to convene a general
Cortes, and the French are to leave them and him to make a
constitution, withdrawing all their troops ... except 25,000, who
are to form an echellon of communication between Bayonne and
Madrid. This seems to me _most infernal nonsense_, too absurd to be
ever entertained by the French Cabinet, though they think it may
pass upon us, and therefore hold this language to Stuart.

Ever affectionately yours,

C. W. W.

You have, of course, long heard of Lord Fitzwilliam's nuptials. I
wonder how they have kept out of the newspaper.

The appropriate remark is that "it is a very sensible marriage;" to
which it is to be replied, "because the senses have nothing to do
with it."

[119] Lord Eldon.

On the 16th of July, during a debate in the House of Commons on the subject of Scotch Appeals, Mr. Brougham afforded great amusement to that assembly by drawing a vivid but somewhat sarcastic picture of the state of the Government. "As to Lord Liverpool being Prime Minister," observed the learned gentleman, "he is no more Prime Minister than I am. I reckon Lord Liverpool a sort of member of Opposition; and after what has recently passed, if I were required I should designate him as 'a noble lord in another place with whom I have the honour to act.' Lord Liverpool may have collateral influence, but Lord Eldon has all the direct influence of the Prime Minister. He is Prime Minister to all intents and purposes, and he stands alone in the full exercise of all the influence of that high situation."[120]

[120] Hansard.

In this strain the orator proceeded, claiming Lord Liverpool as a coadjutor because both opposed the measures of the Lord Chancellor. Lord Eldon did not at all relish the joke, perhaps because it was not at the expense of the Grenvilles, and soon afterwards again expressed his intention to resign. This had been repeated so often that it elicited the following squib:--

"The Chancellor vows he'll depart, as they say
(So Derry sometimes, if his crew disobey),
But when his resigning a minister mentions,
We think how hell's paved with mankind's good intentions;
For still being in, though so oft going out,
We feel much inclined, like his lordship--to doubt."

Parliament was prorogued on the 19th of July, apparently equally to the relief of the Government and the Opposition. A great variety of subjects had been discussed, including the pretended claims of Olivia Serres, self-styled Princess of Cumberland, but little practical good had been effected, and the Ministers were not gaining the confidence of the country or strengthening their own position. The King, too, was losing the popularity he had gained since the Queen's death, by his endeavours to remove himself as much as possible from the public gaze. The Duke of Buckingham's correspondents kept him fully informed on these and all other topics of interest.

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

Englefield Green, July 27, 1823.

MY DEAR DUKE,

I perfectly agree with you in thinking that Canning only waits the
opportunity of tripping us up, and this is only to be resisted by a
steady line of conduct on our parts, pursuing and maintaining the
system as it is now carrying on towards Ireland, until we see the
opportunity, by the accordance of other members of the Government,
to meet him with the certainty of success. The complete ascendancy
which both Robinson and Peel have acquired over him in the House of
Commons, but more particularly the former, must weaken his means of
playing us a trick, which I am satisfied he is fully disposed to do
whenever he can find the opportunity.

I don't agree with you at all about Lord Hastings; be assured there
is not the most distant idea of sending him to Ireland. I am quite
sure Canning distrusts and hates him too much to employ him if it
be possible to keep him out, and I do not understand his reception
at head quarters has been such as to satisfy him, or give him the
hopes of employment. He is very low and disappointed, and is
immediately going out of town. He has been profusely civil and
attentive to Wynn, but is not come in the highest odour either with
the Government or Court of Directors. His conduct about the Press
in India has been flagrant, and since his departure Adams has sent
home the editor of the Calcutta paper, who has been bullying them
for the last five years, and whom Lord Hastings has never had the
courage to resist, but, on the contrary, has frequently defended
him against his own colleagues in council. This will make a very
considerable and difficult discussion in Parliament next year, and
I much fear that our Cabinet at home will not have courage to fight
the battle manfully; I have no hesitation in thinking with Adams
that the fate of India depends on the power of checking the press
in that country.

The King has had a party with him for the last two days at the
Cottage here, and by all accounts is well in health, but most
averse to going to sea; whether they will persuade him or not
remains to be proved. Lady C---- is very anxious he should, in
order to get some holidays, and I believe Knighton likewise presses
it. In the meantime he is injuring himself greatly in public
opinion by his seclusion; he professes to be so ill he cannot go to
his Parliament or stir out in public in London, and then comes
here, and sees forty or fifty people, and is driving all day in the
park. The real fact is, they cannot manage him; his mind becomes
daily more capricious, and his indisposition to public display or
communication of any kind, increasing upon him to an extreme
degree. The people at Windsor are outrageous; for he has shut up
the terrace and all the public walks, and is doing everything to
render himself unpopular with them.

Lionel Harvey is going on a secret mission to Mexico. What is to be
derived from it I have little guess; but there is every reason to
believe that France has sent somebody there, and there is no doubt
that America will endeavour, or has already got, the start of
Europe upon it. Canning is very anxious not to lose the moment; and
I suppose that this must be the prelude of our admitting the
independence of South America; however, the mission is secret, but
he is commissioned, and has the rank of Minister Plenipotentiary.
It is a long and desolate prospect, but the scene will be new. He
is not quite reconciled to it, but having no better prospect, I
think he has done wise in accepting it; they give him two
secretaries. I would not wish you to mention this appointment. I
find Canning is by no means of opinion that France has or will
succeed in her efforts in Spain; at least, this was the tone of his
language to Lionel, who saw him yesterday. I hear from Wynn that
the grand attack on Cadiz was expected to take place between the
25th and 30th July.

Ever, my dear Duke,

Most faithfully yours,

W. H. FREMANTLE.

Mr. Thomas Grenville was one of the most liberal collectors of rare books at a time when bibliomania was much more in fashion than it is now. The following is a characteristic specimen of his powers of observation when directed to his favourite pursuit:--

THE RIGHT HON. THOMAS GRENVILLE TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.

Cleveland Square, July 30, 1823.

MY DEAR DUKE,

I have just been collating two copies of the "Sacra Exequialia in
Funere Jacobi II.--a Carolo de Aquino. Fol. Romae 1702." Whether you
have this book or not, you certainly have in your Granger the
famous print (belonging to this book) of a head of the _Pretender_,
by _Edelinck_, _aetatis suae_ 12. In one of my copies (the
presentation copy to the King of France or one of the French Royal
Family) below the head, upon a _tablet_, is engraved "Cognoscunt
mei me," and in the corner of the tablet "aetatis suae 12;" and on
each side of the tablet is a circular _medallion_, one of which is
_a library_ with "Litteris Insignis" round it. The other
_medallion_ is a _man firing at a wild boar_, with "Et Armis" round
it. In the _centre of the large circle_ which surrounds the head,
and just above the tablet, is a _large medallion_, with the sun
behind a cloud, and round it "Et latet et lucet." In the other
copy, the same print (with Edelinck's name and "aetatis suae 12," in
the corner of the tablet, like the other), has these variations.

The _large medallion_ above the tablet has the "Arms of England
with a crown."

The _tablet_ has no inscription, but is left blank, except that it
has in the corner "AEtatis suae 12."

The _two small medallions_ have, one of them, the Prince's plume,
with _Ich dien_; the other, the Order of the Garter, with _Honi
soit qui mal y pense_.

These differences are remarkable, and as I have found no account of
them, and understand the print is rare and dear, I send to you for
information about them.

In my "royal copy, with the French royal arms," the impression of
the head seems much finer than the other, which has the English
emblems in the medallions. Perhaps they were subsequently inserted;
but why, then, was "Cognoscunt mei me," taken out and the tablet
left blank? Was it intended perhaps to insert his royal titles, and
if so, why were they omitted, when the English arms were
substituted for the allegorical medallions? I know, when you are
among your prints, these inquiries, however minute, are interesting
to you.

I know no news except the Spanish and Portuguese finale to their
revolutions, which, inasmuch as they were both military and not
civil revolutions, I could not wish success to, though I feel as
adverse to the French dictation and invasion as any Spaniard could
do. Love to your dear wife.

Ever most affectionately yours,

T. G.

Miss Poyntz has just refused Lord Apsley; who the deuce will she
marry?

Mr. Canning had by this time made good his position at Court, by coming to an understanding with the most influential channel of Court favour. The Scottish preacher, Irving, the Spurgeon of his day, indicated her presence among his fashionable audience by a very delicate piece of flattery. "All the world here," writes the indignant Lord Chancellor, "is running on Sundays to the Caledonian Chapel in Hatton Garden, where they bear a Presbyterian orator from Scotland preaching, as some ladies term it, _charming_ matter, though downright nonsense. To the shame of the King's Ministers be it said, that many of them have gone to this schism-shop with itching ears. Lauderdale told me that when Lady ---- is there, the preacher never speaks of an heavenly mansion, but an heavenly _Pavilion_. For other ears mansion is sufficient."[121]

[121] Twiss's "Life of Lord Eldon," vol. ii. p. 86.

"The appointment of Lord Albert Conyngham in the Foreign Office," we are assured by the same writer, "has, by female influence, put Canning beyond the reach of anything to affect him, and will naturally enable him to turn those out whom he does not wish to remain in. The King is in such thraldom that one has nobody to fall back upon."[122]

[122] Ibid., p. 87.

The autumn did not bring any very important changes, as may be gathered from the text of Mr. Williams Wynn's next letter. Towards the conclusion the writer refers to communications from Count Nugent to the Duke of Buckingham, and to a reply which the Duke had proposed sending, evidently referring to Austrian policy, and written with the view of being laid before the Emperor.

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

Llangodwin, Aug. 20, 1823.

MY DEAR B----,

I certainly cannot conceive from what source the article in the
_Courier_ so tallying with my language can proceed, unless it
should be from Phillimore or Courtenay; for there are no other
persons besides you and the Duke of Wellington and Lord Liverpool,
with whom I have had any communication on the subject; and the two
latter are much too well inclined to Lord Hastings, or to anybody
whom they think the King feels any interest for, to have expressed
those sentiments to any one who might transfer them to the
_Courier_.

I have had no politics since I have been here, and not one word
even of news except a line from Robinson in answer to an inquiry
respecting the last Cabinet, which he did not himself attend, but,
as he tells me, was called at the instance of the D---- of W----,
on the subject of the former one, held the day before I left town,
on the Portuguese application for military assistance. However, no
alteration was made in the determination.

I fear that I cannot supply you with much intelligence as to
Austrian policy. The general language which she holds, tallies very
much with Nugent's letter--great desire to draw her ties closer
with this country--implied rather than positive approbation of our
course, but great unwillingness in any respect to commit herself, I
will not say in opposition, but even to any different views from
those of Russia.

I am also quite unable to tell you whether Nugent be Prince or
still only Count; I rather think the former.

It is now above a month since I have seen any Austrian despatches,
and I doubt whether at the time they were written she could be
aware of the probable course of events in Spain, and the different
objects of French and Russian influence in that country.

I should not myself imagine that she can be favourably disposed to
the extension of Russian influence in the Mediterranean, and
therefore would be more likely to join in the views of France; but
I have not the means of forming any opinion beyond mere
speculation.

Pray tell me whether you hear anything respecting the
Buck-hounds,[123] and, which is more material, what Neville gets by
Lord Cornwallis's death.

Will it not be advisable that you should communicate Nugent's
letter and your answer to it to be written to Liverpool?

I certainly agree with Burke in the propriety of the old practice
of communicating to the King's Government any intercourse which you
may hold with a foreign sovereign, whether direct or indirect,
which in any way refers to public subjects; and as there are
obvious and numerous reasons for not making this to Canning, who
would naturally be the proper channel, I think Liverpool would be
the fittest. If you do not like to do this personally, I should, of
course, be happy to do it for you.

Ever affectionately yours,

C. W. W.

[123] Lord Maryborough succeeded the Marquis Cornwallis.

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

Englefield Green, Aug. 21, 1823.

MY DEAR DUKE,

I am just come from Windsor, where I was summoned to attend a
Council. Nothing occurred worth telling you excepting that Lord
Maryborough, I learnt from himself, had got the Stag-hounds vacant
by Lord Cornwallis's death. This was given in the most gracious
manner by the King in a letter written with his own hand. I think
_Wellesley Pole_ has been pretty well paid altogether. The Mint,
the Cabinet, a Peerage, and now the Stag-hounds. Lord Liverpool,
Canning, Peel, Lord Maryborough, Charles Long, and myself, formed
the Council. His Majesty looked really remarkably well, and walked
up and down the large state stairs without a stick, and about the
apartments after the Council extremely well, much better than I had
the least idea he could have done. You may judge how he shuts
himself up when I tell you that this was the first time I had seen
him since I have been here--now upwards of a month, indeed, six
weeks. I should say from what I observed that the Cabinet were in
high spirits, but nothing passed in private conversation to give me
information.

Canning was on his way to Liverpool, and Peel made it in his way
from Dorsetshire to town, and he was to return in a few days.

The state of Ireland improves greatly, and I suppose till the long
nights commence, we shall not have the full state of alarm renewed.

The Duke of Wellington is gone on his tour, and all business will
be at a stand for the next six weeks.

Ever, my dear Duke,

Most faithfully yours,

W. H. FREMANTLE.

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

Englefield Green, Aug. 22, 1823.

MY DEAR DUKE,

Since my note of yesterday I find Lord Maryborough resigns the Mint
and Cabinet, and takes the Stag-hounds as a retirement. I believe
Wallace succeeds to the Mint, though some say Lord Granville; the
former _I_ say, and either Lord Granville or Huskisson come into
the Cabinet; I should suppose the latter. They are angry with
A'Court for having gone to Gibraltar; he was afraid of the yellow
fever. The consequence is that we have at present no British
Minister with the King of Spain, and the difficulties arising from
this in case of change or negotiation (which latter must be daily
expected as actually proceeding) so obvious. They talk of Fitzroy
Somerset going again, and Canning does not return from his
excursion under three weeks.

Ever truly yours,

W. H. F.

The Grenville section of the Government had many reasons for wishing to have the Duke of Buckingham a member of the Cabinet, and it will be seen that Mr. Williams Wynn once more strove to induce the Duke to quit his dignified retirement for the purpose of taking a share in Ministerial responsibilities.

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

Llangodwin, Aug. 28, 1823.

MY DEAR B----,

The recommendation which was contained in my last, of sending a
copy of your letter to Lord Liverpool, arose from my concurring in
the old principle that it is unfit for any British subject to hold
communication with any foreign sovereign, particularly on any
political question, without the knowledge and permission of the
King's Government. You will see this adverted to, I think, in
Burke's letter to the Duke of Portland. Assuming this to be
correct, I do not think that there is any material difference
whether your correspondence is directly with the Emperor of
Austria, or with Count Nugent to be laid before him; and I should
certainly have given you the same advice in the year 1816, when you
were acting in hostility to Government, as strongly as I do now.

With respect to the Cabinet, the frequent complaints which you have
heard from me of the single and unconnected situation in which I
find myself, these would show you how anxiously I must wish that
you could effect your entry there, independent of every motive of
personal regard, gratitude, and attachment.

I doubt, however, whether consistently with your own dignity, you
could avail yourself of any vacancy but those of the Presidency of
the Council, Privy Seal, Admiralty, or Secretary of State. The Mint
or Chancellorship of the Duchy would, in the public eye, be
entirely below your rank and situation to accept.

I think, therefore, that you should confine your application to the
first-named offices, or (objectionable in principle as I always
think it) to Cabinet without office. You may, I think, assume the
probability of Sidmouth's retirement as a ground for pressing the
latter; but at all events it will be desirable to state very
clearly and distinctly the prospects which were held out to you by
Lord Londonderry. At the present moment you may be assured that
there will be much disinclination to admit your claim.

The Protestant party is eager, the Catholic lukewarm and hollow.
C----[124] knows not where to look for support, but is afraid that
by joining himself with us, who seem his natural allies, he would
increase the indisposition of the K---- and D---- of Y----, which
he would make any sacrifice to deprecate. Besides this, he has no
inclination to any who assume higher pretensions than those of
being his followers; and after what took place a twelvemonth ago,
he, like all other persons who have been in the wrong in a dispute
and advanced unreasonable pretensions, will be personally
disinclined to those who were in the right and resisted them, and
this will of course be increased by the difference in your former
politics. The only person to whom you can look is the D---- of
W----. If he thinks you are likely to assist and strengthen him, I
have no doubt he could open the door to you; but I freely
acknowledge that I do not understand his views and objects. They
begin, centre, and end, no doubt, in himself, and on that account
he would like to cement an alliance with you; but then how will he
manage it with the Protestants? I take it, both from what I
recollect of the language of the Horse Guards during the whole of
the Peninsular War, and from other circumstances, that there is no
real cordiality between him and the D---- of Y----. The latter has,
I believe, always been jealous of him. He looks, I apprehend, to
Peel and the Chancellor, and to them only as the instruments of his
bigotry to resist the Catholic claims.

Robinson, I believe, confines himself to his own business, and
Liverpool is indifferent to everything but present repose, and by
any temporizing measure to delay the evil hour of rupture and
collision. Still, when it comes to the point, you will find him on
almost every subject make some excuse for siding with the
Protestant party.

Ever affectionately yours,

C. W. W.

[124] Canning.

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

Wynnstay, Sept. 9, 1823.

MY DEAR B----,

When you mentioned that you had communicated your letter to Nugent
to me in my _ministerial_ capacity, I certainly concluded that it
conveyed a clear authority to have extended it to Lord L---- or
C---- at my own discretion, but fortunately I had not exercised
that power, and certainly shall not.

I am not surprised that Mr. C---- should coax you, even if you had
turned your head aside from his daughter, and passed on the other
side like the Levite; for he is under a charge of illegally making
a loan to the Rajah of Vizianagum, and of having derived therefrom
exorbitant interest. Of the merits of the charge I can say little,
but common report is by no means friendly to him.

The proposed grant to Lord Hastings has been lost in consequence of
an equality of votes, eight to eight, five present but refusing to
vote, and three absent--two of the latter hostile. Objection was
taken to praise of his integrity or disinterestedness by one of
those who refused to vote, stating at the same time he would have
supported it if moved on the ground of his poverty.

Canning has shown me the last despatches, by which it appears that
there is much schism in the French Cabinet, Villele supporting the
Duc d'Angouleme, Chateaubriand the Allied Powers and the Spanish
Regency. Magnanimity has instructed Pozzo de Borgo to consider all
communications from the latter as if they emanated directly from
himself. Metternich takes also strongly the same line, recommending
an amnesty, excepting all those who were active in forcing the
acceptance of the constitution on Ferdinand. I do not at present
apprehend any dispute relative to the blockade, as the French are
very scrupulous in keeping the law on their side, and have not yet
done anything more than they were clearly entitled to.

Ever affectionately yours,

C. W. W.

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

Wynnstay, Sept. 10, 1823.

MY DEAR B----,

Canning told me that he had insisted that Huskisson should at all
events be taken into the Cabinet at the end of the last Session,
whether any vacancy occurred or not, and that the persuasion of
Lord Maryborough to make room for him was a subsequent
consideration.

Lord M---- is much out of humour at his change of office; which he
may well be, as the Mint is 3000_l._ clear, and the Buck-hounds
under 2000_l._; indeed, they are said not to exceed 1300_l._

My own belief is that the only real and efficient Cabinet upon
_all_ matters consists of Lords Liverpool and Bathurst, Duke of
Wellington, and Canning, and that the others are only more or less
consulted upon different businesses by these four. Huskisson will,
I think, be equally in the confidence of Liverpool and Canning.

Ever most affectionately yours,

C. WILLIAMS WYNN.

END OF VOL. I.

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