Memoirs of the court of Geeorge IV, 1820-1830 : from original family documents
Buckingham and Chandos, Richard Plantagenet Temple Nugent Brydges Chandos Grenville, Duke of, 1797-1861
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VOL. II. LONDON: HURST AND BLACKETT, PUBLISHERS, SUCCESSORS TO HENKY COLBURN, 13, GREAT MARLBOROUGH STREET. 1859. The right of Tramlation it reserved. LONDON : SAVILL AND EDWARDS, PRINTERS, CHANDOS STREET, COVENT GARDEN. CONTENTS OF THE SECOND VOLUME. CHAPTER I. [1823.] Supposed Ai-rangement of Mr. Canning iu favour of Mr. Huskisson — The Diike of Wellington to the Duke of Buckingham on Cabinet Arrangements — Opposition of Canning and the Duke of Wellington — The New South American States — Condescension of the Kmg — Serious Illness of Lord Eldon — The Trench in Spain— The Tithe Act — PoKtical Gossip — Spanish Finance — Serious Illness of the Duke of York — The King's Panacea for Ireland — Legal Appoint- ments pp. 3—23 CHAPTER II. [1824.] Mr. Canning's Generalship on tlie Slavc-Trade Question — Policy of England in Recognising the Independence of the Revolted Colonies of Spain, and in remaking Neutral during the Occupation of Spain by a French Army — The Negroes in the West Indies — The Horse Guards and the Board of Control — Frank Proceeding of the Duke of York — Progress of the Irish Tithe Act — Treatment of an Editor in Brazil — Canning, Peel, and Brougliam — Marquis of Hastings and the Court of Directors — The King and the Recorder's Report — Attacks on the Lord Chancellor in the House of Commons — Kind- ness of the King to Lord Eldon's Grandson .... pp. 25 — 57 IV CONTENTS. CHAPTER III. [1824.] The Kiug of Wurtemburg — East India Directors — Alderman Waith- man — Serious Indisposition of the King — Reported Resignation of Lord Liverpool — The Ashantees — State of Ireland and Irish De- bates—Tierney's Attack on Canning — French Intrigues at Lisbon — Illness of the Duke of Wellington— Mr. Plumer Ward— Stock- jobbiag — Politics at Stuttgard — Communication of the Lord-Lieu- tenant of Ireland — His Indolence — Visit of the King and Queen of the Sandwich Islands — Disinclination of the King (George IV.) to appear in Public pp. 59 — 94 CHAPTER IV, [182 4.] Ill-health of Lord Liverpool — Opinions of Lord Hertford, J. W. Croker, Peel, Lord Liverpool, Duke of Wellington — The King at Apsley House — Quarrel of Canning and Croker — State of Affairs in Portugal — Morier and the South American Mission — The Duke of Wellington's Opinion of Mr. Robinson as a Statesman — State Secrets — Canning's Desu-e to place Mr. Huskisson at the Head of the India Board — Rumoured Retirement of Lord Liver- pool— Political Intrigues — Diplomatic Changes — Indian Appoint- ments— Dispute of the Govenmient with the Court of Directors — Death of Louis XVIII. — Canning's Position in the Cabinet and Visit to Ireland— Affairs in Spahi, Sweden, and the Parvenu, pp. 95—135 CHAPTER V. [18 24.] Mr. Canning and the South American Republics — Ingratitude of Louis XVIII. — Translation of Lord Privy Seal— Losses at the Gaming Table — A Glimpse at the Prench Court — A French Army in Cadiz — Retirement of Lord Sidmouth — Descendants of George Lord Lvttclton — The Governments of South America — Sir Charles CONTENTS. V Long— Mr. Canning's Visit to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland — Alarming State of Ireland— Indian Judges — The Burmese War — Court Life— A Political Negotiation— Complaints against Lord Welleslej— A Cabinet Council and Royal Dinner— The Mexican Question settled pp. 137 — 185 CHAPTER VI. [1825.] O'Connell's Proceedings — Proposed Changes — Appointment of Henry Ward — State of Ireland — O'Connell's Influence in Ireland — Diffi- culties in preparing a King's Speech — Determination to put down the Catholic Association — Parliamentary Discussions — The King's Health — His Dissatisfaction with his Ministers — Proceedings respecting the Bdl for Suppressing the Catholic Association, pp. 187—219 CHAPTER VII. [1825.] Death of the Hon. Colonel J. H. Hamilton Stanhope — Progress of the Catholic Relief Bill— Mutiny in India— The Duke of Wellington's Estimate of Officers proposed for Command in India— His supposed Wavering on the Catholic Question — The Duke of York's Speech — Parliamentary Proceedings — Brougham and Burdett — Grant to the Duchess of Kent for the Education of the Princess Victoria — Illness of Mr. Canning— Defeat of the Catholic Relief Bill, pp. 221—252 CHAPTER VIII. [1825.] The King's Kindness to Sir Walter Scott — Dissatisfaction created by the Defeat of the Catholic Relief Bill — Meeting of Peers pos- sessing Property in Ireland — Embarrassment of Mr. Canning — Proposed Compromise respecting the Catholics — Sir Archibald Campbell and the Burmese War — Affairs in India — Complaints against Lord Amherst pp. 253 — 289 vi CONTENTS. CHAPTER IX. [18 2 6.] Commercial Pauic— Folkestone's Attack on Ministers— Important Discussions — Increasing Indisposition of the King — Indian Affau-s — Tlie King's Kindness to O'Keefe— Mr. Tremantle appointed Trea- surer to his Majesty's Household — Commotion in Russia — Opinions of Lord Cassilis — Alarming Illness of the Duke of York — The King of Portugal applies to the King of England for Assistance — Canning and the Due de Damas — Death of the Marquis of Hastings pp. 291—311 CHAPTER X. [1827.] Death of the Duke of York— The Royal Tomb— The Earl of Liver- pool attacked with Paralysis— State of the Ministry — Mr. Canning appointed Eirst Lord of the Treasury — His Attempt to organize a Government — Resignations — The New Ministry — Death of Mr. Canning — Review of his Career — Opinions respecting Him — Con- dition of the King — Interview of the Duke of Buckingham with his Majesty — Formation of a New Government — Mr. W. H. Fre- mantle Knighted — Lord Goderich and the Duke of Buckingham — The « Untoward Event" pp. 313—353 CHAPTER XI [1828.] Resignation of Lord Goderich, and Appointment of the Duke of Wel- lington as First Lord of the Treasury — His Difficulties in forming a Government — Lord GrenviUe's Views — Position of the New Ministry — Cause of the late Government's Dissolution — Conduct of the Duke of Wellington's Administration towards Mr. Wynn and Dr. PhiUimore — News from Paris— ]\Ir. Huskisson's ^listake — The Duke's Ministry re-organized — Don Miguel — Mr. O'Connell elected M.P. for the County of Clare — Hunting at Rosny — Death of Lord Liverpool — Resignation of the Marquis of Anglesey as Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland pp. 355 — 385 CONTENTS. VU CHAPTER XII. [18 29.] Importaut Change of Opiniou — Catholic Emancipation a Government Measure — Suppression of tlie Catholic Association — Public Excite- ment— The Duke of Buckingham, while in Italy, draws up an Address to the County of Bucks — Effect of its Publication in England — Duel between the Duke of Wellington and the Earl of Winchelsea — The Duke's Explanation — The Marquis of Anglesey attacks the Duke in the House of Lords on the Subject of his Dis- missal from the Lord Lieutenancy of Ireland — The King lays the First Stone for a Public Monument to George III. — The Duke of Wellington's Opinion of O'Counell — Prosecutions for Libel, pp. 387—404 CHAPTER XIII. [1830.] State of enforced Quietude — Death of Mr. George Tierney — His Political Career — Death of Sir Thomas Lawrence — The Par- liamentary Campaign — Reduction of Taxes — Increasing Indisposi- tion of the King — Attention paid to the Duke and Duchess of Clarence — Cost of Lnprovements at Windsor Castle — Message from the King to the House of Lox'ds, announcing increasing Infirmities — ^His Majesty continues to get worse — His Last Moments — His Death — Opinion of Sir Walter Scott — Estimate of his Merits as a Sovereign pp. 405 — 422 MEMOIRS OF THE COURT OF GEORGE THE FOURTH. VOL. II. CHAPTEE I. [1 S 2 3.] SUPPOSED ABEANGEMENT OP MR. CANNING IN FAVOUB. OF MB. HUSKISSON — THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM ON CABINET ARBANGEMENTS— OPPOSITION OF CANNING AND THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON — THE NEW SOUTH AMERICAN STATES — CONDESCEN- SION OF THE KING SERIOUS ILLNESS OF LORD ELDON — THE FRENCH IN SPAIN — THE TITHE ACT — POLITICAL GOSSIP — SPANISH FINANCE — SERIOUS ILLNESS OF THE DUKE OF YORK — THE KING's PANACEA FOB IRELAND — LEGAL APPOINTMENTS. B 2 CHAPTEE I. The representations that were continually being made to the Duke of Buckingham to induce him to strengthen the position of his friends in office by accepting office himself, appear to have had their effect; and the reported change in the Cabinet in favour of Mr. Huskisson was regarded as an oppor- tunity for putting forward the Duke's pretensions to high official employment which ought not to be lost. The communications of Lord Grenville and Mr. Thomas Grenville have put the reader in possession of their views on the subject ; but there were persons in more constant communication with him who had a deep interest at stake in this issue, which his own inclination for more active Hfe made him sometimes more readily favour. Under these cir- cumstances he wrote to the Duke of WeUinirton, apprising liis Grace of his intention to communicate formally with Lord Liverpool liis wish to enter the Cabinet, and entering upon some details with respect to an alleged arrangement made by Mr. Canning on joining the Government, which will be suffi-, 6 MEMOIRS OF THE COURT OF [1823. ciently imderstood by a perusal of the opening sentences of the Duke's reply. THE DUKE or WELLINGTON TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM. Woodford, Sept. 23, 1823. My dear Duke, I have received your letter of the 21st. You may rely upon it that I am not mistaken respecting the facts which I stated to you in my letter of the regarding Mr. Huskisson. There is no person who knows better than I do all the circumstances attending Mr. Canning's intro- duction to the Cabinet ; and he certainly made no stipula- tion or request in favour of any person whatever ; nor did he ever consider as an object to himself that Mr. Huskis- son should be in the Cabinet. In respect to yourself my last letter contains the opinion which I formed when I received yours of the , which subsequent reflection has confirmed. I am convinced that you will not forward your object by the communication which you propose to make to Lord Liverpool. Whenever I enter into a case it is with a view to effect some good, and to conciliate parties which the public interest requires should be well together. But I could not charge myself with a communication which must, I am certain, produce irritation, and must end in disappointment. I will not enter into discussion on other points of your letter, on which, however, I confess that I don't entertain the same opinions that you do. Believe me, ever yours most sincerely, Wellington. Mr.Fremantle's next gossiping letter affords many glimpses into Ministerial and Court life. The sub- 1823.] GEORGE THE FOURTH. 7 sequent communication refers to a serious attack of illness that visited Lord Eldon at this period. THE RIGHT HON. W. H. FREMANTLE TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM. Euglefield Green, Sept. 29, 1823. My dear Duke, You are aware, I am sure, of the bitter anger which Lord Maryborough betrays on his new appointment ; he says he has been shamefully deceived, and ill-used, and aban- doned. He finds Swinley unbearable, and has applied for Cranbourn Lodge, which / am pretty sure has been refused him, and he noAv says he will not and cannot reside at Swinley. The King in his letter to him notifying his appointment, says it is for the purpose of having his good and dear friend in his family, and to reside near him (but this dear friend he would not like quite so near as Cran- bourn). This makes the thing even more bitter to Lord Maryborough, for the Ministers have nothing to do with the refusal of Cranbourn. I don't hear, and am very anxious to learn, how the Duke of Wellington takes this matter. The whole arrangement is a complete victory of Canning, to take a friend of the Duke of Wellington's out, and place a friend of his own in the Cabinet. I conceive that nothing can be more unfriendly than the footing on which the Duke of Wellington and Canning stand ; for independent of this measure of Lord Maryborough, the whole foreign diplomacy and policy is carried on without the Duke's intervention, whereas in Lord Londonderry's time not a step, even of the smallest import, was taken without his participation and concurrence. Lord Liverpool and Canning are now running wild in speculative objects in South America ; perhaps they are not wrong in this, for it is much easier to take a decision 8 MEMOIRS or THE COURT OF [1823. upon it now than Avhen the Spanish King shall be restored to his throne. Consuls are named to all the new settlements in South America, and Harvey's commission is named to Mexico. He sails about the 8th in the Thetis, for Vera Cruz. In the first place it is a commission consisting of Harvey, Ward, and a Mr. O'Gorman, the two latter not having the power to object to any measure decided by Harvey. He takes out a dormant commission of Minister Plenipotentiary, with power to offer his credentials when- ever he thinks proper, and to name Mr. Ward his secretary, and Mr. O'Gorman consul-general. There is also another gentleman who goes out as private secretary, and a medical man named by Harvey. Should he not open his commis- sion, but find it necessary to return, the rank of Minister Plenipotentiary remains to him, and entitles him of course to future employment and the pension. He has promised to keep in mind your request regarding objects of natural history, &c. I have lately had much intercourse with the King, have dined with them en famille three times, and not a day has passed but what he has sent Lord Conyngham or some one of his family to inquire after me. The moment I was able to drive to his door, I of course left my written acknow- ledgment for these gracious marks of his favour, and the next day he drove over and sat an hour in my drawing- room with Mrs. Fremantle and myself. I should undoubt- edly say he was in a very infirm state of health ; he com- plains greatly of rheumatic gout, and walks very lame, but he is out the whole day, driving, riding, or walking, and appears to have a very good appetite, and to be very cheer- ful. I heard yesterday from Munster, who called upon me having just left him, that he was not so well, and confined to his bed, but at present it rests thus. He is to go on to Windsor and remain on Wednesday. I am very glad to 1823.] GEORGE THE FOURTH. 9 tell you that ive are all in great favour with him, as nothing can be more gracious and partial than his expressions about your family. W. H. Fremantle. THE RIGHT HON. CHARLES W. WYNN TO THE DUKE OE BUCKINGHAM. Llaugodwin, Sept. 29, 1823. My dear B , I begin to be anxious to hear a little of what is o'oinsf on, both interior and exterior, but I fear that I have no chance of any of my confreres once thinking of inform- ing me. Surely this determination of blood to the head must either remove the seals from the Chancellor, or the Chan- cellor from the seals. In Lord Grenville's case perfect rejDose of mind, without employment or occupation what- ever, even of amusement, was prescribed, and if this advice be good for anything, it is somewhat incompatible with Lortl Eldon's present situation. If Lord London- derry had -been alive I should rejoice at any change, since it must lead to a weakening of Lord Eldon's influence in the Lords, which I think Lord L would have turned to good account for " the Catholic question ;" but that has gone back to such an incredible degree, and its supporters are now so little in earnest, that I think its opponents may now spare that assistance which so long was their sheet- anchor. Gifford will, I believe, certainly succeed him, and as long as Lord Eldon lives, at least, will obey his orders implicitly. Ever yours, C. W. W. The Diike of Buckingham's desire to enter tlie Cabinet elicited further correspondence : both letters are eminently characteristic; those which 10 MEMOIRS OF THE COURT OF [1823. immediately follow are not clearly illustrative of the political history of the time. THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON TO THE DUKE OE BUCKINGHAM. Windsor Castle, Oct. 4, 1823. My dear Duke, I am very much obhged to you for your letter of the 28th. You may rely upon it that whenever I give you an opinion upon any subject it shall be my real one, and I will disguise nothing from you. You fill a very high station^ and your talents quahfy you eminently for a seat in the Cabinet. But that is not always enough ; and it is impossible for any man to force himself into that situation. When the connection between your family and the Govern- ment was formed, C. Wynn was considered its represen- tative in the Cabinet. It is certainly true not only that there was no exclusion of you or of anybody else, and on the contrary I heard that you stipulated that you might bring your claim under consideration when you should think proper. But I think that the recollection of Wynn's position should in some degree guide your discretion upon this subject, and that you should look for means in which your very natural wish to have a seat in the Cabinet can be gratified without injury to him. Believe me, ever yours most sincerely, Wellington. the duke of buckingham to the duke of "\^t:llington. Wotton, Oct. 12, 1823. My dear Duke, I feel truly obliged to you for your letter, and consider your advice as most friendly and kind. I must, however, 18.23.] GEORGE THE EOURTH. 11 set right one misconception which appears in your letter. You state that when my friend.s joined the Government, Mr. Williams Wynn was considered as the representative of my family in the Cabinet. I beg to assure you that no such exclusive arrangement was ever even implied ; on the contrary, in the first moment of my first interview with Lord Liverpool, I stated our junction was not a question of terms but of measures, and that the arrangement then made was in no respect to interfere with my claim to Cabinet office. This was assented to by Lord Liverpool at the time, and afterwards repeatedly stated to and acqui- esced in by the late . Lord Londonderry. It was repeat- edly stated on both sides that the reason why those claims were not urged at the time was, that there was no opening for me in the House of Lords. In compliance with your advice I forbear pressing those claims at the present moment ; but in declaring that I shall press them with the greatest earnestness on the first favourable opportunity, and that I consider that under no circumstances short of an acquiescence in those claims can I make my support of Government as complete and efficient as I wish it to be, I feel that I best consider the situation of Charles Wynn in the Cabinet, and the dignity of my family, of which I am the representative. Believe me always, my dear Duke, Yours sincerely, B. & C. THE RIGHT HON. CHARLES W. WYNN TO THE DUKE OE BUCKINGHAM!. East ludia Office, Oct. 27, 1S23. My dear B , I will certainly be with you in Pall Mall on the evening of the 3rd. I am quite alone in town, for every one of my 12 MEMOIRS OF THE COURT OF [1823. colleagues, with the exception of Peel, is absent ; and you know that he hath no particular pleasure in communicating with me more than is necessary to avoid any pubHc rupture, besides which at present he is otherwise engaged, as his wife is just brought to bed. The French seem sensible of their difficulties. Their present plan, I believe, is to leave ] 0,000 men in Cadiz, 5000 at Madrid, 15,000 on the Ebro, and march the remainder home ; but that force will be, I should think, wholly insufficient to maintain any order between two parties so fond of the pastime of mutual throat-cutting. France wants to refer the question of the recognition of the S. A. colonies to a general Congress, but we proceed in our own course. The Portuguese Government seem aware of the impossibility of recovering Brazil, but dwell on the importance of the Captaincies of Peru and Maran- hao, which are still disposed to adhere to the mother country. I am going down to Windsor to-morrow to present the new C. J. of Calcutta for knighthood. Ever affectionately yours, c. w. w. Since writing the above I have seen Peel, who gives me a very encouraging account of the success of the Tithe Bill. In most parishes the graziers are the only opponents, but in general the parson and the population unite in eagerness to carry it into execution. THE RIGHT HON. CHARLES W. WYNN TO THE DUKE OE BUCKINGHAM. East India Office, Oct. 30, 1823. My dear B , Enclosed I send you an extract from a private letter from Goulburn to Peel, which I think gives a most satis- 1823.] GEORGE THE FOURTH. 13 factory view of the oj)eration of the Tithe Act. The number of cases in which the parishes have agreed to a composition is quite enough to try the experiment, and to ascertain how the details of the Bill work, and at the same time not so numerous as to render it difficult to watch their progress, and to apply remedies to the defects of the Act as they shall be discovered I found H. M looking well on Tuesday, quite strong on his legs, and very gracious. He inquired about you and your grand doings, &c. Ever most affectionately yours, c. w. w. MR. GOULBURN TO MR. PEEL. Vestries have been applied for in about six hundred parishes, being about one-fourth of all the parishes in Ireland, In the majority of cases the application has been made by the incumbent, but in very many by the payers of tithe. We have only as yet answers from seventy-one parishes, in fifty-one of which the vestries have determined to proceed under the bill, and commissioners have been accordingly appointed, and in twenty the vestries have adjourned sine die, preferring the existing system of tithe to that which the present Bill would introduce. No com- position has as yet been arranged anywhere, and until that is done it is impossible to say whether the result will be satisfactory or just to the several parties concerned, and upon that circumstance the fate and character of the measure depends. You could scarce believe the difficulty which has existed in making even the most interested parties understand or even read the Act itself, and in pre- venting the most egrecjious and fatal blunders. The vestries, generally speaking, have conducted them- 14 MEMOIRS OF THE COURT OF [1823. selves with decency. There has been nowhere any actual tumult. There have been several severe contests between the grazing interest and the tillage farmers, in which some- times the latter have prevailed^ but in which, generally speaking, the former has succeeded in preventing the adop- tion of the Act. Where there has been a contest the clergyman and the lower order of his parishioners have been usually on one side, and the large proprietor on the other. So far is well, as anything that puts the clergy in favour with the mob is a change for the better. In some instances the Roman Catholic clergy have opposed the Bill as being adverse to their interests. It is unfortunate that the titular bishops of Cashel and Cork should have both promulgated this opinion ; but as the priest in one parish was in the minority in vestry, and the multitude who were assembled round the church hailed the clergyman's majority of two with repeated acclama- tions, I think a sense of temporal interest will overcome the dread of spiritual censure. Mr. Wynn appears to have been mncli annoyed by the indolence of a colleague, who held an ap- pointment that demanded almost ceaseless activity, combined with unusual energy of purpose. But complaints on the subject had already become fre- quent— unfortunately with very little effect. THE RIGHT HON. CHARLES W. WYNN TO THE DUKE OE BUCKINGHAM. East India Office, Nov. 24, 1823. My dear B , I am quite as much aware as you are of the white feather which has been exhibited in the late conduct of the Lord -Lieutenant, still I think he might be brought to 1823.] GEORGE THE FOURTH. 15 feel that after the line pursued by Lord F in the House of Commons last session, independent of all ques- tion of Catholic and Protestant, his nomination would be a direct confession of impotency in Lord W 's Govern- ment, and an invitation to fresh affronts from aU young gentlemen who want preferment. It will be for you to consider whether, not immediately, but in the course of a fortnight or three weeks, it may not be advisable that you should epistolise him and try to screw up his courage to a somewhat more elevated point. Perhaps you will state that such is the state of his affairs that this is beyond the power either of yourself or Moll Eaffles, but still it may be worth trying. Our revenue is going on most prosperously. As to the augmentation, the expense of it will not exceed 1 50,000?., and is therefore scarcely worth mentioning. I am most sanguine in my confidence of the continuance of peace. France still presses for a Congress on South America, but repeats the most distinct assurances — 1st. That they have declared their determination not to accept any territorial advantage in South America. 2ndly. That they will observe the most strict neutrality, and neither grant the assistance of French troops nor permit French vessels to convey Spanish troops. Srdly. That they will advise the Court of ^Madrid, with a view to the recognition of the colonies, which, however, they still urge should be arranged at a Congress. Their force in the West Indies, by our last accounts, consists only of the Vestale, 60, and the frigates Thetis and Concorde. This they mean to relieve and increase by one or two frigates destined to carry out a reinforcement of five hundred men, which they think necessary in consequence of some symptoms among the black population of Mar- tinique and Guadaloupe. 16 MEMOIRS OF THE COURT OF [1823. The Emperor of Russia professes the highest gratitude for the interference and negotiations of Lord Strangford, and has sent an agent to Constantinople, but still delays the re-establishment of his regular diplomatic mission there on the plea of the evacuation of the Principalities not having been completed. Lord Liverpool goes down to Dropmore, I believe, next week. None of the legal appointments are yet made* I understand that the Attorney- General is disposed to wait till Plumer shall be obliged to give up the Eolls. Copley will, I suppose, take the Common Pleas. I apprehend the choice of our new law officers must rest between Adam, Shadwell, and Tyndal. The two former are both Papists, I believe. Do you know whether the latter is likely to have any bias on that subject likely to interfere with the commands of the Lord Chancellor ? I have just got the papers relative to the charge against ]\Ir. C , I am disposed to think he will march off on honourable terms, if not quite with flying colours. That he got usurious interest for his money, I believe ; but as he was a free merchant, no servant of the Company, and not possessing any authority, and as the Zemindar of Vizianagum was not a iwince within the Act of Parliament, it was simply an illegal contract between two individuals, and no political offence; and as the time which has since elapsed is infinitely too long to allow of any penalty under the Usury Acts being recovered, there is no way in which the matter could be taken up, even if desirable. Ever affectionately yours, c. w. w. 1823.] GEORGE THE FOURTH. 17 THE RIGHT HON. CHARLES W. WYNN TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM. East India Office, Dec. 1, 1823. Mt dear B- I have just seen a friend who quoted a letter from Spring Rice, at Rome, expressing some surprise at having been invited to dine with the Speaker and finding Mrs. P at the head of the table. This is a new substitute for the chaplain ! What will the University of Cambridge say? You have probably heard that the Lord Bridgewater's property by his will finally centres in Lord Brownlow's eldest or second son, or in Egerton of Tatton, accordingly as either of them can obtain the Marquisate of Bridge- water, and if they all fail, then to his heirs-at-law. I believe I told you on Saturday that the Attorney- General is to go to the Common Pleas, and from thence whenever Plumer can be extruded to the Rolls, Hart pro- bably Chief Baron, and I hope Shadwell Solicitor-General. I say I Iwpe, not from any love to him, but because that bore Wetherall is the other candidate. When the Attorney goes to the Rolls, Copley will of course go to the Common Pleas, and we shall then have to decide between Adam and Tyndal for a fresh Solicitor- General. Ever most affectionately yours, c. w. w. THE RIGHT HON. CHARLES W. WYNN TO THE DUKE OF RUCKINGHAJM. East India Office, Dec. 5, 1823. My dear B , The favourite device of the wise Spanish Administration has been the creation of a company who should advance VOL. II. C 18 MEMOIRS OF THE COURT OF [1823. them money on the security of the crown property in the colonies ; but notwithstanding Mr. Parish's efforts, neither Rothschild nor any of the other capitalists would bite, but have plainly answered that it was impossible that the Spanish Government could find credit for any loan while the former ones, contracted in the name of the King, re- mained unacknowledged. Our demands upon them are 40 millions of reals, those of France, 30, — and nobody seems to have a guess how that is to be raised. They have at present got a little money as an advance on the loan to the Regency, formerly contracted for at Paris, which they hope will enable them to disband the army. The last language of France is, that they are so un- manageable, particularly on the subject of the colonies, that they, the French Ministers, are strongly disposed to abandon them to their fate and to adopt the policy of G B with respect to the colonies, as they are con- vinced their interest is the same as ours. But the views of France change so much from day to day, that we may find them very probably next week holding the highest language of the Ultras, Much good may it do them ! Canning is familiar and friendly in his manner, but I see nearly as little of him as of my other colleagues ; as he is at Gloucester Lodge, and only comes to the office for business. Lord Liverpool goes to Dropmore on Wednesday. Ever most affectionately yours, c. w. w. The next letter alludes to a negotiation between the British and Dutch Governments then in pro- gress, of which the Greffier Fagel, on the part of his Government, had the management. 1823.] GEORGE THE FOURTH. 19 THE RIGHT HON. CHARLES W. WYNN TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM. 4, WhitehaU Place, Dec. 13, 1823. My dear B , I left Dropmore yesterday to meet my Dutchman for our first conference to-day, and I had hardly come to town when I received a note from Canning, desiring that it might be deferred till Monday, as he has a fresh attack of gout. I have had, however, some imofficial conversation with Fagel, from which I hope that the discussion may be brought to a speedier determination than negotiations with Dutchmen usually are. I return to you Plunket's letter, from which I should augur that yours has been of use ; but I regret to see a want of energy, both in master and man, which must almost disqualify them for coping successfully with the exterior and interior enemies they have to deal with. When PI admits that the reasons which have hitherto prevented the promotion of Catholics are not sufficient to afford a satisfactory explanation, and that no part of the blame is attributable to Lord Liverpool, he does in fact pronounce the severest censure on Lord Wellesley, considering what were the express principles on which he accepted the Government of Ireland, and in confidence of the assertion of which by him, we united with Lord Liverpool. The visit of Lord L to Dropmore went off very well. He was chatty, full of anecdote, and evidently anxious to please. Lord G , in consequence of three bad nights, not so well this week. The Duke of York was on Wednesday to have gone to the Westminster Play, according to his regular custom, and a party of Lord Sidmouth, Peel, &c., attended to meet him; c 2 20 MEMOIRS or THE COURT OF [1823. but Halford came down to tell Goodenough that the Duke had had such an attack on his chest, that he had been obUged positively to forbid his stirring out. These attacks seem to come very frequently. Halford told Phillimore a fortnight ago, that it had not been till within the last two months that he considered the Duke as safe from the effects of that which followed the battue at Ashridge. THE EIGHT HON. CHARLES W. WYNN TO THE DUKE OE BUCKINGHAM. East India Office, Dec. 17, 1823. My dear B. Canning is still laid up with the gout. It is very absurd in the Courier to insert the paragraph about the Duke of York's health in a leading article ; for, though I believe it to be perfectly true, yet, as the very next paragraph states him to have gone on a shooting excursion, it will seem contradictory, but will at all events make him and his friends very angry, and form a ground of complaint against that which calls itself a leading Government paper. THE EIGHT HON. CHAELES W. WYNN TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM. Whitehall Place, Dec. 18, 1823. My dear B. I have informed Falck of the religious and constitutional obligation which we are under to be idle at Christmas, and I find him well disposed to observe the said law in his proper person. Fremantle has told me of a curious speech of the King's at Windsor on the subject of Catholic eman- cipation, declaring that the only manner of setting the question at REST and quiet Ireland, would be once in three years to hold a Parliament there ! ! ! 1823.J GEORGE THE FOURTH. 21 The impression of the bad state of the Chancellor's health is very general. Ever affectionately yours, c. w. w. P.S. It is fit that you should know that you have invited Heber to Stoive for Christmas, and that he came to town fully intending to go there in his way to Althorp. You know his direction is Pimlico. The Duke of Wellington, if lie possessed a weak- ness, it took tlie sliape of wishing to be thought free from the ordinary aches and pains of humanity, and the epithet of " The Iron Duke" he regarded quite as much in the light of a compliment to his constitution as to his character. THE RIGHT HON. W. H. FREMANTLE TO THE DUKE OE BUCKINGHAM. Euglefield Green, Dec. 23, 1823. My dear Duke, I merely write now to tell you that I heard yesterday the Duke of Wellington had been seized, while on a visit last week at Lord Hertford's, with another very serious attack similar to that which he experienced last winter, and previous to his journey to the Congress. It was very alarming while it lasted, but by copious bleeding he was relieved; he is extremely jealous of having it known, and professes to be quite well, but you may rely on it he is far otherwise, and when I last saw him nothing could look more wretchedly or broken. I really thought him twenty years older than when last I had seen him. Of course you will not take notice of this by any inquiry, for the reason I have given you. 23 MEMOIRS OF THE COURT OF [1823. I hear nothing further worth telling you ; I fear we shall have great difficulties arising from the state of our West India Islands ; and however we may fancy the immediate danger of a rise of the Negroes, it cannot long be pre- vented, and, indeed, the proprietors have even now very little interest in maintaining this state of things. Adieu, my dear Duke ; believe me always with very sin- cere attachment, Faithfully yours, W. H. Feemantle. « THE RIGHT HON. CHARLES W. WYNN TO THE DUKE or BUCKINGHAM. WhitehaU Place, Christinas Day. My dear B , I am thoroughly disgusted with our legal arrangements : Gifford and Alexander will be gazetted on Saturday as Chief Justice of Common Pleas and Chief Baron. The latter is about seventy years old, rather more than less j a good equity lawyer, but if he ever went a circuit it must be forty years ago. He will go through the business pos- sibly for a year or two, then he Avill become superannuated; but it will be thought a job to give him a pension, and the poor suitors will have to bear the penalty of his in- capacity. The Solicitor is not yet finally fixed, as it remains to be seen whether Wetherall will engage to support the Tithe Bill and obey orders, but I conclude he will. I am not surprised the Chancellor and Peel should support him, for he is as bigoted and furious No Popery as they could wish ; but why Canning should, unless because he was one of the Queen's friends, I cannot conceive. He is a good lawyer, but a most tedious House of Commons speaker, most un- couth in his manners. 1823.] GEORGE THE rOURTH. 23 Of course it would be idle to expect any effect from a representation, when Lord L tells me that the K , the Chancellor, Peel, and Canning, all agree in wishing it. I have talked to the latter on the subject, and he only pleads the disappointment it would occasion, and the effect of driving him into opposition (in which I should see no inconvenience whatever), but owns that Wetherall is per- sonally as disagreeable to him as to other persons. I have heard only the same account of the Duke of Wellington as I believe has reached you. I forgot to ask Lord Liverpool about him to-day, but I hear that he, the D , is jealous of any one supposing him ill. Ever most affectionately yours, c. w. w. CHAPTEE II. [18 2 4.] MR. CAIJNING'S generalship ON THE SLAVE-TRADE QUESTION — POLICY OF ENGLAND IN RECOGNISING THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE REVOLTED COLONIES OF SPAIN, AND IN REMAINING NEDTRAL DURING THE OCCUPATION OF SPAIN BY A FRENCH ARMY — THE NEGROES IN THE WEST INDIES — THE HORSE GUARDS AND THE BOARD OF CONTROL- FRANK PROCEEDING OF THE DUKE OF YORK — PROGRESS OF THE IRISH TITHE ACT — TREATMENT OF AN EDITOR IN BRAZIL — CANNING, PEEL, AND BROUGHAM — MARQUIS OF HASTINGS AND THE COURT OF DIRECTORS — THE KING AND THE RECORDER'S REPORT — ATTACKS ON THE LORD CHANCELLOR IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS — KINDNESS OF THE KING TO LORD ELDON'S GRANDSON. CHAPTEE II. The exertions of Mr. Wilberforce and his band of active philanthropists on behalf of the Negro, had neither as yet succeeded in abohshing the traffic in human beings for carrjdng on " the domestic insti- tution " knoTvm as slavery, nor had effected the com- plete emancipation of the slaves in our colonies. The state of some of our West India possessions, in consequence of the antagonism prevailing between the planters, who believed that they had everything to lose by Negro emancipation, and their black labourers, who were assured that they had everything to gain by it, excited much uneasiness. Mr. Canning when in office was far from being as liberal a poli- tician as when in opposition — this, however, is merely the difference that exists between responsibility and irresponsibility. With those Governments that stiU encouraged the hideous trade he refrained from too open an interference, and skilfully took advantage of the want of generalship in the leaders of the agitation to get rid of the question. " I thought a little," says the apostle of Negro emancipation, when recording his efforts to bring the subject before Parliament, " and looked over topics, but did not 28 MEMOIRS OF THE COURT OF [1824. make tlie order of a speech. Fatigue rather stnpi- fied me, and I forgot the most important points. 