Memoirs of the Court of George IV. 1820-1830 Part 56

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 Emba.s.sy to a Minister (not with the rank of Amba.s.sador), but he has great difficulty, having neither pension fund nor vacancy at an amba.s.sador'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, a.s.suring 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 pa.s.s, the other miscarry. I can hardly think it possible that the t.i.the 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 t.i.the Bill una.s.sisted by Plunket, and I think not without reason.

It certainly is odd that a measure for getting rid of t.i.thes 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.