Part 20

Subsequent to this transaction, Adair, on the pretext of giving the P. some curious anecdotes of his Embassy, solicited an audience, and by dint of solicitation at length obtained one. In the course of the interview, the P. launched out in his eloquent, rhodomontading manner, abused the late Ministry (always excepting Ld. H., whom he professes so much to love), whom he accused of treating him worse than his avowed enemies. Added that he knew they now complained of his not sending for them, but that he would be d---- if he did; they accused him of being timid and nervous, but that by G---- they and the world should see that he was _un homme de nerf_; that he would not be dictated to by the haughty freaks and caprices of any man; turned frequently to the portrait of Mr. Fox, whose death was to him an irreparable loss, for he really loved him, and in any critical juncture his advice was always that of a sincere friend who was blessed with the soundest head man ever possessed; abused the late Cabinet for their treatment of him in the affair of the Princess, and, in short, spoke with all the vehemence and irritation of an offended and wounded mind.

_7th Dec., 1810._--The bulletin yesterday was less favourable, and that of to-day is indifferent; admits that the disorder had returned, but that some hours of sleep had refreshed him. By the private acct. it seems that his bodily indisposition is rather alarming, a recurrence of the stoppage in his bowels; his body is greatly emaciated. Phipps, the expert oculist but very silly man, has been prevented by Willis’s orders from seeing him, as he was detected in talking upon religious matters, future state, dying, &c., &c. The report yesterday was that Ministers, if by the King’s relapsing they should be compelled to resort to some mode of Regency, intended to have that of the _Lords Justices_. To-day Mr. Grenville told me that the scheme was to make the Queen Regent. All these schemes will perplex and frighten the Prince, and drive him to resort to his friends. Ld. H. saw McMahon, who declares that Ld. Moira and Sheridan, who are affecting to speak the language and sentiments of C. House, on the contrary, have displeased the Prince, whom they do not see and whom they have not had any authority whatever from to act as they do. Whilst the P. is in town he sees no person whatever but Lady Hertford, with whom he spends the whole morning and evening. Mr. Michael Angelo Taylor he sees as a butt, but with him he holds no sort of intercourse respecting his political opinions. They say Govt. has money for 10 days longer.

_15th Dec._--On Thursday the Houses met; the K.’s health not being in a state for the physicians to report upon with any hope of immediate recovery, Ministers did not suggest an adjournt., but proposed a Committee for the purpose of examining the physicians. The choice of persons in Commons was very fair, in the Lords less so, as neither Lds. Lauderdale, Holland, or Stanhope are named, which, considering the absence of Ld. Grey, is not so right.[375] Except Ld. Erskine and the D. of Norfolk, there is not a man who will ask a leading question, and these will be overruled. The Prince broke down in Kensington on his way to Windsor. When Ld. Grenville heard of it he affected to be facetious, and wondered the Princess did not offer him a bed; true it was the Prince was excessively afraid of her offering him a carriage, which she certainly would have done had she known of it at the moment. The projects of raising money by the Privy Seal, &c., are dropped.

[Sidenote: THE GOVERNMENT RESOLUTIONS]

_18th Dec._--It appears from the examination of the physicians that the King’s illness is such that a Regency must be resorted to immediately; consequently yesterday Mr. Perceval proposed 3 resolutions the same as those in 1788. 1st, that on account of H. M. indisposition he was unable to discharge the duties of the kingly office. 2ndly, that it was the duty of the House to see that the kingly office be properly filled. 3rdly, that it was necessary to provide for the proper discharge of the same by way of a Bill to pass through both Houses of Parlt. Sheridan, Ponsonby, and Adam have thrown down the gauntlet and taken the field; the Prince’s household will vote. There is a Call of the House, and now the Prince takes a part there will be a very good division. Some of the most sanguine go the length of expecting a majority; there is no doubt but many shabby ones will desert the Ministers. The usual supply of those upon these occasions from the City will fail on acct. of the report of the Bullion Committee, as they will prefer taking their chance of keeping Perceval Chancellor of the Exchequer to making the Bank pay in specie.[376]

It was not with any satisfaction I heard of a few additional votes by the accession of Mr. Canning and his friends upon this question. Majorities, even if helped by a faithless associate, are mere ropes of sand. Faithless and unprincipled are the leading traits in that gentleman’s character. It is said that he complains of having met with so little warmth from the Opposition, with whom he would have acted long ago had he been encouraged. The greediness for numbers makes me dread his reception; all who dislike Whitbread, and that is a huge majority, and all who feel the incapacity of _Snouch_, are inclined to hearken to his overtures. Ld. Castlereagh, though labouring under many heavy charges for his conduct towards the Irish Catholics, has still maintained a sort of integrity of reputation for private honour; he also has the advantage of being a person whom the Prince would prefer if any junction were to be made with new men, and his ambition is of a limited nature, as he would confine himself to his department and only promote persons either from goodwill towards them, or for the general advantage of the Administration to which he belonged. He makes no high professions of exalted principle, but as a gentleman and man of honour he might be trusted. In the late curious quarrel between him and Mr. Canning, his conduct was much admired, and his bitterest enemies said how infamously must he have been treated by his colleague, when even in Ireland he is considered as the injured party.

Several questions in the Committee were expunged. In that of the Lords the word _mind_ was employed, when Ld. Westmorland, with an air of the greatest feeling and pathos, implored that it might be erased, as it was too shocking to have on record: this great delicacy _from him_, who is at this moment dictating evidence to enable him to confine his own wife, in order to avoid the expense of a separate maintenance. Sheridan laughed at the conduct in the examination of the physicians, where he said they questioned the physicians about the mental malady and the mad doctor upon the bodily disease. It appeared that the Chancellor was introduced to the K. by way of a _medical expedient_ by Vaughan, who had observed that in his presence the King had more _self command_. In consequence of this transpiring, the Chancellor, in their Committee, conceived himself bound to go the whole length of the business to acquit himself of seeking the interview with the King.

MacMahon says the Regency is to be accepted on any conditions by the Prince, who will return the same letter by way of answer, as that he sent in ’88 (said letter, Mr. Adam says, was written by Lord Minto, materials from Mr. Fox); that he may probably tell these Ministers that it is his intention to keep them for decency sake, but that he has no confidence whatever in them, and cannot feel that he is fulfilling his duty. In short, if they do not, which he expects they will, resign upon this intimation, he will keep them a month to give the King a chance of recovery, and then dismiss them. The Queen will have the custody and control of the King’s person and household, and to set off with, she can appoint the Chamberlain, now vacant by the death of Lord Dartmouth.[377]

[Sidenote: THE KING OF SWEDEN]

The King of Sweden[378] lives chiefly with the French Princes, and now occupies the apartment vacant by the death of the Queen of France. He is _très in-amusable_, very much absorbed in his own thoughts, and indifferent to all that is going on around him. He has very little money, but will not accept of any from the English; 500_l._ and jewels estimated at 30,000_l._ on the Continent are all he is worth. When lodged at the hotel, he asked for an inferior apartment to that which was prepared for his reception, and accused the master of imposing upon him by charging for a whole bottle of wine, when he had only drunk about half of it and returned the remainder. He does not speak of the Swedes with any irritation, allows they were in the right for dismissing him as he did not suit them, resolves not to attempt to be restored, and only hopes his moderation may induce them hereafter to consider his son. This is not madness certainly, but nevertheless he is reckoned to be in a state of melancholy madness. Lucien Bonaparte is arrived,[379] but he is not to be allowed to come to London; Ludlow is named as his place of residence.

_24th Dec._--On Thursday, the day of the debate in the H. of Commons upon the resolutions, the Prince received a letter from Mr. Perceval informing him of the intentions of the Ministry. To this the Princes wrote what they call a solemn protest of the male branches of the Royal family, disapproving of the limitations and restrictions. Prince also wrote a good reply, which was the composition of himself and Sheridan. War between Perceval and the Prince being openly declared, all the household, &c., of Carlton House voted. This, however, produced no great accession of _rats_, only the Seymours and Mr. Monkton. The Grenvilles being disunited upon the subject may acct. for the badness of the division. Mr. Horner made an admirable speech, full of sound argument upon constitutional doctrines, and illustrated with most accurate learning. Tierney says he gave the House for two hours two quarts of Allen’s milk without their making a wry face; alluding to S. Smith’s joke that Mr. A. is quite a milch cow to the politicians, whom he furnishes with matter and argument, and has in this business done so abundantly to those who are studying the subject. Mr. Canning made but a bad attempt at pleasantry. Ld. Castlereagh, speaking of the conduct of Addington’s Administration during the K.’s illness, said he believed that Governt. _did not practise any concealments towards him_, or something to that effect. The House immediately applied it as a slap to Mr. Canning. Others say it was a mere slip of the tongue. Wm. Lamb on the following day distinguished himself very greatly; he is certainly one of the most rising men in public. The great feature of that night’s proceeding was Perceval’s indiscreet avowal of his principles of delay and Ministerial Regency (without limitations), from which Tom Grenville remarks that as Perceval has now declared himself King, Lords, and Commons upon his own _responsibility_, the whole question is shortened and made much less complicated.

[Sidenote: DUKE OF QUEENSBERRY’S DEATH]

The D. of Queensberry died to-day without a struggle at three o’clock; his will has not yet been opened.[380] His heirs-at-law are the D. of Buccleugh, Sr. Chas. Douglas, Lord Wemyss.[381] He expressed a wish of altering his will yesterday, but was too rambling. He said he had been a fool in leaving legacies, for in fact all belonged to Bonaparte, and any distribution was idle. He has always said and believed in this.

On Sunday, 6th Jan., the Prince sent to see Ld. Grenville, who accordingly waited upon him at Carlton House; the communication was made through Mr. Adam. Prince, when he came, desired this might be considered as a joint application to him, as well as to Ld. Grey, who unfortunately was not arrived in town. The immediate object of the interview was to have advice how to frame the answer to the deputation which was coming from the two Houses, to offer the Regency. He then told Ld. G. that he felt his situation very embarrassing, that it would be difficult to act in any way to please people, or make a strong Government. That he heard from those who were in the H. of C. that the great difficulties rested there, that he wished Ld. G. to understand that he was against exclusions, and if it were judged expedient to resort to additional strength, meaning Canning, he had, whatever his own opinions respecting him individually were, no objections to the experiment. He said there was also another topic which he had at heart, the restoring his brother to be Commander-inChief.[382] Ld. G. replied that he should bear in mind all H.R.H. had said, and consult with his friends upon the subject, but that he thought it an act of duty without any hesitation to state that the obstacles to the restoration of the D. of York were insurmountable; that they existed amongst those most attached to the Whig Party; that he himself deplored the injustice of persons upon that subject, and, if he might venture to use such an expression, to so exalted a character. He added that he felt the greatest _compassion_ for the Duke, who had been so cruelly misrepresented and slandered. The Prince bid him communicate with Ld. Moira and his other friends. Adam told this on the day of the interview.

Ld. Grenville made a formal communication to politicians at his own house on the following Tuesday. Ld. H. had a private conversation with him in which he stated his own opinions upon the necessity, if they formed a Governt., of considering maturely the question of Spain and Portugal with regard to withdrawing the troops, &c.; also of the state of the press, which was under Ld. Ellenboro’ greatly harassed.

[Sidenote: QUESTION OF REGENCY]

On Wednesday night Ld. Grey arrived in town; he came here in evening, appointed on the ensuing day to go to Carlton House. Prince very gracious, cordial, and more communicative than with Ld. Grenville. Upon mention of additional strength in House of Commons, Grey remonstrated upon the fallacy of strength being obtained by the accession alluded to (Canning), where sturdy old friends would be lost entirely. Prince observed the clamour excited by Grenville’s resistance as Auditor to the issuing money from the Exchequer, conceived it fatal to his being attached to the Treasury; folly of his letter to Perceval. They separated most amicably. Ld. Grey went directly to frame a reply for P. to the deputation which was next day to offer, from the two Houses, the Regency. Informed the Prince, if their paper did not meet his wishes, that he dined at Ld. Holland’s in Pall Mall, where he should remain to receive H.R.H. commands. We had only Ld. Thanet and Tierney, Ld. H. confined by the gout. At twelve at night, Adam, accompanied by Sheridan, came from C. H., bearing a message from the P., which in plain language was a total rejection of the paper drawn up by Lds. Grey and Grenville, and sending them another, the joint composition of himself and S. Ld. Grey with great moderation and temper declined giving any opinion upon the subject, his own being rejected; said they could not be responsible for sentiments they had not written. Sheridan, who had thrust himself into the whole transaction, protested against their responsibility, alleging that the Prince was not himself in a condition to invest persons with responsibility, that he had drawn a paper, and Ld. Moira had done the same. After Ld. Grey went away, such a scene of duplicity and jealousy was exhibited by S. beyond all belief or description; it required all Adam’s forbearance and good temper to prevent great asperity in the discussion. Ld. H. contended for the responsibility, considering the sending for these Lords as an open act similar to that of a King upon his accession employing a certain set of persons to answer the address from the Privy Council, as his future Ministers.

They went off to C. H. at two o’clock. By Adam’s report, S.’s description of what had passed here was a most gross misrepresentation, and a malicious interpretation of every word uttered. They all parted in wrath; the P. determining to keep what S. made him believe was his own, whereas in fact it was S.’s. This is one of his artifices by which he ensnares the P., first suggesting ideas and words, which he dexterously contrives to make the P. believe are his own. (He avowed this to us some months ago.[383]) Some of Sheridan’s phrases were very bad. The Prince was to say in a taunting manner that he hoped the authority he was to be invested with would be as _brief_ as it was _restricted_, showing a silly soreness towards the Parliament. On Friday the deputation came; and the paper composed by S. and the Prince was delivered. Grey and Grenville upon the rejection of their paper drew up a remonstrance glancing at secret advisers, which they delivered to Adam to give to the Prince. In the meantime the P. expressed a wish to explain to Ld. H. the whole transaction, and fixed calling upon him on Saturday. By a mistake of Ld. Moira’s, Ld. H. waited for him, as he ought to have told him that the P. could not come till this day, Sunday, 13th Jan., 1811, Pall Mall.

The interview was long; only Mr. Adam present. Authorised an explanation to the two Lords, that he did not conceive his application to them could as _yet_ be considered as official. Consequently they were not in any responsible situation; that they proceeded upon a misconception.

[Sidenote: GRENVILLE’S AUDITORSHIP]

_Sunday, 20th._--A very _stormy_ week, but down to this evening the political horizon brightens. When the two Lords began to discuss arrangements the difficulties seemed insurmountable. Ld. Grey reminded Lord Grenville of the conversation they had formerly had together upon the subject of the impossibility of his holding his place of Auditor of the Exchequer with that of the First Ld. of the Treasury. Ld. Grenville alleged _poverty_, proposed that Tom,[384] who _par parenthèse_, has been voluntarily out of Parlt. these three years, should have the Admiralty and the first peerage. Upon the obstacle of the Auditorship being strongly re-argued, a singular paper was delivered in to Grey, in which statements were made of the condition of the First Lords for the preceding 40 years, all of whom had enjoyed large places with the Treasury; stating his own difficulties of undertaking such an expensive station with the mere addition of 1000_l._ pr. ann.; that he should be overwhelmed with debt. That he could not consent to take the Home Department without an express and distinct understanding that _all_ the Patronage of _Church_ and _State_ which had hitherto gone through the First Ld. of Treasury, should be annexed to the Home Department. That the Minutes of Cabinet should be drawn up by Ld. G. and laid before the Regent or King; that he could not yield his pre-eminence; and rather an arrogant and flourishing termination. The whole composition evinced a sordid and low mind. Scarcely had it been sent, before Ld. Auckland was dispatched to recover it. Ld. Grey hesitated, because if a rupture became inevitable, it was such a complete acquittal of himself.

By-the-bye, I forgot to mention that the _first_ hitch arose from a proposal on the part of Lord Grenville that, from the state of the H. of Commons they ought to look about them for _strength_, that the lists were not satisfactory, and that they could not be sure of majorities. The plain English of this was that they wanted an organ of their own, Canning for instance, as a barrier against the popular principles of the Whigs and the unpopular and odious manners of Whitbread, whom unfortunately all parties concur in hating, however they may respect him as a public character. Ld. Grey replied that upon consulting his own friends, he was satisfied that the numbers were such as to enable a Govt, to go on well, that by taking Mr. C. weight would be lost, not gained; for the gain would be 10 votes, and the loss of three times that number of real, staunch friends. That upon the mere report of such a junction already Mr. Coke declared his first vote under the new Governt. should be against them, if Mr. C. composed one of the Govt.; also that Messrs. Byng, Brand, &c., were of the same opinion, Ld. J. Cavendish, and most of the old Foxites.

[Sidenote: WHIG DISUNION]

Ld. Grenville seemed thunderstruck at Grey’s urging that if a motion was made by the enemy against the union of the offices of Treasurer and Auditor, it would be impossible to prevent many of their own friends from voting against them. In the evening Ld. G. wrote to Grey to say that the point in discussion could not be canvassed by them in conversation. Proposed by Grey that Ld. Spencer should be First Lord of Treasury; Grenvilles all eager to declare that he had entirely withdrawn from public life. Various other modes suggested, such as Ld. Grenville’s placing the Auditorship in trust and not receiving the salary whilst he enjoyed the Treasury. On the 16th matters seemed in a state of complete disunion, and the differences between the two Lords began to be talked of in public. In stating the friends with whom Ld. Grenville said he should consult before he came to a final determination, he mentioned Lords Stafford and Carrington. He now talked of giving up all idea of forming an Administration, and recommending the Prince to keep the present Ministers; but Ld. Grey will not agree, as in his opinion it is a scandalous desertion of the Prince. Tom Grenville has begged Grey not to be offended at any dryness and formality in the style of Ld. Grenville’s letters, as official habits early in life make all he writes upon topics of business seem as dry as a chip. In conversation it had been thrown out that the Treasury stripped and degraded would not be fit for Ld. Grey to accept, but that George Ponsonby or Lord Lansdowne might do the duties of it; but this was not listened to, it being impossible, notwithstanding all Lord Grenville said of the present salary, patronage, and influence of the Treasury being a usurpation upon the patronage of the Home Department, to consent to such a glaring alteration as to reduce that which had been hitherto considered as the first office in the State to as low a condition even as a mere Lord of the Treasury. From Lord Temple’s language, which is violent and indiscreet, and from Tom’s, which tho’ milder and more guarded betrays much soreness, it is clear that it is not the numbers of the H. of Commons which induced them to urge a junction with Mr. Canning, but that they felt they had no man of their _own_, and could not submit to be represented by such persons as Whitbread, &c.