A recollection of Mr. Huskisson by another political cotemporary of eminence, may here be put forward by way of contrast to the preceding.
"Besides possessing considerable abilities, and upon some subjects extensive knowledge, he is cheerful, good-natured, and obliging--a man of the world of the best sort. When you come to converse with him upon other topics than those to which the purpose of your first interview limited you, you will find that nothing can be more rational and agreeable than his conversation."[108]
[108] Lord Dudley"s "Letters," p. 321.
Though an able man, his subsequent political career was short and unsatisfactory. His known devotion to Mr. Canning, who had long endeavoured to bring him forward, after the demise of that eminent statesman, exercised a prejudicial influence over his fortunes, and the first opportunity that presented itself was eagerly seized to get rid of him.
About the end of January, Lord Grenville had a serious attack of illness--a paralytic seizure--that caused considerable alarm among his relatives and friends; but Sir Henry Halford having been summoned to the a.s.sistance of the ordinary medical attendants at Dropmore, an improvement shortly took place, and in a few days he was p.r.o.nounced out of danger.
The proceedings going on in Ireland, arising out of the alleged conspiracy and rebellion, were regarded with as much interest in England as the threatened invasion of Spain by France.
THE RIGHT HON. W. H. FREMANTLE TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.
East India Office, Four o"clock.
MY DEAR DUKE,
I am just come from the House, which was not made, owing to the horrid weather and fall of snow, therefore I cannot move the writ till to-morrow, when I shall certainly do so.
I saw Spring Rice,[109] who had just received letters from Dublin, giving an account of the first day"s trial. His letters were from Maurice Fitzgerald, Mr. Goold, and another whose name he did not mention, but he read them all to me, and they perfectly agreed in stating that nothing could have been more favourable to the proof of the conspiracy than the first day"s trial. The Sheriff evidently attempted to secure a good jury; there were six trials, and he had only collected sixty individuals for the formation of the juries; the Court directed him to enlarge his numbers, which he was obliged to do, and the jury was considered tolerably good, though not a single Catholic upon it, only one individual who they knew to be a sworn and decided Orangeman. Nothing could exceed the eloquence, temper, and firmness of Plunket, exceeding his acknowledged powers.
One witness only examined as yet, but all agreeing that if he [Plunket] only proves half that he has stated himself prepared to bring forward, a conviction must follow. In the course of his speech he stated that Lord Wellesley was supported in all the steps he had taken by the Government in England, and by the personal sanction and approbation of his Sovereign. He laid it very heavily on the Sheriff, Thorpe, and others of the Corporation. Altogether, from these letters (which of course must be taken with some abatement, from the character and opinions of the writers), it would appear that Plunket will not only come out most triumphantly, but that the Orangeists are fallen beyond all belief in their triumphant expectation.
Fitzgerald"s phrase is, "The case even exceeds the most sanguine statement which Lord Wellesley had made me the day before."
Ever truly yours,
W. H. F.
I merely add a few words, to say that our first day has been most favourable to the Government, and that we are all in tip-top spirits. No one can yet believe that France will be mad enough to march troops into the Peninsula. Brougham"s certainly one of the most, if not the most eloquent speech he ever made, but most bitter and vindictive towards the allies and the magnanimous Alexander.
Nothing can be better than the accounts from Dropmore.
W. H. F.
I forgot to say that Plunket has two Orange informers to produce as witnesses, who were parties to the conspiracy. There was no prevarication or difficulty with the only witness examined.
[109] In 1839 created Baron Monteagle.
THE RIGHT HON. W. H. FREMANTLE TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.
House of Commons, Five o"clock.
MY DEAR DUKE,
Nothing is talked of but Lord Wellesley"s business; he really seems to have lost his head, though Plunket and Newport are come full primed and most loud in his defence; the Opposition, I have no doubt, will support him, and I have as little doubt that the Cabinet will do the same; but all the Orange part of the Government are trumpeting forth his misconduct, and folly, and madness. The real fact I believe to be, that he has been guilty of great imprudence, but that the Orange faction in Ireland were determined to drive him away, and Lord Manners was at the head of this faction. It is impossible that they can both now remain, and therefore I have not the least doubt that Lord Manners will be recalled. There is a story in town to-day, of a message having been sent by Lord Wellesley to Lord Manners, in which the former upbraids the latter with the most culpable, unfair, treacherous conduct towards him from the moment he set foot in Ireland, and letting him know if it were not for their public situations he should have resented it in another mode. I do not believe one word of this, though I give full credit for his indiscretion.
I have just seen Newport, who says it is impossible. He is just come from Dropmore, and gives a good account of Lord G----. Lord Liverpool I hear is quite firm about Wellesley; how the Chancellor will act upon it remains to be seen; the question must now come to an issue.
We expect much effect from Robinson"s first essay on Friday.
Canning has done remarkably well as yet, and gives great satisfaction. Nothing can prevent the mad war of the French.
Ever most faithfully,
W. H. F.
THE RIGHT HON. W. H. FREMANTLE TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.
House of Commons, Feb. 10, 1823.
MY DEAR DUKE,
The Dublin jury were out for six hours, and then requested the judge to dismiss them, for they could not come to a decision. They were of course remanded, and ordered to be locked up till the next morning. We shall probably next hear of their fighting among themselves. Lady Rossman, in her evidence (ninety years of age), says it must have been an older woman than herself to be frightened by such a proceeding at the theatre.
I heard to-day (_quite private_) that a demur arises as to Huskisson"s appointment to the Board of Trade, he being agent to Ceylon, and in that capacity a continual suitor on the part of the island to the Board. The agency is 1200_l._, the Presidentship _nil_. He therefore of course will not hesitate, should it be found to be a vital objection. It makes no difference as to his election.
Banks stands for Dorsetshire, _vice_ Portman, dead; it it not known yet if any other person stands. No further news.
Ever, &c.,
W. H. F.
THE RIGHT HON. CHARLES W. WYNN TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.
Feb. 10, 1823.
Nothing more decisive has, I believe, arrived from France; and the latest account from Ireland is, that at eight o"clock on Friday night the jury were considering their verdict.
I shall not be surprised if the evening papers obtain the result, though it may not reach Peel till to-morrow.
The war-whoop of Opposition may possibly have some effect towards frightening old Louis, and in that case it may be useful, but I trust there is little chance of its communicating its effects either in the Cabinet or Parliament on this side the water. Canning will, I believe, return in time to take his seat to-morrow.
Ever affectionately yours,
C. W. W.
THE RIGHT HON. CHARLES W. WYNN TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.
Feb. 11, 1823.
MY DEAR B----,
The newspapers will tell you the result of the Dublin trials, but we have had no letters, and know nothing of Plunket"s intentions.
The report is that the Orangemen are quite triumphant and insolent.
What line C----g intends to take I do not know, but I have observed that he never omits an opportunity of quizzing the Bottle Plot, and that all his friends ridicule Wellesley on every opportunity.