My dear Duke,
Charles Wynn wrote to me to say he wished to come and lay before the King Lord Amherst's appointment to sign, thinking it would be a good occasion of presenting himself for an audience, and I strongly recommended him to do so, though it was uncertain how he might take it; however, nothing could have been better received. The King has not appeared since he has been here, now ten days, and has confined himself to his room under a slight affection of gout, for which he is taking Wilson's medicine, but he received him most graciously, talked for an hour and a half, and Wynn came away delighted. I am quite happy that he came down for the purpose. I can't make out exactly how matters stand at the Pavilion. The Regnante has not yet arrived. He has been quite alone, literally, with Lord Conyngham and Sir W. Knighton, and not another person. It is said she has taken an aversion to this place, and I rather give credit to it, for Lord Conyngham told me he was going to fit up the Castle at Windsor, as the King had taken a fancy to it, and now seemed to prefer it to the Cottage. What this means I know not; I do not think, notwithstanding, that she is out of favour, or even to have lost ground, but that the strangeness of his conduct daily increases.
Did you ever hear of anything half so absurd as the conduct of the Speaker? He first wrote to Lord Liverpool to ask his opinion about standing for the University, and having received a very cold answer, declaring his wishes to be in favour of Lord Hervey, he immediately declared himself with his reconsideration advertisement; afterwards Charles Wynn hit the blot which bad been overlooked, or probably never looked for, in the case of Charles Dundas when proposed by Sheridan, and who was objected to by Mr. Pitt, as not being capable on account of not having previously taken the oath at the table before the Speaker, which by the act is necessary in every case but at the commencement of a new Parliament. When Charles Wynn mentioned this, it set them all aback, and after requiring a day to consider it, it ended by his giving up; the consequences of all this has been that the Solicitor-General has been driven from a certain success, and the Government interest being divided between R. Grant and Lord Hervey, it is not improbable that Scarlett may succeed.
I should judge from the language of Tierney on general points, that he thinks the Government stronger and more likely to hold a firm and vigorous language and line of conduct by the introduction of Canning, than it was last year. I believe the latter is to name Frederick Lamb[100] ] his Under-Secretary, and Lord Clanwilliam to succeed Frederick Lamb.
The appointment of Lord Amherst, taking all things into consideration, is, I believe, as good a nomination as could have taken place; and as far as it regards our Board, I should think the best, for he has no intrigue, and will act straightforward with us. Canning is gone down to Walmer, and you may rest assured that it will very soon end in his leading Lord Liverpool; if he can persuade him to get rid of Vansittart, it would be the best exercise he could make of such an influence.
Ever, my dear Duke,
Most assuredly yours,
W. H. Fremantle.
Of course you know Sir Henry Wellesley is named to succeed Lord Londonderry; better accounts of the Duke of Wellington's health.
THE RIGHT HON. CHARLES W. WYNN TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.