And indeed if I, and half or all the supporters of the Bill, had thought differently, and were inclined to lend ourselves to such a pledge, how could any or all of us answer for the Catholics themselves, or bind ourselves, if they stirred the question in opposition to our pledges, that we would then vote against our declared opinions?
All this, in my judgment, only shows that Lord Londonderry is, as he may well be, most uneasy in his situation, as resulting from the present strange and most anomalous state of this business, which he ought to have foreseen, but did not, as at least a possible event, when he agreed to form a Government in which the one most important feature in the whole political interests of the country was not to be considered as a ministerial question.
"You have what I advise;" but pray do not forget that, on this subject above all others, Plunket is entitled, not to know, but almost to direct your course.
Grenville.
The Queen put in a formal claim to be crowned with the King, and Mr. Brougham urged it, with all his forensic eloquence and skill, before the Privy Council; but, as will be seen, all the principal precedents were in opposition to his argument:—
- "William the Conqueror's Queen was crowned two years after he was crowned.
- Henry I.'s Queen, ditto.
- Stephen's Queen, ditto.
- Richard I.'s Queen, crowned abroad.
- John's Queen, not crowned with him, but crowned.
- Henry III.'s Queen, not with him, but afterwards, alone.
- Edward III.'s Queen, crowned alone.
- Henry IV.'s Queen, crowned—not with him.
- Henry V.'s Queen, ditto.
- Henry VI.'s Queen, not crowned with him, but alone.
- Henry VII.'s Queen, crowned long after him.
- Henry VIII.—Some of his Queens crowned, some not.
- Charles I.—His Queen not crowned at all.
- Charles II.—His Queen not crowned at all.
- George II.'s Queen, or George I.'s, I am not sure which, not crowned at all."[65] ]
On the 21st of May a feeble attempt was made in the House of Commons to bring forward the pretensions of the Queen to share in the approaching State ceremonial; but the firm language of Lord Londonderry, and the apathy of the House on the subject, set the matter at rest.
MR. W. H. FREMANTLE TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.
Stanhope Street, June 4, 1821.
My dear Lord,