“I was one of those who, at first, thought the proposed plan might be practicable, and prove an antidote to the principles of the London University. I was not, however, very sanguine in my expectations, seeing many difficulties likely to arise in the execution of the suggested arrangement; and I confess that I felt rather doubtful as to the sincerity of the motives that had actuated some of the prime movers in this undertaking, when I considered that the noble Duke at the head of his Majesty’s Government had been induced, on this occasion, to assume a new character, and to step forward himself as the public advocate of religion and morality. Late political events have convinced me, that the whole transaction was intended as a blind to the Protestant and high-church party; that the noble Duke, who had, for some time previous to that period, determined upon ‘breaking in upon the constitution of 1688,’ might the more effectually, under the cloak of some outward show of zeal for the Protestant religion, carry on his insidious designs for the infringement of our liberties, and the introduction of Popery into every department of the state.”
This letter was published in the newspapers, and gave rise to the following correspondence:—
(1.) FROM THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON TO THE EARL OF WINCHILSEA.
“London, March 16, 1829.
“My Lord,
“I have just perused, in the Standard newspaper of this day, a letter addressed to Henry Nelson Coleridge, Esq., dated Eastwell Park, March 14, signed Winchilsea and Nottingham; and I shall be very much obliged to your lordship if you will let me know whether that letter was written by you, and published by your authority.
I am, &c. Wellington.”
(2.) FROM THE SAME TO THE SAME.
“London, March 18, 1829.
“My Lord,