Winchilsea.”
(8.) MEMORANDUM OF THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON.
“London, March 20, 1829, in the morning.
“Sir Henry Hardinge has read me a memorandum written by Lord Winchilsea, and delivered to him by Lord Falmouth, from which it appears that his lordship is anxious that I should justify myself from the charges against me contained in his lordship’s address to Mr. Coleridge, published in the Standard newspaper. I may lament that a nobleman for whom I feel the highest respect, entertains a bad opinion of me; but I do not complain, so long as that opinion is not brought before me. I cannot admit that any man has a right to call me before him to justify myself from the charges which his fancy may suggest. That of which I complain is, that the Earl of Winchilsea and Nottingham should have published an opinion, that I was actuated by disgraceful and criminal motives in a certain transaction which took place nearly a year ago. His lordship, unprovoked, has insulted me by stating in writing, and authorising the publication of, this opinion. For this insult I believed, and am not willing to part with the belief, that his lordship will be anxious to give me reparation.
W.”
(9.) MEMORANDUM OF SIR HENRY HARDINGE.
“Friday, March 20.
“Sir Henry Hardinge delivered to Lord Falmouth a memorandum, on the 20th of March, from the Duke of Wellington, in reply to one from Lord Winchilsea last night; in the latter of which it was proposed, as a preliminary to any explanation, that the Duke of Wellington should disclaim having contemplated the intentions attributed to his grace by Lord Winchilsea, which mode of reparation was considered inadmissible. In the memorandum of the Duke of Wellington, his grace states that his cause of complaint is in the publication of opinions highly offensive to him. Whenever, therefore, any terms or mode of reparation, which Lord Winchilsea may be disposed to offer, are communicated to Sir Henry Hardinge, he will make them known to the Duke of Wellington, and inform Lord Winchilsea whether they are satisfactory or not.
Henry Hardinge.
“N.B. The original of this delivered to Lord Falmouth.”