[251] Sir Samuel Auchmuty (1756–1822), born in New York, of Scotch descent. He served the crown in America as a volunteer, obtaining a commission. He went to India, where he saw much service. He took Monte Video, and showed considerable skill on this expedition until superseded by General Whitelocke, who arrived with further reinforcements. He later returned to India, and was also employed in the East Indian islands.
Sir Home Popham, who was court-martialled in March, and reprimanded for his share in the unauthorised expedition to Buenos Ayres, remained with his fleet off the Rio Plate after the loss of the town. The Government were much disconcerted by the whole affair, but the enthusiasm of the public forced them to send reinforcements instead of orders of recall. Three thousand men were despatched with Sir Samuel.
[252] General Robert Craufurd (1764–1812). He served under Lord Cornwallis in India, and was Quartermaster-General in Ireland during the insurrection of 1798. His force was joined to General Whitelocke’s. He commanded a light brigade in the Peninsula and was killed at the storming of Ciudad Rodrigo. This expedition was intended for the conquest of Chili, but was diverted to Buenos Ayres.
[253] Aaron Burr’s (1756–1836) conspiracy was a sequel to his defeat for the Presidency of the United States by Jefferson in 1801. This was mainly brought about by General Hamilton’s influence, which was again brought to bear against him in 1804 when he stood for the Governorship of New York. A duel took place in which General Hamilton was shot dead. Burr after this went to the West and established himself on the Mississippi. He gained over General Wilkinson, the commander of the United States army at New Orleans, to assist him in his schemes, though nobody appeared to know their exact trend. Jefferson, however, grew alarmed, Wilkinson recanted, Burr was arrested, and the whole plot fell to the ground. Burr was acquitted of actual treason, and went to Europe. There he remained, first in one country, then in another, till 1812, when he returned to America. He took no further active part in politics, and died in extreme poverty.
[254] Lord Mulgrave was Secretary for Foreign Affairs, 1805–6.
[255] Preparations for this expedition ceased with the fall of the Ministry. Their successors again took the project into consideration, but the troops destined to take part in it under Sir Arthur Wellesley were sent instead to Portugal.
[256] Charles, third Duke of Richmond; born in 1735, died on December 29, 1806. He was succeeded by his nephew, Colonel Lennox.
[257] The charges of immorality raised against the Princess of Wales by Sir John and Lady Douglas were laid before a Committee of the Cabinet in 1806 for investigation. It was composed of four members, the Lord Chancellor, the Lord Chief Justice (Lord Ellenborough), and Lords Grenville and Spencer, with Sir Samuel Romilly, the Solicitor-General, as legal adviser. Their report acquitted her of the more serious charges, but animadverted with severity on the levity of her conduct. The Princess replied with a letter to the King ‘the joint composition of Lord Eldon, Mr. Perceval, and Mr. Plomer; the first furnishing the law, the second the argument, and the third the prolixity. It concluded with a request to be restored to the comfort and honour of his Majesty’s royal presence’ (Memoirs of the Whig Party, ii. 151). This the King referred to the Cabinet, and after many deliberations, with the exception of Mr. Windham, they concurred in the report.
It is curious that Lord Eldon, who it is here suggested was the secret adviser of George III., was also the confidential adviser of George IV. at the time of the trial in 1820.
[258] This incident is fully described in Coke of Norfolk, ii. 69–73. Mrs. Berney and her friend were in the habit of parading the town every day in a carriage decked in Colonel Wodehouse’s (the Tory candidate) colours. One day, however, the Whigs produced a carriage arranged to closely resemble theirs in every particular, but flaunting the rival hue. A riot ensued, for which the Berney family held Coke and Windham responsible, though they had in no way countenanced the trick. All three candidates were convicted of treating, but as no petition was brought against Colonel Wodehouse, he retained the seat. Mr. Coke’s brother, Edward Coke, resigned his seat for Derby, for which the former was elected; while the latter took the vacant seat at Norwich. Mr. Windham was returned for Higham Ferrers by Lord Fitzwilliam.