[277] A Committee was appointed on February 10, on the motion of Mr. Biddulph, member for Denbigh Borough, to examine the efficiency of regulations and checks, already introduced, to control public expenditure; to consider what further steps were advisable for the same object, and to diminish ‘the amount of salaries and emoluments without detriment to the public service.’
[278] William Garrow (1760–1840), barrister, who sat in several Parliaments in the Whig interest. He was knighted in 1812; made Attorney-General in 1813, and Baron of the Exchequer 1817–32.
[279] This was the pamphlet drawn up by Perceval, and known as ‘the Book.’ It was never given to the world, for just as the Princess’s friends resolved upon its circulation, the Ministry was dismissed and the Tories returned to power. A few copies escaped from the printers’ hands, and were bought back for large sums by the Government.
[280] Owing to the infraction of treaty obligations in Moldavia and Wallachia by Turkey, largely instigated by Sebastiani the French Ambassador at Constantinople, Russia thought fit to declare war with the Porte late in 1806. Alexander, however, had need of all his forces to meet the French in Central Europe, and he suggested to the English Government that a fleet should be sent to Constantinople to secure their joint interests, and to demand the dismissal of Sebastiani. This was done, and Arbuthnot, the British Minister, was ordered to insist on the latter point, on the pain of instant bombardment. Unfortunately Arbuthnot had to leave owing to ill health, and Sir Thomas Duckworth, the British Admiral, allowed himself to be drawn into fruitless negotiations, and finally withdrew without accomplishing his object.
The force sent to Egypt under General Mackenzie captured Alexandria, but lost a large number of prisoners in an attack on Rosetta. Nothing further was effected, and the troops were removed in the autumn.
[281] John Armstrong (1758–1843), American Minister in France and Spain 1804–10.
[282] The Right Hon. Charles Long (1761–1838), afterwards created Lord Farnborough (1820), Secretary of State for Ireland 1806, and Paymaster of the Forces for many years.
[283] George Rose (1744–1818), a devoted adherent of Pitt. He was for many years Secretary of the Treasury, and held various minor offices under the Tories.
[284] This is amusing and interesting, in light of Lord Malmesbury’s conversation with Canning, which he quotes in his diary as having taken place on March 14. Canning ‘said, what he had told me before, that he had received and rejected overtures from Lord Grenville.... He declared with a threat that he never would sit in the same Cabinet as Addington.’
[285] Sir William Drummond, born about 1770; died in 1828. He was appointed Minister at the Court of Naples in 1801, and again in 1806, and Ambassador to the Porte in 1803.