February 8th.—Serjeant Lens called to give me an acct. of the state of Norfolk Committee. Windham is in great agitation, even beyond what such a circumstance ought to excite. His imprudence has been quite incredible; however, nothing decisive has yet appeared against him. There were two of his indiscreet letters afloat; one has been rescued, but the other is still in the hands of the enemy—the one of the most mischievous purport unluckily. Each letter was a threatening to dismiss the persons, to whom they were addressed, from their employments, if they did not vote, and in the one in the field Ld. Grenville’s name is used.

Prince came and stayed a considerable time. He is looking less ill than he did a month ago. Ld. H. advised him to do nothing about the Pss., telling him in as civil terms as he could that his unpopularity in the country was so great, that any publication of proceedings on his part would only confirm the belief in a conspiracy against her. He also advised him to conciliate the Duke of Gloucester,[264] whose ambitious views of alliance with the young Princess were apparent, and tho’ not necessary to encourage, were worthy at least of observation, as he might secure his friendship by civility. He expressed great abhorrence of him, said he was a fool and a Saint: said it had often occurred to him that his brother, the Duke of Cambridge,[265] would be a proper husband for his daughter, that such connections were common amongst Catholics, and that Parliament could grant a dispensation as fully as the Pope. He has promised to take no steps without consulting his legal advisers.

LORD MINTO’S PAPER

Ld. Minto came to take leave, he was to set off for India in half an hour. Prince seized and dragged him into the little room, said, ‘H. you may come too,’ and then asked Ld. Minto to give him the statement which was drawn up by him and Burke on the King’s recovery in 1789, in which they had entered fully into the Queen’s conduct during H.M. illness.[266] Ld. Minto was extremely disturbed, and hardly knew how to reply. He stammered and said it was of no use, such a paper now would be of no service, except historically. However the P. pressed him so hard, that he was compelled to acknowledge that it was in Ly. Minto’s possession.

Prince had been at Windsor the night before. King’s blindness worse: great flightiness upon two topics, upon the name of Sir Sidney Smith being mentioned, and upon the Irish bishops, whom he said were all Catholics and should never preach before him. P. seems to have been greatly struck at the Pss. observation, about four months after their marriage, on Soulavie’s Memoirs of Catherine, whom she said was a great princess, and served for an example ‘à toutes princesses.’ He seriously believes that it has passed in her mind to adopt Catherine as a model, and as a proof he declares that she wore usually men’s clothes, and received many navy officers in that attire at Plymouth.

A Cabinet on the 9th in consequence of letters from ye Duke of Bedford.[267] The Catholics are proceeding with their petition, and some of the eager ones persist in laying it before Parliament this Session. Ministers are urged to determine speedily what is to be done for the Catholics, in order to prevent the petition, if possible, from coming forward. He thinks nothing will satisfy the C. at present short of three concessions:—

1. The insertion of the same clause in their favour in the Mutiny Bill of England, that was inserted some years before the Union in the Mutiny Bill of Ireland.

2ndly. Their admission to be Sheriffs of Counties.

3rdly. Their admission to Corporations.

THE CATHOLIC QUESTION