The Prince takes part with his father on this the present question, and he is full of complaints against Ministers for their conduct to him in his difference with the Princess. Lady Hertford has great influence with him at present, and she employs it. It is not many weeks since that he offered to write a letter to Ld. Howick for the purpose of its being shown to the Catholics, in which he would have pledged himself to the Catholics, provided they remained quiet at present. Ld. Holland did not encourage this measure, because as he had once broken his word to the Catholics, it was supposed that a promise from him would have little or no effect upon them. Ld. Moira is also extremely dissatisfied with the greater part of his colleagues; he told Ld. H. two nights ago that if this rupture had not taken place, he would have resigned shortly, and that when they went out he should resign his Staff appointments, and consider himself as no longer connected in party with his present colleagues. He complained that since Mr. Fox’s illness no one, except Ld. Holland, had treated him confidentially.[288]
A NEW ADMINISTRATION
Ld. H. this morning, through Ld. Granville Leveson, proposed a Cabinet place immediately to Canning if they should remain in office, or return to it after a victory over the Court. Ld. G. Leveson received the overtures thus made rather coldly. He seemed to think that Canning would take the opposite side to Ld. Sidmouth, and in the evening he seemed disturbed by a speech of Bragge’s,[289] who had said when asked what part Ld. Sidmouth’s friends meant to take in the present differences, ‘Why, stick by the King, to be sure.’ It is not known that any person has as yet been sent for by the K. to consult with about a new Administration.
19th.—Letters from the D. of Bedford and Ld. Ponsonby. It seems that the Catholics had been induced by the exertions of Ld. Ponsonby and representations from the Castle, aided by the proof given by Ministers of their unabated zeal in their cause by the clauses in the Mutiny Bill, to abandon the intention of petitioning Parliament this session. But when these letters were written, rumours had arrived of the difficulties in carrying through the Mutiny Bill, and that Ministers were suspected of an intention to give way upon that point.
Early to-day Lds. Eldon and Hawkesbury went to Windsor in consequence of a message from the King communicated to them by ye D. of Cumberland. In the course of the morning they called upon ye D. of Portland, with the King’s commands to form a new Administration and to consult on that subject with two of Mr. Pitt’s friends. Reports of the D. of Portland declining to act on acct. of his infirmities; others again that he declined acting if Ld. Melville was to be one of the Ministers, or if it was resolved to dissolve Parlt. Ld. C. Spencer came from Burlington House and reported them as being greatly alarmed. Ld. Hardwicke[290] called in the evening at Ld. Grenville’s, and having inquired into the truth of the pledge said to have been demanded by the King from his Ministers, Ld. G. showed him the King’s note, on which Ld. Hardwicke expressed himself perfectly satisfied with the conduct of Ministers and thought they could not have acted otherwise with honour, and that those who had advised the King to demand such a pledge were impeachable. He concluded by assuring Ld. Grenville of his support and of that of his brother, Mr. Yorke.[291] Wilberforce also called on Ld. Grenville, and expressed much concern for what had happened, as well as approbation of the conduct of Ministers.
It is said that with a view to shake the power of Ministers in order to get rid of Windham, whom he detests, the D. of York had originally some share in awakening his father’s scruples in the Catholic Bill. It is also said that he now heartily repents of what he has done, and would willingly assist to resettle matters. He justly fears a Ministry formed of the friends of the Pss. of Wales. Both he and the Prince, who has, but more strongly, the same fears, have offered to go down to Windsor to endeavour to accommodate matters. The D. of Cumberland has availed himself of the King’s insanity upon the C. Question to effect this change. He read to him Perceval’s speech agst. the Catholics as the sentiments of all good Protestants upon the subject, by which the K. was exceedingly agitated, as he always is when the subject is discussed.
CHANGE OF MINISTRY
When the King returned to Windsor on Wednesday,[292] he was exceedingly agitated, and after retiring for a short time alone, he desired that Col. Taylor might be sent for immediately, and upon his coming he dictated letters to Lds. Eldon and Hawkesbury. When Ld. Howick arrived on Thursday evening, the King told him that it was but fair to acknowledge that he parted with his present Ministers with regret, that he had hesitated long before he resolved upon it, that it was not till after re-perusing their communication and consulting with his family that he had determined upon it. That he had never had the slightest difference with them till now, and that it was only to get rid of a sword constantly suspended over his head that he now resolved to dismiss them from his service. All this was studiously told by the King’s friends, and of course the sentiments are entitled to little or no credit.
20th.—The D. of Portland has consented to waive this objection founded on the bad state of his health, provided any arrangement can be devised which promises to last. They find great difficulties in forming their arrangements. Mr. Yorke has said to Chas. Long that he would take no part in their Administration, and that he disapproved of their intention of forming one. Tierney reckons 220 Members in the H. of Commons steady to the late Ministers, without including Ld. Wellesley’s members, Ld. Carrington’s, Mr. Eden, the Saints, or the Doctor’s.
21st.—Ld. Hardwicke set off this morning to Windsor, and on his return went to Burlington House.