Lds. Grenville, Howick, and Holland had a very long conference. Ld. Grenville, averse to active measures; afraid ‘lest the tail should get the better of the head.’ Ld. Howick is to write to the King, urging the necessity of being prepared to explain the situation of Ministry in the H. of C., if called upon on Monday.

Letters from Ireland yesterday and to-day. It appears that if they had given up the Bill and remained in office, the D. of Bedford, Elliot, (and probably) the Chancellor Ponsonby, would have resigned; and Ld. Ponsonby, who has great influence over the Catholics, would have been incensed and gone into Opposition. Charles Long told Ld. Lauderdale that he had called upon him twice three days ago, to have talked over the state of affairs, but it was now too late. Canning told Ld. Holland that he doubted whether Ld. H. regretted more this break up than he did!!! Ld. Spencer told the King on Wednesday last his determination to resign if the Bill was abandoned.

Windham, in a sudden fit of disgust, told Ld. Grenville that he desired he might no longer be considered as connected with him, as he meant to attach himself to Lds. Howick and Holland solely. This rash declaration was ill-timed, and nothing could be more ill-judged than to do this at a moment when unanimity is so requisite, and when all jealousies should be laid aside.

The event most to be feared at present is that the King should consent to withdraw the pledge he demands of them; and to accept their offer to give up the Bill with the general reservation which accompanied that offer. This would change the public ground on which they stand, and very probably disunite them.

22nd.—The Archbishop of Canterbury[293] is expressing everywhere the most rapturous joy at what has taken place. He says, ‘It is the neatest done thing possible. Ministers have given up enough to forfeit the confidence of the Catholics, and will not therefore have the consolation of dying martyrs in the cause.’ ‘They have drawn their own teeth and cannot bite.’

CHANGE OF MINISTRY

Ld. Hardwicke dined yesterday with Ld. Grenville. His visit yesterday to Windsor was not in consequence of any message from the King, but originating from himself in order to express to His Majesty his opinion of the proposed alteration in his Governt. He arrived at Windsor about the same time as Ld. Eldon, and as the K. was gone out, both had some time to wait before they had an audience. The K. answered Ld. Hardwicke’s arguments by saying it was a matter of conscience, and in urging Ld. Hardwicke to take office he expressed great personal esteem for him, and added, ‘I know the Yorkes are not given to cabals.’ Ld. Westmoreland says this visit might have done some days ago, and served the Ministry, but that now it is too late. The report in town was that he was sent down by Ld. Grenville to accommodate matters.

Ld. Aberdeen says Ld. Melville is too infirm to accept offices; others that he expects to be high in the Administration. Ld. Auckland has written a very good letter to the King;[294] the worst, however, is that he did this upon a former change, and his resignation is not that of any office of emolument. His pension absorbs the salary of any place he holds.

23rd.—King’s answer to Ld. Howick gives him permission to state to the House that he is employed in forming a new Administration. Dickenson, the member for Somersetshire, is to put a question to Ld. Howick this evening in order to lead to the explanation.

Dickenson did the business very ill, and so clumsily that he did no good by his query. His questions were whether Ministers were still in office, and whether the reports were true that they had attempted to surprise the King’s conscience? Ld. Howick answered the 1st question, but declined making any reply to the 2nd. A great attendance in the House, but usual coldness manifested to a falling Ministry. Great diversity of opinion as to the mode of conducting the Opposition. Ld. Grenville, of course, hampered in consequence of the part he took in 1784. All resigned on March the 25th. The Prince acted shabbily; what he called neutral.