I return to the year 1864, and to my personal narrative.
The necessity for my withdrawal was the more disappointing because I knew that I had the full confidence and even sympathy of the head of that department to which the Post Office is subordinate. This confidence, however, was not sufficiently near for my support; and in my immediate department the ground was slipping from beneath my feet. The chief point I was striving to maintain was that of promotion at once by absolute merit, and in faithful accordance with the requirements of the department. The rules by which this was maintained had to an important extent been of late set aside; all my resistance to the change being overborne. My appointment having been made by the Treasury, I had thought myself justified in appealing directly to that higher authority; and I now learnt, for the first time (February 6th, 1864), that such appeal had been condemned by the Postmaster-General, who at the same time denied in general terms my alleged appointment by the Treasury,[230] maintaining that “all appointments in the Post Office, without distinction, are made by the Postmaster-General, and him alone.” I had even gone so far (on the suggestion of Mr. Gladstone) as twice to solicit and obtain an interview with the Premier, Lord Palmerston. Though, on the first occasion, I was received in the most friendly manner, and listened to with great patience, and even obtained some little support, I became convinced, on the second interview, that I had no hope of effectual aid from that quarter. In short, matters had ere this come into such a state that it was in effect impracticable for me to retain my actual position; and, indeed, at the time of which I am now writing, viz., the beginning of 1864, no change, I am afraid, would have availed, my strength being already exhausted. The last six months I had passed in vacation, for which I had applied, in the hope that such a period of rest might so far recruit my health as to enable me to hold on in the hope of better times; but at the close of the period I was but too sensible that this end had not been attained. I therefore procured a consultation of all my medical advisers, four in number; their opinion, communicated to me through the mouth of their senior, Sir Thomas Watson, is thus recorded in my Journal:—
“They were unanimously of opinion that for me to return to the Post Office would be attended with serious risk of life, and they hoped that I would altogether abandon any such intention; that I had accomplished a great work, and they hoped that I would make up my mind to rest for the future; that with rest, and with such pleasant occupation as they had no doubt I could find, they had every reason to believe I should, to a considerable extent, regain my health and strength. He added that he had been informed by the others, confidentially, that certain changes had been made at the Post Office, which, in my opinion, would add to my difficulties if I returned; but that, under any circumstances, their opinion was against such return. The question of an extension of leave of absence having been raised, Dr. Watson, supported by the others, earnestly advised that the main question should now be finally decided, as they considered it very important, in the state of my health, that all doubt on the subject should be removed. They afterwards gave the following certificate:—
“‘16, Henrietta Street, Cavendish Square,
“‘February 18th, 1864.
“‘We certify that the state of Sir Rowland Hill’s health is such as to render it unsafe for him to resume his duties at the Post Office.’”
In yielding to the necessity thus falling upon me, I had some comfort in knowing that I left behind me, in addition to several men of tried zeal and ability in their respective stations, a few on whose zeal, talent, and earnest support of my plans, I could implicitly rely; for though I feared that under existing circumstances their efforts would be comparatively unavailing, yet I trusted they would have strength to endure until the return of better times. Unfortunately while my trust in their firmness has been fully justified, my hope seems as far as ever from fulfilment.
My whole family concurring in the necessity of the contemplated step, I called on the Chancellor of the Exchequer: my interview with him is thus recorded in my Journal:—
“Gladstone greatly regrets my determination to resign. Presses upon me an offer to arrange for another six months’ absence, with a clear understanding that I do not return to the Post Office while Lord Stanley of Alderley is there. At his urgent request, promised to reconsider the question.”
I fulfilled this promise, but could not venture to change my determination. Before sending in my resignation, however, I thought it due to Mr. Gladstone to wait upon him, and state the reasons which compelled me to take this step, as also to warn him of the evils that must follow some of the changes then in progress at the Post Office. Mr. Gladstone, receiving me with much kindness and evincing great sympathy, expressed his readiness to do anything in his power that might enable me to remain; but, while sincerely thanking him for all his kindness past and present, I was obliged to say that measures of relief, even if practicable, were now too late. Thus ended my last official interview with that distinguished statesman.[231]
My letter of resignation, which was addressed to the Lords of the Treasury, a copy being also sent to the Postmaster-General, was as follows:—