Bedfordshire Archives Service Catalogue
  • Reference
    L30/18/18/6
  • Title
    Copy letter from de Grey to Sir James Graham, sent from Vice regal Lodge, Dublin (this letter is registered in the Secretary registers in L30/18/69, register 1):
  • Date free text
    3 Jan 1842
  • Production date
    From: 1842 To: 1842
  • Scope and Content
    Little to say. "Our candidate for Dublin election to be settled today. Vance withdrawn "respectable man" "not exactly of the class to ensure success"."Subserved very liberally on the last occasion and was disposed to come forward very handsomely now... his principal recommendation". Supporters of Morpeth worse off; raised £1,400, written to Lord Fitzwilliam. "(O'Connell and all) they completely throw Repeal overboard". Do not attach any importance to what you may hear from those who are very generally called our friends, or what you read in the Dublin Mail - paper conducted by "a low, unprincipled fellow named Sheehan, whose principal support has been amongst the bigotted red hot Orange faction´". By some means lost Caste - sale of paper was falling off about time of change of Government to reanimate himself took violent part - how much we were to do in overturning Whig jobs and how little done. First person to disaffect Conservative party by exciting more rabid portion to increase sale of paper. He talked of insult to West and supposed apology - last few days states "that improper persons had been put amongst the Castle Tradesmen, and that former efforts of good men were evidently disregarded". It was reported to de Grey some very influential Tradesmen would not vote because not given supersummary warrants therefore despite despising persons who could be guilty of such petty conduct, authorised Comptroller to submit list of Tradesmen to Brewster and Mr Smith (head of Conservative Committee) with an assurance would give warrants where required, out of 84 tradesmen, only 6 in least degree questionable. They begged that I would make no effort speak to no Tradesmen, make no change and give no new warrants, case "much misrepresented" Regarding Dublin Society - Robert Peel's letter received saying willing to propose Parliamentary grant for current year, wanted de Grey to take opinion of leading scientific and practical men re practical utility of institution and ways to improve it. Fortescue's Commission Report already done the work, Mostly leading men of the class suggested by Peel, that they were free from all taint of party - some of them might be Whigs but they were all honourable and fit men. Regarding grant "unfairly withheld by Lord Fortescue, I was quite willing to accept the mere acquiescence with the terms proposed by the House of Commons Committee of 1836". Met Honorary Secretary: Society actively employed in framing Rules "as he hoped would meet our views", believe alterations proposed "not of a party character tho' I am quite ready to believe that the Government of that day had a party feeling in all that it had to do, arising probably from the suggestions of the low radical and catholic party here". Not worried regarding threats of discontented of deserting us. Gregory, young man of County Galway and grandson of old Gregory of Dublin talked of as probable candidate. "Is disposed to come down freely with his money, and is esteemed to be a far more eligible candidate", opponents "supposed to be ill off for money". Morpeth's nomination will not help "if his relations do not do more than they hitherto have". Lord Carlisle not the means; Lord Clifden minor, Dukes of Sutherland and Devonshire not done much. Morpeth "a good man, but can he vote for Repeal? and if not what becomes of all O'Connell's bluster, unless he, O'Connell, is disposed to sink that question." "Boasted great meeting" at Dublin "as great a failure as their at Kells." Incloses anecdote regarding disposition to place money in savings Banks after accession of Conservative Government among Catholics. (Sic).
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