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Reference
L30/11/342/14
Title
Letter from Philip Yorke, 3rd Earl of Hardwicke to Lady Amabel Lucas.
Date free text
26 Apr 1807
Production date
From: 1807 To: 1807
Scope and Content
‘Wishing to stand well in your opinion, I am of course desirous to state the grounds on which I felt myself called upon to act as I have done, and as I shall be now compelled to do by the last and desperate measure which has been resolved upon by the new ministers – the rumours of a change in the government induced me to apply for information to Lord Grenville [William Wyndham Grenville] and in doing so…., I felt that if he appeared on the whole to be right, I could not continue to refuse expressing my disapprobation of his removal. Nobody I realise differs on the original point, I mean the want of consideration of all the circumstances under which the measure of introducing the military Roman Catholic Bill was brought forward, but when the measure was abandoned and withdrawn, and the greatest pains taken and in the most respectful manner to set the matter right with the King, I think it cannot be truly argued either that the King’s conscience was forced, or that the Protestant religion was endangered – Hitherto there has been no violence on the part of the Ex-ministers, nor do I believe that any measures of that description were in contemplation. The measure of a dissolution of Parliament instead of carrying on the business to the end of the session, and trying to gain additional friends and additional strength between this time and the next winter, appears to me to so rash and violent that everything may be apprehended from it which is most injurious to the public interests. Had I been inclined to support the present Headley [Charles Winn-Allanson, 2nd Baron Headley?] ministry, I should have felt myself drawn into opposition by so wicked an act, for I consider them as shutting the door to conciliation, and completely excluding and proscribing all those who wished to be moderate. I hope you will believe me when I say that I shall be always happy to know your opinions when you will take the trouble to communicate them. I certainly have regretted that there has been any apparent difference of opinion in the family and that Robinson and myself have been divided in politics, but at all events, you had the strongest claim that he should defer to your opinions independently of the reasons you mention, and independently of Lord Charleville [Charles William Bury, 1st Earl of Charleville] having accepted my recommendation of him for the Seat at Carlow. I am sorry to learn that his lordship considers himself discharged from my objection to return him again in a new Parliament, but I should hope his Mrs Allanson would on the other hand consider her obligation equally disposed towards one of the members for Ripon. Should you object to Frederick trying his ground at Colchester, where I think he might have a fair chance of success? At the same time, I should not advise the incurring of much expense; but it might be worth enquiring – if you sanction this attempt, no time is to be lost, for tomorrow the secret will be known, and the next day the writs will be out.’ Note: Parliament was dissolved on 29 April 1807.
Level of description
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