Part 31 (1/2)

St James's Square, Feb 1822

MY DEAR DUKE,

I am sorry to hear that you have such authentic accounts of the attack on _me_ I have still reason to believe that none will be eneral one on the Civil List Charles has had a conversation with Lord Londonderry, who says that he is perfectly ready to meet any attack, both as to the time thea person there with my rank With respect to the first, he says that as soon as Canning left Switzerland, he took the King's pleasure as to Lord Clanwilliam's appointment, which was approved, but that in consequence of Hamilton's illness, he was appointed, _ad interim_, Under Secretary of State, and that he liked the business so much, that he noishes to hold the situation per a Minister, he defends it on the plea of all the great powers having a representative there with that rank, and that in case of disturbances in Italy, it ht be a very important post In point of expense, I find that it will be ard, or Frankfort Lord Londonderry thanked Charles for my offer, but said that he did not see any necessity for accepting it, and that it would be of bad consequences, as shoeakness at the first start Duncannon told Philli any whip for the first days

Many thanks for your box, respecting which I have sent to inquire

I kiss hands on Monday, after which I will call in Pall Mall, in hopes of finding you arrived

Ever yours affectionately,

H WILLIAMS WYNN

The references to the late Dean of West letters, are not without interest The Duke of Buckingha companion in a tour he was about to undertake, in which he proposed to avail hieology

LORD GRENVILLE TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM

Dropmore, Feb 17, 1822

My friend Buckland is so far fro, that he is, I think, one of the reeable companion in a post-chaise_ Whether he is prepared to undertake so formidable an expedition as you speak of, I should have some doubt, and the rather because he has usually so vacation abroad in the prosecution of his inquiries I can, however, have no difficulty in asking hilad of the opportunity ofhim known to you, because I a Lord Londonderry's speech, which, as far as I understand his figures, seereat question is--will it satisfy the country gentleround, make a real and firm stand in his behalf? Of that of course I cannot pretend to judge, nor perhaps is it easy to say who can

Government have certainly, under all the circu the presentthe Five per cents quite down to Four, though it is obvious they ain by a little further delay So far is well, and I think the Malt Tax is, on the whole, the best they could have chosen, though I aeneral relief HisIreland to be tranquillized), I also fully understand and approve

But pray explain toof it), from what quarter his 500,000_l_ in each year, for the four preceding years, is to come? Observe he states it (if said _Courier_ be correct), as so independent of, and in addition to, the future reduction of Four per cents down to Three

If by the conjuration of what is called _borrowing of the co Fund, he means to apply the five millions annual surplus at _siht in the first place to say so distinctly, for whether right or wrong (about which ht be said), it is, at least, a inal principle of the Sinking Fund I do not say it would be necessarily wrong because _new_, but it would be _so new_ that it ought to be brought distinctly under view

But I suspect this cannot be hissoup Pitt's er a fund of five inal million in proportion to the debt of 1786 The fallacy of such a co at compound interest, and the other be meant to work only at simple interest Besides, even if this were to be done, the annual interest set free by the 5,000,000_l_ annually applied would, at four per cent be 200,000_l_, not 500,000_l_ So I am at a loss to make it out, and perhaps after all it is only the blunder of the newspaper reporter If you can explain it to me pray do

Lord L---- takes no notice of the successive falling in of the army and navy half-pay and pensions, which, if the present amount be as he states it, 5,000,000_l_, cannot be put at less than from 100,000_l_ to 150,000_l_ to put in in each year I suppose he was afraid of the old joke against Sir George Yonge, as said to have expressed a hope that the half-pay officers would die off fast, and be thus _provided for_

Ever most affectionately yours,

G

LORD GRENVILLE TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM

Dropmore, Feb 20, 1822

I enclose you Mr Buckland's anshich I think you may pretty nearly consider as an acceptance of your offer, and I really congratulate you upon it He is full of information of all sorts, with lively spirits, and a most activea companion as a htse_ will be very incoues at all favourably for the Government, and Huskisson's loss will be most severely felt on the corn cause, if he is really so weak as to be driven fro in pamphlets and speeches To my taste his speech read as much the best that was made on the forood the four millions are to do; nor can I understand, on the other side, Ricardo's fears of the harnorance as has characterized theold to Govern their discounts, and if they incur loss by either operation, I do not see who but they will suffer by it