The Creevey Papers
Thomas Creevey to Eleanor Creevey, 6 June 1812
“York St., Saturday, 6th.
“. . . In coming up from the House I was much
surprised to meet Sam (Whitbread) covered with smiles. He was enquiring where he could
find Sheridan. . . . I presumed his trip
to town was merely upon private business, and in this persuasion I remained
till almost 3 o’clock this morning, when old
Sheridan became drunk and communicative. He then told
me he had sent an express for Sam, and that the said
Sam had been dining at Moira’s, with him Sheridan. Further
than this he did not tell me, excepting the expression of his own conviction
that Sam was the man both for the Prince and the People, and that Wellesley, Canning and
Grenville must all be swamped and flung
overboard. Was there ever anything equal to this? . . . If
Sam does come in, it must now be upon his own terms,
and I cannot think, after all my honest conduct to him, he could desert me. . .
. The Whigs evidently know of an offer made to Whitbread,
and are as civil to-day as be damned. . . .”
George Canning (1770-1827)
Tory statesman; he was foreign minister (1807-1809) and prime minister (1827); a
supporter of Greek independence and Catholic emancipation.
William Wyndham Grenville, baron Grenville (1759-1834)
Educated at Eton and Christ Church, Oxford, he was a moderate Whig MP, foreign secretary
(1791-1801), and leader and first lord of the treasury in the “All the Talents” ministry
(1806-1807). He was chancellor of Oxford University (1810).
Richard Brinsley Sheridan (1751-1816)
Anglo-Irish playwright, author of
The School for Scandal (1777),
Whig MP and ally of Charles James Fox (1780-1812).
Richard Wellesley, first marquess Wellesley (1760-1842)
The son of Garret Wesley (1735-1781) and elder brother of the Duke of Wellington; he was
Whig MP, Governor-general of Bengal (1797-1805), Foreign Secretary (1809-12), and
Lord-lieutenant of Ireland (1821-28); he was created Marquess Wellesley in 1799.
Samuel Whitbread (1764-1815)
The son of the brewer Samuel Whitbread (1720-96); he was a Whig MP for Bedford, involved
with the reorganization of Drury Lane after the fire of 1809; its financial difficulties
led him to suicide.
