“26th.—Sent on to Newcastle from Gosforth and ascertained the Messenger had been at Howick, and was returned with letters from Lord Grey, but that he himself was not gone to London, so we proceed to Howick.
“Nothing said before dinner of the Messenger, but
after dinner Lord Grey mentioned that a
Messenger had brought offers from the Ministers to him, and that similar ones
had been sent to Lord Grenville, and that
he (Lord Grey) had sent a refusal. Does not mention what
the offers were, but that the Ministers talked of an extended administration.
Conversation about Castlereagh’s duel
with Canning. Lord
Grey thinks Castlereagh in the right: that
his cause of complaint against Canning was the latter
having told the King and Duke of Portland three months ago he could not
remain in the Cabinet with Castlereagh, and yet never
mentioning this to Castlereagh, but living apparently well
with him. Then the cause of the duel—Lord Grey
considers Canning’s resignation owing
| 1809.] | JOURNAL. | 107 |
“Lord Grey very shy and artificial with me about politicks—makes frequent mention of Sir Francis Burdett and the No-Party men, and says, in answer to an observation of mine that the present Government can never last, however patched up, that in the present state of the House of Commons any Government may stand. I consider these observations as meant at my conduct last session, for doing all I could to expose what I thought the meanness and folly of his (Lord Grey’s) party, of which I had till then been one. I take, however, no notice of these observations, as it is not necessary I should apply them to myself; and I am more convinced than ever that I was right last session, and that the leaders of Whig party were to the last degree contemptible. I am in no way committed with Sir Francis Burdett or any views of his. I know him well, and think upon the whole unfavorably of him, but will not say so to Lord Grey without his giving me a fair and proper occasion for so doing.
