The Creevey Papers
Sydney Smith to Thomas Creevey, 6 June 1812
“June 6th, 1812.
“Your letter followed me here, where I had come after
voting for Lord Milton,§ one of the most
* It was done by their party, but not until sixteen
years had passed; Liverpool was
dead, and Eldon as strongly opposed
as ever to emancipation. † War with the United States began exactly nine
days after these words were written. † Lord
Sidmouth. § Eldest son of the 4th Earl
Fitzwilliam. |
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| 1812.] | CREEVEY STANDS FOR LIVERPOOL. | 167 |
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ungainly looking young
men I ever saw. I gave my other vote for Wilberforce,* on account of his good conduct in Africa, a place
returning no members to parliament, but still, from the extraordinary
resemblance its inhabitants bear to human creatures, of some consequence. An
election out of Westminster is sad work—at the moment of the greatest
ferment, York was, in the two great points of ebriety and pugnacity, as quiet
as average London at about 3 o’clock in the morning.”
William Wentworth Fitzwilliam, second earl Fitzwilliam (1748-1833)
The nephew of the Marquis of Rockingham and lifelong friend of Charles James Fox and Lord
Carlisle; he was president of the Council (1806-07) and lieutenant of the West Riding from
1798 to 1819 when he was dismissed for his censure of the Peterloo massacre.
John Scott, first earl of Eldon (1751-1838)
Lord chancellor (1801-27); he was legal counsel to the Prince of Wales and an active
opponent of the Reform Bill.
William Wilberforce (1759-1833)
British statesman, evangelical Christian, and humanitarian who worked for the abolition
of slavery. He was an MP for Yorkshire aligned with Fox and Sheridan.
