The Creevey Papers
Earl of Sefton to Thomas Creevey, 28 May 1827
“London, 28th May, 1837.
“You are indeed a benighted, rural politician, and
your letter is truly a provincial reverie. I do say the junction is justified
by the exclusion of Eldon, Wellington, Peel and Bathurst. It could
have been brought about by no other means, and I consider it as an immense
benefit conferred on the country. . . . As to the ‘baseness of the
junction,’ and the rest of your apple-blossom twaddle, I really thought
at first, Mr. Secretary of the Board of Controul, that you were alluding to the
blasted, disgraceful coalition of Fox and
the pure, highminded Grey with old Bogy.* There, indeed, was
a sacrifice of every principle upon earth for place. I don’t stand up for
Canning, but I think the junction
with him is a chance for the country against nothing. Don’t forget that
Grey, whose opposition is solely personal, once
preferred him to Whitbread. He had, as
you well know, the choice between them. . . . I don’t care a
damn—nor do you—for the Catholics; but I say their chance is a
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hundredfold better under the new Cabinet than under the
old; and so do they. . . . Depend upon it that horticultural pursuits damage a
male’s understanding. I am delighted, therefore, that you are once more
coming into the civilised world, where I trust you will, with proper care, come
to your senses.”
Henry Bathurst, third earl Bathurst (1762-1834)
Tory statesman, the son of the second earl (d. 1794); he was master of the mint (1804),
president of the Board of Trade (1807-12), and secretary of state for war (1812-24).
George Canning (1770-1827)
Tory statesman; he was foreign minister (1807-1809) and prime minister (1827); a
supporter of Greek independence and Catholic emancipation.
Charles James Fox (1749-1806)
Whig statesman and the leader of the Whig opposition in Parliament after his falling-out
with Edmund Burke.
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).
Charles Grey, second earl Grey (1764-1845)
Whig statesman and lover of the Duchess of Devonshire; the second son of the first earl
(d. 1807), he was prime minister (1831-34).
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.
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.
