The Creevey Papers
Earl Grey to Thomas Creevey, 25 January 1828
“Berkeley Sq., Jany. 25, 1828.
“. . . I have not time, nor, indeed, do I know
enough, to say much of the present posture of affairs. To me it seems that
the Beau, as you call him, is placing
himself in a situation of dreadful responsibility and danger. His taking the
office of Minister, after all that passed on that subject last year, to say
nothing of other objections, would, in my opinion, be a most fatal mistake, and
I still hope there may be time, and that he may find friends to advise him to
avoid it. But there is another danger which presses still more strongly on
my-mind. Huskisson’s friends boast
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| 1827-28.] | WHAT IS BROUGHAM AFTER? | 145 |
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everywhere that Corn Laws,
Free Trade, Portugal, Navarino—in short everything—have been
conceded to him as the price of his accession to the Government. The Duke, I
know, tells a different story; but this proves that these matters are not
distinctly understood and settled as they ought to be for the security of the
new Government. The consequence is that it is left in the power of that rogue
Huskisson to choose his own time and ground for a
quarrel, if he shd. find it his interest to break up the Administration.
“No communication or proposition of any kind has been
made to me. I hear our old friends are eager for red-hot opposition; but I
certainly shall remain in my old position, and act as I may find right, without
any consideration of either party. . . .
“Ever yours,
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).
William Huskisson (1770-1830)
English politician and ally of George Canning; privately educated, he was a Tory MP for
Morpeth (1796-1802), Liskeard (1804-07), Harwich (1807-12), Chichester (1812-23), and
Liverpool (1823-30). He died in railway accident.
Lady Maria Molyneux (d. 1872)
The daughter of William Philip Molyneux, second Earl of Sefton; she died
unmarried.
