of the question of practicability (that is, the means of increasing and sup plying our armies), and that he had never heard any specific plan by which those means might have been carried further, though the subject had been often most anxiously considered in my presence that circumstances had occurred since my resignation, which did not then exist, and into the particulars of which it would not be proper for him to enter at this time, which might enable government to extend, to a certain degree, the military operations in the peninsula; and the system of himself and his colleagues would be, as he contended they always had been, to make the greatest efforts in the cause of the peninsula which the resources of the country rendered possible.

3dly, I enquired whether all the general constituent parts of the present cabinet were to remain? He informed me that they were in general to remain. He believed it was known to me, that some of the members of the cabinet had been long desirous of retiring, and would be ready, therefore, now to afford facilities to any new arrangement.

In answer to a question put by me respecting Lord Sidmouth and his friends, he said they were to remain. 4thly, I stated to Lord Liverpool, that I made no enquiry respecting the proposed distribution and allocation of offices; because that circumstance would not constitute the basis of my decision upon the proposition which he had brought to me.

Lord Liverpool observed, that the distribution of offices was a matter open to future adjustment, to be regulated for the honour of all parties.

5thly, When Lord Liverpool informed me that the leading in the

House of Commons was to be preserved to Lord Castlereagh, I remarked, that in any situation which I might ever hold in any administration, I should feel great obligation to any memher of the governmnnt who would undertake that charge, which was called the leading in the house of parliament in which I sat; although I was fully aware of the great importance which that charge necessarily conveyed to the person who exercised it, and of the great influence which it must give to him in the general administration and patronage of the government,

6thly, I desired to know, whether all those persons now designated by the name of the "Opposition," were to be excluded from the proposed scheme of administration?

Lord Liverpool answered, that no principle of exclusion was intended; but that he was not authorised to make any proposal to any persons of the description which I had mentioned.

7thly, Considering the course which Lord Liverpool had observed in making this communication, I asked him, whether he applied to me by command of the prince regent, as a part of Mr Canning's suite?-I reminded Lord Liverpool of the constant and unabated exertions which I had made to open every avenue for the return of Mr Canning to the public service; remarking at the same time, that I never had attempted to press that point beyond the honour and feelings of Mr Perceval's administration. I stated, that I could not consider any administration to be constituted on a foundation of justice towards individual talents and services, or towards the interests of the country, in which Mr Canning should not

hold a high efficient station. But I added, that Mr Canning was under no engagement to me which could preclude his acceptance of any office which might be offered to him; that, on the other hand, Mr Canning would certainly make the same declaration with regard to my perfect freedom. Lord Liverpool said, that he had pursued this course of communication, being convinced, that under the present circumstances, I would not accept office, unless a fair proposal was made to Mr Canning, I declared to Lord Liverpool, that he was correct in this view of my sentiments towards Mr Canning; repeating, however, that Mr Canning and I were perfectly free to act as each might think fit, and that our agreement in many great public principles could not affect questions of mere official arrangement.

8thly, I expressed my wish to receive this communication in writing; to answer it in writing; and also to submit my sentiments upon the whole -transaction in an audience of the prince regent.

Lord Liverpool informed me, that Mr Canning would transmit to me a copy of the minute of Lord Liverpool's conversation taken in his presence, and Lord Liverpool desired me to consider that paper as the written communication which I wished to receive. I agreed to Lord Liverpool's proposal on this point. I then informed Lord Liverpool, that I would return my answer in writing to that paper. Whatever might be the tenour of my answer, with regard to the great public considerations on which it must be founded, I expressed my hope, that Lord Liverpool would be assured of my sincere person al respect and esteem. I now transmit this minute to Lord Liverpool, re

Gloucester Lodge, Sunday night,
May 17, 1812.

My dear Wellesley,-I have just received from Lord Liverpool a letter, of which the enclosed is a copy. I transmit it to you to be added, according to his desire, to the copy the minute of his verbal communication of this morning. Ever affectionately yours, G. C.

Copy in No. 3. Lord Liverpool to Mr Canning. (Private.)

of

Fife-house, May 17, 1812.

My dear Canning, I think, upon reflection, it is due to Lord Castlereagh to state, in writing, what I mentioned to you, verbally, that from motives of delicacy, he absented himself from the cabinet, on the occasions on which the subject in your memorandum was determined.

I did not, however, make the communication to you without having reason to know that he would be no obstacle in the way of an arrangement, founded on the principles in the memorandum.

I will beg of you to communicate this letter to any persons to whom you may communicate the memorandum. (Signed) LIVerpool.

No. 4.

Copy of a Letter from Marquis Wel lesley to the Earl of Liverpool, transmitting Lord W.'s Reply to Lord Liverpool's Proposal."

Apsley-house, May 18, 1812, half past three p. m.

My dear Lord, I enclose a paper, containing my reply to the communication which you were so kind as to make to me yesterday. Although I find myself compelled to decline the proposal which you conveyed, I request you to accept my grateful thanks for the amicable and satisfac tory manner in which you communinicated with me; and to be assured, that I shall always entertain the most sincere and cordial sentiments of personal respect and esteem for you. dear lord, most sin

Believe me, my

cerely yours, (Signed)

In No. 4.

WELLESLEY.

Lord Wellesley's reply to Lord Liverpool's proposition.

Apsley-house, May 18. From the communication received through Lord Liverpool, I understand that his royal highness the prince regent has been graciously pleased to signify his desire of strengthening his administration upon its present basis, by associating me with it, as one of those persons who agree most nearly and generally in the principles upon which public affairs have been conducted.

From the same communication I also derive the gratifying intelligence, that all Lord Liverpool's colleagues have authorised him to express a disposition to act with me, under an arrangement, consistent with their own

honour and duty, and honourable and satisfactory to me.

I receive this notification of the prince regent's commands with every sentiment of duty and affection, while it affords me matter of just satisfaction, that, to the distinguished honour of such condescending notice from his royal highness, is added so high a testimony of the confidence and esteem of all the respectable persons composing his present adminis tration.

With all humility towards the exalted authority from which this proposition proceeds, and with the most sincere regard for those through whom it is conveyed, I must, however, declare, that I should have declined it at the first instant of its approach, if motives of deference and submissive attachment had not imposed upon me the obligation of receiving it with respectful consideration.

The proposition necessarily rests upon a supposition, that I entertain no such difference of public sentiment with the present administration, as should preclude me from acting with them, under an arrangement compatible with our mutual and respective honour and duty.

But it appears from Lord Liverpool's candid and explicit statement, that, upon the important question, which regards the laws affecting the Roman catholics, Lord Liverpool's opinions remain unchanged; nor is he aware, that the sentiments of his colleagues, on that subject, have undergone any change.

I must therefore conclude, that the policy which has been pursued respecting the Roman catholics, during the present session of parliament, is to be continued without abatement ; the eneral constituent parts of the

the present cabinet are to remain unchanged; the highest and most efficient offices in the state, therefore, are to be filled by persons who still conceive themselves, to be bound by duty, honour, and conscience, not only to resist any mitigation of the present condition of the Roman catholics, but even to prevent the consideration of the laws which affect that large portion of the population of the empire.

I cannot concur in the principle on which the present administration has conducted this important branch of public affairs; on this point, I have recently expressed the strongest difference of opinion with the present administration.

The declaration of Lord Liverpool precludes the hope of any such change in the policy of the present administration towards the Roman catholics as could satisfy my judgment. This difference is of the utmost importance without any other obstacle, therefore, this alone compels me to decline the proposition which Lord Liverpool has conveyed to me.

I entertain a confident expectation, that when the prince regent shall have considered the nature of this difficulty, he will extend his indulgence to my humble representa. tion, and will relieve me from the pressure of commands, which I could not obey without sacrificing a public principle of the highest obligation.

These observations comprise a sufficient reply to the communication received through Lord Liverpool. But I deem it to be a duty towards the prince regent to declare, that the considerations which induced me, on the 19th of February, to resign the station which I had the honour to hold in his royal highness's service,

have acquired additional force since that time, and would constitute an insuperable obstacle to my acceptance of any station in the present adminis tration.

I originally expressed my desire to withdraw from Mr Perceval's administration, because my general opinions, for a long time past, on vari ous important questions, had not sufficient weight in that cabinet, to justify me towards the public, or towards my own character, in continuing in office.

My objections to remaining in that cabinet arose, in a great degree, from the imperfect scale on which the efforts in the peninsula were conducted. It was always stated to me, that it was impracticable to enlarge that system. I thought it was perfectly practicable to extend the plan in the peninsula, and that it was neither safe nor honest towards this country or the allies to continue the present inadequate scheme.

From Lord Liverpool's statement upon this point, it is evident, that since my resignation, it has been found practicable to make some extension of the system in the peninsula ; but it is still intimated, that my views are more extensive than the resources of the country can enable the government to reduce to practice. I, however, still entertain the same views and opinions, without diminution or alteration; and I am convinced, that a considerable extension of the scale of our operations in the peninsula, and also an effectual correction of many branches of our system in that quarter, are objects of indispensable necessity, and of easy attainment.

With such a decided difference of opinion in relation to the conduct and management of the war, my re

turn into a cabinet composed as the present is, would offer to me no better prospect than the renewal of discussions which have hitherto proved unavailing.

I learn from Lord Liverpool, that he has received no authority, in forming the intended administration, to make any proposal to any of those persons now designated by the name of "The Opposition."

My enquiry on this point originated in a sincere conviction, (founded upon an attentive observation of the general state of public opinion, and of the condition of the empire,) that no administration, which shall not comprise some of those persons, can prove advantageous to the prince regent, conciliatory towards Ireland, and equal to the conduct of the war on a scale of sufficient extent.

It has been stated erroneously, that the first act of the prince regent upon his approach to unrestricted authority, was to establish Mr Perceval's administration: but the fact is, that his royal highness's first act at that crisis was to dissolve Mr Perceval's administration; and to endeavour to form a cabinet upon a more extended and liberal basis. This endeavour was frustrated at that moment; and the formation of such a cabinet was represented to his royal highness to be impracticable. It has, however, since appeared evident to me, from the discussions and declarations which I have witnessed in parliament, that his royal highness's benevolent intentions on that subject are now perfectly practicable; and that their accomplishment would tend to promote internal peace and tranquillity, and to invigorate the whole system of our external operations.

Impressed with this sentiment I should be untrue to his royal high

ness's interests and honour, as well as to the prosperity of the empire, if I concurred in any arrangement of an administration which did not include a fair and full consideration of this most important point.

After such a dispassionate consideration, my opinion is, that a cabinet might be formed, on an intermediary principle respecting the Roman catholic claims, equally exempt from the dangers of instant, unqualified concession, and from those of inconsiderate, peremptory exclusion; the entire resources of the empire might be applied to the great objects of the war with general consent, upon a full understanding of the real exigency of the present crisis; and concord and union at home might secure ultimate and permanent success abroad. (Signed) WELLESLEY.

MR CANNING'S REPLY.

Gloucester Lodge, May 18, 1812. My dear Liverpool,-I have communicated to such of my friends as I had an immediate opportunity of consulting, the minute, taken in your presence, of the proposition which you conveyed to me yesterday.

In a case in which I felt that my decision either way might be liable to misapprehension, I was desirous rather to collect the opinions of persons whose judgments I esteem, than to act on the impulse of my own first feelings.

The result of their opinions is, that, by entering into the administra. tion upon the terms proposed to me, I should incur such a loss of personal and public character as would disappoint the object which his royal highness the prince regent has at heart; and must render my accession to his government anew source of weakness, rather than an addition of strength.