Correspond thoughts will diminish the satisfaction I feel of having been right in declining it. ence with Lord Malmesbury. "Milnes' answer cannot be received for some days; but I shall not fail to let you know as soon as I hear anything more upon this subject. "Ever, my dear Lord Malmesbury, "There is a hitch in Dundas' appointment to the War Department, arising from Lord Melville, who probably wants it himself. Perceval seems, however, to think the general feeling against Lord Melville too strong to render it advisable to take him in; and probably when he finds that object unattainable, he will let his son accept what is tendered to him. "Lord Mulgrave has sent to offer my seat at this Board to Percy-but that, of course, is not to be mentioned. I had immediately communicated Perceval's offer to Lord Mulgrave, who talked to me about it in the kindest and most handsome manner, saying that, in his opinion, the only objection to my accepting it at once would arise from my own feelings upon the subject; and that, if I was not nervous about it, he advised me to take it." "I have time only just to tell you that Milnes has come to town; and having had a long conference with Perceval, and also one with Canning, he has determined, upon hearing both sides, heartily to support Perceval, but declines office altogether. This latter resolution, which surprised me exceedingly, is founded upon real and unaffected diffidence. I think it a great pity, both for him and for us, as he would be more useful in office than out of it. The War Office has consequently come to me, conditionally, however, upon arrangements I will presently mention. In the mean time, Perceval having very handsomely given me the option of the Cabinet with the War Office (if I go to it), I thought it best on the whole to decline it; and I trust that, although you seemed to be of a different opinion at first, you will not, on the whole, think I was wrong. The office is one which does not invariably, or, indeed, usually go with the Cabinet. A seat there was consequently not an object to me for appearance' sake; and considering how young I am in office, people in general, so far from expecting to see me in the Cabinet by taking the War Office, would perhaps only wonder how I got there. With the Exchequer it would have been necessary, but with the War Office certainly not; and the business of the Department will, I take it, be quite sufficient to occupy one's Correspond- ence with Lord Malmesbury. Correspond time without attending Cabinet Councils. It would undoubtedly have been highly interesting; but for all purposes of business or debate, Perceval will of course keep one sufficiently informed to answer all one's wishes, at first at least. The arrangements on which the doubts I mentioned in the first page depend are, the determination of Rose upon the Exchequer, which, in consequence of Milnes' refusal, has been offered to him, and the final decision of Dundas about the War Department, which it seems not impossible Lord Melville may not let him take. Lord Melville is, I fancy, in high dudgeon at a letter, more candid perhaps than cautious, which Perceval wrote to him, explaining as delicately as possible, at the same time without reserve or limitation, the reasons which had induced him absolutely to decline offering Lord Melville an official situation, but concluding by the proffer of an earldom as a testimony of the approbation of the King of his long and distinguished services. This offer Lord Melville refuses rather sulkily, and, upon the reasons and decision of Perceval, observes that they are unfounded in fact, and unwise in policy; alluding to the ground on which Perceval placed his resolve-the apprehension of the popular clamour which his taking office might create against the Government. The situations which Perceval wishes to keep unsettled till tomorrow, with the intention of giving me one or other, according as it may best suit his other arrangements, are the War Office, the Treasurer of the Navy, and ence with the Board of Trade, should Rose take the Exchequer. CorrespondIf Dundas does not come in, Ryder will probably have Lord the War Department. Dundas will be a great loss. Adieu, my dear Lord Malmesbury, "Ever yours most affectionately, Malmesbury. "PALMERSTON." "Nothing is settled as yet; but Dundas has positively refused the War Department, and, I am told, Rose also the Exchequer, and that Perceval means to offer the latter to Charles Long. The defection of Dundas may be hurtful, as it will a little shake the allegiance of the Scotch members, but he will certainly support us, though he does not take office. The idea of having recourse to the Doctor' seems again revived in consequence of this circumstance, but I know not upon what foundation. I am to dine to-morrow at Perceval's, to meet Milnes and Lowther, and shall probably hear something more about my own fate. We have had very bad accounts this morning from Flushing. There are but three thousand five hundred men fit for duty out of the whole garrison, and the enemy are rapidly increasing their preparations for attack. The Cabinet have not yet decided whether the island is to be, or, indeed, can be, retained or not. The officers of the two services have given twenty different and contradictory opinions on the subject, and Strachan himself has changed his mind three or four times about ence with Lord Malmesbury. Correspond- it. His present opinion is, that it is not tenable without an enormous naval force, amounting to what would be equivalent to at least eighteen sail of the line, besides the same fleet which would be necessary for the blockade if we had not the island. The navy continues perfectly healthy, but the land sickness seems rather to increase than abate. "Ever, my dear Lord Malmesbury, "Yours affectionately, "Upon Rose* declining to be Chancellor of the Exchequer, and Long,† I believe, giving the same answer, it was yesterday settled that I should be Secretary at War, and I accordingly entered upon my functions this morning. There appears to be full employment in the office, but at the same time not of a nature to alarm one, and I think I shall like it very much. Lord Melville has relented, and Dundas accordingly yesterday agreed to take office; but he has preferred returning to the Board of Control. is Richard Ryder to whom the War Department was offered, and I should think he will, or indeed must, take it, as there is no one else in fact to whom it can well be given, as we want a Secretary of State in the It *The Right Hon. George Rose was Vice-President of the Board of Trade and Treasurer of the Navy. † The Right Hon. Charles Long was joint Paymaster-General of the Forces. |