of more than one construction, and that the true
one. This mode of absence will have a better
effect than a secession, (the time for which is past,)
because, as you are not bound to any thing, you
may resume your attendance whenever the situa-
tion of things shall make an attendance advisable.
Every thing will, however, depend in this, as in all
things, upon concert. The more I consider our
circumstances, and the nature of the business
which the House is to be engaged in, the fonder I



348 CORRESPONDENCE OF THE

grow of Lord Rockingham's measure, which ap-
pears to me politic, sober, and manly ; but, observe,
that I am not apt to be long fond of any thing
which you do not thoroughly approve. We have
not often differed hitherto, and I will take care
that we shall differ as little in time to come.
Think of this business, communicate with Lord
Rockingham upon it, and let there be a settled
parole for our friends by the middle of next
month. You know, that if you and Lord Rock-
ingham should, on consultation, adopt a plan of
more activity, why, I am ready, and will cer-
tainly follow wherever you lead me. Our princi-
ples are the same, and it is of little consequence
in what manner we conduct the campaign, when
we are morally sure of being defeated. All we
can do is to save our honour.

Pray let me hear from you, provided you
cannot let me see you pretty soon. You
will now think of quitting the country. I hope
you do not forget that this place is not five miles
from your road. Will. Burke gives you many
thanks for your obliging invitation, but bids me
tell you that nothing, except its being necessary
to make you chancellor of the exchequer, could
prevail on him to take such a journey on horse-
back. Adieu ! and believe me with the greatest
sincerity and affection, dear Dowdeswell,
Your most faithful friend, and obedient servant,

EDM. BURKE.



RIGHT HON. EDMUND BURKE. 349

My best compliments to the ladies. Mrs.
Burke desires her respects to you.



EDMUND BURKE, ESQ., TO THE MARQUIS OF
ROCKINGHAM.

Beconsfield, October 29, 1772,

Thursday night, half after 10.

MY DEAR LORD,

I have this instant received your lordship's letter
by express, and I sit clown to answer it before I
go to bed. In the first place, I am more happy
than I can describe, in finding your health in so
fair a progress towards perfect re-establishment.
I most heartily wish that every consideration may
be postponed to that object, so essential to our
happiness in our society, and to all our success
in public business. I have no apprehension from
your lordship's absence but one. I am afraid
that an opinion should gain ground among your
real well-wishers, which the court has been very
earnest in spreading, that your health is so
impaired as to prevent you from taking any fur-
ther part in affairs. On this subject I have al-
ready received such good-natured condolences, as
nothing but the tender friendship of politi-
cians could inspire. I have been so malevolent,



350 CORRESPONDENCE OF THE

as to tell them a truth which deprived them of
any further opportunity of showing the goodness
of their hearts.

I have had a letter from Mr. Dowdeswell, which
I answered yesterday. I am greatly mortified in
finding it absolutely out of my power to obey
either his obliging commands or yours. I must
wait your instructions here ; though I should re-
ceive them much more gladly and much more
usefully at Pull Court, and at Wentworth. Find-
ing that he had missed seeing your lordship at
Harrowden, I told him your ideas with regard to
our conduct at the meeting, with such reasons as
I thought were most prevalent with your lord-
ship in that business. He will probably, being
now fully apprised of the same thing by your own
letter, communicate his sentiments to your lord-
ship, early enough to determine you in the part we
ought to take. The whole efficacy of it will
depend upon its being done with a pretty general
concurrence. Otherwise the attendance of some
will have the air of a tacit censure on the absence
of others. The Duke of Richmond entirely falls
in with your lordship's plan, and has had it com-
municated to Lord G.Sackville 10 . I rather suspect



10 Third son of Lionel, first Duke of Dorset, created
Viscount Sackville, by Lord North, early in 1782. Mr.
Burke here uses the name of Sackville ; but Lord George had



RIGHT HON. EDMUND BURKE. 351

that he will not approve of it. Though he is not
very active in the House, few are more diligent
attenders. I fancy this attendance is his principal
amusement; and he may not think so favourably
of any scheme of policy that tends to take away
that pleasure from him. Besides, he has got deep
into the India committee, and does not seem
totally to dislike the business that is going on
there, or the general tendency of it. Few military
people do. This India affair is, I conceive, to be
our sole employment. The company owes two
millions and upwards, which they will not be able
to discharge these three years. They go to govern-
ment, and your lordship will judge who is to pre-
scribe the terms of their relief. My opinion is
clear, that they are under no absolute necessity of
doing so. But Colebrooke is at present in a flutter
of expedients ; the instrument of the designs of
other people, wholly without authority in the com-
pany ; baffled in all his attempts, under imputa-
tions, all of which he cannot remove; and without
any natural resources (further than some kind of
resolution) to carry him through such a labyrinth
of difficulties. I offered him my assistance, which
was received as offered services commonly are.
It would have been, indeed, presuming in me to

assumed the surname of Germain in 1770, upon inheriting the
property of Sir John and Lady Betty Germain.



352 CORRESFONDENCE OF THE

offer, and in him very natural to slight the pro-
posal, if something particular in my situation
just at this time, had not somewhat enabled me
to be serviceable, or given me at least the chance
of being so. But he was cunning. I went out
of town : he was defeated both in the court of
directors and in the general court. He lost every
man in his list. I am sorry to see things in
this state. The company, by its dispersions, and
by a sort of emulation which party amongst
them should make the worst choice, has played
the whole game for the king's friends. Cole-
brooke's list certainly was very exceptionable
in many parts of it, but this, which was coun-
tenanced too by a good friend of your lordship,
is by far worse n . Wier is certainly a man of
principle, and a man of business. With good
associates he would do good service ; but, taking
the whole mass together, he is not sufficient to
leaven the whole of such a heavy piece of dough.

11 At a meeting of the India House on the 27th of October,
1772, the following gentlemen were nominated as proper per-
sons to be supervisors of the company's affairs in India:

Hon. Lieut. -General Monckton.

George Cuming, Esq.

William Devaynes, Esq.

Peter Lascelles, Esq.

Daniel Wier, Esq.

Edward Wheeler, Esq.



RIGHT HON. EDMUND BURKE. 353

They have not ability for the task they undertake,
neither is their want of real capacity compensated
by any thing imposing or authoritative from
weight of public opinion that attends them.
Neither Monckton nor Wier would, I dare say,
consent to any job ; but they have hardly power
to cure the innumerable jobs that afflict all India,
and distress the company here. In the mean
time, the committee of the House of Commons
has had one part of the effect intended, and has
driven Lord Clive to the court, where he is not
only protected, but rewarded. How soon Sir
George will be driven by the same hounds to the
same cover, I know not, but I fear every thing
from that committee. How ridiculous are two or
three people in their opposition to the designs
of a court and the bent of a whole nation !

I indeed feel heartily with your lordship on poor
Keppel's situation. He is excessively affected, and
he was the worse able to support this blow \ as it
fell upon him in a weak state of health. His voice
is more impaired than I should expect, from the
remains of a sore throat, and my fears attribute
it to a deeper constitutional weakness. It is a
pity he should not carry a better body about, for
none ever covered a more generous, worthy, firm,



1 The death of Lord Albemarle on the 13th of September,
1772.

VOL. I. A a



354 CORRESPONDENCE OF THE

and manly soul. I did not see Sir Charles Saun-
ders when I was in town, but Will. Burke, who
is now well recovered, told me he saw him walk-
ing very stoutly in the Strand.

The manner in which the ministerial aldermen
have fled from the scrutiny is extraordinary ? .
Some attribute it to their own gross stupidity.
I rather suspect it to be the refinement of some-
body else, and that it is meant to throw the city
into such confusion, as to justify a legislative
alteration in their mode of election. A few days
will now show. I am vexed that Trecothick
voted for these shabby fellows. His known and
well-grounded aversion to Wilkes and Towns-
hend, might prevent his voting for either of
them ; but there was no necessity of voting for
the courtiers.

1 wish earnestly to know, as soon as possible,
your lordship's determination. We ought to have
but one word among us. I take it for granted
your lordship has already seen the Duke of Port-
land, Sir George Savile, and Lord J. Cavendish.

2 A scrutiny of votes given by the livery for the election
of two persons to be returned to the court of aldermen, for
their choice of one of them to serve the office of Lord Mayor
of London. The sheriffs returned Messrs. Wilkes and Towns-
hend, when the scrutiny was demanded by Messrs. Halifax
and Shakespear. The return of Wilkes and Townshend was
confirmed, and the court of aldermen named the latter to be
Lord Mayor.



RIGHT HON. EDMUND BURKE. 355

They, with Montagu 3 , are in your neighbourhood,
and I believe it is not easy to find such a con-
ciliabulum, in any one neighbourhood in the king-
dom.

They are massacring (in the true European
mode of civilization) the black Carribbees of St.
Vincent, without the least policy or provocation.
It is the work of our cabinet, and shows how all
abuses and oppressions in India will be reformed
by taking the management into the hands of the
crown. I am told Lord Mansfield declares, in
the strongest terms, the necessity of resuming
the political powers of the company. It is the
tone of all the courtiers, and the nation echoes to
them. Poor foolish echo !

I have nothing more that I can think of to
trouble you with. Present Mrs. Burke's and my
humble duty to Lady Rockingham. I am, with
the greatest affection and attachment, my dear
lord,

Your faithful friend and obedient
humble servant,

EDM. BURKE.

3 Mr. Frederick Montagu, of Papplewick, in Nottingham-
shire, member of parliament for Northampton from 1759 to
1768, and for Higham Ferrers from 1768 to 1790. He was
a lord of the treasury in Lord Rockingham's administration
in 1782, and in that of the Duke of Portland in 1783.

A a 2



356 CORRESPONDENCE OF THE



EDMUND BURKE, ESQ., TO WILLIAM DOWDES-
WELL, ESQ.

Broad Sanctuary, November 7, 1772.

MY DEAR SIR,

I received your packet here, in town, where some
business called me a few days ago, and where it
still detains me. Your servant waits at Becons-
field for my answer; I could not dispatch him a
moment earlier. Sir G. Savile is in town; I took
your paper to him last night. His nephew, Lord
Lumley, was just preparing to set out for France,
and we were not able to read over what you sent
with any attention until this morning about
eleven o'clock ; other matters unavoidably engaged
me for the remainder of the day; so that it is
near nine in the evening before I am able to sit
down to thank you for your ample and satisfac-
tory communication of your sentiments, on the
very delicate situation in which we stand, and
the very important and difficult business we have
before us. You do not write on the subject like
one who has not been used for some time to con-
sider it; at least, your fallow adds to your fertility ;
for I am of Sir G. Savile's mind, who thinks your
paper one of the ablest discussions of a public
matter that he has ever read. I have not time to



RIGHT HON. EDMUND BURKE. 357

give you the detail of our conversation ; in many
points he concurs heartily with you. In India
politics, you know he has opinions of his own,
and in consequence declines taking any active
part in that business.

I see as we proceed in the discussion of the nice
and complex matter that makes the subject of
your paper, that it will be absolutely impracticable
to arrive at any fixed determination without a
personal interview. At this time of the year, it
cannot be either at Pull Court or at Wentworth.
Harrowden is more central, and there Lord Rock-
ingham might, without material inconvenience to
any of them, collect the greatest part of his confi-
dential friends. Whether you meet there, or not,
it is clearly necessary that you should be both in
town, in order to give weight to the final resolu-
tion you shall take, and to procure a general and
timely communication to all your friends. Pressed
as I am in time, forgive a hasty observation or
two, on the subject of your letter. I have no
leisure to send you any thing regular or digested.
In the main, I have the satisfaction of going along
with you, in most of your reasonings. I believe
that a great deal of the difference in opinion con-
cerning the plan of non-attendance in this session,
which prevails among Lord Rockingham's friends,
has arisen from our not exactly understanding one



358 CORRESPONDENCE OF THE

another on the extent of the measure, and the
motives for proposing it. It is not suggested from
choice. It is upon the idea that nothing can be
attempted in parliament, with any hope of success ;
and that the people without doors are cold and
unconcerned in the contest which is carried on
between us and the ministers. If either of these fail
in fact, the measure is taken up on mistaken prin-
ciples. If both considerations are founded, then it
is to be shown what else it is that promises better.
Without all question, if this absence should
appear the result of a supine indolence and ne-
glect of duty, it must have the worst effect imagin-
able upon our character. If it cannot be made
expressive of the strongest and most indignant
feeling and resentment, of the whole train of con-
duct adopted by the majority of the two Houses,
it were better to continue our tiresome attendance,
our fruitless debates, and our feeble divisions for
six years to come, in the manner we have dragged
through them for the six years that are past. But
I have not yet been able to persuade myself, that
your absence from parliament at the opening of
the next session can pass by without making a
strong impression on the public. Your character
for diligence will not permit your absence to be
thought the effect of inactivity ; your known in-
tegrity would render every imputation of corrup-



RIGHT HON. EDMUND BURKE. 359

tion ridiculous ; and your number, weight, and
consequence, would necessarily incite an inquiry
into your reasons for a procedure so contrary to
the usual tenor of your conduct. The ministry
and their partisans may be depended upon for an
attack on you ; and this attack calling for an
explanation, you will lay your reasons before the
public with more grace, and probably with better
effect than if they appeared previous to the step
you had taken. It is always imprudent to suffer
the previous public agitation of any measure
that you are resolved to pursue : better take
it first, and pledge your people for its subsequent
justification. This is my idea of the spirit of
the non-attendance proposed by Lord Rocking-
ham and the Duke of Richmond. I concurred in
it most heartily : not without a sense of the in-
conveniences which may attend it, but consider-
ing it as the only thing which remained for us to
do. We have tried every thing else.

With regard to the extent of the plan, I never
understood it to amount to a total secession ; and
in this particular I think I have the happiness of
approaching very near to some of your ideas. The
absence, I thought, would be proper on their speech
and address, and upon those points which are
generally considered as the measures of govern-
ment, and to which we are morally certain that
the House is mortgaged to the court. The attend-



360 CORRESPONDENCE OF THE

ance upon other points will mark the distinction
we mean to keep in view the more strongly.

There is another point which you rather agitate
(I imagine) than directly propose ; that of an
absolute secession, and upon some definite measure.
In this matter I have some difficulties. I do not
look upon such a secession, upon any proposition
now probably in view, to be at all practicable,
because it supposes the existence of that very
spirit which we want, and which, by the proposed
step, we wish to excite. Our people who now
hesitate upon a limited plan of absence, will never
be brought to hear of an absolute retreat. Such

o

a secession leaves us without a power of returning
with any sort of decency, let opportunities invite,
or circumstances demand it, never so strongly.
I should, besides, very much doubt whether any
merely political question, such as the convention
in Sir Robert Walpole's time, or the compromise
about Falkland's Islands which happened in our
own, (even supposing them the worst in their kind,)
no, nor hardly any prodigal grant to the crown, can
justify a secession from parliament; and though we
should take that occasion to review former matters
of grievance, and to make the whole an accumu-
lated charge on the majority, certainly nothing in
that mass would be much attended to, but that
which was the immediate occasion of the breach ;
and in spite of any thing we could do to the con-



RIGHT HON. EDMUND BURKE. 361

trary, the whole would be tried upon that single
issue. Nothing can to my ideas make that formal,
general, instantaneous secession proper, but some
direct act which shakes a fundamental part of the
constitution ; and that, too, immediately and visibly.
Such an act has been done, but we have very
unfortunately, I think, let pass the time for making
any effectual use of it. The mode proposed seems
well suited to that profession of despair, which
does not arise from the resentment of a single act,
but of a series of conduct of a dangerous and
unconstitutional tendency. It does not seem to
me to be attended with the mischievous futility of
a middle measure. It has strength sufficient for
its magnitude. Every thing which I say, in favour
of this partial secession, is upon the presumption
that the concurrence in it will be general. If this
should not be the case, I very readily admit,
nothing worse can be thought of. I join with
you, too, in the absolute necessity of Lord Rock-
ingham's being in town, if his health will at all
admit it. I do not forget the disarray and con-
fusion we were in upon the business of the jury-
bill.

You seem to think that foreign affairs make
a principal part of the reasons of the court for
calling us together before Christmas. As a specu-
lation on the state of those affairs, you seem to be
well-grounded in that supposition ; but I can find



362 CORRESPONDENCE OF THE

nothing, in the discourse of those who disperse the
court- word before the opening of the session,
to support it. I doubt much whether they are
yet come to any thing like a resolution on that
subject.

With regard to the East India difficulties, they
most certainly enter largely into our business.
When I thought of the reduction of dividend, as
a means for their immediate relief, I considered it
not as a compulsory measure by authority of par-
liament, but as an act of their own ; necessary, as
I conceived, for disengaging them from the minis-
try, and treating upon terms something more
approaching to equality. But you have entirely
satisfied me, that if the courtiers have a deeper
and more regular design, than at this instant they
profess, upon the company, the fall of stock M 7 ill
infinitely facilitate their project; and that this
reduction of dividend will have such an effect
upon the stock is indisputable. On the whole, I
can scarcely conceive a more delicate part than we
have to act in this business. By an unhappy and
rare conjunction of circumstances, the designs of
the court coincide exactly with the phrensy of
the people. The greater number of those who
form an opposition, naturally take the colour of
their opinions from the latter; so that the man-
agement of your friends becomes a matter of, at
least, as much difficulty as the opposition to the



RIGHT HON. EDMUND BURKE. 363

enemy. You remark very rightly on the conduct
of all parties in the East India company upon the
question of last year's committee, and on their
behaviour in that committee. I agree with you,
that without their own vigorous and unanimous
efforts in their own cause, our endeavours will be
of no service. In their present situation, nothing
is more certain than that they will make no such
efforts. They are divided into the most rancorous
factions. None of them mean, (I am persuaded,)
to make a direct sacrifice of the trust they have,
in so large a part, of the rights as well as the pro-
perties of the subjects ; but their mutual blind
passions and resentments will make them do it
without intending it; and the strong distress of
their affairs has so frightened the body of the
proprietors for their present and future dividends,
that they are the less attentive to the preservation
of their privileges of a higher order. They have
no leader of ability, foresight, and honesty sufficient
to state to them, in their general courts, the real
politics of their situation. Sir G. Colebrooke is
not in our hands, nor has he ever consulted with
Lord Rockingham or any of his friends, upon one
step which he has taken, or which he is to take.
You have heard that he offered me the first place
in a supervisorship of three, with great concurrence
of the whole body of direction. I did not think
it then right to accept the offer ; yet after such a



364 CORRESPONDENCE OF THE

mark of confidence, you might imagine that no-
thing, at least of parliamentary use, would be kept
from me ; but the fact is, that he has acquainted
me with nothing. He is shy and reserved ; and
while he has complied with the requisitions of the
treasury, at least as extensively as he ought, he
has not communicated a single paper to me. It
is true he did not refuse to send me copies of such
papers as I should desire ; but he showed so little
willingness in the business, that I have not yet
thought fit to trouble him. I will see him before
you come to town, and will collect either from
him or from some others, such matter as may lead
us better into the detail of their affairs. Without
such instruction, without better support from the
company, and without a total change in the senti-
ments of almost all our friends, the absence from
parliament, which I think proper for the whole,
will be absolutely necessary with regard to us. It
is impossible for me to enter at large with you
into all the matters you have discussed in your very
masterly paper. You have my full powers to de-
cide for me as you please. When I see you, which
I hope and request may be as soon as you can, I
may learn more facts. I would say a great deal
more, but I am hourly called away by the busi-
ness that brought me to town. Pray urge Lord
Rockingham to come to town ; all depends upon
it. I send you back your observations, with a note



RIGHT HON. EDMUND BURKE. 365

or two of Sir G. Savile's upon them. I have no
copy of your paper, and lest yourself should have
none, I send it back to you ; but would very much
wish to have a copy sent to me for the Duke of
Richmond's use, and the satisfaction of some other
friends. To conclude, let me again and again
entreat that we may not be left at the opening of
the session without a leader, or the least idea of a
plan of conduct. The time gives you very little
leisure for deliberation.

I am, my dear sir,

Ever faithfully yours,

EDM. BURKE.



EDMUND BURKE, ESQ., TO THE MARQUIS OF
ROCKINGHAM.

Broad Sanctuary, November 11, 1772.

MY DEAR LORD,

By this time you have received the whole of Mr.
DowdeswelPs thoughts and correspondence, on