STATE PAPERS. 



349 



the name of the " Opposition," 

 were to be excluded from the pro- 

 posed scheme of administration ? 



Lord Liverpool answered, that 

 no principle of exclusion was in- 

 tended ; but that he was not autho- 

 rised 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 Liver- 

 pool of the constant and unabated 

 exertions which I had made to open 

 every avenue for the return of Mr. 

 Canning to the public service ; re- 

 marking at the same time, that 1 

 never had attempted to press that 

 point beyond the honour and feel- 

 ings of Mr. Perceval's adminis- 

 tration. I stated, that I could not 

 consider any administration to be 

 constituted on a foundation of jus- 

 tice towards individual talents and 

 services, or towards the interests of 

 the country, in which Mr. Can- 

 ning should not hold ahigh efficient 

 station. But I added, that Mr. 

 Canning was under no engagement 

 to me which could preclude his ac- 

 ceptance of any office which might 

 be offered to him ; that, on the 

 other hand, Mr. Canning would 

 certainly makethesame declaration 

 with regard to my perfect freedom. 

 Lord Liverpool said, that he had 

 pursued this course of communi- 

 cation, being convinced, that un- 

 der tlie present circumstances, I 

 would not accept office, unless a 

 fair proposal was made to Mr. Can- 

 ning. I declared to Lord Liverpool, 

 that he was correct in this view of 

 my sentiments towards Mr. Can- 



ning ; 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. 



Sthly, I expressed my wish to 

 receive this communication in writ- 

 ing; to answer it in writing ; and 

 also to submit mj'^ sentiments upon 

 the whole transaction in an audi- 

 ence 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 propo- 

 sal on this point. I then informed 

 Lord Liverpool, that I would re- 

 turn ray 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 ex- 

 pressed my hope, that Lord Liver- 

 pool would be assured of my sin- 

 cere personal respect and esteem. 

 I now transmit this minute to Lord 

 Liverpool, requesting him to insert 

 any correction which he may think 

 requisite. 



(Signed) Wellesley. 



May 18, 1812. 



Corrected by Lord Liverpool, 

 and returned to me. 



(Signed) Wellesley. 



No. 3. 

 Note from Mr. Canning: to Lord 

 Wellesley, inclosing a Letter 

 to Mr. Canning from Lord Li- 

 verpool, relative to Lord Castle- 

 reagh. 



(Copy.) 



