368 



ANNUAL REGISTER, 1812. 



I was apprehensive that it might 

 be his opinion, in concurrence with 

 your lordship's, that no parliamen- 

 tary proceeding with reference to 

 the claims of the Catholics, should 

 take place during the present ses- 

 sion. To such an opinion I could 

 not have assented ; and I felt it 

 to be due both to your lordship 

 and Mr. Canning, immediately to 

 draw your attention to a point, on 

 which it was so desirable that there 

 should be a clear understanding 

 between us. 



I hope it is unnecessary for me 

 to state, that I can look at the si- 

 tuations of the Catholics (both 

 Irish and English) with no other 

 view than that of the public inte- 

 rest; and that nothing can be fur- 

 ther from my disposition, or my 

 intention ; in a matter of such pre- 

 eminent importance, than to give 

 to any one party a triumph at the 

 expense of another. But I do not 

 conceive, that the repeal of the 

 disabilities of which the Catholics 

 complain, can give any just cause 

 for discontent to their Protestant 

 fellow-subjects ; and I am strong- 

 ly of opinion, that the efficacy of 

 that measure must in a great de- 

 gree depend on its being carried 

 into effect with the least possible 

 delay, and with the clearest demon- 

 strations of a conciliatory and con- 

 fiding spirit. Under this impres- 

 sion I should very reluctantly 

 abandon the hope of passing a bill 

 for such repeal, even during the 

 present session ; but if this cannot 

 be done, I hold it to be indispensa- 

 ble, that the most distinct and au- 

 thentic pledge should be given of 

 the intention, both of the execu- 

 tive government and of parlia- 

 ment, to take this matter up as 

 one of the first measures of the 

 next. To a proceeding of this na- 



ture, from the paper signed by 

 your lordship and Mr. Canning, I 

 am led to hope, that you would 

 not be adverse. 



As to the second proposition, 

 the difference which I had observ- 

 ed was much less important. It is 

 impossible to reduce a question of 

 this nature to any fixed principle. 

 Whatever we can say with our 

 present means of information, 

 must necessarily be general and 

 inconclusive, the whole subject be- 

 ing left open to future conside- 

 ration and decision. I can have no 

 hesitation in subscribing to the 

 proposition, that, if it shall be 

 found expedient to continue the 

 exertions we are now making in 

 the Peninsula, they should be con- 

 ducted in the manner best calcu- 

 lated to answer their end. 



I have, I fear, troubled your 

 lordship much more than is neces- 

 sary under the circumstances of 

 our present situation ; and will 

 only add, that if we should be 

 called upon to pursue these consi- 

 derations in their practical details, 

 it will be my most anxious wish, 

 that no difference of opinion may 

 be found to exist between us, re- 

 specting the conduct to be adopted 

 by a government equally solicitous 

 for the internal peace and harmony 

 of the empire, and for the prose- 

 cution of military operations in 

 such a mode as may appear most 

 conduciveto our ultimate security. 

 Lord Grenville, to whom I have 

 communicated your lordship's let- 

 ter, and its inclosures, desires me 

 to express his cordial concurrence 

 in this wish. 



I have the honour to be, with 

 the highest regard, my lord, your 

 lordship's very faithful humble ser- 

 vant, (Signed) Grey. 



No. 



