484 STATE OF PARTIES. [1827. 



he called Wellington's attempts to get round us by 

 picking up the stragglers. It is to be observed that 

 those who were most decided in their support of the 

 Junction, greatly lamented the necessity of postponing 

 the Irish question. Plunket, who took the Chief- Jus- 

 ticeship, felt this as strongly as any one, from his de- 

 votion to the question ; and his repugnance to the 

 postponement could only have been overcome by the 

 necessities of the case. The following letter indicates 

 these feelings : 



" AEuLLixGAR, August 5, 1827. 



" MY DEAR BROUGHAM, Your friendly note was 

 forwarded to me on circuit, where I still am, and shall 

 be for another week. 



" I thank you for your news and your wishes, and 

 rejoice sincerely that Canning is not suffering under 

 any indisposition, either of his own or of any other 

 person ; whilst he has health and favour all will go 

 right. Ireland is at present in a state of perfect tran- 

 quillity, and without a trace of any tendency to public 

 disturbance. I have every hope that the Roman Ca- 

 tholics will remain quiet until the meeting of Parlia- 

 ment; at least I need not tell you that you may rely 

 on my using every effort to keep them in a right 

 course. As to myself, it would be affectation to say that 

 I am not disappointed, or that I have not strong feel- 

 ings on the subject ; but this ought not to interfere, 

 and shall not, with the cordiality of my support to 

 Canning and to the whole body of your friends, from 

 all of whom I have received every mark of regard and 

 kindness, and to whom I am satisfied it would be 

 most unjust to attribute any share in whatever course 

 may be taken on any subject. When I learn anything 



