Clive appointed Governor of Fort St. David Succeeded by his grandson, Surajah Dowlah Interview between Mr. Holwell and the Nabob Grief and resentment at Madras - FOR several years after the peace of Aix la Chapelle the public business in England continued to flow in a calm and unbroken current. The busy jealousies and cabals of the Duke of Newcastle, though ever teeming, seldom rose above the surface. Mr. Pelham glided quietly down the stream, watchful and trembling at the smallest eddy. Mr. Pitt remained quiet in his nook as Paymaster. The Opposition had sunk to a low pitch both in reputation and in numbers. Nominally it had for its chief the Prince of Wales, but in truth his influence was confined to a narrow circle of friends; for so weak and fickle had been his conduct to all parties, that even the near approach of a throne could not make him an object of respect. His little council was directed mainly by Lord Perceval, who had lately succeeded to the Irish Earldom of Egmont - by Dr. Lee, a Civilian of high integrity and considerable powers of eloquence, and by Bubb Dodington, a recent convert from the Court. Yet small as was his party it was not compact; it was often rent asunder by factions and intrigues. Thus, in November 1749, the Parliament was opened by the King in person with a moderate and conciliatory Speech, tending only to congratulate the country on the restored blessings of peace; yet on the Address the Earl of Egmont could not refrain from pouring forth a torrent of invective, and thereby giving great offence to several of his own allies. The Prince endeavoured to excuse him to Dodington. "It is right," said he, "to talk and throw things out to expose the Ministry." Yes, Sir," answered Dodington, "I suppose talk may be right, but people should "consider what talk, and if they have any thing to say; "thus perpetually to throw out things which one neither "understands nor can prove is, I think, exposing oneself, "and not the person aimed at !"* 66 66 66 The Sessions of 1749 and 1750 were marked by several important measures. It was proposed by the Government to grant 100,000l. to the Empress Queen, and a smaller sum to some smaller German princes, beyond the subsidies stipulated during the continuance of war. These gifts were negotiated by Newcastle, who had attended His Majesty in two summer visits to Hanover. Pelham, as head of the Treasury, refused at first his sanction to the scheme. He writes to his brother; “I perceive that you are anxious to find out an expedient "for paying the whole or any part of the remaining "100,000l. to the Queen of Hungary. You think their "late behaviour deserves some consideration; I protest "I think the contrary. What merit have they to us in "making peace, any more than we to them? we all "wanted it. . . . Have we not paid Her Imperial Majesty 75,000l., and the Dutch, I suppose, 25,000l., for regi"ments of horse that never stirred from their quarters, nor, to our certain knowledge, ever existed?... The "Prince of Wolfenbuttel may be a very honest gentleman, but his being in a good or bad humour will not pay our public debts." But, notwithstanding these scruples of Pelham, the influence of the Duke prevailed; the new subsidies were proposed, and carried through the House of Commons; and it is amusing to find how earnestly 66 66 66 66 * Dodington's Diary, November 24. 1749. † Mr. Pelham to the Duke of Newcastle, October 25. 1748. Coxe's Pelham. |