The National Register.
London, England, 1812-06-14 00:00:00

POLITICAL MS Q ULSITION.

CONDUCT OF PARTIES.

_.~ i

4;ii --'

,4 'v.4l

SUNDA v, JUNE 14, 1812.

have only secured inferior seats, and a junctio with a
falling party might have involved both into irretrievable
ruin, and once more plunged the Ex.Ministet s into .dl the
horrors of unprofitable and powerless Opposition. Having
duly weighed these considerations, the Statesmen whose
aid had been solicited, rejected the offer, and I:tid the
whole of the Correspondence that took plAce on the occa.
sion before the public. A statement of the reasons which
had led him to withdraw from office, was neat circulated
by Marquis WELLESLEY, containing not only the explana.
tion which his Lordship had been so frequently urged to
give during the life of Mr. PERCEVAL, but most severe
charges of obstinacy and incapacity against that Minister
and his Administration, published after his death a". The
publication of these documents produced its intended el-
f2ct. They announced that the Administration deemed
itself t;:o weak to stand alone, and courted assistance.
They also showed that assistance had been denied, and
thus encouraged its opponents to profit by its weakness,
and induced many of its former supporters to desert what
seemed to be an helpless cause, and to 3pin in its over.
throw. These preparatory steps settled, nothing was
wanting but a champion to commence the grand attack,
who, by his insignificance in the ranks of party, should
create little alarm in the breasts of the Ministers, as it
would be doubtful whether he should meet with any sup.
port. Mr. Wort.rt.Ev undertook the distinguished task
and boldly led on the charge. Surprised at the force which
he was able suddenly to marshal against them, and neg,
lected or abandoned by many of their supposed friends,
Ministers were kft.in a minority on a question of vital im-
portance, and an address, declaring by inference their in.
capacity, was ordered to be presented to the R:iGENT, re-
questing him to form a more effective Administration.
This success afforded a clear opportunity for judging c f
the true worth and patriotism of public men. All panics
that had so long thirsted after power, were instantly filled
with the most ambitious hopes and interested ezpectatiuns.
They had united tp overthrow the existing Administr..
tion they now divided, to pursue their own views, a; d
began to counteract each other. The conduct of tl.e
defeated Ministers presented a striking crmtrast ; yielding,
with becoming humility to the sense of Parliament, tl-ey
• It has beep asserted by the partisans of the Noble Nlarqni; that this
injurious document had been submitted to the PaiNce Rtoewr and to
all the ivlembers of Administration previous to the murder of Mr.
Pcitcr-JAL. That this i 3 u,terly false is proved by the declaration Of
the Earl of Livitaroot. in the leuer in which he declines forming a part
of a Ministry to which Lord WLLLESLLY belonged, on accuum of tow
cent publications reflecting on the character and abilities cE his dece.;,ed
friend and himself. Now we find that, a few days before, Lo-d
Pool. was totally unacquainted with those publication., which must not
then have yet made their appear4nce, or been even thought ut atl,.! not
only felt no reluctance to act with the Noble Marquis, but even tea
dercl a seat in nice to Lordship in vain.