The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1809-12-19
CHARACTER OF THE NEW MINISTRY

CHARACTER OF THE NEW MINISTRY. |
We have hitherto forborne to express any OPT |
Mon on the composition Of the new administra- |
ton, bezause nothing is more unpleasant to ms |
than that freedom of eensure which the papers |
devoted to the respective parties to consider
1t as point of duty tn exercise on this occasion
Where any paper has connected itself with its |
peculiar patrons, it very naturally follows and
maintains their fortunes with the zeal of advoca-
ey. The public become the Judges between the
opposite pleadings, and considering both of them
as mere pleaders, it does apply too strict rule
TO their respective statements. A paper seeking
only truth, and maintaining what it deems to be
right, has more difficult and unpleasant task
1t must praise with moderation, and cansure
without respect of persons. 1t is considered as
! An enemy by both parties, and has no other sup
port but with the public.
II isnow well known from the polished state
| rnent OF Mr Canning, that from the evident de.
Ginning heslth OF the duke of Portland, Mr. Can.
Ring was anxious TO provide an equal successor
20 him as the head of the administration. Marquis
Wellesley was accordingly proposed, but there
was strong party of the cabinet against this ar
rangement Lord Liverpool, 81 it is stated fear
ed lest the astivity OF the qus (for active he
certainly is) might disturb, if not totally cxtin
guish, that quiet dependence and tranquil SUBJ
| mission which had hitherto but too much cha
| IS.
| unnecessary to add, that the original constitution
OF the ministry belonged, in best part, the late
| and present esrls Of Liverpool, and that as one
| ministry had been dismissed for contumacious
opposition to the royal pleasure, due care was
taken that such should not be the fault of Its sue
cessers. The age of the duke OF Portland rem
| dered him mere nominal head, and if the con.
| scious talent Of Mr. Canning occasionally made
hun troublesome, there was still strength enough
! IN the cabinet to reduce him to discipline We
DO not state these points with any purpose to Of
lend our objects merely to illustrate in some
4 small degree, the present state of the cabinet
| When Mr.. Canning found, that secretly by
| some, and openly by others, he was thwarted IN
| all MS attempts to introduce the MARQUIS Wei.
lesley IN the cabinet-when that part of the ca.
oinet IN opposition to him set up Mr. Perceval as
their mainland when there was another secret
confederation going forward on the parts of two
noble lords, MIR. Canning resolved upon bringing
tnlngs to a conclusion, and decidedly demanded,
what he had certainly right to demand the
dismissal of Lord Castlerxagh, and the avowcd
preference of himself to Mr.. Perceval-The
duke OF Portland, anxious only for peace and
tranquility after endeayorng in vain to dissuade
MT Canning, and to reconcile the parties, con-
sented to Mr. Canning's proposal but as the no.
tificaton of it TO lord Csstlsresgh must have ne
cessariy led to farther divisions and disputes II
was agreed to suspend the execution of it till
\ parliament had been prorogned. Mr.. Canning
and the duke OF Portland had still the majority
IN the cabinet, and therefore were enabled to car
ry their own measures.-Lord Liverpool, we be.
iieye, remained neutral, content If he could
merely execute his own duty, and keep the cabi
net together.
After the failure of the expedition to the
scheidt, and the progressive growth of the dis.
sentions in the cabinet, Mr.. Canning deemed II
necessary 10 denand the aforementioned motif.
cation to lsrd Cxstleresgh, and after seme d ffi
Guilty 1t was at length made. The immediate
consequences are too well known TO require de.
tan The statements OF all the parties nave been
gwen to the public, and an unprecedented Judge
anDot but condemn them both, and Mr. CANNING
much more than lord Castlereagh AS to the ef
iects ct this proceeding OH the cabinet to say I'll
IN word, the ministry fell to pieces, and it
Came necessary either to mend it, or to compos.
Il it anew.
/ Mr.. Perceval, as the agent of Lord Liverpool.
i we see no reason for keeping back this circum
ssnce) was induced to attempt a measure,
"lc6 was always as nugatory in reality as it is
pffo,Sising IN appearance. This was coalition
Vi thstwo or rather three parties, the Grenyillss
.he Foes, and the remains Of the broken cabi.
net lie Grenyilles, connected by general prin-
eiPies, AID their former public life, with the
!, greater Pai ofthese men, were not very uveYse
.hey oeeyeathe call to consultation, and howe
I e. uiey may low choose to disguise their con.
uescehsioh' II vas certainly not their fault hat
the coalition dit not succeed. Mr. PercevIi
j. n Al
aid not 0ser en,ugh. His brief was indorsed
LOO humhy. Gsl Grey, on the part of the
rohes, eecidediy reiceted all overtures, and
though earl Grey Mia no great favor with us,
we eahnIt DENY ths his conduct was more
: manly and more Consistent with his princ;nles
: than that of Lord Gremille refusal Of
Lords Grenvilie and G,ey rendered il neces.
sary for Lord Liverpool gain to look around
/, NM and It was at Length determined. that
lord Wellesley should be invited into the cabinet.
} taagfL aHSH H.
S SifnoIt ar Coming MIR. Sydeihan, the early
friend and military secretary Of the MARQUIS in
INDIA, has been sent upon this errani. and. ac.
cordinS to the statements in the ministerial ns-
psrs, every thing is waiting for his DECISION
4 ne present composition Of the cabinet is there.
fore only temporary.
such IS the present state Of things, and it re-
mains only to suggest few more no;nts. "a :,
what Will be the probable event
~ the hrst place, as Mr.. Canning in very
considerable degree sacrificed himself to lie