Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1809-12-01
LORD CASTLEREAGH AND Mr..
CANNING.
LONDON. October 9.

lile-tollowlng are authentic copies OF the
two letters which passed between Lord Cas-
slereagh and Mr.. Canning, immediately pre-
vious to the lase duel:
ST. flames Square, 10th Sept. 1909.
SIR,
1t is unnecessary for me to enter into
any detailed statement of the circumstances
which preceded the recent resignation. 1t is
enough for me, with view to theimmediate
object Of this letter, to state, that il appears
proposition had been agitatsd, without any
communication with me, for my removal
from the War department; and that you,
towards the close the last Session, having
urged decision upon this question, with
sthe alternative of your seeding from the
: Government, procured positive promise
from the Duke of Portland (the execution
ofwhich you afterwards considered your
self entitled to enforce) that such a removal
should be carried into effect. Notwith-
standing this premise, by which | consider
YOU pronounced It unit: that remain charg-
ed with the conduct OF the war, and by
which my situation as Minister OF the
Crown vas made dependant upon your will
and pleasure, you continued to Sit in the
same Cabinet with me, and to leave me not
only IN the possession that possessed your
confidence, but you allowed me, in breach Of
every principle of good faith, both public
and private, though thus virtually super
~eeded, to originate and proceed in the exc
cution Of new enterprise, OF the most &c
duous and important nature, with your APP
parent concurrence, and ostensiblc appro-
: baton.
You were fully aware, that if my sitla-
ton in the government had been disclosed
TO me, could not have Submitted to re.
main one moment in office, without the en-
tire abandonment of my private honor, and
public duty. You knew was deceived,
and you continued to deceive me.
I am aware it may be sad, which am
ready to acknowledge, that when you press
ed decision for ny removal, you also
pressed for It's disclosure, and that it was
resisted by the duke Of Portland, and some
members of government supposed to be my
friends. But / never can admit that you
have rightto make use O. such plea III
justification of an act affecting my honor.
nor that the sentiments of others could JUS
tify an acquiescence in such a delusion on
your part, who had yourself fcls, and stated
its unfairness. Nor can | adm: thas the
head of any administration, or any supposed
friends (whatever might be their motivss)
can authorize or sanction any man IN such
course of long and persevering deception;
for were to admit such principle, my
honor and character would be from that mo-
ment in the discretion of persons wholly
unautliorised, to act fer Taa III such a case.
Il was therefore your act and your conduct
that deceiyed me; AMI it's impossible tor
me TO acquiesce in being placed in a s'tua-
non by you, which no man OF honor coald
knowingly submit to, nor patiently suffer
himself 70 be betrayed into without forfeit
ing that character.
have no right, as public man, to re-
sent your demanding, upon peblic: grounds,
my removal from the particular office have
held, or even from the administration, as a
condision Of your continuing member OF
the governments. But bave distinct.
right to expect that a proposition, Justifiable
in itself, shall not be executed IN an unlus-
tihable manner, and at the expence of my
honor and reputation. AndI consider that
YOU were bound at least, to avail yourself
of the same alternative, namely your own
resignation, to exercise towards me, which
you did exercise, in demanding Adhesion
for my removal.
Under these circumstances, must re-
quire that satisfaction from you to which |
feel myself entitled to lay clam.
l am, &c.
cAsTLEREAGH.
The Ri. Hon. George Canning, &c.
.Glsueestor Loage, Sept. 90, 1909.