The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-07-28

the present administration has conducted
this inportent branch of public affairs on
this poirt,l have recently expressed the
strongest difference OK opinion with the pre-
sent Administrations.
The declaration OF Lord Liverpool pre-
cludes the hope of any such change in the
policy of the present Administration to-
wards the Roman Catholics as could satisfy
my judgement. This difference is of the
utmost Importance without any other o0-
stacle, therefore, this alone compels me to
decline the proposition which Lord Liverpool
has conveyed TO me.
l entertain confident expectation, that
when the Prince Regent shall have; :consi-
dcred the nature of this difficulty, he will
extend his indulgence to my humble repre-
sentation, and will relieve me from the pres
sure o. commands, which could not obey
withsnt sacrificing public principle Of the
highest obligation.
these observations compose a sufficient
reply to the communication received through
Lord Liverpool. But deem it to be dn-
ty towards the Prince Regent to declare,
that the considerations which induced me,
on the 18TH OF February, TO resign the stati-
on which had the honor 10 hold in his Roy
al Bighness's service, have acquired additi-
onal force since that time, and would
constitute an insuperable obstacle to
my acceptance Of any station in the present
Administrations
originally expressed my desire to with
draw from Mr. Perccval's Administration,
because my general opinions, for long
time past, on various important questions,
had not sufficient weight III that Cabinet to
justify me towards the public, or towards
my own character. in continuing in Office.
My objections to remaining in that Cabi-
net, arose, in great degree, from the i'm
perfect scale in which the efforts in the Pc
ninsula were conducted. 1t was always
stated to me, that twas impracticable to
enlarge that system. ] thought that it was
perfectly practicable to extend the plan in
the Peninsula, and that it was neither safe
nor honest towards this country or the
Allies to continue the present inadequate
scheme.
From Lord Livcrpoo's statement upon
this point 1t is evident, that since my resig-
nation, it has been found practicable tomake
some extension OF the system in the PENN
sula ; but 1t is still intimated, that my view
are more extensive than the resources of
the country can enable the Government to
reduce to practice. /, however, still en-
terrain the same views and opinions, with
out diminution or alteration; and / am con-
WINGED, that considerable extension of the
scale of our operations in the Peninsula. and
| also an effrCtual correction of many bran
ches of cur system in that quarter, are OBJ
jects of indispensable necessity, and of easy
| attainment.
| With such a decided difference of opinion,
In relation TO the conduct and management
OF the war, my return into Cabinet COM
posed as the present is, would offer to me no
better prospect than the renewal of discus
sons which have hitherto proved unavail-
| ing.
learn from Lord Liverpool, that he has
NJ auth in fr>p he
ed Administration, to make any proposal to
any OF those persons, now designated by the
name of " the opposition"
My inquiry on this point originated in a
sincere Conviction, founded upon an atten-
tive observation of the general state of pub
lie opinion, and of the condition of the En-
pire) t., administration, which shall
not comprise some of those persons, can
prove advantageous to the Prince Regent,
| conCilatory towards Ireland, and equal to
| the conduct of the war on scale of suffic-
ent extent.
1t has been stated enormously, that the
first Act of the Prince Regent upon his APP
proach TO unrestricted authority, was to es-
tablsh Mr.. Pcrcevals Administration bnt
the fact is, that his Royal Hishness's first
act at chat crisis was to dissolve Mr.. Per-
ccval's Administration (; and to endeavcur
to form Cabinet upon more extended &
liOefai OASIS. L MS enGc3vOur was fruStra-
ted at that moment; and the formation of
such Cabinet was represented to his Roy
al Eighness to be impracticablc. 1t has,
howc'er, since appeared evident to me,
from the discussions and deliberations which
have witnessed in Parliament, that his
Royal Highness's benevolent intentions on
that subject are now perfectly practicable :;
and that their accomplishment would tend
TO promote internal peace and tranquility,
and to invisorate the whole system of our
external operations.
Impressed with this sentiment, I should
be untrue to his Royal Highness's interests
and honour, rs well as to the prosperity of
the empire, il | c0ncurr-yi in any arrange
Jnent OF an Administration which did not
include fair and full consideration of this
most important point.
After such a dispassi0nate Consideration.
ny opinion is, that a Cabinet might be form
ed on al Intermediary principle respecting
the Roman Catholic claims equally exempt
from the dangers OF instant, unqualified con
cession, and from those Of inconsiderate.
peremptory cXciusion the entire resour-
ces OF the empire might be applied to the
great objects Of the war with general con
sent, upon full understanding Of the real
exigency Of the present crisis and concord
and union at home might secure ultimate
ana permanent success abroad.
(Signed) WELLESLEY.
(COPY.)
TO The MARQUIS WELLESLEY.
FIFE-HouSE Nav 10 1910