Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1827-06-01
FOREIGN IMrEIlrGEMcT.


0lessenser OF the l5th u-[.Na.. Ga<.
'.THE MINISTRY.
"Our readers were prepared to expect from what
we stated in our last paper, that Mr. Canning would
succeed Lord Liverpool in his Office of Prime Minister
and Chancellor Of the ExchcQuer Ii is now more than
ten days since MIR. Canning received the kings COM
mands to form new administrations; and it was ad
ded that the new ministry was TO be formed nearly
as possible in the tone and character of that which
Lord Liverpool was the late head.
We have doubt that MIR. Canning who what.
ever other faults he have, has been suspect.
ed as wanting 10 'nanliness and sincerity sooner
honoured by this distinguished mark of his soveregn's
confidence, than he endeavOred 10 carry the ROYAL in
tentons into immediate effect, and with most per cect
good faith MIR. Canning, enabled TO say, had
sooner rendered the first place the cabinet to him
than he Immediately sSnled his acceptance his col
leagues and requested them to act wh him i'm the af
fairs of the country The friends of Mr. Canning con-
hdently state, that il Mr. C.'s intention TO make
az few changes in the listing cabinet possble that
he anxious to proceed in the precise course of no
Icy marked out by The Earl of Liverpool and TO con
duct himself towards his colleagues he had hitherto
done; that he had not the distant intentop fas
indeed the kings command would not suffer i'll TO
make up, what is called Catholic cabinet but 10 leave
that difficult, entanged and turbulent question, as il
hitherto had been, TO the free and unfettereh consci,
ence of every individual member. Mr.. Canning was
ready to act with the Lord Chancellor, Mr.. Peel and
the Duke OF w ellington, and did not, as we are given
TO understand contemplate change in the minor
Offices oil the administration. In other words, Lord
Lverpools appreciation and choice were 10 be deemed
sufficient for the continuing sanction and counenance
Of Mr. Canning.
The king had offered him the conduct of affairs and
MIR. Canning, trusting TO his undoubted powers
and the universal confidence Of the country in them
had no hesitation in accepting the Office and
expected that his colleagues would concede TO him that
right hand of Fellowship which his talents Justly entitled
him to demand What therefore must have been his
surprise, his regret, and notifications when upon sig
nifyng his acceptance OF the high post offered 10 him
COlleapQe6 in Dir
uoD; that TO say, the Lord Chancellor MIR. Peel the
Duke Of Wellington, Lord Melville, and Lord Ba-
hurst
II has been stated that Lord Bexlcy had also sen in
his resignation, bat this is not true 1t appears that
he never made, intended to make, any resignation
Undoubtedly, however there is enough to surprise any
man at this conduct Of Mr. Cummings late colleagues
1t seems contumacious opposition to the Kings ust
prerogative. that of choosing his rst Minister and
we at loss TO know upon what principles these no
benen and gentlemen have acted. Upon what prin-
ciPie let US ask have they refused to with Mr.
Canning, as first Minister, following in the line and
policy of Lord Liverpool, with whom they did not oh
ject to co operate when he held the OF the Foreign
Once! 1t has been said that personal resentment and
dislike have influenced oil, except Mr.. Peel. That all
OF them, With this exception, jealous of the superb
orty which the first place in the Cabinet would give
TO Mr. Canning and imagined that they could discover
an intention in him W dssembled) speedily TO supplan
them, and To replace them Office BIZ his own friends
With regard to Mr. Peel, it is said. and we believe
justly that his motive for gnng was more constitu
onaf and pure than the motives ofhis other colleagues
tic dreaded the authority which his adherence to Mr.
Canning's Administration might give to the views of
those whs were opposed to Church governments and
were for throwing down all the fences against eyery
species OF religious dissent But let us consider the
character and station of those Ministers wbo have no
actually resigned.
The Lord Chancellor, who seems TO have led the vax
by withdrawing his name from Mr.. Canniue's admins
ton, only whdraws weight of odu.n and unpopuIa-
rty under winch the late government could scarcely
1T to It
reform. and was no less impeachment 10 the course Of
business in his own Courts Judge than he was on
posed as statesman TO all liberal and enlightened
policy whatever. His place, therefore, can easily be
Supplied by better and il will be difficult 10 say here
can find worse.
With respect to the Duke of Wellington, his retire
mcnt is much TO be regretted, as, in his own dcpart
meat, he was beyond ali question without rival His
talents, his authority, and his high reputation will be
much missed But with respect TO Lord Wes.rnoreland
Lord Bathurst, and Lord Melville their retirement il
not matter OF any moment whatever. Lord Melville
whose resignation very much asonisfes ul is man of
very little ability, ONO influence and stood al the head
of high office, in which the active genius the mind
and hands we're supplied by Others lie was surround
ed by large greedy Scotch connection, which, VIC
hope will fall oil with himto the great 10Y of fhe ma
ton. With regard TO Lord Bathurst the pnblic scarce
Is considered him any other light than as an aiah lie
and weintcntIoned Noblcman, equal to The discharge
OF the official routine of pubic business. and capable
OF nothing beyond it, IS TO Lord WestrnoreIand
nobody about him. lie is snt,y- conr;r1
Having stated the characters of the retiring Minis
tiers, we will now ask, what has Mr.. Canning TO fear
from the course which they have taken. Will their
retirement be likely TO obstruct the will Of the King
or will force Mr. Canning TO resign The post which
he has accepted. we firmly persuaded that il will
have no such result. Dir. Robinson Lord BexIy, Mr.
iusksSon, Mr.. Wynnc, and Lord narrowly, remain
III union with Mr.. Canning. Now, The to be sup
piled are-tle Court Of Chanccry, the Foreign Office
Admiralty, Private Seal and Office Of corntnanderin
Chief In supplying these vacant posts, Mr. Canning
has his choice either to go 10 his private friends or TO
tic opposition But TO the Opposition we are firmly
persuaded he vi not have RECOURSE; fils', because
snch step would be contrary, We immagine 10 the
directions received from the King 10 form an Admins
traion upon the policy Of the Earl of LIVERPOOL and
next. because The friends Of Mr. Canning are Just as
capable of occupying tue vacant posts as any of the
Wing leaders Lord Granville who is destined TO the
office Of Foreign Secretary has had great experience in
all the foreign courts OF Europe and man oconsider-
able ability and rmncss. The Duke Of Clarence has
already been appointed 10 succeed Lord Melville This
step decisive and firm on The part Of the King and
a proper compliment TO the PrcsurnptiYo Heir of the
Crown il IS just rebuke of Lord Melville, and shuts