population. I see by the papers it is much the same
in your Northamptonshire neighbourhood. When do you expect your
patent will be ready?

Ever most truly yours,

W. H. F.

MR. W. H. FREMANTLE TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

Englefield Green, Dec. 30, 1821.

MY DEAR LORD,

I heard yesterday the particulars regarding Canning, which I
believe to be true, and accounts about the trouble of a letter,
&c., which you had heard.

About a year and a half since, Lord Hastings wrote to Sir John
Doyle a private letter, in which he complained bitterly of the
conduct of the Board of Directors, saying as he had lost their
confidence, he should remain in India no longer. Doyle showed this
letter, and had authority from the Directors to say that so far
from Lord Hastings having lost their confidence, they entertained
the highest opinion of him, and should be extremely sorry if he
returned. In answer to this, Lord Hastings writes to Doyle to say
he is glad to find the Directors are satisfied with his conduct,
but that he should return to England, as he found his health and
spirits give way, and he was anxious to return. Upon the strength
of this letter the Ministers thought proper to act, and notified
their intention of naming Canning for his successor, transmitting
the letter of Lord Hastings to Sir John Doyle to the Court of
Directors as their grounds for appointing him a successor. The
Court return the letter, saying they could not receive a private
letter to a private friend as a ground for such an appointment, and
on this objection it was decided to write to Lord Hastings to know
decidedly his wishes on the subject of return. This letter was
prepared by the Court of Directors, and ended in leaving it
entirely at his option to remain or come home; and being sent to
the Board of Control for approbation, B. Bathurst scratched out the
latter paragraph, and left it with the intention of naming him a
successor, in compliance with the wish expressed by him to Sir John
Doyle. This letter went the 15th of last month, so that no answer
can be had for ten months to come; and I have no doubt Canning will
wait till that time under an assurance of supporting Government,
unless anything turns up in the meantime to make it worth his while
to take another position.

I hear from m