possibly have passed more properly, or more satisfactorily, and I
derive the highest pleasure from it. It is no doubt a painful thing
to be reduced to this course, but whatever be the objections to it,
surely those are alone answerable for them whose wanton
intemperance of abuse places men under the necessity of thus
acting, in self-defence. The Duke of Bedford's disavowal, in the
conclusion of the business, seems to have been manly and
unequivocal, and the only real atonement he could make for the
original most unprovoked insult.

THE RIGHT HON. W. H. FREMANTLE TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.

Stanhope Street, May 7, 1822.

MY DEAR DUKE,

I am sure it must give you pleasure, as it does me, to hear from
all sides, and all sorts of persons, one uniform expression of
approbation of your conduct. When one is forced to take a step
which places one's character before the public tribunal, it is most
gratifying to feel afterwards that the step has been approved and
sanctioned; that this is the case, I have not the shadow of a
doubt, and I would not say so to you, if I had not received the
most unequivocal proofs of it. I hear that even at Brookes' the
comparison is greatly in your favour. No one can deny that your
adversary has retracted his words, though he has done so in the
only manly and honourable manner he could do it. Yesterday Charles
Long conversed with me a great deal upon it, and said you had not
only done benefit to the general cause of Government, but that you
had served to put down that personal and unjust mode of proceeding
which was gaining ground every day. He attacked the conduct of the
Duke of B----, as being most improper and unjust; he said he had
had an opportunity of repeating the same language the day before to
the Duke of York, who, although a great personal friend of the Duke
of B----, could not but admit that you were compelled to act as you
had done, and that you had done so in the most dignified and
gallant manner.

I wish I could speak as flatteringly of the general conduct of the
Government, but I own every day lessens my confidence in them;
there is such a complete want of steadiness, and of an open manly
uniformity of conduct, that I see no hopes of its going on.

Although I have sealed my letter, I write to tell you a thing I
forgot--