yours,

W. H. FREMANTLE.

THE RIGHT HON. CHARLES W. WYNN TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.

East India Office, Sept. 26, 1822.

MY DEAR B----,

Enclosed I send you a letter which I yesterday received from Lord
G----, together with the draft of my answer,[99] in which I have
expressed myself fully. You will see that I had anticipated a part
of your feelings upon the proposed plan, though I speak of them as
likely to arise hereafter instead of at present. What has most
struck me in all that has passed, is the manner in which Canning
has assumed to himself, even in the presence of Lord Liverpool, the
tone and authority of Premier.

You will see I mention in my letter to Lord G---- my opinion of the
manner in which he has put off seeing me as a mark of
disinclination. On Monday, the business was scarcely commenced when
he expressed his wish to discuss foreign business with Lord L----
before he left town, in order to get rid of me. Knowing that the
latter was not to return to town during the week, I expressed my
wish for further discussion with C----, and asked him when he could
see me. He said Tuesday was foreign post day, Wednesday he had
several appointments, and then named to-day. Yesterday I had a note
from him that he wished to shut himself up to-day, and to-morrow to
write to the Duke of Wellington, and naming Saturday. Now,
considering that we have as yet had no discussion whatever on the
general state of things, I think this is, to say the best,
unconciliating conduct. Still, on Saturday I will endeavour either
to lead or to force him upon different subjects, and particularly
on the Catholic question, which will naturally arise out of your
letter. His want of judgment is such, that I really think it is an
even chance that in the first session he gets into some difficulty
from which he cannot extricate himself, and in which his friends
will delight to leave him. If he survives that, I expect him to
govern the House with a rod of iron, and fix his power absolutely.
He seems to me fully aware of the weakness of character he has to
deal with, and that the assumption of power will probably confer
it. I am to see the Chairman of the E.I.C. alone to-morrow, and
probably shall from him learn more of the feelings of the Directors
than C---- has communicated to me.

Ev