o by one of the
ministers."

The "free pardon" was promised on the 28th of February, but it was not
formally granted till five weeks afterwards. Lord Dundonald ascertained
that one cause of the long delay in considering his case was the heat of
party fight occasioned by the Reform Bill. The Government feared to show
any kindness to a man whom the Tories had so long and so persistently
reviled, lest thereby they should lose in the House of Commons a few
wavering votes that were important. The Reform Bill passed the Lower
House, for the second time, at the end of March.[14] Its final adoption
being expected with less difficulty than arose, it was now easier to do
justice to Lord Dundonald. "I was happy to hear your memorial to the
King read in Council and referred to the Admiralty," the Earl of Durham
wrote to him on the 16th of April. "I trust we may eventually have the
means of doing an act of private as well as of public justice, and that
I shall see you restored to that service of which you are the highest
ornament. But you well know that you have had not only my best wishes,
but my warmest exertions, for the attainment of that object."

[14] "My dear Lord Durham," wrote the Earl of Dundonald, on the 15th of
April, "allow me most sincerely to congratulate you on the attainment of
the great object which the present Administration has now, so honourably
for themselves and so fortunately for the country, brought to a pass
wherein no retrograde movement can take place, whatever may be the
obstructions offered by the interested proprietors of borough influence,
or by persons whose ideas of Government have been formed under the
tuition of preceding Administrations. It is rare felicity for a nation
to be governed by men having the liberality and justice which induce
them to confer free institutions peacefully on the country; institutions
which merit the gratitude of all who now exist, and will receive the
unqualified applause of future generations. The page of history affords
no parallel to the present event."

The object was at last attained. At a Privy Council held on the 2nd of
May, a "free pardon" was granted to the Earl of Dundonald. He was
restored to his position in the Royal Navy, and, on the 8th, gazetted as
a Rear-Admiral of the Fleet.

In that capacity he was presented to King William IV. at the levee held
on the 9th of May; and congratulations poured in from all quarters as
soon as t