te Lord Dundonald to Lord Auckland on the
following day, "has sent me your sympathizing note on the decision of
the Cabinet Council in regard to the first item, designated as 'the
remuneration I would expect in the event of a favourable report on my
plans.' Now, after the expression of my deep sense of gratitude to your
lordship for having brought the question before the Cabinet, I do most
sincerely rejoice that 'the first condition is one to which you are not
authorized to promise an acquiescence.' I could not deem acquiescence a
remuneration, nor could I value it otherwise than as evidence of
conviction, produced by facts and the tenor of a whole life, of my
incapability of descending to base acts for gain at any period of my
existence, especially at a moment when I can prove that I had objects of
the highest national importance and the most brilliant personal
prospects in view. In confirmation of disinterestedness, I further hold
my retention of the 'secret war-plans' for a period of thirty-five
years, notwithstanding frequent opportunities to use them to my
incalculable private advantage. The merit of these plans, though I am
well aware of their value, is yet officially unpronounced by the
commission appointed to report. Therefore, the preceding facts being
doubtful, I repeat that I do most sincerely rejoice that the Cabinet
Council have manifested that their decision neither depends on favour
nor on the value of the plans themselves. Foreseeing that, whatever may
be the ultimate determination, it must be founded on facts and justified
by an exposition of my conduct and character, I am preparing a document
which, whatever may be my fate pending the brief remainder of my
existence, will justify my memory when grievous wrongs shall cease to
prey on a mind which, save from the consciousness of rectitude, would in
brief time have bowed my head with humiliation to the ground." The
document there referred to was a pamphlet entitled "Observations on
Naval Affairs, and on some Collateral Subjects." In it were concisely
enumerated Lord Dundonald's services as a British naval officer, and the
hardships brought upon him by the unmerited Stock Exchange trial. The
pamphlet was published in February, 1847, and immediately excited
considerable attention. "I hope the difficulties which have prevented
the realization of your wishes may be removed shortly," wrote Sir Thomas
Hastings on the 2nd of March. "But services so distinguished,