Memoirs of the Reign of King George the Third, Volume 1 (of 4)Walpole, Horace
History
Memoirs of the Reign of King George the Third, Volume 1 (of 4)
Walpole, Horace
Great Britain -- History -- 1760-1789; Great Britain -- History -- George III, 1760-1820
On the 12th of April came on the election of East India Directors,
when Sullivan’s list was chosen, though Clive had the support not only
of the Administration, but of the Duke of Devonshire.[457] Sullivan
himself was elected by a majority of but one vote. He thought that in
the new Direction he had twelve votes to ten; but before the day of
their balloting for their chairman, Lord Clive had bought off one of
them. When the election came on, Sullivan desired to be named without
being obliged to submit to a ballot, at the same time cajoling the
other party with great professions to Lord Clive. His antagonists,
however, insisting on a ballot, the numbers appeared to be eleven and
eleven. Sullivan finding himself betrayed or overreached, retired with
heat, and Rous, his principal enemy, was chosen chairman. Had Sullivan,
who was the creature of Lord Shelburne, succeeded, Colonel Barré was to
have gone Governor to Bengal, which was given to Lord Clive, and he was
soon after decorated with the Order of the Bath, to give dignity to his
new employment.
At the same time, to mark that Parliamentary services or disobedience
were the leading steps to favour or disgrace, Mr. Bridgman[458] was
turned out of the Board of Greencloth for his vote on General Warrants;
and was succeeded by Richard Vernon,[459] formerly an officer, a
jockey, a gamester, and brother-in-law of the Duchess of Bedford. Mr.
Cadogan[460] was appointed Surveyor of the Royal Gardens; and Jeremiah
Dyson was made one of the Lords of Trade. Of this man it is necessary
to say a few more words. He was a tailor’s son, had risen under
Nicholas Hardinge from a subaltern clerk of the House of Commons, to
succeed him as first clerk, and by education and principle was thought
and had conversed as a staunch Republican.[461] In that employment he
had comported himself with singular decency and intelligence. In truth
his parts were excellent: he was quick, subtle, shrewd, clear, both in
conception and delivery, and was master of argumentative eloquence,
though void of every ornamental part of it. Being of an unhealthy
complexion, and very fretful temper, he had quitted his laborious post,
and was now come into Parliament, secretly sold to the Favourite; but
from his behaviour as their clerk, having conciliated much goodwill to
himself among the members, he was for some time heard with great favour
and satisfaction, an indulgence he lost afterwards, when his warmth
made them recollect he had once been their servant. He now appeared as
devoted to George Grenville, and indeed was excellently useful, from
his parts and great knowledge of Parliamentary business, to all who
employed him. But proving both slippery to his friends as fast as they
fell, and vexatious to his enemies, few men became equally unpopular.
Having deserted Grenville on a change of times, and happening to
convert his tied wig into a bag, Lord Gower being asked the reason,
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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