The Life of Robert, Lord Clive, Vol. 3 (of 3): Collected from the Family Papers Communicated by the Earl of PowisMalcolm, John
History
The Life of Robert, Lord Clive, Vol. 3 (of 3): Collected from the Family Papers Communicated by the Earl of Powis
Malcolm, John
Clive, Robert Clive, Baron, 1725-1774; India -- History -- British occupation, 1765-1947
It has been already mentioned, that Lord Clive shared in that excessive
admiration of Mr. Pitt, which, during his first administration, and for
some years after, may be said to have been felt by the whole people of
England. Lord Clive, in his own politics, had, as we have seen, most
attached himself to the Right Hon. George Grenville, a man of great
knowledge of business, and of much talent and worth, the leader of one
great portion of the Whig interest; but who, at this period, was on
indifferent terms with his illustrious though overbearing friend. On
the great question of the right to territorial acquisitions, Mr. Pitt
was disposed to consider them as under the control of the state; but
he was not insensible to the difficulties, legal and political, which
the question involved, from the nature of the territories themselves,
situated in the dominions of an ancient and independent empire; from
the influence which such acquisitions, especially from the patronage
they afforded, must have on the British constitution, and the minor
difficulties of detail attending any change of local management. We
have seen that Lord Clive was strongly persuaded of the paramount
rights of the state, and had communicated his opinion to Mr. Pitt. Mr.
Walsh, who took an active share in the management of his affairs in
England, was anxious to have the approbation, or, at least, the opinion
of the great commoner on recent events in India. He, in consequence,
had occasional interviews with him, the circumstances of which he
communicated in his letters to his friend; and though Mr. Pitt, who
always entertained the highest opinion of Lord Clive's merits, appears
to have cautiously avoided committing himself by any decided opinion,
yet, as the letters relate to persons on every account so remarkable,
no apology seems necessary for introducing them.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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