to subject her to any limitations that were not imposed on her royal predecessor; but the increased jealousy of the public as to all matters of this nature, requires that they should be very carefully considered.

I am, &c.

GREY.

No. 275.

Sir H. Taylor to Earl Grey.

(Private.) Brighton, Dec. 10, 1831. My dear Lord,-The King has ordered me to thank your Lordship for your communication on the subject of the settlement of the late Queen Charlotte relating to the houses which were settled upon Her Majesty, and by which she had the power of letting, or even selling, her interest in them, if, after the King's death, she had been disposed to leave the kingdom.

His Majesty was not aware of this clause in the grant (nor was I, although an executor and administrator under Her Majesty's will); but he is decidedly of opinion that it ought not, at any time, to have been introduced in a grant of Crown property, as a provision for the life of a surviving Queen; and His Majesty does not, hesitate in saying, that he cannot sanction in the grant to his Queen, a clause which appears to him so objectionable.

His Majesty has not named the subject to the Queen, nor does he consider it necessary to do so, although satisfied that she would take the same view of it that he does.

I hope that His Majesty's conversation with the Archbishop of Canterbury may produce a good effect; and he has authorised me to speak, in the same sense, to the Bishop of Worcester when he comes here at Christmas.

I have, &c.

No. 276.

H. TAYLOR.

Earl Grey to Sir H. Taylor.

Downing Street, Dec. 12, 1831.

My dear Sir, I have to acknowledge your letter of the 10th. I anticipated the opinion of His Majesty on the clause in Queen Charlotte's settlement, and have, in obedience to His Majesty's command, given directions to have the Queen's settlement so framed as to be free from this objection.

I had a meeting on Saturday with Lords Chandos, Harrowby, and Wharncliffe, at which the Chancellor and Lord Althorp were present, on the Reform Bill. The discussion was on the same points, and terminated in the same manner as that with Lord Wharncliffe. Agreeing to the most material points of the principle of the late measure, and the new Bill containing so many important alterations, I cannot help hoping, though I must say there was nothing in their language to encourage such a hope, that they may yet see the expediency of not opposing the measure on the second reading in the House of Lords.

No. 277.

Sir H. Taylor to Earl Grey.

(Private.) Brighton, Dec. 12, 1831. My dear Lord, I have the honour to enclose for your Lordship's information a letter, which I received about three o'clock this day, from Lord Chandos, and a copy of my answer sent by the bearer, who returned in less than an hour.

The King was out, but I have since submitted these documents to His Majesty, and he approved of my sending them to you.

Your Lordship will have learnt from my letter of yesterday, that I had been apprised by Lord Chandos of the meeting on Saturday on the Reform Bill, and of its result. I own that I had anticipated that result from what Lord Chandos had said to me; but I am certain your Lordship would have considered me as acting injudiciously if I had discouraged any disposition shown to accommodation. I shall be anxious to know what has been the impression made by the alterations you had determined upon in the Bill, and I should hope they would be sufficient to those at

least who want a plea. The Archbishop will come here on Thursday and stay until Saturday.

I have, &c.

H. TAYLOR.

No. 279.

Earl Grey to Sir H. Taylor.

Downing Street, Dec. 13, 1831.

My dear Sir, I have just received your letter of yesterday, with the accompanying correspondence between you and Lord Chandos, which I return.

My letter of yesterday will have conveyed to you the same account of the interview which took place here, and of its result as is given by Lord Chandos. The only difference which I have to mark with respect to the circumstances stated in his letter, is in the preliminary steps; there was no negotiation depending. I could not indeed, in my view of the matter, describe what had taken place between Lord Wharncliffe and me as a nejotiation; still less could I assent to our communications, of whatever description they might be, being understood to have proceeded upon the principle of compromise and mutual concession. I certainly could in no case have entered into any discussion upon the Reform Bill, except upon the ground expressly admitted by Lord Wharncliffe, of my obligation to maintain the principle and efficiency of the measure. being admitted I was, and still am, ready to listen in a conciliatory spirit to any proposal which might be made

This

to remove objections to the particular provisions by which the principle was to be carried into effect.

But when we came to the discussion, though the alterations we have made were such as I thought might have afforded facilities for agreeing to the second reading at least, so much was demanded as to some of the most important features of the measure, that it was impossible for the Government to accede to it without forfeiting all claim to public confidence, with the power of bringing this matter to a speedy and satisfactory settlement. If the concessions demanded of us were not concessions of principle, the refusal of them does not seem to justify an opposition to the second reading, on which the principle of the measure is the chief subject for consideration.

The Chancellor, though not present at the beginning of the interview, came afterwards, which I mention only as from your answer to Lord Chandos you seem to have understood that he was not present at all. I did not know, owing to a mistake, till after the discussion was over, that Lord Chandos wished Lord Palmerston to be a party to it. I should otherwise have been most happy, as you must know, to have had Lord Palmerston's assistance. Indeed I should have asked him to be present in the first instance, had it not been that I thought it material, for obvious reasons, that the Chancellor and Lord Althorp should be with me, and that I did not like to exceed the number of those who were to meet me. As I know the King will receive from Lord Althorp a full account of the debate last night in the House of Commons, I do not think it necessary to take up your time on a subject on which he is so much.