The Creevey Papers
Henry Brougham to Thomas Creevey, [May? 1812]
“Saturday, 6 o’clock [May? 1812].
“The intriguing is going on briskly. Wellesley has seen P.,* and then Wy. saw Grey. Grey says all is afloat
and nothing settled, but that all will be settled before Monday. This shows a
nibble at least, and I lament it much. To be in the
same boat with W. and Canning is pretty severe. I see no chance of their making such
a thing as one can support; indeed I feel in opposition
to them already, should they agree about it. . . . Holland and Wellesley are at the bottom of
it all, and have been together to-day, and at York House. The Spanish madness
and love of office of Lady H[olland] is
enough to do all the mischief we dread. Anything without the country is real
madness or drivling.
“In the Comee. on Orders in C[ouncil] we sat this
morning till four, and I have been all day at a
Sheriff’s Jury on damages, so am knocked up and can add no more.
Henry Peter Brougham, first baron Brougham and Vaux (1778-1868)
Educated at Edinburgh University, he was a founder of the
Edinburgh
Review in which he chastised Byron's
Hours of Idleness; he
defended Queen Caroline in her trial for adultery (1820), established the London University
(1828), and was appointed lord chancellor (1830).
George Canning (1770-1827)
Tory statesman; he was foreign minister (1807-1809) and prime minister (1827); a
supporter of Greek independence and Catholic emancipation.
Elizabeth Fox, Lady Holland [née Vassall] (1771 c.-1845)
In 1797 married Henry Richard Fox, Lord Holland, following her divorce from Sir Godfrey
Webster; as mistress of Holland House she became a pillar of Whig society.
Henry Richard Fox, third baron Holland (1773-1840)
Whig politician and literary patron; Holland House was for many years the meeting place
for reform-minded politicians and writers. He also published translations from the Spanish
and Italian;
Memoirs of the Whig Party was published in 1852.
Charles Grey, second earl Grey (1764-1845)
Whig statesman and lover of the Duchess of Devonshire; the second son of the first earl
(d. 1807), he was prime minister (1831-34).
Richard Wellesley, first marquess Wellesley (1760-1842)
The son of Garret Wesley (1735-1781) and elder brother of the Duke of Wellington; he was
Whig MP, Governor-general of Bengal (1797-1805), Foreign Secretary (1809-12), and
Lord-lieutenant of Ireland (1821-28); he was created Marquess Wellesley in 1799.
