The Creevey Papers
Thomas Creevey to Elizabeth Ord, 13 October 1820
“House of Lords, one o’clock, 13th October.
“. . . A question arose as to a point of evidence,
and whether a particular question might be put; upon which Carnarvon fired such a shot into the whole
concern, and called the bill such names as you never heard before. He made, in
short, a most capital speech, and the thing exactly wanted at this period
* Subsequent note
by Mr.
Creevey.—“Why all or any of these
threats were never put into execution remains for Mr. Brougham to explain.” |
![]()
![]()
| 1819-20.] | THE DUKE OF NORFOLK’S OPINION. | 325 |
![]()
of the case; but
alas! my lords Grey and Lansdowne and Holland were perfectly mute: they dared not criticise so
roughly the measures of a man whom they hope so soon to call their Master. . .
.”
“3 o’clock.
“Here’s a breeze of the first order! The last
witness having ended, Rastelli was
called back; when behold! it turned out he had been sent out
of the country, instead of staying to be indicted for perjury. . . .
Liverpool admits it was scandalous to
send him away, but that it was unknown to the Government. Holland and Lansdowne have made furious speeches upon the occasion, and
Eldon is now speaking. . . . I dine at
Holland House to-day. . . . We shall nave a breeze on Tuesday in the Commons.
The base devils who voted against me the last time are wanting me to make the
same motion on Tuesday, and they will support me. . . .”
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).
Thomas Creevey (1768-1838)
Whig politician aligned with Charles James Fox and Henry Brougham; he was MP for Thetford
(1802-06, 1807-18) Appleby (1820-26) and Downton (1831-32). He was convicted of libel in
1813.
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).
Giuseppe Rastelli (1820 fl.)
An Italian groom brought to London to testify against Queen Caroline; he was accused by
the defense of bribing witnesses.
John Scott, first earl of Eldon (1751-1838)
Lord chancellor (1801-27); he was legal counsel to the Prince of Wales and an active
opponent of the Reform Bill.
