The Creevey Papers
Thomas Creevey to Elizabeth Ord, 12 February 1822
“12th Feb.
“. . . I dined with my lord and my lady and the young
ladies at ¼ before 4, and we all agreed it was much the best hour to dine at.
We were in the house by 10 minutes after 5, just as Brougham got up, and of course I heard every word of his
speech, and of Castlereagh’s answer
to him.† It is the fashion to praise
Brougham’s speech more than it deserves—at
least in my opinion. It was free from faults, I admit, or very nearly so; and
that I think was its principal merit. Castlereagh’s
was an impudent, empty answer, clearly showing the monstrous embarrassments the
Ministers are under, as to managing both their pecuniary resources and their
House of Commons. The division was a very great one—under all the
circumstances a most extraordinary one. The effect of the motion, if carried,
was to take off 6 or 7 millions of taxes at once. . . . Against this sweeping
motion the
![]()
![]()
| 34 | THE CREEVEY PAPERS | [Ch. II. |
![]()
Government could only produce 212 votes, and for it were
found such men as Davenport M.P. for
Cheshire, Walter Burrell and Curtis members for Sussex, John Fane for Oxfordshire, Lawley for Warwickshire, Sir John Boughey for Staffordshire, and a good
many Tory members for boroughs. Tierney
thought the motion too strong, and would not and did not
vote, and we had 21 of our men shut out—Lambton with a dinner at his own house, Bennett, Cavendishes and others. Tom
Dundas, Chaloner and
Ramsden, who had all come up from
Yorkshire on purpose, were in the same scrape; Lord John Russell and others the same.”
Henry Grey Bennet (1777-1836)
The son of Charles Bennet, fourth earl of Tankerville; educated at Eton and Peterhouse,
Cambridge, he was a Whig MP for MP for Shrewsbury (1806-07, 1811-26) and a legal
reformer.
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).
Walter Burrell (1777-1831)
The son of Sir William Burrell, baronet, and cousin of Lord Willoughby de Eresby;
educated at Westminister School, he was a country gentleman and Tory MP for Sussex
(1812-31).
George Cavendish, first earl of Burlington (1754-1834)
The son of William Cavendish, fourth Duke of Devonshire; he was a Whig MP for
Knaresborough (1775-80), Derby borough (1780-97), and Derbyshire (1797-1831); he was raised
to the peerage in 1831.
Robert Chaloner (1776-1842)
Educated at Harrow, he was MP for Richmond (1810-18) and York City (1820-26).
Edward Jeremiah Curteis (1762-1835)
Of Windmill Hill, the son of Jeremiah Curteis; educated at Westminister School and Christ
Church and Oriel College, Oxford, he was a lawyer and Tory MP for Sussex (1820-30). He
contributed to the
Gentleman's Magazine.
Davies Davenport (1757-1837)
Of Capesthorne Hall, Cheshire, the son of Davies Davenport of Woodford (d. 1757);
educated at Brasenose College, Oxford, and the Inner Temple, he was MP for Cheshire
(1806-30).
Thomas Dundas, second earl of Zetland (1795-1873)
The son of Lawrence Dundas, second baron (d. 1839); educated at Harrow and Trinity
College, Cambridge, he was Lord Lieutenant of the North Riding of Yorkshire and MP for
Richmond (1818-30, 1835-39) and York City (1830-32, 1833-34).
John Fane (1751-1824)
The nephew of the eighth earl of Westmorland; he was a country gentleman and MP for
Oxfordshire (1796-1824).
Sir Francis Lawley, seventh baronet (1782-1851)
Of Middleton Hall, Warwickshire, the second son of Robert Lawley, fifth baronet; educated
at Rugby School and All Souls, Oxford, he was an Old Whig, country gentleman, and friend of
Robert Peel, MP for Warwickshire (1820-32).
John Charles Ramsden (1788-1836)
The son of Sir John Ramsden, baronet; educated at Harrow, he was a Whig MP for Malton
(1812-31, 1833-36), and Yorkshire (1831-32).
John Russell, first earl Russell (1792-1878)
English statesman, son of John Russell sixth duke of Bedford (1766-1839); he was author
of
Essay on the English Constitution (1821) and
Memoirs of the Affairs of Europe (1824) and was Prime Minister (1865-66).
George Tierney (1761-1830)
Whig MP and opposition leader whose political pragmatism made him suspect in the eyes of
his party; he fought a bloodless duel with Pitt in 1798. He is the “Friend of Humanity” in
Canning and Frere's “The Needy Knife-Grinder.”
