3800. Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 13 February 1822

 

Address: To/ G.C. Bedford Esqre/ Exchequer
Endorsement: 13. Febry. 1822.
MS: Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford, MS. Eng. lett. c. 26. ALS; 4p.
Unpublished.

Keswick 13 Feby 1822
My dear Grosvenor

Say for me how much obliged I am to General Hawker.

(1)

Major-General Samuel Hawker (1763–1838), who had served in the Peninsular War between 1808 and 1811 as commander of the 14th Light Dragoons and made a number of sketches in Spain.

Whenever I come to town it will be a great gratification to me to see his sketches, if he will favour me with a sight of them. At present it will be quite sufficient if he will point out for Westalls choice such views as are connected with any prominent events or circumstances of the war.

(2)

Westall wished to use Hawker’s sketches to assist with his A Series of Views of Spain and Portugal, to Illustrate Mr. Southey’s History of the Peninsular War; Drawn on Stone by W. Westall, A.R.A., from Sketches by General Hawker, Mr. Locker, Mr. Heaphy, &c. Part I, containing Eight Views, illustrating Vol. I (1823). The Views could be detached and inserted in the appropriate place in the first volume of Southey’s History of the Peninsular War (1823–1832).

The hints to which the note alludes would be highly useful to me: & I should be truly thankful to him for any circumstances which he can communicate concerning the movements of the army.

You would have heard from me sooner if I had not been deeply engaged in peninsular business. I am carrying on a brisk correspondence with Barth. Frere upon this subject, obtaining that sort of information which official papers do not communicate, from him, & thro him, from xx Sir S. Whittingham.

(3)

Lieutenant General Sir Samuel Ford Whittingham (1772–1841; DNB), British soldier who served with Spanish forces in the Peninsular War 1808–1813.

And I have also a box of papers from Sir Hew Dalrymple, which will it make it necessary for me to insert a few pages previous to concerning the affairs in Andalusia & the capture of Duponts army.

(4)

Pierre Dupont de l’Etang (1765–1840), French general. His defeat at the Battle of Bailén, 16–19 July 1808, was the first great success of Spanish forces in the Peninsular War. Southey dealt with the matter in his History of the Peninsular War, 3 vols (London, 1823–1832), I, pp. 382–386. On pp. 389–390, Southey inserted some material concerning Dalrymple’s role in the attempts of Spanish commanders to change the terms of surrender of the French army.

I should wish you now to let me have the clean sheets, which may come in three or four franks from his Right Honour.

Most heartily do I wish that his Rt Honour had it in his own power to do all that you deserve for Henry,

(5)

Henry Bedford had been a Clerk in the Admiralty since 1804. He was a Second Class Clerk 1816–1826, rising to First Class Clerk 1826–1844.

– I am sure there would be no delay in doing it. There is a heavy price paid for power, in the vexation of not being able to befriend those who deserve it, & the annoyance of perpetual solicitations from those whose impudence is their strongest claim. Our friend will provide for Welshmen by the dozen, by sending them to India, – some of whom peradventure (in profound secrecy be it said) had they left <here> to follow their natural national & natural instinct for forbidden mutton, might have been provided for at the public expense in a different but as distant a part of the world.

(6)

Southey suggests that Wynn, as President of the Board of Control, with ultimate control over the East India Company, would be able to provide posts for many Welshmen in India; but if these men remained at home and followed their ‘instinct’ for stealing sheep they would be transported to Australia.

Will <he> be able to obtain a stall for Elmsley?

(7)

Canons of English cathedrals are assigned a special stall for use during services. These appointments are made by the Crown (i.e. in practice by the Prime Minister) and some were at this time very lucrative. Elmsley did not become a Canon, but he was offered the Bishopric of Calcutta (he declined). In 1823 Elmsley became Camden Professor of Ancient History and Principal of St Alban Hall, Oxford.

I must explain to you about Landors volume

(8)

Landor’s Idyllia Heroica Decem Phaleuciorum Unum Partim jam Primo Partim Iterum atq Tertio Edit Savagius Landor (1820), no. 1598 in the sale catalogue of Southey’s library.

concerning which you have escaped all trouble. It was in a frankable shape, – & I had no other means of franking it than under cover to Gifford, – the trouble which it would have given you would have been only that of leaving it at Rickmans door. But you were at Oxford when it arrived & Gifford very kindly sent it to Streatham. I give you xx much trouble in your factotumship for me, & I should be very sorry if you were to think I ever did it when it could be avoided.

Gifford said something to me about a paper on the State of the Country.

(9)

Southey did not write on this subject for the Quarterly Review.

I could with hearty good will advise or defend bolder measures than this ministry have courage to think of: – & as you know, should not be deterred from the task by any apprehension of the ruffian-like attacks which it would draw on. But I do not think I could write to any purpose in the QR. where I should be restricted from the Cath: question.

(10)

The Quarterly Review was neutral on Catholic Emancipation; Southey was determinedly opposed.

Gifford & I (if I do not mistake his opinions) differing upon that momentous point. – & when other topics must be xx managed with a view rather to avoid offence, than to point out the right & only measures of honour & security.

I believe I shall dedicate my history to Lord Sidmouth,

(11)

Henry Addington, 1st Viscount Sidmouth (1757–1844; DNB), Prime Minister 1801–1804, Home Secretary 1812–1822. He had resigned the latter post on 17 January 1822. Southey dedicated his History of the Peninsular War (1823–1832) to George IV rather than to Sidmouth.

now that he is now no longer in office.

God bless you 
RS.

Notes

1. Major-General Samuel Hawker (1763–1838), who had served in the Peninsular War between 1808 and 1811 as commander of the 14th Light Dragoons and made a number of sketches in Spain.[back]
2. Westall wished to use Hawker’s sketches to assist with his A Series of Views of Spain and Portugal, to Illustrate Mr. Southey’s History of the Peninsular War; Drawn on Stone by W. Westall, A.R.A., from Sketches by General Hawker, Mr. Locker, Mr. Heaphy, &c. Part I, containing Eight Views, illustrating Vol. I (1823). The Views could be detached and inserted in the appropriate place in the first volume of Southey’s History of the Peninsular War (1823–1832).[back]
3. Lieutenant General Sir Samuel Ford Whittingham (1772–1841; DNB), British soldier who served with Spanish forces in the Peninsular War 1808–1813.[back]
4. Pierre Dupont de l’Etang (1765–1840), French general. His defeat at the Battle of Bailén, 16–19 July 1808, was the first great success of Spanish forces in the Peninsular War. Southey dealt with the matter in his History of the Peninsular War, 3 vols (London, 1823–1832), I, pp. 382–386. On pp. 389–390, Southey inserted some material concerning Dalrymple’s role in the attempts of Spanish commanders to change the terms of surrender of the French army.[back]
5. Henry Bedford had been a Clerk in the Admiralty since 1804. He was a Second Class Clerk 1816–1826, rising to First Class Clerk 1826–1844.[back]
6. Southey suggests that Wynn, as President of the Board of Control, with ultimate control over the East India Company, would be able to provide posts for many Welshmen in India; but if these men remained at home and followed their ‘instinct’ for stealing sheep they would be transported to Australia.[back]
7. Canons of English cathedrals are assigned a special stall for use during services. These appointments are made by the Crown (i.e. in practice by the Prime Minister) and some were at this time very lucrative. Elmsley did not become a Canon, but he was offered the Bishopric of Calcutta (he declined). In 1823 Elmsley became Camden Professor of Ancient History and Principal of St Alban Hall, Oxford.[back]
8. Landor’s Idyllia Heroica Decem Phaleuciorum Unum Partim jam Primo Partim Iterum atq Tertio Edit Savagius Landor (1820), no. 1598 in the sale catalogue of Southey’s library.[back]
9. Southey did not write on this subject for the Quarterly Review.[back]
10. The Quarterly Review was neutral on Catholic Emancipation; Southey was determinedly opposed.[back]
11. Henry Addington, 1st Viscount Sidmouth (1757–1844; DNB), Prime Minister 1801–1804, Home Secretary 1812–1822. He had resigned the latter post on 17 January 1822. Southey dedicated his History of the Peninsular War (1823–1832) to George IV rather than to Sidmouth.[back]
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