n on a larger scale to embark in any such
proposal as this limited measure holds out.

If any other proof were wanted beyond what the general view of the
subject affords, to convince any reasonable man that this mode of
treating the most important of all our present public interests as
no Government question, is the worst instead of the best that could
be adopted, Lord Londonderry's[64] own situation in respect of this
subject at this moment would be decisive against it. He has, I am
persuaded, been restrained only by that pledge from taking the only
course which becomes him on the subject, and which, if he had
adopted it in consequence of the passing of the Bill in the House
of Commons, would have been decisive in its favour in its
subsequent stages. Having neglected to do this at that time, I
myself think that his doing it now would be a step of much more
doubtful result, and probably of much more dangerous consequences,
and therefore, if I were his adviser, which I am very glad I am
not, I do not see what I could suggest but now to leave the matter
as it is. Shall we see you on Monday? As to the direct reference
which Lord L----'s conversation seems to have had to yourself and
your own conduct, in respect to making yourself, personally and
officially, a party to this system of treating the greatest of all
questions in our domestic policy as no Cabinet measure, what I have
already said will sufficiently show you my opinion. It is a mode of
getting rid of a present difficulty, but at the risk and almost
certainty of the greatest possible embarrassments in future. And
this deserves the greater consideration, inasmuch as the events of
this session have again rendered this Roman Catholic question so
very prominent a feature of all that can be looked to for some time
to come.

[64] Lord Castlereagh's father having recently died, he had
succeeded to the title.

LORD GRENVILLE TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

Dropmore, Sunday Night.

I have just got your letter, and write these few lines to save the
post, though I have, in truth, in what I wrote to Charles this
morning, said all that occurs to me as material on the subject.

It is of great importance that you should not appear, either to
Plunket or to others, to stir a single step in the matter without
his previous