he case stood
with respect to his claim to be admitted to the Privy Council.
There have been two instances which have occurred of his
predecessors being so appointed. Upon Sir John Anstruther's return
during Lord Grenville's administration, you must, I am sure,
remember that the greatest inconvenience had arisen from the
secession of Sir William Grant, and I believe Sir William Scott,
from the Privy Council, and that there were no lawyers to attend
the hearing of appeals. To supply this want, and with no reference
whatever to his having been Chief Justice of Calcutta, Anstruther
was sworn in. Sir H. Russell returned in 1813, and three years
afterwards was made a Privy Councillor for the same purpose. It
therefore seems to me, that whether it be or be not thought
desirable that East should hereafter receive the same mark of
favour, when legal members may be wanted at that Board, it is at
all events objectionable to give it at the present moment, which
would establish an absolute _right_ for all future Chief Justices
against whom there had been no particular charge, to claim it
immediately on their return. With this explanation he appeared
perfectly satisfied, and desired that it might be understood to be
his wish that it should not be pressed if there was any objection
to it.

I send you the Irish Constables' Bill, the alterations in which
have, I believe, satisfied almost all the Irishmen.

Newport went out of town yesterday. I do not myself believe in the
existence of any intrigue for keeping Canning in this country. If I
knew of any, I should be much disposed to join in it _openly_.
Why Westmoreland should not make room for Lord Melville, who might
continue to hold the sceptre of Scotland, and so leave the
Admiralty to Canning, I cannot conceive. I think as ill of the
latter as the K---- or you can, but it seems to me to be so much
his interest to do his best, and that the gulf between him and the
Reformers is so impassable, that it would be far better to admit
him, and to take the benefit of service in the House of Commons,
which no other man can render.

Having been bored till five this morning in the House, I can write
no more. Richard Wellesley, who is upon the Committee, tells me
that his accounts of Lord Wellesley are very good, and that he is
_quite well_.