nge fraud, his Chilian service, or any
other portion of his life that had been or could be complained of. His
Majesty promised to see that the case was fairly looked into, and Lord
Dundonald was not long in observing the good effects of his bold step.

"Lady Dundonald has seen Lord Grey, and he has expressed his readiness
to do all he can," he wrote from London on the 17th of December. "But I
understand there is something in the way. Burdett assures me that he
will bring the whole affair before Parliament if they do not do me
justice."

Sir Francis Burdett, who, never flagging in his friendship, had rendered
valuable assistance during these weary months, continued in the same
course to the end; but it was not necessary for him to appeal to
Parliament in this case. Yet its settlement was further delayed. "I am
unwilling to trespass on your lordship's most valuable time," wrote Lord
Dundonald to Earl Grey, on the 28th of January, 1832; "but as it is now
two months since I had the honour of an audience of the King, and of
presenting to his Majesty my humble memorial setting forth my claims to
be heard in my defence in refutation of the accusations existing against
me in the Admiralty, and praying that I might be furnished with copies
of the accusatory documents, I can no longer refrain from entreating
your lordship to relieve my mind from its present state of most painful
suspense by making me acquainted with the decision of the Government.
From my knowledge of your lordship's considerate feelings towards me,
and of your desire, should it be found practicable and just, to restore
me to my place in his Majesty's service, and from that consciousness of
my own integrity which has maintained me during so many years of
adversity, I cannot but be sanguine, notwithstanding the delay, of an
ultimately favourable result. But the period of suspense is not only one
of great mental anxiety, but in other respects most injurious. It places
me in a position worse than that which I was in under the former
Administration, which at once decided to dismiss my complaint without
consideration, and spared me that uncertainty which 'makes the heart
sick.' While those ministers were in power my character sustained no
injury from their refusal to do me justice. But under the Administration
of your lordship, the public opinion must be that my case has received
every consideration, and that the ascertained justice of the verdict
against me is the b