PRINCE REGENT'S MESSAGE RESPECTING AN ADDITIONAL GRANT TO THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON. (Hansard, 23 June 1815)

The Earl of Liverpool

rose and observed, that he thought it unnecessary long to occupy the attention of the House upon the subject of the motion which he was about to submit, especially after the eloquent speeches of his noble friend, and of the noble marquis on the other side, with regard to the merits of the great Commander, and the illustrious army, to whom the country owed such a splendid triumph. He doubted whether it was in the power of words to add to the eulogy which the House had heard, but he felt that it was not in his power to offer any thing which 978 would not serve rather to weaken the effect of that eulogy. He was, however, called upon to propose a measure calculated farther to commemorate the glory of the duke of Wellington, by erecting to himself and to his family a living monument of national gratitude. Their lordships would consider the nature of our constitution, and what was one of the principal objects of that branch of the constitution which they composed. That object evidently was to transmit to posterity an hereditary distinction of the talents and virtue of the country; and he would ask whether a case had ever occurred in which any individual was more eminently entitled to have his merits so recorded—[Hear, hear!] A stronger claim to national gratitude could not, indeed, be adduced. It was, in fact, due in justice, not only to this illustrious individual himself, but to the nation, to confer upon him the highest honour. For it was obviously the best policy of the nation to show that it was never wanting in gratitude to those who bravely fought for its defence and security—who contributed to exalt and establish the national glory. For all history had shown, that when a nation had lost its martial spirit, whatever other virtues it retained, it soon became a prey to some jealous enemy. As to the expediency of the vote which he meant to propose, he had to state a few facts. He had the honour of being one of the trustees appointed to superintend the application of the sum which the liberality of Parliament had granted as a provision for the family of lord Wellington. Last year 500,000l. was granted, and it was stipulated that out of that sum 100,000l. should be applied for the construction of a suitable mansion. But the trustees, after the most indefatigable inquiry, found that this stipulation could not be consistently executed—that indeed it would be impossible to construct or procure an appropriate mansion for the money allotted to that purpose—that, as a monument of national taste, and of the honour due to the family of this great hero, it would be impracticable to accomplish the object. Nay, he could go farther. It was found, that if an obligation were imposed upon the trustees to purchase or erect a suitable mansion, a proper estate could not be obtained without sinking such a sum as would not leave sufficient revenue for the support of the dignity of the duke of Wellington and his family. Then, after such 979 an action as that of the 18th of June—after a victory which combined all the virtues that belonged to his former achievements—which presented a display of all the great qualities of a general, whether for defensive or offensive warfare—whether for resistance or attack—whether for gallantry, perseverance, or skill—he would ask, whether, after a victory unparalleled in history, Parliament could be conceived to do its duty, if it merely confined itself to a vote of thanks, and declined to present any further evidence of public gratitude to the valiant leader of such a signal victory, if it refused to make an adequate provision for this celebrated conqueror and his family—[Hear, hear!]—if it left that family, after all his eminent services, in a state of incapacity to maintain its proper splendour. If any thing more than the duke of Wellington's public services were necessary, to interest their lordships or to induce the House to acquiesce in the motion he meant to submit, he had to urge the merit of that distinguished individual's personal character. He had for many years been both personally and politically connected with the duke of Wellington. He had, therefore, had ample opportunity of witnessing his grace's disposition, and he could bear unqualified testimony to his extreme disinterestedness. He had known him intimately in his official communications, and he had found that this gallant warrior, while commanding on the Peninsula, and even when poor, never received, for some years, his due official allowance. Yet he never applied for it. Although he made many applications for the benefit of others, he never made any for himself—[Hear, hear!] After farther enforcing the justice and policy of the measure, with a view to gratify the feelings of Parliament and the public, the noble lord concluded with moving a Resolution, in pursuance of the Prince Regent's Message, that the House would concur in granting such additional provision to field-marshal the duke of Wellington, as might be necessary to afford a farther proof of the opinion entertained by Parliament of his transcendent services, and of the gratitude of the British nation.