GRANT TO THE DUKE OF CLARENCE. (Hansard, 5 July 1821)

The Earl of Lauderdale

said, that it certainly was not his intention to oppose the principle of this grant, or that on which the arrears were given from the period of the original vote. On the contrary, he approved of both parts of the measure. He thought the Commons had done credit to themselves in reverting in this bill to the general principle which ought to guide all grants of the kind, and giving the annuity from the time of his royal highness's marriage. He could not, however, refrain from calling their lordship' attention to the situation of the duke of Cumberland, who had, in his opinion, been treated very unfairly. It was not easy to conceive on what ground his royal highness was not placed on the same footing with the rest of the king's sons. If there 1505 were personal considerations, they would not afford a sufficient ground, for it was not for parliament to enter into them. If such considerations were to form a ground, their decisions might be subject to the influence of favour and cabal. Indeed, after the judgment passed on an investigation which took place at the bar of that House last year, it could not be supposed that their lordships had agreed to a grant of 50,000l. a year on any other principle than on that to which he had already referred, namely, that the sum was considered what was fitting for the support of the rank and dignity of the person to whom it was given. The duke of Clarence had distinguished himself in the public service. In the proceedings in that House he had often differed with his royal highness in opinion; but the propriety of his conduct was well known to their lordships. His character was above any attempt to asperse it; and he was sure that nothing would give that illustrious person greater pleasure than to see any mean slanders which might have been circulated respecting him put in a tangible shape.