VEXATIOUS DELAYS.
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a reception from his Lordship different from that which, as a total stranger, I could hope to obtain.
"I have the honor to be, &c., &c.,
"Robert Gouger."
"Robert Gouger."
The Duke of Wellington to Mr. Robert Gouger.
"London, January 16th, 1835.
"The Duke of Wellington presents his compliments to Mr. Gouger, and has received his letter.
"The Duke is always anxious not to interfere in affairs in which he has no official right of interference.
"He recommends Mr. Gouger to call upon Lord Aberdeen, and will send to his Lordship his letter.
"January 23rd.—According to appointment, Colonel Torrens and I went to Lord Aderdeen to-day at 2 o'clock. We were received in the presence of the eternal Under-Secretary and Marplot-Hay. His Lordship put on a most austere manner, which seemed to augur anything but well. His appearance partakes of the quaint precision of a methodist parson, the cynical expression of Lord Brougham, and the pride of Lucifer. Colonel Torrens commenced by saying that in consequence of the change of ministry, Mr. Grote, Mr. Clay, and several others of those persons who had consented to be commissioners now withdrew, and that consequently the colony was no nearer foundation than immediately after the passage of the Bill. He concluded by asking leave of His Lordship to grant to him the same power which was allowed by Mr. Rice, viz., to lay before him a list of names of persons willing now to act as commissioners. To this Lord Aberdeen replied that he could not understand how those gentlemen who had agreed to act while the late ministry was in rule, could refuse to act now; he did not consider the measure a question of party politics, nevertheless he could not quarrel with those gentlemen's decision. He would readily allow us to name to him persons who
