CONTENTS

OF

THE SIXTH VOLUME.

CHAPTER CLXII.

LIFE OF LORD LOUGHBOROUGH FROM HIS BIRTH TILL HIS CALL TO THE SCOTCH

BAR.

Conflicting Feelings of the Author in entering upon the Composition of this

Memoir, 1. Loughborough's Birth, 3. His Ancestors, 4. When a Boy nearly

killed by a turkey-cock, 4. His early Education by his Mother, 5. He is sent

to School at Dalkeith, 5. At the University of Edinburgh, 6. His early Pro-

ficiency, 7. His Intimacy with Robertson, Adam Smith, and David Hume, 7.

Destined to the Bar, 7. His Study of the Law, 8. While still a Student of

Law at Edinburgh, he contemplates going to the English Bar, 8.
He is car-

ried to Marchmont to be shown to Hume Campbell, and pronounced a Dunce,

9. His Revenge, 10. His first Visit to London, 11. Letter of Introduction

from David Hume to Dr. Clephane, 11. His Proceedings in London, 12. His

Letter to his Father proposing that he should abandon the Scotch for the

English Bar, 13. His Father's conditional Consent, 13. He is entered of the

Inner Temple, 13. He returns to Scotland, and enters on his Trials to pass Ad-

His Latin Thesis, 15. His Disputation, 16. Dedication to Lord

vocate, 14.

Aberdour, 16.

CHAPTER CLXIII.

CONTINUATION OF THE LIFE OF LORD LOUGHBOROUGH TILL HE FINALLY LEFT

SCOTLAND.

He continues Three Years at the Scotch Bar, 17.

His first Brief, 17. His Elo-

quence in the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, 18. He is ordained

an Elder, and returned for the Burgh of Inverkeithing, 18. Proceedings against

David Hume and Lord Kames, 18. Act of the General Assembly against Infi-

delity, 19. Their Alarm, 20. They are protected by Wedderburn, 20. Over-

ture against Hume, 21. Wedderburn's Speech in the General Assembly for

David Hume, 21. Reply to Wedderburn, 25. Speech of Dr. Robertson, 26.

Prosecution of Hume dropped, 26. Appearance of the Tragedy of Douglas, 26.

Scandal excited in the Church, 27. Measures against the Author and other

Clergymen in the General Assembly, 27. Proposed Act against Stage Repre-

sentations, 27. Wedderburn's Speech on this Occasion, 27. Act passed by the

General Assembly, 29. Wedderburn a Member of the POKER CLUB, 29. Form-

ation of the "Select Society," 30. Wedderburn the first Præses, 30. Rules of

the Society, 31. Questions Debated, 32. Foolish Plan for changing the spoken

Language of the Country, 35. Sheridan's Lectures on Elocution, 36. The

Members of the Select Society begin to speak English, 37. Failure of the At-

tempt, 37. Establishment of the original Edinburgh Review, 38. Wedderburn

Editor, 39. First Number, 39. The Preface written by Wedderburn, 39.

Article by Wedderburn on Barclay's Greek Grammar, 43. Offence taken at

some Articles on Religion, 43. Review discontinued, 44. Wedderburn's Long-

ings after the English Bar, 44. Death of his Father, 45. Wedderburn notifies

the Resignation of David Hume as Librarian to the Faculty of Advocates, 45.

His doubtful Success at the Scotch Bar, 46. His Quarrel with Lockhart, the

Dean of Faculty, 46. Scene in the Parliament House, 47. He sets off for

London, 48. He is superseded as Curator of the Advocates' Library, 48. Q.

Whether his throwing off his Gown was premeditated with a View to his Re-

moval to England? 49.

CHAPTER CLXIV.

CONTINUATION OF THE LIFE OF LORD LOUGHBOROUGH TILL HE BECAME A PATRIOT.

He

His Habits,

He canvasses for Business, 56.

Wedderburn's moderate success

Wedderburn's Journey to London, 50. His arrival there, 51. He takes Chambers

in the Temple, 51. Becomes a Pupil of Sheridan, 51. And of Macklin, 52.

Q. How far his acquired English Accent contributed to his Fortune? 53.

is called to the English Bar, 53. His Plans and Prospects, 54.

54. He establishes a Club at the British, 55.

Professional Etiquette at the English Bar, 56.

till he plunged into Politics, 56. Letter from Dr. Robertson mentioning Wed-

derburn's Progress at the English Bar, 57. Unpromising state of Affairs for

parliamentary Adventurers at the latter end of the Reign of George II., 57. Ac-

cession of George III., 58. Wedderburn supports Lord Bute, 58. He is re-

turned to Parliament, 59. No Account extant of his early Speeches, 59. Abuse

of the Scotch, 59. Character of Wedderburn in the Rosciad, 60. Wedderburn

obtains a Silk Gown, 60. His forray on the Northern Circuit, 61.
He fails as

a Nisi Prius Leader, 63. His success in the Court of Chancery, 63. Letter to

him from David Hume, 63. Wedderburn becomes a Patriot, 64.
In oppo-

sition his Reputation as a Debater rises, 65. Wedderburn counsel for the Re-

spondent in the Douglas Cause, 66. His Letter to Andrew Stuart, 66.

CHAPTER CLXV.

CONTINUATION OF THE LIFE OF LORD LOUGHBOROUGH TILL HE WAS MADE SOLICITOR

GENERAL

He loses his Seat in the House of Commons for Richmond by supporting Wilkes,

68. He takes the Chiltern Hundreds, 69. Dinner given to him by the Op-

position, 69. Toasts and Speeches, 69. He agitates at public Meetings, 70. He

is returned by Lord Clive for Bishops Castle, 70. Wedderburn pitted against

Lord North, 71. Wedderburn's Speech on the motion for a Copy of the London

Petition, 72. His panegyric on the Liberty of the Press, 73. He takes part

with the Americans, 75. His lucky Quotation in answering the Attorney Ge-

neral De Grey, 76. His defence of the Grenville Act, 77. His Speech in sup-

port of Mr. Burke's Resolutions for conciliating America, 77. He is answered

by Lord North, 78. Approximation between them, 78. Wedderburn censures

the power of the Attorney General to file criminal Informations for Libel, 79.

His Argument in support of the Rights of Juries in cases of Libel, 79. He

again eulogizes the Liberty of the Press, 82. Wedderburn at St. Helen's, 82.

His strong desire to go over, 83. Lord Chatham tries to keep him true to Op-

position, 84. Lord Chatham solicits an interview with him, 86.

rats, and is made Solicitor General, 86.

Wedderburn

CHAPTER CLXVI.

CONTINUATION OF THE LIFE OF LORD LOUGHBOROUGH TILL THE COMMENCEMENT OF

HOSTILITIES WITH AMERICA.

Wedderburn's Embarrassment in crossing the Floor of the House of Commons,

88. He is attacked as a Renegade by Colonel Barré, 89. His dex-

terous Defence of his Tergiversation, 90.
Praise of him and Thurlow as

Law Officers of the Crown, by Matthias, 91. By Horne Tooke, 91. By Gib-

bon, 91. By Adolphus, 91. By Townsend, 92. Defective Report of Wedder-

burn's official Speeches, 93. His Account of the Short-hand Writers of his Day,

93. Privilege Question respecting the Publication of Debates, 93. Wedder-

burn's Speech in the Case of the Printer's Devil, 94. His Patronage of Litera-

ture, 95. Two quiet Years, 96. Wedderburn's Speech against requiring Sub-

scription to the Thirty-nine Articles by Laymen, 97. Copyright Question, 98.

Grenville Act made perpetual, 98. Wedderburn's Conduct on the Complaint in

the House of Commons against Henry Sampson Woodfall, 99. His Speech in

Defence of Lord Clive, 100. He attempts to induce Voltaire to celebrate the

Actions of Lord Clive, 102. Wedderburn's Marriage, 103. His Habits in

private Life, 103. Wedderburn and Benjamin Franklin, 104. Origin of the

Dispute, 105. It is referred to a Committee of the Privy Council, 105. The

Hearing, 105. Description of Franklin's Demeanour on this Occasion, 105.

Wedderburn's Philippic against Franklin, 106. Effect upon the Hearers, 109.

Scandalous Behaviour of the Privy Councillors, 109. The Judgment against

Franklin, 110. Franklin signs the Treaty of Peace in the Dress which he then

wore, 110.
Censure on this Proceeding, 111. Bill of Discovery filed against

Franklin, 112. Breaking out of the Disturbances in America, 112. American

Coercion Bills, 113. Wedderburn's Defence of them, 113. Appeal of Murder,

113.

CHAPTER CLXVII.

CONTINUATION OF THE LIFE OF LORD LOUGHBOROUGH TILL HE WAS MADE CHIEF

JUSTICE OF THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS.

His Speech on

Wedderburn's war-

Wedderburn's Speech on Burke's conciliatory Resolutions, 116.

Lord John Cavendish's Motion respecting America, 117.

like Speech after the Surrender of the Army at Sarratoga, 118. Quarrel with

Burke, 119. Wedderburn's Practice at the Bar while he was Solicitor General,

122. Wedderburn is Attorney General, 124. Prosecution for deposing Lord

Pigot, 124. Letter from Wedderburn to Burke respecting the Penal Laws

against Roman Catholics, 125. His Speeches urging the Prosecution of the

American War, 126. His vigorous Measure for manning the Navy, 127. Wed-

derburn's last great Speech in the House of Commons in Defence of the Minis-

try, 130.
Alarms from decreasing Majority, 131. Wedderburn longs for the

Bench, 131. Sir G. Savile's Motion on the Pension List, 132. Wedderburn's

barefaced Defence of its Abuses, 132. Sir Fletcher Norton's Complaint that he

was not to be made Chief Justice, 133. Wedderburn's Invective against Sir

Fletcher Norton, 134. Lord George Gordon's Riots, 137. Wedderburn's Opinion

as to the Legality of suppressing Riots by the Military, 138. Tranquillity re-

stored, 138. Resignation of Chief Justice de Grey, 138. Wedderburn Chief

Justice of the Common Pleas, and a Peer, 139.

CHAPTER CLXVIII.

CONTINUATION OF THE LIFE OF LORD LOUGHBOROUGH TILL HE WAS APPOINTED FIRST

COMMISSIONER OF THE GREAT SEAL UNDER THE COALITION MINISTRY.

141.

Opinion of the Public on the new Appointment, 140. Letter of Congratulation

and Advice to Lord Loughborough from Burke, 140. He presides at the Special

Commission for the Trial of the Rioters, 141. His Charge to the Grand Jury,

Censure upon him for his Intemperance on this Occasion by Burke, 144.

By Lord Brougham, 144. Letter from Mr. Burke to Lord Loughborough, begging

for Mercy to the Rioters who had been convicted, 145. Lucky Escape of Lord

George Gordon, 146. Lord Loughborough as a Common Law Judge, 146.

His Desire that the Public should think there was Business in his Court, 147.

His Decisions, 148. Q. Whether the Poor have a Legal Right to glean in

Harvest? 148. His Judgment reversed respecting the Right of an unpaid Ven-

dor to stop Goods in transitu, 149. His Refusal to try a Cause respecting the

Mode of playing the Game of Hazard, 150. Letter giving an Account of his

Occupations on the Circuit, 152. His Administration of Criminal Law, 153.

Lord Loughborough as a Justice of Peace, and Chairman of Quarter Sessions,

155. Inactivity of Lord Loughborough in the House of Lords during the Re-

mainder of Lord North's Administration, 156. Letters from Lord Loughborough

to Mr. Eden on the State of Parties, 157. Lord Loughborough's second Mar-

riage, 161. Lord Rockingham's Administration, 163. Letter from Mr. Burke

on the Death of Lord Rockingham, 163. Lord Shelburne's Administration, 165.

Formation of the "Coalition," 167. Lord Loughborough's Speech against the

Peace, 167. Lord Loughborough, disappointed of the Office of Chancellor,

made First Commissioner of the Great Seal, 169.

CHAPTER CLXIX.

CONTINUATION OF THE LIFE OF LORD LOUGHBOROUGH TILL THE KING'S ILLNESS IN

1788.

Loughborough opposed to Thurlow on the Bill for declaring the Independence of

Ireland, 171. Motion against Lord Loughborough in the House of Lords,

172. His Defence of himself, 173. Reception of Mr. Fox's India Bill in the

House of Lords, 175. Lord Loughborough removed from being Commissioner

of the Great Seal, 176. Resolution moved in the House of Lords against the

factious Proceedings of the Commons, 177. Lord Loughborough's Speech

against it, 178. Delusive Hopes of the Coalitionists, 180. Lord Loughborough

a Foxite, 181. His Opposition to free Trade with Ireland, 181. Bad Pro-

spect for Loughborough, 182. He is in favour with the Prince of Wales,

183. He opposes the commercial Treaty with France, 183. Session, 1787.

Q. Effect of making a Scotch Representative Peer a Peer of the United King-

dom, 183. Notions entertained respecting the Office of Irish Chancellor, and

the Learning of the Irish Bar, 184. Impeachment of Mr. Hastings, 185. The

King's Illness, 186.

CHAPTER CLXX.

CONTINUATION OF THE LIFE OF LORD LOUGHBOROUGH DURING THE DISCUSSIONS

RESPECTING THE REGENCY.

Measures proposed by Lord Loughborough for restoring the Exercise of the
executive Authority, 187. He is called in to advise the Prince of Wales,

199.

188. Intrigues of Mr. J. W. Payne, the Prince's Secretary, 188. Letters from

Mr. Payne to Lord Loughborough respecting the King's Illness, 189. Letter

from Mr. Sheridan to Lord Loughborough, 192. Lord Loughborough's Plan

for the Prince to seize the Government, 193. Pencil Memorandum, containing

Lord Loughborough's Explanation of the coup d'état which he recommended,

195. Proposal to constitute the Prince of Wales Regent by a sham Commission

under the Great Seal, 196. Declaration to be read by the Prince of Wales in

Council on assuming the Government, 197. Mr. Fox returns from Italy and

opens a Correspondence with Lord Loughborough, 197. Understanding between

Mr. Fox and Lord Loughborough, 198. Mr. Fox informed of the Intrigue

between Lord Thurlow and the Prince's Party, 199. Mr. Fox's Letter to Lord

Loughborough, stating that the Great Seal had been promised to Lord Thurlow,

Lord Loughborough's Answer to Mr. Fox, 201. He defends the Opinion

of the Whigs as to the Right of the Heir Apparent, 201. Lord Loughborough's

Denial of the Imputation that he had advised the Prince of Wales to seize the

Regency manu brevi, 204. Notes from Mr. Fox to Lord Loughborough, 204.

Thurlow breaks with the Prince's Party, 205. Letter to Lord Loughborough

from Mr. Fox, promising him the Great Seal, 206. Lord Loughborough objects

to the Restriction on the Regent about making Peers, 207. And the clause

against alienating the King's private Property, 207. And the transfer of the

Patronage of the Household to the Queen, 207. Letter from the Prince of

Wales to Lord Loughborough, 210. Lord Loughborough again seems to be in

possession of the Great Seal, 211. And is again disappointed, 211. King's

Recovery and unbounded Popularity and Power, 211. Lord Loughborough's

continuing Intimacy with the Prince of Wales, 211. Letter from the Prince of

Wales to the King, written by Lord Loughborough, 212. Creditable letter from

the Prince of Wales to Lord Loughborough, excusing his Absence from a Party

of Pleasure, on Account of his attending the sick Bed of his Brother, 213.

CHAPTER CLXXI.

CONTINUATION OF THE LIFE OF LORD LOUGHBOROUGH TILL HE WAS MADE LORD

CHANCELLOR.

Lord Loughborough continues a Whig, 215. Lord Loughborough's Fortunes at a

very low ebb, 215. Lord Commissioner Adam to Lord Loughborough respecting

Nomination Seats in the House of Commons, 216. He successfully attacks Mr.

Pitt on the Russian Armament, 216. Lord Loughborough's Opinion of the

French Revolution, 217. He beats Thurlow on the Question, whether Hastings's

Impeachment had abated by the Dissolution of Parliament, 217. Lord Lough-

borough a strong Liberal, 218. He supports Catholic Emancipation, 218.

Fox's Libel Bill, 218. The Great Seal in Commission. Lord Loughborough

leads the alarmist Whigs to join Pitt, 219. Negotiation for transferring the

Great Seal to Lord Loughborough, 220. Lord Malmesbury's Diary, giving an

Account of Lord Loughborough's Intrigue, 221. Difficulties in the Way of the

Negotiation, 223. Lord Loughborough's Speech in favour of the Alien Bill,

223.

And

Difficulties from the Duke of Portland's Reluctance to leave Mr. Fox, 225.

Progress of the Negotiation between Lord Loughborough and Mr. Pitt, 226.

Lord Loughborough's Letter to Lord Malmesbury, 227. Negotiation completed,

and Lord Loughborough is Chancellor at last, 229. Lord Loughborough's Sen-

sations on receiving the Great Seal, 229.