DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6915#0022
10
FINE ARTS OF THE ENGLISH SCHOOL.
obtained, through the friendship of Lord Shelburne, a seat, as representative
of the borough of Calne, in Wiltshire.
At first, Mr. Dunning was attached to the administration ; but his approba-
tion of their measures does not seem to have been cordial, nor without consi-
derable exceptions ; and he was not engaged on behalf of government in the
celebrated proceedings in the case of Wilkes, which were more particularly
agitated while he was Solicitor-General. The ministry with which he was con-
nected was indeed composed of materials too heterogeneous to continue long
combined ; and, in 1770, when the expulsion of Lord Camden from the dignity
of Chancellor, and the subsequent death of Mr. Yorke, his appointed successor,
were followed by the resignations of the Marquis of Granby, and other dis-
tinguished personages, Mr. Dunning also gave in his resignation, although he
consented to hold his office until the appointment of a successor; the interval
was two months, and the successor was Thurlow.
The city of London, highly approving his conduct on this occasion, sent
him the freedom of their corporation in a gold box, value one hundred guineas,
for having, as they expressed it, " when Solicitor-General to his Majesty,
defended in parliament, on the soundest principles of law and the constitution,
the right of the subject to petition and remonstrate." To this compliment
Mr. Dunning returned a polite and dignified answer. He acknowledged, in
proper terms, his sense of the honour done him by the city, and said, " Con-
vinced as I am, that our happy constitution has given us the most perfect
system of government the world has ever seen, and that it is therefore our
common interest and duty to oppose every practice, and combat every prin-
ciple, that tends to impair it, any other conduct than that which the city of
London has been pleased to distinguish by its approbation, must, in my own
judgment, have rendered me eqjally unworthy of the office I had then the
honour to hold, through his Majesty's favour, and of the trust reposed in me, as
one of the representatives of the People."
Consistently with the sentiments expressed in this letter, Mr. Dunning had
supported, in 1770, Mr. Grenville's Bill for regulating the proceedings of the
House of Commons, on controverted elections, although it was opposed by Lord
North, Mr. Fox, and many other members of great influence and authority. In
FINE ARTS OF THE ENGLISH SCHOOL.
obtained, through the friendship of Lord Shelburne, a seat, as representative
of the borough of Calne, in Wiltshire.
At first, Mr. Dunning was attached to the administration ; but his approba-
tion of their measures does not seem to have been cordial, nor without consi-
derable exceptions ; and he was not engaged on behalf of government in the
celebrated proceedings in the case of Wilkes, which were more particularly
agitated while he was Solicitor-General. The ministry with which he was con-
nected was indeed composed of materials too heterogeneous to continue long
combined ; and, in 1770, when the expulsion of Lord Camden from the dignity
of Chancellor, and the subsequent death of Mr. Yorke, his appointed successor,
were followed by the resignations of the Marquis of Granby, and other dis-
tinguished personages, Mr. Dunning also gave in his resignation, although he
consented to hold his office until the appointment of a successor; the interval
was two months, and the successor was Thurlow.
The city of London, highly approving his conduct on this occasion, sent
him the freedom of their corporation in a gold box, value one hundred guineas,
for having, as they expressed it, " when Solicitor-General to his Majesty,
defended in parliament, on the soundest principles of law and the constitution,
the right of the subject to petition and remonstrate." To this compliment
Mr. Dunning returned a polite and dignified answer. He acknowledged, in
proper terms, his sense of the honour done him by the city, and said, " Con-
vinced as I am, that our happy constitution has given us the most perfect
system of government the world has ever seen, and that it is therefore our
common interest and duty to oppose every practice, and combat every prin-
ciple, that tends to impair it, any other conduct than that which the city of
London has been pleased to distinguish by its approbation, must, in my own
judgment, have rendered me eqjally unworthy of the office I had then the
honour to hold, through his Majesty's favour, and of the trust reposed in me, as
one of the representatives of the People."
Consistently with the sentiments expressed in this letter, Mr. Dunning had
supported, in 1770, Mr. Grenville's Bill for regulating the proceedings of the
House of Commons, on controverted elections, although it was opposed by Lord
North, Mr. Fox, and many other members of great influence and authority. In