Augustus FitzRoy, 3rd Duke of Grafton

Augustus Henry FitzRoy, 3rd Duke of Grafton KG PC (28 September 1735 – 14 March 1811), styled Earl of Euston between 1747 and 1757, was a British Whig statesman of the Georgian era. He is one of a handful of dukes who have served as prime minister, an office he held from 14 October 1768 until 28 January 1770.

I was more desirous than ever to shew, that as far as my small power could extend, no subject of this country should want my countenance against oppression.

Quotes

• I went as I think every acquaintance is almost bound to do, to see Mr. Wilkes in his confinement, to hear from himself his own story and his defence; and to shew that no influence ought to stop the means of every man's justifying himself from an accusation, even though it should be of the most heinous kind. Hearing the shyness of lawyers in general to undertake his cause, as also the manner (perhaps unwarrantable) of his confinement, I was more desirous than ever to shew, that as far as my small power could extend, no subject of this country should want my countenance against oppression.
  • Letter to Lord Temple (3 May 1763), quoted in Autobiography and Political Correspondence of Augustus Henry, Third Duke of Grafton, K.G. From Hitherto Unpublished Documents in the Possession of His Family, ed. Sir William R. Anson (1898), p. 191

• I must nevertheless have trod very warily on ground that seemed to come any ways under the denomination of an insult on the Crown. That, my lord, is, and always has been a rule laid down by me which I will most religiously observe, that nothing in which I engage against His Majesty's ministers, whom I disapprove, shall ever be carried on by me with the shadow of offence against his person or family.
  • Letter to Lord Temple (3 May 1763), quoted in Autobiography and Political Correspondence of Augustus Henry, Third Duke of Grafton, K.G. From Hitherto Unpublished Documents in the Possession of His Family, ed. Sir William R. Anson (1898), p. 191

• On the whole it was thought advisable to postpone the issuing of the Proclamation, which, at this time, would only appear as finding fault only with the People for their Joy too riotously testifyed at the late Election, & in that consideration might committ rather than give weight to the Ministers of Government. Every Step of Precaution for the last Night's Security of the Town, as well as for the future was also directed to the Civil Magistrate, as also planned for the Military.
  • Letter to George III (31 March 1768), quoted in The Correspondence of King George the Third From 1760 to December 1783, Volume II: 1768 to June 1773, ed. Sir John Fortescue (1967), p. 17

• But what is your present situation? ... Great Britain is stript of, or deserted by, every ally on the Continent that could bring any essential aid: the last of whom, and an ally whose exertions might fairly be boasted of, if report says true, and this House has no other information, is just not our enemy.
  • Speech in the House of Lords (30 May 1797), quoted in The Parliamentary Register; Or, History of the Proceedings and 'debates of the House of Lords...During the First Session of the Eighteenth Parliament of Great Britain, Vol. III (1797), p. 198

• As to Ireland: That kingdom must be considered to be in so critical a state, that unless a reform, a temperate reform in Parliament, and a full emancipation of the Catholics, together with a total change of the men who now conduct the affairs in that country, take place, and directly, if it be not now too late, we shall soon see that Ireland added to the list of Republics, which the fatal measures of our Ministers have been the cause of erecting and establishing all over Europe: but with this difference, that if a Revolution takes place in Ireland, it will inevitably produce a Revolution in Great Britain. Of no position in politics was I ever so assured of as of this, I protest: an axiom from which no arguments will ever be able to withdraw my reason.
  • Speech in the House of Lords (30 May 1797), quoted in The Parliamentary Register; Or, History of the Proceedings and 'debates of the House of Lords...During the First Session of the Eighteenth Parliament of Great Britain, Vol. III (1797), p. 198

• To prevent these greatest of evils extending hither, it will be wise to oppose the only effective remedy, which I earnestly recommend to the cool and dispassionate consideration of all your lordships: I mean a temperate Parliamentary Reform in this country, without which the Constitution will slip from under us.
  • Speech in the House of Lords (30 May 1797), quoted in The Parliamentary Register; Or, History of the Proceedings and 'debates of the House of Lords...During the First Session of the Eighteenth Parliament of Great Britain, Vol. III (1797), p. 198

Quotes about the Duke of Grafton

• Notwithstanding the several offices the Duke had filled, and the extensive patronage he had possessed, yet at no time did he secure for himself, nor for any of his children, although he has a numerous family, any place, pension, or reversion, whatever.
  • John Almon, Biographical, Literary, and Political Anecdotes, of Several of the Most Eminent Persons of the Present Age, Volume I (1797), pp. 25-26

• It is impossible to present a more honourable trait of this noble Duke's character, of his virtues as a patriot, or of his talents as a statesman, than...his Grace's speech, in the House of Lords, on the 30th of May, 1797.
  • John Almon, Biographical, Literary, and Political Anecdotes, of Several of the Most Eminent Persons of the Present Age, Volume I (1797), p. 26

• He was punctual in his dealings; kind to his domestics; hospitable to strangers, and faithful to his friends. His abilities and his application were never duly appreciated; but, indeed, very few had any fair opportunity of judging of them. "To be moderate," says Erasmus, "amidst the extremes of party, is the first principle of patriotic courage." But moderation, alas! in those times, was utterly unknown; however, such strong mists of prejudice now no longer prevail, and whenever a true estimate is made of his Grace's character, the good and the honourable will greatly predominate; at least, the humble individual who offers this slight sketch, and still laments his loss, will always retain a just and grateful regard for his memory.
  • Joseph Cradock, Literary and Miscellaneous Memoirs (1826), pp. 116-117

• Though I wrote this letter merely with a view of acquainting you with the state of this bill, I cannot let this opportunity go by, of assuring you how very happy I feel to be of opinion on public affairs, with a person, with whom I have always wished to agree; and with whom I should act with more pleasure, in any possible situation, than with any one I have been acquainted with.
  • Charles James Fox to the Duke of Grafton (4 December 1775), quoted in Autobiography and Political Correspondence of Augustus Henry, Third Duke of Grafton, K.G. From Hitherto Unpublished Documents in the Possession of His Family, ed. Sir William R. Anson (1898), p. 276

• The character of the reputed ancestors of some men, has made it possible for their descendants to be vicious in the extreme, without being degenerate. Those of your Grace, for instance, left no distressing examples of virtue, even to their legitimate posterity, and you may look back with pleasure to an illustrious pedigree, in which heraldry has not left a single good quality upon record to insult or upbraid you. You have better proofs of your descent, my Lord, than the register of a marriage, or any troublesome inheritance of reputation. There are some hereditary strokes of character, by which a family may be as clearly distinguished as by the blackest features of the human face. Charles the First lived and died a hypocrite. Charles the Second was a hypocrite of another sort, and should have died upon the same scaffold. At the distance of a century, we see their different characters happily revived and blended in your Grace. Sullen and severe without religion, profligate without gaiety, you live like Charles the Second, without being an amiable companion, and, for aught I know, may die as his father did, without the reputation of a martyr.
  • Junius, Letter XII (30 May 1769), quoted in The Letters of Junius, ed. John Cannon (1978), p. 69

• What can one say of the D. of G., but that his whole conduct is childish, insolent, inconstant, and absurd—nay, ruinous? Because we are not in confusion enough, he makes everything as bad as possible, neglecting on one hand, and taking no precautions on the other. I neither see how it is possible for him to remain minister, nor whom to put in his place. No Government, no police, London and Middlesex distracted, the Colonies in rebellion, Ireland ready to be so, and France arrogant, and on the point of being hostile!
  • Horace Walpole to Henry Seymour Conway (16 June 1768), quoted in The Letters of Horace Walpole, Fourth Earl of Orford, Vol. VII: 1766–1771, ed. Mrs. Paget Toynbee (1904), p. 197

• [T]he Duke of Grafton like an apprentice, thinking the world should be postponed to a whore and a horse-race.
  • Horace Walpole to Henry Seymour Conway (16 June 1768), quoted in The Letters of Horace Walpole, Fourth Earl of Orford, Vol. VII: 1766–1771, ed. Mrs. Paget Toynbee (1904), p. 197