Letter from Marquess of Londonderry, Wynyard Park Durham, to Lord Burghersh, 8 October 1832 (pp.279-282) ‘My dear Burghersh I was delighted to see your handwriting, and as you say nothing of your own health, I trust it is quite re-established. I have not written to you since we parted, as really in this secluded North I could only give you Electioneering Anecdotes, which (ignorant of the locale) could not much amuse you. I have had a hard fight here to make any stand against the overwhelming Whig power, which aided by the ingenuity of Durham contrivances and the most Liberal Bailey Myrmidons at his and Lord Cleveland’s Back, entirely counted upon Ten members here as their own. Their Rage and Malice at finding any head made against them and giving them the Expence and Trouble of Contest knows actually no Bounds, and even if I should fail in unseating any of the Whigs, I shall at least have the satisfaction of making them empty their purses and bow down their heads. However, I hope for good luck and to carry 3 Conservatives out of the Ten, which will not be bad work if you knew all we have to struggle with. I have fortunately a fine little Fellow as a candidate in this North Division, and his 2 Duels in one Day have placed him on the pinnacle of fame. I rejoice very much to think that your father is at last doing what is right. Had I been him however in these Times you should have been for the County where they request you, and your brother for Lyme. If our great Tories will not exert themselves, if Hertford turns his Back and Lowther goes abroad and others act tamely and indifferently in the same fashion, there is an end of Conservative Power forever and Nothing now will ever get the Whigs out. Had the King given us a chance before the new Parliament by dismissing Lord Grey, the game might have got into our hand. I think a Quarrel might have been picked with him on his still suffering the Political Unions etc. and ‘deleted’ if there had been a change I should have expected a great ralliement in the Country. But the Truth, so long as Royalty is bound up ostensibly with Whiggery, you can not get the moderate men in the Country to budge. But place the King in jeopardy or put him with a new Tory ministry on a good Quarrel with the Whigs, and the inherent Attachment to Monarchy in the Nation would break out. We have sad uphill work now but it is a raison de plus in my Mind not to go to sleep. Having done all I can here I set out tomorrow Bag and Baggage for Ireland, as I trust not Downshire. Still I think Frederick is impregnable. In Londonderry I have made 300 more votes and the 2 Conservatives are sure. I hear Mcdonnell talks of Antrim again. But he believed it last time and I shall steer clear of him. We have had people going and coming here. Acting English French etc. etc. and ‘deleted’ have been the order of the Day and time passes and Alas! we grow old. I shall be back here by Christmas. Pray write and keep me informed in Paddys land – direct Mount Stewart N Ireland Best love to Lady Burghersh and Ever yours most affectionately Vane Londonderry’ – From: Londonderry Estates – Additional Records Acc: 1193(D)