Thomas Spring Rice to Faraday   24 November 1837

Private Circular

Downing St | 24 Nov

Sir

As it will be my duty in the early part of the present Session to move for a Committee to inquire "how far the existing Pensions ought to be continued having due regard to the just claims of the parties & to economy in the public expenditure," I take the liberty of addressing you on the subject¹.

As statements & inquiries may be made in that Committee with respect to the original grant of such pensions, or the circumstances now attending them to which the interested may have the means of giving a satisfactory reply, & as much of misapprehension on these subjects be provided which a references to the facts of the case may remove, I am most anxious to express to the parties interested not only my willingness but my anxiety to be favored by them (if they shall so think fit) with any information which they shall feel it desirable to submit to the Committee, through me. I make this communication with the view of saving the parties from any trouble anxiety or inconvenience which it may be in my power to avert.

When the House of Commons undertook an inquiry into the existing Sinecures, I wrote a letter to the same effect with the present, to the several parties interested & the facts & explanations which were then given me enabled me to remove misconceptions which had operated to the prejudice of some of the holders of the offices under examination. Should my present communication lead to the same result it will be gratifying to me.

In respect to the extent or nature of the information which may be sought for by the Committee it will be extreme presumption on my part to express an opinion, but I take the liberty of adverting to the declaratory words of Mr Burke's² act (22 Geo III C82³) in which it is expressly stated "that it is no disparagement for any person to be relieved by the Royal Bounty in their Distress, or for their Desert, but on the contrary it is honourable on just cause to be thought worthy of such reward"⁴. In all cases, (& I am well aware that such cases are numerous) where the origin of these grants can be traced to the public service of the grantees, their families or relations, or to other causes creating a just claim on the bounty of the crown, it will be most desirable that these cases shall be stated in order to afford the most conclusive & satisfactory information to the Committee[.]

I must again repeat that the object of this letter is to afford the parties interested the greatest facility in making any statement which they may be desirous of submitting, in reply to objections either to the grant or the continuance of these pensions & that in so doing I am far from expressing any opinion with respect to the course which the proposed Committee are likely to pursue.

I have not felt it right to make this an official application & any reply with which I may be favoured (if the parties so desire it) be considered in the light of a Private Letter.

I have the honour to be Sir | your very obedient | & very humble servant | T. Spring Rice

Endorsed by Faraday: 1837