Henry Addington (1801-04) - Prime Minister - Parliament

Henry Addington was born in 1759 and educated at Oxford. He began as a speaker for the House of Commons and became the Prime Minister when King George III became disillusioned with Pitt and wanted him removed from office. Many major ministers who agreed with Pitt’s policies refused to serve under Addington and eventually by 1804 large numbers of his own party turned against him – forcing him to resign too.

Henry Addington, letter to Mary Anne Addington about the Peterloo Massacre – 18th August, 1819:
“The proceedings were not of an ordinary character, but they will I trust, prove a salutary lesson to modern reformers. Hunt and his associates are in custody, and their flags etc. have been seized and destroyed by the special constables and soldiery, all of whom have behaved with the greatest spirit and temper, but forbearance became impossible.”

Henry Addington, letter to Lord Liverpool about the introduction of the proposed Six Acts (1st October, 1819):
“It is with deep regret that the determination to assemble Parliament has been so long delayed. The existing means of stopping the progress, not merely insurrection but rebellion, have long since proved to be utterly insufficient, but hitherto my colleagues have remained unconvinced of the imperious and urgent necessity of advising the adoption of the only measure, which would of itself, animate the loyal and awe the disaffected, and by which alone effectual means can be provided to meet and overcome a danger greater, as I am firmly and deliberately convinced, than any to which the country has been exposed since the accession of the present Royal Family to the throne.

I feel, and I have felt for some time past, for whilst the country is suffering from the want, as I conceive, of those decisive and efficient measures, which the crisis calls for, my reputation is suffering also; though I trust there has been no want or vigour or promptitude in the employment of the inefficient and inadequate means, which the existing laws have placed in my hands.”