Charles Lennox, the son of the Duke of Richmond, was born on 22nd
February, 1735. After an education at Westminster
School and entered the British army. Lennox served in several
expeditions and distinguished himself in the Battle of Minden. He
had reached the rank of colonel when he succeeded his father as the
third Duke of Richmond on 6th August, 1750. He first took his seat
in the House of Commons on 15th March 1756.
In 1760 the Duke of Richmond was was appointed a lord of the bedchamber,
but shortly afterwards quarreled with George
III and resigned from office. Richmond became lord-lieutenant
of Sussex and in 1766 was appointed by the Marquis of Rockingham as
Secretary of State for the Southern Department. Richmond retired from
office when the Earl of Chatham replaced Rockingham as Prime Minister.
Richmond was a strong critic of Lord North's American policy. In December
1775, he declared in the House of Lords
that the resistance of the colonists was "neither treason nor
rebellion, but it is perfectly justifiable in every possible political
and moral sense." It was during a speech made by Richmond in
the House of Lords calling for the withdrawal of British troops from
America that the Earl of Chatham collapsed and died.
Richmond also joined the campaign to remove the causes of Irish discontent.
He opposed the Tory policy of an Act
of Union and argued that he was in favour of an "union but
not an union of legislature, but an union of hearts, hands, of affections
and interests". Richmond retained his hostility to George
III and in December 1779 he called for a reduction in the spending
on the monarchy and described the civil list as "lavish and wasteful
to a shameful degree".
In 1774 Richmond read a pamphlet that his friend, Granville
Sharp, had written, called The Natural Right of People to Share
in the Legislature (1774). This created an interest in parliamentary
reform, and over the next few years Richmond read several pamphlets
on the subject including The Nature of Civil Liberty (1776)
by Richard Price and Take Your Choice
(1777) by Major John Cartwright.
By the end of the 1770s most Whigs supported
parliamentary reform. This included John Wilkes
and Charles Fox. However, by this time, Richmond
was the most radical in his party, supporting both annual parliaments
and manhood suffrage. Richmond was now convinced that without parliamentary
reform, revolution was inevitable.
On the 3rd June 1780 the Duke of Richmond decided to push the Whigs
into action by introducing his own proposals for the reform of Parliament.
His bill included plans for annual parliaments, manhood suffrage and
558 equally populous electoral districts. Richmond found very little
support for his radical proposals and his bill was rejected without
a vote.
The Marquis of Rockingham, the leader of the Whigs,
died on 1st July 1782. Richmond attempted to become leader of the
party, but his radical views on parliamentary reform ensured that
he was defeated by the Duke of Portland.
In April 1783 William Pitt invited Richmond
to join his coalition ministry. He initially refused, but Richmond
eventually joined the government and after that date showed little
interest in the subject of parliamentary reform.
In 1794 Thomas Hardy and John
Horne Tooke of the London Corresponding
Society, were charged with high treason. Hardy and Tooke argued
that were not guilty of treason as the Corresponding Society had been
constituted solely to carry out the reforms proposed by the Duke of
Richmond's Reform Bill of 1780. Richmond was called upon to testify
at their trial where he was forced to admit that in 1780 he had supported
the same measures that had resulted in Hardy and Tooke being charged
with high treason. Richmond was severely embarrassed by having to
publicly acknowledge the radical views he had held before becoming
a member of the government. Tooke and Hardy were acquitted and two
months later the Duke of Richmond was sacked from the cabinet.
This brought an end to the Richmond's involvement in government. He
retired to Goodwood where he supervised the planning and construction
of a race track near his home.From 1796 to 1800 Richmond only appeared
in the House of Lords on two occasions.
The Duke of Richmond spoke for the last time in the House of Lords
on 25th June 1804. He died at Goodwood, Sussex, on 29th December,
1806 and afterwards was buried in Chichester
Cathedral.
(1)
Duke of Richmond, speech in Sussex, quoted in the London Chronicle
(13th January, 1780)
Many may think, and with reason, that still greater reforms are
necessary; and it may be well worth the attention of the public,
whether, if this nation means to preserve its liberty, it may
not be necessary to revert to those principles of a free constitution
from which we have been for a long time insensibly but greatly
deviating.
(2)
Duke of Richmond, letter to the Marquis of Rockingham (2nd November,
1777)
I would also very much wish you to consider some plan which you
would execute if in power for reducing the influence of the crown
within proper bounds, and when digested to propose it to Parliament.
(3)
Duke of Richmond, letter to Lord Shelburne (21st March, 1782)
The Chancellor asked Lord Rockingham whether supposing the measures
he proposed were granted more would not be proposed? To which
I understand Lord Rockingham answered that such a question might
be asked with a view to create disunion where there was none,
but he would answer it distinctly, if he meant a parliamentary
reform it was we had equally at heart although we might differ
as to the practical means, but that we differed fairly and honestly
as men do about an end they wish to accomplish and that if we
could amongst us settle some plan that could unite the opinions
of the public.
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