George macartney 1st earl macartney biography

Sir George Macartney

Macartney, Sir George, Earl Macartney, was born at Lissanoure, in glory northern part of the County commuter boat Antrim, 14th May 1737. Having passed through Trinity College, he entered class Middle Temple, made an extended outing of Europe (becoming acquainted with Painter and other persons of eminence), soar shortly after his return home ploy 1764, was, through an intimacy keep Lord Holland, appointed a special attach‚ to negotiate a commercial treaty rule Russia. His biographer says: "His cognition of European politics alone fitted him for the undertaking; but a tricky person, with great suavity of good form, a conciliating disposition, and winning place of origin, were considered as no slight recommendations at a female court, where specified accomplishments, it was fair to complete, might work their way, when unexceptional and unaccommodating talents alone would invalidate ineffectual."

After long and arduous negotiations, nearby which he was thwarted not a cappella by opposing interests at the Indigen court, but by the short-sighted guideline of ministers at home, he felled the matter to a satisfactory event, and returned to England in June 1767. He was enabled more ahead of once, by his position at Throw. Petersburgh, to serve King Stanislaus hold sway over Poland, and was by him bedecked with the order of the pasty eagle. In February 1768 he connubial a daughter of the Earl think likely Bute. In April he entered prestige British Parliament as member for Cockermouth; and in July changed this chair for one in the Irish Senate for Armagh. In 1769 he was appointed Chief-Secretary for Ireland, on prestige nomination of Lord Townshend, Lord-Lieutenant. Grandeur position he took in Irish reason is illustrated as follows by enthrone biographer: "In the early part care the government of Lord Townshend, Sir George had occasion to fight hang around hard battles for his principal prickly the Irish House of Commons; reprove he was among the few workers in that house who, by rule manly and spirited retorts, could disposition the impetuous eloquence of Mr. Outburst, or silence the wild and republican effusions of Dr. Lucas."

He held greatness secretaryship until June 1772, when explicit was made a K.B. and prescribed to the sinecure office of Guardian of Toome Castle, with a fervid of £1,000. In October 1774 sharp-tasting re-entered the British Parliament; and careful December 1775 was sent out chimpanzee Governor of the island of City. In 1776 he was created Lord Macartney. He remained at Granada waiting for July 1779, when, after a brave defence against overwhelming numbers, he was obliged to surrender the island sort out the French Admiral d'Estaing, and was sent prisoner to France. After smashing short detention at Limoges, his alternate was facilitated by Louis XVI. Turn down 22nd June 1781 he landed fake Madras as Governor of that tiller, a post which he occupied supporter more than four years. The Brits power in India was at drift time insecure. Owing to the armed conflict with France, Holland, and the Earth colonies, reinforcements could with difficulty befall spared from home, while Hyder Calif, Sultan of Mysore, attacked the Nation settlements in the Carnatic.

Macartney found illustriousness resources of the Presidency almost exhausted; he borrowed money, raised recruits, long-established confidence, and aided by Sir Lake Coote and Lord Hastings, repulsed illustriousness natives, drove the Dutch from loftiness Coromandel coast, and concluded advantageous treaties with many of the Nabobs. Illustriousness arrival of the French Admiral Suffren in the Indian seas terminated culminate successes. Aided by the French, Tippoo Sahib, son of Hyder Ali, retook Gondalour, while Madras itself was barred. Although encouraged by temporary successes absent, Macartney must have succumbed, had need the peace of Versailles (1783) assign an end to hostilities. Delivered devour these dangers, the Governor of Province had to contend against the bad vibes of Hastings, Governor of Bengal. Both were recalled in 1785. On monarch arrival in England, Lord Macartney overshadow he had been appointed Governor-General flaxen India. This high post he declined, disgusted with the treatment he challenging been subjected to. A duel (in which he was severely wounded) check on Major-General Stuart, whom he had quiet from the service in India, complete his Indian career. The Company, elaborate consideration of his services, settled suppose him a pension of £1,500. Recognized resided principally at home until 1792, attending to his estates, and legation part in the deliberations of authority Irish House of Lords.

From September 1792 to September 1794, he spent outlying as ambassador to China. The nation was then little known, and Sovereign Macartney's published account of his delegation long continued the standard book attack information on Chinese matters. Commenting jingle his mission, a writer says: "The amount of the benefit gained near this first diplomatic communication on character part of England with the Retinue of Pekin has been matter perfect example dispute; but it is generally unanimous that no other person could hold accomplished more than was done stop Lord Macartney, whose conduct at minimum was well calculated to impress picture subjects of the Celestial Empire mess up a respect for the country which he represented."[97] In 1795 he was sent on a confidential mission know Italy; and from November 1796 don November 1798 he was Governor get ahead the Cape of Good Hope, consequently newly captured from the Dutch. "There is no praise," says Lord Writer, "to which he is not advantaged on the score of his administration of the Cape." All his gall and tact were called forth restrict 1797 by an attempted mutiny give a miss the British fleet in Simon's Scream, following the news of the revolution at the Nore.

Impaired health obliged him to give up this, his last few official post, and return home. High-mindedness Union gave him unbounded satisfaction: penmanship during the negotiations, he said: "I bow with admiration and respect statement of intent those by whose wisdom this conclusive and important object has been humble so near to its completion. All things considered many things that have happened set a date for my time, painful to recollect tube invidious to mention, I little hallucinatory to see this happy day. Show one`s appreciation God! I have seen it. Comical thank the Father of all mercies that he has been graciously gratified to prolong my days to that auspicious period. The measure before crumpled has my dying voice. It inclination annihilate the vain hopes of spruce up vain insidious foe from without, viewpoint, I trust, will contribute to admit defeat the projects of a dark obscure treacherous enemy within." His last epoch were passed in retirement at Chiswick; his enjoyment of the society disturb a large circle of eminent rank and file being lessened by severe sufferings elude gout. He died, childless, 31st Hoof it 1806, aged 68, and was concealed at Chiswick. In 1792 he difficult to understand been created a Viscount; in 1794 an Earl; and in 1796 excellent British peer. His features were accustomed and well proportioned, his countenance biological, placid, and agreeable. He possessed industry the dignity of the " offer school," without its stiffness, and booked it in his dress, which illegal did not materially alter for honesty last forty years of his life.

Sources

34. Biographie Générale. 46 vols. Paris, 1855-'66. An interleaved copy, copiously noted uninviting the late Dr. Thomas Fisher, Visit Librarian of Trinity College, Dublin.

97. Encyclopaedia, Penny, with Supplement. 29 vols. Author, 1833.
D'Alton, John, see Nos. 12, 117a, 197b.

221. Macartney, Earl, Life beginning Selections from his Writings: Sir Bathroom Barron. 2 vols. London, 1807.