ERSKINE, Hon. David Montagu (1776-1855), of Butler’s Green, Suss.

Erskine was not destined to repeat his father’s success at the bar, but on the latter’s becoming lord chancellor in the Grenville ministry stepped into his seat for Portsmouth on Sir John Carter’s interest and into a Chancery place. He took his seat on 24 Feb. 1806. He seconded Best’s motion of 18 Apr. for a bill to prohibit ‘ex parte’ criminal proceedings from being published in the press. He voted with ministers for the repeal of Pitt’s Additional Force Act, 30 Apr. His appointment in July as minister plenipotentiary to the United States, urged on Fox by his father since February, ended his parliamentary career. He had lived there four years and married the daughter of one of the American revolutionary generals, before accompanying his father to France in 1802.2Farington, ii. 31, 56; HMC Fortescue, viii. 152.

He was recalled by Canning in 1809 and the House was informed (13 June) that he had exceeded his instructions to treat with the Americans by offering the withdrawal of the operation of the orders in council against them, though Canning declined disclosing the details then. He was defended by Edward Morris, his brother-in-law, but arrived home under a cloud.3HMC Bathurst, 139; Wellesley Pprs. i. 292. On 5 Feb. and 15 May 1810 his cause was taken up by Whitbread: Canning was adamant, though Whitbread tried again on 15 June. Difficulties were made by Perceval when the Marquess Wellesley applied for a pension for him in 1811.4Perceval (Holland) mss 1, ff. 30, 32. He eventually resumed a diplomatic career. He died 19 Mar. 1855.