MORICE, Humphry (1723-85), of Werrington, Devon.

As the heir of Sir William Morice, Humphry Morice acquired not only considerable wealth but the control of the boroughs of Launceston and Newport. He also inherited Sir William Morice’s feud with the Duke of Bedford, who offered, ‘if he would have nothing to do’ with Henry Pelham, to ‘withdraw all opposition and leave his towns absolutely to himself’.Pelham to Newcastle, 21 May 1752, Add. 32727, f. 230. Morice reported this to Henry Pelham, informing him that he had rejected the Duke’s offer and would ‘choose none but what are agreeable to his Majesty, and particularly that the two Tories now chosen there he had no thoughts of electing again’.Same to same, same date (ostensible letter to be shown to the King), ibid. f. 242. He was as good as his word, but in spite of his steady adherence to successive governments, he never attained more than minor office. He died at Naples, 18 Oct. 1785.