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THE
DIARY
OF THE LATE
GEORGE BUBB DODINGTON,
BARON OF MELCOMBE REGIS:
FROM MARCH 8, 1749, TO FEBRUARY 6, 1761;
WITH AN
APPENDIX,
CONTAINING
SOME CURIOUS AND INTERESTING PAPERS,
Which are either referred to, or alluded to, in the Diary.
PUBLISHED
£rom i)# HorMjip^ Original manuscripts,
BY
HENRY PENRUDDOCKE WYNDHAM.
THE FOURTH EDITION.
Ft tout pour la trippe !
Rabelais, Liv. 4. chap. 5",
And all for quarter day!
Diary, page 362.
LONDON:
PRINTED FOR G. WILKIE AND J. ROBINSON,
PATERNOSTER-ROW.
1800.
DA
fAfA
•-x
THIS BOOK
IS DEDICATED
To that man (whenever he may ap-
pear), who, blessed with a soul superior
to all lucrative and ambitious views, will
dare to stand forth the generous advo-
cate and benevolent protector of the
public welfare — Who, when in office,
will make the good of his fellow-subjects
the sole rule of his administration ; and
who, when out of office, independent of
every partial connexion, will steadily
and uniformly adhere to the same honest
plan — Who, while in power, will boldly
oppose all measures, however profitable
to himself or his friends, that may be
detrimental to the cause of his country;
and who, when deprived of power, tin-
V!
shaken by present disappointments, or
uninfluenced by future expectations,
will as boldly support every measure
which may be beneficial to that cause,
though it originates from his most hated
adversary.
Such a man may be justly honoured
with the glorious title (hitherto, alas!
ideal), which in all ages has been fre-
quently conferred, but, perhaps, never
yet merited, of a
PATRIOT.
PREFACE.
The following Diary is printed from a manu-
script of the late Lord Melcombe's ; and, as
the reader may be inquisitive to know the
stages through which it came into my posses-
sion, I shall briefly satisfy his curiosity.
Lord Melcombe died in the year 1762, and
bequeathed his whole property (a few legacies
excepted) to his cousin, the late Thomas
Wyndham of Hammersmith.
Mr. Thomas Wyndham, who died in the
year 1777, left, among many other kind re-
membrances, a clause in his will in the follow-
ing words: " I give to Henry Penruddocke
viii PREFACE.
Wyndham all my books, and all the late Lord
Melcombe's political papers, letters, and
poems, requesting of him not to print or pub-
lish any of them, but those that are proper to
be made public, and such only, as may, in
some degree, do honour to his memory."
The latter part of this clause has, hitherto,
made me hesitate on the propriety of mak-
ing his Lordship's Diary public; for although
it may reflect a considerable degree of ho-
nour on his Lordship's abilities, yet, in
my opinion, it shows his political conduct
(however palliated by the ingenuity of his
own pen), to have been wholly directed by
the base motives of avarice, vanity, and self-
ishness.
What, beside these motives, induced him to
quit the service of George II. and to prefer
the protection of Frederick, Prince of Wales,
to that of his old master? Alas! he could not
then foresee the black cloud, which was pre-
PREFACE. IX
paring to obscure the expected glory of the
rising sun, and to blast the hopes of all its
worshippers.
What, beside these motives, made his Lord-
ship discontented and miserable while he
remained in the court of that Prince ? A
party was, there, quickly combined against
him, which, unfortunately for Lord Mel-
combe, was actuated by the same selfish
principles as he himself was.
What, besides these motives, tempted him,
after the death of the Prince of Wales, to
court the Pelhams with the most abject and
fawning servility, and, at the same time, in
secret opposition to his great patroness, the
Princess Dowager ?
But all this may be strictly honourable
within the verge of a court; and, on this
account, I could patiently hear his Lordship
recommend Mr. Ralph as a very honest man.
PREFACE.
and in the same pages inform us, that he was
ready to be hired to any cause; that he
actually put himself to auction to the two
contending parties (the Bedford and Pel-
hams), and that, after several biddings, the
honest Mr. Ralph was bought by the Pel-
hams.
However, I cannot patiently forgive the
violent declamation of his Lordship against
" the low and venal wretclies of Bridgewater "
as if a bribe taken by a miserable voter, and,
possibly, for the support of a numerous and
indigent family, was more dishonourable than
a place or pension enjoyed or coveted by
the opulent, for the sole purposes, either of
accumulating riches, or of extending the
pomp of pride and power.
I am aware that, in treating the character
of my Author thus freely, I shall appear as a
very extraordinary Editor, the practice of
whom has generally been, to prefer flattery
PREFACE. XI
to truth, and partiality to justice. But it
may be worth considering, whether my me-
thod, or the common one, is the less in-
jurious to the character of an Author; and
whether the reader may not be more inclined
to overlook or pardon those errors which he
is previously instructed to expect, than he
would be, if every page contradicted the
favourable impressions which the Editor had
been industriously labouring to fix on his
mind.
But it is now time to answer a very natural
question : How could I, with such sentiments
of the Diary, venture to publish it, consistent
with the clause in the will ?
To what I have said before, that the Diary
was written by Lord Melcombe, I shall add,
that every part of it was carefully copied from
rough drafts, and that scarcely a blot or correc-
tion is to be seen throughout the whole. The
month also, and each day of the week, is
XU PREFACE.
accurately inscribed on the margin, with his
own pen, in printing characters.
From these circumstances I conclude, that
Lord Melcombe wrote for the public, and
that he intended his Diary should, in a future
season, be produced to light: it is also manifest,
that his Lordship meant it as an apology for
his political conduct, and that he could not
write merely for amusement, or solely for his
own retrospection, or for the private perusal
only of his heirs.
The late Mr. Wyndham, through whose
hands the MS. came to me, was of this
opinion.
It seems therefore that, in publishing this
Diary, I am certainly fulfilling Lord Mel-
combe's design, and doing what he antici-
pated some one or other should do : it is to be
supposed that, in his opinion, there is nothing
dishonourable in the Diary, and to his judge-
PREFACE. xni
ment I am in duty bound to sacrifice my own :
the prejudices, perhaps, of education have
instilled in my mind ideas of honour very dif-
ferent from those of his Lordship, which —
putavi
Stultus ego hide nostra similes-
But, notwithstanding, if I thought that any
part of the Diary would tend to make one
worthy character unhappy, or cause the
smallest injury to the common good, I should,
without hesitation, suppress it: nay, I would
instantly commit it to the flames, lest it might
hereafter be productive of those consequences.
If, on the contrary, by unveiling the mys-
terious intrigues of a Court, and by exposing
the latent causes of opposition, the Diary
teaches us, that both one and the other may
act from the same interested and corrupt prin-
ciple ; it may then make us cautiously diffi-
dent of the motives of either ; and the country
X1T PREFACE.
gentlemen, in particular, may learn from it,
that they have as much to dread from those
who are in pursuit of power, as from those
in actual possession of it; from those who are,
hopefully, working in the cold climate of dis-
appointment, as from those who are luxuri-
ously basking in the sunshine of enjoyment.
The Diary may even animate those gentle-
men to the love of true patriotism, and pro-
bably instruct them to be more attentive to
the measures of Administration, than to the
parties which form it ; and may check and
control that restless aversion to all govern-
ment, so prevalent amongst them, and against
which the best Minister is no more secure
than the worst.
For have we not sometimes seen, when,
after a long and laborious struggle, they have
at length placed their favourite pilot at the
helm; that, before they have suffered him to
hold <4hc rudder for one voyage, they have
PREFACE. XV
been as violent in their efforts of removing
him, as they have been in raising him to
it?
1 think it necessary to observe, that I have
not published the Diary quite entire, as it
would be no entertainment to the reader to
be informed who daily dined with his Lord-
ship, or whom he met at the tables of other
people.
Such and some other trivial particulars I
have omitted ; but I have been careful not to
alter any part of the original writing, for
though some obscurities darken a few pas-
sages (which, indeed, might naturally be ex-
pected from his Lordship's circumstantial
manner of reciting long conversations), yet
I have not presumed to give them my expla-
nation, being of opinion that the reader has
Xvi PREFACE.
an equal right with myself, to put his own
construction upon them.
Some trifling anecdotes, however, may still
appear in the present volume, such as the
disputes of the Dorset family ; the Bridge-
water, and other elections, &c. but these are
so interwoven and connected with the general
matter, and so often referred to, that I could
not, with propriety, reject them, lest the
whole might, otherwise, seem embarrassed
and unintelligible.
THE
DIARY.
±N the beginning of this year, I was griev- 1749.
ously afflicted with the first fit of the gout,
which, with a fall that strained one leg and
wounded the other, confined me to my cham-
ber near three months.
During my illness, several kind expressions Mar. 8.
from the Prince towards me, were reported
to me, and on the 8th of March, his Royal
Highness ordered the Earl of Middlesex, his
Master of the Horse, to send Mr. Ralph (whom
he had often talked to about me) with a mes-
sage from his Royal Highness, to offer me
the full return of his favour, and to put the
principal direction of his affairs into my
hands.
B
2
1749. I told Mr. Ralph, that I desired the two
Mar 8
following days to consider of it ; and that he
should have my answer at twelve o'clock, on
Saturday the 11th instant.
n. This day in the morning I wrote to Mr.
Pelham, desiring him, as I was not able to
go out, to wait upon the King, and in my
name humbly to resign, into his Majesty's
hands, my office of Treasurer of the Navy.
The same day I gave Mr. Ralph my an-
swer in writing to the Prince's gracious mes-
sage, to be delivered to the Earl of Middlesex,
taking his honour that he would lay it before
his Royal Highness; which Mr. Ralph per-
formed, as did also his Lordship.
The same morning, I received a very civil
letter from Mr. Pelham, testifying his con-
cern and surprise at my resolution, and de-
siring that he might see me, before he de-
livered my message to the King, and ac-
quainting me, that he would come to me
on Monday the ISth in the morning, before
he went to court, being then just going into
the country.
This day early in the morning, Mr. Pel- J^^.
ham made me a long visit with much civil-
ity ; he seemed to wish much that this affair
might go no farther. I told him that I saw
the country in so dangerous a condition, and
found myself so incapable to contribute to its
relief and so unwelcome to attempt it, that I
thought it misbecame me any longer to re-
ceive great emoluments from a country, whose
service I could not, and if I could, I should
not be suffered to promote : so I begged him
to execute my commission to the King j and
then we parted.
He came to me again, about eleven o'clock,
to let me know that the King accepted my
resignation very graciously, but expected
that I would continue to act, till he could fix
upon a proper successor. I did so, and was
continued in the office till the 3d of May.
The Prince was extremely kind to me, and j ULY 16.
often admitted me to the honour of supping
with him and the Princess. But on Saturday
the 15th of July, going to Carleton House, to
make my compliments before I went to East-
bury, he ordered me to sup with him, and in-
B 2
4
1749. vited me to spend the day with him, at Kew,
on the following Tuesday, being the 18th,
wanting, as he was pleased to say, to talk to
me about business.
(s. This day I arrived at Kew about eleven
o'clock. The Prince received me most kindly,
and told me he desired me to come into his
service upon any terms, and by any title I
pleased : that he. meant to put the principal
direction of his affairs into my hands : and
what he could not do for me in his present
situation, must be made up to me in futurity.
All this in a manner so noble and frank, and
with expressions so full of affection and re-
gard, that I ought not to remember them
but as a debt, and to perpetuate my gra-
titude. This passed before dinner.
After dinner, he took me into a private
room, and of himself began to say, that he
thought I might as well be called Treasurer
of the Chambers, as any other name: that
the Earl of Scarborough, his Treasurer, might
take it ill, if I stood upon the establishment
with higher appointments than he did : that
his Royal Highness's destination was, that I
July 1 S.
should have 2000/. per ann. That he thought ^ 1749.
it best to put me upon the establishment at
the highest salary, only, and that he would
pay me the rest himself. I humbly desired,
that I might stand upon the establishment
without any salary, and that I would take
what he now designed for me, when he should
be King, but nothing before. He said, that
it became me to make him that offer, but it
did not become him to accept it, consistent
with his reputation, and therefore it must
be in present. He then immediately added,
that we must settle what was to happen in
reversion, and said, that he thought a Peer-
age with the management of the House of
Lords, and the Seals of Secretary of State, for
the southern province, would be a proper
station for me, if I approved of it. Per-
ceiving me to be under much confusion at
this unexpected offer, and at a loss how to
express myself; he stopped me, and then
said, I now promise you on the word and ho-
nour of a Prince, that, as soon as I come to
the Crown, I will give you a Peerage and the
Seals of the southern province. Upon my
endeavouring to thank him, he repeated the
same words, and added (putting back his
1749.
July IS.
chair), and I give you leave to kiss my hand
upon it now, by way of acceptance ; which .
I did accordingly.
He then continued to say, that he would
provide for my friends, whom he knew I va-
lued more than myself: that he promised
Mr. Furnese, the Treasury: Sir Francis Dash-
wood, the Treasury of the Navy, or Cofferer :
Mr. Henley, Solicitor General, and gave me
leave to tell them so, adding, that he would
confirm it to them himself. Lord Talbot I
was to settle with, when I saw him in Dor-
setshire. We agreed, that he should send for
me to Cliefden, when he was settled there,
where the warrant should be ordered, &c. &c.
Upon the conversation before dinner, I
had taken the opportunity to beg the Prin-
cess's protection, who answered me in the
most obliging manner.
19 I saw Mr. Furnese and Mr. Ralph at Ham-
mersmith, to whom I related all that had
passed, and promised Mr. Ralph, that he
should be my Secretary, if I lived to have
the Seals.
Went to Eastbury. r 1749 -
J July 20.
Lord Talbot came over to me at Eastbury. 23,
I acquainted him with this whole transaction;
he promised to support me to the utmost, and
to do the Prince all possible service: but
would accept no reversion.
Sir Francis Dash wood and his Lady came is.
to Eastbury. I informed him also of all
that had passed. He received, with much
pleasure, both what related to himself and
to me.
Mr. Bance came to Eastbury, whom also Aug. 9.
I acquainted with all that had passed be-
tween the Prince and me, and offered him
my endeavours to procure for him the rever-
sion of the Remittances, or of the Board of
Trade, if he had a mind to leave the city.
He received my narrative with much plea-
sure, and my offers with great kindness and
affection; protesting that he had no wish,
but to remain always my faithful friend and
servant, and desired, nor would have, nothing.
But upon my pressing him, he said, that if
it must be so, he should choose the Remit-
8
17 * & * tances, and to have the secret and govern-
ment of the Bank, as what he thought, would
render him most useful to his friends ; to
whieh I agreed, and promised to undertake
the affair, with the Prince.
Sept. 7. I received the Prince's commands, by the
Earl of Egmont, to attend him at Cliefden.
9.
Lord Shaftesbury came this morning; I
opened part of the Prince's scheme to him,
he seemed pleased and willing to assist j and
thought he could answer for Lord Foley, and
promised to try him.
n. Returned to Gunnersbury.
12, 13. Saw Mr. Ralph, and talked with him about
Lord Egmont's acquainting Cary with the
whole transaction between him and me.
14. Went from Gunnersbury to Cliefden. Well
received by all the family. There were be-
sides, the Earl of Bute and Lord Chief Justice
Willes.
15. Dined with their Royal Highnesses at Park
9
Place. Lord Chief Justice went from thence i"4-9.
tT , Sept. 15.
to Henley.
Orders to Mr. Drax, by Lord Egmont, to ,G -
make out my warrant. Received an account
that Lord Cobham died on Wednesday the
ISth.
The Prince and Lord Egmont went to 17.
Town from Cliefden. The Princess to Kew.
They returned thither about nine. I met
them at - ten. Lord Bathurst came to Clief-
den in the morning, and from thence to
Kew.
Sir William Stanhope came to Cliefden. 21.
At Ashley. Sent an ode to the Princess, 23.
with a letter, by her command.
Received an answer from the Princess. 24.
Heard the news of the death of Sir Watkin 29.
Williams, by a fall from his horse.
Kissed the Prince's and Princess's hands, Oct. 1,
as Treasurer of the Chambers. Supped with
10
'749. their Royal Highnesses and Madame de
Mirepoix, the French Ambassadress. The
Prince pretty eager about opposition.
Kissed the King's hand at Kensington.
Was civilly received. Wrote to Lady Mid-
dlesex about what passed last night. Sent a
servant to the Grange with a letter to Mr,
Henley, and wrote to Mr. Waller.
3. Set out from London. Met an answer
from Mr. Henley j not so full as I expected.
Lay at Sutton, and arrived at Eastbury the
following day.
6. Mr. Drax came to Eastbury ; he says,
Lady Middlesex is cunning and silly, and
warns me against her.
7. Went to Lord Shaftesbury's, and left him
very well disposed ; found General Chol-
mondley there — at my return found Mr.
Henley, showed him Lord Egmont's letter,
and my answer, and the heads which I de-
signed from the Prince. He seemed to ap-
prove, and promised to promote every thing
according to my system.
11
Mr. Henley went away. n*9.
J J Oct. 8.
Arrived at Hammersmith. 12.
Sent a memorial with a letter to the Prince 13.
— waited on their Royal Highnesses. They
lay at Kew, and ordered me to attend them
the next day.
Came to Kew at two. Walked with the 14 «
Princess alone till four. Dined and supped
there. Lords Inchiquin and Bute, Ladies
Middlesex and Howe, Mr. Breton and I.
At Leicester House. The Grenvilles pre- *&
sented for the title of Temple. Supped at
Carleton House — Their Royal Highnesses,
Ladies Middlesex, Howe, Madame de Mire-
poixj Lords Bute and North.
Went to Cliefden with their Royal High- 16 «
nesses. Lords Inchiquin and Bathurst met
us. The Princess talked to me about Lord
North for a governor to Prince George, which
I approved of
We all went to Ouborn Fair; Prince 20.
George in our coach.
12
17^9. The Princess talked much to me about the
Earl of Granville.
28. We left Cliefden- dined and supped at
Kew, and left the children there. We came
to Town about one.
so. King's birth-day kept. I was at St. James's '.
then at Carleton House : went to dine with
Sir Samuel Pennant, Lord Mayor, by the
Prince's command. Nobody at the feast be-
tween the Lord Chancellor and me.
Nov. 4. Dined and supped at Kew. The Prince
read to me an answer to my memorial written
with his own hand. The difference in opinion
between us is not considerable. The piece is
astonishingly well drawn.
12. I dined at Carleton House. The company,
only the Prince, the Earl of Egmont, and Dr.
Lee. Our business, the immediate steps to
be taken upon the demise of the King, more
particularly with relation to the Civil List.
His Royal Highness said, he had had three
methods proposed to him : the first was to let
the present Ministers settle it, and then part
13
with them and the Parliament: the second J749.
/. f i i Nov. 12.
was, to dismiss four or five of the principals,
but to vote the Civil List before the Parlia-
ment was dissolved : the third (which he was
pleased to say, he thought was my opinion),
was to dismiss the Parliament immediately, to
turn all those out whom he did not design to
continue, and to throw himself upon the coun-
try, for a new Parliament, and a provision for
himself and family, which he desired should
be only a clear annuity of 800,000/. giving
back the duties to the public, with whatever
surplus might attend it. The first proposi-
tion his Royal Highness put out of the ques-
tion: the second and third, he desired that he
might be fully satisfied upon, from a full con-
sideration ; because what was there deter-
mined, he would unalterably stand by, when
communicated, and agreed to by the Earl of
Carlisle, I^ord Baltimore, and Lord Chief
Justice Willes. It was discussed, and we
were all, at last, of opinion, that the third
proposition was the greatest, most popular,
and the best. His Royal Highness came
heartily into it, gave us his hand, and made
us take hands with each other to stand by,
and support it. I undertook to find l 2 or
14
1749. 300,000/. to go on with, till a new Parlia-
ment could grant the Civil List.
13. I kissed the Duke's hand. Saw the Earl of
Carlisle; he was for the second proposition,
and for keeping the Prince's destination of
employments secret, because he was unwill-
ing the Pelhams should know they were des-
perate with him : he did not see how the
House of Lords could be carried on without
the Earl of Granville. Sir Paul Methuen was*
for the third proposition.
!4. Lord Middlesex and Mr. Ralph came in
the evening — much talk about bringing the
Prince's affairs to some regulation.
1.3. Dined at Carleton House — The Prince,
Earls of Carlisle and Egmont, Lord Chief
Justice Willes, Lord Baltimore, Sir John
Rushout, Messrs. Gibbon, Lee, Henley, Nu-
gent, Sir Thomas Bootle and I. Agreed not
to oppose the Address, unless there should be
something very strong in it.
i<s. The session of Parliament opened with a
very modest Speech. The Address, moved
15
bv Mr. Charles Townshend, and seconded by 1749.
J ~ , -r , 1 NOV. 16.
Sir Dan vers Osborne, I thought a very unex-
ceptionable one, and I did not oppose it. Sir
John Hynde Cotton did, upon the Peace not
being complete, as is there said. The Earl of
Egmont then made a violent and very injudi-
cious speech against the Address, throwing
out every thing he could think, or had heard
of against the Ministry. Lord Baltimore said
but little on the same side, and so the matter
dropped, and the Address was voted. I went to
the Prince before I dined, to give him an ac-
count of what had passed : he did not seem to
make much account of it, one way or an-
other.
Lady Mary Coke appeared at the King's 1?.
Bench, and obtained leave for lawyers, all
her relations, and the Earl of Pembroke to
come to her. Lord Middlesex and Mr. Fur-
nese came to me in the evening. Much
serious conversation about the behaviour, in
and out of Parliament, of the Prince's familv,
and of our situation in it. Agreed that it
must be altered, or that I could be of no use
there, and consequently could not stay. Earl
of Middlesex undertook to talk to the Prince
16
1749. about it. I was presented to the Princess
Amelia, and kissed her hand.
19. The Princess's birth-day; but not kept till
Wednesday, because Queen Caroline died on
the 20th. The Prince ordered me to signify,
that he would not meddle with the Westmin-
ster election.
20. Mr. Bodens informed me that Mr. Douglas,
at Lord Robert Bertie's, said, that I solicited
r
to come into the Prince's family, agreeing not
to be at the head; Dr. Lee was at the head.
11. The Princess's birth-day was kept. Dined
with the following public Ministers ; Marquis
de Mirepoix, Comte de Haslang, Mons. le
General Comte de Lucchesi, Mons. le Ge-
neral Wall, Mons. le Comte de Fleming,
Mons. le Comte de Perrou, Mons. l'Abbe de
Grossa-testa ; Mess, les Chevaliers de Levy,
de Laurency, de Tessier ; Mons. d'Andrara,
Mons. d'Abriau, Mons.de Comte d'Einsiddell,
Mons. le Baron Kraygill, Mons. de Fioren,
Lord Tyrawley, and Mr. Breton. I went to
Lord Middlesex, who had been with me in the
morning, to tell me that the Prince had sent
17
for him on Sunday, that his Royal Highness 174 9.
seemed much heated, having heard from Lord
Baltimore, that I was in a great passion at
what passed in Parliament last Thursday, and
declared that I would have voted against them,
if they had divided upon the Address.
Asked if such behaviour was not intolerable,
Lord Middlesex assured him, that I talked it
over to him, in the House, with great calm-
ness and without the least passion j that Lord
Baltimore joined us for a little time, and
seemed to be of our opinion; that he, Lord
Middlesex, as well as I, thought that the Ad-
dress should have gone without opposition,
and that Lord Egmont's speech was very inju-
dicious, &c. ; but the Prince seemed of a con-
trary opinion, and the conversation ended, by
his directing Lord Middlesex to quiet me. I
went, as I said before, to Lord Middlesex in
the evening, and we had much talk. Both
Lord and Lady Middlesex were of opinion,
that a party was made against me in the
family, and that it was best to come to an ex-
planation with the Prince. I supped with
their Royal Highnesses at Carleton House.
Lords Bute and Inchiquin, Ladies Middlesex
and Howe.
c
18
174-9. Was to wait on the Prince, who appointed
me Friday at twelve o'clock.
Went to council. The King present. Ten
thousand seamen voted. Earls of Hallifax
and Broke sworn Lord Lieutenants of North-
amptonshire and Warwickshire.
24. Earl of Middlesex and Mr. Ralph were with
me, to acquaint me that the printer and pub-
lisher of the Remembrancer was taken up for
his paper of last Saturday the 18th instant,
but that the messenger used them with un-
common civility, touched nothing of their
papers, presses, or effects, and took their
words for their surrendering themselves the
next morning. My Lord had been with the
Prince, who agreed to indemnify them as to
the expense, but was very averse, that any
thing should be done to make him at all ap-
pear in it, which made them very uneasy.
At half past twelve I went to Carleton
House, and in a quarter of an hour was call-
ed in. Sir Thomas Bootle was with the
Prince. His Royal Highness took me into a
window, and told me that he had sent Mid
19
dlesex to me, about the seizing the printer, 1749.
&c. What was to be done ? and then, with- Vs 2 "
out giving me time to answer, he ran out into
reasons why nobody that belonged to him
must appear. I gently let him see that I
thought otherwise, and insinuated, whether,
if Mr. Ralph should be taken up, it would
not be proper that Lord Middlesex and I
should bail him : he said, by no means, and
therefore Ralph should be spoken to, that he
might keep out of the way, &c. At last he
ordered, that he should go to my house at
Hammersmith; with which I agreed, think-
ing that the strongest mark of his protection
that we could desire. After much talk about
this and that, and some idle accounts about
the poll at Covent Garden, he made me sit
by him, and ran into a long discourse about
the army, and then about the reduction of in-
terest, and so let himself into a discourse
about the necessity of saying something upon
those things in Parliament, to feel pulse, and
keep the party together, &c. all which was
designed as an apology (instead of finding
fault) to me, for what had passed the begin-
ning of the session — I took it up, upon his
mentioning something about talk, and throw
C 2
20
1749. ing things out, to expose, &c. and said that I
JNov. 24-
supposed talk might be right, but people
should consider what talk, and if they had
any thing to say : that perpetually throwing
out things, which one neither understood nor
could prove, was, I thought, and always
should think, exposing one's self, and not the
person aimed at : that it was for his service, to
put little things into his power, to be verified
beyond contradiction ; that he might certain-
ly know, what dependence was to be had up-
on those they came from, when they inform-
ed him of greater matters. Therefore, I
would furnish him with one instance ; he had
heard I was in a great passion about the Earl
of Egmont's behaviour upon the Address :
luckily for me, I had never spoken to any
body about it, but to two persons, favourite
servants of his Royal Highness, and particular
friends of mine, Lords Middlesex and Balti-
more; the latter of whom joined us as we
were talking of it very calmly; he seemed to
be of our opinion, and said, he had told Cot-
ton we -should not divide with them : I knew
that Lord Middlesex had told him how it
passed, and if he would give me leave to bring
Lord Baltimore to him, he would inform his
21
Roval Hierhness that there was not the least 1749.
, r ii /t i r» i • Nov. 24J
heat among any of us all. (I knew Baltimore
was the author of this dirty piece of cun-
ning). That by this, he might see, if he
pleased, what credit was to be given for the
future to those, who brought him this piece of
intelligence. He thanked me, and was very
gracious, and talked it off as well as he could $
but in the multiplicity of discourse, owned to
me that Baltimore had told him, but meant no
harm, &c. I replied, I had never seen busi-
ness done in a meeting of a dozen, like that,
on the fifteenth day, before the session : that
those meetings were always declaratory,
though in the shape of deliberation: that
the first concoction was always between the
Prince and three or four persons at most : that
I hoped to have laid my poor opinions before
him in that manner, with two or three only ;
that I hoped to have found a friend there,
especially Lord Middlesex, whom I thought,
upon all accounts, ought to be at the first
digestion : that then we should properly lay
our thoughts jointly before his Royal High-
ness, or, if we differed, could reason it out
with one another, and he might judge which
side to adhere to. But to combat the opi~
1749. nions he adopted, separately with him, was
' impossible: we could not, we ought not to
dispute with him, as we did with each other.
He was a good deal staggered at what I
said about Lord Middlesex, and said, he
ought, no doubt, to be of the great meet-
ing: I said, of both sure, and added some-
thing much in his favour. I then told him,
that I found very little disposition to friend-
ship and cordiality with me, in those whom
he seemed principally to confide in, &c. He
said I must not wonder there was a little shy-
ness at first, there were so many stories, &c.
&c. I replied, that I hoped he did not think
I mentioned it by way of complaint, for if it
were not with relation to his service, I should
never think of desiring the favour and coun-
tenance of any one, or of all of those gentle-
men, as any sort of addition to me : that, as
he thought it for his service, I already had-
done, though fruitlessly, and would continue
to do every thing, and go all the way to obtain
their good-will : that I begged he would ob-
serve, that in consequence of his service and
commands, I would cheerfully do this, but
separate from his service and commands, it
23
never could have entered into my ima^ina- 1749.
Nov 24.
tion to have made court to those gentlemen ;
because I never could think, nor did I believe
any body else would, that those gentlemen
any where, or at any time, could do me any
honour by admitting me among them. He
then said, that, to be sure, I was in a situa-
tion and upon a footing that I ought not to
make court to any man in England ; nobody
could expect it from me. Having extorted
this confession, as a mark to remember this,
part of the conversation by, I left it there.
This is a short recapitulation of a conver-
sation of full two hours : it contains almost
every word I said. His Royal Highness talk?
ed all the rest of the time.
Lord Middlesex came to me after dinner,
to whom I communicated the whole ; he was
much pleased at it, and thinks that all will go
well in time. I think otherwise, and that
there is no prospect of doing any good.
The printer and publisher were set free
without bail ; only giving their words to ap-
24
1749. pear, if sent for by a Secretary of State,
sent the Prince notice of it.
Nov. 24.
27. I went to town and polled for Sir George
Vandeput ; met with a great crowd, but much
civility. Returned to Hammersmith before
five.
28. Proposition in Parliament to reduce all the
four per cents, to three and a half per cent, for
seven years certain, and then to three per cent.
redeemable as before ; continuing them for
one year (which some of them were entitled
to for notice) at four per cent. A debate, and
different propositions to me unintelligible (I
am sure injudicious), by the Earl of Egmont
and others.
Dec i. Mr. Cooke came to know of me what
assistance from the Prince might be relied
upon, toward carrying the Westminster elec-
tion to a scrutiny. I promised to lay the
affair before his Royal Highness.
2. I introduced Mr. Cooke to the Prince, who
assured him the election should be supported.
25
Went to Court. 1749.
Dec. 3.
Land tax at three shillings in the pound 4.
voted in the Committee much babbling.
Dr. Sharpe brought me a map and a writ- 5 *
ten account of the importance of Nova Scotia.
Lord Middlesex, Messrs. Ralph, Furnese, and
the Doctor came in the evening, about bring-
ing a question into Parliament, to defeat any
claim, which (as is reported) the French have
made to it. — Nothing determined. Supped at
Carleton House, Ladies Middlesex and Howe,
Lords Inchiquin and Bute, and I.
Received a letter from Mr. Edward Walpole 8.
about the Prince's consent to his purchasing
a crown lease in Lancashire, which I laid be-
fore his Royal Highness, and received his com-
mands. Westminster poll closed. Scrutiny
granted, and to begin the 26th instant.
I went to Mr. Walpole, and told him from 9.
the Prince, that his Royal Highness had great
good-will for him personally ; no objection to
his conduct, thought him a good servant of
the King's, and doubted not, but that he
26
1749. would serve him as well, when he should be
Dec. 9. Tr . ,
King : that as to the thing, his Royal High-
ness disliked the precedent ; and, besides that,
he had measures to keep, and might subject
himself to the suspicion of having underhand
dealings with the Court, by too easy com-
pliances with requests of this nature, which
was nothing less than giving away, by way of
act of Parliament, so much of his inheritance:
that therefore he desired a little time, and Mr.
Walpole should have his final answer before
the term for bringing in private bills expired.
Mr. Walpole confessed the fact to be as the
Prince had stated it, and assured me, that he
had no thoughts of attempting it, if his Royal
Highness refused his consent : that Mr. Pel-
ham was against it on that account, but, im-
portuned by him, declared that he could not
refuse his father's son, but never would be for
another, of the same sort ; and should move
the King even in this, with much reluctance.
This Mr. Walpole desired I would acquaint
the Prince with.
1 3. Went to Leicester House, delivered Mr. Wal-
pole's answer to the Prince, who seemed in a
disposition to grant his consent in proper time.
27
Mr. Cary dined with us, Messrs. Furnese J 749 -
Dfc ] 8
and Ralph and Lord Talbot came in the
afternoon. Much talk about the report car-
ried to the Prince, that Cary saw the Duke
privately ; suppose to come from Ranby the
chirurgeon. Agreed that it must be brought
to a full eclaircissement.
At Leicester House, heard that the Earl of 24.
Crawford died that morning.
Went to Kew. Their Royal Highnesses: 26.
Ladies Middlesex and Howe : Lords Bute,
Inchiquin and Bathurst : Messrs. Masham,
Breton, and I : Lady Middlesex complained
of the Prince.
At Kew. Mr. Bludworth came. Lady 2S.
Middlesex and I staid together, after the
company, till half past two, upon the same
subject.
Lady Middlesex conversed with me an 29.
hour upon the same subject, after the com-
pany went to bed.
Received the Prince's commands to ac- 175 °*
Jan. 3.
28
U50. q Ua i n t Mr. Walpole, that he consented to his
bill about Garstang in Lancashire, which I
communicated by letter to Mr. Walpole.
9 - The Earl of Pembroke died this day sud-
denly.
n. Went to Leicester House, to see Jane Grey
acted by the Prince's children.
l5 ' Mr. Walpole's petition read, and a bill or-
dered to be brought in.
16.
At the House. In the committee on the
mutiny bill. I opposed the filling up . the
clause that punishes mutiny and desertion
with the word, Death — but was not supported.
19, Debate in the committee upon the mutiny
bill. Oath of secrecy subjected to the requi-
sition of the Courts of Justice.
20 - The Prince's birth-day. The same Mi-
nisters and foreigners dined with me, as on
the Princess's birth-day.
2, « Supped at Lord Middlesex's, where I met
29
the Prince and Princess, Lady Torrington, I75 °-
Earl of Inchiquin, Lord Bathurst, Air. Breton,
Lady Shannon, Miss Rich, and Mr. Masham.
Debate upon the revision of sentences by a 23.
court martial : carried, that they be sent back
by the Commander in Chief — once only.
Went to the House. Debate upon a turn- 29.
pike bill espoused by the Duke of Bedford.
Fullest house and greatest division of any day
of the session : after which the House thinned.
Lord Middlesex, by the Prince's order, Feb. 4.
showed me a motion to be made the next
day, for an account of the state of the port of
Dunkirk, and the papers that had passed on
that subject. It was agreed, that I should
wait on the Prince the next day.
I waited upon his Royal Highness, and told 5.
him that I was come to thank him for com-
municating the motion to me, which was
more than any of my fellow-servants had con-
descended to do, since I came into his service.
He made me a very embarrassed and per-
plexed answer. I then proceeded to say, that
30
175 °- I had not been idle, but had been Iboking in-
Feb 5
to several things, in order to form something
proper to be laid before Parliament. That I
had long had this particular point of Dun-
kirk under consideration : was determined to
be at the expense to know, and to procure
evidence of the present state of it, but my ac-
quaintance lay so much out of the mercantile
way, that I was at a loss how to go about it ;
that I had pitched upon Mr. Sheriff Jansen, be-
ing a trader himself, and much conversant in
trade, as a proper person to inform and assist
me: that the great fit of sickness he fell into
had, till now, disabled him from going out,
and that yesterday was the first time I could
get him to dinner. That I supposed, that,
though I was so unfortunate as not to be
ready, his Royal Highness was well informed
of all things necessary to make out the charge,
&c. He said, No; but the throwing it out,
would make the Ministry feel they had La
corde au col, and it was an opportunity to
abuse them, &c. I said that my idea had
been, to bring something of national weight,
which I could fix by undeniable evidence
upon them, and leave it there. That if I
could have brought this affair up to that
31
point, then I had designed to lay it before
his Royal Highness, with this only remark,
how far he thought proper to venture the
consequences with France, in the present con-
dition of this country. He said, the Tories
wanted something to be done, and if he did
not do something, they immediately thought
he was negociating. I told him also, that I
had been, for some time, getting such lights
as I could into the affair of Nova Scotia, that
I designed to lay it before him, when I had
brought it to be worthy of his consideration j
but it was my misfortune to think, that it was
necessary to be armed with full proofs and
conviction of every sort of the charge, before
we brought it into the House. Upon that
foot I submitted, that, in case upon this ques-
tion of Dunkirk, it should come out, that the
port was left just in the same condition it re-
mained, under the treaty of Utrecht, without
any innovation since the war (the Ministry
not having already enforced a stricter execu-
tion of that treaty, than ever had been en-
forced), it would not, I feared, make a very
strong point against them. He was pleased
to say, No, to be sure, so long an acquiescence
would greatly diminish the objection. Upon
1750.
Feb. 5.
32
1750. these words I left him, and went directly to
the House. In the debate, I argued against
the inexpediency and dangers (which were
the objections, set up by the Court, to grant-
ing these papers), that there could be 7ione, be-
cause if it appeared that there had been no
innovations since the war, and that the post
was in the state it had remained under the
treaty of Utrecht — though I did not give it
up, but still did insist we had a right to a
fuller execution of that treaty confirmed by
this, and therefore 1 did not give it up. Yet,
if that appeared to be the case, no danger or
inconveniency could arise from the motion,
because I was sure that I, for one, would not,
and I believed that no gentleman, upon that
account, would move any thing, that might
occasion a rupture with France.
At the end of the debate, Lord Egmont,
who made the motion, recapitulated what had
been said against it. He began, by going out
of his way, to say, that he must first declare,
that he was sorry to differ with me ; but did
not agree, that it would be sufficient to excuse
the Ministry, if it should appear, as I had
stated it, that things remained at Dunkirk, as
33
they were left before the war, &c. &c. I nso.
was much surprised at this, considering the
expressions of his Royal Highness a few hours
before. We were beat by a very great major-
ity. This night was published the vilest and
most rancorous pamphlet against me, that, I
believe, any age or country can show ; the
author of it taking, by implication, the cha-
racter of being in the Prince's service.
Went to Lord Middlesex with the words c.
(as near as I could recollect) written down,
which I had used in the debate, and which he
had heard. He agreed to them : I then de-
sired him to lay them before the Prince (who
was at Kew, and was to come to see Lady
Middlesex on her miscarriage), and in my
name to complain, both of the pamphlet, and
of the behaviour I met with — which he un-
dertook. Mr. Ralph and Dr. Sharpe came
after dinner; much conversation about the
pamphlet, which Lord Middlesex told me in
the morning, the Prince had told Lady Mid-
dlesex (before he went to Kew) was sent him
in a letter on Friday night : that he was much
incensed at it ; that he had immediately sent
to Mr. Nugent, examined him upon it, and
D
34
1750. he had absolutely denied it with detestation
and abhorrence : that he had questioned the
Earl of Egmont upon it, who had done the
same. Mr. Furnese came, who had had
a conversation with Lord Baltimore of his
(Lord Baltimore's) own seeking when in wine,
and renewed when sober; in which that Lord
declared, that there was a combination of the
whole family against me ; that they were, as
he said, in a round Robin ; that I endeavoured
to govern and supplant them, that they talked
of me with the utmost inveteracy : that he
was my friend, but, however, he would keep
his connexions, &c. We sent Dr. Sharpe
home, to stay till the Prince went away : who
returned and brought us that very account,
which by mistake I have set down before, as
given to me by Lord Middlesex in the morn-
ing ; who then informed me that the Prince
had had the pamphlet sent him in a letter the
Friday before, and was much incensed at it.
Lord Middlesex agreed I should see the
Prince as soon as might be, after I had seen
him in the morning. The Prince, as well as
we, suspected that the pamphlet might come
from the Court, in order to foment and in-
crease divisions.
35
Went to Leicester House, after Lord Mid- 1750.
dlesex had been with me, who confirmed last tB ' '
night's account, with the addition that Lord
Egmont offered his endeavours to find out the
Author, &c. &c.; that the Prince was sorry
for what had happened in the House, but as
Lord Egmont had differed from me with civil-
ity, he did not seem to lay much stress upon
it. It being late and public day, I sent in a
note to the Prince, to know when he would
honour me with an hour's conversation — he
appointed me the next day, at seven o'clock,
at Carleton House. Mr. Herbert presented
as Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire.
Saw Mr. Ralph and Mr. Furnese, asked 8.
the latter, if in charging the combination of
the family against me, I might put it in
proof, from the conversation between him and
Lord Baltimore 5 but I could not persuade
him to assent to it. I sent Mr. Ralph to
Lord Middlesex, to know if I might take
notice to the Prince, of a circumstance which
he told me yesterday morning, and zchich I
have omitted, which was, that the Prince had
dropped, that Lord Baltimore had had a con-
versation with Mr. Furnese, who was very
D 2
36
1750. warm. He sent me word, that he thought
it would be improper. At six o'clock the
Prince sent me word, that he was just re-
turned from Kew, and found that the Princess
had appointed Comte Hemming and his Lady
to be at Carleton House at seven, and there-
fore feared he should not have time to dine
and see me; but desired I would come the
next day at seven.
N. B. Just upon one o'clock this day, two
very great and very distinct shocks of an
earthquake were felt in Pall Mall, at the di-
stance of some seconds.
9. Went to the House: Mr. Edward Wal-
pole's Bill passed without opposition. After
dinner went to Carleton House ; just as I
came thither, I was followed in by Dr. Lee,
who brought old Coram with propositions for
a vagabond hospital. I was told that the
Prince had asked for me several times ; I was
immediately called in : I told the Prince,
that Dr. Lee was in the house, and that I did
not wish to make him wait : he pretended,
that he had forgot he had been long ap-
pointed to bring Coram on that day, but that
37
he would go out to him, and that they were 1750.
to go up to the Princess. I saw that his
Royal Highness had sent for him on purpose,
and therefore said, that I had nothing to say
to him, but what I should be glad that Dr.
Lee should hear. He went out to them, and
after a short stay sent them up. He returned
and began to talk about the earthquake,
which conversation I continued a little, when
I asked, if the Doctor was to come down — he
said, Yes. When the doctor came, I suffered
the discourse to continue general, to see if he
meant only to give the Doctor the opportu-
nity of making a civil visit. But, at last,
his Royal Highness applying to me, said, he
thought I had something to say to him : this,
by the Doctor's not moving, made it plain ;
and therefore I began by saying, that I should
not have presumed to ask that favour, yet it
was a very particular pleasure to me, that he
was so good as to admit Dr. Lee to be present,
and to hear what I had to lay before his
Royal Highness. That I must, in the first
place, return my most humble thanks for the
indignation he had expressed against the vile
and rancorous pamphlet which had been pub-
lished against me, &c. lie said that, as soon
38
1750. as it was sent to him, he saw that it was de-
signed to personate Mr. Nugent — that he im-
mediately sent for him, who denied every
part of it with the utmost abhorrence — that
Lord Egmont did the same, &c. — -just as
Lord Middlesex related. I replied, that I
had never thought so basely of either of them
as to suspect them : that if I had been so in-
jurious to either, yet, after so solemn a denial
before the highest tribunal, their master, their
Prince, near being their King, every trace, or
thought of such a suspicion must be for ever
entirely laid out of the question : but that it
was evident that the character assumed, was
of one of the family. Dr. Lee said, he had
never heard of it, till last Wednesday, and, as
he detested all things of that nature, had not
yet seen it, and believed he never should.
The Prince said, every body was infamously
abused : he and his father had been often so :
that it would do me no hurt, &c. I told
him that I was very unfortunate, if I ex-
plained myself so ill, as to be thought to com-
plain of the pamphlet further than as it in-
jured his service; that I had hitherto, I
thought, mentioned it only as a ground to
return him my most humble thanks for his
39
generous interposition, without being applied 1750.
to : but that I now begged to make another
plain and evident use of it.
That though it was now beyond question,
that this libel did not proceed from any of his
family, yet, it was as much beyond question,
that the behaviour of many of his family had
given the author ground to suppose, that the
assumed character might pass for the real
one ; and that it was evidently meant, to fix
the charge of my intrusion into the family,
and their detestation of me, to create dif-
ferences if there were none, and to publish
and inflame them if there were. That to this
fact, thus plainly proved by the pamphlet,
I would add another, which I thought very
unfortunate to myself. That I knew how
disagreeable it was, to bring gentlemen head
to head, and that I foresaw, his Royal High-
ness would not like to admit it. But that I
could prove (though now I chose to do it by
reason only, and collateral facts) that there
was, I did not know what to call it, an opi-
nion, a resolution among the gentlemen his
servants and followers (excepting Dr. Lee,
whom they nominally excepted) to look upon
40
1750. me as an improper and unprofitable servant,
and would not unite or communicate with
me. That I knew this to be true, and looked
upon it as a great misfortune to me ; because,
though it did not become me to say before
his Royal Highness how I came into his fa-
mily, yet I certainly embraced, with the ut-
most pleasure, the opportunity of belonging,
as a servant, to a Prince, whom of all man-
kind I should have wished to have passed my
life with, if his misfortune and the misfor-
tune of the public had placed him in a private
station. That the disappointment of so flat-
tering a view was the more sensible, because
I was sure, it must arise from some fault, and
that no small fault ; because, after what had
so lately passed at the other end of the Mall
(St. James's) and the lively sense his Royal
Highness had expressed of it, I could not,
and did not imagine, that any man, or body
of men, would be hardy enough to combine,
to prescribe to him whom he should employ,
to what degree, or in what manner. This, as I
knew it would, fired him, and though till this
he had kept the most profound silence, he now
interrupted me, and said, nobody should pre-
tend to do that by him ; that he allowed,
41
sometimes, one, and sometimes another, to 17.50.
lay their opinions before him, but nobody !> '
presumed to direct him, and appealed to Dr.
Lee, if any one treated him in that manner,
&c. &c. I replied that I had said so, and un-
derstood it so, and that made this treatment
the more sensible, because I was sure it must
proceed from some fault of mine, which I
begged to be acquainted with, for it plainly
appeared that the dislike to me was real.
That I must now proceed to another thing,
which I once thought a most certain fact, but
which I had since found was grounded on a
mistake; that I was about to say, that his
Royal Highness a little contributed to lead
me into that mistake, by telling me, when he
was most graciously pleased to command my
services, that all his family, as well as himself,
were desirous of it. That I had heard the
same, indeed, on all hands, and some of the
most considerable had themselves, long, often,
and with great zeal assured me of their warm-
est desires, and had even taken credit to
themselves, for having earnestly pressed his
lloyal Highness to call me to that honour,
which they now thought me so unworthy of.
42
1750. That, therefore, I begged they might be
asked, fairly and openly, what was the reason
of so total an alteration, as well as so sudden
a one : for I had thought, that I perceived a
difference, even before we came to town, the
last time from Cliefden. That, as to arro-
gance and sufficiency, and design to govern
his Royal Highness and them, which I sup-
posed had been plentifully inculcated ; I
begged (and I was glad to do it before the
Doctor) he would be pleased to declare first
as to himself, if I had fatigued him with au-
diences, or had laid hold of the many other
opportunities I had, to obtrude my own
thoughts upon him, or to know his; to com-
plain to him, that he did not communicate
what he was doing to me, and take my opi-
nions, or to presume to expostulate with him,
or blame what he had done for not communi-
cating with me. He said, No indeed, but
twice, as he remembered — once, was about a
paper I had drawn to lay before him, and the
other time, when the printer of the Remem-
brancer was taken up. I put him in mind,
that at that time, I mentioned to him the al-
teration I observed in his servants, which was
so long ago as last November. I then asked
43
if, in the many leisure hours of private life, I 1750.
had ever spoken ill of any one of them, or so
much as complained, or endeavoured to lessen
or depreciate them or their performances.
He said, No : but to be sure I did not express
any partiality to schemes which I did not ap-
prove of — (but he did not answer so fully and
fairly upon this head, as the truth is). I then
said, I would not desire his Royal Highness to
declare if those gentlemen had treated me
with the same fairness — as I was sure he
would answer that to himself. As to the go-
verning them, did I ever interfere with them ?
they formed their own business, their papers,
their own motions, without the least commu-
nication with, or complaint from me : that I
was sorry for it, as they made me a useless
servant to him in Parliament ; for that it was
impossible for me to go thither, and follow
their motions at sight and at hearing, and
then to be disowned for my pains. He
laughed, and said, it was because they had
nothing to communicate; they had done
nothing that he knew of. The mutiny bill
was an agreed point by all, and they had had
nothing else. That as to the Dunkirk mo-
tion, he protested it was a thought of his own,
44
17.50. that Dr. Lee knew nothing of it, even when
he sent it to me by Lord Middlesex. I re-
plied, that, in a conversation, the grounds of
which were my misfortune in being rendered
useless to a master, whose unmerited goodness
and favour were my sole ambition and reli-
ance, it was impossible that I could change
them so grossly, as to be brought to com-
plain or to suffer him for a single moment to
think, that I did complain of him. That I
received the communication he had honoured
me with, as a mark of his favour, with much
respect: that what I spoke of was the non-
communication, and disavowal of the rest of
his servants, both in the mutiny bill and on
another occasion. He said, that as to punish-
ing mutiny with death, he must own to me
that he, as well as they, differed from me, and
had accordingly acted last year : and that
Lords Carlisle and Bathurst had differed with
Lord Bath upon that clause ; for which he
appealed to Dr. Lee, who said he was con-
fined by illness (as was I) from coming to the
House. As to what happened upon the mo-
tion, he was sorry for it, but thought it was of
no great importance. I said, with some
warmth, that I thought it was of the highest
45
importance to him: was it to pass for his 1750.
sense, was he to appear in the light of de-
claring, that he would, if he were now Kins:,
or would force his lather, to begin a new
broil with France, at this time, in these cir-
cumstances of this country, because fifteen
months after such a war ended by such a
peace, France had not carried the demolition
of Dunkirk, farther than it had been carried
for thirty-two years last past ? Was this a
point to be maintained ? Was it a doctrine
fit for him to appear as the promoter of ? I
thought it was not ; it was imprudent, it
could not be supported, and, above all, most
prejudicial to his service, to have it thought
he gave ear to such rash counsels : besides,
that his Royal Highness had agreed with me,
the last thing he said to me that very morn-
ing, that in the above-mentioned case, if it
came out only so, the long acquiescence much
lessened, if it did not take away the objection.
I begged pardon for being warm about the
consequence of the doctrine, because that was
not the use I intended to make of it ; what I
meant to establish by it, was, to prove a
settled resolution in his family, that they
would have nothing to do with me, for when
46
1750. fyj> Pitt, who answered Lord Egremont, came
Fee. 9. °
to that part, he pressed his argument thus :
" If it should come out, that there is no inno-
vation, as I verily believe the truth is, and
that it is, as it was left by the treaty of Utrecht,
explained in 171 7» will any man say that it is
a crime in the Ministry, or a reason to quarrel
with France ? will any gentleman say it ? does
any one say it?" To this his Lordship made
no reply in affirmation of what he had laid
down in contradiction to me, which proves to
a demonstration, that he went out of his way,
in concert with those in conjunction with him,
to show the world by a public disavowal,
that they disclaimed all concert and connex-
ion with me : whether that was for his ser-
vice, he best knew. I begged to be understood,
that, in all I had said, my concern was only
in relation to his service ; if he was satisfied, I
was. I desired to govern nobody, to sup-
plant nobody : but that I could not follow his
family in public, in whatever they pleased to
start j that in things I was not consulted
about, where my advice and opinion was
neither taken, nor even asked, I could not go
down and appear to approve and support;
that I was sorry it rendered my services use-
47
less to him in the House of Commons, but I 1 750 :
. Ieb. 9.
could not put myself upon that footing : he
said, to be sure it was not to be expected from
me, or to that effect. I replied, that was very-
well ; I was perfectly satisfied, if he was. I
then began to put him in mind, that I had not
been idle; that I had thought both of the
point of Dunkirk, and of Nova Scotia ; and
had looked into several things, that might be
introductive to the public accounts; and had,
above a month ago, hinted something of it to
Dr. Lee, and told him that I hoped for his
assistance. [This the Doctor readily con-
firmed.] That it might go far, and affect
several families; whether his Royal Highness
would care to go so far, he would be the best
judge. That when I had thought upon any
point in which I could see day-light, after I
had digested it a little, I chose to lay it before
a friend or two in the first place ; if then we
liked it, and could give it a bod}'", we should
then lay it before his Royal Highness for his
approbation : if it met with that, then, and
not till then, I should think of communicating
it to those, who were chiefly to assist in the
execution of it. That this might be govern-
ing, for aught I knew ; but that this was the
48
F % wa y °^ doing business which I had learnt,
and indeed, that I had never known any
other practised.
They both laughed and said, to be sure
it was not governing, and was the only way
of transacting business. I replied, it was the
only way I knew, and it might be governing ;
but if it was, his Royal Highness would please
to observe, that I had not done even that, yet.
I then observed to him, how extremely hard
it was for a minority, to bring any consider-
able, national abuse into absolute undeniable
proof, all the offices and documents being in
the hands of the Court; and I desired him to
look back through all the oppositions for
forty years past, saying, that I could recollect
but one, that was brought home and fixed
upon the Ministry, which was this very point
of Dunkirk : and this his Royal Highness
readily agreed to.
This, to the best of my memory, was the
most, if not all the material part that passed.
The conversation became general for a time,
and then his Royal Highness called for a
chair, and left Dr. Lee and me together.
49
When we were alone, I told the Doctor 1750.
that I knew there was a combination against
me; that I could prove it, and they knew I
could prove it : but that since I had had an
opportunity of explaining myself fully to his
Royal Highness, in the presence of so good a
witness as himself, I was entirely indifferent
as to the event. The Doctor assured me, in
a seeming friendly and warm manner, that he
should always be glad to act with me, in every
thing that might be for the service of the
Prince, and the ultility of the country. I
thanked him properly, and desired him to
remember, that I had desired, and even in-
sisted with, the Prince, to declare if ever, or
at any time, or in what, I had ever attempted
to govern him, or complained that I did not;
adding, that possibly I might have had such
an idea, might have attempted it, might have
miscarried, and been reprimanded for it, and
might have grown wiser : but if I had done it
.at all, I should scarcely have challenged the
Prince, before him, to declare it. The next
thing I begged him to remember was, that I
had fully apprised the Prince, that in what I
was not consulted about and advised with, I
would have nothing to do with in Parliament,
E
50
1750. and that 1 would not go down thither upon
Feb. 9. t j lat f 00 ting-, and so we parted.
I desired Mr. Ralph, whom I found at my
house, to go to Mr. Furnese's immediately,
and from thence send to Lord Middlesex for
leave to wait upon him with an account of
this whole transaction.
11. I saw Lord Middlesex for a moment before
I went to court. Fie told me that the Prince
came to his house directly from me on Friday
night. That he was very thoughtful, and
endeavoured to shake it off, but could not j
so that any one might see, that something lay
heavy upon his mind, which he could not get
quit of. That Mr. Ralph had acquainted
him with what had passed, and that, last
night, the Prince and Princess came to Lady
Middlesex, who had not been out since her
miscarriage, and staid late. That, then, it
came all out. That according to Mr. Ralph's
relation, the Prince said but little: but ac-
cording to his own, his Royal Highness made
himself a great speaker. That he had con-
vinced me about the mutiny bill. That I
mentioned a combination to govern him, but
51
that nobody durst enter into such a combina- 1750.
tion. That I did not say there was such a Feb - 1l
thing, or he would not have suffered me to go
on : and then, what he would do to those,
who should presume to enter into such a
thing ! — in short, he seemed to laugh it off,
and that now all things would go well again,
&c. But he again mentioned the conversa-
tion between Mr. Furnese and Lord Baltimore
of last Tuesday. Lord Baltimore contrived to
see him as soon as he came from Kew, and
before he went to Lord Middlesex's, and re-
presented that conversation, as pressed upon
him by Mr. Furnese, at my request, and that
he had talked very high of me, if not from
me ; and that I complained that he (his
Royal Highness) begged and pressed me to
come into his service, for that he could not
do without me, &c. &c. I asked if I might
make use of this overture to have the matter
explained. He said, he was afraid not, it be-
ing said in confidence. I then asked, that in
case Mr. Furnese would tell him the whole
conversation, if he would relate it to the
Prince fully and fairly, and fix the lie where
it belonged. He said, he could do that very
well, by telling the Prince, that he was much
E 2
52
1750. surprised, when he first heard him mention
EB * 1L that conversation, but more so, to find that he
mentioned it again ; and therefore had con-
trived, in talking together, to draw out of Mr.
Furnese, the particular account of it, which
he would tell him literally, and beg, that, for
his farther satisfaction, he would send for Mr.
Furnese to give him an account of it, who, he
was sure, was a man of honour, and would
tell him the whole truth. I went to Leicester
house, and was very well received. Sent to
Mr. Furnese to see him to-morrow.
12. Mr. Furnese came: I read to him what
passed on Friday, and told him what Lord
Middlesex had heard from the Prince again,
about the turn which Lord Baltimore had
given to the conversation between themj —
which he again declared to be most false, and
that he was ready to declare it to the Prince,
if his Royal Highness was pleased to send for
him. Intelligence from H. V. of the very-
great dissensions between the Ministers.
13# Saw Lord Middlesex. We agreed that he
should (as indeed it was hardly to be avoided)
take up this matter again with the Prince,
53
and tell him that I had given him an account 1750.
of it. That I was most grateful for his grace 13 '
and condescension, in giving me so full and
patient an audience — that, I hoped, I had not
behaved improperly. That upon the whole,
though he was my friend, yet he thought the
Prince should, for his future quiet, go to the
bottom of this affair. Every one had their
faults — I might be vain — I might be high —
and yet mean very well, and be made very
useful. He did not mean to push things to
extremities. If I had pressed indecently up-
on his Royal Highness, or into his affairs,
where I was not called : though it was true,
that I had not intruded into his family, yet, if
I had talked impertinently and vainly about
it, of being begged and prayed, and that his
Royal Highness could not do without me —
why, it was no heinous fault, but he thought
I should be gently made to feel the impro-
priety of such a behaviour, by a word from
his Royal Highness, or from him in his name.
But it imported his Highness to be sure the
charge was true, and to give me an oppor-
tunity of justifying myself - y otherwise, the
party was not equal, his Royal Highness .hav-
ing heard but one side. If, on the contrary,
54
1750. it should turn out false; was it not highly
" necessary, that he should know, what sort of
people he had about him? That conversa-
tion, for instance, which his Royal Highness
had twice mentioned, and of which he had
great doubts in his mind, was not justly repre-
sented to his Royal Highness; would his
Royal Highness give him leave to tell me of
it, that I might go to the bottom of it? or
(what would be better) would he send for Mr.
Furnese, and let him give a full account of it,
without ever mentioning to any body, that he
had been questioned by his Royal Highness.
This the Prince might keep in his own breast,
and not let it go any farther. His (Lord Mid-
dlesex's) intention not being to go to any ex-
tremity, but only that his Royal Highness
might know the persons he employed; and
not reject any one for a few faults, that might
be useful in many things ; nor trust, without
reserve, any person, who, though useful in
some things, and fit to be employed, may be
dangerous in others, and should cautiously be
guarded against. That he should tell his
Royal Highness that I complained, that after
having sat down quiet under a falsehood
which Lord Egmont laid to my charge, of
55
telling Cary what passed between his Royal 1750.
Highness and me, at Kevv, when he took me Eb ' J
into his service (which I could prove, even by
Cary himself, who was told it by Lord Eg-
mont) — after having acquiesced so long under
that imputation, rather than hurt that Lord,
or occasion any, the least disquiet, in the
family, that I did not expect such a return.
These points, Lord Middlesex agrees, are
right, and he will undertake them.
At Leicester House, but went awav before 1 1
the Princess came out. After dinner, I went
to see Dr. Lee, who received me with much
apparent openness. We talked much about
what the Prince's conduct ought to be, in
case, under their present undoubted quarrels
and disunion, either part of the Administra-
tion should apply to him for assistance. The
conversation was begun by him, and we, both,
agreed that, unless they would restore the
King to his family by a thorough reconcilia-
tion ; and to his People, by some popular
acts, the Prince should not engage with any
of them. And we neither thought them
honest nor able enough to bring about such
56
1750. great events, and we agreed in wishing, that
no such application would be made.
A
25. Mr. Henley was with me, who did not
think Mr. Lascelles's Privy Seal sufficient for
a separate point: he asked me how things
went ; I told him, but indifferently. That I
had no communication with the other gentle-
men in our family, and that they were united
against me — he treated them very slightly,
and said that indeed he had had offers enough
to be of their meetings, but had declined
them, not thinking himself little enough to
follow any body there — that they generally
showed him their motions either in the house
or elsewhere. I said, even that did not hap-
pen to me , that, therefore, I was determined
not to meddle with any thing, where my opi-
nion was neither asked nor taken. That if
the Prince liked their method of proceeding,
I was perfectly satisfied : but I would not put
myself upon that foot in public. That I
would do every thing in my power, spare no
expense, no complaisance, nor cheerful con-
currence in all his pleasures, to make myself
an agreeable servant, as long as I had the
57
honour to belong to him ; but that, in his 1750.
public business I would never intrude myself;
and that it was impossible for me to follow
those gentlemen, though I did not, in the
least, desire to govern them : this, as well as
I can remember, was all material that I said.
He said much more of them, blaming them
without reserve for their self-sufficiency, &c.
that they were informed of nothing at bottom,
but dealt only in invectives, and in that not
very well : perpetual imputation and suspicion,
without being able to make out any thing,
which would, if encouraged, make all govern-
ment impracticable. He was displeased with
Dr. Lee, for not telling him, that he was to
have the seals, as our Chancellor, if Sir T.
Bootle had died. Said that Lord Baltimore
forced him to ask the Prince for them, who
told him that he most sincerely wished to
oblige him, but that he had promised Dr. Lee,
in case of accidents, to give him the seals, and
that Lord Baltimore was present, when the
promise was made — which usage he took very
ill (and I think justly) of Baltimore, who,
when he pressed him to ask for the seals, had
assured him that he knew the Prince would
gladly grant them to him — with much more
53
1750. of this sort. I went to Leicester House, where
EB " 25 ' was Mr. Henley. Lord Egmont came and
immediately took Mr. Henley into a private
room, where they had a conversation of near
an hour. This surprised me much. In the
afternoon I met their Royal Highnesses by
order at Lady Middlesex's, where came Ma-
dame de Munchausen and Mr. Breton: we
went in our own coaches to a fortune-teller's,
who was young Des Noyers, disguised and in-
structed to surprise Madame de Munchausen,
which he effectually did. I had some talk
with Lady Middlesex, who was very dejected
and full of complaints at the encouragement
the party met with, that was united against
us. From the fortune-teller's we went to sup-
per at Carleton House.
26. Lords Bute, Inchiquin, and Bathurst,
Messrs. Masham, Breton, and I, followed
their Royal Highnesses, Ladies Middlesex
and Howe, to dinner at Kew. Mr. Blud-
worth was with us. ■»
27. Worked in the new walk at Kew.
28 « All of us, men, women, and children, work-
ed at the same place — a cold dinner.
59
Went to meet Sir Francis Dashwood, Lord 1750.
Middlesex, and Mr. Furnese, at Mr. Ralph's: Mar " }i
we went through several points of business,
and determined to proceed.
The election for the county of Middlesex. 8.
Sir Francis Dashwood, Messrs. Furnese, Bre-
ton, and I went in Sir Francis's coach, at eight
o'clock, to Mr. Cooke's in Lincoln's Inn
Fields — A great meeting there— We set out
with him about nine (my coach following),
and went through Knightsbridge, Kensington,
by the gravel-pits to Acton, and from thence
to Stanwell Heath, which was the general
rendezvous. From thence to Brentford Butts,
which was the place of poll. It began about
one. I polled early and got to my coach,
which was so wedged in, that, after much
delay, I found it impossible to make use of it;
so that Mr. Breton and I were forced to take
two of my servants' horses, with livery hous-
ings, and ride, without boots, ten miles to
Lord Middlesex's at Walton, to meet their
Royal Highnesses at dinner. We got thither
by five o'clock, and found them attended by
Lord Inchiquin and Mr. Bludworth in the
park. Dined at six. My coach did not ar-
60
1750. rive till nine. We all came away between
AR ' ' ten and eleven — arrived in town about one.
Poll for Mr. Cooke 1617 — for Honywood
1201. We carried it by 416.
9« Went to the House, where it was agreed to
augment the salary of the Master of the Rolls,
and it was resolved that the augmentation
should be 1200/. per ann. Yesterday, at three
quarters after five in the morning exactly, was
a violent shock of an earthquake.
is. I had much talk with Lady Middlesex, and
we agreed in opinion as to the disagreeable-
ness and impropriety of our situation, but that
we must go on this summer, as well as we
can.
Apr. n. Council at St. James's — King present-
Regency named — We all kissed hands and
took leave.
12. Went to the House of Lords. The King
spoke, and prorogued the Parliament.
16# The King went to Harwich. The wind
changed to N. E.
61
Mr. Drax, who was ill of the gout, sent to" 1750,
desire to speak to me. I went, and he told
me, that petitions had been obtained from the
miners in Cornwall, for the holding a tin par-
liament. That they were referred to the
Prince's privy council, who had rejected them,
under a persuasion that there was a job at
bottom. That the Prince was so far in it,
that, notwithstanding the disapprobation of
his council, he had ordered a privy seal to be
made out, to the Lord Warden of the Stan-
neries, to call and hold a parliament on or be-
fore the second of November.
That the nature of the Prince's revenue
upon tin, was as follows — All tin, which is
raised throughout the duchy of Cornwall,
must be brought to the Prince's smelting-
house, and when smelted, pays four shillings
for every hundred weight (which is 120/6.).
Then, when made into pigs, it goes to the
coinage, which is only a stamp, with the
Prince's arms ; and then, and not before, it is
marketable.
Besides this duty of four shillings per hun-
dred weight throughout the duchy, no tin
Apr. 22.
62
1750. can be disposed of, till the Duke has taken the
PR# quantity he pleases. This is called the pre-
emption. This preemption has never been
exercised by Princes, and seldom leased out.
Once it was undertaken by Queen Anne, and
Lord Treasurer Godolphin, and Mr. Boscawen
(afterward Viscount Falmouth) on the other
part : by which, for the present exigence, the
Crown got the power in several boroughs,
though they lost by the undertaking, which
was occasioned by the war. This lease was
again renewed by the succeeding administra-
tion, but I believe it was not carried into exe-
cution. The lease must be granted by an act
of the parliament of the tinners, which parlia-
ment is called and held by a privy seal to the
lord warden for that purpose.
The duchy is divided into four districts,
each of which sends six members. The
voters must be freeholders. They choose a
speaker, &c.
The quantity of tin raised annually, at an
average of many years past, is 2200 tons : the
market price to the exporter from 4/. 5s. to
4/. 10s. per hundred weight; so that the
63
Prince's revenue upon that head amounts to r/50.
• Apr '22
about 8800/. per ami. clear of all fleductions,
as there are other small duties that defray the
charge of officers, collection, &c. N. B. The
consumption is much less, and the freight
dearer in time of wars but then, as the com-
modity is necessary, the vent is proportion-
ably increased, the first years of peace.
Last year, the two companies of mine ad-
venturers, and mine battery, both petitioned
the Prince for the lease of this preemption, the
petitions were referred to his privy council
and rejected. They offered his Royal High-
ness an advance on his revenue of 1200/. per
ami. and a loan of 10,000/. at 5 per cent, with-
out ensuring his life, which he is obliged to do,
at 5 per cent, additional, on all he borrows.
This not succeeding, a petition has lately
been obtained from the tinners, praying for a
parliament, which was, as I have said, reject-
ed by the council ; who supposed it was meant
to procure a lease, for the advantage of those
who were at the bottom of the former offers,
which were so very disproportionate, that
nothing but gross imposition could be expect-
64
1750. ed from that quarter. The persons concerned,
Apr. 22. were supposed, by Mr. Drax, to be Mr. Tho-
mas Pitt and Dr. Ayscough.
To show the impropriety of the proceed-
ing, and the danger of the job, Mr. Drax ob-
served that this parliament, though it could
do no act without the Prince's assent, yet it
might come to several resolutions, which
might be disagreeable to submit to, and yet
inconvenient to break through. He then pro-
ceeded to state the advantages of the lease of
preemption, which, from what he apprehends,
the Prince is not properly apprised of.
The offer, last year, he stated at an advance
of 1700/. per ann. — 1200/. annually, and the
loan of 10,000/. at 5 per cent, at 500/. per
ann. because the Prince must pay 5 per cent.
additional elsewhere, for ensuring his life.
He said, that he is well assured, that the
tinners are ready to agree, and contractors to
engage, to take all the tin that shall be coined
at 31. 5s. per hundred weight, and to avoid the
clamour of a monopoly, they will oblige them-
selves to sell it at 4/. 5s. which is below the
65
market price. The gross gain, then, of 1/. 1750.
Apr *2.Q
per hundred weight, upon 2200 tons, is, per
ann. £. 44,000
The money to be employed
for 2200 tons, at SI. 5s. per ton,
is 143,000/. and supposing
half this sum always employed
at credit, you must deduct for
interest . . . 2860
Charges of management,
freight, &c 3000
There then remains against
risk and accidents a clear and
net profit, per ann 38,140
These calculations, he said, were right : he
does not know what is at the bottom of this,
nor what offers have or will be made ; but by
what has passed, he is very suspicious, and ear-
nestly desired me to dissuade his Royal High-
ness, if possible, from it j though he knew it
would be very difficult, because he was sure,
they lured him to it by showing to him new
acquisitions in the Cornish elections.
We went to Kew for the whole week. 30.
F
66
1750. Their Royal Highnesses, Ladies Middlesex
, Apr. so. an( j jj owe . Lords Bute and Inchiquin ;
Messrs. Masham, Breton, and I. We had
plays acted every evening.
May 13. About eleven o'clock, the Prince sent to
me to come to Leicester House as soon as I
could. I arrived there in half an hour's time.
I found the Groom in waiting, and the Bishop
of Oxford. The Prince soon joined us, and
said that the Princess had been ill since three
in the morning; by this time the Duke of
Chandois, and Lords Egmont and North,
Messrs. Cust and Breton, were come. We
went into the bed-chamber at three-
quarters after eleven. The Grooms with-
drew. We found in the bed-chamber Ladies
Middlesex, Berkely, Irwin, and Howe; Lady
Bailey, Mrs. Cornwall and Payne. The mid-
wife upon the bed with the Princess, and Dr.
Wilmot standing by.
Just at half past twelve, she was delivered
of a Prince, without once complaining or
groaning the whole time. Then the Prince,
the Ladies, and some of us sat down to break-
fast in the next room — then went to prayers
67
below stairs. The Prince wrote to the King, 1750.
and the Duke of Bedford came for the letter. May13 *
A numerous drawing-room, where appeared
all the Ministers and persons in the chief em-
ployments. The ministers were not sent for
to the labour. The Prince put off the public
dinner and servants in waiting, and ordered
me to dine with him in private at Carleton
House.
The Prince's public table (which lasts about 16.
ten days on account of the Princess's lying-in)
began on Monday.
I went to town, and spent three hours in 23,
examining the tin affair, which appears to be
a scandalous job, and I am determined to go
to the bottom of it. Waited on the Duke of
Dorset about Prince Henry's bathing in the
sea, at AV aimer Castle.
I settled with the Duke of Dorset, that 25.
Prince Henry should not go to Walmer, as it
was a garrison, and as the King's leave was to
be asked.
Had a conversation with Mr. Drake about 28.
the tin.
F 2
68
1750. Went to Leicester House. The Arch-
May 30. bj s h p and Chancellor sent for, to settle the
christening of the young Prince, the King
having sent no orders from Hanover, though
applied to; Lord Middlesex, Messrs. Fur-
nese, Bance, and Drake met at my house, to
consult farther about the tin affair.
June i. Messrs. Kelsal and Lovel came to me.
Lovel says that the miner brings, what is
called, black tin to the smelting-house, and
delivers it by weight, and receives so much
white tin at the coinage (which is quarterly)
and takes a tin bill for it (if he is poor) as the
bill is marketable. He promised to inform
himself farther.
8. The Princess saw company from seven till
nine o'clock, for the first time, and once only.
The family went in, before any of the com-
pany were admitted.
14. Mr. Aldworth came from the Duke of
Bedford, with dispatches from Hanover, sig-
nifying the King's approbation that Prince
George, Lady Augusta, and a brother of the
Princess should be sponsors for the young
Prince. Bishop of Oxford sent for.
69
Went to Leicester House. The child was 1750.
christened by the Bishop of Oxford. The JuNE 17 *
sponsors as above. Prince George gave the
name, which was Frederick William. No-
body of either sex was admitted into the
room but the actual servants, except the Lord
Chief Justice Willes and Sir Luke Schaub.
Lord Middlesex and Mr. Drake were with 18.
me; we had much talk about the Prince's
tin, and the scandalous transaction about it,
which was encouraged by some of his ser-
vants. Drake thinks a vast profit may arise
from farming it, both to the Prince and to the
farmer, who would give him 200,000/. by way
of fine. I think little or nothing can be given
or got : but to get rid of Drake, and please
Lord Middlesex, who seemed to lean a little
towards him, I left it thus — That if any credit-
able man or body of men, would take the best
lease the Prince can give of his tin, reserving
to his Royal Highness his four shillings per
hundred weight (120/6.), to be raised and col-
lected with the same dignity and royal prero-
gative, as it now is : oblige themselves to pay
to the miner, or owner, 51. 5 s. per 100, at
112 weight: bind themselves never to raise
70
1750. the price of tin above three shillings per 112
June is. we jg n t } higher than the market price shall be
at the time of signing the lease : and to deli-
ver all that is raised, at or below that price.
If for a seven years' lease, containing these
conditions, they will pay to his Royal High-
ness, by way of fine, 100,000/. sterling, with-
out any reprises or deduction, he will make
them such a lease as shall be a sufficient secu-
rity for them to undertake the farm upon.
20. Went to Leicester House. Lord Mayor
and Aldermen came to compliment the Prin-
cess upon her lying-in. Letters from Hano-
ver, with orders that those Knights of the
Garter, who did not walk, should choose their
own proxies. The Prince designs Lord Inchi-
quin for Prince George's proxy.
35. I met Mr. Vanneck, jun. by appointment
at Lord Middlesex's, about the Prince's tin.
We had two hours' conversation, the result of
which is among my papers relating to that
matter. But, upon the whole, if he was to
take all that is raised, with a liberty to advance
the price 5 per cent, he could give no more
than 66 s. per hundred weight; so that sup-
71
posing the tinners would be contented to bind 1750.
themselves to the present market price of une25
64 s. (which, I think, they would not), the
whole gain to the Prince would be Qs. per
100 weight, or 2/. a ton; which upon 2500
tons (the quantity supposed to be annually
raised) amounts to 5000/. per ann.
Lady Middlesex, Lord Bathurst, Mr. Bre- 28.
ton, and I, waited on their Royal Highnesses
to Spitalfields, to see the manufactory of silk,
and to Mr. Carr's shop in the morning. In
the afternoon, the same company with Lady
Torrington in waiting, went in private coaches
to Norwood forest to see a settlement of gyp-
sies. We returned and went to Bettesworth,
the conjurer, in hackney coaches — Not find-
ing him, we went in search of the little Dutch-
man, but were disappointed; and concluded
the particularities of this day, by supping with
»
Mrs. Cannon, the Princess's midwife.
I had a long conversation with Mr. Ralph 29.
about the prosecution intended against his
paper.
Mr. Furnese, Mr. Ralph, and I dined with July 2.
Mr. Oswald at Wandsworth. We had much
n
1750. talk upon public affairs. Resolved at my
return to meet and prepare for parliamentary-
inquiry, such points as should appear most
liable to censure ; particularly to look into
the grounds of Mr. Lascelles's quietus by
privy seal : the expenditure during the war :
the management of the ordnance office : the
affair of Nova Scotia, and the Canada expedi-
tion, &c. Mr. Oswald was entirely disposed
to assist us.
3. Dined with Lord Talbot, who informed me
of the many lies which were told of me to the
Prince, and the unalterable inveteracy of the
family against me. God forgive them — I have
not deserved it of them.
5. I offered Dr. Thomson a room in my house,
and 50/. per ann. which he accepted.
Aug. i. I sent to Mr. Ralph, by Whitehead, a
scheme of opposition to be communicated to
Lords Middlesex and Talbot, Sir Francis
Dash wood, Messrs. Furnese and Oswald.
Sept. il Sir Francis Dashwood told me at Wycombe
what he had learned of Mr. Boone, viz. — that
my adversaries were satisfied, that my design,
73
when I came into the family, was to turn 1760.
them all out, even to the women, &c. — that bEPT ' '
the Prince told Boone, that I forced myself
into his service, and that he could not help
taking me, &c. — that Lord Egmont said he
knew, that the Prince never advised with, or
communicated any thing to me, &c. — that
Lord Egmont defrayed the Prince's expenses
at Bath, &c.
Messrs. Furnese and Ralph came to me. 16 «
We had much conversation. We agreed
that the Prince should, as soon as possible,
be brought to some eclaircissement, and be
informed with proof, of the lies that have been
told of me, by Lords Egmont and Baltimore,
&c. — that otherwise I could not act in public
with them.
Went to a meeting at the King's Arms ,& -
Tavern, 'Change Alley, at eleven o'clock,
about the herring fishery. Proposed to choose
the governor, &c. by lists, which was much
opposed by the Scotch interest. I argued
for it from the authority of the act of parlia-
ment, and at last prevailed by 19 against 7.
I carried Mr. Ralph to Mr. Waller's in 25.
74
1750. three hours. Much debate about the means
bEpr. 2d. f f orm i n g an opposition and its end: at length,
Mr. Waller promised to act heartily with me,
and we agreed to begin with the ordnance.
27. Went to Lord Middlesex's at Ashley.
Much talk with my Lord that day and the
next morning. We agreed that the country
was in a deplorable state, and that the safety
of the Prince's succession was in great danger,
from the maxims he had adopted, and in
which he was encouraged by those he most
attended to at present. It was also agreed, that
Lord Middlesex should procure an explana-
tion, or that both of us should neither meddle
with nor appear in the business of the House.
30. At Leicester House. Lord Bute kissed
hands for the Bed Chamber. Col. Robinson,
as Equerry. The latter, as well as Lord
North, is to remain under the title of servant
to the. Prince, but both are to attend the
Princes George and Edward, as Governor and
Equerry.
Nov. 4. The King landed about twelve o'clock at
Harwich, and came to St. James's between
ten and eleven.
75
Westminster bridge opened. Mr. Tucker 1750.
and I went to Mr. Scope's, to desire him to
acquaint Mr. Pelham, that, as we supposed,
when he engaged for the charter at Weymouth,
he understood that he was to have two friends
there, during this parliament, though no such
conditions were actually expressed, yet, if
Mr. Plummer should die (who was that day
cut for the stone) we were too nice upon
points of honour, to take the advantage of
what might be implied, though not specified,
and therefore we would choose any unex-
ceptionable gentleman he should name. But
we would not choose any other, or one, who,
by his relations or situation, might seem to be
put there, with a view to make a separate
interest. And we should consider the insisting
upon such a one, as a premeditated design
to make war, which, when we were in the
right, we were ready to begin as soon as he
pleased.
Mr. Tucker and I met Mr. Pelham, at Dec. 11.
Mr. Scrope's, by appointment : we settled the
Weymouth re-election, according to the agree-
ment made, on obtaining the new charter, and
he recommended Lord George Cavendish.
76
1750. Dined at Mr. Masham's : had a long and,
Dec. 31. I hope, a useful and productive consultation
all the morning, with Messrs. Oswald, Furnese,
and Ralph.
1751. Renewal of the consultation of last Monday,
with Messrs. Furnese, Oswald, and Ralph.
Some progress made. Supped at Lady Mid-
dlesex's. It being twelfth night (Monday)
she staked 75 guineas and I 125 with the
Prince, who sent us word that we had lost 8
guineas between us. Spent the week at Kew,
where we had plays every day.
14. Lord Talbot joined our party at my house,
and we made farther progress in business.
15. At one o'clock received orders to dine and
sleep at Kew. Ladies Middlesex and Tor-
rington, Mr. Masham, and I went together.
Played at Farao. Lord Bathurst came on
horseback.
ic>. Came to town to the drawing-room. Dined
at Carleton House. The Prince, Lords Gran-
by, Middlesex, Carlisle, Egmont, Limerick,
Sir John Rushout, Sir Thomas Bootle, Dr.
77
Lee, Messrs. Bathurst, Henley, Nugent, Gib- 17,51.
bon, and I. Jan - lu -
The session opened. Long debate upon 17.
the address — division 74 to 203 — mighty sim-
ple.
Lord Westmoreland was here. I proposed 18.
a co-operation with a small number of peers,
which he seemed to approve of, and promised
to endeavour to make it practicable.
Spent the morning in farther prosecution 10.
of the business with Lord Talbot, Sir Francis
Dashwood, Messrs. Furnese, Waller, Oswald,
and Ralph.
Went in private coaches with their Royal 20 -
Highnesses, Ladies Middlesex and Howe,
Lord Inchiquin, and Sir Thomas Bootle, to
Mr. Glasse's, where we sent for a conjurer.
The Prince's birth-day kept. Dined with 21.
me Marquis de Mirepoix, General Wall,
Mons. d'Abrien, Comte de Perron, Abbe di
Grossa-testa, Mons. de Lossandiere, Marquis
d'Aye, Comtes de la Marmora, and de Las-
73
1751. cary, Baron de St. Fiorent, Comte de Has-
Jan. 21. i ai) g } Duke of Queensberry, Lord Talbot, Sir
Francis Dashwood, and Mr. Breton.
22. Debate upon some queries about the Army,
that were dispersed abroad — agree with the
Lords to burn them.
Feb. 6. Have been very ill for the fortnight past:
but this day went to the House to hear the
charge against Mr. Murray, brother to Lord
Elibank, for words spoken against the High
Bailiff, the day of his making the return for
Westminster (15th of May last). After the
trial was over, and the first question moved, I
left the House, and returned to Hammersmith.
Never saw an accusation worse supported by
any thing but numbers.
-
ll. Mr. Oswald, with other friends, was with
me, who treated me in the most affectionate
and friendly manner : told me all his views^
and the offers that had been made to him, and
concluded by saying, that he wished to act
always with me, and that he would accept of
the Prince's service, if he might come into it
as my friend, and by and through my hands,
79
bnt that he would not come in by any other 17.51.
hands or canal.
Went to wait on his Royal Highness at 12.
Kevv — proposed to him the securing Mr. Os-
wald by my weight with him — the Prince
hesitated a little, as having made a trial, some
time ago, by another hand without success.
At last he allowed the importance of the ac-
quisition, and ordered me to sound Mr/ Os-
wald's disposition towards it — his Royal High-
ness ordered me to dine and sleep there.
Mr. Oswald dined with me, and agreed is.
to come to Hammersmith the next morning,
to settle what report I should make to the
Prince.
Mr. Oswald came this morning, and was 15-
pleased to put himself entirely into my hands,
and to rely upon my friendship.
Dr. Lee came to me. I talked over to him, jo.
at large, the points of the Spanish treaty —
Mr. Lascelles's privy seal — the ordnance con-
tract — and the expedition. — He seemed to
approve of them, and I gave him several
80
1751. papers to look over at home. He told me
' very frankly that, whatever I proposed, he
would cheerfully support with all his power
in the debate; but as he was enjoined secrecy,
he could not be the mover or seconder, be-
cause that would look like breaking short
with Lord Egmont, and with others he had
acted with.
17. Dr. Lee returned my papers, and thought
that the treaty would not be a point strong
enough, but he approved of the others.
33. Had a conference with his Royal Highness,
and I began with telling him, that on Mon-
day Mr. Oswald was with me, to acquaint me
that he had received positive offers from
Court; he was surprised, and asked me what
they were ; I told him that though, as I owed
my first duty to him, I ought not to conceal
any thing from him that related to his service;
yet that there were also other duties that I
held sacred, and if I should discover the secret
of a friend to him, I hoped his Royal High-
ness would be pleased to promise me that it
should go no farther. He promised me ; and
I then told him, that Mr. Oswald had been
81
offered to be made Comptroller of the Navy, 175T.
with a promise that he should have the assist- Feb ' 2S *
ance of all Mr. Pelham's power to reform the
abuses of it, and full liberty to follow his own
opinion in parliament, and that he came to
ask my advice upon it. The Prince, con-
cluding he would accept of the place, said he
was glad he should find so honest a man in
business. I told him, that, from the many
reasons I had given him, he declared to me that,
as he saw no reformation could be thoroughly
and effectually brought about, but by the con-
currence of the Crown, which was not to be
hoped for in our present situation, he had
much rather attach himself to his Royal
Highness, from whom only he could hope for
that concurrence ; but as he was no Courtier
and had no connexions of that kind, he must
be contented to do his best in the station that
was offered to him. That I bade him serious-
ly consider whether, in case I would venture
to sound his Royal Highness's disposition to-
wards him, he would impower me to say that
he would refuse all offers of the Court, if the
Prince was willing to admit him into his ser-
vice—That he told me, I positively might :
upon which I promised to undertake it. Af-
G
82
1751. ter a good deal of talk, the Prince thanked
Feb 23
me, and ordered me to send Mr. Oswald to
him at Leicester House between seven and
eight o'clock on Thursday next.
25. Mr. Oswald dined with me — he told me, he
was much embarrassed at what had passed,
since he saw me ; of which he gave me the
following account : Sunday the seventeenth, Sir
Henry Ereskine was introduced to the Prince
for the first time : on Monday the eighteenth,
Mr. Oswald was with me to settle the report
I was to make to the Prince — on Tuesday the
nineteenth, Sir Henry asked him in the House
— have you received any message from the
Prince? What do you mean? he returned.
Has the Earl of Egniont delivered you no
message ? — I do not know the Earl of Egmont.
He will then, replied Sir Henry, for I was in-
troduced to the Prince last Sunday, and he
asked me if I knew you — I said, yes, intimate-
ly — he then asked how you were disposed to-
wards him — I replied, that I thought you had
the highest regard for him, &c. His Royal
Highness then said, I must send to him by
Dr. Lee or Lord Egmont, for what comes
from them, is the same as if it came from me.
83
This seemed strange to us, but I think the 1751.
drift is evident. Feb " 25 '
Went to the Earl of Shaftesbury's. Much 26.
talk with him about separating the Tories
from the Jacobites, on the quarrel between
them about the late University election, which
was to be done by bringing them to a declara-
tion of a few heads, which, he said, he had
made use of, and hoped he should succeed.
Mr. Oswald came to me from the Prince, 2 s.
whom he found at Carleton House— He was
received very graciously, and the Prince talk-
ed to him on many subjects and of many per-
sons, but never mentioned my name — They
agreed that Mr. Oswald was to have the Green
Cloth, and to kiss hands on lady-day.
Went to the House. Mr. Townshend ad- Mar. l.
vised with me about General Anstruther's affair.
I begged him to be very sure of his proofs, be-
fore he began a charge in Parliament — He de-
sired leave to come to me to-morrow and to
show me his papers, which I agreed to, but
desired him to consult with wiser persons
than me.
G2
84
1751. Mr. Tovvnshend came, and I fairly showed
Mar. 2. .
him, that calling for the reports in council
would lead him to embarrass the Ministry,
who, in this case of Anstruther, had delayed
justice : that I should be glad it should come
forward, but not from him, apprising him
where his motion would end, since he asked
my advice as a friend, &c. He thanked me
much, and it being late, he desired to come
again to-morrow morning.
3. Went to Leicester House, but just as I was
going, Mr. Townshend came, and to my in-
finite surprise told me that he had been with
the Earl of Egmont, who had given him a
question which comprehended the civil and
military behaviour of General Anstruther,
which he would read to me. He did so, and
asked my opinion. I was astonished at his
ignorance, and said, I had nothing to object
to it.
4.. Motion by Mr. Townshend seconded by
Colonel Haldane, for copies of all courts mar-
tial held by Anstruther, while he commanded
in Minorca; and of all complaints against
him in council, and the proceedings there-
85
upon. Agreed, without division, to drop the 17SL
courts martial till some particular facts were AR '
alleged, but to suffer the council papers to
come.
Went to Leicester House, where the Prince q.
told me he had catched cold the day before,
at Kew, and had been blooded.
The Prince not recovered. Our passing 8.
the next week at Kew put off.
At Leicester House. The Prince was bet- 10.
ter, and saw company.
At Leicester House. The Prince did not 13.
appear, having a return of a pain in his
side.
At Leicester House. The Prince asleep— H.
twice blooded, and with a blister on his back,
as also on both legs that night.
The Prince had a plentiful evacuation, and 1 3.
was out of all danger.
The Prince without pain or fever. 16.
86
1751. Went twice to Leicester House. The
Prince had a bad night, till one this morning,
then was better, and continued so.
18. The Prince better, and sat up half an hour,
20. Went to Leicester House; from thence to
the House of Commons, and then to Hammer-
smith. I was told at Leicester House, at three
o'clock, that the Prince was much better, and
had slept eight hours in the night before,
while, I suppose, the mortification was form-
ing; for he died this evening a quarter before
ten o'clock, as I found by a letter from Mr.
Breton at six o'clock the following morning.
21. I came immediate^ to town, and learned
from Mr. Breton, who was at Leicester House
when the Prince died, that, for half an hour
before, he was very cheerful, asked to see
some of his friends, ate some bread and butter,
and drank coffee : he had spit for some days,
and was at once seized w r ith a fit of coughing
and spitting, which last was so violent, that it
suffocated him. Lord North was sent to the
King. This morning the King ordered the
body to be opened— an abscess was found in
87
his side, the breaking of which destroyed him. 1751 *
His physicians, Wilmot and Lee, knew no-
thing of his distemper ; as they declared, half
an hour before he died, that his pulse was like
a man's in perfect health. They either would
not see, or did not know, the consequences of
the black thrush, which appeared in his mouth,
and quite down into his throat. Their igno-
rance, or their knowledge of his disorder,
renders them equally inexcusable for not call-
ing in other assistance.
From Tuesday the 12th, when he supped at
Carleton House, and when he relapsed before
he went to bed, the Princess never suffered any
English man or woman, above the degree of a
Valet de Chambre, to see him ; nor did she
vouchsafe to see any one, man, or lady of the
family, not even the Lady in waiting, till Sun-
day last, when it was absolutely necessary that
somebody should appear to receive compli-
ments ; and then Lady Scarborough was or-
dered, instead of a Lord, who, as she appre-
hended, might have expected to see the Prince.
She saw Dr. Lee one day before the death,
and, just after the event, she had a long con-
ference, till past twelve, with him and the
38
1751. Earl of Egmont. This morning Lady Mid-
' dlesex saw her, but was not sent for. Lord
Middlesex sent his compliments, and was ad-
mitted. She sent in for the Duke of Chandois,
and also for the Earl of Scarborough at night.
When this unfortunate event happened, I
had set on foot, by the means of the Earl of
Shaftesbury, a project for a union between
the independent Whigs and Tories, by a writ-
ing, renouncing all tincture of Jacobitism, and
affirming short, but constitutional and revolu-
tional principles. I had given his Lordship
the paper : his good heart and understanding
made him indefatigable, and so far successful,
that there were good grounds to hope for a
happy issue. These parties, so united, were
to lay this paper, containing these principles,
before the Prince ; offering to appear as his
party, now ; and upon those principles to un-
dertake the administration, when he was
King, in the subordination and rank among
themselves, that he should please to appoint.
« — Father of mercy! thy hand, that wounds,
alone can save !
22. Several, in much distress, here. The Earl
89
of Shaftesbury and Mr. William Beckford 1751.
, / . , .j Mak. 22.
here, by their own appointment; they said,
they came to ask directions what to do under
this fatal change of situation; I said, that it
appeared to me, that, if the Pelham party did
not, instantly, drive out the Bedford interest,
they must be driven out by that, though now
the weakest party ; but that the Bedford party
would become the strongest, having the King's
favourite, and, now, only son at their head,
and at the head of the army; that he would,
by their interest, small as it might be, and by
the military interest, force the regency, and
then, where are the Pelhams? That this ne-
cessity enforced the necessity of the project-
ed union — that, being collected and publicly
purged from Jacobitism, they became a re-
spectable body : that if they were applied to
for assistance, they might then give it upon
such conditions, and for such share of power
as they might think safe and honourable for
themselves and their country. Secondly, if
they were not applied to, and the Court should
take a right turn, that then they might, like
honest and disinterested men, support the
Court without coming into it. And lastlj r ,
what was most to be dreaded, if they were
.90
1751. not applied to, and the Court should take
Mar. 22. e ^ ner a dangerous turn, or should continue in
the same consuming way as at present, that
then they would be ready to do, what it was
their duty to do— oppose to the utmost, and
declare that they mean to wrest the admini-
stration out of those hands, to take it into their
own, and apply it to better purposes. That
despair, which was blameable before, was now
become criminal.
My company went away much satisfied,
and determined to act accordingly.
I went to Leicester House. The Princess
afflicted, but well. Went to council, at night,
which was very full. The common prayer
altered, but Prince George left, as he now
stands. The physicians made a report, and
delivered a paper, being an account of the
body when opened— I have a copy of it —
Ordered the bowels to be put into a box co-
vered with red velvet, and carried in one of the
Prince's coaches, by such attendants as his
Groom of the Stole should appoint, and buried
in Henry the VHth's chapel. Ordered a com-
mittee to settle the ceremonies of the funeral
91
Went to the Earl of Westmoreland's— Lord 1751.
^ ,111 <• *.u~ Mar. 23,
Guernsey there— held a conversation upon the
present affairs— the Earl said that he heard,
that Sir John Hynde Cotton had proposed
sending for gentlemen up, acquainting them
at the same time, that nothing was to be
proposed to them, but to sit still and wait
events. I modestly doubted of that measure,
from experience of the disposition of those
country gentlemen, who, I thought, would
neither come, if nothing was proposed, nor
stay, if there was nothing to do; but yet, who
would implicitly follow a few of their Lord-
ships in one or the other: from which it fol-
lowed, that their Lordships should form a set
of propositions for the centre of union, and
then should call them together to own them,
and act upon them, either taking places (if
they were to be had upon honourable terms)
or acting without them.
I was, in every part, most warmly support-
ed by Lord Guernsej', and by Sir Edward
Deering, who came in. I left them together,
and thought by the very affectionate manner
of Lord Westmoreland, when I left the room,
that I had never before made such impression
upon him.
i~5J. Went to the Duke of Dorset's— much talk.
Mar. 24. He thinks f t h e state G f the nation and of the
Pelhams, just as we do ; as also of the danger
from the Duke of Cumberland. At the
Speaker's, he also in the same way of think-
ing with us.
05. Long conversation with Lord Limerick.
He thinks with us — but we both agreed that
the Pelhams have not sufficient resolution to
do any thing great.
27. Went to council. Orders to the Lord Stew-
ard and Chamberlain to issue warrants for
black cloth, wax lights, &c. for the rooms at
Westminster, where the body is to be laid,
&c. To the Groom of the Stole and Master
of the Horse to his late Royal Highness, to
regulate the march of the servants, &c. Or-
ders to the Earl Marshal to direct the Heralds
to prepare, for the consideration of the coun-
cil, a ceremonial for the funeral of his Royal
Highness, upon the plan of those of the Duke
of Gloucester and of Prince George of Den-
mark, which were formed upon the plan of
the funeral of Charles the Second.
28. Sir Francis Dashwood from the Earl of
9S
Westmoreland desired to know, if I thought 1751.
., ° Mar. ,28.
it prudent to make an overture to Mr. rel-
ham, as a party to join him, if he would
engage to lower the land tax next year to
two shillings in the pound, and reduce the
army. I sent my duty to the Earl, and
begged to know, if he thought we were united
enough to make overtures as a party; and
if so, what the party was to do in return, in
case Mr. Pelham should comply. These con-
ditions are nugatory, and yet, the last, of all
others, the most difficult to obtain. If we
were united, we should, now, demand great
and national conditions, for the safety of the
whole, which will be as easily obtained, at
least, as the reduction of the army at present,
and which reduction, except in the view of
economy, is trifling. Any army may be
equally ruinous ; and yet some must be kept
till the nation can be armed by a proper regu-
lation of the militia.
At the Speaker's, where we turned over 29,
precedents, with relation to the grants of the
duchy of Cornwall, and of the government dur-
ing minorities.
Saw Mr. Prowse, and found him well dis- 31.
94
1751. posed to the main system. The King was at
' Leicester House. This night died the Earl of
Oxford.
Apr. 3. At council, about the funeral. Ceremonial
from the Heralds read — their orders were to
form it on the plan of the Duke of Gloucester's
and Prince George's of Denmark. But they
had different orders privately, which, then y I
did not know. I thought there was very little
ceremony, and therefore said, that I supposed,
that they had complied with the orders, which
their Lordships gave about the plans, on which
this funeral was to be formed. The Lords
said, to be sure; and none seemed to have any
doubts, or concerned themselves about it j sol
said no more, though I am satisfied, it is far
short of any funeral of any son of a King.
After the council was up, I asked the Lord
Chancellor about it, who said that he sup-
posed the Heralds had complied with their
orders, but that he knew nothing of it, and
had never seen any of the plans. I told him
that I mentioned it, because, if it should ap-
pear that any mark of respect to the deceased
should be wanting in this funeral, it would
certainly give great distaste. I think the plan
must be altered.
95
The King was at Leicester House. n5i.,
Apr. 1-
7.
Saw the Earl of Westmoreland, but, his
Lady being present, could not talk fully with
him. Mr. Glover dined with me, and the
Earl of Shaftesbury came in the afternoon,
and we agreed to drive it to a short issue with
the Earls of Westmoreland and Oxford, either
to form a regular party immediately, or to
give the point entirely up. If a party should
be formed, then to fix the subscription for a
paper by Mr. Ralph, to be supported by about
twenty of us, at ten guineas each, and by what
else we can get.
Went to Mr. Oswald's — from thence to the io.
Earl of Westmoreland, with whom, and Earl
Stanhope, I had a long conversation. I left
them, persuaded of the necessity of forming a
party, united by constitutional principles,
which should be reduced into writing and
signed by all the party. Much talk of those
principles, of which I mentioned such as oc-
curred to me, and of which they approved. I
told them that I had once drawn such a poli-
tical creed for the last opposition, but the
gentlemen did not care to sign it. That, now,
96
1751. I thought the younger part of our friends
Apr. 10.
were very much in earnest, and only wanted
proper leaders and proper points to unite
heartily. The Lords agreed that something
should be digested immediately : I told them
that, to make a beginning, if they pleased, I
would send them the paper mentioned, in
which some hints might possibly be of use ;
they seemed very desirous of seeing it, and I
went home, and sent it directly to the Earl of
Westmoreland. I have done enough, and
henceforth shall live to myself the years,
which God in his mercy may grant me, un-
less I am called upon to assist.
u. I had much talk with Mr. Oswald on the
state of affairs, and I told him the steps I had
taken towards a union of parties: that I
thought I owed it to our friendship to acquaint
him, that if this great plan could be effected,
I must take my share in it. He approved
the greatness and honesty of the design, and,
at the same time, told me that Mr. Pel ham
had renewed his offers since the Prince's
death, to which he had returned a very gene-
ral, cool answer : he said that he hoped, from
the renewing that offer, to find that Mr. Pel-
97
bam would show resolution enough to enter 1751.
into engagements with some more of us, and PR " *
avail himself of the present dispositions of the
people, to put himself upon his country, and
get rid of his open enemies and false friends,
which was now most practicable, and even
necessary to prevent his being undone by
both.
Lord Limerick consulted with me about is.
walking at the funeral. By the Earl Marshal's
order, published in the common newspaper of
the day (which, with the ceremonial not
published till ten o'clock, I keep by me),
neither he as an Irish Peer, nor I as a Privy
Counsellor, could walk. He expressed a strong
resolution to pay his last duty to his Royal
friend if practicable. I begged him to stay
till I could get the ceremonial ; he did, and
we there found, in a note, that we might
walk. Which note, published seven or eight
hours before the attendance required, was all
the notice that Lords, their sons, and Privy
Counsellors had (except those appointed to
particular functions) that they would be ad-
mitted to walk.
ir
98
i"5i. At seven o'clock I went, according to the
Apr. 13.
order, to the House of Lords. The many
slights that the poor remains of a much-loved
master and friend had met with, and who was
now preparing the last trouble he could give
his enemies, sunk me so low that, for the first
hour, I was incapable of making any observa-
tion.
The procession began, and (except the
Lords appointed to hold the pall and attend
the chief mourner, and those of his own do-
mestics) when the attendants were called in
their ranks, there was not one English Lord,
not one Bishop, and only one Irish Lord
(Limerick), two sons of Dukes (Earl of Drum-
landrig and Lord Robert Bertie), one Baron's
son (Mr. Edgecumbe), and two Privy Coun-
sellors (Sir John Rushout and myself), out of
these great bodies, to make a show of duty to a
Prince, so great in rank and expectation.
While we were in the House of Lords, it
rained very hard, as it has done all the season;
when we came into Palace Yard, the way to
the Abbey was lined with soldiers, but the
managers had not afforded the smallest co-
vering over our heads ; but, by good fortune,
99
while we were from under cover, it held up. 1751.
We went in at the S. E. door, and turned
short into Henry the VHth's chapel. The
service was performed without either anthem
or organ. So ended this sad day — Quern sem-
per acerbum — semper honor a turn.
The corpse and bowels were removed, last
night, to the Prince's lodgings at the House
of Lords •, the whole bed-chamber were or-
dered to attend them from ten in the morning
till the entcrrement. There was not the at-
tention to order the Green-Cloth to provide
them a bit of bread, and these gentlemen, of
the first rank and distinction, in discharge of
their last sad duty to a loved and a loving ma-
ster, were forced to bespeak a great cold
dinner from a common tavern in the neigh-
bourhood. At three o'clock indeed, they
vouchsafed to think of a dinner, and ordered
one — but the disgrace was complete, the ta-
vern dinner was paid for, and given to the
poor. N. B. The Duke of Somerset was chief
mourner, notwithstanding the flourishing state
of the Royal family.
Lord Shaftesbury came to acquaint me, that 51.
H 2
100
175K the project of union went on very success-
fully. I advised him to appoint a meeting,
for to morrow, of the Earls of Westmoreland,
Oxford, and Stanhope, to settle the points in
writing, that are to be the centre of that
union. Dined at Sir Francis Dashwood's,
where Earl Stanhope read to us the draught of
a preamble to such points, which was ex-
tremely good.
16. Went to the House — the motion to put off
the third reading of the naturalization bill for
two months, was carried by 129 against 116.
The report of the dismission of the Duke of
Bedford and Earl of Sandwich, and of the
introduction of the Earl of Holderness and
Lord Anson into their places, is not true; but
it is likely to happen. — If so, they surely de-
sign to curtail the Southern Province.
1 8. At the House. Mr. George Townshend
opened General Anstruther's affair, and
moved a question concerted with the Court,
which was, that his Majesty should be
addressed to enforce his orders, in conse-
quence of the report of his council, to oblige
lieutenant General Anstruther to make some
101
satisfaction to those of Minorca whom he had 1751 -
. Apr. 18.
oppressed — which must he very unsatisfactory
and insufficient. Mr. Townshend, who, of
his own accord, engaged in this affair; who,
of his own accord, on very slight acquaint-
ance, desired my advice, and whom I treated
with great generosity, as he acknowledged to
me and others; who imprudently went from
me to the Earl of Egmont, and brought from
that Lord a long, inflammatory question,
which he desired me to correct, and which I
declined; who received from me the proper
question in writing, concluding with one to
establish a civil government in Minorca.
This gentleman, without giving me the least
intimation, contents himself with moving this
tame court question ; and Lord Egmont, that
Lord, the other day, so violent, who drew a
question so very different, thought fit even to
absent himself on the present. — Such wonders
has the poor Prince's death already produced !
Dined at Lord Middlesex's. Was told that 21.
Mr. Montague, as Auditor to the Princess;
Mr. Douglas, and Mr. Boone, in the room of
Sir John Cust, as Clerks of the Green Cloth;
Mr. Bludworth, as Master of the Horse;
102
1751. Messrs. Leslie, Scot, and Robinson, as Equer-
Apr. 21
25.
ries, kissed the Princess's hand this day.
23. Dined at Sir Francis Dashwood's. Find by
Lord Talbot, that we are not likely to come
to a union j for, now, the terms they propose
to sign, are of a sort that imply an exclusion
of coming into office. — Now, as no good can
be done to this country, but by good men
coming into office, it is all over, and I give
up all thoughts of ever being, any farther,
useful to mankind.
■
24. At the House. Ereskine's accusation
against Anstruther, baffled by the Court
through the act of Grace.
Went to town to consult my constant friend
Mr. Bance, about retrieving, if possible, the
captainship of the Doddington East India-
man, which Mr. Tucker imprudently and
unkindly opposes me in : he being concerned
(though not equally with me) and having the
management of my affairs, has led the rest of
the proprietors to think I was engaged, and
so, to engage themselves to the person he
espouses, which disappoints me in serving the
103
person recommended to me by the Princess 1751 -
of Wales.
Mr. Bance has just brought Mr. Tucker to 26.
me, who desists from his engagement, but I
am persuaded it is now too late.
Went to town about the ship, but did no
good. At the House. A message from the
Crown to the Lords — then a message from the
Lords, by Masters in Chancery, to the Com-
mons, to continue sitting some time — then a
message from the Crown to the Commons, by
the Chancellor of the Exchequer, recommend-
ing the Princess of Wales for Regent, with such
limitations as the Houses shall think proper —
then amessage from the Lords, by the Chief Jus-
tice of the Common Pleas and the Chief Baron,
with an address of thanks ; agreed to nem> con.
Attended the levee — then at council. Lord 30.
Holderness brought over— for the seals I sup-
pose. Earl Harcourt sworn in. Earl of Egre-
mont sworn as Lord Lieutenant of Cumberland.
At the House. Resolutions to pave Pall May 3.
Mall by a pound rate : Sir Francis Dashwood,
Lord Trentham, General Oglethorpe, and I,
ordered to prepare the bill. Sense of the
104
i75i. House taken, if the voung Prince of Wales's
* AY ' new servants should be re-elected : it was
agreed, not. The act was read; but those
who seemed to favour a re-election, forgot to
call for the warrants that appointed them
servants to the Prince : by whom are they
signed ? if by the King the case would not
have admitted a word of dispute. The per-
sons concerned, were Lord Down, Gentlemen
of the Bed-Chamber; Mr. Selwyn, sen. Trea-
surer ; and Mr. Stone, Sub-Governor.
2. Saw several of my neighbours about the
pavement, and sent them away pretty well
satisfied.
Went to the House of Lords. The regency
bill brought in and opened by the Duke
of Newcastle. Second reading to-morrow.
Nothing said, but by the Bishop of Wor-
cester, who moved, that it might be printed,
and that the Lords might have time to con-
sider it, between the second reading and
committal. The Duke of Newcastle agreed
to the printing, and it passed, upon the ques-
tion put. In less than ten minutes after the
question was carried, the Duke got up and
said, that he was told by some of the Lords,
105
that it was very improper to print the bill, n'5-i.
upon which they resolved not to print it, and
the Bishop, being supported by no one Lord,
very decently offered to withdraw his motion.
Surely, it was too late after it became a ques-
tion, voted and agreed to.
At the House of Lords. Regency bill read s.
a second time, and committed for Friday :
not a word said against it.
Had intelligence that, upon a message from 9.
the Earl of Bath, the Princess had signified
her entire approbation of this bill. I had
much consultation what was to be done, con-
sidering how many fruitless pains (as it now
appeared) I had taken to unite and form a
party, and yet no sort of concert was thought
upon, even in these great points. The opinion
seemed to be, that I should not go to the
House.
Went to the House of Lords. They went 10.
into a committee upon the regency bill. The
clause for erecting the council was opposed
by Earl Stanhope alone, who said that such a
council was a novelty, and that he was against
106
1751. it, because he thought it unnecessary, till he
heard better reasons given for it, than he had
as yet heard. Nobody answered, or sup-
ported him, and he gave no other reasons.
So the clause was carried by a division of 92
against 12. When they came to the clause of
prolonging the Parliament, Lord Talbot stood
up, and showed the weakness of the Chancel-
lor's arguments, which were drawn from his-
tory ; and then said, the prolonging the Par-
liament was an invasion of the people's rights,
that it was the means, of perpetuating a cor-
rupt one, and was one of those things that the
whole legislature could not do, because they
. could have no legal power to do it. Lord
Granville spoke warmly for it, as the best part
of the bill, all of which he approved of ; and
no one Lord seconded or supported Lord
Talbot.
n. I communicated to Mr. Ralph my present
resolution of no more meddling with public
affairs, till some party, worth appearing with,
shall unite in the service of the country.
13. Dined with Sir Francis Dashwood, and the
other gentlemen concerned about the paving
107
bill. I did not go to the House, where the 1751.
regency bill was read the first time. Sir AY
Francis came home and acquainted me, that
nobody but Mr. Thomas Pitt and he spoke
against the bill. The Tories totally silent.
The Court for it. Dr. Lee and Mr. Nugent
speaking for it. All the Princess's and late
Prince's court for it.
I
Committee of the regency bill — the clause 16.
establishing the council debated j opposed, in
a very fine speech, by the Speaker. Mr.
William Pitt and Mr. Fox had high words,
though they were both for the bill. Mr. Pitt
for the restrictions, lest the ,next regent should
claim full powers, if the Princess should die,
glancing at the Duke. Mr. Fox also for them,
but defending the Duke. They replied upon
each other two or three times, but Mr. Fox
did not vote at last. Mr. Pitt and the Gren-
villes in office voted for the bill, but Lord
Cobham spoke and voted against it. Thus it
was reported to me, but I was not there.
They went to-day, in the House, upon the 17.
clause of prolonging the Parliament. The
committee sat late. No concert between any
five people, as I am told.
108
1751. Was to wait on the Duke of Newcastle, to
May 22. thank him for getting me permission to drive
through St. James's Park, while the King is
at Kensington. We parted very civilly. Paid
Lord Middlesex 140/. for a set of seven of the
Prince's horses.
23. Went to Kensington, and kissed the young
Prince of Wales's hand, but did not see the
King.
28. Went to town, to return by water with the
Spanish and Sardinian Ministers, Messrs.
Lascaris, St. Fiorent, and Lord Barrington.
We landed at Hammersmith, where we were
met by the Marquis de Mirepoix, the French
Ambassador, Mons. d'Abreu, and Lord Ash-
burnham. We all dined there.
31. At the House about the paving bill, which
was read a second time, and committed to a
private committee.
June 7. At the House. Reported the paving bill
council, and much debate against it. Carried
to go on with the amendments, but forced to
adjourn at the first amendment, because there
were but 35 members present.
109
This evening Lord Sandwich received his i"5i.
r ,. . . June 12,
letter of dismission.
Heard that the Duke of Bedford resigned 14.
the Seals of Secretray, this morning, at Ken-
sington.
Lord Trentham resigned the Admiralty. 15.
Was at council at Kensington. Earl of 17 «
Granville sworn in as President.
Lord Holderness received the Seals of Se- 18 -
cretary this morning.
19.
21.
Lord Hartington introduced into the House
of Lords. Made Master of the Horse.
At council at Kensington. Earl of Holder-
ness sworn first, as a counsellor, and then as
Secretary of State. Duke of Bedford and
Lord Burleigh took the oath of office, as
Lords Lieutenants of Devonshire and Rut-
landshire.
I waited on the Princess to take my leave : 25.
she received me in a very obliging manner.
The Parliament rose.
110
1751. This morning I wrote to the Duke of New-
castle, enclosing Colonel Milles's memorial,
who is in the Emperor's service as Duke
of Tuscany. The memorial sets forth, that
the Ostend Company bought two settlements,
Banquibuzar and Covelon, of the Mogul ; a
rebel seized the province of Bengal in 1744,
and took Banquibuzar from the Emperor's
Governor. Pie desires the King to assist him,
either in retaking the province, with the con-
sent of, and for the Mogul, or, in making war
upon the usurper, who took, and still retains
his forts. He submits to the King, entirely,
the share and disposition of the gains, and the
plan of the expedition.
This plan was attempted about six years
ago, and cost the Emperor 15,000/. and we
prevented its execution at the instigation of
the East India company. Mr. Milles assures
me that the province of Bengal is the richest
in the known world ; that he knows where to
lay his hands on fifty millions sterling; that
he can make himself master of it with 1500
men (and he designs to carry no more) which
the Emperor will furnish — all that he demands
of us is shipping, and stores, &c. enough to
carry them, to be added to the three ships
Hi
which the Emperor now has, and which he 1 "5i.
. r ' i • June 27,
bought for this expedition before, at the time
when we disappointed it.
Went to Eastbury. 28.
On Wednesday evening the Princess walked Jwly 13.
in Carleton Gardens, supped and went to bed
very well : she was taken ill about six o'clock
on Thursday morning, and, about eight, was
delivered of a Princess. Both well. This
morning died the Duke of St. Alban at
London.
The western mail robbed near Blackwater, si.
by one man, about one o'clock on Monday
morning.
We dined at Mr. William Churchill's ; Aug. 3.
coming from thence, about six o'clock, from
a causeway too narrow, in Mr. Churchill's
meadow, called their private road, the coach
was overturned into a wet ditch ; the com-
pany, particularly the gentlemen, were very
wet, and if there had been a foot more of
water, they must all have been suffocated.
We were obliged to return to the house, and
we played at cards till day-light.
112
1<jl - Returned from East bury to Hammer-
Sept. k
smith.
8. News of the birth of a Duke of Bur-
gundy. Mons. de Mirepoix made a Duke
and Peer of France.
28. The Comte de Richecourt, the Emperor's
Minister, and Colonel Milles, came here in
the morning to talk about the expedition to
Bengal. I wrote, immediately, an account
of it to the Duke of Newcastle.
Oct. i. Received a very civil letter from the Duke
of Newcastle, about the expedition to Bengal.
2. Waited upon the Duke, and was very
kindly received; he told me all that had
passed about Bengal, and put the event upon
the consent and concurrence of the East
India company. Called upon Dr. Lee, who
informed me that the gentlemen, accused of a
secret treaty with the late Prince, had put it
in issue with the King, that the Prince applied
to them, and that they declined it, and re-
ferred the King to the Princess for the truth
of their assertion. This is bold, for I know
the assertion to be false.
113
Went to wait on the Comte de Richecourt, 1751.
and the Bishop of London. Colonel Milles
came, to whom I delivered the Duke of New-
castle's directions, that, if he would consent
that Mr. Drake and Alderman Baker, of the
East India Company, should ask leave of the
Court of Directors to receive proposals from
him, they were ready to ask it, and if obtained,
to enter into the matter with him.
News of the death of the Prince of Orange. u #
Waited on the Princess, and was most gra- 14.
ciously received. She was pleased to send for
the Prince of Wales, Prince Edward, and the
Princess Augusta.
Saw Mr. Dawkins's drawings of the anti- 2+.
quities which he saw in the East; they are
exceedingly fine and curious.
Lord Chancellor, Lord President, and I, 29.
went from the Cockpit to dine with the Lord
Mayor : there were none of the council, ex-
cept us three. Lord Granville and I went
together.
114
i?5i. The King s birth-day. The drawing-room
Oct. 30.
in weepers.
Nov. 14. Parliament opened. Lord Downe and Sir
William Beauchamp Proctor, moved and se-
conded the address. No opposition to it.
is. The account which Cary brought to me,
I think, puts an end to the Bengal expedition.
20.
At the House. Order to commit Mr.
Murray to Newgate renewed.
21. Last Saturday the Duke of Cumberland had
a bad fall from his horse, while he was hunt-
ing at Windsor.
26. Went to council at St. James's, where pro-
clamation, with 500/. reward was ordered for
apprehending Mr. Murray, in consequence of
a resolution of the House.
Dec 12. This day died Lord Bolingbroke.
19. Went to council, where the trustees for
Georgia agreed to surrender their charter to
the King, absolutely and unconditionally.
115
Was to wait upon the Princess of Wales. j7 51#
Received in a manner most remarkably kind Dec. 21.
by her and all the royal children.
Waited upon the Princess, whose kindness 17j2 -
. . Jan. 1.
seemed to increase towards me.
The Solicitor General, with other company, 26.
dined with me. On a malicious report that I
had forced myself upon the late Prince of
Wales, and into his service, I explained the
whole transaction to the Solicitor General,
and produced to him all the proper vouchers
that verified it, step by step.
Went to council, where Lord Granville 30.
very imprudently drew in question the validity
of the French treaty of commerce, making
the goods of enemies on French bottoms
free from capture. This was, however, left
undecided.
Mr. Furnese dined with me, and gave me Feb. 2.
an account of what had passed between him
and the Solicitor General (Mr. Murray) about
a message to Mr. Tucker, by Mr. Ellis, from
Mr. Pel ham, to know what was to be done on
1 2
116
1752 - a new election at Weymouth, pretending that
the choosing two, at his nomination, was to
last always. The Solicitor General entered
into a detail of my affairs with much affection
and warmth, and said, he knew there was not
the least indisposition towards me in the Mi-
nistry, but was afraid, that the King had been
strongly prejudiced against me personally :
that he would take it upon him to bring this
matter to a proper issue, one way or another;
as it was by no means fitting, that I should
offer to ask for any thing, till I was sure of
being well received. He behaved nobly, and
like a friend. The event is with God.
*• Went to council. Gave the Solicitor Ge-
neral an account in writing, of the whole pro-
ceeding of the late Prince of Wales, in the
demand of 100,000/. per ami. in Parliament.
6 - Went to the Cockpit to a prize cause,
which turned upon the authenticity of the
treaty of commerce with France; several
Lords (of which the Lord President was one)
doubted of its being in force. I did not, and
it was at last decided by virtue of that treaty.
We ended that long dispute of General An-
117
struther and Minorca, by referrinc; the costs J 752 -
\ r r Feb - 6 -
and damages he is to pay, to the Master of
the Rolls and General Bland.
Mr. Furnese called on me. He had seen 9.
the Solicitor General, who had informed him,
that there was not the least indisposition in
the Pelhams, but, on the contrary, a willing-
ness to live well with me. That they said, it
would not be impossible to remove the ill im-
pressions made upon the King, but it required
a little time, &c. If they removed the Pitts,
&c. then it might be easy.
Mr. Ellis was with me : he introduced the 10.
talk of his election on a new Parliament. I
told him, that I thought my behaviour, both
public and private, even in opposition, never
could have given just cause of offence to the
Pelhams, or could have shown any indisposi-
tion to live personally well with them ; that,
as I was, now, entirely free from engagements,
I was sincerely desirous of Mr. Pelham's fa-
vour and friendship, if he would accept of my
friendship and attachment : if then, he would
accept of my services, he might, upon proper
conditions, command my interest, and in that
118
1752. case nobodv would be more welcome to me
Feb. 10
at Weymouth, than he, Mr. Ellis. That this
was in Mr. Pelham's breast, who best knew
his own disposition, but that mine was entirely
inclined to be his friend and servant, upon
proper conditions. This of proper conditions,
was frequently repeated, and Mr. Ellis desired
to observe, that there was neither promise nor
engagement.
15. Saw the Solicitor General by appointment,
and found his report much less favourable
than Mr. Furnese understood it. That the
Pelhams were very well disposed to me, but
that the King was so much prejudiced against
me by former misrepresentations, that he
feared they could answer for nothing, &c.
So we parted, I taking it for a thing entirely
broken off, but he saying, that he did not yet
see it in that light.
20. Waited on the Princess, and was very gra-
ciously received.
Mar. 3. The King's birth-day kept. I was at court.
13. I waited on the Princess. A chapter of
119
the Garter. Prince Edward, the Stadtholder, 1752.
the Earls of Lincoln, Winchelsea, and Cardi-
gan elected.
Went to council, on the particular cause of 18.
a prize taken from the Spaniards by Admiral
Knowles, the 3d of September 1748, in Ame-
rica. It turned upon the interpretation of
the terms for hostilities ceasing in those parts,
which were fixed by the preliminaries of Aix
la Chapelle (which refers to the treaty of sus-
pension between us and France, 1712) and
the proclamations here, and other acts of
state there — I delivered my opinion, at large,
for restitution. The Lords took a further day
to give judgement, but the majority seem to
be with me, and, I think, it must be so de-
cided.
A cause on a capture by Admiral Griffin in 1 9-
the East Indies, commonly called the Lascar's
cause. The claim against it appeared to be
a manifest forgery and was rejected j and the
prize must be adjusted to the captors when
we next meet.
Went to council at St. James's The King 30.
120
1752 - declared the Regency, as usual, and the
Counsellors took leave and kissed his hand.
The King set out, ahout four, the following
morning for Harwich.
Apr. 9. This morning my old acquaintance, Mr.
Scrope, died at the age of eighty-four.
16. . Consulted the Speaker about Dr. Thomson's
privilege.
17. Went to town to attend Dr. Thomson's
action of defamation against Saxon the apo-
thecary, at the King's Bench — began at six,
ended at nine — evidences, speaking. to the
Doctor's skill and reputation, were the Duke
of Roxburgh, Earl of Middlesex, Mr. Levison,
Sir Francis Dashwood, Sir Francis Eyles, Mr.
Drax, and myself. He carried his cause, and
the jury gave 20/. damages.
21. At council — the Solicitor General told me
he had spoken to Mr. Pelham, as from him-
self — that there was a real good-will and de-
sire to take me with them ; but that they had
fears to engage me, lest they, on their part,
should not be able to fulfil their engagements.
121
That they were afraid of the King, and of the 1752.
party (the old Walpolians) nick-named the
Black-tan, &c. The Solicitor advised me by
all means to see Mr. Pelham, and that I
should meet with a friendly, confidential re-
ception, &c. &c. This is nothing; but
obliges me to see him.
Saw Mr. Pelham, by appointment, in Ar- May 5.
lington Street — I began by telling him, that
the applications I had received from Mr. Ellis
about his election at Weymouth, I considered
as giving me handle to wait upon him 5 for I
was come to offer him, not only that, but all
the services in my power, and that I was au-
thorised to say the same from all my friends.
He said, he should willingly embrace it, were
it not for fear, that he should not be able to
fulfil what he wished to do on his part. I
asked, whether he would admit of a confiden-
tial conversation — he said, he could have no
reason to wish any other, and that what Ellis
had said, was from him, and Avas meant to pro-
duce such a conversation. I then asked him,
if there was any real inclination in the Duke
of Newcastle and him, to accept of us into
their friendship and protection, if objections
122
)7o2. cou id 1> C removed ; for that I knew the dif*
May 5.
ferent facility of removing them, when there
was a little good-will at the bottom, and when
it was the work of importance only — he
would observe, that I did not arrogate im-
portance ; but if I had it, I would accept of
nothing that was only owing to that — that, at
my time of life, nothing would tempt me to
come into any Court, upon the foot of force
and intrusion. That I said this, to explain to
him, that I desired to live with him, and his,
as their attached friend and servant; that I
desired no rank which could justly create
envy in my equals, or any sort of power that
might occasion suspicion in my superiors. Re-
serving only, that, if he gave me a musket and
ordered me to a post, I should certainly fire.
That, if clouds should arise, I was not afraid
at all, to meet the great geniuses now on the
stage. Mr. Pelham said, that there were real
good wishes and good-will, and for nobody
more; but how to put them in execution was
what hindered him from saying all he wish-
ed — that there were difficulties, and great
ones with the King, on account of my quitting
his service for the Prince's, &c. I replied,
that I was aware of such a prejudice; but
123
that I believed, when it was represented to 1752.
May 5
the King, and by him as his opinion, that I
could be of some utility to his Majesty's ser-
vice, by my own and by the weight of my
friends, particularly in choosing several mem-
bers, it would be the means of removing all
prejudices. For that, though I knew that no
pains had been spared to make him (Mr.
Pelham) believe the contrary, yet I did assure
him, as a gentleman and his servant, that the
interest of Weymouth was wholly in Mr.
Tucker and me : that in the country it was
impossible to choose one member against us,
at least, without the utmost violence : that,
indeed, he could give us a great deal of trouble
there, and, I owned, could choose any four he
pleased (by petition) at Westminster. But
that, I knew, it was not in his temper; and I
could not think it was for his interest to have
recourse to flagrant acts of violence, to choose
two members (which was the most he pretend-
ed to) when he might have all four, and me
too, without any violence at all.
Mr. Pelham did not pretend to set up any-
right of the Court, or that they designed to
124
1752. make use of any force against me, but said, to
May 5. k e surGj w h a t I had hinted must be the way
that he must take towards the King ; and that
he would truly tell me all that he knew about
the King's prejudice against me— that his
Majesty was angry at my quitting, though he
received it better than he expected, as he had
told me before : but at my going into the Prince's
service afterwards, the King broke out and said
to him, Here is a fine end of civilities ; here is
Dodington, you made me give him, the other
day, a great employment, and, now, he has
thrown it at your head, and is gone over to my
son, and besides, a nominal place is made for
him, to give him a pretence of putting himself
at the head of his measures, and more to this
purpose — after this upon my coming to Ken-
sington, on a Sunday, some time after the
Prince's death, the King said, I see Dodington
here sometimes, what does he come for ? to
which Pelham replied, that he did not
know, indeed, but he did not believe that
I had any particular views, because he had
never had the least hint of any ; which, if
I had formed any, he thought, he should,
sooner than another, have heard of them
from the long acquaintance between us:
125
that lie was sure my coming to Court was to
show my duty, and that I desired to live in his
favour, and, he supposed, that I might wish
for his (Pelham's) protection and desire to
come into his service : but that was guess only
— the King replied, No, there has been too
much of that already — and that the conversa-
tion did not end well. That he would tell me
the bottom of all his politics and his brother's
too, for they must in the end be the same ; and
that was, to choose a new Parliament, that
should be all of a piece; such a one, as might
serve the King if he lived, and be steady to put
the young King in the right way, if the old
one died : — that he meant a thorough Whig
Parliament; for when there were factions,
though a wise man was obliged to avail him-
self of them, as well as he could ; yet they
were not desirable, nor what he meant ; but
he wished to have a thorough Whig Parlia-
ment all of a piece. I replied, that I approved
of what he said, and thought, that the offers I
now made him, from myself and friends, might
contribute to facilitate that end — he said, it was
for that end, that he told it to me. That they
were, now, without competition, as well with
the King as they could possibly hope for : but
1752.
May 5.
1752.
May 5.
126
that he was not so weak as to imagine, that it
depended upon any thing but the ease they
procured his Majesty, in carrying on his ser-
vice : that the King's temper was to be ob-
served and complied with, &c. &c.
That, upon the present subject, he himself
was most sincere and desirous to effect it, and
would do his best, and he was sure his brother
would do so too, and that he would write to
him in conformity. That, as to borough
matters, when he was pressed about Wey-
mouth (as, to be sure, both of us must expect),
he thought the best language he could hold
was, that he and I lived very well together,
and that he had no room to think, that any
thing would be done there, that would be dis-
agreeable or disserviceable to him; and that I
should deal in the same general terms, &c.
I said, that, as to quitting the King's service,
I did not do it with any compact with the
Prince; that it was full four months after, be-
fore his Royal Highness made me any offers,
and he then did it in such a manner, that left
me no option to refuse, without offending him
for ever. That Mr. Solicitor General Murray
12?
knew this ; and that I had living and written 1752.
evidence to prove it incontestably. Since I
came into the Prince's service, I could ap-
peal to him, whether my behaviour was not
entirely calculated to soften, rather than to in-
flame, even to the loss of my favour ; whether,
when the little, incendiary system prevailed,
by which alone many of those about his
Royal Highness's person could ever be of any
significance, I did not endeavour to check
it ; and when I could not, did not absent my-
self from the House, rather than take a part»
or countenance it. But, however, I desired
the King should know, that I would not jus-
tify with my Sovereign and my master, but
submitted myself to think that I was to blame,
since he was displeased, and that I therefore
humbly begged pardon, which was all in my
power to do, except to show him, by my future
services, that I deserved it. That this, with
the interest I could, and was willing to centre
in his Majesty's service, I thought, might be
sufficient to remove objections (which had in
reality no foundation), especially, when con-
veyed through so able, so powerful, and, I
trusted, so friendly a channel. That, .upon
the whole, he might see, and I meant he
128
1752. should, that I was very desirous this event
should take place, from a sincere wish to at-
tach myself to him, and to end my life with
those, with whom I began it. That I was desir-
ous to serve my country, and chose to do it with
the good liking of the King— but if his Majesty
should shut up that way, that then I must en-
deavour to do it by such ways as should offer
in the course of things. Mr. Pelham renewed
the assurances of his sincere wishes and endea-
vours, in a very decent manner, and added,
that he was restrained from saying what he
wished, out of the regard he owed me, not to
say any thing he was not sure to perform, and
concluded, by inviting himself, in a most gen-
tlemanlike and obliging manner, to Hammer-
smith.
s. Went to the Speaker's in Surry, with Mr.
Chamberlayne, about Dr. Thomson's most dis-
agreeable affair.
li. Sir Francis Dash wood dined with me, and I
communicated to him what had passed between
Mr. Pelham and me; I offered him to be of
the party, but he declined it.
129
Prince of Wales's birth-day. I went to St. * 752 :
, . Mya 24
James s. Great court, but not in new clothes.
Dined with me^ Lord Lincoln, Messrs. Pel- 25,
ham, Vane and son, Solicitor General, and
Furnese. Much wine, and as much good hu-
mour as I ever met with; both lasted till al-
most eleven o'clock.
Dined at Lord Lincoln's with Mr. Pelham, si
&e.-— staid late.
Dined with Mr. Pelham at Esher. Much June 7.
drink and srood humour.
cr
At the Cockpit: a complaint by Mr. Webb is-,
against Mr. William Sharpe, for taking exor-
bitant fees.
Went to attend Dr. Thomson's cause. The 20.
court would not enter into proofs whether he
was, or was not, my servant.
I went to Mr. Oswald's. He expressed 21.
much affection and attachment towards me.
Went to the Cockpit. Mr. Webb's accu- 2s,
130
_ l ' 52 ' sation of Mr. William Shame, for taking three
June 23. ... .V . &
guineas, as a council tee, in every prize cause,
from the gainer only, heard ; and adjudged to
be false, groundless, and malicious.
July 6. Went to town to meet Lord Middlesex and
Counsellor Forrester. Lord Middlesex gave
me full power to make his submission, and to
endeavour to reconcile him to his father.
Owen tried, and acquitted, for publishing
Mr. Murray's case. This is the third great
case, where the juries have insisted on judging
the matter of law, as well as of fact. The first
was of Bushell, the Quaker, reported by Lord
Chief Justice Vaughan : the second, was that
of the Bishops in the reign of James the lid.
7. I waited on the Duke of Dorset. I chose to
put the question to him hypothetically; if his
son should throw himself at hisfeet, and declare
an unreserved submission and sorrow for what
is past — what would he do ? He was much
moved. I desired he would not answer me
then, as I had no commission to demand it,
but that he would consider of its because, as
the family were to come to me at Eastbury, if
T should receive such commission, I should
131
think it my duty both to him and his son, to T 1752 -
J J July 7
lay it plainly before him, if it should be full
and ample, as it ought to be.
I went early to town to take my leave of 15,
Mr. Pelham. After a little general conversa-
tion, I rose to go away, and said that the Soli-
citor General had told me, that it was not only
his own, but Mr. Pelham's opinion, that no-
thing of our affair should be broken to the King,
till his return from Hanover ; and, therefore,
I asked him no news. He replied, it was their
opinion — that he had treated me with the ut-
most sincerity, and would continue to do so —
that he sincerely wished the thing, and would
do every thing to bring it about— that all rea-
sons were for it — that he had told me the pecu-
liarity of temper, the prejudices, &c. that
made things disagreeable, but that he would
do his best. I replied, that, considering the
name he bore, I could have no doubt of his
sincerity, and therefore would patiently wait
the event. But that I thought, when, through
a canal so favourable, the King was informed
that, when I quitted his service, it was not by
a bargain to enter into the Prince's, and that
I never made the Prince any proposition at
K 2
132
1752. all — that it was more than four months after
July 15. . .
my quitting, that the Prince made me any.
When his Majesty is desired to reflect, how
much, when I came into the Prince's service,
I endeavoured to bring a little temper and mo-
deration into it, and when I could not succeed
in that, I would not support the incendiary
part, and therefore did not go to the House.
That the Princess, the Solicitor General, and
other living witnesses, which I could produce,
knew the first, and that I could appeal to him-
self (Pel ham) for the truth of the last. But,
.setting all this aside, when his Majesty should
be informed that I would not justify against
my King and my master. That, since he was
displeased, I was willing to think myself to
blame, and humbly to demand his pardon, as-
suring him that my future services should de-
serve it. Here I desired him to observe that,
when a gentleman asks pardon, he is with us
entitled to it, and it was what I would not do
when I was in the right, to any subject in the
world, or to any Prince, but himself. When
his Majesty was assured that I was capable of
facilitating his affairs, and that his chief ser-
vants were desirous of receiving me
If all this, represented by those he did, and
133
ought chiefly to rely on, would not do, I hoped 1752 -„
Mr. Pel ham would think, that I had discharged '
ray humble duty to his Majesty, and showed
how desirous I was, of passing the rest of my
life with him, and under his protection ; for, I
thought, I had said and done as much as any
man of honour could do, or say, and had gone
as far as was possible. Mr. Pelham said, that
he understood me perfectly well, that he wished
the thing cordially, and would do all imagin-
able justice, and leave nothing, in his power,
unattempted to persuade the King — that, in
short, he had explained to me the bottom of
his politics — that he had a great regard for all
Europe, but did not trouble himself much
about it— that his concern was to keep things
on a right foot at home — that if the King was
willing to arrondir his affairs, and let them
get together, as many as they could of those
who could best contribute towards it; in order
to go on as he was bred up, and suffer them to
endeavour to have a thorough Whig Parliament
chosen, which would make the remains of his
Majesty's life eas}^, and would settle the young
Prince upon the throne, so as to secure him a
prospect of a prosperous reign. If they would
let him do this, he was at their service ; if not,
he could be contented to be a private man as
134
1 752. we n as another — not that he complained ot the
July 15. __. n _ , . . . ...
King, &c. In short, here he spoke a little
Pelham, but intelligible enough to those who
are acquainted with the language.
We parted very kindly.
16. By the Princess's commands I passed the
day with her at Kew. I arrived there about
eleven in the morning, and we passed two or
three hourstogether, alone, m the gardens. I
informed her, by her order, of the state of the
Irish affairs, which had made so much noise.
She asked me about a report she had heard
concerning a reconciliation between the Duke
of Dorset and Lord Middlesex. I said, it would
be impracticable unless Lord Middlesex would
entirely submit to his father; and even then, his
behaviour had made the wound so deep, that I
could not be answerable what the Duke would
do. She seemed desirous of it, and wished I would
try. I told her that, as Lord and Lady Mid-
dlesex were to be with me, in the country, I
would see what his Lordship could be brought
to, for from thence only it could move, if at
all. I opened myself no farther to her. We
came in an hour before dinner. I dined at the
Bed-chamber woman's table, where was Mr.
135
Cresset, who behaved very courteously to me, ■ 1752 -
,, July 16.
and is a very knowing man. After dinner,
her Royal Highness sent for me : we walked
round Richmond Gardens : she was attended
by the Ladies Augusta and Elizabeth, Messrs.
Cresset and Blud worth. When we returned,
she ordered me to come in with her : we sat
down, and she turned the discourse upon the
Ministry. I soon perceived she had heard
something of the late correspondence between
Mr. Pelham and me; I therefore thought it
fit to tell her that, from an opportunity which
had arisen from them, I had lately renewed
my correspondence with them, and that I had
taken occasion to tell them, that I was de-
sirous of ending my life, in quiet, with those
with whom I had begun it, and whom I
most esteemed, &c. That they received my
offers of friendship very civilly, and seemed
desirous of receiving me; but that they
apprehended the prejudices of the King
against me, from the honour I had of belong-
ing to the Prince, &c. That the answer I
made, was that my inclinations were sincere,
as, I supposed, their kind acceptance was
also ; and that, for the rest, I must leave it to
them. I then put her in mind, that I never
136
1752.
July 16. asked any thing of his Royal Highness ; that
he never promised any thing to me, till four
months after I had quitted my employment;
and that I then testified my surprise to her,
and acquainted her with all that passed. She
said, she remembered it very well. I then re-
minded her how, from my appearance as
a servant at Cliefden, I formed a plan of
temper and moderation : that, knowing her
right way of thinking, I ventured to commu-
nicate the plan to her, and begged her protec-
tion, in the execution of it, even before we re-
turned to town — that I always had persisted
in it, and never would engage in any other.
She replied, it was .very, true; she was a very
good witness of it, and would always assert it,
&c. I asked leave to wait on her at K,ew, if she
should be there, at my return, which she gave
me in a very .obliging manner, and then I
came home to, Hammersmith by ten at night*
20 « At half past three, without going to bed,
Mrs. Dodington and I set out in our post-
chaise for Eastbury, where we arrived the same
day, at six in the afternoon.
Sept. 15. Messrs. Dodington, Ralph, and I went to
1ST
Poole, to poll for a Sheriff and Mayor. We 1752 - r
oEPT, 1 J
lost both elections, and I think Mr. Trench-
ard's election in danger.
We returned to Hammersmith. . 26,
Went to Mr. Pelham's. He gave me an 28,
account of Earl Poulett's correspondence with
him, about the vacancy at Bridgewater. I
mentioned, that I had written to his Lordship,
to make it a means of reconciling the family.
He seemed much indisposed towards Mr.
Vere. There was company, and so we could
not talk fully. At council, there was nothing
to do but to prorogue the Parliament, and issue
a proclamation for a Scotch Peer, on the death
of the Duke of Gordon.
Went to town to meet the Duke of Dorset. 0cT - 2 -
I made his son's submissions to him, and en-
deavoured to procure a full reconciliation.
We had a long conference. He alleged the
many, almost unpardonable provocations,
which I know to be true ; but did not abso-
lutely refuse to forgive him. He boggled
much at the freeing his son from his debts,
and said, that nothing but his distresses drove
138
1752. hi m to think of his duty, and therefore, he
Oct. 2. ...
expected some actions, to convince him of
his sincerity. To this I said that, as to enu-
merating provocations, I thought our most ra-
tional point was to look for reasons to forgive,
instead of materials to continue the quarrel.
That as to paying the debts, I wished it was
come to that, for I could make that circum-
stance very practicable. As to the motives of
his son's repentance, I allowed them : but he
must allow that they were, too often, the same
with those of us all to our common Father, to
whom we were more obliged than we could be
to our natural parent — That God accepted
our repentance, though grounded on distress :
should we then refuse it when offered to us ?
As to actions, what should they be ? — would
he please to subscribe. This was matter of
some difficulty : and as the conversation had
been very long, we agreed to meet again, to
consider if any temperament can be found. I
greatly doubt it: but if Lord Middlesex would
help himself — though I think he will not — it
might succeed.
4. I went to town to see Mr. Pelham, and laid
before him the utility of his taking the occasion
139
of Mr. Poulett's death, to make up the quarrel 1752.
between the Earl and his brothers, by choosing T- 4 *
Mr. Vere Poulett in his place. Mr. Pelham
would not enter into it, as Mr. Vere had left
them unhandsomely, and had treated bim ill,
personally, wherever he could be heard. He was
indeed for the union of the family, but he would
have nothing to do with Mr. Vere, from his
personal behaviour, though he could very well
live and treat with those who opposed, and
even personally opposed him; which, con-
sideringthose he has about him, w T as, I thought,
saying in effect, that he would take a blow
from a strong man, but not from a weak one.
He then said, that they knew nothing positive
as to the King's coming; but should know by
the next courier, whether he designed to go to
Hanover the next year. For that he had writ-
ten to his brother, to beg to know of his Ma-
jesty, whether he would have the Parliament
meet before, or after Christmas. We touched
upon the subsidies attending the election of a
King of the Romans : Mr. Pelham's face fell,
and he grew very uneasy upon it, and expressed
much dislike at the way it was conducted.
He said, he was always against those subsidies;
that his idea was, that, if the dissenting electors
140
1752. would give in the ultimatum of their demands,
and perform the conditions before they received,
the reward, then, indeed, when we were sure
of our bargain, it might be worth considering
if it were prudent to pay the price: but, to be
buying one elector after another, was what he
abhorred and could not approve of. It must
have an end — hehad declared so in Parliament,
and, as I was not present at the debate, he
would tell me what he said, for he found that
he had been misrepresented. I told him, that
I had heard from many quarters how he was
understood; that though I was satisfied that
he said nothing but what was proper, yet,
whatever was the general acceptation was
worth attending to: I continued, that it was
allowed on all hands, that he declared against
the subsidies in general, but that he was for the
present demand, as it was to be the last, and as
he had good reason to think, it would certainly
attain the end : that it was, by somebody, fast-
ened upon him, who, rejecting all that others
had said, declared that he voted for them, singly
on the assurances given by him. Mr. Pelham
replied, Who ? Pitt ? I said No ; I thought it
was Mr. Fox. He repeated, in a low voice,
141
Oh, Fox! with great signs of uneasiness and 1752.
discomposure, and in that situation I left
him.
I received a letter from Mr. Cresset, that her i/.
Royal Highness would see me this morning.
I made haste to dress, and got to Kew by half
an hour after eleven. I saw her Royal Highness
very soon: she, the Ladies Augusta, Elizabeth
and I went out, and we walked without sitting
down, for near three hours. We had much talk
upon all manner of private subjects, serious and
ludicrous. Her behaviour was open, friendly,
and unaffected. She commanded me to dine,
and to pass the afternoon with her. When
we came in, we met Lady Middlesex, who had
sent me -word she was to be there. We walked
in the afternoon till it was dark. As we came
in, she said, that she had a petition from the
Prince, that we would play at comet, of which
he was very fond. The party was the Princes,
the Prince of Wales, Prince Edward, the Ladies
Augusta and Elizabeth, Ladies Middlesex and
Charlotte Edwin, and myself.
J received an account from Bridgewaterthat, 1 1.
;it the Mavor's feast, Mr. Balch, who was
142
1752. present, was declared candidate to succeed
Oct. ii. ^j, Poulett. I sent an abstract of the letter,
with one of my own, to Mr. Pelham.
13. Saw Mr. Pelham, and spoke to him about
this sudden event at Bridgewater. He agreed
that it was wholly Earl Poulett's fault, in not
determining and recommending somebody
sooner. He seemed to be well enough satisfied,
from the character I had given him of Mr.
Balch.
15. The Princess having sent to desire me to
pass this day with her, I waited on her ac-
cordingly between eleven and twelve. I saw
her immediately -, her Royal Highness, the
children, and Lady Charlotte Edwin went
walking till two, and then returned to prayers,
from thence to dinner. As soon as dinner was
over, she sent forme, and we sat down to comet.
We rose from play about nine: the royal child-
ren retired, and the Princess called me to the
farther end of the room, and the two ladies
(Lady Charlotte Edwin and Lady Howe) who
were to sup with her, remained at the other
end. She began by saying, that she liked the
Prince should, now and then, amuse himself
143
at small play, but that Princes should never 1752.
play deep, both for tne example, and because 0cT - 15 '
it did not become them to win great sums.
From thence, she told me, that it was highly
improper, the manner in which the Princess
* * * * behaved at Bath ; that she played,
publicly, all the evening, very deep. I asked
with whom? She said, with the Duke and
Duchess of Bedford: that it was prodigious
what work she made with Lord Chesterfield :
that, when his Lordship was at Court, she
would hardly speak to him, at least, as little as
was possible to a man of his rank; but that
now, at Bath, she sent to inquire of his coming
before he arrived; and when he came, she
sent her compliments of expecting him at all
her parties at play; and that he should always
sit by her in the public rooms, that he might
be sure of a warm place, &c. I asked her, how
these demonstrations with him and the Bedfords,
were to be represented to the King ? She said,
she did not understand it. That, the Duke of
Bedford, when he went out, treated the Duke
of Newcastle very ill to the King, not only as
to public, but to private matters with relation
to Lord Gower : but that, some time afterwards,
in the summer, the Duke of Bedford relented,
144
175*. and asked an audience, when he unsaid great
Oct. 15. p art f w hat he had said before (and on which
account the King had been very much dis-
pleased with the Duke of Newcastle), and at-
tributed it to misinformation. I asked her, if
that could be so ? She replied, she was sure
of it, and knew it to be true. I observed to her,
that, notwithstanding this, in the winter, his
Grace (of Bedford) made a formal attack, and
a very strong one too, in the House of Lords,
against the Saxon subsidy. She said, it was
true, and that then the King was again very
angry, and told her that the Duke of Bedford
did not know his own mind. She herself, in-
deed,hadnoOpinionofhisjudgement,butsaid,
that he wag governed by Lord Sandwich, of
whom she did not think very well ; that he had
made the Duke resign, and that they were,both,-
very much combined, and in intimate corre-
spondence with the Duke of Cumberland.
How they managed with the King, she did not
know, but she thought that they did not mean
to act, at least, to any purpose now : that their
views were upon the minority. I said that, in
this light, it seemed highly imprudent in the
Duke of Bedford to resign his office, which
office gave him a settled place in the council
145
of Regency. She answered, it was very true 1752.
— it was Lord Sandwich's doing — but that she 0cT - 15 -
was satisfied the minority was their point of ac-
tion. I said, that it was necessary for her Royal
Highness to look about her a little, and to se-
cure friends in whom she could trust, to see
that justice was done unto her in that event,
not only from that quarter, but from all quarters;,
for she must have observed, that the present
government had taken the best care, they could,
to secure themselves. She said, Yes, good
folks! they had not neglected themselves;
and she would act as I had hinted, not only
for her own sake, but the sake of her son and
of the nation. I said that, not knowing what
part her Royal Highness would take in the Re-
gency bill, I had prepared myself to oppose it;
that I should have opposed it in a very different
manner from those who meddled with it: that
I would have opposed it upon principles that
should have made the King himself weary of
the bill, not as an opposition to his Majesty
and his Ministers, but as a measure of his Mi-
nisters to secure their own power at the ex-
pense, and in the diminution of the power of
the Crown: and I did believe, that with the
assistance I was sure of, I could have hung
L
146
1 732. upon the bill so loner, and have shown it in such
Oct 15
lights, that, at last, the King should have been
out of humour with it before it passed, as I had
reason to believe he was since. That, how-
ever, when I found that she took the party of ac-
quiescence, which upon consideration (though
I thought I should hardly have had the pru-
dence to advise the measure) I was thoroughly
convinced was much the most wise and ad-
viseable mode that could be taken; that, then,
I dropped all show of opposition and did not go
to the House, that I might not furnish a handle
to render me obnoxious : that, with the same
view in the late transaction between Mr. Pelham
and me, I had made ten steps to their one, so
that if nothing came of it, they could not say,
that I was desirous to continue and propagate
resentments, &c.
That, I thought, the persons, now in power,
extremely proper for her to go on with in
case of a minority, and all that I meant by
mentioning the Regency bill, was to show,
that as they had taken all proper precautions
for their own security, it might not be un-
reasonable that her Royal Highness should
keep a look-out, and secure such friends, who,
147
though they acted with government, might 1.752.
see that she had her due share of it; for that
there was such a thing as being great, and at
the same time inconsiderable; that we might
be born the one, but must owe our consequence
to ourselves. That, however, nothing was to
be done at present, but to sit still and watch
events: that all was very well, that the King
was very kind to the royal children, and very
respectful to her, &c.
She said, that, in general, she had no objec-
tion to the Ministry — she, indeed, saw very
little of them; but, what she could not excuse
them for or forgive, was their not doing some-
thing for the Prince's servants: that after so
long a time and so many vacancies, taking no
notice of any one of them, looked as if they
had a studied design to keep old prejudices and
resentments alive: that she was sure, they
might, assist them if they would; that they
might have prevailed on the King before now,
if they had set about it willingly : could they
pretend, they could not prevail with him in be-
half of persons who must be indifferent to the
King, after what they had made him do for
Pitt? I replied, that I agreed to all she said,
t o
148
1752. with relation to their influence over his Majesty,
where reason was so evidently on their side,
and I was the more flattered with it, because it
was my own way of thinking, so much that, if
nothing should come of what was in agitation
between me and them, and they should con-
tinue to hold up the King's personal indis-
position towards me, I should impute it wholly
to their want of inclination. She said that,
notwithstanding what I had mentioned of the
King's kindness to the children and civility to
her, those things did not impose upon her —
that there were other things which she could
not get over — she wished the King was less
civil, and that he put less of their money into
his own pocket: that he got full 30,000/. per
ann. by the poor Prince's death — if he would
but have given them the duchy of Cornwall to
have paid his debts, it would have been some-
thing. Should resentments be carried beyond
the grave ? Should the innocent suffer ? Was
it becoming so great a King to leave his son's
debts unpaid? and such inconsiderable debts?
I asked her, what she thought they might
amount to ? She answered, she had endeavoured
to know as near as a person could properly in-
quire, who, not having it in her power, could
149
not pretend to pay them. She thought, that 1752.
to the tradesmen and servants they did not 0cT ' 15 '
amount to 90,000/. that there was some money
owing to the Earl of Scarborough, and that
there was, abroad, a debt of about 70,000/.
That this hurt her exceedingly, though she
did not show it. I said that it was impossible
to new-make people — the King could not,
now, be altered, and that it added much to the
prudence of her conduct, her taking no notice
of it. She said, she could not however bear it,
nor help, sometimes, giving the King to un-
derstand her, in the strongest and most dis-
agreeable light. She had done it more than
once, and she would tell me how it happened
the last time. You know, continued she, that
the Crown has a power of resumption of Carle-
ton House and gardens for a certain sum : the
King had, not long since, an inclination to see
them, and he came to make me a visit there :
we walked in the gardens, and he, seemingly
mightily pleased with them, commended them
much and told me that he was extremely glad
I had got so very pretty a place: I replied, it
was a pretty place, but that the prettiness of a
place was an objection to it, when one was not
sure to keep it. The King said, that there
150
1752. was, indeed, a power of resumption in the
Oct. 15
Crown for 4000/. but surely, I could not ima-
gine that it could ever be made use of against
me ! how could such a thought come into my
head ? I answered, No, it was not that which
I was afraid of, but I was afraid there were
those who had a better right to it, than either
the Crown or I : He said, Oh, no, no, I do not
understand that; that cannot be. I replied, I
did not pretend to understand those things, but
I was afraid there were such people. He said,
Oh ! I know nothing of that — I do not under-
stand it — and immediately turned the discourse.
I was pleased with the ingenuity of the attack,
but could not help smiling at the defence, nor
she either, when she told it. I said that, I
thought, she had done all that could be expect-
ed; that prudence required letting this and
several other matters sleep : that I was con-
vinced, that the high and just opinion people
had of her, made them wait with patience.
She said, they were very good to her; that
George had no other way of thinking, and
would, certainly, act accordingly; but yet,
she durst not let any body have the comfort of
knowing it, lest they should put every thing
into a flame : upon which, she observed to me
151
the delicacy and ticklishness of her situation. 1752.
I, then, took the liberty to ask her, what she 0cT ' 15 '
thought the real disposition of the Prince to
be? — She said, that I knew him almost as well
as she did; that he was very honest, but she
wished that he was a little more forward, and
less childish, at his age: that she hoped his
preceptors would improve him. I begged to
know what methods they took; what they
read to him, or made him read ; and whether
he showed a particular inclination to any of
the people about him. She said, she really
did not well know what they taught him ; but,
to speak freely, she was afraid not much : that
they were in the country and followed their
diversions, and not much else that she could
discover : that we must hope it would be better
when we came to town. I said, that I did not
much regard books, that what I the most wish-
ed was, that his Royal Highness should begin
to learn the usages and knowledge of the world ;
be informed of the general frame and nature
of this government and constitution, and of the
general course and manner of business, without
his descending into minutias. She said, she
was of my opinion, and that Stone told her,
that, when he talked to the Prince upon those
152
1752. subjects, he seemed to give a proper attention
and made pertinent remarks : that Stone was
a sensible man, and capable of instructing in
things, as well as in books: that Lord Har-
court and the Prince agreed very well, but she
thought, that he could not learn much from
his Lordship : that Scott, in her opinion, was
a very proper preceptor : but that for the good
Bishop, he might be, and she supposed he was,
a mighty learned man, but he did not seem
to her very proper to convey knowledge to
children; he had not that clearness which she
thought necessary : she did not very well com-
prehend him herself, his thoughts seemed to be
too many for his words. That she did not ob-
serve the Prince to take very particularly to any
body about him, but to his brother Edward,
and she was very glad of it, for the young peo-
ple of quality were so ill educated and so very
vicious, that they frightened her. I told her,
I thought it a great happiness, that he showed
no disposition to any great excesses, and begged
to know what were his affections and passions.
She repeated that he was a very honest boy,
and that his chief passion seemed to be for
Edward. I said that, as her Royal Highness
had mentioned the negative which the Ministry
153
seemed to continue upon the Prince's friends, 1752.
I presumed to ask her about the young Prince's 0cT - 15,
affections towards his father's memory; be-
cause he was, now, bred in a manner, and in
hands so totally unacquainted with the late
Prince, and with those who had been about
him, that he might very easily be brought to
forget them ; which, I feared, at the first setting-
out in life, would give a very disadvantageous, if
not a dangerous impression of him: that trifles
are of consequence in the first outset (par-
ticularly those that relate to the heart) to Prin-
ces, whose lightest actions engage the attention,
and whose elevation exposes them to the con-
tinual inspection of mankind : that many good
things lose their gloss at least by untoward
impressions: that a great deal of power might
be required to do things, where affection and
confidence were wanted, which a very little
might bring about, where they were once esta-
blished by first and favourable impressions.
That, for these reasons, I should be extremely
sorry that his Royal Highness should entirely
forget those, who had been faithfully attached
to his father, as that attachment was the only
reason that could be given to justify the pro-
scription which they now lie under. She
154
1752. said, that she agreed with me, that nothing
could be more advantageous and hurtful to
him: that it would affect her very sensibly;
that she had no reason to apprehend it, as the
Prince seemed to have a very tender regard for
the memory of his father, and that she en-
couraged it as much as she could : that when
they behaved wrong, or idly (as children will
do) to any that belonged to the late Prince,
and who are now about her ; she always
asked them, how they thought their father
would have liked to see them behave so to any
body that belonged to him, and whom he
valued; and that they ought to have the more
kindness for them, because they had lost their
friend and protector, who was theirs also; and
she said, she found that it made a proper im-
pression upon them. I humbly begged that
she would cultivate and improve the personal
influence, which her many virtues, as well as
natural affection, gave her over the Prince :
that I was sure, that, from her influence, and
the settled opinion of her prudence with all
mankind, all the disinterested and sensible
amongst us, hoped for a happy settlement of
the new reign: that I did not mean au-
thoritatively and during a legal minority, but
155
during the very young part of the King's life, 1752.
and till time and inclination had brought him
thoroughly to weigh and understand what the
government of a great country was. She ex-
pressed herself civilly for the regard I testified
for her, and said she could have nothing so
much at heart as to see him do well, and make
the nation happy. N. B. I have forgotten
something very particular, viz. In expressing
her dislike to the Princess A a and the
Duke of Cumberland, she said, that, though
she did not value those things, nor seem to
see them, yet she could not but wonder at the
very little regard which the Duke was pleased
to show her. That she had been at Kew the
whole summer, and he had never vouch-
safed to favour her with one visit. That
she had been ill for three weeks, not much,
indeed, but so that the town reports were
that she was dying; but his Royal High-
ness never thought her worth sending after,
even once, to know how she did : she conti-
nued, that she was very indifferent to these
matters, but she could not help wondering
what views were at the bottom of it. I came
home between ten and eleven, and have been
the more particular in this conversation, be-
156
1752. cause it carries an air of friendship and open-
ness which I no way expected from a great
lady, who has established a character for pru-
dence in not opening herself much to any
body, and of great caution to whom she opens
herself at all.
17. I saw Lord Middlesex, and had a long talk
with him in presence of Lady Middlesex ; and
in the evening I sent him a draught of a letter
from him to the Duke of Dorset, which he will
not send, nor do any thing, I believe, for him-
self: if so, he will render it impossible for me
to do any thing for him.
22. I went to town with design to go to the
Prince's drawing-room in black, being in
mourning for the Countess Temple. After a
little time, the Earl of Hyndford was so oblig-
ing as to come and tell me, that he believed,
I had forgotten that they did not appear in
mourning that day, it being the coronation-
day. So I was forced to slip away. I spoke
to the Solicitor General to consider, how I
was to open the transaction, between Mr. Pel-
ham and me, to the Duke of Newcastle.
157
I received my draught from Lord Middle- 1752.
Oct 2(3
sex, with a letter in a good degree conform-
able to it, from him to the Duke of Dorset.
Sent him a dr
the Duchess.
Sent him a draught of another to his mother,
I dined with the Lord Mayor. No coun- Nov « 9.
sellors, but those of the law, except the Speaker
and myself.
Called at the Duke of Dorset's, and deliver- 14 -
ed a letter to him, and another for the Duchess,
from Lord Middlesex. Much conversation to
induce a relation, but could not obtain a de-
claration of the conditions on which he would
be reconciled. He objected to the usage he
had received, in which he was too well ground-
ed ; and next, to the incapacity he was under
of paying his son's debts. I told him we were
not come to that yet — I wished we were, as I
could point out means very easily, to show
that those debts were not so formidable, &c. —
I hinted some. We were now interrupted.
The King came to town about five o'clock. is.
I called at the Speaker's, and proposed, upon i 9>
158
1752. supposition he was in the chair of the new
ov * 19 ' Parliament, Dr. Sharpefor his chaplain. I re-
ceived a general answer of regard for me, and
esteem for the Doctor. I think, I find that he
will be Speaker, and I hope he will get some
reversion for his son as an inducement for him.
21. Went to the Duke of Newcastle, who re-
ceived me with very much kindness. I kissed
the King's hand.
22. I waited on the Princess, and gave her a
full account of the transaction about a recon-
ciliation in the Dorset family. She received
it with great pleasure, and treated me with
uncommon condescension.
26. Mons. Lamberti, the French agent called
on me. He insisted that the King must go to
Hanover early in the spring — that the election
of a King of the Romans was the thing next
his heart — that, by the Golden Bull, absolute
unanimity of the Electoral College, as also of
that of the Princes, was required — that, upon
those conditions, and satisfaction to her allies
(the Palatine and Prussia), France would not
oppose it < but that she would, without that
159
satisfaction — that the pecuniary satisfaction of * l5 ~-
n . f . ' J . _ Nov. 26.
1,200,000 florins, and the barony to the Pa-
latine, was settled, but the expectation of Or-
tenaw was not — that, when Bavaria left France
for the House of Austria, the recompense was
fixed by the treaty of Fussen; that we engaged
for the performance — that a private treaty
was since signed by the Duke of Newcastle,
Messrs. Munchausen and Haslang, by which
we further engaged to make it good — that the
Bavarian subsidy was to be augmented— that
of Cologne to be settled. I asked why all
these things might not be negotiated at Lon-
don, as well as at Hanover : he replied, be-
cause the Ministers, who treated those affairs
there, did not come hither — that these were
another sort of men, men of business and abi-
lities, wholly bred for negotiations, and not for
characters and show— that the German Princes
also sent thither their confidants and Ministers
of State, who never came to London as resi-
dent Envoys — that nothing farther of effect
could be done here, this winter, in that matter,
and that all the negotiations would be with
France about the limits in America j and, as to
that, they had cart loads of memorials to ex-
change with us, whenever wc pleased.
l6o
1752. Kings birth-day kept. Lord Hillsborough
beo-an a conversation with me at Court. He
thought there must be some disturbance arise
from the Pitt party : that, though they were
so well placed, they were still uneasy : that
they neither liked others, nor were liked by
them. I said, I could not conceive that they
would stir. He said, Yes ; for that Pitt's pas-
sion was ambition, not avarice— that he was at
a full stop, as things were, and could have no
hopes of going farther : he was once popular ;
and if he could again make a disturbance, and
get the country on his side, he then might
have hopes : now, and on the present system,
he could have none. I replied, I thought
they could not part with what they had, &c.
&c. He said, they had the Temple pocket-
that, to his knowledge, they were all as one,
and would stand and fall with Pitt, as their
head. Lord Hillsborough wondered that
they did not break out ; he daily expected it.
I said that, in all likelihood, if such a scheme
was on foot, his Lordship would know it as
soon as any body ; for he must be sensible,
that it was impossible for them to attempt it,
without holding out a hand to people, to ex-
tend and fortify their own connexions, &c.
161
He said, to be sure, but not to him— that they 1752:
knew his opinions too well; that, when they i ov " *
broke from me, he followed me ; that he never
was more than commonly acquainted with
Pitt; that Pitt had once dined at his house,
and they might visit perhaps once in a win-
ter ; that his Lordship loved George Grenville
personally, but no ways espoused his politics :
that, for himself indeed, his alliance with Lord
Kildare naturally led him to Mr. Fox, and that
he was much more likely to succeed than
Pitt; that the Pitts could not be quiet, but
had been dabbling with the Prince, and that
their plans were prevented by the Prince's
death, as to be sure, I knew, and Mr. Pelham
knew : therefore they must be disagreeable to
each other, and they could have no hopes 01
rising by him. That Mr. Fox had something-
very frank and open about him, and that he
resolved to push for his turn — not by opposi-
tion, for he had a family, and could not afford
to part with his emoluments; but, if accidents
should happen, he pretended to succeed ;
that, indeed, Mr. Pelham's life was as good
as his, and he would not oppose him; but
that, lie should endeavour to be next, and
uld consider himself as such. I asked,
M
162
H52. whether he held out his hand, &c. His
Nov. 27. L orc | s hip saidj Yes, to all the world ; that it
was prodigious how many friends he had
made. He had got the Duke of Cumber-
land, the Dukes of Marlborough and Bed-
ford, Lord Sandwich, and the Duke of Rich-
mond of course. That he was very well with
Lord Hallifax, who seemed to trim, as near
as he could, between Mr. Pelham and him,
and that now he was endeavouring to get
Lord Hartington. That, if Mr. Pelham was
out of the way, he thought that the Duke of
Newcastle did not like Fox personally, nor
did the Chancellor. As to Pitt, the King
himself would be against him. But, said he,
I think you are not acquainted with Fox. I
replied, that I had always known him, and
always liked him very well, but had not con-
versed much with him of late. He said, he
wondered at it, and what should be the reason
of it ? I said, that I fancied it was occasioned
by the other side, for though I liked Mr. Fox
very well, it was possible he might not much
like me. He said, he could not believe it. I
said, some lies might probably be told him,
but that I had never deserved ill of him ; if it
was so, his opinion of me must be, and ought
163
to be, extremely indifferent to me. He said, 1752.
Nov. 27.
he had never heard any thing drop from him
of that kind, and if he had any dislike to me,
it must be from my pushing Sir Robert Wal-
pole, for Fox really loved that man. I said>
surely my breaking with Sir Robert Walpole
was nothing personal to him; I did it pub-
licly, at the expense of a considerable em-
ployment, and what Mr. Fox thought of it
was, what never did, nor ever could, give me
any the least concern. Then the conversa-
tion became general, the beginning of which
I thought very singular.
I went to the Duke of Dorset, and ob- 23
tained of him, that he would willingly see
Lord Middlesex, on condition that he would
form no pretension to have his debts paid, or
to a seat in Parliament, or to a place. I took
this down in writing; but I doubt Lord Mid-
dlesex will not go : if he does, and resolves to
continue to use all his advantages, he will
succeed. But it must be the work of time,
perseverance, and insinuation.
I delivered the Duke of Dorset's message to 30.
Ix>rd Middlesex, and gave him an account of
M 2
164
1752. the conversation^ I then said what I thought
Nov. 30 ■ ._.
i>uv. ju, wag p ro p er#
Dec. 5. Lord Harcourt resigned being Governor to
the Prince* He offered to do so, unless Mr.
Stone (placed as Sub-governor by the Mini-
sters), Mr. Scott, tutor in the late Prince's
time (but recommended by Lord Boling-
broke), and Mr. Cresset, made treasurer by
the Princess's recommendation, were removed.
The King desired him to consider of it ; but
Lord HarcOurt continuing in the same resolu-
tion, the Archbishop and Lord Chancellor
were sent to him, to know the particulars of
his complaints against those gentlemen. He
replied that the particulars were fit only to be
communicated to the King, and accordingly
he waited on his Majesty, which ended in his
resignation. The Bishop of Norwich sent his
resignation by the same Prelate and Lord.
His reasons, if he gave any, I should have
known, if a gentleman, who was going to tell
me, had not been interrupted by company.
o.
The Duke of Dorset came to tell me that
Lord Middlesex had written to the Duchess
for leave to wait on her, and that she had ap-
165
pointed to-morrow morning. I hope all will, 1752 -
i it Dec. 6.
in time, end well.
Lord Middlesex informed me that he had 8 -
seen the Duke and Duchess of Dorset ; that
he was very coldly received by the Duchess,
and not much better by them both together.
This is very injudicious in their Graces, but
his Lordship must persevere.
Mr. Pelham sent for Cary, the surgeon, on 12.
pretence of the Westminster election, but, in
reality, to question him about a letter which
he had written to Mr. Vane, and which Mr.
Vane had sent to Mr. Pelham, who inter-
preted it to insinuate, that I was out of humour
because nothing was settled or said to me.
Mr. Pelham said, I must know how much
this squabble with Lord Harcourt had en-
grossed their whole time and thought, and
in a disagreeable manner. That they could
not be throning at the King every day ; that
he had the greatest kindness and esteem for
me, and that a proper person should shortlv
speak to me.
Went to the Duke of Dorset, and, I think,
17
166
1752. left hini disposed to receive his son kindly. 1
saw Lord Middlesex, who, I hope, will make
a proper use of all opportunities.
18. Lord Waldegrave declared Governor to the
Prince, and on the 20th, was sworn of the
council.
22. Was with the Duke of Dorset. We talked
over the affair of the Prince's family, and
agreed that there must be a counter story of
the court side, or the resigners would run
away with the public opinion. I left him,
still, well disposed to his son.
28 * I waited on the Princess : she was pleased
to send the royal children to prayers, and to
stay with me. I resolved to avoid mentioning
all public affairs, on account of the dis-
turbances, now fresh, in the Prince of Wales's
family; and therefore, I began by acquainting
her with what had passed, relating to the re-
conciliation in the Dorset family, since I had
seen her Royal Highness. She said, she Was
afraid it would be hard to complete it so, as
to answer Lord Middlesex's ends entirely;
and she seemed to be of opinion, that, though
167
Lady Middlesex was no ways in fault, and 1752.
Dec 28
though neither the Duke nor the Duchess had
dropped the least word about her; and though
Lord George had been with Lady Middlesex
twice, in the same house with her, and never
once saw, or asked after her, yet she was in*
clined to think, that Lady Middlesex should
go to wait on the Duchess. I was glad to
learn her opinion, for I wanted to know it.
I replied, that there were oddnesses about
them, which were peculiar to that family, and
I had often told them so. She said, there
was something very odd amongst them, and,
laughing, added, that she knew but one
family that was more odd, and she would not
name that family for the world. I said, it
did not become me to guess at her Royal
Highness; but if it did, I was sure I could
not guess it in a hundred years. She laughed
and said, a propos, there has been fine doings
in our family ; a very fine bustle indeed ! I
am glad we are rid of them. I said, it had
indeed occasioned a great deal of talk. She
replied, she was quite weary of hearing it ;
that there was such an outcry at two people's
leaving them, as if they were the most consi-
derable men in the nation; and who occa-
168
1752. sioned as much wonder and outcry, two years
Dec ''S
ago, when they came to them, on account of
their being too unknown to come thither;
that she knew nothing of the Jacobitism, the
arbitrary principles, the dangerous notions of
those who were accused, or any such, at-
tempted to be instilled into the children; that
she could not conceive what they meant;
that the Bishop, indeed, was teaching them
logic, which, as she was told, was a very odd
study for children of their age, not to say, of
their condition. I said that, whatever they
meant, they both must often, before things
came to these extremities, have applied to her
Royal Highness, and have laid before her
some ostensible reasons, at least, for a ground
for their resolution to resign, when the King
returned. She replied, never : — that she knew
nothing of their intention, till Lord Harcourt
had been with the King; that the Bishop had,
several times, given her an account of the
progress the children made; that he behaved
in the most flattering and servile manner, in
the accounts he gave : and then he often in-
sinuated, that there were those about the
Prince, who encouraged his Royal Highness
against him, &c. — that she told him, as the
169
truth was, that she was entirely innocent of 17-V2.
Dec. 28.
any such practices herself, and did not know
of any body who could be accused of it ; and
particularly, could not perceive by the child-
ren, when they were with her, that any ill
offices had been done him ; that the last time
the Bishop had been with her, he complained
more strongly of being disregarded; lie begged
her protection, showing the great necessity of
a preceptor's being respected and supported,
&c. Upon which she told him, that she al-
ways inculcated in the children to show him
great respect, and was very far from endea-
vouring, or even wishing, that it should be
lessened : and this, says she, not for love of
you, my Lord, but because it is fitting and
necessary ; for if they are suffered to want
respect that is due to one degree, they will
proceed to want it to another ; till, at last, it
would come up to me, and I should then have
taught them to disregard me. This, she said,
was the last conversation she had with the
Bishop. I asked her, if she could remember
when it was : she answered, she thought about
the end of September, or soon in Oetober,
That, as to Lord Harcourt, he never took the
least notice of her; that she had hardly seen
170
1752. him, three times, the whole summer, though
Dec. 28. the y j^j sQ near t0 g etuer a t Kew 5 that, when
he came for the Prince, so far from sending
in to her, he would stay in the hall ; and
though pressed to it by the servants, he would
not come into the picture-room, where we
always sat, when she was above, till she came
to us or sent for us up. I asked, if he always
fetched the Prince home : she said, Yes ; at a
certain hour. I said, I had heard so, and did,
indeed, a little wonder in myself, that I had
never seen Lord Harcourt, when I had the
honour to play at cards with their Royal
Highnesses in private ; for as the game could
not be up to a moment, I thought it natural
his Lordship should let his Royal Highness
know that he was below; and I presumed
she would, as naturally, send for him up : she
said, to be sure she should ; and I might well
wonder. But so far from that, he never came
near her : that he had been twice this year in
Oxfordshire, and that she never knew when
he went, or when he returned: I then said,
that I could not conceive, according to the
common form of things, even though his re-
solution might be taken, how it was possible
that he could avoid waiting upon her, to lay
171
some reasons before her Royal Highness, by 1752.
way of expostulation or apology, before the Dec - 28 -
King - came home : she said, he never did,
nothing like it : that, since his return from
Oxfordshire, the very first time she saw him,
was at the foot of the stairs at St. James's, the
night the King came (Nov. 18); that the next
time, was the birth-day (27th) in the private
rooms ; that he endeavoured to avoid her, but
she got between the door and him, and took
him by the coat, and said, he was very fine:
he said, Madam, it is all the manufacture of
Spitalfields, and so walked off. That, the
Tuesday before, he had been with the King,
to represent that her children were in the
way of imbibing dangerous notions, &c.
That he had no authority, and could do no
good, unless Stone, Cresset, and Scott were
dismissed; that they Avere Jacobites, &c. and
had been bred so, they and their families. I
said, this charge upon their families and edu-
cation made me smile ; for that, though I had
a personal regard for Lord Harcourt, and did
steadfastly believe, that he was as faithful a
servant and subject, as any the present family
on the Throne had : yet I was sorry to say,
that I remembered his predecessor, following
172
17 -52. the Oxford Circuit* a very poor, but reckoned
a very shrewd lawyer; which shrewdness in
the poor professor, as he rose, had justice
done it, and was called genius and abilities as
it really was ; for he was very able, very skil-
ful, and more eminent by his talents and ca-
pacity than by his post. But, till the last
years of his life, he was always esteemed a
thorough Jacobite: he even stands impeached
upon these principles, and though not pro-
ceeded against, he is excepted in several acts
of grace. That I was sure, Lord Harcourt
abhorred those principles, and would, with
cheerfulness, risk every thing for this royal
family; but I thought it strange that people
• should not allow conversion to be as natural
and sincere in other families, as we had hap-
pily experienced it in his ; and that, upon the
whole, I could not imagine what they meant
by this whole transaction, as to the matter,
and yet less, as to the manner. She said, that,
however it was, the King was very well pleased
with them ; but that she could easily guess
what they meant. I said, that now I was
serious in assuring her Royal Highness that I
could not guess. She replied, one might
guess by their falling upon Mr. Cresset, who
173
had no more to do with the Prince's education, 1752.
Dec 28
than I had; that they had a design to get his
place for another, and she thought it was for
Lord Talbot's brother ; but as the King took
her recommendation, now Cresset was to be
brought into the quarrel; that these gentle-
men were leagued with some greater people,
whom she need not name to me, to get the
Prince to their side ; and then, by their beha-
viour, to throw her off from her temper, and
so make their complaints to the King stronger,
and then to make her disoblige his Majesty,
in defending the accused ; not doubting, if
they could once force her into any indiscreet
warmth, to make so plausible a story to the
King, as might compass their design ; which
is, to carrv the Prince into those other hands
at last, by taking him from the people now
about him, and by degrees, consequently,
from her. This failing, behold the next
step — the Bishop comes to take his leave of
me, and with abundance of fawning and
flatterv, thanks me for all my goodness to
him, and all the regard I had been pleased to
show him, &c. when he was in the family ;
hoping that I would believe, that he left it
like an honest man. I replied, continued she,
174
1752. that, for the regard I had shown him. or any
Dec. 28. . .
services I had done him, he owed me no
obligation ; it was no more than was his due,
and what I should always pay to any body,
whom the King was pleased to put about my
children in the same station — that as to the
motives of his leaving the family, as I was not
acquainted with them, I could say nothing
about them. Then, said she, comes my Lord
of Harcourt, and he, in a drier way than the
Bishop, takes his leave, by thanking me for
the favours and support he had received from
me while he was in the family: and in return,
I thanked his Lordship for the constant care
and attendance he had bestowed upon my
sons. I replied to her Royal Highness, that
I was surprised at the whole before, by what
I had heard from the public talk; but that,
now, I was astonished. She said, she thought
she had some little reason to take it ill, that
such grievous complaints should be made of
managements about her son, without giving
her the least previous intimation of them;
that Lord Harcourt complained strongly to
the King of dangerous notions, and arbitrary
principles being instilled into the Prince; and
that he could be of no use, unless the instillers
175
of that doctrine, Stone, Cresset, and Scott, 1752.
Dec 28
were dismissed. That, as he named no par-
ticulars, the King had sent the Archbishop
and the Chancellor to command Lord Har-
court to acquaint them with the particulars ;
that his Lordship's answer was, that the par-
ticulars were fit only to be communicated to
the King, and that he would wait on his Ma-
jesty with them. (All this I knew before.)
That he did so, and that she had since talked
with the King, and his Majesty told her, that
Lord Harcourt had only run over the same
general topics again, without entering into
any particulars at all : that the King had
assured her of this, and she believed, he had
told her the truth. But, continued she, they
have missed their ends, for the King was in
very good humour with her and the children,
and imputed nothing to them in this whole
transaction. I said, that I was extremely
pleased her Royal Highness had not been
thrown off her temper by this behaviour, con-
sidering how offensive it was, how deep it was
laid, and who were at the bottom of it ; for
that I, particularly, and, I believed, all good
men placed their chief hopes in the Prince's
continuing in her hands and under her direc-
176
1752. tion, and in preserving that influence over'
him, which was justly due to her, as well from
her prudence, as from nature — she replied,
they would not find it easy to make her lose
her temper. I told her of an anonymous
letter sent to Dr. Newton, a popular preacher,
of St. George's, setting forth the dangerous
way the Prince's education was left in, and,
after touching on the Doctor's popularity,
concluding by putting it to him as a duty to
take notice of it in the pulpit. She had not
heard of it, and seemed at a loss to guess what
it meant. I said, the only meaning I could
give it was, though perhaps with too much
refinement, that they had or would write
anonymous letters to the same purpose, to
forty or fifty of the London clergy j in hopes
that, among so many, one hot-headed fellow
might be found, who would take fire at it,
and endeavour to distinguish himself by trying
to raise a flame about it. But I did not think
proper to tell her Royal Highness of another
anonymous letter, which was sent to General
Hawley, on Wednesday the 20th inst. which,
when it was opened, contained nothing to
him, but was a sort of a representation or
remonstrance to the King from the Whig no-
177
bility and gentry; setting forth (as may be 1752 -
t Dec. Jo.
seen in my papers No. 9) their great concern
and apprehensions for the Prince's education
from the hands in which he now is; their
dissatisfaction at the manner in which the
power of the crown was lodged ; that, indeed,
some of those who, by their offices, were
called Ministers, and ought to be so, were
sometimes tumbled and tossed about, but that
there was a permanence of power placed in
three men, whom they looked upon as dan-
gerous ; and that these men entirely trusted,
and were governed by two others; one of
whom had the absolute direction of the Prince,
and was of a Tory family, and bred in arbi-
trary principles; and the other, who was bred
a professed Jacobite of a declared Jacobite
family, and whose brother, now at Rome, was
a favourite of the Pretender, and even his Se-
cretary of State. In short, the corollary was,
that Murray (Solicitor General) and Stone,
governed this country. This letter was sent
to General Hawley with an intent, no doubt,
that he should immediately carry it to the
Duke, that his Royal Highness might lay it
before the King, and make what first im-
pressions he could. Whether the General did
N
173
17.52. so, I don't know, but I do not suspect him of
so much finesse ; but what is certain, is, that
he sent it or carried it to the Secretary of
State, who laid it before the King. What
was the effect, I can't tell ; but I know they
were very much intrigued to find out whence
it came, and who was the author.
1753. Mr. Furnese called on me, and from a con-
versation with the Solicitor General, brings me
new proofs of the King's indisposition towards
me.
9. The Bishop of Peterborough made Precept-
or to the Prince of Wales.
20. I had a long conversation with Mr. Vane
about our negociation with the court, and he
seemed to think it much for their interest to
agree with us. He expressed great apprehen-
sions of the Duke and his party.
25. The Princess sent for me — I found her with
the Ladies Augusta and Elizabeth — we began
with talking of the reconciliation in the Dorset
family : from that, she spoke of the Prussian
memorial, of which I gave her my sentiments,
179
which were, that it was, no doubt, meant to be 1753.
very offensive, not only in matter, but in man- Jan * 25 '
ner : for that, through the whole, there is no
mention made of the King, but the represen-
tation is made to the nation and to the Mi-
nistry, which I thought highly indecent — she
replied, she thought it perplexed them very
much — I said, it must do so, from the difficulty
of finding a way to resent the affront. She
said, if we did resent it, that Hanover was
open, and the King of Prussia could do what
he pleased with it, as easily as I could come
into the garden where we were, from my ter-
race. I replied, he had taken an imprudent
occasion to insult the King, because the pre-
sent quarrel was upon a point purely English,
without the least mixture of German, and
could not be resented on the Electorate with-
out alarming every Prince in Germany. That
the King of Prussia must know, that the House
of Austria watched with impatience to recover
Silesia : that he was less a match for Vienna,
than Hanover was for him ; that I knew, he
wanted a war, because he felt his country sink-
ing under the number of troops, which he kept
in it, in time of peace. That I did not think
France was in a condition, or in the disposition
N 2
180
1755. to enter into a war immediately, and, if he was
J ' not very sure France would, that he played
very deep and very dangerously indeed. This
part, as well as the rest, of the conversation
which was long, being carried on in the cold
air, the Princess muffled up, and mostly speak-
ing low that the children might not hear it;
I shall choose to throw the principal parts to-
gether, as shortly and as clearly as I can,
though not exactly in the order they were
spoken, but as much in the words as I can re-
collect — the Duchess of Devonshire's assem-
bly, of last Monday, was mentioned; from
thence Mr. James Pelham's of last night,
which was professedly for hazard, and for the
Ministry and Court. She expressed great dis-
like at playing publicly at forbidden games :
she spoke, reasonably and warmly, of the ill-
example and encouragement it gave to all sorts
of dissipation, &c. &c. I agreed with her,
and mentioned the precautions, which Lord
Treasurer Godolphin used, to conceal his pas-
sion for play, though he practised it to the
last : (but added, to change the discourse) that
it was but once a year, at a relation's house ;
that they had little to do, for all Parliament
opposition was over ; no body attended, and
131
therefore it was natural that they should amuse ] 753 -
themselves a little. She said, Yes, all seemed
to be quiet now, but how long would it con-
tinue so ? they never were in so ticklish a si-
tuation, as at present : that they were fright-
ened three years ago, but with very little or no
reason ; that now they had reason ; they must
know it and feel it, and she was amazed they
did not look out for assistance and friends
whom they could depend upon, but that their
cowardice would be their ruin. I said, I won-
dered at it too, that their own real friends and
dependants were very much narrowed ; but at
the same time, she would please to consider,
that it was not easy for them to make new con-
nexions ; for people of rank and real efficiency,
who were unengaged and truly neuters, were
but few ; and against almost every one of those
few, either from false representations or ca-
price, the King had taken prejudices, which
the Ministers did not care, or did not dare to
combat, which, I supposed, was the occasion
of their not strengthening themselves. She
said, with great warmth, that, when they
talked to her of the King, she lost all patience,
for she knew it was nothing: that, in these
great points, she reckoned the Kiug no more
182
H53. than one of the trees we walked by (or some-
thing more inconsiderable, which she named),
but that it was their pusillanimity which would
make an end of them. I said, that it was, in-
deed, surprising; and if they were willing to
accept of assistance, which I was confident
they really wanted, and would not, I was much
concerned for them : because, to be sure, in
great things the King must comply with what
was reasonable. For instance, Madam, to put
a Lady of your Bedchamber, or a Groom of
the Stole, about your Royal Highness, with
whom you must live ; or your Private Trea-
surer, who must enter into all your little do-
mestic, personal details, I ought to consult
your inclinations, nay, even your caprice:
but to recommend one of your Receivers in
Cornwall, your interest and the facility of your
service ought only to be considered, and you
ought not to be indulged in rejecting him, by
having taken unfavourable impressions against
him, because it would render your service im-
practicable ; and all, so rejected, must believe
that I never meant to serve them, or that I had
no interest with you, and should not, long, be
able to support myself. She said, it was most
certainly so, the King was nothing in these
183
things ; and every body would drop from them, 1753.
one by one, on account of their own cowardice.
1 told her that, surely, she had a right to insist
upon their acting otherwise, considering the
great support she had given them in the late
ticklish, family transaction. She said, she had
done them service ; but it signified nothing, if
they would not help themselves. I replied, it
was great pleasure tome, to find that her Royal
Highness favoured those gentlemen ; because,
for my own part, I really liked and esteemed
them, much more than any, who might proba-
bly, and who were, now, endeavouring to, suc-
ceed them ; and because I was desirous to live
with, and support them : that I knew nothing
of particulars, but that I spoke the language
of the town, in saying, that she had very
greatly and usefully espoused their cause, and,
therefore, that she ought to have great weight
with them. She said, she was afraid the town
said more of it, than she desired; that the
truth was, it was certainly hers, and her fa-
mily's business, to keep well with the King, and
consequently to countenance those Ministers
he employed, and she had done so; but she
did not understand that she was bound to them
so, as to be in their hands. I replied, that this
184
1755. was the difficulty, and that it was hard to avoid
Fan. 25. falling into the hands of either one side or the
other ; it was a ticklish situation : and here I
stopped. She said, she had helped them, and
was astonished at their cowardice, in not mak-
ing new friends. What ground did they stand
upon ? Could they doubt, but that her good
brother and sister were, the whole day long,
doing them all imaginable mischief at St.
James's ? That, while they were lessening
every favourable thing, they were heightening
and exaggerating every unfavourable one ?
The Duke of Bedford stirring Heaven and
Earth in the country ; opening his house and
courting every body in town ? What would
become of them ? Every body would leave
them by degrees, on account of their pusillani-
mity. I said, I was very sorry for their inac-
tion, for that her Royal Highness would please
to observe that, to people, who by their situ-
ation are thrown into politics ; action, in that
-case, is what life is to the body : we cannot
cease to live for a time, and then, take up life
again : so in politics, we must act in some
way or another, and we cannot cease action
for a time, and then take it up again. That
I wished the present Ministry unfeignedly
185
well, and was desirous to employ all my ere- 1753.
dit and friends in their service ; that, besides,
my friends and their interest, I would un-
dertake to choose five members for them,
without putting them to a shilling expense,
or desiring them to make a tide-waiter : that
I thought much, if not their all, depended on
a new Parliament, and I was willing to give
them my poor assistance, as her Royal High-
ness had espoused their cause ; and as I was,
in my opinion and inclination, made more
prepossessed in their favour, than for any
body, who was in any likelihood to succeed
them. Here ended all that was material. I
am at a loss to guess, why this great lady
presses conversations of this nature upon me ;
I neither attempt, nor deserve her confidence,
nor am I so low, as to be fond of half-confi-
dences. I think she must become nothing,
by either siding with the Ministry or the
Duke. A third party, of her own, is her
only resource in case of a minority, but where
she will find that party, may be difficult;
and whether she will find resolution to at-
tempt it or to support it, may still be more
difficult. It may, possibly, be her wisest
party, and, probably, the party she has or
will shortly take, to take hands privately with
186
1753. the Duke of Cumberland, and, instigated
an. 25. ^ t | ie timidity of the Ministers, agree with
him and repeal the Regency bill, and be thus
sole regent in appearance, and he in effect.
This I think certain, that, if they do not im-
mediately remove the Duke from the army,
and with eclat, he will overpower both her
and the Ministry, who will probably think of
struggling when it is too late, but who will
not, I think, dare to strike when it might be
easy and decisive.
Feb. l. I went to the House to vote for the liberty
to import Champaign in bottles. Lord Hills-
borough moved it ; Mr. Fox seconded it. We
lost the question — ayes 74, noes 14 1.
8t I waited on the Princess and saw her alone.
I entertained her with town talk, and plea-
santries that had passed where I dined. She
began, at once, by saying she had good news
to tell me • that they were very happy in their
family ; that the new Bishop gave great satis-
faction; that he seemed to take great care,
and in a proper manner : and that the child-
ren took to him, and seemed mightily pleased.
I said I was very glad that all their Royal
Highnesses were pleased with the Bishop,
whom I did not know by sight ; but that she
187
would give me leave to hope, that they were 1755.
all very well pleased with the new Governor Feb> 8 *
also, who was my very good friend, and for
whom I had a very great regard. She replied,
yes, indeed; that she was but little acquainted
with him, but, from all she saw, she had a
very good opinion of him ; that he was very
well bred, very complaisant, and attentive,
&c. and the children liked him extremely ;
but, says she, I look upon a Governor as a
sort of pageant, a man of quality for show,
&c. I stick to the learning as the chief
point: you know how backward they were,
when we were together, and I am sure, you
don't think them much improved since. It
may be, that it is not, yet, too late to acquire
a competence, and that is what I am most
solicitous about ; and if this man, by his
manner, should hit upon the means of giving
them that, I shall be mightily pleased. The
Bishop of Norwich was so confused, that one
could never tell what he meant, and the child-
ren were not at all pleased with him. I said,
that the whole transaction was a very odd
thing, that, certainly, there must be some
bottom to it, which we at a distance could
not discern. She replied, she thought so;
188
1753. that the stories about the history of the Pere
d'Orleans were false : the only little dispute,
between the Bishop and Prince Edward, was
about le Pere Perefix's history of Henry the
IVth, and that was nothing at all to produce
such consequences. That there must be po-
litics at the bottom: that there was a story of
the Bishop's having said, that Murray, (the
Solicitor General), when he was first appointed,
told him that Lord Harcourt was only a cy-
pher; that, as he (the Bishop) had parts and
abilities, he might easily get the whole into
his own hands, and at the same time advised
him not to omit so fair an opportunity : that
she believed it was a lie, but if it was true, the
Bishop must be a bad man to betray the pri-
vate advice of a friend. I said, I was most
confident it was false : that Mr. Murray had
too much sense to meddle at all, with what
did not belong to him ; but if he had done
it (which I could never believe) I was sure it
could only be in favour of his friend, Stone,
with whom he was closely connected : that I
looked upon Mr. Murray to be a very eminent
man, and much the most able and efficient of
all those, who were openly and honourably
attached to the Ministry. She said, it was
189
very likely; she thought they had very few 1755.
friends, and wondered at their not getting
more, and that it was their cowardice only
which hindered them : that, if they talked of
the King, she was out of patience ; it was as
if they should tell her, that her little Harry
below would not do what was proper for him;
that just so, the King would sputter and make
a bustle, but when they told him that it must
be done from the necessity of his service, he
must do it, as little Harry must when she
came down. I replied, I was sincerely sorry,
not for the present, but that I apprehended
this want of real, attached, and declared
friends might produce ugly consequences and
contests, in case of a demise. She said, it was*
to be apprehended, but she could not help it.
I said, that they ought, for her sake, and from
what they owed her, to think of those con-
sequences. She answered, they owed her
nothing; that in regard to the last disturb-
ances in the family, she protested, she knew
no more than she had told me — that she never
conceived it would come to an open rupture:
and again protested that when she heard that
Lord Harcourt had been with the King, on
his arrival, to resign, she was as ignorant of
190
1753. it, and as much surprised at it, as I could be :
Urn Q
that what had been done since, in the re-
placing them, was done in the puzzled way
which I knew, and in which she had very
little or no share ; and that, for the Ministers,
she had never seen them in her life. Madam,
says I, your Royal Highness will forgive me,
but if I had not catched myself, I was just
going to say, Lord, Madam ! what do you
mean ? — I mean, answered she, just as I say ;
the only way I could see them in the Prince's
time, I don't call seeing them ; and since that
time I have never seen the Duke of Newcastle,
what I should call more than once, but as I
am speaking to you with great exactness, it
was twice; and I have not seen Mr. Pelham
at all — no, not once. The Duke was, once,
here, with the Archbishop and the Chancellor,
upon some formality ; and last year, when
the King was out of the way, he stole over to
Kew, to take his leave, but has never been
here, since his return, though almost every
body has, as Lady Yarmouth, Munchausen,
Lord Anson, &c. Mr. Pelham has behaved
better, and always very civilly : he had not
the same reasons; he might indeed at first,
before our money matters were settled, have
191
taken that occasion to come; but as he did 1753.
not do it, he has had no call ; and fears, I EB *
suppose, the King's jealousies and suspicions,
who is never without them. When the Duke
of Newcastle was with me, I very strongly
testified my surprise to him, that he should
neglect such a body of the late Prince's ser-
vants ; that, though they had wished me and
my part of the family, better than any other
party ; yet, as that was over, and they were
willing to come under him, surely some of
them were worth accepting. If they were
not to be rewarded for their attachment, it
was surely strange that they were to have an
exclusion put upon them for it. He shuffled
and hesitated upon this ; but at last said, to
be sure it should be thought of, and brought
about. I said, it was indeed surprising; for,
that those gentlemen, instead of having ac-
quired any merit by their services, were not
even allowed the fair play that they would
have had, if they had never entered into the
service of the Royal family : I thought it very
disadvantageous, because, in case of a demise,
that all would be to be done, which ought to
have been long settled, and ready to be done,
in case of accidents. She said, that the Duke
im
1753. durst not come near her for fear of her sister
Amelia. I asked her, if she thought he could
be ignorant of her dislike to him, even to in-
veteracy. She answered, no ; but still he was
afraid of her. That he had once, since he
came, got leave to see her, but on condition
that somebody should be in the room : but
that, in the case I mentioned, she should soon
enough have him trotting on all fours to her.
That she had nothing to do with them : could
they believe, if the time ever came, that she
should forget those whom she had mentioned
to them? — that she should forget, what she
ought most to remember, from duty, from in-
terest, and from gratitude? She could not
help it — it must be alors, comme alors. Per-
haps the fewer engagements she was under
the better. Thus ended this other very sin-
gular conversation.
u « Mr. Glover dined with me, who read his
tragedy of Medea.
12. The Duke of Bedford moved for Nova
Scotia papers very ably.
15. The cabinet met, and sat late, on the
193
strange imputation of Bishop Johnson's, 1753.
Messrs. Stone's and Murray's being Jacobites, 15,
and having drunk the Pretender's health at
Vernon's, the linen-draper's, about twenty
years ago. They got but half through, and
will sit again to-morrow.
Lord Ravensworth's extraordinary commit- 23.
tee ended, which began the 15th inst. and sat
seven nights.
I went to Lord Hobart's concert, which is 26.
extremely good, and perfectly well under-
stood. The cabinet met to settle the report
to be made to the King upon Messrs. Stone's
and Murray's affairs, of which more here-
after.
I waited upon the Princess, who was Mar. 3.
pleased to inform me, that Mr. Stone was
determined to prosecute Mr. Fosset for de-
famation j that his counsel were the Attorney
Genera], Mr. Hume Campbell, Mr. Ford, and
Sir Richard Floyd. I said, though I was in
no connexion with Mr. Stone that entitled
in*' to call him friend, yet I had long known
and observed him ; that I had a real esteem
o
194
175.3. for him, and thought him very honest and
very able, and 1 was convinced, that the King
had not a more faithful subject, nor one more
truly affectionate to every branch of the Royal
Family ! that upon this foot, I was not with-
out apprehensions of bringing such an affair
into a Court of Justice. Failure, in the least
circumstance of proof; tampering with evi-
dence or juries, &c. made me a little uneasy.
She replied, she was so too, but they would
have it so : that Stone had behaved very well
to her, and to the children ; that, though it
would be treason if it was known, yet he al-
ways spoke of the late Prince with great
respect, and with great civility of all those
whom he knew the Prince had a real value
for. That Lord Harcourt behaved very dif-
ferently; that he not only behaved very ill to
her, but always spoke to the children of their
father, and of his actions, in so disrespectful a
manner, as to send them to her almost ready
to cry; and that he did all he could to alienate
them from her, insomuch, that they them-
selves were sensible of it; and that George
had mentioned to her once, since Lord Har-
court's departure, that he was afraid he had
not behaved to her, sometimes, so well as he
195
ought, and wondered how he could be so 1753.
misled ; to which she answered, no, but that, Mar '
now and then, not with quite so much com-
plaisance, as a young gentleman should use to
a lady. I said, I flattered myself she would
find a very different behaviour in Lord Walde-
grave. She said, yes indeed; that she liked
very well all she saw of him. I hinted that this
whole thing seemed much deeper laid than at
Murray and Stone, and that it struck at the
Pelhams. She said, most certainly — they
must be blind if they did not see it, and the
greatest cowards alive, if they did not resent
it: that, now, was the time: and they were
undone, if they neglected the opportunity:
she repeated, they were undone; that the
King took the thing highly in their favour,
and talked of it as the most unworthy attack,
and told her that Stone had served him faith-
fully these twenty years, and that he knew all
that he himself knew: that if he was a Peer,
every body would think him proper to be
Secretary; that his Majesty had been with
her an hour and held this sort of conversa-
tion. I said, I was happy the King had taken
so favourable an impression ; that I hoped and
believed it would last: but, however, that it
c 2
196
1753 > should be made use of, while it was so strong",
Mar. 3. , . -i ! . • , 1
because it was possible it might cool; con-
sidering, as her Royal Highness herself had
been pleased to observe to me, who those per-
sons were, who were always about the King at
St. James's, and that the Ministry had nobody
there. She said, to be sure : they must strike
while the iron was hot, or be ruined: that she
had told Stone so, who said, they had pro-
mised to do what was proper: and that she
had replied, Mr. Stone, it is actions, now, and
not words that must be expected : that she
had seen her great, great fat friend (the Duke)
who talked to her about it, and asked her if
she did not think it a very disagreeable affair:
that she answered, yes, but that she did not
regard it. He asked her, if she was not very
sorry it happened : that she replied, not at all,
if the Ministers would make a proper use of
it. She told me then, that Murray had be-
haved with spirit, and made an exceeding
good speech, of which she gave me a detail as
far as she remembered, and particularly took
notice that he had marked strongly that it
was not he nor Stone that were principally
struck at, but that it went home to the
Ministry.
197
I went to a cause at council : the Solicitor, J? 53 ;.
Mar. 6.
who was for the appellant, left the reply to the
Attorney, during which we had a conversa-
tion, wherein he acquainted me with his be-
haviour; that he was brought in by implica-
tion only; that Stone was principally meant
and named by Lord Ravensworth, who, from
what Fosset had said to him in private conver-
sation, came up and insisted that Stone should
be dismissed, and that so peremptorily to the
Duke of Newcastle, that he was obliged to
lay it before the King, who slighted it: but
Stone insisted with him, to have it examined
into, which gave occasion to the bringing it
before the council. When he (Murray) heard
of this, he sent a message to the King, humbly
to acquaint his Majesty, that, if he should be
(ailed before such a committee, on so scan-
dalous and injurious an account, he would re-
sign his office and would refuse to answer —
that the King highly approved of it — that
when it was over, and Stone had been heard,
he thought proper to demand an audience,
and made a speech, part of which he repeated
to mc It was full of spirit, and charged the
matter home, as a deep-laid combination
against the Ministry, &c. I said, everybody
198
nl'* 53 ' saw it in the same light, and thought, that if
they did not act, they were undone : that the
King was now in the most favourable disposi-
tion ; but how long it would last, might be
doubted, considering who were nearest to
him, and that there was nobody to parry for
the Ministers. That I had some reasons to
think the Princess was much alarmed at their
inactivity : that,, unless they could show they
had strength of friends to second her, how
could she support them ? That I had it from
coffee-houses, that the design was to end in
repealing the Regency act, and making the
Duke regent ; that (if they did not represent
strongly to the King, that, if he liked the ab-
solute tranquillity of the two houses, he must
leave it to them to make use of such instru-
ments, as they thought proper, to continue it)
they were ruined. The Solicitor approved of
all I said, step by step, in very strong terms.
He seemed much alarmed at the repeal of the
Regency bill, and said, that all I said was true;
that they must act or be undone : they them-
selves knew it, and he thought they certainly
would act, and he particularly approved of
what I proposed should be said to the
King,
199
We went to see the manufacture of tapestry 1753.
from France, now set up at Fulham by the
Duke. The work, both of the gobelins and of
chaillot, called savonnerie, is very fine, but
very dear.
Mr. Pelham, Mr. Vane, Mr. Furnese and I 16 -
dined together, by appointment, at Mr. Vane's.
The offer of our thorough attachment, in re-
turn for Mr. Pelham's thorough friendship
and protection in bringing us into court, was
renewed, and my views of meaning to support
their power, and not sharing it as a Minister,
was explained. Mr. Pelham, in a very frank
and honourable manner, declared his real de-
sire and inclination to accept our friendship,
and return his own: that, if his friendship was
sufficient to effect the whole, he would with
pleasure engage for the whole: but that he
could not answer for the King, whose pre-
judices were very strong against me, and
chiefly, for my having quitted his services for
his son's, &c. but that every thing in his
power he would do to remove them, to make
way for a measure so truly agreeable to him.
I then entered into a detail (which I offered to
prove) of the injustice and unreasonableness
200
1753. f these prejudices, and then said, that from
•Mar. 16. r ■ •
this long account, he might naturally expect
a request to enter into a justification, either
by myself or by him : but that I did not desire
to justify with the King. That all I desired
him to say to the King was, that, though it
was never in my intention to offend his Ma-
jesty, it was sufficient that he was displeased,
for me to think myself to blame ; and that, to
induce him to forgive me, I humbly offered
him my services and all the interest I had in
the House, and out of it, for the rest of my
life. I added, that I thought this submission
and this offer of five members at least, should
be sufficient to wipe away impressions, even
if I had been a declared Jacobite. He said, it
was all that could be said, and all should be
made of it, that his credit could make. But
that, if it should be practicable, and I should
be in any station, and the King should not be
prevailed on to behave to me as I might justly
expect, I might grow uneasy and be dissatis-
fied, as in the case of Pitt ; to whom they
could never persuade the King to appear com-
monly civil. I answered, No, not in the least.
He said, Yes, I might fancy so, and he be-
lieved I should. I replied, that I answered
201
with certainty, because I had considered and ' 753 -
T-i ii i Mar. 16.
made up my mind about that. 1 hat all 1
wished of the King was, to make me over to
him (Pelham), to let him dispose of me, as he
thought fit, and suffer him to receive my
friendship, attachment, and services. That I
desired by no means to encroach upon his
Majesty's time, or thoughts, or behaviour,
provided he would give him (Pelham) leave to
employ me, for his Majesty's service, in the
way that was most agreeable to him. That I
would give him my reasons with the utmost
freedom ; which were, that, indeed, if I was a
new man, and in any station, I should, in
paying my court, expect that sort of civil re-
turn which was my due : but after such un-
worthy prejudices, and so void of all founda-
tion taken against me, I should never desire
any conversation or intercourse with his Ma-
jesty, more than a distant, but profound re-
spect on my side, and that, as seldom as was
consistent with the duty of a most faithful and
respectful subject. Upon the whole, Mr.
Pelham behaved in so open and noble a man-
ner, as to choose to make it plain, ten times
at least (though he did not make use of the
'•xprc'ssions precisely), that I should rather see
202
1753. that he wanted power, than have any doubt
MWite f his sincerity, if it did not succeed; and
that the doubt of his strength and power alone,
hindered him from promising positively to
eifect it : and therefore, if I judge this right,
I am obliged to him, and am. determined to
be his friend, whether it succeeds or not.
> i
Went to the House of Lords, the Duke of
Bedford opened the affair of Fosset's report
against the Bishop of Gloucester, Stone and
Murray, and appealed to Lord Ravensworth,
who opened the whole transaction in a long
narrative. Then the Duke, in a long speech,
founded his question upon that narrative,
which, in substance, was to address the King
for the whole proceeding before the council :
The Chancellor and Duke of Newcastle an-
swered him, and to make this question (which
was foreseen, and I think needed not to be so
timorously apprehended) the more unneces-
sary, they had obtained of the King to dis-
pense with the oath of those Lords of the
council upon this occasion, and to suffer
them to acquaint the House with the whole
proceeding, which those two Lords did pretty
much at large. The debate was long and
203
heavy; the Duke of Bedford's performance ' 753 -
t • tt Mar - ' 22 -
moderate enough ; he divided the House, but
it was not told, for there went below the Bar
with him, the Earl Harcourt, Lord Townshend,
the Bishop of Worcester, and Lord Talbot
only. The Bishop of Norwich and Lord
Harcourt both spoke, not to much purpose;
but neither of them, in the least, support-
ed the Duke's question. Upon the whole,
it was the worst judged, the worst executed,
and the worst supported point, that I ever
saw of so much expectation.
I will now set down in writing the exact
truth of this strange, important trifle.
Mr. Fosset, Messrs. Murray and Stone,
were much acquainted, if not school-fellows,
in early life. Their fortune led them different
ways : Fosset's was to be a country lawyer
and recorder of Newcastle. Johnson, now
Bishop of Gloucester, was one of their asso-
ciates. On the day the King's birth-day was
kept, they dined at the Dean of Durham's, at
Durham ; this Fosset, Lord Ravens worth,
Major Davison, and one or two more, who
retired after dinner into another room; the
204
] '5.3. conversation turning upon the late Bishop of
Mar.22. , r • 11,
Gloucester s preferments, it was asked who
was to have his Prebend of Durham : the
Dean said, that the last news from London
was, that Dr. Johnson was to have it : Fosset
said, he was glad that Johnson had got otf so
well, for he remembered him a Jacobite seve-
ral years ago, and that he used to be with a
relation of his who was very disaffected, one
Vernon, a mercer, where the Pretender's
health was frequently drunk. This, passing
among a few familiar acquaintance, was
thought no more of at the time: it spread,
however, so much in the north (how, I never
heard accounted for) and reached Town in
such a manner, that Mr. Pel ham thought it
necessary to desire Mr. Vane, who was a
friend to Fosset and who employed him in
his business, to write to Fosset, to know if he
had said this of Johnson, and if he had, if it
was true.
This letter was written on the 9th of Janu-
ary ; it came to Newcastle the Friday follow-
ing. Fosset was much surprised ; but the
post going out in a few hours after its arri-
val, he immediately acknowledged the letter
205
by a lonsr but not very explicit answer. This , T I/;>3 :,
Friday happened to be the club-day of the
neighbouring gentlemen of Newcastle — as
soon as Lord Ravensworth, who was a pa-
tron and employer of Fosset, came into the
town, Fosset acquainted him with the extra-
ordinary letter he had received : he told him,
that he had already answered it, and being
asked to show the copy, said he kept none ;
but desired Lord Ravensworth to recollect, if
he held such a conversation at the Deanry of
Durham, the day appointed for the birth-day.
Ravensworth recollected nothing at all of it.
They went to the club together, and Ravens-
worth went the next morning to see his mo-
ther in the neighbourhood, with whom he
staid till Monday: but this thing of such con-
sequence, lying upon his thoughts, he re-
turned to Newcastle. He and Fosset had
another conversation, and in endeavouring to
refresh each other's memory about this dread-
ful delinquency of Johnson, Fosset said, he
could not recollect positively, at such a di-
stance of time, whether Johnson drank those
healths, or had been present at the drinking
them, but that Murray and Stone had done
both, several times. Ravensworth was ex-
206
1753. ceedingly alarmed at this, with relation to
Mar. 22. g tone> on accoim t of his office about the
Prince ; and thus the affair of Johnson was
quite forgotten, and the episode became the
principal part. There were many more con-
ferences between Ravens worth and Fosset,
upon this subject, in which the latter always
persisted, that Stone and Murray were present
at the drinking, and did drink those healths.
It may be observed here, that, when he was
examined upon oath, he swore to the years
1731 or 1732 at latest. Fosset comes up, as
usual, about his law business, and is examined
by Messrs. Pelham and Vane, who never had
heard of Murray or Stone being named: he is
asked and answers, only with relation to John-
son, never mentioning either of the others :
but the love of his country, his King, and
posterity, burned so strong in Ravensworth's
bosom, that he could have no rest, till he had
discovered this enormity. Accordingly, when
he came to town, he acquainted the ministry
and almost all his great friends with it, and
insisted upon the removal of Stone. The
ministry would have slighted it, as it deserved ;
but, as he persisted and had told so many of
it, they could not help laying it before the
207
King, who, though he himself slighted it, was 17.53.
advised to examine it, which examination pro-
duced this most injudicious proceeding in
Parliament. The Duke of Devonshire was
the only one of the committee, who was ab-
sent from the House. The ministers, and in-
deed, every body else, did imagine, and, I be-
lieve still do, that this whole affair is combined
with the resignations, and that there was a set
of pretended friends to the Pelhams ready to
take advantage of it ; and, I know, that Mr.
Pelham did think that this motion would give
great lights to it. How far their expectations
are answered, I cannot say; mine were en-
tirely disappointed, for the whole was so ill
conducted and supported, that I should al-
most be tempted to believe, that the grounds,
which carried our conjectures into a sort of
certainty, had no foundation at all.
I waited on the Princess, who seemed much 29.
pleased that the affair had ended so well in
the House of Lords, and said, that it was ovv-
inc: to the Kind's steadiness and resolution,
that it went no farther : that his Majesty took
it with good sense and proper firmness, with-
out which the Lords of the Cabinet would not
208
17o3. have behaved as they did. It is remarkable,
Mar. 29. . .,.,/. • , T
that this is the first time, that 1 ever heard her
speak favourably of the King. In mentioning
my reasons for having an opinion of Mr.
Stone, without having any friendship with
him, I said, that from thence I was glad when
I heard he was placed about the Prince. She
replied, she was not; on the contrary, she
was very sorry, and much alarmed at it. I
was surprised, and asked why ? She answered.,
because the Prince had always taught her to
believe, that Stone was a Jacobite, and that
she did firmly believe it : that the Prince was
convinced of it, and, when affairs went ill
abroad, used to say to her in a passion, how
could better be expected, when such a Jaco-
bite as Stone was trusted ?
May 2. Lord Middlesex and Mr. Forrester were
with me to suggest a plan for laying a state of
his Lordship's debts before the Duke of Dor-
set: they amount to 15,000/.
7. Mr. Ralph gave me an account that Mr.
William Beckford was with him last Saturday,
and told him, that they had a body formed,
not a large one, which would act together :
209
that they found it necessary to employ the J. 75r '-
press, and that they thought him the ablest
person, &c. That they proposed setting forth
a paper : He desired to know, with whom he
was to be engaged, besides Mr. Beckford ?
and asked if the Duke of Cumberland was to
protect them ? he was answered, with the
Duke of Bedford, but Mr. Beckford could
not tell whether his Royal Highness was con-
cerned. Ralph then asked, if he, with his in-
struments, was to be secured and protected
against all law prosecutions ? what establish-
ment for himself? and if he was to lay down
his own plan and write in conformity to it, or,
if it was expected that he should be confined?
answered, that he should be thoroughly pro-
tected, and by those who would own him in
both Houses; that his allowance should be
handsome, but could not then name the sum,
and that he was to be at entire liberty. Upon
which, being pressed to go to the Duke of
Bedford, who desired to see him soon j he pro-
mised Mr. Beckford to take an early oppor-
tunity of waiting upon his Grace.
Mr. Vane, now Lord Barnard, called upon s,
me : I talked very strongly to him, and told
210
1753. him of the open manner of enlisting all sorts
of people against the Pelhams. I mentioned
Ralph's resolution, and put him in mind, that
I had offered his (Ralph's) services as my
friend, and bade him recollect in how impro-
per a manner Mr. Pelham had rejected him :
I told him, that I had reason to expect that
Pelham should have given up his resentments
against him, on my account ; but that, cer-
tainly, prudence should have made him do it,
for his own sake. Lord Barnard thought
writing of great consequence, though, he said,
Mr. Pelham did not. I replied, that Mr. Pel-
ham mistook himself; that no man was more
susceptible of its effects, and no man more
easily hurt by it : was there a stronger proof
of it, than the present case ? What was this
irreconcileableness against Ralph occasioned
by, but the impression of a pamphlet, which,
after all, the man did not write ? That I was
sure, Mr. Pelham would repent it very soon,
and that I no way farther interfered in it;
yet I desired he should know this, and more
particularly, that (as I had given him the
offer of a most useful, honest, and able man,
and upon his rejecting it, had, some time since,
given him fair warning by him. Lord Barnard,
211
of what would happen) I must have no com- i75 $.
plaints, or insinuations, or even thoughts, that May 8*
I was any way, act or part, in any thing that
might come out : it was language I would not
hear, and insinuations I would not suffer. I
was sorry for the step, because I knew how
naturally people were misled when they were
hurt. Who could tell, what a man, that had
heen Secretary of State, might furnish ? and
how galling it might be rendered by the ablest
pen in England ? That I was grieved to see
so little spirit opposed to so much vehemence
and virulence, as their declared enemies acted
with ; that their efficient enemies, it was true,
were but few in number, but yet, they were
the King's son, and daughter, and a Duke of
Bedford : that I thought the Pelhams had not
three such efficient friends, in or out of St.
James's : that my fears suggested, and reason
confirmed me, that, if they did not exert them-
selves, and give proofs of their power to the
world, by their protection to their friends,
numbers would gradually drop from them :
that their all depended upon the new Parlia-
ment: that I hoped they were active about
it : that I had some little influence, as well as
positive interest, in that election ; but that I
P 2
1753.
May 8.
212
knew no more, what they were about, and
how to apply that influence, than if I had
never known their names : he was, however,
to understand me, that these were the fears,
not the complaints of a friend : that I meant
no complaint, for that I had nothing to com-
plain of: that I meant and asked the Pelhams'
friendship and good-will, and in return offered
them my services and attachment : that Mr.
Pelham was pleased to accept this offer, and
to promise his friendship and countenance in
return : that I never asked him for any emo-
lument, at any time, or in any manner: that
his Lordship knew, I had been requested to do
so, but that I never would ; having resolved
to leave it wholly to Mr. Pelham, how he
thought proper to make use of my personal
services ; those, that were in my power, in my
present situation, I had promised, and he
should have them. Nothing but words had,
as yet, passed between us, but he should see
that I would act. In my present state, all I
could give him, was my country interest, and
influence in the elections, and he should have
them. I would certainly choose any two he
pleased at Weymouth, and, though I knew
nothing of his measures, all my influence
213
should go in the way that I could guess he 1753.
most wished : that I did, and should leave the
rest entirely to him, with regard to his ful-
filling his part. If he thought I could be of
no further use, I could not help it; but if he
thought I might, he would produce me in the
way in which he could best enable me to per-
form it : that this was wholly Mr. Pelham's
affair — it did not depend upon me ; for what
depended upon me, I should certainly per-
form: that, therefore, though I desired he
should know all this clearly and explicitly ;
yet I expected he should understand it, as it
really was, the naked sentiments, only, and
apprehensions of a friend, without any mix-
ture of complaint, or having the least inten-
tion to complain. I have forgotten to insert,
in its place, an instance of their timidity to-
wards their friends, which I mentioned to
Lord Barnard, and which is too striking to be
omitted. I asked his Lordship, how he
thought our friend Murray felt, to find that
his friends in power suffered a most offensive
and hurtful calumny, meant at them also, to
be fixed on him and made matter of examina-
tion; instead of being rejected with indigna-
tion, by a Court the most unprecedented,
214
1753. through the whole proceeding, that ever met!
May 8. _...,- •
I suppose, said I, you will tell me, that there
were reasons that made it unavoidable : I
know them, the Cavendishes would not stand
it, but leaned the other way. Stop here a
moment — is not that saying, let it hurt whom
it will, let it be never so inconvenient and
lessening to you; we will not forfeit, nay,
not venture one atom of our credit with the
herd. Murray condescends to defend him-
self; he treats calumny and clamour with the
noble spirit they deserve, and artfully winds in
an apology to them : they are then satisfied.
That is, after his having been the subject of
an illegal inquiry into an impertinent, dis-
graceful imputation, and not having the least
speck appear upon him, the Ministry are sa-
tisfied. To be sure, Murray must think him-
self greatly obliged to them. After all this,
and when the same scandal was brought into
the most public assembly, with the impotence
of proof, in order to spread it through the
nation: what do his friends in power do?
they say, he was effectually justified, without
doing one act to show their resentment of the
persecution he had suffered, either by dis-
gracing the abettors or punishing the authors
215
of it. How must a most able, active, openly H53.
attached friend feel such tameness ! he replied,
he thought (and I believe he did think) as I
did. Mr. Pelham spoke to me at council,
and told me that he had seen Lord Barnard,
and that he thought himself extremely obliged
to me for what had passed between us 3 he
said, he was highly sensible how much he
owed me, and that he would soon find an op-
portunity to talk with me at large.
Mr. Ralph was yesterday with the Duke 10.
of Bedford ; he was very well received, but
nothing was positively settled. I think he
has acted precipitately, but I dare not re-
strain him, for fear of becoming answerable
for consequences beyond my power.
Lord Barnard, Colonel Vane, Mr. Pelham, j UNE 26.
and Mr. Furnese dined with me. We had
not a single word about business, so that I
look upon that transaction to be over.
I passed the day with the Princess of Wales July 18.
by her order. I was very friendly and kindly
received ; our conversation was chiefly of a
domestic familiar nature. Nothing very re-
216
1753. markable in politics, except my observing
July 18. ,
that people, who, chiefly out of regard to her,
had declined all opposition, and were very
readv and desirous to contribute to the service
of the present Ministry, notwithstanding this,
were still to remain in a state of proscription :
that such people were pretty much snaffled
by the apprehension that if they resented it,
they might be considered as being in opposi-
tion to her and to the young Prince, to whom
their attachment and affection was inviolable
and invariable. Whereas it was hard to be-
lieve that the treatment, which their Royal
Highnesses met with, was so cordial and en-
dearing, as to oblige them to espouse the
quarrels of the present Court ; especially
against those, who were driven into those
quarrels by the treatment they met with from
their attachment to their Royal Highnesses
and to the late Prince. She said, to be sure
it was so, but she was not so explicit upon the
head as I wished. She gave into it, but rather
seemed to allow it, than declare it.
29. I went to Eastbury, and on the Saturday
following I dined at Lord Shaftesbury's, who
was determined not to go to the meeting at
217
Dorchester, for the nomination of the Knights 1753.
of the Shire. But finding that I was to go, July29 *
lie was perplexed, and more so, by a letter he
received at dinner from Lord Digby, request-
ing him to attend. We left his Lordship un-
easy and irresolute.
I was at Dorchester to assist at the meeting. Aug. 7.
Lord Digby was brought, in the winter, to me
by Lord Hillsborough, from Messrs. Pelham
and Fox. He asked for my interest, as de-
termining to stand on the Whig interest. I
told him that, if no relation, or person with
whom I had particular connexions, should
set up on the same interest, mine was at his
service : from that time to the present mo-
ment, I never saw Lord Digby, nor was I con-
sulted with by any of his friends.
Soon after my coming to the Antelope, at
Dorchester, he came to me and requested my
favour ; I told him that was my only business
there. He soon returned with Lord Ilchester,
and they both pressed me to stand with him,
which I declined. Lord Milton, Messrs.
Drax, Trenchard, and most of the Whig party
came to me. I found that Mr. Trenchard was
218
1753. to propose Lord Digby, but that neither he
AuG - 7 - nor his uncle Ilchester had consulted, or con-
certed any thing with any body. I said,
there could be no doubt of the Whigs carry-
ing the election, if they resolved upon it, be-
cause, to my knowledge, two-thirds of the
property of the county were in their hands,
and because I had carried it for Mr. Pitt's fa-
ther (who was scarcely capable) when our
property was considerably less. But, whether
they would resolve to go through it at all
events, I did not in the least know : that I
supposed Lord Digby 's adviser had asked and
knew : but, if not, a party meeting should be
held and consulted. Every body appeared to
approve of this : the Lords Ilchester and
Digby, both told me, privately, that Mr. Pel-
ham encouraged Lord Digby to stand, and
that a little before the Parliament rose, Mr.
Pelham took Lord Digby aside in the House,
and said, that he was informed it would cer-
tainly do, and pressed him to go on with it.
I replied to him, that I did not know from
whom Mr. Pelham had his information, but
that it did not come from me : that I would
do him all the services I could, and all the re-
turn I desired was, that he would remember I
219
was no ways consulted nor advising in the 17 53.
affair. We went up to the meeting about UG-7 "
noon. I believe, of "Whigs we might be some-
what more than thirty gentlemen ; when the
Tories came, we were about one hundred.
Sir Robert Long proposed Mr. Pitt. Mr.
Bingham returned Mr. Chasin's thanks to the
county, and his excuses for declining; and
then Sir Robert proposed Mr. Sturt to join
with Mr. Pitt. Mr. Trenchard proposed Lord
Digby — nobody said a word. When Mr.
Francis Seymour spoke a few words in sup-
port of Pitt and Sturt, in order to keep the
county out of 'ministerial dependence — to this
nothing was offered on our side till people be-
gan to move ; when I thought it necessary to
take some notice of the expressions, which I
did, and concluded by saying, that I should
give my interest to Lord Digby alone, till I
saw farther. Thus it ended, with very little
spirit of their side, and with none at all, of
ours.
I was at Bridgewater, and, with Mr. Balch, 1 1.
canvassed near half the town. The people
did not choose to speak out, though very
220
1753. few declared they were engaged to Lord Eg-
Aug. 11. monL
18. We returned home to Eastburv. The ex-
cessive badness of the roads and weather, with
the nature of the business, made it much the
most disagreeable journey, and the most fa-
tiguing week I ever passed. All this trouble,
vexation, and expense, as well as that to come,
flows from a set of low, worthless fellows, who
finding they shall not be bribed without an
opposition, have prevailed on Lord Egmont
to lend his name, to whom they will give one
vote, that they may be able to sell the other.
And, notwithstanding, as things now appear,
his Lordship has no chance of making his
election. This he does not see, nor that the
Tories (though partly for other reasons) make
his greatest strength j so that he is setting up
an interest, which, if it should succeed, he
could never sit in quiet for that place. But
though, I think, he has no chance at present,
yet the uneasiness and expense will be the
same to me, as if he was sure of success.
Oct. 3. We returned to Hammersmith from the
country.
221
Mr. Fox called on me, and expressed great \15$.
Oct 8
civilities on account of my behaviour to his
nephew, Lord Digby, at Dorchester.
I went early to Mr. Pel ham, and talked with 9.
him about Bridgewater: he gave me the
strongest assurance of his assistance, and pro-
mised to write immediately himself to Philip
Baker, to convince every body of his friend-
ship for me ; and that the Custom-house of-
ficers should be properly taken care of. I am
persuaded he is sincere.
I was with Mr. Pelham again, who has 22.
done all that can be expected hitherto, and
promises to continue all his endeavours to
support my election at Bridgewater against
Lord Egmont's opposition. In this affair he
has acted, and, I am convinced, he will act
the part of a real friend. But I do not find
that he has made any progress in the great
point of smoothing my way to the King
The Princess of Wales and Lady Augusta, 23.
attended by Lady Middlesex and Mr. Breton,
did Mrs. Dodington and me the honour of
breakfasting with us. After breakfast, we
22
r>
175% walked all round my gardens: we then came
Oct 23. -
in, and they went into all the rooms, except
the common dining-parlour: when we were
coming down stairs, I told their Royal High-
nesses, that there was one room, which I had
forgotten to show them ; they desired to see
it, and found a cold collation (for it was near
three o'clock). The Princess very obligingly
sat down, and we all ate a very hearty and
very cheerful meal : she staid with us till the
day began to decline, and behaved with infi-
nite ease and condescension.
29- The Duke of Cumberland is dangerously
ill of a quinsey, but the truth of his illness
proceeded from a fall from his horse.
Not. 3. Mr. Ralph told me that he had made his
peace with the Ministry, by the means of Lord
Hartington, to whose favour he was recom-
mended by Mr. Garrick : that he was to have
300/. a year and 200/. immediately down, to
repay to those he was engaged with, the mo-
ney they had advanced to him. Mr. Pelham
had told me all this before, as also, that it was
contrary to his opinion, but that his brother
was uneasy about it, and therefore he had
acquiesced.
223
I saw Mr. Pelham : he told me that Lord 17.33.
Poulett went immediately out of town from IS,ov - 7
waiting, and that he had had no conversation
with him, but a broken one, while he was wait-
ing to be called in by the King. His Lordship
had told him he had seen his letter, and de-
nied, that he had ever said Mr. Pelham was
for Lord Egmont, but that he (Lord Poulett)
was for him, and would fairly own it. Mr.
Pelham replied, that it was not material ; but
that he (Lord Poulett) should publicly declare
at the Mayor's feast, that he (Pelham) was in-
different between the three, when his Lord-
si) ip knew he had so explicitly declared him-
self in favour of me and my friend, was very
singular; as was also, his being for Lord Eg-
mont, when he (Poulett) had offered and pro-
mised both his brother and him, to do as they
should desire him, which they told him, was
entirely to assist me in every thing. lie was
called in, to the King, before Lord Poulett
could make an answer. The King asked him
about this election, and Lord Poulett's beha-
viour, and said, that he knew, he had made
up with his son before he died, but the King
could not tell whether the reconciliation was
owing to me or Lord Egmont, but that one
224
1753. or t ] ie t] ier } iac j a hoij upon him. Mr. Pel-
]\ov. 7. . r
ham said to the King, that he knew nothing
of his own knowledge, but he conjectured it
might be by both, and that, he believed, Lord
Poulett's plan was, as far as he could contrive,
that the election should fall upon Lord Eg-
mont and me. The King said he thought so
too, but that was not enough, and then asked
him, how he thought it would go ? Mr. Pel-
ham answered, that he did not find by me,
that I was disposed to give up the interest ;
but when it came to much expense and much
trouble, which must be the consequence, he
supposed, as his Majesty did, that their design
was to let me see my own election,, and in
that case I could not say how it would go:
for that he did not think he had a right, in the
present situation I stood, to insist upon my en-
gaging to go through that expense and trou-
ble, to keep out an opposer, when my own
election would be easy without it. I told Mr,
Pelham, that I would be at a word with him :
that the fact and the interest was exactly, as
the King and he understood it : that as to the
interest, my seat did not depend upon it — that
I had nobody to succeed me, whom I could
wish should be the better for it — to this he
225
agreed. I added, that when I did things, I T 1753 -
never did them by halves : I professed attach-
ment to him, and that where I had any in-
terest, I meant to exert it against those who
opposed his administration: that, therefore, I
desired him humbly to assure his Majesty in
my name, that my election was not the object,
for that I would undergo the same trouble and
the same expense, to keep out any body that dif-
fered with his ministers, as I would, if my own
seat was jn question. Mr. Pelham promised
me, he would make the kindest use of my de-
clarations.
I waited upon the Princess, who received 8.
me with great goodness : she complained of
the little regard paid to her recommendation
of the late Prince's servants: she supposed, she
said, the Ministers meant a great regard to her j
meant it, but had not shown it, yet.
The Parliament opened. I went to hear 15.
the speech, which was very unexceptionable.
In the House of Lords, the Duke of Newca-
stle brought in a bill to repeal the act of last
session in favour of the Jews. Doctors Seeker
and Drummond, of Oxford and St. Asaph,
Q
226
1753. spoke for the repeal, with sentiments of eha-
Ndv. 15. j^ty, comprehension, and liberty of conscience,
highly becoming them, and to the honour both
of the Church and State.
17. The Princess sent for me to attend her be-
tween ei^ht and nine o'clock. I went to Lei-
cester House, expecting a small company and
a little music, but found nobody but her Royal
Highness. She made me draw a stool and sit
by the fire-side. Soon after came in the Prince
of Wales and Prince Edward, and then the
Lady Augusta, all in an undress, and took
their stools and sat round the fire with us.
We continued talking of familiar occurrences
till between ten and eleven, with the ease and
unreservedness and unconstraint, as if one had
dropped into a sister's house that had a fa-
mily, to pass the evening. It is much to be *
wished that the Princes conversed familiarly
with more people of a certain knowledge of
the world. The Princess's attention to me
seems an indication of a good heart, as if she
resolved, as far as it is in her power, that the
Prince should not forget those, who were be-
loved by, and deserved welt of, his father.
Dec. i i. I saw the Duke of Newcastle, and con-
22?
vinced him, that my trouble and expense at 1753 -
n . . , . Dec. 1 1.
lindgewater, was only to keep out a man,
who opposed those to whom I attached my-
self: that my own seat was not concerned in
it : that the maintaining the interest there
was, to me, nothing, having nobody to be-
queath it to. I then told him that, in these
matters, those who would take money, I
would pay, and not bring him a bill : those
that would not take, lie must pay ; and I re-
commended my two parsons of Bridgewater
and Weymouth, Burroughs and Franklin: he
entered into it very cordially, and assured me
that they should have the first Crown livings
that should be vacant in their parts, if we
would look out and send him the first intelli-
gence. I then just touched upon what had
passed between Mr. Pelham and me. He pro-
fessed his knowledge and approbation of the
whole. I said, I must think that so much offered
and so little asked, in such hands as theirs, and
at a time when boroughs were a commodity
particularly marketable, could not fail of re-
moving, at least, resentments, and of obtaining
pardon, which language I was willing to hold
to my own Sovereign, but to no other. His
Grace was very hearty, and cordial, and pro-
Q l 2
228
1753. tested that every thing should be done to
Ec ' ' show their true regard and friendship for me.
He did seem to lay no great stress upon dif-
ficulties with the King. I concluded by tell-
ing him, that I had no desires of being in
favour with the King, or even well with him.
or about him : that all I desired was that he
and his brother might be able to say, that the
King left me to them — that was all my price.
He answered very cordially to appearance.
in. I waited on the Princess, and staid with
her two hours. Much freedom and conde-
scension — rather too much of the first on my
side. I endeavoured (by her order) to explain
to her the present unhappy divisions in Ire-
land, and begged her to make the Prince
thoroughly master of them. I told her, that,
though I did not doubt but that the present
heats would somehow, and in appearance be
allayed, yet, I was sincerely grieved at the
consequences which might, from indisposing
numbers of a rich and thriving people, most
cordially attached to the family hitherto, arise
in a new and young reign: that I did not like
the prospect. She replied, with a visible al-
teration in her countenance to a mixture of
229
fierceness and grief that I had never seen be- 5753.
fore, — It is true, and we have other very dis-
agreeable prospects. Then, very suddenly,
she recovered her placidness of look and voice.
I said, indeed, Madam, I do not see any.
What at that moment struck her, I know not,
but it was very forcibly : perhaps it might be
the Duke. She told me some instances of the
Prince's feeling the subjection he was under.
(I have since heard, that Prince Edward com-
plains of it, and of his brother's want of spirit).
I said, it was to be wished he could have more
company. She seemed averse to the young
people, from the excessive bad education they
had, and from the bad examples they gave.
She appears uneasy, and, indeed, her situa-
tion is very disagreeable, and much to be
pitied.
The Earl of Home, on Sunday night, 25.
brought the account from Ireland, that the
Irish Parliament had rejected the bill for the
appropriation of the surplusses (which was
altered in council, here, by the addition of the
King's consent only) by five voices. A dan-
gerous event, and productive of more mis-
chiefs than I shall live to see remedied!
230
17.5+. I went to White's, to a ballot for increasing
AN ' 8 ' the old club, which passed in the negative,
34 to 10. At an election, the Earl of Hunt-
in sdon had one blackball, and the Earl of
Hillsborough had three.
24. I had much talk with Lord Barnard, who
gave me strong assurances of the friendship
and regard of the Ministers for me: that they
would do every thing possible for me with the
King : that nobody died to make room, and
they could not turn out. Many instances of
their pusillanimity, without his perceiving it
himself. He declared his and their detesta-
tion of Mr. Fox — George Grenville's insolence
in refusing to come to town, and of opposing
the number of seamen without the least notice
to Mr. Pelham — Pitt's perfidy, and his party's
making up to the Prince — that Barring-ton
would not accept of being chosen at Saltash,
but would be elected at Plymouth, which
borough was designed for Admiral Clinton,
Lord Lincoln's uncle — that Fox had asked
Mr. Pelham for the first vacancy in the Trea-
sury for Barrington, but had been absolutely
refused — that Dupplin was to have it, and
Lord Northumberland was to have the first
blue ribband.
231
Went to the Duke of Newcastle, and got 1754..
the living of Broadworthy for Mr. Burroughs.
My old and intimate acquaintance, poor Feb. 3.
Mr. Hampden, died suddenly.
I waited upon the Princess, who was sitting 14.
to Leotardi for her picture. Lady Augusta
only was with her.
Council at St. James's. The Judges attend- 28.
ed and were called in. A charge was deli-
vered to them (the King present, and in his
name) by the Chancellor, to be by them given
on their respective circuits, against irreligion,
immorality, murders, poisonings, &c. This
was in consequence of a motion in the House
of Lords, by the Bishop of Worcester, for
something to be done by the Legislature to
this effect, in consequence of the last paragraph
of the King's speech, at the opening of the
sessions.
As soon as I rose, I received an account Mar. 6.
that Mr. Pelham died at six o'clock.
I went to Lord Barnard and staid with him 7.
232
1754. till five in the morning. We had a long con-
versation, and agreed that, if Mr. Fox came
into Mr. Pelham's place, their interest was
entirely undone : that Mr. Fox had declared,
he would have it; that he had served up to it,
and it was his due, and that he was resolved
to give way to nobody : that the Pitts, Lyttle-
tons, and Grenvilles had written a letter, that,
if Mr. Fox had it, they would oppose : that
Lord Bath had sent a message to the Chan-
cellor, that if Fox came in, old as he was, he
would muster up a party to oppose : that he
was sure Mr. Furnese, I, and my friends,
would also do so : that Fox was at Lord
Harrington's, between seven and eight on
Wednesday morning: that Harrington was for
him : that he thought the Duke of Grafton
was so too, who had behaved most infamously
to Mr. Pel ham, and was a most perfidious
man : that Mr. Pelham led a most uneasy life,
from his brother, as well as from some family
affairs: that when Lord Barnard died, the
Duke of Newcastle sent him a letter, directed
to the Earl of Darlington, and told him he
must take it as the only mark, then in their
power, of their particular regard to him: that,
some time after, the Duke proposed him, and
Mar. 7,
233
the Lord Chancellor, to the King for that ho- 1754.
nour, who refused both, and told him, he sup-
posed he designed to leave nobody on the
Baron's Bench : and now that lie had cheated
Lord Barnard out of the settlement of suc-
cession to his estate, he wanted to make him
amends by promoting him to be an earl.
The Duke went to Cambridge for ten days,
but made his brother, Mr. Pelham, give his
word, that he would not stir in this thing,
during his absence. Somebody acquaints
Lady Yarmouth with it, who puts the King
in better temper about it. She bids Mr.
Pelham move it to the King : he excuses him-
self upon his word given to his brother : she
says, they must agree that, among themselves;
for the King is prepared and expects to hear
of it. Mr. Pelham moves it, and it is fa-
vourably received. The Duke returns, and
the moment he sees his brother, flies into the
most violent passion, that he had told him a
lie, broke his word, &c. &c. with such intem-
perance, that Mr. Pelham went away to the
Solicitor General, till he cooled. Friends in-
terposed, but the Duke, another day, flew
into the same intemperance to Lord Barnard
234
1754. and Mr. Arundell, in presence of his valet de
Mar. 7. cnamDrej that he would fourt his brother,
that he would make him know that he should
not dare to do any thing in his absence, &c.
and they did not see one another for a fort-
night. This story shows the uneasiness of
Mr. Pelham's situation in his private life.
Lord Barnard pressed me much, to suggest
whom I thought proper to fill Mr. Pelham's
place ; I said, the Solicitor — that would not
do — he would not take it — the people would
not bear it. I said, then put a Lord at the
head, and make a Chancellor of the Exche-
quer. — -What Lord? — Why not Lord Carlisle?
— the best he had heard named. Any but Lord
Winchelsea ; his behaviour had been such to
Mr. Pelham, that he would never sit at a
Board with him ; that if ever the Duke of
Newcastle suffered him in any employment,
while he had any power, he should look on him
as a very mean creature ; that the Duke of
Devonshire was sent for, who went to Chats-
worth last Monday, but he doubted if he
would come j that Mr. Pelham was my friend
sincerely, had often mentioned me favourably
to the King, and when I had executed what
I had engaged in, about the elections, he
235
hoped to be able to serve me, but would not 1754.
tell me so, till he was sure he could do it —
[this I took for Moonshine.'] As an instance
of Mr. Fox's perfidy to Mr. Pelham, he said,
that he set the King upon him to repeal the
place-bill, which Mr. Pelham absolutely re-
fused ; and now, lately, upon the endeavour
to repeal the oath, in the bribery act; the
day it was to be moved, he was with Mr.
Pelham at two o'clock, and gave him his
word, that he would not speak for the repeal,
and then went to the House and did speak
for it. Lord Barnard concludes, that he (Fox)
went from Mr. Pelham to the Duke, who
commanded him to speak; and the rather,
because being at the House himself, he saw
Lord Sandwich in the gallery, and observed,
that, as soon as Fox had spoken, that Lord
went away. He said, that Sandwich was a
most dishonest man ; that the Duke of New-
castle was, at first, in raptures of fondness for
him ; and when he grew angry with him,
Mr. Arundell told Mr. Pelham, it was his
own fault, he had nothing to complain of;
when lie knew, that he betrayed Chesterfield
to him, what reason had he to think or to be
surprised* that lie should not betray him to
the Duke ?
236
3754-. Waited on the Princess. We began by
laughing about the plays. I then told her,
that, as I did not design to trouble her long,
my message should be short; and it was only
to put her in mind and desire her to remember,
that, at this time of changes, and at all others
that might happen, my first engagements
were to her and her House, to which, when
she would let me know her pleasure, ail others
were to give place, and should be subservient.
She received it most kindly, and said, she was
thoroughly convinced of it : and that no
changes that could happen, ought or should
make her and hers forget my friendship and
attachment to them. And now, Madam,
says I, if your Royal Highness pleases, we
will return to the play. But she could not
quit the subject — asked what I thought they
would do ? I said, I had not seen any body,
who could be supposed to have any direction - y
that I did not, in the least, desire to be in-
formed by her Royal Highness, but that, to
be sure, she must have some lights about it.
She answered, she had none. I said, that was
a fault, and that she ought to have them ;
that the Ministry of late years, had been like
children round a fire, telling stories of spirits,
237
till they frightened one another, that they
dared not look behind them ; that it was be-
come necessary, that she should give them
courage ; that the people were very solicitous
to see something that looked, as if she had a
share in it, and that her security was consi-
dered ; that I would not mention what was
said, because particular names were mentioned
unfavourably. She replied, what could she
do ? To get things into the hands of certain
people, was as impossible as to move St.
James's House ; and for any thing else what
did it signify ? Besides, she supposed they
knew where Leicester House stood, it was
open. I said, that means should be found to
direct them ; for, what had happened to Mr.
Pel ham would sooner or later, and in less
time, happen elsewhere. She said, alors,
comme triors. I replied, that she would be
pleased to consider, that she would have
these, and only these hands to work with, if
she continued as she was ; and it might create
some difficulty to begin with those where
there was so little correspondence or con-
nexion. She said, it was not an agreeable
prospect j she hoped the King would do what
was best; but she thought Mr. Fox would
1754.
Mar. 9.
238
1754- succeed Mr. Pelham, and she was very sorry
for it ; and this great dislike of Mr. Fox's
coming in, she repeated several times in the
rest of our conversation.
12. I had good intelligence that the Princess
took what I said to her very kindly, and that
she expressed herself favourably of me.
!*• Dined at Mr. Stanley's — and here I must
take notice of the extraordinary scenes that
have passed, since the death of Mr. Pelham.
He died about six o'clock on Wednesday
the 6th. Mr. Fox was at the Marquis of
Hartington's before eight that morning. Ne-
gociations begun. The Duke of Devonshire
was sent for, the same day : he came on Sa-
turday night the 9th. I was informed that,
as Mr. Fox was supported by the Duke and
the Princess Einilv, to succeed Mr. Pelham,
the plan to disappoint him was, to refuse the
Treasury, but to offer him something that
was better than the War Office ; which they
hoped and believed he would refuse, and then
to incense the King against him, and show
him, that Fox would take nothing, that was
239
compatible with the Duke of Newcastle's re- __ l76 *\
r , Mar. 14*.
maining in power. This I was told, but could
not figure to myself, what that something was
to be. On Monday the 11th, at night, by
the intervention of Lord Harrington, between
the Duke of Newcastle and Mr. Fox; the
King agreed that the Duke of Newcastle
should be at the head of the Treasury, Mr.
Legge Chancellor of the Exchequer, and Mr.
Fox Secretary of State. I knew it early the
next morning, and finding that was the some-
thing, I thought it a something that must ruin
the Duke of Newcastle. On Tuesday night,
this was declared to the Cabinet Council.
Wednesday night, the 13th, Mr. Fox had a
meeting with the Duke of Newcastle, where,
as it afterwards appeared, they differed about
the powers that he (Fox) was to be trusted
with, in his office: for he understood, by Lord
Harrington, that he was to have the direction
of the House of Commons, and had acquainted
me that morning, by Mr. Ellis, a Lord of the
Admiralty, that he was to have the absolute
direction of that house, but under the Duke
of Newcastle, and as his man, who was to re-
main in full power, with the whole confidence
and secret of the King. But finding, at this
240
1754. conference with the Duke of Newcastle, that
Mar. 14>. .,, ,,. , ,
either this was not meant; or, that he was
not to be trusted with sufficient powers to
execute it properly, they parted dissatisfied;
and the following morning, Thursday the 14th,
Fox wrote to the Duke to be excused from
accepting the seals of Secretary. This news
I heard at dinner, and was much surprised at
it, as was the whole town. One side says, he
used, and wrote the most abject submissions,
to get the seals: he says, that he only offered,
as he really meant, to serve absolutely under
the Duke of Newcastle, and only required
sufficient powers to be able to do it in the
House, without exposing himself.
15. Mr. Ellis came to me, with the avowal
of Mr. Fox, to give me the material part of
this account, adding that, as a proof of what
Mr. Fox meant, he instanced Mr. Craggs be-
ing Lord Sunderland's man, when he had the
Treasury, and was in full power with the late
King — and also, that he had declared to the
Duke of Newcastle, that he never desired to
touch a penny of the secret-service money, or
to know the disposition of it, farther than was
necessary to enable him to speak to the mem-
241
bers, without appearing ridiculous. He ended 1754.
with strong assurances of Mr. Fox's regard Mar * 15,
and friendship to me, and his desires of having
mine in return : this very strong.
Went to see the Duke of Newcastle. Much 10.
company, and no opportunity to talk with
him. This day came out a new commission
of Treasury, such as I never saw. The Duke
of Newcastle in his brother's place, and the
four former Commissioners — none of them
Chancellor of the Exchequer — that remain-
ing with Lord Chief Justice Lee.
Dined with me, the Earls of Coventry, 18,
Jersey, Temple, and Hillsborough; Lords
Strange, Hobart, and Barrington-, Sir Fran-
cis Dashwood, and Mr. George Grenville.
The talk was, that Sir Thomas Robinson was
to be Secretary of State, and that he had re-
fused it — this was not believed. Lord Bar-
rington staid after the company were gone,
and told me his transactions with Mr. Pel-
ham, relating to the Treasury, and last Thurs-
day, with the Duke of Newcastle. He states
his promises from Mr. Pelham too strong, if
what Lord Barnard told me be true — and by
R
242
i75i. his conversation with the Duke of Newcastle,
Mak. is. j t i 1H1 k ne W1 \\ not h ave it this time ; at least,
not before Lord Dupplin.
19- I was to wait upon the Duke of Newcastle,
who, with great seeming kindness, begged me
to come to him on Thursday, by nine in the
morning : that he was sensible of my friend-
ship, and would endeavour to deserve it; I
said, he certainly did deserve it; but, I hoped,
he would show the world that I had his. He
replied, that he would use all his endeavours.
2i. Went to the Duke of Newcastle's. Began
by telling him, that I considered and respect-
ed the weight, he must lie under, of different
kinds, at this time; therefore, should never
trouble him, but when it was absolutely ne-
cessary, and never long : that I was come to
assure him of my most dutiful affection, and
sincere attachment to him, simply, having no
engagements to make me look to the right or
the left — also, to repeat my readiness to com-
ply with the engagements I had taken with
his brother, which I understood to be with
him, and supposed he would continue to ap-
prove: but that, what had happened, made
243
it necessary to recapitulate them, though he 1754.
knew them : that the engagements on my side
were, to give him all the little interest I had,
towards the electing the new Parliament — I
did it in the county of Dorset, as far as they
pleased to push it — I engaged also, specifical-
ly, to choose two members for Weymouth,
which he desired might be a son of the Duke
of Devonshire, and Mr. Ellis, of the Admiral-
ty — I supposed he would confirm that nomi-
nation, but that was nothing to me : I was to
choose two, of his nomination, which now was
fallen to him ; so he might name whom he
pleased : that I was also engaged to exclude
Lord Egmont from Bridgewater, if I could,
of which I should give him a farther account,
when I knew his pleasure upon this first part:
because there might be mention made of that
transaction in the closet, and there were some
particularities attending it, that, it was pro-
bable, he might not be acquainted with. He
assured me of his friendship and affection, in
a solemn and dejected manner ; knew his bro-
ther was sincere to me ; knew all our engage-
ments, and looked upon himself as party to
themj would do everything in his power to
comply with them, and agreed to his bj>-
244
175+.- ther's nomination of Lord J. Cavendish and
Ellis, and hoped they would be agreeable to
me.
I proceeded to the article of Bridgewater,
which I said was thus — Long after my mutual
engagements with Mr. Pelham, when Lord
Egmont made that unfriendly attempt, Mr.
Pelham asked me, what would become of it ?
I said, that it need not affect my election,
though it might destroy the Whig interest
there, for ever: that the interest was very in-
different to me, as I did not expect to live to
see another Parliament, and had neither suc-
cession, relation, nor friend, that I could or
wished to leave it to : but I asked him, if it
was indifferent to him, that Lord Egmont
should come in there. He said, no, to be
sure; and hinted, besides his public opposi-
tion, great distaste to him personally, as if
something very dishonourable had passed be-
tween them : I avoided entering upon that,
and said, that as he thought him his enemy,
I thought myself obliged to oppose him,
where I had any interest ; that I was sorry it
came so home to me, but that I designed to
do it. Some time after that, he told me that
245
the King asked him, if I seriously designed to 1754.
endeavour to keep Lord Egmont out f MAR - 21
Bridgewater, having been told that it would
be a matter of some trouble and expense* —
Mr. Pelham replied, that he could not speak
to his Majesty with any authority, but he
thought, I would : that I desired him, when
next those matters came to be discussed, to
lay me at the King's feet, and tell him, that as
I found it would be agreeable to his Majesty,
I would spare neither pains nor expense to
exclude him: that thus it became mv en-
gagement to do it, if I can. That these
were the engagements on my side with
his brother. He saw, that I had not di-
minished them, and I was fully determined
to perform them, let what would fall out
on the other side. The Duke was very
serious, and dejected, during the whole con-
versation, and threw in several warm ex-
pressions of approbation, and then said, that
he was loaded with too many things at once,
for one man to bear : that he had seen, and
his brother had told him, how handsome my
proceedings hod been : that this was the most
noble, that could be imagined : that he had
transactions with many, but none like this,
and begged me to say, what his brother en-
246
1754. gaged me to do; and to tell him all that had
passed, and how I understood it. I said, I
must be excused ; I could not talk about ad-
vantages to myself, that were to take their rise
from my own assertion only, when there was
nobody to contradict me : I was afraid, he
would have enough of that from others : it
was sufficient that he was satisfied, that I had
not whittled down the obligations which I was
to perform. He pressed me still more strongly ;
till I told him, that I would not talk of it at
all, without reminding him, that I was abso-
lutely determined to fulfil all the engagements
I had taken, and repeated to him, without any
regard to what might be done on the other
side : that it was the last transaction of my
life, and therefore should suffer no ambiguity :
they were too far gone to admit of any altera-
tion ; let what would happen, I could not re-
fine them away ; I thought myself bound
by them, and would, at all events, perform
them : that my proceeding must be as open
and clear to the memory of his brother with
him, as they would have been with his brother,
if we had had the misfortune to lose his Grace:
that, even on this footing, I had very little to
say; for I was sure, he must know that his
brother was to remove the personal misrepre-
247
sentations that I lay under, with the King, at 1751.
a proper time, and to bring me into the ser-
vice, in a proper manner : that I never thought
of fixing him down to a particular day, or a
particular office, because indeed I meant more,
I meant to come in, so as to live with them as
an humble friend, under their friendship and
protection. He said, very seriously and
warmly, that he would never assert any thing
as done, that he was not sure, was done ; but
as to the King's dislike, we might wave that.
It was impossible, but that must give way ; it
could not withstand such a behaviour as mine:
we might put it out of the question : with two
or three strong expressions more, to that pur-
pose. He then asked me, if his brother had
engaged to bring me in, before the elections
were over. I said, he had made me no such
promise, that I had never bartered with him,
so as to pin him down to a day or an hour,
my views being to obtain their friendship, &c.
as I had before explained to him. He said,
he always understood it so ; and asked me, as
there would be many changes, and that they
were obliged to cut the cloth into as many
pieces as they could, if I thought, I could
come in before the election. I said, I did
248
1754. think I could. He replied, he knew I might
Mar 21.
be trusted, and would talk very freely to me,
and tell me how things stood, since I said, I
thought I could come in now: that the Secre-
tary's office was settled, and that he had four
positive engagements, which were to Lords
Hillsborough, Dupplin, Barrington, and Mr.
Nugent : but that he had not, and would not
promise any one of them, till it was done and
settled with the King. He then expatiated
on the King's kindness to him, which, how-
ever, he attributed great part of, to the exi-
gencies of the times : that his Majesty had ad-
vised him not to promise, and that he replied,
that he should take great care not to have
himself quoted against himself. I said, I un-
derstood that the Secretary's office was de-
signed for Sir Thomas Robinson. He said,
yes, and that for the business of the Northern
Province [N. B. He is to have the Southern
Province] no man in England understood it
better ; that he was not happy at explaining
himself, but no man knew more, or had better
understanding. I said, I knew him very well,
he was a worthy man, and I loved him. I
said, what if I came into the place he left ?
He considered a little, and said, very well,
249
pray go on. I said, I would particularly 1754-.
support him in the House, where he would
chiefly want it. He said, he knew he would.
I said, there is my old place, Treasurer of the
Navy; that must be vacant: I should like
that better than any thing. But, I added,
why should I enter into these things, I
leave it wholly to your Grace. He said, that,
by a strange fatality, the direction of the
House of Commons was fallen upon him, who
had never thought of it ; and he must expect,
that the great attempt would be, to show that
he could not direct it : therefore he could not
choose by affection, but must comply with
those who could support him there. I said, I
understood so, and that I thought, I might
pretend to some abilities that way : that in the
opposition, I was thought of some use there :
that in Court, indeed, I never undertook much,
because he knew I never was supported : but
now, when I should be supported, I hoped I
might pretend to be as useful there, as my
neighbours. He said, it was ineontestably so.
I said, that I would derogate from nobody,
but considering the superiority of age, the
offices I had gone through, and my rank in
the world; and adding to that, choosing six
2.50
175 k members for them at my own great expense,
without the expense of one shilling from their
side, I thought the world in general, and even
the gentlemen themselves, could not expect
that their pretensions should give me the ex-
clusion. He said, that what I did, was very
great — that he often thought with surprise,
at the ease and cheapness of the election
at Weymouth — that they had nothing like it.
I said, I believed there were few who could
give his Majesty six members for nothing.
He said, he reckoned five, and had put down
five to my account. I said it was so ; but
this attempt of Lord Egmont's made it six —
he w r ould observe, that I did not pretend to
choose two for Bridgewater : but by Lord
Egmont's opposition, the two members must
be entirely owing to me ; for if I did not
exert my whole force to exclude him, he must
come in, and the court would have but one
there. He thanked me, said it was most clear
as it was now explained, but he had not con-
sidered it in that light. I said I must be ex-
cused from talking any more about myself:
that I left it entirely to him, and to the King;
that I was fully determined to make this sa-
crifice to his Majesty, let him use me as he
251
pleased : that I would keep out of the way of 175k
a personal affront : that I knew I had given Alu
no just cause of offence, but that I would not
justify with his Majesty — that it was enough
that he was displeased, to make me think that
I was in the wrong, and to beg him to forget
it: I would not even be in the right against
him, and I was very sure, I would never again
be in the wrong against him, for which I
hoped his Grace would be my caution. He
said, he would with all his heart. He took
me in his arms, and kissed me twice, with
strong assurances of affection and service.
I told him, I would go to Mr. Ellis, and ac-
quaint him with his nomination to Weymouth;
he desired I would, and from him tell him,
that he agreed to his brother's nomination,
but not to say any thing by way of com-
pliment.
N. B. When I came in, the Duke had a
quire of paper before him, upon which, at the
top I saw my name. He took notes of all
that passed : called in Roberts, showed him
the paper, and told him, he must write it fair,
the notes in one column for his use; the other.
blank, to take the King's pleasure.
252
1754. The Duke of Newcastle resigned the seals,
Mar. 23. . ?
and Sir Thomas Robinson received them, and
the following day, those gentlemen kissed the
Princess's hand.
27. Dined at Lord Barrington's, and found that,
notwithstanding the fine conversation of last
Thursday, all the employments were given
away.
Si. Lord Barnard kissed hands at Leicester
House as Earl of Darlington; Mr. Charles
Townshend for the Admiralty ; and the Lord
Chancellor, as Earl of Hardwick.
Apr. i. Waited on the Princess, in the evening, by
her order. — Music. Sir George Lyttleton as
Cofferer, and Mr. George Grenville as Trea-
surer of the Navy, kissed the King's hand.
2 , Went to the Cockpit. Short talk with the
Solicitor, who is extremely hurt, dejected, and
dissatisfied with the proceedings.
8 . Arrived at Eastbury.
II Dr. Sharpe and I set out from Eastbury at
253
four o'clock in the morning, for Bridgewater, 1754.
ed, I fo
agreeably framed.
where, as I expected, I found things very dis-
Lord Egmont came, with trumpets, noise, 12.
&c.
He and we walked the town: we found 13,
nothing unexpected, as far as we went.
Spent in the infamous and disagreeable
compliance with the low habits of venal
wretches.
f 14.
1 15,
t 16.
Came on the election, which I lost by the ("<
injustice of the Returning Officer. The num-
bers were, for Lord Egmont 119, for Mr.
Balch 114, for me 105. Of my good votes,
15 were rejected: 8 bad votes for Lord Eg-
mont were received.
Left Bridgewater for ever. Arrived at East- is,
bury in the evening.
Arrived at Hammersmith in the evening. 24.
I went to the Duke of Newcastle's. Re- 26.
254
1754. ceived with much seeming affection : thanks
Apr. 2(3.
for Weymouth, where I had succeeded : sorrow
for Bridgewater, where I had not. I told him,
that I would give him a detail of that whole
transaction, in as clear and short a manner as
was possible, if he was then at leisure to re-
ceive it : but if not, and he thought it worth
mentioning to the King, I would only give
him the heads of it, and he might say, that I
was to acquaint him with the proofs of those
heads, at a meeting which he had appointed
on purpose. Accordingly I began by telling
him, that I had done all that was in the power
of money and labour, and showed him two
bills for money remitted thither, before I went
down, one of 1000/. one of 500/. besides all
the money then in my steward's hands, so that
the election would cost me about 2,500/. In
the next place, if this election stood, the bo-
rough was for ever in Tory hands; that all
this was occasioned by want of proper support
from the Court, and from the behaviour of the
servants of the Crown. Upon Mr. Pelham's
death, seeing the multitude of promotions in
which no notice was taken of me, and Lord
Poulett acting openly against me, with all his
might; seeing no check given to him, or en-
H55
couragement to me, they so strongly con- 1754.
eluded the Government to be indifferent, that
five out of the Custom-house officers gave
single votes for Lord Egmont. The next head
was — that, in spite of all, I had a fair majority
of legal votes, for that the Mayor had admitted
eight bad votes for Lord Egmont, and refused
fifteen good ones for me ; so that it was en-
tirely in their own hands, to retrieve the bo-
rough, and get rid of a troublesome opponent,
if they pleased : that if the King required this
piece of service, it was to be done, and the
borough put into Whig hands, and under his
influence, without any stretch of power ; for
the cause was so clear and indisputable, that,
instead of wanting their power to support it,
nothing but their power could withstand it :
that (if it was expected) I would lend my
name, and my assistance here and in the coun-
try, to rescue the borough, and deliver it into
such hands as the King shall approve of; but
that I, on my own account, would have nothing
more to do with it. I had fulfilled to the ut-
most the sacrifice of duty which I had pro-
mised, and proposed to mj r self ; I desired no
retrieval or acquisition of interest, and would
absolutely be no farther concerned, than as
the canal to convey that borough into his Ma-
256
175 *- jesty's disposition. He replied, that they ml*
derstood the borough to be lost, and also, that
it was entirely a party affair : that Lord Shaftes-
bury had confirmed him in it, and assured
him, that the violence of the Tories against
me was much inflamed, by the assistance I
gave, and offered to give Lord Digby, last
summer, at his appearance for the county of
Dorset: that they knew Mr. Balch neither
would, nor could support Bridgewater : that
nobody had acted like me, or considered the
King and his service, in what I had done, and
now offered to do, so nobly and disinterestedly,
&c. I said, that what I had done was in con-
sequence of what I had declared before to
him, viz. to show my duty to the King, and
my earnest desires to pass the rest of my life
in his Grace's friendship and protection: that
I had backed my fancy, and left the rest to
him. He made great professions of good
wishes, good will, best endeavours, &c. &c.
which weigh with me as much as the breath
they were composed of.
May 20. The Master of the Rolls died yesterday.
28. I received the Princess's commands to wait
on her at Kew the next day.
257
Went to Kew before eleven o'clock. The 1754.
Princess walked with me till two. — Much May29 «
conversation about the Prince : wished he saw
more company — but who of the young people
were fit ? Wished he had acquaintance older
than himself: durst not recommend for fear of
offence; while he had Governors, &c. and was
under immediate inspection, all, that they did
not direct, would be imputed to her. In a
year or two, he must be thought to have a
will of his own, and then he would, she hoped,
act accordingly. Expressed great slight and
disregard for those in office, and her usual
dislike for the King. We talked of his accu-
mulation of treasure, which she reckoned at
4,000,000/. I told her, that what was be-
come of it, how employed, where and what
was left, I did not pretend to guess ; but that
I computed the accumulation to be from 12 to
15,000,000/. That these things, within a mo-
derate degree, perhaps less than a fourth part,
could be proved beyond all possibility of de-
nial ; and, when the case should exist, would
be published in controversial pamphlets, if
troublesome times should arise, which I hoped
in God would never happen. She was very-
kind and gracious to me. After dinner. Lord
S
25S
1754. Bathurst and Lord Moreton (whom, with his
May 29. son an( j daughter, she saw upon the road, and
asked to step in) walked with us : they staid
but little, and left us with her, Lady Augusta,
and the two Princes ; we conversed till near
eleven, when I returned. At home I found a
letter from Mr. Balch, acquainting me that
he had brought Mr. Burroughs with him, to
lay the Bridgewater business before the Mi-
nistry.
30# We went to town before dinner. I told
Messrs. Balch and Burroughs, that having
laid the whole affair before the Duke of New-
castle upon my arrival, and he having assured
me, that he would appoint a time to go through
and settle it, which he had neglected to do, I
would not go to him : but I advised them to
wait on him, and that I thought the best way
would be, that Mr. Balch should write a note
to acquaint his Grace, that he had brought
Mr. Burroughs with him, who, in conjunction
with himself, was best able to give him an ac-
count of the injustice the whole party la-
boured under, who thought themselves well
entitled to his Grace's protection, in obtaining
th,at justice, which they were determined to
259
prosecute; therefore desired to know when 175/ k
they might wait on him, to lay that whole
transaction before him.
Parliament opened by commission. I 3h
took the oaths without doors. Very full
House.
Waited on the Duke of Dorset. Mr. Balch June 1.
resolved to write the note I advised (of which
I gave him a draught) and send it that night.
Went to the Duke of Dorset's, and ae- 3.
quainted him with my situation with the Mi-
nistry. Went to the House. Mr. West de-
sired to speak with me — said that Mr. Balch
had written to the Duke of Newcastle (which
letter he showed me), who had appointed td
see him on Thursday ; but the Duke desired
to see me first. I told him, that I would go
to him to-morrow.
Went early to the Duke of Newcastle's. 4.
He told me that he had received a letter from
Mr. Balch, but desired to advise with me, be-
fore he saw him : that nothing was settled, or
,| " should h:u-o sent to me long before: thoi
266
H54-. he was against multiplying' petitions, for rea-
sons obvious to me : that he knew nothing of
Lord Egmont ; but had heard that he some-
times talked as if he was willing to battle it :
that if it should be made a point, he did not
know, if we were certain of carrying it : that
Lord Egmont would make a party : that pos-
sibly, the Princess might wish he should be
let alone, or at least, that those of the late
Prince's servants might be for him. I said,
that I had laid this affair fully before him
already ; that he knew I had pushed it in the
country with such an expense and trouble,
and so absolutely, considering it a service
which the King (as his brother told me) wish-
ed : that it had cost me 3,400 /. that I was
fairly chosen, nor would the Returning Officer
have dared not to return me, had he not been
encouraged by the servants of the administra-
tion: that the borough was lost, and lost
solely by a Lord of the Bedchamber and the
Custom-house Officers : that they might re-
trieve it, or not, just as they pleased ; leave it
in Tory hands, or recover it ; get rid of Lord
Egmont, as an opponent, or keep him in, as a
friend, I should neither be satisfied or dissatis-
fied with it; I should not be obliged by the
261
one, or disobliged by the other. I dealt 1754.
clearly with him, and desired to be understood JuNE *'
without any ambiguity : I had told him this
before, and my opinion and resolution was the
same. He said, he acknowledged it, and de-
sired me to advise what was to be done. 1
told him, I could not advise, because I did not
know the truth of my own situation ; it was
time to come to a full explanation upon that
head, for it must come to a decision: that I
had done all the services in my power, and
spent very great sums, of all which, they, now,
had the benefit : that I had made no bartering
bargains, but had done it frankly, with a plain,
avowed, and accepted intention to take oft* the
edge of the King's ill-grounded resentment,
and prove my attachment to his Grace; to
show myself his immediate friend
a fezv lines were in this place torn, by an acci-
dent , from the manuscript I re-
plied, it must come to a conclusion, one way
or another : if after accepting both offer and
execution of all I could do, I was to remain
under an absolute proscription, and exclusion
from all favour, that every other subject of my
rank might justly expect, I must do as I could,
but it must be explained and fully. lie said,
262
17o4. j^ himself liked to deal explicitly, and to un-
derstand clearly what was expected : that he
had laid my services before the King in the best
manner he could; though some people (of
whom he would inform me afterwards) had en-
deavoured to insinuate to his Majesty, that I
had not the power I pretended to at Weymouth.
I asked him, if he himself did not tell me in
that room, that he had declared to the King,
that the borough was redelivered into my hands,
on the express condition to take his election of
two, for that time only? this be-
ing the opposite side of the leaf which was men-
tioned before to have been torn, a few lines are
also here zvanting he would
do it in the best manner he was able : that it
had been insinuated, and he had not said, ex-
pressly, that he would ; but had not said, he
w r ould not : that if I had my view upon any
particular thing, or office, he would move it,
and try to get it, in the most cordial manner.
I said, as to going to the King, I would post-
pone that consideration for a minute : that, as
to the last, he well knew I never thought of
making bargains, that I left that matter to-
tall v to him. He said, that there were few
things that a man of my rank could accept.
26S
and that none of them were vacant. I said, 1734.
it was true, but I did not impute that to him:
that as he was at the head of the Treasury, I
should choose a seat there, if it was vacant,
sooner than any thing, but I could not take
that ; at the same time I begged he would ob-
serve, that I did not expect to be Privy Seal,
if Lord Gower should die ; that I did not come
to make bargains for this, or that thing, or
time : he had forced me, before I went into
the West to say, that Sir Thomas Robinson's
office, or my own again (both which were tlien
vacant), I should like very well ; he gave them
away without considering me. I desired no-
body to be removed, much less to die. He
must think that 2000/. a year would not make
my fortune, with one foot in the grave : that
as to rank, I had heard that the King was odd
about titles : that I had as much respect for
the Peerage as any man, but he could not but
see, that, in my situation, without succession,
or collateral, a Peerage to me, was not worth
the expense of new painting my coach : that
I desired to pass my life as his attached friend
and servant, persuaded that he would, as such,
do me favourable justice the first opportunity
that oiler ed. He said, that he understood me
264
1754. ver y we u ; that I could have no competitor in
the House of Commons ; I expected then any
employment that I could take, which should
first fall ; and added, I suppose you will be
disobliged, if you have not the very first that
falls. I demurred a little at the oddness and.
bluntness of the proposition, and did not well
conceive the intention of it, but after a little
pause, said, — that is a hard word, my Lord, I
do not absolutely say that. There may be,
possibly, reasons that my real friendship for
him might make me acquiesce in ; I will not
say so hard a word at once ; the case will
speak itself, but it must come to a positive
issue — and now, my Lord, I must resume the
offer your Grace made of going immediately
to the King, to demand a categorical answer,
whether he be determined, after all I have
done and spent for his service (of which he
now reaps the utility) to suffer no return to be
made me, when opportunity throws it in the
way, but to exclude me from all the advan-
tages I am entitled to, in common with the
rest of his subjects, both by my rank and my
services ? as to his resolution, it must be
known, but as you profess your sincere desire,
that I should be properly considered, it lies
265
upon you to do it in the best manner, and at i?5*.
the properest time : I do not prescribe to-
morrow or the next day, this week or the next;
but as this is the only obstacle, it must be
known, absolutely, and in a reasonable time:
if I am proscribed from amongst all my
fellow-subjects, I must, and shall submit to
the King's pleasure with all possible respect :
but as your Grace has re-assured me, that
you have represented what I have done, fairly
and favourably to him; till I know it from
your Grace, I cannot believe that so just and
generous a Prince would accept a poor sub-
ject's offers of service, and suffer him to carry
them into execution, at so great an expense,
with a resolution absolutely to exclude him
from all sorts of common favour, I thought
it would be what never happened before, or
to me only. He said, he would do every
thing in his power, and did not imagine it
could end so. I told him, that I heartily
wished it might not, but it must end one way
or another, it must not remain as it was ; for I
was determined to make some sort of figure
in life: I earnestly wished it might be under
his protection, but if that could not be, I must
make some figure ; what it would be, I could
266
1754-. n0 f determine yet; I must look round me a
little, and consult my friends, but some figure
I was resolved to make. He said, he would
do his best to settle it to my satisfaction ; he
did not think it could end in a proscription.
I said, I ought to hope so, for my own sake ;
but if he should not be able to obtain common
indulgence for a friend, whom he favoured
and thought useful, and who had given such
Convincing proofs of his utility, I should be
sorry for myself indeed, but 1 should also be
sorry for him too ; it was being upon a very
indifferent footing indeed, I should therefore
be very sorry for it, upon his account, as well
as my own. He said, he would do his utmost
to prevent it from coming to that, for, now, he
understood me thoroughly. He then desired
we might advise together about the Bridge-
water affair. I said, I thought that all at-
tempts to quiet the Whig party there would
be vain, without beginning to turn out the
officers. He seemed very unwilling to go so
far; and at last said, that he knew I was a
man of honour, and he would trust me with a
secret, which I must never reveal, not even to
the Duke of Dorset ; and then, after a multi-
tude of precautions, and exacting engage-
267
ments of honour from me not to divulge it; 1754.
i T A.
he told me, that the truth was, that he had a
mind that this petition should not go on; and
if I could assist him in bringing it about, he
should be much obliged to me : — but if it
should be known, it would be reported and
believed that he had made up with Lord Eg-
mont, which was by no means true ; for, upon
his honour, he had neither spoken to him, nor
seen him, nor had any negociation with him ;
for he knew very well, that if the King was
informed that the town was resolved to pe-
tition, and there were the least grounds to
throw out Lord Egmont, he would order him
to push it with the utmost vehemence. I
said, I had often told him it was no cause of
mine ; be it how it should, I should not take
it as a matter of payment or dissatisfaction :
that I would certainly keep his secret, which,
however, every body would see through, if
no justice was done: that I would do all I
could with Mr. Balch and the town, to quiet
them ; but that, without punishing the officers,
I feared lie would find it impracticable, which
he would better judge of when lie saw Messrs.
Raich and Burroughs on Thursday. What,
if he offered the alternative, and tried to make
268
1754-. the giving up the officers, the price of dropping
UNE ' all farther proceedings ? He said, it was a
good thought, and he must scramble off as
well as he could. So we parted, with usual
protestations.
6. I saw Messrs. Balch and Burroughs, who
had been at the Duke of Newcastle's. His
Grace had talked them over, but nothing po-
sitive, not so much as punishing the officers,
but he told Mr. Balch that he would send
Lord Dupplin to him — While they were with
me, Lord Dupplin was at Mr. Balch's* and
soon after they met, talked very amicably,
and agreed to meet here on Tuesday. This
haste to see Mr. Balch, was in order to learn
all he could, that he might talk it over with
the Duke at Clermont, between Saturday and
Tuesday.
io. Went to Lord Hillsborough's. Much talk —
first about Bridgewater election: — could not
conceive the Duke of Newcastle could have
the least difficulty in supporting a petition,
and wondered he was not most desirous of it.
If not, my friends would certainly support
me — I doubted — lie said, that though the
269
tide of politics might have a little separated 1754.
people, so that they might not be so ready to UNE
follow me in every political point; yet in
any thing personal, he could not doubt, but
that the many that had lived with, and been
obliged to me, would support me heartily and
with all their power. I still doubted. He
said that my relations, the Grenvilles and
Lyttletons would, and he knew it from them-
selves.
We thence fell upon other subjects, and
he desired to know of me, what I thought of
their present situation. I said, I could not
judge of it, because I did not know it, but it
seemed to me very disjointed. He said, I
could not imagine any thing like it : every
body of consequence was dissatisfied. I said,
I could not conceive that, as they had just
had every thing divided amongst them. He
said, it was so for all that ; he not only knew
it to be so, but from his intimacy with them,
he knew their reasons, which he would tell
me, and would begin with Mr. Pitt. That,
indeed, he had no intimacy with him, but was
told them by his bosom friend Mr. George
Grenville, who was also his : that, indeed, if
270
17.5k Mr. Pitt meant money, I might well think;
June 10. . ' ' • j*. , , , .
lie ought to be satisfied ; but, his passion was
not money; it was ambition, power; of
which he had no share. This made him very
uneasy, which was highly increased by the
late promotions. Instead of being acquainted
with, and consulted about what was to be
done, he was only informed what was done ;
instead of offering him his share, he received
news, that his most inveterate enemy was
made Secretary of State; the next post brought
him an account that Mr. Fox had refused the
Seals, and that Sir Thomas Robinson had
accepted them. I said, that I supposed, that
they did not think Mr. Pitt could possibly
undertake an office of fatigue, or an office of
business, from the state of his health. He said,
that Mr. Pitt replied, he himself ought to be
the best judge of that: besides, Mr. Legge,
who could have no pretence to go before him,
was made Chancellor of the Exchequer, just
in the same manner. They should have
offered him at least. They should have made
him well with the King, who was his enemy,
which they had never taken the least care to
do. That Legge, George Grenville, and Fox,
were his (Hillsborough's) intimate friends;
271
and he knew their thoughts from themselves ; 175*.
that as to Legge, he acknowledged that he
was promoted, though he did not much de-
sire it ; however, when he was placed there,
he thought that he should be supported : he
expected to be as well with the Duke of
Newcastle as any body, though he was to act
an under part : but he found himself, instead
of better, not to be so well with him, as the
rest of his colleagues ; that he knew nothing
of what was doing, or to be done, and was not
considered at all in any thing : that George
Grenville was in the same way of thinking,
and expected very different treatment, from
his rank and consideration in the House of
Commons : besides, if he had less reason to
be displeased, nothing would make him easy,
while his great friend, Pitt, was dissatisfied :
that as to Fox he need say nothing : Fox
says, he was offered the Seals with proper
powers to be at the head of the House of
Commons; and the next day, he was told
with some roughness, that he was to have
none, nor was he to meddle with the conduct
of the House, farther than as it related to
his office : that he might have accepted with
honour, even upon those last conditions ; yet
272
I7 -5*. having been offered, and having accepted the
office upon the first; he must have been a
mean rascal to have submitted to the degra-
dation. I asked him, if, considering the sus-
picious temper of the Duke of Newcastle, he
thought the Duke would be willing to leave
Fox in the closet, in any station, after what
had passed. Lord Hillsborough replied, he
believed not ; but that Fox would meddle very
little, and if he gave no particular offence, he
thought the Duke could not get him out; and
added, that he and the rest of them should
take very little share in business, unless there
was more trust and communication, than had
hitherto appeared.
w. I saw Messrs. Balch and Burroughs, who
had been with the Duke of Newcastle, and
were promised by him, in the strongest terms,
that our party should be supported.
19. Lady Orford staid with me above three
hours. Her business was to lament her mis-
fortunes, for that Mr. Shirley and she were
parted, of which she gave me a long account:
the whole of which was, that he insisted upon
something independent, and that she would
part with nothing out of her own power.
273
Lord Dupplin came to talk about Bridge- 1754.
water; but first, he informed me, that he had E 2I
told the Duke of Newcastle what I had said
about myself; that I had offered a free and
unreserved friendship, and that, after what I
had done, I thought myself well entitled to the
treatment and favour of a friend, and that it
must be decided one way or another : that his
Grace seemed to desire it, as much as I did.
Lord Dupplin added, that he understood it
would be settled, and though the Duke did
not explain himself positively, yet his Lord-
ship considered it as a thing fixed, and which
would soon be over. I gave him proper
thanks, and said, it could not remain as it did;
that the Duke was so generous as to press me
to say, what his late brother was engaged for
That I would not speak to my own advantage,
when the only person, who could contradict
me, was dead : that, indeed, there was no
bargain for particular things ; friendship and
connexion was what I asked, and Mr. Pel-
ham said, he was equally desirous of it. Lord
Dupplin s ^i ( '> he knew that Mr. Pelham, foi
more than a year before lie died, looked upon
our union 1o be as settled, as any connexion
he had, and alwavs added, ilmt I was theonlv
'21%
1754. man of business they had, and he was resolved
to attach me to them. I replied, that though
I had not said so much to the Duke, Mr.
Pelham declared that I had a good deal of
marketable ware (parliamentary interest), and
that, if I would empower him to offer it all to
the King, without conditions, he would be
answerable to bring the affair to a good ac-
count : that, if his engagement had not been
taken, the nature of the thing plainly spoke
it. Service is obligation, obligation implies
return. Could any man of honour profess
friendship, accept the offers of his friend's
whole services, suffer those services to be car-
ried into execution, avail himself of their
whole utility, and then tell that friend, he
could not, or he would not make him any re-
turn ? Could there be such a character ? Sup-
posing this gentleman had a master, whose
affairs were promoted by these services, the
concurrence of whom was necessary to this
return, but who was indisposed to his friend ;
could he answer it to his friend or to the
world, when he found his master's resent-
ments irremoveable, if he did not advise his
friend to take back his offers, and apply them
as he might think best, unless he chose to
275
risk them on an adventure, for the perform- 17S+.
June 21
ance of which he could not be answerable ?
These things spoke themselves, and all man-
kind must see them in the same light : that,
be it how it would, it must be thoroughly un-
derstood by the world — If this connexion,
and the acceptance of my effectual services)
was not ratified by effects that justified them,
I must be contented to pass for a dupe, and
they, for sharpers ; the world would justly call
me fool, and them, by a much harsher name ;
but for myself, I was prepared to bear it all,
let what would happen. I found means to
repeat this particular deduction and conclu-
sion, two, or three times, in the subsequent
conversation. We then fell upon Bridgewa-
ter — the Duke of Newcastle would do every
thing to support the party j he demurred up-
on petitioning, only, for fear of making it a
handle for forming an improper connexion at
setting out. I knew that those in consider-
able places differed among themselves, and
almost all disowned immediate dependence,
obligation, and allegiance to the Duke, and
that they might, on such an occasion, perplex
and disturb his Grace. I said, I understood
him, and after having strongly represented to
T 2
276
1 754. him that, what I undertook, I had performed,
bNE ~ ' since he acknowledged I was fairly chosen :
that I meant it a service ; if they were satis-
fied, I was : if they desired to make effectual,
what their own dependants had obstructed, I
would give my assistance, but that I was
wholly unconcerned in their determination :
I added, that I did not think this case
was liable to the inconveniences which he
had mentioned: for that I had reason to
think, that Mr. Fox would not espouse, even
privately, Lord Egmont against me, though I
had not seen him since my return from the
West. That I had been pressed by several
with offers of service, to know if I would peti-
tion : that the Grenville's, &c. had given me
to understand, that they would not only be for
me, but actively so : that I would own to him
in confidence, that I myself wished there
might be no petition : that the Duke might
think it no ill bargain, if he could get Lord
Egmont, by suffering him to sit only, without
any farther pretensions upon his Grace, and,
perhaps, I might think so too : but I thought
it impracticable; for if I was in his Grace's
confidence, I should be obliged to tell him,
that, if Lord Egmont subscribed to that bar-
277
gain ; when the fourteen days for petitioning m*.
were expired, if the Duke did not engage to
gratify his Lordship (which would be no easy
matter) the fifteenth day, it was my opinion,
that he would break with his Grace on the
sixteenth. Lord Dupplin said much of Lord
Egmont's falseness and ill behaviour to Mr.
Pelham, who told him, that he was so gross a
flatterer, when he brought him in for Weobly,
that it was quite shocking, and Mr. Pelham
showed him a letter from Lord Egmont, in
which he writes, that he was happy in hav-
ing found a man, in whom he could have an
implicit faith, with a great deal more of this
kind. He then entered into the means of
managing this affair of Bridgewater. I said,
I could say but little to it, after what I had
said 9 that my being in their confidence, or
not, must and would chiefly decide of the
complexion of that business. He replied, he
always looked upon that as done, and to be
sure, that must be decided, before any mea-
sures could be taken with effect. I told him
that one way came across me, and only one,
to make all things easy, but charged him, as
a man of honour, never to mention it, as a
thought or suggestion of mine; because it
was not so much as my wish, and the sugges-
278
1754. tion might be construed to imply the wish :
that the expedient was, if any thing should
happen, or be formed, to make room for me
in the service, before the meeting of Parlia-
ment j that would vacate my seat, and I could
neither petition nor stand for Bridgewater — -
but I enjoined him never to mention this (for
it struck him much, and made him, for a few
minutes, very thoughtful) as coming from
me, for I really meant it, only as a pleasan-
try, between him and me, that rose on a
sudden.
July 2. I went to town to see Lord Dupplin, about
the Bridgewater business. He said, he had
told the Duke of Newcastle all that had pass-
ed between us, and had explained the nature
of the friendship I offered, in contradistinction
to the inconnexion and inconfidence of others
in office : that the Duke approved of, and de-
sired it, and meant to effect it : that he press-
ed his Grace to end it with the King; for
when the proscription was taken off, and the
King had accepted me, the Duke might then
declare, that I was in his confidence, and un-
der his protection, and that he was at liberty,
and would do me justice, the first opportunity
that might happen : and then he (Lord Dup-
279
plin) could have the pleasure of communicat- ll5U n
ing every thing, he knew and heard, confiden-
tially to me, and should consider me and him-
self, and the Attorney and Stone (which last
was present when he talked to the Duke), as
one person. I said, I could not imagine any
reason why Stone should be indisposed to-
wards me. He cried, indisposed ! very much
the contrary; he desires it greatly, and so do
all the Duke of Newcastle's friends. I re-
plied, if it ended otherwise, it would be the
most scandalous transaction that ever appear-
ed to the world, and appear it must. He said,
it could not end ill — he looked upon it as
done, for he desired me to observe, that the
Duke did not hold up the King at all, or so
much as insinuate that he apprehended any
difficulty from his Majesty. I begged Lord
Dupplin to press the Duke to make an end of
it, before I went to the West; and that I
would wait on him before I set out, and
earnestly requested that it might be entirely
settled.
I went to the Duke of Newcastle's. After i 8.
his Grace had talked indecisively about Bridge-
water, of which I gave him the hearing,. I de-
280
i75 *- sired to know positively, what I was to ex-
' pect : he replied, and told me, that he had
laid all my services before the King in the
fullest manner, but it did not satisfy him : that
his Majesty endeavoured to lessen my credit
at Weymouth — that the Duke replied, that
he thought his Majesty himself had told him,
that the borough was put into my hands, at
the renewal of the charter, on condition of his
naming two members for that time only. The
King could not deny it; but upon the whole,
he would not receive me to any mark of his
favour. I said, that, as it was so, I received
his Majesty's displeasure with that respect and
resignation, which became me towards my
Sovereign ; that, after such offers received, and
suffered to be carried into execution, at the
expense of nearly 4000/. I did not believe
such a conclusion had ever happened : but I
submitted, and must act as opportunity and
accidents should direct. The Duke express-
ed much sorrow; protested the sincerity of
his endeavours, and said, that what would not
do one day might do another. I replied, that
I could not judge of that ; but if he imagined,
that I would remain postulating among the
comrjion herd of suitors, and expose myself to
281
sutler twenty unworthy preferences more, to 1754.
get, perhaps, nothing at last, certainly no- ULY
thing that I wanted, — it was impossible; I
would as soon wear a livery, and ride behind
a coach in the streets. I repeated these
words again in the course of the conversation.
We parted very civilly.
I called on the Attorney General, and told 19.
him what had passed, and desired him to be a
witness, that I looked upon myself, as free
from all engagements, after such a return ;
and I expected to have no hints thrown out of
breach of faith, &c. whatsoever party I might
take. lie replied, that I was undoubtedly
free, but he could not believe, it would end
so. He protested, he was sure that the Duke
of Newcastle had represented everything in
the most favourable manner, though he should
not wonder, if I did not believe it. I said,
that, all things considered, it was pretty hard
to believe it. lie replied, he agreed to that :
and if they, on their side, did not return to
the charge, till they carried their point, he
would believe so too: they must do it, &c.
which was very civil and insignificant.
282
1754. I went to Eastbury.
July 26.
Sept. 25. Returned to Hammersmith.
Oct. 8. I called upon Lord Hillsborough, and had
much free talk with him. Nobody in office
satisfied, or would act beyond their particular
department. Nobody empowered, or that
would take the lead. Mr. Pitt had seen the
Duke of Newcastle for an hour, and returned
to Bath. The Duke would have entered with
him into the American expedition, to dislodge
the French from the Ohio ; Mr. Pitt said,
your Grace, I suppose, knows I have no capa-
city for these tilings (being dissatisfied that he
was not made Secretary of State), and there-
fore I do not desire to be informed about
them. He is likely to resign, but not to go
into opposition. Fox and Pitt are so far
agreed, that they are willing, that the first
should be at the head of the Treasury, and
the other Secretary of State ; but neither will
assist the other. I asked, if that was not a
virtual union. Lord Hillsborough replied, it
was near it: Mr. Pelham had the address to
play the one against the other j but the Duke
283
had not. He had had some talk with the i 754> -
Oct. 8.
Duke about this, who told him, all would go
well, let them do the duty of their offices.
The Duke said, he had informed the King,
that he had not much to expect from his first
rank in the House of Commons (meaning
Fox, Pitt, Legge, Grenville), but that he had
an excellent second rank (meaning him [Hills-
borough], Barrington, Dupplin, Nugent,
Charles Townshend, &c.) That West, Se-
cretary of the Treasury, had been with him,
and expressed his opinion that they could not
go on : that he saw many of the city, and it
was an unanimous opinion they could not —
that opinion, however founded, was of great
weight: that he had told this to the Duke,
who said, you know nothing of the matter, all
will go well. The King does not speak to the
Duke of Dorset ; yet, it is possible, he ma}'-
go again to Ireland. The Duke of Grafton
wishes to send his son-in-law, the Earl of
Hertford, thither. All this is astonishing !
From Oct. 10, 1754, to Apr it 22, 1755, the
Diary seems to have been discontinued.
284
m>5. I passed the evening at Leicester House.
The Princess was clear, that the Duke of
Newcastle could not stand as things were.
She desired it might be understood, that her
house had no communication with Newcastle
House; but not that she said it, because it
would be told at St. James's, at which place
she desired to avoid all disputes.
9- Mr. Pitt came to Lord Hillsborough's,
where was Mr. Fox, who stepping aside, and
Mr. Pitt thinking he was gone, the latter de-
clared to Lord Hillsborough, that all con-
nexion between him and Mr. Fox was over — -
that the ground zvas altered — that Fox was of
the Cabinet and Regent, and he was left ex-
posed, &c. — that he would be second to no-
body, &c. Mr. Fox rejoining the company,
Mr. Pitt, being heated, said the same and
more to him ; that if Fox succeeded, and so
made way for him, he would not accept the
seals of Secretary from him, for that would be
owning an obligation and superiority, which
he would never acknowledge : he would owe
nothing but to himself; — with much more in
very high language, and very strange dis-
course. Mr. Fox asked him, what would put
285
them upon the same ground; to which Pitt 1755.
replied, a winter in the Cabinet and a sum- l AY
mer's Regency.
Pitt talked the same over again to Lord 10,
Hillsborough, who endeavoured to soften mat-
ters; but Pitt was unalterable, and desired
Lord Hillsborough, as a friend, to take an op-
portunity of telling Mr. Fox, that he wished
there might be no farther conversation be-
tween them on the subject ; that he esteemed
Mr. Fox, but that all connexion with him
was at an end.
§3* In 1741 the King was at Hanover, and
the French marched 42,000 men into West-
phalia. Bussy was sent with a convention of
neutrality for Italy, which was signed in
September 1741 — the consequence was, that
15,000 Spaniards passed under Haddock's
nose. If the same should now happen, and a
neutrality for both Indies be demanded !
Notwithstanding what had passed at Lord 15.
Hillsborough's, Messrs. Fox and Pitt have had
another conference, not so alienating, but not
satisfactory. I have seen neither, and so do
not know the particulars.
286
ft55, I was with the Princess, by her order: we
had much conversation, both in the mornin^
and evening, in which, I think, all was said
that my memory could suggest to me upon
the present state of affairs — the weakness,
meanness, cowardice, and baseness of the
Duke of Newcastle — to all which she echoed
in the strongest terms — the impossibility of his
standing without a new system — of this too,
she declared, she was fully convinced, and
that she was so persuaded of his falseness and
low cunning, that if she designed to go into
the next room, she would not trust him with
it, if she meant it should not be known. I
laid before her the necessity of a new system,
for that I found people would not bear the
present : that I believed no new one was form-
ed, but that I saw there was such a disposi-
tion, as must end in one, of some sort or an-
other : that what retarded it most was, that
people were guessing at her, and were tender
of pushing any thing that she might be dis-
obliged by, and resent another day : that I
myself had entered into no engagements with
any body, and was not fond of doing it, but
that I was upon such a foot with the most
efficient, that they would scarcely come to
287
any fixed plan, without acquainting me with 1755.
it: that I thought it absolutely necessary to May2/ *
attempt a settlement, not only for the present,
but which might, with small alterations, last,
when a certain event took place ; for it would
be a melancholy thing, if under a young King
and the pressure of a war, when efficiency
and immediate action was required, instead of
consulting what was to be done, we must be
struggling who should do it: that, therefore,
it was to be wished, that some system, so
mixed as not to be disagreeable to her, should
be conveyed to the Duke of Newcastle ; with
intimation that, if he would embrace it, he
might not only be supported now, but find
protection another day: if he refused it, he
must be left to his enemies, and expect no
support either now, or then: that my mean-
ing was, to lead the King into it, without his
knowing it, and make him consent under the
idea of making his own affairs easy, and that
he should not know from whence it arose, or
the extent of it : that I wished to avoid all
disturbances ; and it was that, and that alone,
which made mo think of any thing, that was
to continue such a creature as the Duke of
Newcastle at the head of affairs ^ven for an
o
88
1755. hour, either now or then. She signified her
' entire approbation of all I had said, by several
short interruptions, and then said, that she
was, and long had been much affected with
the melancholy prospect of her own and her
son's affairs : that such a settlement, as I men-
tioned, was doubtless much to be desired, but
how was it to be obtained ? there were a hun-
dred good reasons that tied her hands from
interfering with the King ; those of her child-
ren were obvious enough ; and if she was to
stir, it would make things worse ; she saw no
way to extricate herself. I replied, that the
case was extremely delicate : that whenever I
thought of it, I laid it down, that something
must be done, and yet, that she must neither
be seen nor heard in it : that, upon so delicate
a foundation, such a sort of confidence was
required to act, that was above my capacity,
and such a one that I did not aspire to : that
I thought men w T ere wanting : that, I was
satisfied, the nation had, still, great resources,
and that even parts were not wanting, but
character and experience in business was:
that the Duke of Newcastle had the ball at
his foot, when his brother died ; and he might
have made a lasting and advantageous settle-
289
ment for himself and the country, but he had
not endeavoured to oblige one efficient man,
besides his known enemies : that there was
no violence, no oppression, no particular
complaint, and yet the nation was sinking
by degrees, and there was a general indis-
position proceeding from the weakness and
worthlessness of the Minister, who would
embrace every thing, and was fit for nothing.
She answered, that she was glad to hear me
say that the nation had still great resources —
for people told her it was undone — but she did
not think so : yet, if there were both resources
and parts too, and they could not both be
exerted, what would they avail ? She saw, and
much lamented, the consuming state of the
nation, which I mentioned : it was of infinite
consequence how a young reign began, and
it made her very uneasy. She was highly
sensible how necessary it was, that the Prince
should keep company with men: she well
knew that women could not inform him, but
if it was in her power absolutely, to whom
could she address him ? What company could
she wish him to keep? what friendships de-
sire he should contract ? Such was the universal
profligacy, such the character and conduct of
u
17.35.
May 2l
290
i75j. tne young people of distinction, that she was
really afraid to have them near her children.
She should even be in more pain for her
daughters, than for her sons, if they were
private persons ; for the behaviour of the
women was indecent, low, and much against
their own interest, by making themselves so
very cheap. This and much more (with no
very high opinion of the King) took up above
two hours. About six, after drinking coffee
with Lady Charlotte Edwin, we were sent for
to walk. The ceremony of the day seemed
to be, to leave the Princess to me, for the
young Princesses and the company always
kept before, or behind us. Having made the
tour of the ground, and being shown the im-
provements, she proposed going into the
King's gardens: there, she again renewed the
same subjects ; we talked of several private
characters ; the general indisposition ; the
danger of the war : and then of the inability
of the Duke of Newcastle, her dislike and
contempt of him: the impossibility of his
standing, as he was now circumstanced.
Something should be thought of, and soon —
the summer was the time, the winter was not
so proper for concerting measures. I re-
291
plied that, indeed, in summer people's steps ^755.
were not so much observed ; and parti-
cularly in this summer, as the King was
abroad. She again expressed her astonish-
ment at the Duke of Newcastle's conduct,
and said, she could not conceive who were,
really and truly, the persons whose advice he
chiefly depended upon. I replied, I had
never heard of any body, but those whom
public fame had made notorious, who were
Messrs. Murray and Stone. She said, if it
was so, they were very bad politicians, unless
it was true, that they were at bottom the Ja-
cobites they were so strongly represented to
be, and gave their advice to carry on the con-
suming system. I said, it was impossible ;
for their understanding, their actions, and,
above all, their interest made it so. She an-
swered, that nobody but God could judge of
the heart, and that, for her part, she did not
give any credit to those reports : she spoke in
favour of Murray's abilities j but nothing, one
way or the other, of Stone. She mentioned
two things, which were remarkable from the
inferences : the first, talking of what the Duke
of Newcastle ought to do ; but then, says she,
he will say the parti/ will not come into it;
the parti/, this ; and the parti/, that : but I
U 2
%m
1755. cou i c i never understand what the party was:,
•May 27
I have endeavoured to learn, and I could never
find, that the party was any thing else, but
the Duke of Devonshire, and his son, and
old Horace Walpole. The Duke of Devon-
shire was the cause of the Duke of Cumber-
land's being in the Regency this time ; and he
insisted upon his being left sole Regent, at a
meeting, where were the Duke of Newcastle,
the Lord Chancellor, the Duke of Grafton,
Lord Waldegrave, and old Horace Walpole.
The second was, on my commending the
Prince's figure, and saying he was much
taller than the King, she replied, Yes, he was
taller than his uncle. I said, in height it
might be so, but if they measured round, the
Duke had the advantage of him. She an-
swered, it was true, but she hoped it was the
only advantage that he, ever, would have
of him.
In the half-hour between her Royal High-
ness's dressing and dinner, Mr. Cresset did me
the favour to come to me, and to my very
great surprise, entered, at once, into the
wretched management and inabilities of the
Duke of Newcastle: he repeated what the
Princess had before said, and added, the
m
«2(V*
monstrous expense of the present armament, 1755.
and yet insufficient ; it was well made by
those who had it in charge, when they were
permitted to act ; but it was infinitely blame-
able in the Minister, who delayed that per-
mission so long, and thereby occasioned this
vast, unnecessary expense in arming. Why
not be prepared, or at least forward in your
preparations, in the autumn ? Then every
thing might have been done completely, and
at the usual expense. It was impossible to
stand as it was — for the same would happen,
when the war came upon the Continent in
Europe — Hanover must be protected, but it
would be in the same way ; a number of
expensive, useless engagements entered into
in a hurry, too great for the country to bear ;
and yet, by that hurry, ineffectual to the end,
which might be attained by a reasonable plan,
and upon reasonable terms. Just so was the
last war, ruinous in the expense, and unsuc-
cessful in the end, for want of consideration
and a reasonable plan at the beginning. But
it was easily seen, that all was going one way :
that it was a sad prospect for those who
wished well to the Prince : that the poor
Princess was very uneasy about it.
294
7v| 75 2* 7 iPf 5 ' AM this is so; and it is as certain,
that the Duke is full as much indisposed to
the Duke of Newcastle as the Princess ; and
the amount of all will be — Nothing.
The King, the Princess, the Duke, and the
chief people in employment; all, except the
King ; all avowedly hate and despise the
Duke of Newcastle. The King delegates his
power to him. The Princess and the Duke
(from trifling dislikes in my opinion), and the
principal people in employment, from this
strange situation of the Royal Family, and
from great unwillingness to venture their
emoluments, cannot unite in bringing about
the single thing in which, perhaps, they all
agree. Is not this political prodigy a surer
prognostic of the fall of a state, than a
comet ?
29. During a visit at Horton for two days, I
had much conversation with Lord Hallifax.
We entirely agreed in the insufficiency, false-
ness, anil meanness of the Duke of Newcastle's
administration : and we much lamented the
imminent necessity of contrary conduct, in
the present dangerous state of our country.
295
»
The remedy we could not find, though we , T 1755 -
J May 20.
agreed that neither the Duke nor the country
could go on, without other management or
other hands. I advised his Lordship to think
of it seriously. He said, the Duke of New-
castle was his near relation ; he wished him
well, had served him honestly, had asserted
the rights of his own office, but had entered
into no cabals against him : that the Duke had
sometimes used him kindly, and sometimes
otherwise; had sometimes obliged him, and,
sometimes, granted in such a manner as not to
oblige : that he had frankly told his Grace all
this, and had pressed upon him, that it was im-
possible to proceed with these hands, obliged
as he might think them; but disobliged as they
themselves thought, or, at least, professed to
think: that he would press him again, though
without hopes of success. Lord Hallifax owned,
he sa w nothing to help the Duke, but my friends,
Talbot and Dashwood, and me. I said, that
I did not know how he could gain us, unless
he could show us a real intention to extricate
this country from the distress he himself had
so much contributed to bring upon it ; and
then, that he (Hallifax) should have the seals,
with sufficient authority to carry those inten-
'296
1755. tions into execution, or else, that he would
May 29.
engage with us to force his Grace to a com-
pliance. He then added, that he had repre-
sented the usage he had met with, to the
Duke, both as his near relation and his friend —
The unworthy preferences — Lord Holderness,
incapable — then, Mr. Fox — then, Sir Thomas
Robinson, every way most unfit — his making
Mr. Fox of the Cabinet, which he before had
refused him, under pretence that the King
would not consent to it — his allowing Mr.
Pitt's claim to the seals of Secretary, by
making excuses, and laying it wholly upon
the King's dislike — his expressing much ali-
enation to Messrs. Pitt, Fox, and the Gren-
villes, on account of the arrogance of the first,
and of the falseness and cunning of the se-
cond, who would deceive the Duke of New-
castle by pretending to be his friend. I said,
that the Duke would deceive himself, for Mr.
Fox did not pretend to do it, and would be
sorry to have it thought so, as he had declared,
he neither had, nor would have any obligation
to him. But that it behoved him (Hallifax)
not to acquiesce under the pretensions of
either : for, by that means, they would be-
come realities against him, and, in case of
O
97
any alterations (which appeared unavoidable)
they would acquire a foundation, if not suc-
cess. He said, that, unless the Duke of New-
castle made a new system, he could not go on;
but if those should succeed, it would be a
very flimsy and short administration, for nei-
ther the nation, nor the people of quality
would confide in cither of them. Lord Halli-
fax added, that he had felt the danger of suf-
fering those groundless pretensions to be esta-
blished, but knew not how to prevent them —
and therefore he had told the Duke of New-
castle, that, since he saw his Grace would not
trust him in business, and was continually
putting people before him, he expected some
mark of distinction, and demanded the Garter:
that the Duke boggled at it, and said Lord
Carlisle was to have it: that Lord Northum-
berland insisted upon it: that he would do his
best, but that he (Ilallifax) had no friend at
Court but himself. To which Lord Hallifax
replied, he did not know what his Grace
meant by that — that, indeed, he never thought
it necessary to apply to whores and knaves ;
but, in short, he must have it, or quit his
office — he did not care it should appear to be
done in a pique, for both their sakes, and
175.5.
May 29.
298
1755. therefore desired the Duke would propose it,
and insist upon it, to the King ; and if his Ma-
jesty absolutely refused it, that the Duke,
upon honour, would tell him so, and he would
then take a proper time to quit the service,
which would prevent its appearing to the
world, that the Duke had not the power of a
Minister, or that he himself had laid down
out of resentment. The Duke said, he would
not for the world draw such a thing upon his
Majesty, but that he would do his best to
serve him. I said, I wished he had put his
weight rather upon a share of government,
and a power to serve his country at this
exigence. He replied it was nothing; he
was persuaded that the Duke had never men-
tioned it to the King. He testified much
kindness and protestations of friendship, and
desired to unite and act with me and mine.
He also observed, that the Duke trusted the
Chancellor no more than him, and suffered
difference of opinion from him as impa-
tiently.
30. I had a long conversation with Lord Tem-
ple, who took great pains to persuade me, that
they were all very well satisfied with Mr.
299
Fox; though to jealous minds there might be 1755.
. . r . , May 30.
pretence for suspicion, from the appearances
and the consequences of their different con-
duct ; they are desperate with the King, and
have not yet been able to get possession,
either of Leicester House or of the Duke of
Cumberland.
Mr. Fox spent the morning with me. "We June 29.
had a good deal of talk to no purpose. None
of them dare come to any resolution. He was
assured by the Duke of Argyll, that Stone
was not well with the Princess. He heard bv
West, that the Duke of Newcastle, upon
West's pressing to make up with him (Fox),
said, that Stone was always advising the same
thing, and had lost himself at his own court
on that account. He said, that the Duke
was with the Princess on the 22d instant, and
proposed to her, taking the Prince with him
to Portsmouth ; which she approved of, and
desired him to ask the Prince himself — he
did so, and the Prince agreed to it, but not
with so much eagerness as might be expected.
On Monday, Lord Waldegrave sent word he
would wait on the Duke to settle the journey
on Tuesday morning ; but, in the mean time,
300
*'•"• the Princess had altered her opinion, and sent
June 29. ....
to put it oil, on pretence it might give um-
brage to the King. Fox refines, and is much
dissatisfied with this transaction : the Duke
does not, and says it is only from a resolution
she has taken, not to be accountable for any
thing with his Majesty. But Fox is very
uneasy, and very solicitous to unite the Duke
and the Princess, which is the only sure
ground ; but I think it will be exceedingly
difficult, if not impossible to effect.
July 16. Lord Hallifax told me, that the Duke of
Newcastle had mentioned his resolution of
coming to some settlement : that Mr. Pitt did
not absolutely insist upon being Secretary ;
but that there was a great unwillingness to
speak out : that he (Hallifax) did not wonder
at it. If the Duke was not in earnest, why
did he send him such positive terms or desire
a conference? Could he think, that Pitt would
open himself upon hints, and to such a mes-
senger as Mr. Yorke ? That the Duke, in a
former conference, had expressed himself,
" how much concern it gave him, that I
should make a speech against him — his reso-
lution to make up with me — inquiries when I
a
01
went into Dorsetshire, and that, in this con- 1755.
,. ! • i*- tit i July lt>
ference, he cried out of himself, \Y e must have
Dodinffton." Thus far Lord Hallifax — and
to render intelligible what follows, and may
follow, with relation to Mr. Pitt, I will throw
out what I know of his situation all together.
His extraordinary conversation with Mr. Fox,
at Lord Hillsborough's, may be seen under
May 9th. The other conference at Holland
Llouse, though somewhat more courtly, was
not more satisfactory, and has never been re-
newed. It seems that, a little before the
King went to Hanover, old Horace Walpole,
either officiously, or being sent, tried to bring
Mr. Pitt into temper, with hints that the
Duke of Newcastle desired it, and would have
done every thing in his power to serve him
according to his wishes, and therefore he must
not be inflexible, &c. Pitt replied, he was
not, and did not insist upon the Seals now,
but would be contented, as a proof of the
Duke's sincerity, if he would take off all
marks of proscription; that the King should
agree that, when any vacancy happened, he
should have the Seals, and should, in the mean
time, treat him upon that foof. In this way,
he would not desire any vacancy should be
302
1755. m ade for him. Old Horace seemed to give
July 16. . . &
into this; and here, let me insert, that Fox
had heard from Lord Hartington, who was
informed by old Horace himself, that the
Duke of Newcastle was very angry with Ho-
race, for having advanced so far; and said, he
had gone farther than his commission, or than
the Duke could go, if he would, or would go,
if he could. Then came on these extraordi-
nary conferences, which, I confess, I do not
yet understand. I know Mr. Fox imputes it
to a design of Pitt, to fix himself with the
Princess, and that, in order to do this, it
became necessary to declare off with him, as
the Duke of Cumberland's man. But I do
not think so ; it is too refined for me, as no-
body but Cresset (if he is) is in a settled con-
fidence of measures with the Princess, and so
I told him.
In this state then, I suppose, Mr. Yorke
found Mr. Pitt, when he appeared so cold as
the Duke represented him to Lord Hallifax,
when he sounded him by his Grace's order.
But the real overture and answer was, as Mr.
James Grenville told me, from Mr. Pitt in
effect (though not avowedly), great assurances
30S
of friendship and affection — resolution to T 1755 -
r , July lov
bring about every thing he wished, as soon as
possible — desirous that they might talk toge-
ther, and they should soon agree, &c. — this
was not by positive message, but by insinua-
tion. The answer was, that as to friendship
and confidence, that was entirely over ; it was
loss of time to talk any more in that style :
that if even those assurances were to be carried
into execution and were realities, it was a
doubt whether they would be accepted : that
he would not take, nor hold any thing as a
favour from the Duke of Newcastle, nor ever
will owe him any obligation : that therefore
he saw no use in meetings or conferences.
But if the Duke was really in earnest, and
meant any thing, why did he not propose
plainly the three things — What was the work
he expected to be done ? Who were the gen-
tlemen he proposed to do it ? And in what
stations he designed them to act ? When he
(Pitt) was clearly informed of those three
points, he should be able to give an answer,
after he had consulted his friends, gentlemen
of honour and efficiency, whether it was to be
undertaken or not, and upon what terms.
I dined with the Duke of Argyll at Mr. %*>
304
1755. Fox's. When the company was gone, Fos
July 21. *
told me, he was sure that Mr. Pitt had made
up with the Princess, and had it in view,, when
he declared off with him : that he had long
cultivated (above six months) an acquaintance
with one, no way connected with the Duke of
Newcastle, with whom he had the first confi-
dential conference, since he saw me : that
Pitt, in talking of things of that court, I think
he called it his court, to that person, said he
had heard that Stone was not so well there as
usual: what could be the reason of it ? The
person answered, Shall I tell you ? I fear you
will not like it ; but as you command me, I
will tell you. I take it to be from think-
ing him too much in your interest. The
same person told him (who sometimes con-
verses with Cresset) that Mr. Pitt was better
at that court than usual : to what degree, or
by what means, he did not know; but that he
found Cresset spoke more favourably of him,
than he used to do. Fox continued then to
say, that Lord Egmont was thought to have
the chief management there; and that the
Prince w 7 as much fonder of that Lord, than
of any other man living. I said, that Mr.
Pitt might have sent offers of service, per-
haps by Lady Charlotte Edwin, whom my
305
women relations, the Grenvilles and Tern- 1755.
pies, have been courting all the winter, and
that they might have been very civilly re-
ceived and returned : but, that there had been
any communication, or proposition of mea-
sures between them, or even an audience, I
did not believe. I might probably think
there were no settled measures, but if there
were, I thought that neither Pitt nor Egmont
had the secret or the management of them,
but Cresset only. What then could this trans-
action, either real or imaginary, amount to
but refinement ? Could it influence Mr. Pitt's
acting in public? or his (Fox's) inconsequence?
Then we entered into the present state of af-
fairs ; and he told me, that the courier, that
came the 28th past, with the answer from
Hanover, which was expected to be a deci-
sive one as to the sailing of the fleet, brought
back a letter, which was neither written by
Lord Holderness, nor dictated by the King,
but which was Certainty sent from hence by
the Duke of Newcastle (to gain so much time
for inaction) as a proper return for the King
to make. For it acquainted them, that the
King cannot give any positive orders about
the operations of the fleet, till he was fully in-
X
July 21
306
1755. formed of three particular things, which he
July 21. ^ . ga}d he had f orgottenj but they were
trifles : that those trifles were answered, and
his Majesty was humbly advised to leave the
direction of the fleet to their discretion ; and
that, by the return of the courier, he had done
so : that now, till they had digested something
positive, they agreed to send an order to Sir
Edward Hawke, that he should sail with
about sixteen ships of the line to Torbay, and
there expect farther instructions: that these
farther instructions were to be drawn up by
Lord Anson and Sir Thomas Robinson : that
the Duke of Cumberland had said, if they had
any prospect of a peace, he had nothing to
say; but if they were convinced it must be
war, he had no notion of not making the most
of the strength and opportunity we had in our
hands : that, afterwards, in a window with the
Dukes of Marlborough and Newcastle, the
latter said, that, what his Royal Highness had
declared, was full of very good sense, though
he was not entirely of the same opinion: that
Lord Grenville was absolutely against med-
dling with trade — he called it, vexing your
neighbours for a little muck — but that the
Duke of Newcastle was by no means of that
307
opinion, but thought some middle way might 1755.
be found out. He was asked, what way ? He ULY *
answered, that, to be sure, Hawke must go
out ; but that he might be ordered not to at-
tack the enemy, unless he thought it worth
while. He was answered, that Hawke was
too wise to do any thing at all, which others,
when done, were to pronounce he ought to be
hanged for. The Duke replied, what if he
had orders not to fall upon them, unless they
were more in number together than ten ? He
was answered, that the returned part of the
Brest squadron, now at Lisbon, is but nine.
The Duke said, he meant that of merchant-
men only, for, to be sure, he must attack any
squadron of ships of war. He was asked,
what was a squadron ? He said, three ships or
more. This absurdity is inconceivable. What
orders they will give to Hawke to-morrow, I
shall not go out of my way to inquire.
Mons. de Mirepoix set out about one o'clock 22.
this morning. The sole question is, whether
France will submit to purchase the getting
home her trade and sailors, and having the
winter to tamper with Spain, at a little loss of
reputation, in tamely suffering an insult for a
X 2
308
1755. while — If she should, I verily think his Grace
July 22. wou i < j no t be inclined to be rude. But the
departure of Mons. de Mirepoix looks as if the
French would take it up with a high hand,
and this may render Hawke's instructions
something more explicit. Mr. Fox assured
me of one thing yesterday, which surprised
me much : he said, that the Russians, hitherto,
had refused our subsidy; as also, that the
Queen of Hungary had absolutely refused,
not only our money, but to have any thing to
do with us, saying, it is our own quarrel, and
she will not be concerned in it. She is sure,
that the French will not meddle with her, and
therefore she will send no troops into Flan-
ders, even if we would be at the whole ex-
pense. He added, that, upon his telling his
Royal Highness, that the Duke of Newcastle
was for a naval war, his Royal Highness
laughed at him, and said, it was, because he
could get nobody to take his money, and that
he ordered, of his own authority, that more
money should be offered to the Russians, than
the Regency knew of, or even the King (as
he supposed). I pressed Fox much (who did
not seem to feel the force of it) to try if he
could fix such a fact on the Duke of New-
309
castle, which is not only criminal in itself, 1755.
July I'l
but if it was approved of afterwards, would be
sufficient to frighten him out of his wits, for
having acted extra-provincially. I was sur-
prised, that Fox did not see it in the same
light, and I shall press him again.
I saw Lord Temple at Carleton House, who Aug. s.
assured me, that neither Mr. Pitt nor himself,
knew, or had heard one word more, than what
Mr. James Grenville had acquainted me with.
I also saw Mr. Fox there, who told me, that
the Duke of Newcastle was angry with the
Duke, and would hardly speak to his Royal
Highness; and that he himself (Fox) had not
changed a word with his Grace since he saw
me last: that the Hessian treaty was si o-ned,
and that Hawke's orders were of the compro-
mising kind — and this is all that is weak and
ruinous.
Lord Hallifax was with me. He was with 4 -
the Duke of Newcastle at dinner on Saturday,
and yesterday again, by the Duke's desire.
His Grace did not tell him Hawke's instruc-
tions, but he finds that they are not to meddle
with the trade, nor, as he suspects, to attack
310
175.5. the men of war unprovoked. He thinks, they
' will by no means declare war, if the French
do not.
At last Lord Hallifax took the Duke into
another room, and told him, that as he had
laid before his Grace the state of his affairs,
and had given him his sincere opinion, which
his Grace seemed to approve of at the time,
but had, he believed, never thought of since,
he would trouble him no more upon that head :
that he thought himself very ill used ; but, if
his Grace thought he could go on without any
settlement, it was well — he (Hallifax) thought
it impossible, and though he had hitherto been
very lucky, yet the whole would certainly
break about his ears. The Duke said, he still
approved of what he (Hallifax) had advised,
and he was of the same intention to do it, but
that he could settle nothing till the King re-
turned. Lord Hallifax replied, that was his
Grace's affair, and he did not care if his Grace
made Mr. Pitt Secretary ; but if he made any
alterations, that he (Hallifax) expected to have
justice done him; he was a wretch, a nobody;
he would be of the Cabinet, and have access
to the King, if any thing was done. The
311
Duke said, he was surprised to hear him talk ,755
,,. , -c-4. ^ Aug. 4.
in this manner, and went on, as it it was lay-
ing him under new difficulties. To which
Lord Hallifax replied, that he found it was
more necessary to talk so, than he at first
thought ; for by his Grace's surprise, it was
plain, that he never thought of it at all : that,
though a lover of an active life, yet in the
way he was treated, he was weary of it, and
would quit it, if justice was not done him:
that he found, Boscawen was coming home,
and he believed the Duke of Newcastle un-
derstood that part of the squadron was to re-
turn with him, and a force equal to what was
in Louisbourg, to be left for a time : that he
(Hallifax) opposed this strongly, and said, if
the force to be left is but equal, suppose the
French should come out and beat them, is it
impossible ? Suppose the squadron, under La
Mothe, at Quebec, should know that there
was but an equal number left, might they not
fall upon them, and be joined by those in
Louisbourg, was that impossible ? That the
enemy was" certainly straitened in provisions,
and if a superior force remained there, the
place, in all probability, must fall to us. The
1 >uke said, the ships could not winter there,
312
175.5. and Lord Anson was of that opinion. Lord
Ilnllifax replied, he did not regard Lord An-
son's opinion against fact ; for he would main-
tain, that the whole navy might ride, the
whole winter, in Haiiifax harbour, with the
utmost safety : that the Albany sloop had
been there these five years, and had cost as
little in repairs, as any other vessel, aud is now
gone out again. The reasoning seemed to be
thus — If you leave those seas, the French will
come out, and Louisbourg will be victualled.
If you leave but a small force, it will be in
danger from the ships there, and from a junc-
tion of those now in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
The French cannot remain there in Novem-
ber, without being frozen up. You can stay,
because the harbour of Haiiifax is never
frozen, or very slightly ; and you are at sea
from thence in seven hours, and therefore
never need have the same ships out above a
week at a time : so, if the enemy appears, you
take them — if not, you freeze them up, and
their numbers will add to the want of provi-
sions in the place. The Duke of Newcastle
pressed him to give him these hints in writing;
which Lord Haiiifax declined.
313
I passed the day at Kew. The Princess 175 5.
has had nothing of Hawke's instructions, or
any thing else communicated to her, and she
expressed her dissatisfaction at it. She in-
veighed most bitterly against the not pushing
the French every where. The people would
not surely bear it, when the Parliament met.
I said, I believed they would. Surely, said
she, the Parliament would never bear the suf-
fering the French to bring home their trade
and sailors, &c. She saw the terrible conse-
quences of it, and of a patched-up peace,
which must break out, when the French had
perfected their naval plan, and fall upon her
son, young and inexperienced, at the begin-
ning of his reign. I said, I doubted if any
body would interfere; but if they should, I
hope, Madam, you would not take it ill. I !
says she ; no, indeed, very far from it ; I am
sure, I have no reason nor any thing like it.
She was very solicitous to push the war, and
wished Hanover in the sea, as the cause of all
our misfortunes. I said, I presumed to differ
with her, that I was as ready to defend Han-
over, as Hampshire, if attacked on our ac-
count. I thought it no encumbrance if pro-
perly treated; and the only difference be-
314
1755. tween me and the Ministers, was not about the
thing, but the manner. She said, she perfect-
ly understood me; and it would be so in an-
other reign, but could not be in this : that, in
the manner it had been treated, it had been
the foundation of all just complaints and bad
measures. I asked her, if she could account
for Lord Anson and the Duke of Cumberland
concurring in tying up Hawke's hands : the
one, as a sea General, unconnected at least ;
the other, as a land General, at open enmity
with the Duke of Newcastle ? she said, she
could not, for the Duke had strongly declared
(though not to her, who had not much con-
versation with him) for a naval war. I replied,
that might be the language of good sense on-
ly, as being the popular cry, with hopes, that
a sea war might probably light up a land one.
She said, I was right — and added, nobody
knew what to do — no two people were toge-
ther — she chose to sit still, thinking it the
only prudent part, as every body was dis-
united. I said, that the general diffidence
she described was the cause of the infinite
speculation and refinement that now prevail-
ed : for as nobody knew, so every one was
guessing each other — in which her Royal
315
Highness had a principal share — she replied, 1755.
nobody, surely, could stand clearer than she,
for the world must know every body that she
saw, and when. She took serious pains to
convince me, that she had no fixed settlement
or connexions at all. She may deceive me ;
but I am persuaded, she has no fixed, digested
political plan, or regular communication in
politics, with any body, except Mr. Cresset.
She then told me, that the King had sent to
invite the two Princesses of Brunswick to
Hanover ; they came, but their mother (the
King of Prussia's sister), who was not invited,
came with them — we talked of the match —
surely he would not marry her son, without
acquainting her with it so much as by letter
— L said, certainly not, as he had always be-
haved very politely to her. It may be so, she
replied ; but how can this be reconciled ? In
this manner, said I ; nothing will be settled at
Hanover ; but when the King comes back, he
may say in conversation, and commending
the Prince's figure, that he wishes to see him
settled, before he dies, and that he has seen
such and such young Princesses, and, though
he would settle nothing, without her parti-
cipation, yet he could wish to see the Prince
316
1755. settled before his death, and therefore, if she
UG * ' had no objection, he should think one of those
Princesses a very suitable party.
She paused, and said, no : he was not that
sort of man : but, if he should settle the match
without acquainting her with it, she should let
him know how ill she took it ; and if he did it
in the manner I mentioned, she should not
fail to tell him fairly and plainly, that it was
full early \ and that she had eight other child-
ren to be provided for ; that she hoped, he
would think of doing for them, and not leave
her eldest son eight young children to take
care of, before he had one of his own : that it
was probable the Prince might have so many,
that hers could not expect much provision.
She was determined to behave so, whenever
the King spoke to her about it. She thought
the match premature : the Prince ought to
mix with the world — the marriage would pre-
vent it — he was shy and backward, the match
would shut him up for ever, with two or three
friends of his, and as many of hers. That he
was much averse to it himself, and that she
disliked the alliance extremely ; that the young
woman was said to be handsome, and had all
317
good qualities and abundance of wit, &c. but
if she took after her mother, she will never do
here— the Duke of Brunswick, indeed, her fa-
ther, is a very worthy man.— Pray, madam,
said I, what is her mother ? as I know nothing
at all about her. — Why, said she, her mother is
the most intriguing, meddling, and also the
most satirical, sarcastical person in the world,
and will always make mischief wherever she
comes. Such a character would not do with
George; it would not only hurt him in his
public, but make him uneasy in his private si-
tuation ; that he was not a wild, dissipated
boy, but good-natured and cheerful, with a se-
rious cast upon the whole — that those, about
him, knew him no more, than if they had
never seen him. That he was not quick, but,
with those he was acquainted, applicable and
intelligent. His education had given her
much pain ; his book-learning she was no
judge of, though she supposed it small or use-
less ; but she hoped he might have been in-
structed in the general understanding of things.
That she did not know Lord AValdegrave, and
as to Mr. Stone, if she was to live forty years
in the house with him, she should never be
better acquainted with him than she was.
318
1755. S} ie once desired him to inform the Prince
Aug. 6. .
about the constitution ; but he declined it, to
avoid giving jealousy to the Bishop of Nor-
wich j and that she had mentioned it again,
but he still declined it, as not being his pro-
vince. Pray, madam, said I, what is his pro-
vince ? she said, she did not know, unless it
was, to go before the Prince upstairs ; to walk
with him sometimes, seldom to ride with him,
and, now and then, to dine with him — but
when they did walk together, the Prince gene-
rally took that time, to think of his own affairs
and to say nothing. She showed me a letter
from Hanover, that said, the news of Bosca-
wen's action, which came here on the 15th of
June, got to Hanover on the 20th — that Bussy
had his audience the 17th, and his letters of
recall the 22d, but was not gone on the 25th.
She wished extremely, that he was gone, lest
he should frighten them into some unbecoming
compliance, as he had done, once before — I
had afterwards much talk with the Prince
about funding and other serious matters, who
seemed to hear with attention and satisfac-
tion.
18. I was at Holland House, and had a long
319
conversation with Air. Fox: he said, the Hes- 1755.
sian subsidy was ratified — that the Duke of u
Newcastle bade Mr. Amyand read Lord Hol-
derness's letter to the Regency, acquainting
them, that the King had made such a treaty,
and caused him to observe, that his Majesty
directed the Chancellor to fix the seal to it,
who only bowed, and their Lordships signed it
without reading it, as a thing of course. That
the first directions to Lord Anson and Sir Tho-
mas Robinson, to draw Hawke's instructions,
were, that he should take and destroy all
French ships of war, but no merchantmen —
when they were brought to the select persons
of the Regency, they had altered them and re-
strained Hawke from taking any but ships of
the line. The Duke of Cumberland, in this
little assembly, was expressing his dislike of
the alteration, when the Duke of Newcastle
came in, and interrupted his Highness by
saying, that he was glad of the alteration, be-
cause he knew that it was more conformable
to the King's way of thinking, and then de-
sired his Highness to proceed; who said, that
he knew his Grace had correspondences at Ha- .
nover, which he did not communicate to him ;
but he did not know, that his Grace had taken
320
1755. his Majesty's pleasure, upon that head, till
Aug. 18. n0Wj w h en he was pleased to declare it — that,
since it was so, he had too many ties ever to
say a word against his Majesty's pleasure,
when he knew it. When the instructions
came to the bottom of the table to be signed
by him (Fox) ; he asked Lord Anson, if there
were no objections to them, who said, yes, a
hundred, but it pleases those at the upper end
of the table, and will signify nothing, for the
French will declare war next week, if they
have not done it already. But, said I, that did
not happen— No, replied he, and therefore I
am very sorry that I signed them. But in a
few days, the Duke was very desirous to have
them altered, as well as the Duke of Marlbo-
rough and myself; and in the morning before
the Regency met, he endeavoured to have them
extended, but without effect — when the Re-
gency was over, the Duke of Marlborough
and I desired to speak with the Duke of New-
castle, and I told him, how absurd I thought
it, that we, who had begun the war, should
suffer the hands, to pass by us, that were to be
employed against us, &c. that I desired him to
remember, though I had made no objection at
the Regency, yet I now did, and privately to
32 i
him, declare my disapprobation to these or- 1755 -
ders. The Duke of Marlborough did the same.
In the afternoon, a note came to Lord Anson,
while he was at dinner at Mr. Fox's, to meet
that evening at the Duke's lodgings, the result
of which was to send directions to Hawke to
seize or destroy every thing French, trade or
men of war, between Cape Artegal and Cape
Clear, and so it now stands. Mr. Fox added
that, besides the Hessian, a subsidiary treaty
was concluded with Russia, as he understood,
though he had not heard, directly, from Wil-
liams. Me did not speak out about that cor-
respondence. The subsidy was 100,000/. ]yer
annum for four years, to hold in readiness
•50 or 60,000 men, for which, when we em-
ployed them, we were to pay 500,000/. per
annum. He also supposed, that there would
be subsidies to Bavaria, and others. Mr. Fox
continued, that he had, of late, had opportu-
nities of conversing much with the Duke of
Devonshire, occasioned by his son's affairs:
that he was open and vehement against all sub-
sidies whatsoever ; that the nation could not
carry on a naval war with France, and sup-
port Hanover, and that it must take care of
itself: that we had followed the King's poli-
Y
<zaa
1755. tics too long, and the King must be told that
the nation could not support the expense of
both : that the Duke of Newcastle held by
nothing but absolute submission j and he must
not, nor would he contradict the King in any
thing. Fox said, that Lord Granville told the
Duke of Newcastle, that he would be served
himself, as he and his brother had served him
(Granville). They would not abuse him,
themselves, but would sit still and rather en-
courage the abuse, than defend him. He po-
sitively knew some considerable people, not
suspected of an inclination todiifer, who would
be absolutely against all subsidy whatsoever —
he did not name them, nor would he to him
(Fox). Mr. Fox said, that, talking this matter
of subsidies over with the Duke, his Highness
said in a word, that he was very sorry for them,
that the bent of the nation was strong against
subsidies for Germany, and that it would be
brought to endure them with much reluctance :
that his Highness laid no great weight upon
the point of honour, for it would not do with
the bulk of the people : that we should see a
strong exertion of power on one hand, and a
strong dislike and restiveness on the other. I
-aid, I thought Hanover might, and ought to
QO«
be defended; the question was only, who was 1755.
to pay for it, and in what proportions ? Mr.
Fox replied, he was surprised that I was not
against all subsidies. I told him that those I
should be for, would hardly be the ministerial
ones; but I desired to know what those Rus-
sians were to do ? Why, said he, to prevent
the King of Prussia from attaeking Hanover in
conjunetion with the French. I answered,
the King of Prussia would not attack Hanover.
He said, he was glad to hear me say so, and
hoped I could make it out. I said, there was
time enough for that, and for my ideas of de-
fending Hanover. He might imagine, that I
had not given myself the trouble to digest my
thoughts with very great exactness, much less
to put them into writing; but that, whenever
he came to act, I would lay every thing I knew
before him without reserve, but it was now
useless to digest and discuss what might never
corns into operation.
Mr. Pitt called on me, and acquainted me Sept. 2
that he had seen the Ministers, and that lie was
to see the Duke of Newcastle at his own de-
sire, at seven this evening. He began upon the
sub*idie* : that the Hessian he knew of for
Y 2
324
1755. 8000 men, as a warrant for the levy money was
come to his office: that he would support a
naval war to the utmost, but, by no means, a
continental one : the nation could not support
both : it would carry us up to seven millions
the first year, and would go on increasing ; —
'twas bankruptcy. Regard should be had to
Hanover, no doubt, but secondarily : we
should never lay down our arms without pro-
curing satisfaction for any damage they should
receive on our account ; but we could not find
money to defend it by subsidies, and if we
could, that was not the way to defend it. An
open country was not to be defended against
a neighbour who had 150,000 men* and an
enemy that had 150,000 more to back them.
In short, he urged many strong, ingenious,
and solid reasons, for making a stand against
them, and giving no subsidies at all : that the
King's honour would be pressed, &c. and
therefore, if the Duke of Newcastle would be
contented with this Hessian subsidy for this
once only, and engage, with proper security,
never to offer another during the whole course
of the war, and receive it as a compliment to
the King for this once ; never to be renewed
or attempted again, but to be looked upon as
325
putting a final end to continental subsidies; MPS.
then — though it would not be right, yet he
might not absolutely reject it, but might ask
other gentlemen's opinion about it : but for
the Russian subsidy of 120,000/. per annum,
and 500,000/. per annum when we took the
number of men into pay, which treaty he heard
was signed, if not ratified, he could never come
into it upon any account — 'twas better to speak
plain, there was no end of these things : it was
deceiving and ruining ourselves, and leading
Hanover into a snare ; for if 70,000 men would
not be sufficient, we must take more, till they
were sufficient, which would ruin us, or we
must give them up at last, when we had drawn
a war upon them : that the Duke of Newcastle
had made a person write to him (Pitt) to say,
that the Duke was sorry that he was obliged
to go into Sussex the next day, but that the
Chancellor did not go to Wimpole till Wednes-
day, and he should be obliged to Mr. Pitt,
if he would call upon the Chancellor, which
he did. The Chancellor told him, that he
hoped, he would assist them cordially in their
business; that the King had, indeed, taken
prejudices which were disagreeable, and that
ps had been taken to remove them, before
326
175 5. h e went to Hanover: that they had been the
Sept. 2. subject of correspondence since : that they had
not all the success they could wish, as yet , but
they hoped they would: that the King was
very fond of Lord Holderness and Sir Thomas
Robinson : but if any accident should happen,
it might probably be brought about, in case he
would assist them cordially, that they might
procure the seals for him, which he so much
desired. When the Chancellor had finished,
Mr. Pitt replied, that he must begin with his
last words — the seals which he so much desired
■ — of whom ? — he did not remember that he
had ever applied to his Lordship for them : he
was sure, he never had to the Duke of New-
castle; and did assure the Chancellor, that if
they could prevail upon his Majesty to give
them to him, under his present dislike, all the
use he would make of them, would be to lay
them at his Majesty's feet: that, till the King
liked it, and thought it necessary to his ser-
vice, and till his Ministers desired it, he never
■would accept the seals: that he knew, the
King had lately said, that he had intruded
himself into office: that the Chancellor knew
how much he was misinformed, and if he
should ask for any favour, it would be, that
mi
they should inform his Majesty better: the }">
Chancellor had said a graat deal, but he de-
sired his Lordship to let him know, what he
was expected to assist in, and what was the
work ? Why, replied the Chancellor, to carry
on the war they were engaged in. He said,
there was no doubt of his concurrence in carry-
ing on the war, as it was a national war ; and
he thought that regard ought to be had to
Hanover, if it should be attacked upon our ac-
count — the Chancellor stopped him short, and
said, he was extremely pleased that they
agreed in their principles, and that both
thought Hanover should be defended. Mr.
Pitt desired his Lordship to observe the words
he had used, " that regard was to be had to
Hanover," and then said all he had said to me
before, as to our inability to defend it, and the
impropriety of the defence by subsidy. The
Chancellor said, that he understood that the
Commons, the last session, had tacitly allowed,
that Hanover must be defended : that, in con-
sequence of that acquiescence, there was a
subsidiary treaty for 8000 Hessians in the
usual form, and also, a treaty for a body of
Russians.
Hut when Mr. Pitt laid the greatest stress,
328
H55. was on what the Chancellor in reasoning had
Sept* 2«
said j to be sure, those things (meaning subsi-
dies) should have their bounds, and that, he was
afraid, they would not be very popular ; and
when he was enforcing the necessity of putting
a total stop to them, and leaving Hanover to
the system and constitution of the empire, the
Chancellor seemed to acquiesce in the reason,
but told him, he must be sensible, that talking
in that manner would not make way with the
King. Mr. Pitt still persisted in not giving
into the subsidy, and the Chancellor desired
him to see the Duke of Newcastle, and to talk
it over with him. Mr. Pitt said that, if the
Duke sent to desire to speak with him, he
would wait on his Grace, and not otherwise.
Mr. Pitt thought that the Duke of Devon-
shire would oppose subsidies, and might be
brought to do it in the House of Lords. He
had seen the Duke of Bedford, who talked
warmly and sensibly about them. He left me,
fully determined to tell the Duke of Newcastle
plainly, that he would not come into the Rus-
sian subsidy upon any account ; nor into any
thing else, till he was well apprised of the mea-
sures ; till he knew who were to carry them
jnto execution, and in what stations they were
329
to be ; and till the House was properly treated, 1755.
and gentlemen were made easy, who had a
right to be so. He had not seen Lord Eg-
mont, but knew he had been sent to with an
offer of Sir William Young's place. He hoped
his Lordship had given no positive answer.
He promised to acquaint me with the result of
the conference he was to have this- evening,
with the Duke of Newcastle, before he went
back into the country, which he should do to-
morrow.
Mr. Pitt returned to me, and told me, that
he had painted to the Duke all the ill conse-
quences of this system of subsidies in the
strongest light, that his own imagination,
heightened by my suggestions, could furnish
him with. He had deprecated his Grace, not
to complete the ruin which the King had
nearly brought upon himself by his journey to
Hanover, which all people should have pre-
vented, even with their bodies. — A King abroad,
at this time, without one man about him, that
has one English sentiment, and to bring home
a whole set of subsidies ! — That he was willing
to promote the King's service, but if this was
what he was sent for to promote, few words
330
1755. were best — nothing in the world should induce
him to agree to these subsidies. The Duke
was tedious and perplexed, and would have
persuaded him what a pretty figure he would
make, when he was a Cabinet Counsellor:
that the King was highly pleased with both
his Secretaries ; but if any accident should
make a vacancy, to be sure the King would
be glad of his services, &c. Mr. Pitt said, that
he did not desire such vacancy, nor the office ;
that he had declared, when pressed about the
House of Commons, that, if they expected
him, or any one else, to do their business in
that house, they must give him proper di-
stinction and powers j that, in short, the Duke's
system of carrying on the business of the
House, he believed, would not do, and that,
while he had life and breath to utter, he would
oppose it : that there must be men of efficiency
and authority, in the House ; a Secretary and
a Chancellor of the Exchequer at least, who
-liould have access to the Crown; habitual,
frequent, familiar access he meant, that they
might tell their own story, to do themselves
and their friends justice, and not be the vic-
tims of a whisper : that he (Pitt) esteemed
both the Secretaries, but he supposed some-
331
thing was wanting, or why was he sent for? 1755.
If they were necessary to government, no doubt T '
they could carry on government, and he
should be glad of it ; for his part, if the Mi-
nistry asked nothing of him, he asked nothing
of them. The Duke then said, that the system
of subsidies, indeed, was not to be insisted
upon, but two did not, make a system : the
King's honour was now engaged, and he en-
larged much upon that point. Mr. Pitt re-
plied, that he had a deep regard for the King's
honour, but that the system of subsidies was so
fatal, that he could not think of submitting to
100,000/. unless it was given by gentlemen
who became pledges to each other, and to the
public, that nothing of the like kind should
ever be offered again ; and unless it should be
notoriously declared and understood on both
sides, that it was given and received, as a mark
of the affection of a ruined nation, to save the
honour of its King, who had entered into a
rash engagement : but for two, it was the sann
as twenty, and no persuasion should make him
for them. He then desired his Grace to think
seriously of the consequences — What, if the
Duke of Devonshire should begin the opposi-
tion in the House of Lords? If he did, h<
332
1755. (Pitt) would not conceal it from the Duke of
Sept. 3.
Newcastle; he would echo it in the House of
Commons, as loudly, and with all the powers
he was able to exert : — But was this all ? —
were there no subsidies to be renewed ? The
Duke mumbled that the Saxon and Bavarian
were offered and pressed, but there was nothing
done in them : that the Hessian was perfected,
but the Russian was not concluded. Whether
the Duke meant unsigned, or unratified, we
cannot tell, but we understand it is signed.
When his Grace dwelt so much upon the
King's honour, Mr. Pitt asked him — what, if
out of the fifteen millions the King had saved,
he should give his kinsman of Hesse 100,000/.
and the Czarina 150,000/. to be off from these
bad bargains, and not suffer the suggestions,
so dangerous to his own quiet and the safety
of his family, to be thrown out, which would,
and must be, insisted upon in a debate of this
nature ? Where would be the harm of it ?
The Duke had nothing to say, but desired they
might talk it over again with the Chancellor ;
Mr. Pitt replied, he was at their command,
though nothing could alter his opinion.
We then, Mr. Pitt and I, talked over whom
333
we could engage; to whom he had communi- 175.5.
Sfpt *5
cated this affair? He said, that Mr. Legge
was firm as a rock. He was shy about Lord
Egmont, but said he had seen him ; he was re-
ceived very kindly, and Lord Egmont seemed
to enter into the thing; but what might
happen, when offers were made, he (Pitt) could
not tell. He desired me to apply to Lord
Hillsborough and Sir Francis Dashwood — I
mentioned Oswald — he said he thought that
Oswald was with us (if so, it must be by
Legge). I asked him, if he had communicat-
ed it to Mr. Fox ? He answered, No, nor did
he design to do it ; he would tell me the whole
of his thoughts upon that matter : that he
wished Mr. Fox very well, and had nothing to
complain of 5 but that they could not act to-
gether, because they were not on the same
ground : that Mr. Fox owned to him that he
(Fox) was not sui juris ; he could not blame
him for it, but he, who was sui juris, could not
act in connexion with one who was not. He
(Pitt) was ready, in the last session, to proceed
any lengths against the Duke of Newcastle;
but when it came to the push, Mr. Fox ac-
knowledged he could not, and went on, through
the whole session, compromising every thing
334
1755. when it began to pinch — the Reading elec-
tion; the linen affair ; and when Ireland began
to be a thorn, Mr. Fox's great friend, Lord
Harrington, was to take it out : that by these
means, Mr. Fox had taken the smooth part,
and had left him to be fallen upon : Fox had
risen upon his shoulders, but he did not blame
him ; and he only showed me, how impossible
it was for two to act together, who did not
stand upon the same ground. Besides this,
Mr. Fox lived with his greatest enemies, Lord
Granville, Messrs. Stone and Murray. Mr.
Fox was reported by the Duke of Newcastle,
that he had lately offered himself to the Duke
— I here interrupted Mr. Pitt, by saying, I was
confident it was false : he said, he knew the
Duke of Newcastle was a very great liar, and
therefore, if Mr. Fox denied it, he should not
hesitate a moment which he should believe.
I then said, that, as those who united in this
attack were to part no more, it w r ould be
proper to think what was to be held out to
them, if they succeeded : he declined this, and
said, it would look too much like a faction ;
there was nothing country in it. If we suc-
ceeded, to be sure those, who contributed,
must, and would be considered, when the first
335
opportunity offered ; but to engage for specifi- 1755.
cal things and times, he thought no one man EPT '
had any title, except myself: that for me, any
thing, every thing that I liked, ought to be the
common cause, and he was ready to enter into
any engagements with me. He then express-
ed himself strangely as to me : that he thought
me of the greatest consequence; no man in
this country would be more listened to, both
in and out of the House, &c. &c. — that he
was most desirous to connect and unite him-
self with me in the strictest manner — he ever
had the highest regard for my abilities — we
had always acted upon the same principles :
he had the honour of being married into my
relations; every thing invited him to it. He
added a great deal more, that surprised me
very much, considering the treatment I have
met with, for years past, both from him and
those relations. It surprised me so much,
that all I said was, that I was much obliged to
him, but that he might depend upon it, that I
would not accept of his friendship, or of any
mark of his confidence, without meeting him
more than half way.
Thus far, however, is fortunate, and I am
336
1755. glad to find, that I shall be supported in a step.,
^ EPT - 3 - which, for my own credit, as well as for the in-
terest of my country, I must have taken,
though I had met with no support at all.
Oct. 6. Lord Hallifax dined with me, and we settled
how he was to behave to the Duke of New-
castle, on account of a letter to him from his
Grace, pressing him to engage me in the King's
service.
s. Lord Hallifax liad been with the Duke of
Newcastle, who pressed him much on my ac-
count, and begged him to obtain a meeting
with me. I agreed to go to Newcastle House
next Friday.
io. I went first to Lord Hallifax, and then to
Newcastle House. I was much pressed to
join his Grace, but I absolutely refused being
for the Russian subsidy on any account.
19. I settled preliminaries, which, with the con-
versation at Newcastle House, are to be found
among my papers.
Nov. 20. Messrs. Pitt, Legge, and George Gren-
537
yille received letters of dismission, and James 1755 -
Grenville resigned the Board of Trade.
I went, by desire, to Newcastle House. His Dec. 17.
Grace, with many assurances of confidential
friendship, told me, that he had the King's
permission to offer me the Treasury of the
Navy, which I accepted.
I waited upon the Princess to acquaint her Dec. 19.
with what had passed — but her Royal High-
ness received me very coolly.
I kissed the King's hand as Treasurer of the 22.
Navy.
Question upon the dividing the Vice Trea- I75 e #
surership of Ireland into three. It was pro- Jan « 26 «
posed and supported by Messrs. Pitt, Potter,
and their friends.
I was sent for to Newcastle House about the f eb . 4.
Loan, which failed from Sir John Barnard's
affectation of showing his superior credit and
abilities, by raising money at a price, at which
it is not to be had in the quantity wanted. I
subscribed .50,000/. public money.
Z
338
1756. The American bill was read the third time ;
Feb. 2d.
which was opposed, with insufferable length
and obstinacy, by Mr. Pitt and his friends.
May. 6. I waited on the Duke of Newcastle, who
told me with much warmth and anxiety, that
they had had an account by the Spanish Mi-
nister, that the French finished their debarka-
tion upon Minorca, the 20th instant. That
they had taken Mahon, and pretended to take
St. Philip's, by the end of the month. And
also, that, as soon as they had finished their de-
barkation, Mons. de la Galissionere stood out
to sea, off the Island, to intercept our suc-
cours ; so that, before now, there must have
been a naval action between him and Byng.
Galissionere has twelve ships of the line, and
Byng ten very good. I said, as we were alone,
that it was astonishing that Byng was not there
a month ago. He said, he was not ready, and
he was obliged to stay two or three days for his
last 200 men. That we had but 63 ships of
the line in Europe, and even those still wanted
4000 men. That it was impar congressus, and
that Mirepoix had told him, that 30 of his
master's ships would amuse 80 of ours. That,
if Hawke and Boscawen did not join, we had
339
no naval force equal to what the enemy had 1756.
at Brest. I asked, why were you not ready ? AY '
why have you not more ships, and more men ?
he replied, he had not the direction of the sea,
and his Grace laid a great deal of blame there.
And without naming Lord Anson, he showed
himself extremely dissatisfied with him; but
conjured me, upon my honour, not to mention
to any body, what he had said upon that head.
He concluded with insisting that the island
must be retaken.
I called upon Mr. Fox. He was full of 7.
concern. He would have sent a squadron,
and a strong one, the first week in March, but
could not prevail. Lord Anson assured him,
and took it upon himself, that Byng's squadron
would beat any thing the French had, or could
have, in the Mediterranean.
Mr. Fox came to me in the House, and after n.
saying that he must shortly call on me, to talk
a little freely, as he was very uneasy at the
posture of public affairs, and particularly, with
his own situation. That the Duke of New-
castle was unusually light and trifling, yester-
day, when his Grace dined with him : that
Z 2
340
1756. he was extremely pleased with what he
May 17.
(Fox) had declared, on Friday last, in the
House, which was, that Lord Anson author-
ised him to say, that the Duke had never ob-
structed the sending sooner to the Mediterra-
nean (which was more, says he, than he could
ever make Lord Anson say before), but that
they were all agreed upon that point, &c.
That, therefore, nobody blamed him ; that
the city imputed nothing to him, as the sea
was not his province. Fox asked him, from
whence he had that news ? — he replied, from
Garraway's. Fox said, that, if he could be-
lieve anything he heard, the city were extreme-
ly displeased with the leaving Minorca ex-
posed, and that, generally, it would be ever
true, that those who had the chief direction in
an Administration, would bear the greatest
share of blame, and that those people deceived
him, who told him it was otherwise now. The
Duke still persisted that nobody thought him
to blame, and that, after the declaration last
Friday, the House of Commons was satisfied
with him. Fox replied, he did not know from
whom his Grace had his information of the
House of Commons; but it appeared plainly
to him, that, when Mr. Pitt charged the loss of
341
Minorca upon his Grace, and he had defended 1756.,
him, as answerable only in an equal degree May 17,
with others ; all their friends hung their heads,
and not a man of them was, or seemed to be,
persuaded, that a squadron could not be sooner
sent, or that all had been done, which could
be done. He (Fox) indeed had defended his
Grace in every thing where he could defend
him ; but in one thing, he never could, which
was, in his not believing it must be war, and in
not arming sooner. The Duke still insisted,
that nobody could think him to blame. Mr.
Fox went on and said, that this intelligence
came from Sir Thomas Robinson, who was a
weak man, &c. That he thought he himself
had fully answered all that could be expected,
or which he had engaged for, and hoped that
I thought so too ; but he found by the Duke
of Newcastle's whole behaviour to him, that
the Duke was not at all satisfied with what he
had done. Was it not true that the chief in an
Administration would always be the most ob-
noxious ? I answered, Yes : unless they had
any one to make a scape-goat. He seemed
alarmed, and asked me, if I thought him likely
to be a scape-goat, and dwelt upon the ex-
pression. I told him, as the truth was, that I
342
1756. had not him> in any degree, so much as in my
May 17.
contemplation, and I had no such apprehen-
sions. Mr. Fox continued and said, he was
very uneasy : that the country was in a sad
way, but if it was in a better, those, who had
the direction of it, could no more carry on this
war, than his three children. That he himself
had always hinted at sending a squadron to
Minorca sooner ; and that the Duke of Cum-
berland pressed it strongly, so long ago as last
Christmas. I then asked him, whether there
was any truth in the report, that the Princes
George and Edward were to be kept at Ken-
sington ? He replied, he fancied there were
some grounds for it, but he was not, in the
least, trusted or consulted about it; but he
knew (though not from them) that the Duke
of Newcastle and the Chancellor had had two
conferences upon that subject, and though
private conferences between them were no-
thing new, for he supposed they had them
every night, yet, they had had two, particularly
on this subject : and he would inform me how
he knew it. They were overheard in an entry,
enough to learn the subject of those conver-
sations, though not the result of them. That,
when every thing was settled, he supposed
343
Lords Holdernesse, Walclegrave, and himself, 1756.
should be called in, and a minute of it should
then be made, and carried to the King as their
joint advice. That he was ready to sign, upon
any of the King's affairs, how delicate soever:
but whether he should sign as his advice, what
others had settled and digested, without having
in any way communicated to him, was what
he wanted to talk with me about, and to know
my opinion. I thought this conversation much
too delicate to be holden upon the benches,
and I once made him move his place, but he
would go on.
I went to the Duke of Newcastle's; he
would have talked about what had passed, the
day before, in the House of Commons, upon
the committee of the Million Bill, which gives
the Treasury the unprecedented power of bor-
rowing, without limiting the rate of interest.
Sir George Lyttleton's candour in opening it
made him inform the House with this danger-
ous and unnecessary innovation, which pro-
duced a debate and division, where the Trea-
sury rejected the limitation offered to be in-
serted, by one voice only. None of us were
acquainted either with the innovation, or of
344
1756. Sir George's design to go into the committee
May 17
that day, so that the numbers were but 36 and
37- I declined talking with his Grace upon
the subject, telling him it was too bad. He
pressed me much to go down to the Report,
which I received coolly, and I changed the
subject to considering what new encourage-
ment should be given, as a deputation of mer-
chants had been with me upon that head. He
requested me to talk with Lord Anson. I
then pressed him about Lord Hallifax. The
Duke expressed an earnest desire to preserve
his Lordship's friendship, but protested, he
could no more get him a blue ribband, than he
could get the Kingdom of Ireland for me. I
said, I conceived that was the mistake. That
though I wished Lord Hallifax had the Garter,
yet I never mentioned it, or meant it : what I
meant, was the Cabinet ; Lord Hallifax, from
station, services, and merit, had a right to it :
his Grace's own interest loudly called for it,
and could not he do that? he strongly de-
clared, he would think of it, and do all he
•could, as soon as the session was concluded :
but he had talked with Lord Hallifax's friends,
and understood that the Cabinet would not
.satisfy him. I replied, make his Lordship to
345
blame then: show you have done for him, 1756.
May 17.
what every one knows you can and ought to
do ; and if, at last, you are to break, break at
least upon a point where you have some ground
to depend upon, and not where you have none;
in declining to do what you can do, because
you do not attempt what, possibly, there may
be some doubt about. He was very uneasy,
and protested, with great earnestness, that he
would do all in his power to oblige Lord Hal-
lifax, as soon as the Parliament rose.
War declared with France. i«.
I heard that a message in writing had been June 2.
sent to the Prince, from the King, offering him
an allowance of 40,000/. per annum, and an
apartment in the palaces of Kensington and
St. James's. The answer was full of high gra-
titude for the allowance, but declining the
apartment, on account of the mortification it
would be to his mother; though it is well
known that he does not live with her, either
in town or country. The Spanish Ambassador
had an account of an engagement, between
Byng, and the French, in the Mediterranean —
Byng had thirteen ships of the line and five
frigates; the enemy had twelve, and four fri-
o
46
1756. or a tes : it lasted four hours, when, by the ad-
vantage of the wind, the English stood out of
gun-shot, and were out of sight the next day.
26. Mr. Fox showed me Byng's strange letter
of the action, and yet stranger council of war.
Oct. 2. I had a note from Mr. Fox that things went
ill, and I dined with him on the 14th, when he
appeared to be in an extraordinary pertur-
bation.
19. Mr. Pitt was sent for to town, and came.
He returned, rejecting all terms, till the Duke
of Newcastle was removed.
27. The King sent for Fox, and told him, that the
Duke of Newcastle would resign, and bade him
think of an Administration.
Fox met Mr. Pitt at the Prince's levee, who
declined giving him a meeting, or treating with
him (Fox) at all.
31. The Duke of Devonshire was sent into the
country to Mr. Pitt, who gave a positive ex-
clusion to Mr. Fox.
347
I saw Lord Hillsborough, who fancies the J756.
Court will "not submit to Mr. Pitt.— I think
otherwise.
Nov. 2.
Lord Hallifax told me, Mr. Pitt's demands s.
are agreed to, and he will go on with them.
The Duke of Devonshire, after having agreed 4.
to accept the Treasury, with Fox as Chancellor
of the Exchequer, went to settle it with the
King, and came out, from the presence, with
Legge for his Chancellor. — This is incredible,
but true.
The Duke of Newcastle resigned. 1 u
Mr. Fox resigned ; and the Duke of Devon-
shire kissed hands for the Treasury.
The Duke of Devonshire called at my house, 1&
and left word he would come again to-morrow.
I sent to let him know, I would wait on his
Grace, and I accordingly went to Devonshire
House. The Duke told me, that he was forced
by the King to take the employment he held :
that his Grace was ordered to go to Mr. Pitt,
and know upon what conditions he would
348
1756. serve: that, in the arrangement Pitt and his
oy ' ' friends made, my office was demanded — he was
very sorry for it — he was not concerned in it —
and he behaved very civilly, &c. &c.
1757.
Feb. 18.
A motion for 200,000/. for an army of obser-
vation in Germany agreed to, without debate
or division. Mr. Tucker had agreed with Mr.
George GrenviUe to be Paymaster of the Ma-
rines, and for Governor Grenville to be chosen
in his place. The King sent to Fox to know
if he could prevent it, and if he thought I
would interpose : Mr. Fox said, he supposed,
if his Majesty commanded me, I would. The
King ordered Fox to speak to me — he did, and
I stopped it. This is the first step towards
turning out Lord Temple.
Mab.7. The Duke of Newcastle, who had resigned,
would not move : the King grew impatient to
get rid of the Ministry, which he had imposed
upon himself, and threw himself upon Fox to
form a new Administration. We agreed to
begin with dismissing Lord Temple ; I pro-
posed Lord Hallifax for the Admiralty, the
King consented to it, and I was to negotiate
the affair with him.
349
Mr. Fox and I had a long conversation about J 757 ',
this settlement. We agreed that (as the Duke
of Newcastle, to whom the first place, and the
nomination to the others, was several times
offered and pressed even by the King himself,
has refused to act as yet) an Administration
should be formed, where a first place should
be ready to receive the Duke of Newcastle:
but none of the eld Ministry should be em-
ployed at first, till the inquiry was over, &c.
The Duke of Devonshire to be at the head of
the Treasury, Lord George Sackville to be
Secretary. I declined being Chancellor of
the Exchequer; but if Lord Hallifax accepted
the Admiralty, I agreed to accept of the
Board of Trade. The King still eager for the
change.
N. B. During this while, Lord Hallifax
(upon whose friendship and concurrence I
depended from repeated assurances, and to
whom I had communicated all this transac-
tion, and, till now, without authority) pri-
vately saw and negotiated with the Duke of
Newcastle, and took measures with him to
defeat it. What, makes this the more sur-
prising is, that always before, at that very
350
1757. time, and ever since, he has spoken of the
Duke of Newcastle to me and others, as a
knave and a fool, in the strongest terms.
21. Mr. Fox called upon Messrs. Pitt and
Legge, and made them disown the prevailing
lie, spread by their friends, of troops being to
go from hence, with the Duke, to Germany :
they, each of them, respectively, disowned
any knowledge, or belief of any such propo-
sition. In less than three months afterwards,
Air. Pitt gave above a million of English mo-
ney, and sent what w r as called 10,000 (some-
what more than 7000) English soldiers, to
that very army, when it was commanded by
another Prince.
22. The Ministers, after all their threats, not
pushing the inquiry, Fox moved for it, to be
entered upon by a committee of the whole
House on the 19th of April, which was evi-
dently throwing it into contempt.
23< Fox came to me, to see Lord Hallifax, and
he told him, that Sir Thomas Robinson had
accepted the Seals by the King's command ;
that Lord Mansfield approved of the system,
351
i :> i ,
and said, in the strongest terms, that the Duke
. Mau. 25.
of Newcastle, ought to do so too. Lord Halli-
fax acquiesced upon that condition ; but he
understood, I suppose, by his private dealings
with the Duke of Newcastle, that Robinson
was not to accept — Lord Hallifax writes to
Robinson, who answers him, that he has had
some talk about the matter; but not having
received any account how it would end, can-
not give his Lordship the information he de-
sires, but at the same time expresses a wish to
see him. Lord Hallifax immediately waits on
Sir Thomas, and returns and reports, that
Robinson, with a most submissive preamble,
had sent an absolute refusal (but not dis-
approving the plan), and added, that he could
not, must not, would not accept. — So all is at
a stand.
I went to Lord Hallifax, who had written 24> -
to Fox, that he would accept, if Robinson
took the Seals — which he knew, at the same
time, Robinson would not take.
A message was sent from the King, to the 26.
Duke of Newcastle, to offer him to come in
again: if not, to say, if he would support the
352
1757. present plan ; if not support it, to name what
.Mar. '26. , , , , , ,
plan he would support, but to speak posi-
tively, for his Majesty would not admit of any
more evasive answers. We, however, think
he will have one, and therefore conclude it
most adviseable to force Robinson to be Se-
cretary.
Apr. 5. Lord Winchelsea kissed hands for the Ad-
miraltv.
6 « Mr. Pitt dismissed. Mr. Fox and I were
ordered from the King, by Lord Holdernesse,
to come and kiss his hand as Paymaster of the
Army, and Treasurer of the Navy. We wrote
to the Duke of Cumberland our respectful
thanks and acceptance of the offices ; but
we thought it would be more for his Majesty's
service, not to enter upon them publicly, till
the inquiry was over; which the King ap-
proved of.
N. B. The Duke of Newcastle, prepared,
and all along informed by Lord Hallifax (who
acted shamefully in the affair), joins Pitt;
takes the Treasury ; makes Pitt Secretary
again; Lord Temple, Privy Seal; Lord An-
353
son, the head of the Admiralty ; &c. &c. 1757 -
Apr 0-
and his Grace tells Lord Hallifax, that it is
settled, he (Hallifax) should be the third Se-
cretary for the Plantations ; which was his
Lordship's object, and tor which he had over-
turned our whole plan. Lord Hallifax tells
all his friends of it; he goes to Court and
talks to Pitt about it, as a thing settled : Pitt
stared at him, and told his Lordship very
coolly, and very truly, that he never had
heard one word of it, and he did not conceive,
that any body had a right to curtail his office
to that degree, which was, already too much
encroached upon by the Board. Lord Halli-
fax, covered with confusion, goes away in a
rage, writes an angry letter to the Duke of
Newcastle, complains to the King, but meet-
ing no great comfort, he resigns — but asks one
or two things for his friends, and is refused.
The Duke of Newcastle, as Lord Hallifax
says, behaved with the utmost meanness ; he
owned he had not spoke to Pitt about it, and
that his reason was, Pitt looked so much out of
humour, that he durst not. Lord Hallifax
talked of his Grace every where in the most
opprobrious terms, as the object of his con-
tempt and detestation — but as his Grace had
A a
354
i757. no t filled up the office, his Lordship, about
Michaelmas, condescended to take it up again,
just as he left it.
The King kept his word with Fox, and
made him Paymaster — but his Majesty was
not pleased to behave so to me.
Thus ended this attempt to deliver the King
from hands he did not like, and it failed from
Lord Hallifax's duplicity, which drew a greater
affront upon him, than I ever remember offered
to any body ; from the Duke of Newcastle's
treachery and ingratitude, who, after having
given his word to the King, that he would
never join Mr. Pitt, but by his Majesty's con-
sent, forced the King to consent ; and by his
Majesty's timidity, who dared not to support
any body, even in his own cause.
Sept. The secret expedition was founded on the
information of one Clarke, a Lieutenant in
the Train, who told the Ministry that he
passed through the place some years ago, and
was shown the works, as an English officer,
by order of the Governor : that the ditch was
il ry; the fortifications, garrison, &c. such as
355
might be taken by storm. This was believed, 1757.
and then, without the farther examination of '
any one person but a French pilot, Thierry,
General Mordaunt was sent out.
It sails. 9.
It arrives near Rochefort. 20.
It takes Aix. Mordaunt proposed landing 23.
at, and taking Fort Fouras. Thierry offered
to bring a ship within four hundred yards of
the fort, and to lay her in soft mud at the ebb
(which afterwards appeared he could not do).
Hawke refused a ship.
Spent in sounding for another landing, and 24.
one was found four miles farther.
Council of war. Question if the ditch was 25.
dry ? The pilot of the Neptune, who had
lived several years at Rochefort, affirmed he
knew it to be wet. — The French pilot con-
firmed it. — Clarke persisted it was dry. — Was
asked, in case it was wet, could the place be
taken by escalade ? — answered, No. The coun-
cil was then unanimous, that the attempt
A a 2
356
1757. tipon the place was impracticable. The dif-
' ficulties of landing at the new -discovered spot
were very great — the transports could not
come within a mile and a half of the shore —
the ships of war not within a league — there
was a row of sand banks upon the shore, suf-
ficient to conceal a number of men — the pilot,
who had lived there, said, that he had known
a western gale blow off shore, for seven weeks
together, so stiff that no boat could land upon
the coast.
However, Mordaunt, though refused the
protection of one ship, but terrified, perhaps,
with the fate of Byng, resolved to land where-
ever he could, to try to take Fouras and look
at Rochefort.
'26.
Spent in looking after better landings ; but
finding none, Mordaunt embarks his troops
the 28th, at night, but the wind made it un-
adviseable to land. The next day, Hawke
declared, that if Mordaunt would take upon
himself the consequences of keeping the great
ships out, at that season of the year, he would
stay; otherwise, he must go home. Mor-
daunt would not do that, so they returned
357
together. And thus ended this expedition, s 1757 *
contrived with so much secrecy, that every
thing, necessary to its success, was a secret to
the contriver himself.
As a proof of this, a year afterwards, when
Mordaunt (who certainly should have had
living witnesses of the futility of the plan)
had been brought to a trial, and, also worried
by all the low Court flatterers and scribblers,
it happened that Capt. Dennis took the Rai-
sonable, commanded by the Chevalier de Ro-
han. Mr. Fox told me, that being with Lords
Waldegrave and Gower together, they both
told him, that Dennis had assured each of
them separately, that his prisoner, the Che-
valier de Rohan, had told him, that he (the
Chevalier) was at that time in Rochefort, or la
Rochelle (the Lords in comparing notes had
no other doubt in their narrative), and that the
enemy had 7 or 8000 men there at least.
That there were 3500 men behind the sand-
banks, and there was a masked battery at
each end. That, if we had landed when we
first appeared, we should have embarrassed
them. But they thought themselves betrayed,
when they found we did not land at the time
we attempted it.
358
l* 75 * 7 - Late in the Autumn this year, the army,
that was supposed to remain in a state of in-
activity by treaty, took the field again under
Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick; the Duke of
Cumberland and his treaty being disowned
by the King.
In the month of June or July, Sir George
Lee told me (which was confirmed afterwards
by Lord Hall i fax) that he had been more than
once solicited to be Chancellor of the Exche-
quer to the Duke of Newcastle, in the Ad-
ministration he was then negotiating. That
Sir George consented not without difficulty.
That the Friday before Whitsunday he was at
Newcastle House, and the Duke told him,
that all was settled in general with the King,
and that he was to be Chancellor of the Ex-
chequer. The Duke showed him, what he
said was, the list in detail, which he was go-
ing to carry to the King at Kensington, and
desired to see Sir George the next morning.
Upon Sir George's telling him, that he was to
go next morning to his brother in Bucks, the
Duke pressed him to stay. His Grace was
asked, if he did not go to the House of Lords
from Kensington — Yes— Sir George met him
there, and the Duke told him all was settled,
359
and that the King agreed in form to his being 1757
Chancellor of the Exchequer; upon which
they parted, Sir George being to return on
Monday or Tuesday. When he came back
to Town, he found the system entirely altered,
and another Chancellor of the Exchequer
(Legge) made part of it. And Sir George
farther told me, that he never had had any
communication from, or with the Duke of
Newcastle, either by word of mouth, note,
message, or common friend, since his parting
from him at the House of Lords, till Sunday
the 16th July, the day but one preceding
our conversation, when the Duke .came and
sat down by him at Leicester House, and,
with all the ease and familiarity of an old
friend, communicated his no news to him.
Mr. Martin informed me, that Holborne Sept. 28
was very willing to agree with Lord Loudon,
in not attacking Louisbourg. And that An-
son, since he last came, had told the Ministry,
that Holborne went out with no better sto-
mach for fighting than Byng. That, at a
meeting of the Lords, Newcastle, Hardwick,
Holdernesse, Anson, and Mr. Pitt, it was
proposed,, to send the armament, then pre-
360
1757 - paring, against Rochefort, to the assistance of
' his Royal Highness in Germany, on account
of the Duke's ill success upon the Continent :
that every man was for it, except Mr. Pitt,
who insisted, if that resolution was to prevail,
that minutes of the meeting should be taken,
and his dissent entered. Upon which the
others desisted ; but no one would acquaint
the King with the result, and Mr. Pitt was
left to do it himself. He further told me, that
the King had said, his revenues were seized,
that he was 800,000/. in debt, and that the
Army must disband, if it was not supplied
from hence : and that Pitt had consented to
give him 100,000/. and 20,000/. to subsist his
daughter.
Lord Hallifax told me the following history
of his friend Legge. Instigated, as I suppose,
by his Lordship and Oswald (who hoped to
enhance their favour with the Duke of New-
castle, while the negotiation with Mr. Pitt
was open, by their bringing over so consider-
able a person), and following the low, shuffling
disposition of his own heart, Mr. Legge met a
little before Easter, the Duke of Newcastle, at
Lord Dupplin's, coming in at the back door
361
through the park, at nine o'clock. That 175:
meeting passed in assurances of good-will to
each other, and went no farther. That the
Duke proposed another, which Legge was
afraid to hazard, but the correspondence was
kept up by message. This treaty was for
Legge to come in, without Mr. Pitt, if the
latter persisted in his exorbitant demands.
The Duke of Newcastle chiefly treated with
Mr. Pitt by the Primate of Ireland, Stone.
One day, in the beginning of the negotiation,
when Lord Bute and Mr. Pitt were in confer-
ence with the Primate, and insisted upon very
extravagant terms, the Primate begged them
as a friend, to be a little more moderate, and,
before they went so far, to consider whether
they were sure of all their friends. They were
surprised, and said, they thought so. He re-
plied, that he thought otherwise, and could,
if he would (for he was authorized to do it),
tell them a very different story. Mr. Pitt im-
mediately insisted upon knowing it, or he
would treat no farther. Upon which, the
Primate told them this private transaction of
Legge with the Duke of Newcastle. This
discovery occasioned ^reat coolness to Le< r £e
362
1757. at Leicester House, which, as soon as he per-
ceived, gave him much uneasiness. At last
(I think from Lord Hallifax) Legge found
out, that, in return for his thinking of leaving
his friends for the Duke of Newcastle, the
Duke had betrayed him to them. He would
have expostulated with his friends, but they
would not suffer it, and, the negotiation taking
place in their favour, they bade him take the
Exchequer Seals under the Duke of New-
castle, and enter into no further eclaircisse-
ment. He has done so, detested by Mr. Pitt
and Leicester House ; acting under one whom
he hates; who hates him, and has betrayed
him; breaking faith with Lord Hallifax, with-
out whom he engaged himself not to act ; and
with Oswald, to whom he had pledged his
honour, never to come into the Treasury with-
out him. AND ALL FOR QUARTER
DAY!
1758. After the battle of Hastenbeck, and the
disowning the Duke and the convention of
Closter Seven, by the King, late in the Au-
tumn of the last y«ar, the Hanoverian army
again took the field, and was commanded by
Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick.
§
363
A message by Mr. Pitt for a supply to 175s.
. rr; Jan. 13.
keep the Hanoverian army together — and
100,000/. was granted.
Commodore Howe sailed from St. Helen's Junb i.
with one seventy-gun, three fifty-gun ships,
several frigates, one hundred transports having
on board sixteen battalions, nine troops of
light horse, and all preparations for a siege,
commanded bv the Duke of Marlborough,
Lord George Sackville, General Waldegrave,
&c. Lord Anson sailed the same day.
They arrived in the Bay of Concalle, near 5.
St. Malo, and burned a few ships of no great
consequence and several small craft which
were on ground : they were all fired by the
light horse. After staying about six days
without attempting St. Malo, and on being
informed there was a body of about 10,000
men assembled, or assembling in the neigh-
bourhood, they reimbarked, with the loss of
two or three men on a side. They continued
in, or near the Bay of Concalle, till the men
began to grow sick, ragged and lousy, from
want of room in the transports, and were re-r
duced to a quart of stinking water a da}'.
364
1/58. Our expedition returned. When it was
July 1.
known that they were come back, it occa-
sioned great disputes among the Ministers,
whether they should land or not, which lasted
till the 5th instant ; when, at a meeting of the
Cabinet, it was determined that the men
should land (as there was great sickness among
them), while provisions, &c. were preparing
for them. These orders were sent on the 6th.
At this meeting, there was great difference of
opinion. Lord Granville declared, he was
always for distressing France upon the Conti-
nent; experience had taught him to have no
great expectations from expeditions ; he meant
no reflections upon the late ones, nor to make
his court, for he wanted nothing; his duty
alone made him speak, &c. Mr. Pitt said, he
had sufficiently shown, that he was for sup-
porting the Continent, by paying an army of
50,000 men for its defence. That he had
consented to send 10,000 more from hence.
But still he thought that expeditions, and
keeping France in alarms upon the coast,
was the most effectual way to distress her ; —
that expeditious had always succeeded. Did
you not take Port TOrient, if St. Clair would
have accepted it? Did you not take Rochefort
365
last year ? it was entirely at your disposition. 1753.
Have you not taken St. Malo ? &c. &c. Lord
Ligonier said, My Lord Granville, your Lord-
ship must admit — . Lord Granville interrupt-
ed him with, My Lord, I will admit nothing ;
your Lordship is apt to admit, but I will ad-
mit nothing.
The 10,000 men, which were allowed by io.
Mr. Pitt for Germany, were to be commanded
by the Duke of Marlborough, Lord George
Sackville and General Waldegrave, all having
deserted the expedition. Lord George said,
he would no longer go Buccaneering: the
King refused to let him go to Germany, but
his Majesty was obliged to submit.
The expedition again put to sea, with a 31.
less force than before ; three of the regiments,
and half the light horse, have been sent to
Germany.
A squadron of twenty Russian and ten
Swedish ships of the line with transports for
13,000 Russians to land in Pomerania, appear
in the Baltic — to our great surprise.
It appears by the Duke of Marlborough's Auc. 3.
366
175S. manifesto to the magistrates of St. Malo, that
Aug. 3. j ie tnrea tened them with burning the country
in his possession, if they did not order the in-
habitants back to their houses, and direct
them to send proper persons to him, to settle
contributions. The magistrates did not obey
his orders, and his Grace was in too much
haste to return, to put his threats in execu-
tion.
14. An account came that Cherbourg surren-
dered the 8th inst. — The troops, being two
regiments, withdrew. There were about
twenty-seven ships in the harbour — thirty
pieces of brass cannon taken.
21. After having demolished the bason and the
forts, our troops left Cherbourg, the 16th,
without any molestation, though it is said
there was a great body of troops in the neigh-
bourhood.
Sept. 16. Our troops landed the 4th instant in Lu-
naire Bay, and burned twenty vessels. They
were to march to St. Guildo, the 9th, and to
reimbark, the 10th, at St. Cas, near Matignon.
Our troops were repulsed on the 12th, between
367
Matignon and St. Cas, and returned to Ports- c 1758 -
° Sept. lb.
mouth the 18th.
I was told by a gentleman, who had it Oct. 15.
from Colonel Cary, that upon landing at St.
Lunaire, Colonel Clerke told him that his
plan was, 1st, that Lord Howe should bom-
bard the forts of St. Malo, while they of the
land were to take the town by escalade. That
being impracticable — 2dly, that they should
go to St. Bride, where they were to find and
burn 300 ships, and where they found only as
many fishing boats as might be worth about
50/. — 3dly, they were to march farther into
the country, to intimidate the French, who
had nothing but a few militia to defend them.
Soon after, they were beaten by a number of
regular troops inferior to their own.
The Parliament was opened by commission. Nov. 23.
Universal approbation of all that has, and of
all that will be done. The King of Prussia's
victories worth all we have given, and those
he will gain, worth all we shall give. Thus
this country seems to think at present. The
conspirators taken up, for the assassination
of the King of Portugal, the third of Sep-
tember.
368
1759. The appeal of the Dutch ship, America,
was heard. She was condemned, ship and
cargo, as French : in going directly to St.
Domingo, and unlading there ; in being re-
laden by Frenchmen on their own account :
in returning directly to France, and by the
French ordered to throw all their papers over-
board, if attacked by the English, which they
did.
May 16. Lord Hallifax called on me, and told me,
that the Duke of Newcastle was extremely glad
of having a vacancy in the Treasury, by mak-
ing Lord Besborough Postmaster, and now he
might take Mr. Oswald, and all would be
settled ; but that Lord Bute came to him, in
the name of all of them on that side of the
Administration, and told his Grace positively
that they would not consent to Oswald's be-
ing in the Treasury ; and the rather, as they
knew he was not his Grace's man, but was
suggested to him by Mr. Legge : and this,
the Duke, very much frightened, was pleased
to own. He added, that they thought they
had as good a right to recommend as any one,
and they expected that Mr. Elliott of the Ad-
miralty should succeed : the Duke did not ab-
369
solutely acquiesce in the nomination, but he 1759.
did in the exclusion. May 16 '
The Parliament prorogued. j UNE 2 .
The Diary seems to have been discontinued from
this time, till Oct. 25, 1760.
The King died suddenly between seven and 1760.
eight in the morning, of which I received an 0cT ' 25 °
account immediately, and, the same day, I
sent a letter to Lord Bute.
T kissed the young King's hand. 30.
I was to wait on the King, in his closet; Nov. 14»
and afterwards, on the Princess, at Leicester
House.
Mr. Ellis was with me to let me know, that is,
the Duke of Newcastle was desirous of seeing
me ahout the election at Weymouth. I de-
ferred giving an immediate answer.
Bb
370
I7GO. I wrote to Lord Bute, desiring him to
settle the answer I should send to the Duke of
Newcastle.
so. Mr. Ellis came for the answer, which was,
that I begged to be excused troubling his
Grace, because my interest at Weymouth was
engaged to gentlemen, who, I could not
doubt, but would be agreeable to him, be-
cause I had reason to believe they would be
acceptable to the King.
22. Lord Bute sent to desire to see me, at my
own house, in Pall Mall. He staid two hours
with me : we had much serious and confiden-
tial talk : he gave me repeated assurances of
his most generous friendship, and fresh in-
stances of the King's benignity, by his Ma-
jesty's order.
29. Lord Bute came to me by appointment,
and staid a great while. I pressed him much
to take the Secretary's office, and provide
otherwise for Lord Holdernesse — he hesitated
for some time, and then said, if that was the
only difficulty, it could be easily removed;
for Lord Holdernesse was ready, at his desire,
371
to quarrel with his fellow Ministers (on ac- N 17Ga
count of the slights and ill usage which he
daily experienced) and go to the King, and
throw up in seeming anger, and then he (Bute)
might come in, without seeming to displace
any body. I own the expedient did not
please me.
I was at council, and signed a letter to check Dec. s.
the government of Ireland for not sending over
a bill of supply, as is always the form, before
their dissolution on the demise of the Crown.
Lord Buckinghamshire, George Townshend, 4.
Belendine, Dashwood, Macky, Vaughan, and
Stanley, dined with me. — Much dissatisfaction
at the King's making Lord Fitzmaurice Aid
de Camp — and the measure of bringing coun-
try Lords and considerable gentlemen about
the King, as Lord Litchfield, Mr. Berkley,
&c. ridiculed by the creatures of the Adminis-
tration.
The Duke of Richmond resigned the bed- s.
chamber, which he had just asked for, because
Lord Fitzmaurice was put before his brother.
I had several friends to dine with me, when
li b 2
37
<■>
i?6tf. the Duke of Richmond's affair was much can-
vassed. Lord Hallifax said, that the Duke
had assured the person from whom his Lord-
ship heard it, that the King sent and offered
his Grace the Bedchamber — which is not true.
The whole affair, as I had it from Lord
Bute, was this — The Duke, after having talk-
ed very offensively of the Scotch, on the pro-
motion of Sir Henry Ereskine, asked, in a
private audience of the King, to be of his Bed-
chamber: his Majesty gave him a civil, but
not a decisive answer, and acquainted Lord
Bute with it, who told his Majesty, that the
Duke's quality and his age made him a very
proper servant to be about his person ; upon
which Lord Bute was ordered to let the Duke
know that the King accepted his service, which
Lord Bute performed, and then mentioned to
the Duke, how his Grace's behaviour about
Sir Henry Ereskine was particularly offensive
to him (Bute). The King was displeased that
he was not informed of it before, and Lord
Bute said, that he thought the Duke a proper
servant for his Majesty, and as such, recom-
mended him, but not as his friend. The Duke
came to see Lord Bute, to thank him for his
373
kind offices, and to disown all political con- 17<3( ).
. Dec. 8.
nexions with Mr. Fox. Lord Bute said, that
the King had no manner of objection to Mr.
Fox, and that he himself had a great regard
for him personally : and then Lord Bute fairly-
told the Duke, that the King knew how he
had talked about Sir Henry Ereskine's affair,
and of him (Bute) in particular; which the
Duke endeavoured to palliate, and said, it had
been much aggravated.
Lord Bute called on me, and we had much 20.
talk about setting up a paper — and about the
Houses, in case of resignations.
Mr. Glover was with me, and was full of 21.
admiration of Lord Bute: he applauded his
conduct and the King's: saying, that they
would beat every thing ; but a little time must
be allowed for the madness of popularity to
cool. He was not determined about political
connexions, but, I believe, he will come to us.
Lord Bute was with me, and we weighed 23.
and considered all things, and, though after
long discussions Ave parted without any deci-
sion, I think he inclines much to my scheme
374
1760. I had a long conversation with Lord Bute
Dfc '11
' about Lord Egmont, whose election I under-
took to secure, if the King commanded me,
on his being refused the Peerage. His Lord-
ship answers to my queries of the 25th instant.
We talked about the city militia, and the de-
mand of the Lieutenancy for the whole cor-
poration — about the Dukes of Newcastle and
Argyle flattering Lord Bute with the King,
and their offering to act under him. The
Duke of Chandois's pretensions — the Duke of
York's establishment, &c.
Lord Egmont's affair is as follows. I yes-
terday received a letter, letting me know that
Lord Egmont had lately written to his ste-
ward, Biddlecombe, with orders to show the
letter to the Mayor of Bridgewater, wherein
he lets him know that it was probable, there
would be an election at Bridgewater either on
the 23d or 24th. In which case, he should
propose Lord Percival in his room. All this
appeared to me so strange, that I asked Lord
Bute about it. He, after putting me in mind
that he had told me, a week ago, that there
never was a thought of making Lord Egmont
a Peer, or that even any application had been
375
made, said, that very lately Lord Egmont had 17(30.
Dec 27
been with him, and begged earnestly to go
into the House of Lords — that his election at
Bridge water was very uncertain — that he was
very ill, and much dejected, &c.
That he (Bute) told him there was very
little encouragement, and told me that the
King was very little disposed : he asked me,
what I would do in his election ; to which I
replied, throw him out. Lord Bute seemed
to think it hard he should be in neither house.
Perceiving that, I said that, if the King would
keep him out of the House of Lords, and he
(Bute) desired it, I would secure his election
at Bridgewater. He said, it was too much for
me to give up family interest. I replied, no-
thing is too much that is useful, where friend-
ship is real and mutual. And here it now
stands.
Lord Bute came and said, he was sure that ngi.
the Ministry had some glimpse of getting off Jan * 2 '
our system, by setting up that of abandoning
Hanover, and of supplying the money to di-
stress France into a peace ; that they would,
by their popularity, force this measure upon
t ■>
76
1761. the King, who must consequently lose a great
deal of his own. I told him, as the truth was,
that this measure was the only sound one
to get out of the war. That I had yesterday
begun to put my thoughts upon it into writ-
ing, to persuade him to obtain powers of the
King to carry it into execution. That my
only doubt was, whether the new Parliament
should not be suffered to meet, only to de-
clare in the speech that his Majesty found
himself involved in this war, to which he had
no ways contributed : that, seeing the bent of
the nation so violent, he had acquiesced in it,
without approving of it, persuaded that they
would soon feel, if they did not see, their error:
that he was convinced that the present method
of defending Hanover would ruin this coun-
try, without defending that ; and he therefore
would no longer expose his regal dominions
to such hardships, for fruitless attempts to
protect his electoral ; but would leave them
in the hands of his enemies, and apply the
expence to force them to a reasonable peace,
by means more probable and proper to attain
that end.
He paused a considerable time, and did not
377
say positively, that he could, or could not, get i76i.
the King to consent to this system, but he re-
turned to say, that he thought the Ministry
had an eye that way. If such should be their
scheme, I said, it would be irresistible ; but
there was one way to defeat the use they pro-
posed from it, which was, to put himself at the
head of it, in a great office of business, and to
take the lead, and the merit of bringing with
him the true British principles of making war,
peace, &c.
Lord Bute said, that, though he was sure
the Ministry looked that way, he hoped and
believed they would not easily follow it : that
I, indeed, always talked of them, as if they
were united, whereas they neither were nor
could be. That the Duke of Newcastle most
sincerely wished for peace, and would go any
lengths to attain it. That Mr. Pitt meditated
a retreat, and would stay in no longer than
the war.
But, for my part, I think they will continue
the war as long as they can; and keep in,
when it is over, as long as they can; and that
will be, as long as they please, if they are suf-
378
1761. fered to make peace, which will soon be so
necessary to all orders and conditions of men,
that all will he glad of it, be it what it will,
especially if it comes from those, who have all
the offices and the powers of office. All
which can never end well for the King and
Lord Bute. His Lordship now showed me a
letter to Lord Egmont, which he wrote in the
King's presence, saying, " that the King is
resolved to make no more Peers, at present,
than those now before him ; that if his Lord-
ship thinks his personal application to his Ma-
jesty will make him alter this resolution, he
hoped his Lordship would take that step :
and then added, if you think your election
uncertain, and I can be of any service to you
in it (as I think I can) your Lordship may
command me." I hope he will not accept the
service offered.
His Lordship then said, he was persuaded
it would be seen this very winter, if the Mi-
nistry endeavoured to prolong the war; for
he thought that the King of Prussia himself
would insist upon their making a peace, and
even a separate peace.
This I confess, I do not understand — we
379
agreed upon getting runners, and to settle ntfi.
what he would disperse. ' <2 '
I dined at Sir Francis Dashwood's. Lord 9.
Bute came, and he showed me Lord Egmont's
answer : he is displeased, but desires to know,
if he is to understand his Majesty refuses him
the Peerage for ever, or for this time only.
We are now quit of his Lordship. Lord Bute
thinks the French will make a separate peace
upon the present foot — I think not — and I en-
deavoured to show him, that nothing but ruin
could flow from our persisting in the present
measures •, nothing could produce peace, but
withdrawing from the Continent ; that it must
be, either from necessity, or from being driven
into it by those who brought this ruin upon
us, or from a petition to the throne by the
united voice of his Majesty's best subjects.
But, at all events, it ought to appear, that the
giving up Hanover was his Majesty's own
system; and, therefore, in case any thing that
looked that way should be moved, he (Bute)
should be prepared to take the lead, and that
he and I should begin the affair in the House
of Lords. I wish I may have convinced him.
I had written, and afterwards 1 mentioned
380
i76i. Lord Talbot's son-in-law to succeed Bosca-
wen, who was dying. He was sorry I had not
thought of it sooner, but he had agreed to fill
his place by a removal out of the board of
trade. I tried to get the Jewel Office for him
by an arrangement for Lord Lyttelton — but
in vain. We wished to have some coffee-
house spies, but I do not know how to con-
1.5. trive it. Went to Court at Leicester House
— at the House of Commons on Lord Maris-
c hall's petition.
16. Lord Bute came, and said, that he was now
sure that Pitt had no thoughts of abandoning
the Continent, and that he was madder than
ever. He was uneasy with Talbot, as he
would have put the Steward's staff in Talbot's
hands the first day if he could. That he had
heard, that Talbot thought Granby could
persuade his father to quit it, and that other-
wise, he would not accept it, on account of
of the friendship between him and Granby.
That Talbot would make an excellent officer
to reform that most corrupt office. That, in
whatever he (Bute) should do for his friends,
he should always, at the same time, consider
the service of his master and of the public. I
381
pressed him much for Lord Talbot; to which 1761.
he replied, that he had marks of all the distinc-
tions that were going. -The Council accept-
ed, and refused : in the promotions of Peerage,
an Earldom. That he perceived Lord Talbot
meant a place of more consequence than he
(Bute) wished. He was sorry for it, for he
was violent, and I might depend upon it, he
would be impracticable in business. That
Lord Talbot had used him unkindly. I said
all I could, and from my heart. I touched
again upon Rice — he said, he thought the
board of trade no improper beginning, and
that might possibly be shaped out. I said, the
offer of any thing directly from him, accepted
or not accepted, I thought would be very
kindly taken. That I Ienley owed his being
made Chancellor, from Keeper, entirely to
him, and that he had brought Henley's letter
to show me. I begged his Lordship to pre-
serve that letter, as well as some others he had
Shown me, properly labelled and tied up : for
tihe ingratitude of mankind might make it of
use to have preserved them. He smiled, and
said he had al read v found it so: and then told
me Martin's impertinent conversation at the
Admiralty, in presence of a dozen people.
382
1761. about a line to be drawn between the Scotch
and the English, and that it ought to be ob-
served and continued.
Lord Bute then said, that he must see the
Duke of Newcastle, to settle with him about
the elections shortly. That, to those who had
proposed to him to unite with the Duke upon
conditions, he had said, he would agree to no
conditions till he saw Talbot, Dashwood, and
Charles Townshend (which last, he said, had
sworn allegiance to \i\m 9 for a time), had such
places as he wished.
As to the army, he wished he could talk
with an impartial officer : that he thought the
King of Prussia and Prince Ferdinand were as
popular as ever. I answered, that I thought
the King of Prussia began to be very little so:
and that there was something so servile in the
education of an officer, that, if the officer
found out what he desired to hear, he might
be sure of hearing nothing else. That I
thought Prince Ferdinand was become as un-
popular in the army, as he was once popular
— that he was accused of three great heads of
malversation. The first was, that he had ex-
383
acted complete pay for uncomplete corps: noi.
the second, that not one shilling of all those Jan - 1(i *
devastating contributions had been carried to
the public account: the third, that he had
received good money, and had paid the troops
in bad, to a very great amount, and at a great
discount : that this last was an affair mercan-
tile and of exchange — and that, if the charge
was true, I would undertake to find those who
should lay it open to the world beyond con-
tradiction. Lord Bute's notions about the
war are very singular, and, I believe, not
thoroughly digested : he thinks, the enemy
will make a peace upon the present footing, if
we go on conquering their islands, &c. I
think, that they will never make peace with
us, till we withdraw our troops actually, or
till they think we design it. His opinion is,
that our withdrawing our troops would either
effect a peace, or enable us to carry on a war
much cheaper, and by national means for na-
tional ends; but what compensation is to be
made for Hanover? I replied, according to
the damage done; and the foundation must be,
how much heavier the taxation of the elec-
torate has been, than what it was under its
natural Prince. lie said, that, if we made
384
i76i. this separate peace, we must still pay the
Jan. iti. Kj n g f p russ i aj which would make the war
look more unnational. I thought not ; but
then, he said, we must stop here, and not
think of conquering any farther. I answered,
I saw nothing to conquer ; that France had
as much lost Martinico, as she could lose it —
that, the French government had not received
a sixpence from the duties, nor the subjects
from their estates, these two years. He said,
all the produce came home in neutral ships.
He then returned to the difficulties of indem-
nifying Hanover, if the troops should be with-
drawn, and the peace be made. And this
makes me doubt, whether the King can be
brought to abandon Hanover, which seems to
me to be the only method to secure a good
peace to that country, as well as to this.
The Keeper was yesterday made Chan-
cellor.
Feb. 2. Lord Bute came, and was dissatisfied with
the clamour about the beer, at the play-house,
the evening in which the King was there. I
mentioned to him the intelligence which I
had just received ; that Mr. Pitt had told M
385
Beckford, last Friday, that all was over, and 1761.
he would have no more to do. He replied, EB * "
he did not believe it. He had not seen Mr.
Pitt this fortnight, but had seen Mr. Beckford
lately, who dropping in conversation that he
wished to see the King his own Minister, he
(Lord Bute) replied, that his great friend Mr.
Pitt did not desire to see the King his own
Minister, and he might tell him so, if he
pleased, for that it was very indifferent to him
(Bute) if every word he said was carried to
Mr. Pitt. I asked his Lordship, if he knew
why the Parliament was kept on so long ? he
said, he thought it was better for him, as his
friends had the more time to look about them,
and that the Duke of Newcastle was desirous
to have it end. I then asked if he had settled
the new Parliament with the Duke ? he re-
plied, he had not seen his Grace for some
days, but supposed he should soon, and he
would then bring his list with him. That
what were absolutely the King's boroughs,
the King would name to; but where the
Crown had only an influence, as by the cus-
toms, excise, &c. he could not be refused the
disposition of it, while he stayed in. That he
had told Anson, that room must be made for
cc
386
'"6i. Lord Parker, who replied, that all was en-
Feb 2 .
gaged : and that he (Bute) said, What, my
Lord, the King's Admiralty boroughs full, and
the King not acquainted with it ! That An-
son seemed quite disconcerted, and knew not
what to say. His Lordship was not for push-
ing them yet, for if the peace was a bad one,
as it must be ; they would certainly proclaim,
that it was owing to their dismission, because
they were not suffered to bring the great work
to a happy conclusion, to whom the glorious
successes, which had hitherto attended their
conducting it, were entirely to be attributed.
In short, he seemed to think, that nobody
could stand such a peace, as must be made
upon the present system, but those who had
brought us into that system, and were the au-
thors of it.
6. His Lordship and I talked over Charles
Townshend's being Secretary at War, and Sir
Francis Dashwood's succeeding him. He
seemed resolved to come into Administration,
but not yet. We agreed that, if there was
nothing irregular to be done, the new Parlia-
ment would be the King's, let who will choose
it. He said it was very easy to make the
387
Duke of Newcastle resign, and he did not 1761 -
imagine that his Grace would do it in any
hostile way, or make those, whom he elected,
oppose the Ministry. But, who was to take it ?
was the question. He did not seem to think
it adviseable to begin there. I replied, I saw
no objection ; but if he thought there was, he
might put it into hands that would resign it to
him, when he thought proper to take it; but
that he must begin to be a public man, by
taking something, or else, the objection would
be the same at ten years' end. He said, that
Holdernesse knew nothing of what the Mi-
nister was doing for these last ten days, and
therefore he began to think with me, that it
was possible Pitt might resign.
HERE the Diary concludes ; but it is much to be
regretted, that his Lordship did not continue it, during
the very interesting period, ichich immediately preceded
his decease. The confidential letters in my jjossession,
and Ids Lordship's answers to them (both of ichich lie
most, carefully preserved) might assist me in carrying
on the history of those times, till within a month of his
death : but, as I have neither leisure for such an under-
taking, nor sufficient knowledge of that memorable atra t
C c2
388
to enable me to select or digest the letters properly, I
think it prudent to decline so arduous a task ; a task,
indeed, that would have been attended with almost in-
superable dijfieidties : for we may naturally suppose
that, in a written intercourse between his Lordship and
men of various principles, many of the letters and answers
would convey representations, very contradictory to those
of others.
Lord Melcombe teas too experienced a courtier, to
speak the same language to all people : on the contrary,
he was studious to assimilate his politics to those of his
correspondents, and to make his ideas apparently con-
sonant to the opinions of those men from whom he ex-
pected emolument.
APPENDIX.
THE ensuing Narrative is, by some Years,
prior to the earliest date of the Diary ; hut, as
it is frequently alluded to in the work, the Edi-
tor has inserted it in this Appendix ; and he
doubts not, that every honest man will unite with
him in the patriotic wish, that this country may
never again be distracted with dissensions,
similar to those which were the consequences of
the folio w big tra ns action .
For such was the fatality of those unnatural
dissensions, that the judicious and provident part
of the nation, and, alas ! a Father too, could be
justified in rejoicing that a Prince of Wales
zvas numbered with the dead.
FRIDAY, March 5, 1730-7.
A
NARRATIVE
OF WHAT PASSED BETWEEN
THE PRINCE AND MR. DODINGTON,
AND AFTERWARDS BETWEEN
SIR ROBERT WALPOLE AND MR. DODINGTON,
uton
The resolution of his Royal Highness to bring a demand into
Parliament, for an augmentation of his allowance to 100,000/.
per aim. and for a jointure upon the Princess.
On Monday, the 7th of February, 1736-7, being
informed that the Prince went to bed indisposed, I
thought it my duty to go to his lodgings next morn-
ing (Tuesday the 8th) to inquire of the Pages of the
Back Stairs, after his health. I found his saddle
horses in the Court; they told me he was pretty
well, and insisted upon letting his Royal Highness
know I was there. I would not admit of it, being
obliged, that morning, to attend the Treasury, and
the House; but, before my coach could drive off,
one of the Pages overtook me with a message from
the Prince to attend him.
392
I found him with the servants in waiting about
him, his boots on, and powdering his hair, to ride
out. After having finished his dress, he directed the
gentlemen to withdraw; and then, with his usual
goodness, was pleased to talk to me very freely,
upon the state of his Majesty's indisposition, and
upon several other subjects, relating to transactions,
and persons, of a public nature.
After half an hour spent in this kind of conversa-
tion, I humbly offered to take my leave ; but he com-
manded me to sit dovvn again, and then said that he
would communicate a secret to me of great import-
ance, in which he should desire my assistance, and
designed partly to employ me. I answered, that if
his Royal Highness was pleased to trust me with a
secret, I had one favour to ask, which was, that he
would tell it to nobody else, and then I would be an-
swerable it should remain a secret. He told me that
it was not of that nature ; that it would be known ;
that several people now knew it ; but that no one
servant of the Crown, as he believed, was acquainted
with it: that having always had more kindness, and
affection for me, than for any body, he thought he
owed it me (as he was pleased to express himself), to
communicate it to me, the first of any of the King's
servants, and by his own mouth : that those who were
chiefly concerned, and engaged in it, were apprised
of this his resolution, and not only approved, but
even advised, that I should be the first of the Court
made acquainted with it.
395
Exceedingly surprised as I was at this unexpected
prelude, I only returned thanks, in the best manner
I was able, for the gracious and condescending ex-
pressions he was pleased to use, and really did not
guess (as I naturally might have done, if I had not
been surprised) what it tended to. He then entered
into very bitter complaints of the usage he had, all
along, met with from the Administration, and even
from their Majesties : that he was not allowed where-
withal to live, &c. that he was resolved to endure it
no longer, and had determined to make a demand in
Parliament of a jointure for the Princess, and of
100,000/. peranri. for himself, which his father had,
when Prince, and which he looked on to be his right,
both in law and equity. I objected to the very great
danger of such an undertaking ; put his Royal High-
ness in mind, how strongly I had always been against
it, when he formerly mentioned it ; and was going to
show the fatal consequences it must produce, besides
the great improbability of success. But he inter-
rupted me, and said, that it was too far gone for
those considerations ; that he did not ask my advice,
but my assistance ; he was determined upon the
measure, and designed to send and speak with my
particular friends, namely, Sir Paul Methuen, Lord
Wilmington, and the Duke of Dorset ; but chose out
of kindness to me, to acquaint me first with it : that
he would send to Sir Paul by Sir Thomas Frankland,
and asked me, if I would break the matter to them,
and what, I believed, they would think of it. Sen-
sible of the danger and difficulties that attend nego-
394
tiations of this delicate nature, even among the best
friends, I replied, as to the first part, that I humbly
begged to be excused from breaking it ; that what-
ever friendship those gentlemen did me the honour
to admit me to, I thought it a matter too high to un-
dertake : that, as he had mentioned his intentions of
sending to them, and as they were, by their rank,
and affection to his Royal Highness, every way qua-
lified to be consulted, I thought it highly proper
that he should know their sentiments from their own
mouths, in an affair of this very great importance;
that then, what they said to his Royal Highness,
could not be mistaken, and what he was pleased to
say to them could not be misrepresented. As to
what they would think of it, I was confident, by what
I felt myself, that they would be infinitely surprised ;
too much so, in my judgement, to give his Royal
Highness any positive and determinate opinion; He
said, he did not want their opinion, but their assist-
ance, and what would my friend the Duke of Argyll
do ? Be extremely surprised too, without all doubt,
Sir, I replied : I do not know what he will do ; but
I am confident, I know what he would not do, which
is, he would not advise your Royal Highness to this
measure. He answered, that the measure was fixed,
that he was resolved, and wanted no advice, but he
would not send to him, nor to Lord Scarborough,
but to the Duke of Dorset and Lord Wilmington
he would send, being resolved it should come into
the House of Lords the same day, or soon after, let
the fate of it be what it would in the House of Com-
395
mons. He stopped here a little, and used some ex-
pressions, as if he would have me to understand, that
he had said enough about all those that he thought
I lived with in the closest connexion. I endeavoured,
after assuring him with what affectionate duty we
had always been his sincere servants, to show the
great improbability of success insuch an undertaking;
but he cut me short, and said, None at all, that there
were precedents for it; and mentioned that of the
Princess of Denmark, in King William's time : that
all the opposition, and the Tories were engaged in
it: that as it was his own determination, and he had
been advised by nobody, when he had resolved it
in his own mind, he thought it necessary to speak to
people himself; he had done so, to Mr. Pulteney,
Lord Carteret, Lord Chesterfield, Master of the
llolls (Jekyll), and Sir William Wyndam ; that they
were all hearty in it : that Mr. Pulteney, at the first
notice, expressed himself so handsomely, that he
should never forget it : but said he could, at that
time, only answer for himself, not expecting the
proposition, but begged leave to consult with some
of his friends; which his Royal Highness granted
him, and he had, since, assured him that they were
unanimous: that Sir William Wyndham had said,
that he had long desired an opportunity of showing
his regard and attachment to his Royal Highness;
that he would answer for his whole part)*, as well as
for himself; and that he was very happy, that an
occasion presented itself to convince his Royal High-
ness, by their zealous and hearty appearance in
396
support of his interest, how far they were from being
Jacobites, and how much they were misrepresented
under that name. [N. B. He spoke in the debate,
but did not vote, and forty- five Tories were absent.]
That Lord Winchelsea was gone down to Petworth,
to bring up the Duke of Somerset, who he thought
would move it in the House of Lords : that Mr.
Sandys, Sir Thomas Saunderson, Mr. Gibbon, Mr.
Waller, Sir John Barnard, and several others, were
acquainted with it, and highly approved it : that,
possibly, Sir John Barnard might move it. He then
asked me, if I had really heard nothing of it from the
Court. I assured him, with great truth, that 1 had
not ; from whence he was pleased to infer, how ge-
nerally odious the Minister must be, that nobody
would tell him a thing that so nearly concerned him,
when by his Royal Highness's calculation of those
that knew it, and asked leave to consult their friends,
there could not be less than from forty-six to fifty
that must be acquainted with it: he added, that it
would make an end of his power, or to that effect,
which I had no reason to be sorry for. I told him
that, indeed, I had no reason, nor did I pretend to
be partial to the Minister, but it was my misfortune
to differ so far from his Royal Highness, that I
thought this measure would be the most effectual
one to secure and strengthen him. He seemed
much surprised at that, and asked my reason. I
said I thought jso, because the Minister had, I be-
lieved, long since experienced, that he could have
no hopes of governing by the approbation, and affec-
397
tion, of the people : that his only security, therefore,
was his favour, and hold at Court : and in my poor
opinion, this unhappy measure would make the
King's cause, and his, inseparable, and rivet him yet
faster where his only strength lay. I then humbly
begged him to consider the circumstance of time;
how far it might be consistent with the known great-
ness and generosity of his character, to make such
an attack, when his father was in a languishing con-
dition. He replied, that he was sensible of that,
but he could not help it : he was engaged, and would
go through : the King could not live many years,
but might linger thus a good while, and he could not
stay that while : that the time, indeed, had its incon-
veniencies of one sort, and he wished it otherwise,
but it had its conveniencies of another ; it would
make people more cautious, and apprehensive of of-
fending him : that, besides, he had told the Queen of
it in the summer, and assured her that he designed
to bring it into Parliament ; that she had treated it
as idle and chimerical ; that it was impossible that he
should make any thing of it, and seemed to think he
was only in jest; that if his friends stood by him, he
should carry it in the House ; but if he missed there,
he could not fail of it in six months : that I should
know the family as well as any body; he always
thought I did ; but found that I did not, or would
not: but he himself knew his own family best; and
be would make a bet that, if he failed, now, he gain-
ed his point in less than a twelvemonth, by this
mean* : in short, he was resolved, and too far en-
398
gaged in honour to go back : that it was his due, and
his right ; absolutely necessary to make him easy
the rest of his life : he could never want his friends
but on this occasion : those that would stand by him
in this, he should always look on as his friends, and
reward as such ; those that would not, he should not
reckon to be so, they would have nothing to expect
from him ; and several other expressions to that
purpose : that it was to be brought in soon ; in what
shape, whether by address, or otherwise, he believed
was not yet settled, but soon it must be. I made no
particular answer to this last part, but only expressed
my concern for the consequences ; and waiting on
him down stairs to his horse, begged of him to con-
sider, how necessary it was to delay it from the great
impropriety of the time. He said, if a little time
would do, it might be considered, but the King might
linger out the session in the same way. I took the
liberty to ask, what would be the ill consequence if
that should happen, and it should go over to another
session. He said that could not be, his honour was
too far engaged; he could not, he would not stay.
Here this conversation ended, without any direct
demand to vote for this proposal, on his side ; and
without any direct promise, Of refusal, on mine; and
I left his Royal Highness with vei 7 great uneasiness
and perplexity upon my mind, considerably aug-
mented by the great ease and tranquillity that ap-
peared upon his : which is the natural effect of great
resolutions, when they are fixed and determined.
399
Upon reflection on what had passed, finding it
was resolved to apply, personally, to the Duke of
Dorset, Lord Wilmington, and Sir Paul Methuen, I
thought it a duty of the friendship in which we had,
so many years, lived, to prepare them for so dis-
agreeable a conference : and first, as he was to be
called on the next day but one, I acquainted Sir
Paul Methuen with it. We joined in lamenting the
fate of this country, to be divided and torn to pieces
by a disunion in this Royal family, which, with so
many ardent wishes, with the profusion of so much
blood and treasure, we had, at last, so happily placed
on the throne, to end all our divisions, and protect us
in union and tranquillity. We agreed that Sir Paul
Methuen should not seem to be any ways apprised of
the cause of sending for him, but should lay hold on
all overtures that should be given him, to represent
strongly to his Royal Highness the very fatal conse-
quences of this undertaking ; and by no means give
him any the least reason, or encouragement to think,
that he would vote for it.
1 then opened the matter to the Lords. We had
several conferences upon it; and agreed to commu-
nicate it to Lord Scarborough, by the Duke of Dor-
set. The Lords unanimously agreed to do their ut-
most to prevent this ill-advised attempt (if they were
sent to), and not to be hindered, by any interrup-
tions, from representing strongly to his Royal High-
ness, the fatal consequences of it. But in case he
persisted in it, to declare plainly to him, that they
400
should think themselves obliged in conscience, and
in honour, to oppose it, as fatal to his Royal High-
ness, injurious to the King, and destructive to the
quiet and tranquillity of the whole country ; and de-
sired me to do so too, in case it should be my lot to
be first called upon.
Sir P. Methuen was not sent for on Thursday,
which gave me some hopes (vain ones indeed) that
the great coldness I had received the proposition
with, might have had some weight. On Friday the
1 lth, I received a message from the Prince, at Mr.
Stanhope's, where I dined, to attend him next
morning to Kew. I was not sorry for the opportu-
nity, being resolved to leave no ambiguity in his
Royal Highness's mind about my behaviour, and
very apprehensive that names going about, and mis-
represented as doubtful upon so important a point
(how insignificant soever) might influence, or mislead
unwary people. Before we rose from table, at Mr.
Stanhope's, a servant brought me word that Sir P.
Methuen had been at my house, and left word that
he was gone home. 1 went directly to wait on him.
He was then just gone from the Prince, to whom he
had represented the danger and impracticability of
this measure, with all the force and weight that be-
came so honest and so honourable a man ; and used
all possible arguments, that a good head aad a good
heart could suggest, to dissuade him from it ; but
all without effect : that he then declared to him, that
he could not be for him; but, at the importunate
401
and repeated request of his Royal Highness, and re-
flecting that he had not attended the House, so as to
give one single vote since the excise bill, he had been
prevailed on to promise his Royal Highness to be ab-
sent, as he used to be.
On Saturday the 1 2th, early in the morning, I re-
ceived a message from the Prince, that he had put
off his journey to Kew that dav. However, being
willing to come to an explanation, it was thought
proper that I should place myself in the way, and
go to his Royal Highncss's apartment, to inquire af-
ter his, and her Royal Highness's health. The Pages
told me that he was not come from the Princess's
bed-chamber, but was pretty well, and had altered
his resolution of going to Kew. I went away on
foot, and did not return home all the morning. Just
before three, one of the Prince's servants found me
in the Park ; told me he had been at my house, but
the servants knowing nothing of me, he had been
all over the town after me, to let me know there was
a mistake in the morning message, and that the
Prince ordered me to dine with him, that day, at
his house in Pall Mall.
I dressed, and got thither before his Royal High-
ness, but not before the company, which consisted
chiefly of hrs bed-chamber. When he came, he de-
sired the gentlemen to amuse themselves, and that
he would take a walk with me till dinner. In the
garden, after a little common conversation, he began
Dd
402
by telling me that lie had seen Sir Paul Methuen,
and insinuated that Sir P. seemed well enough satis-
lied with the proposition. I said I was infinitely sur-
prised, and mortified that I should differ with him in
opinion, in an affair of such consequence, consider-
ing the long friendship between us, which implied
some similitude of thinking. Upon which, he re-
ceded a little from that, and seemed to give me
leave to think that Sir P. did not much approve of
it, but, however, had promised to be absent. Then
he said he had talked to several people, and they all
entered into it most heartily. Having taken my own
party, I did not think proper to inquire who they
were, though I was very curious to know; being-
persuaded (and I am so still) that there could not be
one unprejudiced man in the nation of competent
age, weight, and experience, to advise a Prince,
that would approve of such a measure. After some
pause, he told me he had spoken to Mr. Hedges (his
Treasurer) and Lord Baltimore (of his bed-chamber)
who were zealously for it. 1 said, no doubt his ser-
vants would vote for it ; nobody could take it ill of
them ; they would have leave to do it. He answer-
ed, that it was no matter whose leave they had, so he
had their votes. He added, that he had spoken to
Mr. Arthur Herbert, who not only engaged for him-
self, but would bring in all his friends. I smiled, and
said, I did not apprehend that he could make any
vote but his own. [His brother was in France.] He
said he would bet Mr. Herbert could make above five.
I replied, that, if it were so, it must be by making
403
use of his Royal Highness's name. He said, that
every body was for him: he was absolutely deter-
mined to bring it in : he would hear no advice upon
it ; and if there were but seven in the House of Com-
mons, and three in the House of Lords for him, he
would do it. I told him, that, since he was absolute-
ly determined, I thought it necessary to lay my
humble opinion before him, when he would please
to receive it. He said, he did not want my opinion,
his party was taken. I replied, that I did not pre-
sume to offer my opinion as what was to guide his
actions, but to lay before him what was to direct and
govern my own ; which I should be glad to take the
first opportunity of doing, this not being a proper
one, because I saw one of the gentlemen coming to
acquaint his Royal Highness that dinner was served.
He took no notice of that, but walked into the wood,
and said that he would show me the Duke of Somer-
set's letter, which he did. It contained a pretty
long account of the precarious state of his Grace's
health, which made it impossible for him to come to
town : referred to Lord Winselsea for his opinion of
the communication he had received of his Royal
Highness's intentions ; and concluded by wishes that
his Royal Highness may live many years in health,
prosperity, and plenty : he made me take notice of
the word plenty. I said that, with humble submis-
sion, this letter did not seem to me to amount to a
promise, nor gave the least prospect of his Grace's
coming to town. He said it was no matter, he should
have his proxy, which was the same thing [as indeed
Dd2
404
he had]. He then, with a great deal of vehemence,
fell upon the difficulties he lay under : that as he
had sacrificed himself to the nation, by demanding
a marriage (though the Princess was the best, and
most agreeable woman in the world), the nation
ought to stand by him : that if people would value
their employments more than right and j ustice, he
could not help it ; though he was so strong that he
was sure the Court durst not touch any one that
voted for him. 1 got an opportunity of putting in a
word here, and said, that I saw very well, little regard
would be had to any professions of not being biassed
by one's employment, though I thought my be-
haviour towards those in power plainly showed (and
to nobody more plainly than to himself) that I was
not very solicitous about mine : but I did, in my con-
science, think (and believe that every honest man,
whose circumstances were above necessity, would
think) this matter to be far above any pecuniary
considerations : that a breach, so irreparable as this
proceeding must occasion, would, for the future,
take off all the grace and lustre of any employment
of either side : that no man of honour above neces-
sity, could serve, for the future, with pleasure, under
the uneasy apprehensions that duty on the one side
might be misconstrued into disaffection on the other:
and therefore, I humbly besought him to believe
that gentlemen, in this great case, would lay aside
those lesser considei-ations, and act upon superior
and more affecting motives, their duty to the whole,
which I thought evidently in danger. He replied,
405
that it was to no purpose to talk about things settled
and resolved amongst friends : that it was very hard
he should be all his life in want, and the only one in
the nation that was not to have justice done him :
that, now was the time, and the only one, for people
to do what they owed him ; that he should expect it
of them; he asked his right, and neither apprehend-
ed, nor foresaw, any ill consequences from it. I asked
him, if he did not think it very dangerous to him to
drive things to such an extremity between him and
his father, as might make it the interest of one half
of the gentlemen of England, that he should never
come upon the throne ? He replied, why would they
make themselves desperate ? Why would they not
do what they owed him, and what was justice ? It
would be their own faults : did he deserve less than
the Princess of Denmark ? The gentlemen stood by
her. I endeavoured to show him the difference of
the case, in one essential point, which I thought
most likely to strike him, viz. In that case the addi-
tion was proposed when the civil list was precarious,
and not granted to King William for his life ; and
upon re-granting the duties which were then in the
power of Parliament, that addition was demanded in
her favour. But he gave no attention to it, but walk-
ed about with great precipitation, and a good deal
agitated. As 1 saw there was no room left to make
any impression upon him, I thought it was high
time to put an end to the conversation, and therefore
told him, that since I found him unalterable in his
resolution, I would not presume to offer any thin.;
406
more in opposition to it, but must beg leave to give
him my plain sentiments as to myself: that I would
have been glad to have had liberty to consult my
friends, because it would have given my opinion
more weight with myself, but as that could not be,
and as I believed nothing they could say would alter
it, I thought myself obliged to declare to him, and I
did it with great concern, that if this matter came
into Parliament, I should think myself obliged, in
honour and conscience, to give my absolute dissent
to it, as pernicious and destructive to all the Royal
Family, and to the nation in general. He seemed
very angry, but curbed himself a little; and said he
could never have expected this from me ; but he
supposed then, that he was to expect all my friends
against him [meaning those gentlemen of the House
of Commons whom he thought I could influence].
I told him that I spoke only for myself; that -I had
not dropped the least hint to any one of them ; they
would know it but too soon. This conversation
brought us to the door : I saw he was very much
heated, and, going in, he said he must do as he
could ; that in the Princess of Denmark's time there
were gentlemen that valued doing right, more than
their employments ; he was sorry the race of them
was extinct : I had only time to say, that I was to
submit to whatever his Royal Highness pleased to
think, or say, and content myself with doing what I
thought my duty. Thus we went to dinner, with a
great deal of anxiety on my part, from the real af-
fection, as well as reverence, that I bear him ; and
407
with much more freedom and gaiety on his, than I
could possibly put on.
As soon as dinner and drinking was over, we rose,
and I shuffled myself into the midst of the company,
in order to get away with the first of them, when he
pleased to make us his bow ; but he dismissed them
all, and ordered me to come with him into the little
room. This conversation was much the longest,
lasting near two hours ; but as there was a great
deal of repetition, I shall only put down what has
not been already said ; though scarce any thing was
said by him, in the two former, that was not strongly
repeated, and insisted upon, in this.
His Royal Highness began by telling me that he
had done with asking me any thing more for bis sake,
bat, as he had always had the greatest kindness and
affection for me, he would now talk to me a little, for
my own. That he desired me seriously to consider,
in this affair, my own reputation in the world ; that
it would suffer extremely by leaving him : that I
must be sensible, I had done myself a great deal of
hurt in the opinion of mankind, already, by ac-
quiescing so much as I had done, in measures, with
those who had treated me, and all my friends so ill;
but that it would be a great aggravation to that pre-
judice, if I neglected so advantageous an opportuni-
ty as this of getting free from it : and much more
to this purpose. After humble thanks for his good-
ness, I replied that I was very sensible of the diffi-
408
culties I lay under : that I had no choice to make
but what must be disagreeable, and painful to me :
that as to the Ministry, I had very little regard to
those who treated me, or any of my friends slight-
ingly : that I thought nobody cared less who knew
it, or took less pains to conceal it : that in an affair,
where I was convinced the whole was concerned, I
must prefer my own integrity to the opinion of the
world, and keep peace at home, whatever other peo^
pie might think, or say. He said it was strange,
that his best friends, and those he counted most
upon, should be against him : that he wondered I
should consider my own character, and my interest
so little : he had always had the greatest kindness
for me ; he was resolved to show it in the most dis-
tinguished manner ; why would I make it impossible?
Why, when he should have it in his power, give oc-
casion to have it thrown in his teeth, that he was go-
ing to distinguish # one who had left him at the only
time that he could want his friendship ? That I must
be sensible, after this, he could see me no more up-
on the foot he had done. I said, I was extremely
sensible of the truth of all he had been pleased to
say, and that I had no comfort on either side, but
from the sense of doing my duty : that my reason
informed me this was a measure fatal to himself, and
to the whole country; I was convinced of it; and
my honour and conscience obliged me to dissent
from it. He asked me, supposing that were so, if I
never had given a vote against my opinion, in con-
currence with those I had no reason to like ? I an-
409
swered, I had, many ; and believed it was the case
of every body who had acted with a party, either
for, or against an Administration : that, in my opi-
nion, business was not to be carried on in an abstract-
ed way, by considering every point simply, and
without connexion to the whole : but that I had
never acted contrary to my opinion, where I thought
the whole immediately concerned, as I stood con-
vinced it was, in this; and therefore, no earthly
consideration could make me be for it. He then
pressed me much with the authority of the people
engaged : Would I talk with Mr. Pulteney and
Lord Carteret ? and if I was convinced it was their
opinion, and they thought it right, would I then be
for it ? it could do no hurt to see them at least. I
replied, I could have no doubt that they were en-
gaged in it, after what his Royal Highness had been
pleased to say ; and that Lord Carteret might be the
more easily induced to it from a persuasion that it
must drop in the House of Commons. He said, that
if there were but three votes for it, there, it should
come into the House of Lords : Did I think him so
simple as not to know Carteret ? Would I see them ?
I answered, that I had the greatest regard for Lord
Carteret's parts and abilities, and the most sincere
respect and value for Mr. Pulteney, with whom I
hail lived in an intimate acquaintance for some years,
and whom I always reckoned one of the most con-
siderable nun this country had bred : that if his
Royal Highness commanded me, I was very willing
to wait on them, but in no ways upon the toot of
410
altering my opinion, singlyupon their authority, and
because the contrary might be theirs : but (I over-
shot myself so far as to add), to show his Royal High-
ness how much I was in conscience persuaded of the
truth of my opinion, unequal as I was (and in no-
body's thoughts more so than in my own), I would
venture to talk with both those gentlemen, before his
Royal Highness, upon the consequences of this mea-
sure ; and if they could show me that the bringing it
into Parliament would not be attended with the
greatest dangers, prejudice, and divisions, both in
the Royal Family and the nation, be it right or wrong
in itself, when brought in, then I would be for it.
His Royal Highness dropped this proposition (which
I was extremely glad of, having given a very indis-
creet opening against myself), and said it was his due ;
he hoped it was no fault to claim his due ; and the
Master of the Rolls told him that it was his right in
equity. I said that equity amongst gentlemen, in-
deed, was understood to mean a plausible demand to
a thing ; but as the Master was a Judge in Equity, I
was surprised at the expression from him, and could
hardly believe that he would affirm to me, that there
couid be grounded a legal equity upon that statute,
to take the allotment of the estate thereby vested in
the Crown, out of the King's disposition. He said
it was his right, he had one hundred and eighty en-
gaged to support him, and he hoped he should ob-
tain it.
Not seeing the end of the conversation, I was re-
411
solved, if possible, to do what I thought my duty,
and to set before him the precipices he was going to
plunge into, let the reception it met with be what it
would; and accordingly, I took the liberty of saying,
that since it was absolutely necessary he should have
50,000 1, pa- ann. addition, I humbly begged leave
to know of his Royal Highness, why he would not
rather choose to ask it of the Parliament, than to
push this dangerous and desperate measure ? That I
was highly sensible this proposition was very far from
being prudent, or adviseable in itself, but, bad as it
was, yet it was so infinitely preferable to the other
evil, that I would not only be for it, but would sup-
port and maintain it with all my strength ; and would
engage that all my friends, not only those of the
House of Commons, but those of the House of Lords,
would be for it. He said, no, bethought the nation
had done enough, if not too much for the family al-
ready : that he would rather beg his bread from door
to door, than be a further charge to them ; and that
he would have it in this way, or not at all. I replied,
that since he expressed so much tenderness to the
nation, I entreated him to consider the state to which
he reduced it : to reflect upon the profusion of blood
and treasure we had lavished, to maintain our liber-
ties and constitution : to remember at what a vast ex-
pense we had brought over, and maintained his fa-
mily, solely, and singly, to secure to us, and protect
us in the quiet enjoyment of those liberties, and that
constitution ; and then to think what sentiments it
must raise in every honest country gentleman of
412
great property, who have warm wishes to all the
Royal Family, and who expected nothing but a good
word, and a kind look from every part of it in return ;
to think a little, I said, what that body of men must
feel to be dragged, unavoidably, by that very Royal
Family, into the fatal necessity of being desperate
with the possessor of, or the successor to the Crown :
that, for my part, I should not be surprised, if they
all absented themselves from the House, with hearts
full of discontent, and distaste on both sides. He
said, that if they would not do their duty cheerfully,
they must be frightened into it; or to that effect;
he could not suffer all his life, &c. I asked him, if
he thought they were to be frightened ; and if they
were, I appealed to his generosity, if that were a just
return : that I most earnestly supplicated him not to
overturn the constitution, and the whole Royal Fa-
mily together : that I had always been bred in rao-
narchial principles, such as were consistent with a
free people : that I could no more help the people
to intermeddle with the just rights of the Crown,
that tamely sit still, and see the Crown invade and
destroy the just rights of the people. Did he, could
he believe, that if the King were to propose to a
council, for their opinion, whether he should give
his Royal Highness 50,000/. or 100,000/. per aim.
that any of those Lords he had named, or myself,
should have a moment's difficulty in delivering and
supporting our opinion for the larger sum ? Surely
he could not ; there we should act according to our
duty, and constitutionally ; but to bring the Parlia-
413
ment into the King's closet, for them to examine
into his most private, domestic affairs, intrude them-
selves into the government of his private estate and
family, was, surely, the most fatal precedent that
could be made, and the most unheard-of to be at-
tempted by a Prince that was to succeed him : that
I most earnestly conjured him to consider what he
was doing : that we all hoped he would have children :
that he knew he had a brother ; if it should happen,
when he was on the throne, that discontents should
arise (and there had been discontents under the
best Princes that ever reigned), how would he like
to have a Parliament tell him, that the Duke was an
amiable, and a popular Prince, of great merit and
expectation ; that they thought his appanage too
small, and desired his Majesty to double it : that he
was born in England, and the nation could not think
themselves safe in keeping up such an army, unless
the Duke was declared. General ? Would he like
this ? and yet this they might do, they would have a
precedent for it, and what was more extraordinary,
and unanswerable, a precedent of his own making.
He said, he knew how to avoid that : he gave me
his word he would make his children and his brother
entirely easy, they should have most ample allow-
ances ; that would be a most effectual way to keep
every body quiet. I asked him if he was sure that
they would be all, and always reasonable ? Would all
those that advised them, be so ? Could he be blind
to what fatal foundations he was laying for future
disturbances ? And begged him to consider, that
414
even rebellions, with a Prince of the Blood at the
head of them, lost a great deal of the horror, and
even of the danger of common rebellions. I desired,
that he would talk to the Duke of Argyll, and Lord
Scarborough, to see if I was single in my apprehen-
sions. He said, no, the Duke of Argyll was too
deeply engaged with the Court, by his employ-
ments. I entreated him to look on the Duke in a far
superior and more just light, as one of the first of his
father's subjects, and more so, by his firm and unal-
terable attachment, and unavoidable connexion to
the whole Royal Family, than by his rank ; but,
however, Lord Scarborough had no employment.
He still said, no ; Scarborough, he knew, was always
full of his fears ; which he laughed at. I replied,
that I was sure, if Lord Scarborough had his fears,
they were for his Royal Highness, and not for him-
self. He still refused to speak to either of them,
and said that, now, he did not think to speak to the
Duke of Dorset or Lord Wilmington. I beo-o-ed
him to believe, that I only spoke my own sentiments,
and not to alter his design of sending for them upon
that. He said, no, it was to no purpose ; he knew
we were in the same way of thinking, and was satis-
fied he could expect nothing from thence, so would
not send for them ; nor would he, now, for Sir
Thomas Frankland, or Sir Conyers Darcy, as he
once designed. I still persisted to desire, that he
would not include those gentlemen with me, who
knew nothing of it ; but he persisted in the contrary,
which made me say that I was extremely sorry that
415
he would not speak to gentlemen of that character ;
and that I did not believe he would find one dis-
passionate man, unheated by opposition, of figure
enough to be consulted, who would not most ar-
dently and vehemently advise his Royal Highness
against this measure. He then renewed his instances
strongly to make me for it, and said he should make
a very bad figure in the world, when it appeared that
his best friends were against him (and this he re-
peated often) in the only point he could want them,
and in a point I well knew he was, always, entirely,
set upon, and had always had'in view. I replied, it
was true, I did know he was always bent upon it, but
his Royal Highness as well knew, that I always as
constantly opposed this way of attempting it : that
he well knew that my firmness on this head was the
first and chief cause of his withdrawing, for these two
years last past, the confidence he formerly honoured
me with : that I spoke it without the least thought of
complaint, but he knew it was so; and therefore, as
I could, by no means, charge his Royal Highness
with acting inconsistently in pursuing this view, he
must also do me the justice to own, that I acted con-
sistently with myself in dissenting from it : that as
he had been graciously pleased often to use the word
friends leaving one, friends not assisting one, &c.
I most humbly begged leave to submit, if it was.
friendly to take a resolution of the highest nature, a
resolution one was known to be against, and un-
alterably to fix that resolution, with I could not say
who ; not with the friends, certainly, of those he was
416
graciously pleased to call friends ; and all this, with-
out the least communication to them till it was irre-
coverable ; without giving them the least opportu-
nity of having their objections weighed, or their
scruples removed ; but only to tell them that the
thing was fixed, and they must follow, or refuse it.
He th<?n set forth how unpopular the court had made
itself through the nation, which was much the reverse
on his side. I told him, that I reflected, with much
concern, on any unpopularity, but was thoroughly
persuaded that this measure would lessen the unpo-
pularity where he seemed to express the greatest dis-
like ; and lay a foundation for it, where he thought,
and I was persuaded there was none ; because I was
convinced that an attack upon his Royal Father, of
this nature, and at this time, would produce so in-
curable a division, that when men's first passions
subsided, and they began to reflect coolly ; the au-
thors and advisers of this measure (I did not know
them, but the world would certainly fix it somewhere,
Unjustly perhaps), would, in the end, become the de-
testation of mankind, and perhaps of posterity. He
still continued to press me warmly, and said that my
being against him cut off his fingers ; but sure I
could not deny him to be absent, if I would not be
for him. I told him, that as I now stood informed,
it was impossible for me to be absent ; when I had
taken a mature resolution upon a thing of this weight,
I thought it would be inconsistent with my honour
and reputation, not to dare to show it : that, however,
if I could find any means to satisfy my honour to
417
myself in being absent, I would wait on his Royal High-
ness again, but, as I now was informed, I thought it
impossible; and that nothing could happen to me so
fatal, not even his Royal Highness's displeasure, as
to leave the least ambiguity upon his mind of my
conduct. He asked what I meant by ambiguity ? 1
said, to leave any doubt with his Royal Highness, or
reason for him to suppose, that I would be for him,
or absent, when he would afterwards hear that I was
against him. He said, it was very strange that I
would not be absent, when I had said, that I thought
it natural that many gentlemen of great honour and
property would refuse to vote in this question. I
replied, that I could not be absent, because I did not
come under the latter part of the description I had
made of them, for I had said, that what would make
such gentlemen be absent, would be a motive of dis-
satisfaction against both, for having driven them
to that extremity : now that could never be a motive
with me, to whatsoever extremities I might be re-
duced. He said, he saw then, that he was to expect
me, and all my friends (meaning the Commoners)
against him. I told him, that as to my friends, I had
not dropped the least hint to them of this affair : that
I hoped, for his sake, they would not see it in the
light that I did ; and did promise him, that I would
use no one argument to induce them to do so : but
for myself, it was with great concern I was obliged
to say, that I must be against it, unless I could find
reasons, which I did not then see, and which I be-
lieved it impossible to find, to be absent ; if I did, I
e e
418
would certainly wait on his Royal Highness again?
and let him know it. Thus ended the most painful
conversation I ever had, or, I believe, ever shall have,
whilst I live.
As what is put down here is only to aid my own
memory, while the transaction is fresh, and in par-
ticulars, only, where I was immediately concerned,
I will not say when the Ministry first knew of this
resolution ; though, I think, I have undeniable rea-
sons to believe, they did not know it till Sunday the
13th, at soonest ; more probably not till Monday the
14th, which is extremely surprising. On Wednes-
day the 1 6th it was public, and I was stopped by se-
veral gentlemen in the House of Commons, who de-
sired my opinion, which I gave to none. Sir Robert
Walpole desired me to stay the rising of the House,
that he might speak with me : 1 did so ; and when
the House was almost empty, we went behind the
chair together. He was, then, so little informed of
people's opinions, that he began by saying, that he
desired to speak to me without reserve ; and there-
fore would ask me, frankly, if upon this great ques-
tion, I would give him a meeting. I answered, that
this great question was not new to me : that for
three years preceding the two last, it had been the
great struggle of my life to prevent it from breaking
out then : that I would not have done so, if I had
not entirely disapproved it ; and that from that time,
up to this very hour, I had never seen any one rea-
son to induce me to alter my opinion. He said it
419
was a very handsome declaration, and he thanked
me ; but that I well knew many things were liable to
be imputed to us, which we were not guilty of, and
therefore begged me to speak to my friends. I said,
that I desired there might be no mistakes between
us upon a subject of this importance ; that I spoke
for myself plainly, and openly ; I always disapproved
of this measure as pernicious and fatal to the whole
Royal Family, and as such, would give my public
dissent to it. As to what he called my friends, I
supposed he meant Mr. Dodington, Mr. Wyndham,
Mr. Beaghan, and the two Messrs. Tucker. He
said, Yes. I replied, that as to this matter, I would
tell him the whole truth, indifferent how far he cre-
dited it : that it would be idle to tell him that I did
not know of this measure, for I did, long since, but
under such restrictions that hindered me from com-
municating it to any body ; that I regarded those ties,
and had not even hinted it to any one of those gen-
tlemen ; but as the thing was now public, I had al-
ready spoke to some of them, and did design to do
so to the rest, to meet me that night ; but, as yet,
could give him no manner of guess as to their opi-
nion in this matter. He again desired me not to do
the thing by halves, because it would be imputed.
I told him that they were independent gentlemen ;
that though their fortunes were not large, yet they
were sufficient, and they were resolved they always
should be sufficient to keep them in independency;
that he best knew they had not been regarded, or
treated in a manner to give them any great present
Ee2
420
expectations. He interrupted me here, and said we
understood one another ; that what 1 said with rela-
tion to those gentlemen was true, and had proceeded
from not being in a situation to have it otherwise,
[meaning the coldness between us]. I replied, that
I did understand him, but as he knew they had no
present expectations, I could by no means say how
far they w r ould care to forfeit the prospect of all fu-
ture favours and advantages. He pressed me again
to speak to them, for, indeed, it would be imputed.
His repeating that so often, heated me a little, and
made me tell him, that 1 very little regarded what
might be imputed to me unjustly : Had I any pre-
tensions ? any expectations ? What had I asked or
pretended ? He knew I had none : if I had, let him
say it. He said it was very true ; that I must be sen-
sible that there had been great misunderstandings
between us, he was willing to suppose on both sides,
but that so great a service as that wiped out a mul-
titude of things. I answered, that what I should do
was from a motive of my duty ; that I neither asked
nor expected any reward for it, nor pretended any
thing from it : that as to the gentlemen, I would, as
I designed, lay the matter fairly before them, and
plainly tell them which way I should vote : whether
my example would influence them, they must deter-
mine, but I should use no arguments to do it.
I did so the same night ; and they, from their own
judgements, entirely unbiassed, or attempted to be
so by me, all determined to vote for the King.
421
On Sunday the 20th, about twelve gentlemen
met at Sir Robert Walpole's, to be informed (as
the custom is of all those meetings) of what is
resolved upon, instead of being consulted (as
the custom ought to be) upon what should be re-
solved on.
When the company Avas gone, I told Sir Robert
Walpole that I had laid the matter before the gen-
tlemen, and that I found they were disposed to act
in the same manner that I had declared I would do.
He thanked me, and was going on (as I thought)
to mention future expectations; but I prevented
him, by continuing to say, that if I had been so un-
fortunate as to take another part in this unlucky
affair, than that which the real sense of my duty,
and zeal for the whole Royal Family, had deter-
mined me to take, I believe he must be very sen-
sible that the connexion between those gentlemen
and me was such, that we should not have differed
in opinion. He said there could be no manner
of doubt of it. I added, that I then left him to con-
sider whether, beside that real sense of my duty, I
had had, from the day this King came upon the
throne, up to that hour, any one inducement to do
what I had resolved to do. He answered, to be sure
not; the misunderstandings botween him and me
were very public, but now and was going on,
but I thought it not proper to enter into explana-
tions, and interrupted him by saying, 1 did not men-
tion this in any the least way of complaint, but
422
thought I owed myself so much justice as to put
him in mind of it : that as I acted from a principle
of honour and conscience only, I was very regardless
of the consequences that might happen to me from
it ; though I was not so blind as not to see that I
stood exposed to future resentments by it, at least
as much as any gentleman in England : with which
I took my leave. On Tuesday the 22d, the mo-
tion was made by Mr. Pulteney, and seconded by
Sir John Barnard ; the message and answer pro-
duced by Sir Robert Walpole. The House di-
vided between twelve and one ; the numbers for
the Kins were 234, for the Prince 204. There
were 45 Tories absent; 35 members voted for the
Prince against us, who, I think, never voted against
us before.
On Friday the 25th, the same motion was made
in the House of Lords (where I was also), by Lord
Carteret, and seconded by Lord Gower. The de-
bate lasted till past eight, when the motion was re-
jected. The numbers for the King were 103, for
the Prince 40.
Thus ended this unhappy affair in Parliament:
God only knows where the consequences of it will
end in a nation, wfiere, by the profligacy and dis-
soluteness of their manners, the people seem to have
forfeited all pretence to the divine favour and inter-
position ; and where baseness, degeneracy, and
corruption, is arrived to such a height, as to make
423
them an easy prey, not only to the glaring qualities,
and miscalled virtues, of great, ill-designing Princes ;
but even to the most barefaced, despicable attempts
of the weakest, whenever they shall think fit to em-
ploy a little low cunning, and open corruption, to
enslave them.
Mr. Dodington*s answer to the Prince, delivered, by
Mr. Ralph, to the Earl of Middlesex, iclio presented
it to his Royal Highness, March 11, 17-48-9.
Alluded to in page 2.
That his Royal Highness may be thoroughly
convinced, that Mr. Dodiugton is, in earnest, dis-
posed to be as serviceable to his Royal Highness,
and this country, as his circumstances and abilities
will give him leave, he has resigned the office he
had the honour to hold under his Majesty.
And having premised thus much, he humbly hopes
he may be indulged in saying, That, if, by the most
gracious offers his Royal Highness is pleased to
make, of receiving him to the same degree of fa-
vour and protection as he once enjoyed, his Royal
Highness means to admit him to the honour of being
about his person, at his leisure hours, as a most re-
spectful, most affectionate, and most disinterested
424
attendant, he shall receive that great condescension,
with all the reverential duty and respect, that be-
comes him, to a great and amiable Prince, who is
thoroughly capable, by that means, of making the
decline of his life much the happiest part of it.
But as to entering into his Royal Highness's pub-
lic business ; to advise or direct the measures which
his Royal Highness may think fit to have pursued in
Parliament, by his family, and followers, while him-
self, and his very few most efficient friends, are not
in his Royal Highness's service; or presuming to take
a lead ; or invite, or engage others, to follow his
Royal Highness's standard ; he humbly hopes it will,
in no degree, be expected from him ; because he
knows, and is convinced, that his rank and fortune
must render such an attempt vain and impracticable :
nor does he believe, that any body, much his supe-
rior in both, could effectually serve his Royal High-
ness in that way, how necessary soever it may be,
without those additions.
425
The following Letter, and Memorial, teas sent to the
Prince of Wales, by Mr. Dodington, October 13,
1749, and is taken notice of in page 12. Mr.
Dodington adcises his Royal Highness not to appear
at the head of opposition, and attempts to dissuade
him, from even encouraging any opposition, with such
sensible and honest arguments that would refect ho-
nour upon the most upright Statesman.
SIR, Hammersmith, Oct. 13, 1749.
I came from Eastbury to Hammersmith last
night, but too late to pay my duty to your Royal
Highness, as I designed when I sat out. I hope to
have that honour and happiness, some time this
morning, if your Royal Highness should happen to
be at leisure.
In the mean time, I humbly presume to lay the en-
closed Memorial before your Royal Highness, to fill
up a serious quarter of an hour ; and as a proof that
your service has not been out of my head, or heart,
since I left your Royal Presence.
I am, &c.
426
Memorial for the Prince.
SIR, October 12, 1749.
Though I must own I am under but little, per-
haps too little constraint, when I converse with your
Royal Highness, in the familiarity of private life,
which your condescension, often, calls me to: yet,
when I approach you in the light of a great Prince f
of admirable endowments, by nature ; highly im-
proved by art and observation; a Prince with one
foot on the throne of a, once, great, and power-
ful People; called thither by Providence, to pre-
vent, or complete its ruin : when I approach you
in this light, and, above all, when I consider, that I
am called to offer my serious opinion, relating to a
conduct that must determine this awful event ; I
confess I am too much agitated, between the re-
solution of doing my duty to my country, and the
fear of offending by too full, and plain a discharge
of it, to speak to your Royal Highness with that
calmness of mind, that full possession of myself,
which the greatness of the object, the operation,
and the actor require, upon so solemn an occasion,
I have, therefore, chosen this way of memorial, as
a means to lay my thoughts before your Royal High-
ness, in a less confused manner, and, at the same
time, to give you an opportunity of examining them,
427
as your leisure and inclination shall dictate: humbly
hoping, only, that you will give them a full and
calm consideration, as the settled opinion, after
much reflection, of a man bound in duty, and im-
pelled by gratitude and inclination, to prefer your
true glory and interest, and the welfare of this coun-
try (which are inseparable), to all other, earthly,
considerations ; and one, who looks upon the faith-
ful discharge of this great duty, as the most import-
ant article he is answerable for, to Almighty God,
before whom he expects, shortly, to appear.
As nobody has seen this paper ; elegance, and ac-
curacy, it may, possibly, want : sincerity, and affec-
tion, it, certainly, will not : the head may err ; the
heart cannot.
I shall begin, Sir, with parliamentary affairs, so
far forth only, as they relate to the part your Royal
Highness, in your present situation, ought to take in
them, by those who are more immediately honoured
with your character, and protection.
I choose to begin with this head, because it is most
pressing in point of time ; because it is what you
are most deeply engaged in; and because (though
perhaps unavoidably at first) it is, now, become the
source, and cause of all the most considerable diffi-
culties you labour under ; and which, each in its
turn, may be the subject of different memorials, if
428
you shall please to approve of this method of laying
my thoughts before your Royal Highness.
The narrow measure of governing by a party,
which has unfortunately attended the frequency of
Parliaments (a thing, in itself, most desirable), seems
to have been the occasion, that opposition has, too
frequently, changed its views, from the redress of
grievances (its ancient, and only justifiable object),
to a pursuit of private preferment, or private resent-
ment. Let us take them separately, and see if a
Prince of Wales can appear at the head of either,
consistent with his true greatness.
And first, let us consider an opposition carried on
for the private preferment of the opposers. Can a
Prince of Wales be preferred ? He must be King ;
and as he can be nothing else, can such an opposi-
tion make him so, one hour before his time ? or if it
could, would he not reject it with horror and indig-
nation ?
Let us, next, form to ourselves an opposition found-
ed upon resentment; a resolution to pull down, pos-
sibly to punish, those that have offended us, without
considering consequences.
Will a Prince of Wales appear to act publicly,
from resentment, and passion only ; and that too,
under the disadvantage of appearing to do it, peevish-
429
ly, personally, ineffectually ; when he must, one
day, have it in his power to do it, nobly, nationally,
and effectually ?
Having shown that the ends, to which oppositions
have been usually directed, are inconsistent with
the interest, and true glory of a Prince of Wales, in
your present situation ; let us examine, if the me-
thods of opposition, employed to attain those ends,
are better calculated for } r our Royal Highness's
great purposes.
In the first case, then, that I have stated, which is
that of an opposition founded on self-interest, only :
the methods, in short, are a steady and unvariable
attention to propose every thing that is specious, but
impracticable, or unseasonable : to depreciate and
lessen every thing that is blameless, and to exag-
gerate and inflame every thing that is blameable; in
order to make the people desire, and the Crown con-
sent to, the dismission of those in power, and place,
to make room for the leaders, and followers of the
opposition. But a Prince of your elevation, Sir,
cannot act as the head of any Administration ; it is
descending too low; nor can your followers act un-
der any, without ceasing to be so. I humbly think,
it is not your interest to drive them from you ; and
I am sure, it is not theirs, to quit the certain favour
of a King whom they will have contributed to make
a great King, for the uncertain, ill-willed, precarious
430
emoluments, which they may snatch, in the scramble
of a new Administration, forced upon the Crown.
The methods of carrying on the second sort of op-
position I have mentioned, in which, resentment is
the chief motive and ingredient, admit of a very
short discussion : they are much the same with the
other, only heightened, and inflamed. Proposing
things, not only unseasonable, but dangerous, and
subversive of government itself: opposing right,
and wrong, with equal vehemence : and endeavour-
ing to overturn the whole system, rather than not
reach those, who have the supreme direction of it.
I presume, you, Sir, who are, by Providence, called
to govern, will not contribute to make all govern-
ment impracticable, or sacrifice to resentment and
passion, the welfare and prosperity of the people, in
which, your own interest and glory is inseparably
implicated, and involved : nor will those, who hope
to govern under you, find their account in such a
method of opposition.
Be pleased, Sir, to let us make a little stand, here,
to see what we have proved ; and to consider, what
consequences, necessarily, follow from the things
proved, that ought to influence your present and
future conduct.
It is proved, I hope beyond all possibility of doubt,
that the oppositions we have seen carried on, in this
431
country, hitherto, are neither becoming your Royal
Highness, in your present situation, nor advantage-
ous to your followers: that such an opposition never
can, either by its means or its ends, establish that
point, which, alone, ought to influence the public
actions of a Prince : of a Prince like you, Sir, who
want only to be seen as you really are, not as you
are misrepresented (to which misrepresentations,
the opposition has, unavoidably, furnished some
foundation and pretext) , to become the sole object
of mankind's expectation, for the redress of all the
grievances they feel, and the dispensation of all the
future benefits they hope for.
Admitting, then, all this to be proved, what fol-
lows from it ? Are we to infer, that the opposition,
which your Royal Highness countenanced and pro-
tected, was improperly and injudiciously entered
into, and consequently, that there ought to be no
opposition at all ? Are one, or both of these points,
the doctrine you would establish ? Neither the one
nor the other.
I am ready to own, that, considering the humiliat-
ing situation prepared for your Royal Highness, at
your first coming to Britain, perhaps you had no
means of procuring yourself a proper independency,
but by having recourse to the unprincely weapon
of opposition.
T will, also, willingly admit, that such an indepen-
432
dence tvas necessary to establish the dignity, and
greatness of your representation, and to show you,
in the proper light of a mediator between the King
and the people : one, from whom they are to hope
and expect every benefit they wanted, either by
your intercession with, or succession to, sovereign
power.
But as these concessions are true, and justify your
conduct towards the attainment of that necessary in-
dependence, your Royal Highness must, on the
other side, own, that your being obliged to pursue
it, by those means, has forced you to submit to
many things, painful to you, in the execution : im-
proper audiences and applications, condescensions
and familiarities, that, I humbly apprehend, you
feared, and felt, must lessen that greatness, and
public significance, which, by the independence
then struggled for, you were labouring to advance
and establish.
Your Royal Highness must also allow, that, as this
pursuit carried in its face the full likeness of a pri-
vate pecuniary establishment; the bulk of mankind,
not being taught to see it as the foundation of that
independence necessary to make you their advocate,
or their defender, in case they should be aggrieved;
the bulk of mankind, I say, not being taught to see,
or rather being taught not to see, it in that light,
judged of it in gross, and, as it carried private in-
terest in the face, concluded (since you went into
433
Court, upon gaining your point), that the same
private interest was interwoven with the whole, and
composed the constituent and essential parts of your
intention, and design.
So that the unavoidable consequences of this me-
thod of opposition became a drawback upon itself,
and, in some degree, defeated its own success. For,
though the necessary independency was established,
there was still something wanting, to stamp, and im-
press upon the minds of the people, that exalted
opinion, that fervent, affectionate confidence and
expectation, which the benevolence of your heart,
and the force and extent of your natural genius
(much embellished and improved) exact from all
those, who have the happiness to see your Royal
Highness, in a near and natural light : to find, and
to fix this something, so as it may produce to my
country, the full blessings of your most gracious
intentions, and beneficent resolutions, is under
Heaven, the whole object of all my care, pains,
ambition, and reward : nor do I despair of success.
For I cannot believe, now the end is attained, that
your Royal Highness will continue upon yourself
those inconveniences, which it might be necessary
to submit to, in order to attain it ; we, indeed, your
servants, by going on in the same eager method, and
throwing your great name, and august patronage
before us, blight gratify our resentments, and possi-
bly, our interests, by forcing ourselves into place
Ff
434
under the Ministry : I say possibly might, but I
very believe, that there is not one of us that har-
bours so mean a thought ; and if any one differs in
opinion with me, upon these great points, I humbly
hope your Royal Highness will be persuaded (as I
am from the conviction of my conscience), that it
proceeds from a different conception of things, only,
but from a heart as affectionate and zealous as my
own, for your Royal Highness' s true interest and
glory. But I, still, return to this point, that I do
not imagine, that a Prince of your prudence and
discernment will continue a pursuit, that cannot, in
all human probability, be attended with success ; and
if it was, could be employed to no desirable end,
that falls within the compass of my poor compre-
hension.
The pursuit I mean, is a majority in Parliament,
which I hold, morally, impossible to gain ; and if it
could be gained, I am entirely at a loss to guess, what
advantageous use to your Royal Highness could be
made of it : on the contrary, I think it a thing, of all
others, the least to be wished. For, if we were a
sufficient majority to drive out the present Ministry,
your Royal Highness would not, I presume, have us
take their places ; that were to drive us from you,
indeed ; for, in the present unhappy disposition of
the Royal Family, you well know, that to keep the
places into which we had intruded, we must act like
our predecessors, very dishonourably and disgrace-
fully to ourselves, indeed, but certainly, very of-
435
fensively, to your Royal Highness. Besides, if we
were that majority, with all the emoluments and
temptations full within reach, and in our power, is
your Royal Highness very sure you could stop us
all short, and hinder us from rushing in to the
plunder ?
This great something, then, that is wanting, this
necessary point of light, which is not to be found in
the present methods, or ends of opposition, must be
fixed and ascertained, in order to proportion, and
adapt the means to the measure.
Now, according to my understanding, this great
and necessary point is, to fix in the minds of man-
kind, by the dignity and steadiness of your own be-
haviour, a strong prepossession of your warm, and
beneficent intentions for the welfare of this country,
without private view, or resentment; and by such
a choice of those, to whom you delegate the princi-
pal direction of your affairs, as may create a full
confidence, that you are not only thoroughly deter-
mined, but also, properly prepared, to carry those
intentions into full execution, when you are vested
with power to do it.
And now, Sir, I whom your Royal Highness may,
hitherto, have thought an enemy to all opposition,
become an humble advocate, in my turn, for an op-
position ; such an one, as may be productive of this
noble purpose, suitable to the greatness of your
Ff2
436
name, your reputation, and moat princely accom-
plishments : an opposition strongly marked with the
public good, where your private views all plainly
centre in the public welfare ; and those of your fol-
lowers, are openly, and declaredly, confined to the
honour of, one day, carrying your great designs into
execution ; till that time, to ask for nothing, to ac-
cept of nothing, but devote themselves to watch
over the public, and prevent, as far as they can,
any farther encroachments being made upon it, till,
by becoming the glorious instruments of your gra-
cious intentions, they can redress all the grievances
they have not been able to prevent.
The noble simplicity of this opposition, supported
with suitable gravity, steadiness, and dignity, with-
out doors, will awake, and fix the attention of man-
kind on your Royal Highness, as their proper ob-
ject of defence, and expectation. And even those
personal points, which, though most justly grounded,
and ably supported, would now be attempted in-
effectually, as the movements of resentment only,
and end in a sanction, instead of a censure: the
prosecution of those very points will, when your
power to punish, as well as reward, is equal to your
will, be called for by the people, as national justice
and public satisfaction.
To the standard of an opposition thus strongly
marked, and characterized with the public good, and
the public good only ; thus cleared from every cloud,
437
and stain of private interest, and resentment, the
honest, the brave, and the impartial, will gather, by
degrees, and no slow ones, to increase the dignity,
as well as numbers, of your Royal Highness' s party.
But while they see, or think they see, the least ap-
pearance of trifling with the public ; or indeed, till
they see the contrary : in my humble opinion, the
prospect is so full of misfortune, that I choose to hide
it from your Royal Highness, and wish I could hide
it from myself.
All which is humbly submitted to your Royal
Highness' s superior discernment and direction.
G.D.
Tlus Narrative of Mr. Ralph appears to be a justifica-
tion of Mr. Dodington, from a malicious report that
he had intruded himself upon the late Prince of
Wales, and had forced himself into the service of his
Royal Highness. It was written in the year 1751,
and is occasionally hinted at in the Diary.
It pleased his late Royal Highness the Prince of
Wales, sometimes to discourse of political matters
with Mr. Ralph.
On all such occasions, the Earl of Middlesex wa*
present, and sometimes Dr. Sharpe.
438
These discourses were generally pretty long; and
it seldom happened, but that his Royal Highness
mentioned Mr. Dodington's name before they were
brought to an end : sometimes with complaints that
he, Mr. Dodington, had left his Royal Highness,
but oftener with expressions of self-persuasion, that
he should recover him again one day or another :
adding these, or such words as these — " We have
good subalterns enough ; but we want leaders."
Mr. Ralph, all this while, either kept on the re-
serve, or threw in such general suggestions concern-
ing Mr. Dodington, as were rather dictated by sen-
timent than policy.
Once, and but once, when the conversation grew
very particular, he did most humbly offer himself to
communicate his Royal Highness's commands to
Mr. Dodington, in case he had any to communicate,
and should think fit to do him (Mr. Ralph) that ho-
nour. But his Royal Highness waved the motion at
that time, by saying, Lord Baltimore had been
spoken to on that head ; and, therefore, when he
had any thing to say, his Lordship would be the
most proper person to say it.
Notwithstanding which, at some distance of time,
his Royal Highness resumed the topic one evening ;
and, at parting, clapping his hand on Mr. Ralph's
arm, dropped certain expressions, which, to the best
of Mr. Ralph's remembrance, were these — Dear
439
Ralph, or, good Ralph, get me Dodington, if pos-
sible — I must have Dodington at any rate.
Mr. Ralph was rather perplexed, than pleased,
with this commission : and Dr. Sharpe coming to
him at Turnham Green (he believes to know his
(Mr. Ralph's) opinion concerning it), Mr. Ralph
told him he could not proceed upon it, as it was too
general; and, consequently, tended more to draw
him into a difficulty with Mr. Dodington, than to
answer his Royal llighness's purpose.
What followed was an order for him to come to
town immediately : which, on his arrival, was fol-
lowed by another, requiring him, expressly, in the
name of his Royal Highness, to invite Mr. Doding-
ton into his Royal Highness's service; or rather, as
it was phrased, to live with him, as he had formerly
done, and as if that sort of life had never been in-
terrupted: which invitation was unaccompanied with
any offer or stipulation of any kind whatsoever.
Nay ; when Mr. Ralph asked — if no character or
employment, either in present or future, was allotted
to him; the answer given was, that nothing of either
kind had been so much as mentioned.
This invitation Mr. Ralph carried to Mr. Do-
dington, who took two or three days to consider of
it; and, having, in that interval, resigned his em-
ployment, did, by Mr. Ralph, send a letter, to be
delivered into the hands of Lord Middlesex (who
440
was the person employed by his Royal Highness in
this transaction), the contents of which Mr. Doding-
ton is best able to explain.
About four months passed over, after this, without
producing any farther explanation of either side ;
during which interval (though Mr. Ralph did wonder
much that his Royal Highness should be so earnest
to have a gentleman at his devotion, whom he did
not seem to have commands for, and might, possibly,
take the liberty to express that wonder to his friends
at times) he never once presumed to importune his
Royal Highness, or to desire that he might be im-
portuned on Mr. Dodington's account.
Lastly ; when his Royal Highness did, of his own
mere motion, as Mr. Ralph apprehends, take Mr.
Dodington into his actual service, he, Mr. Doding-
ton, did require Mr. Ralph, by and through my
Lord Middlesex, to repeat the humble request
which he had before made to him in person; viz.
that he might have the honour to serve him without
salary, till it pleased God that his Royal Highness
should accede to the Throne. Mr. Ralph did, ac-
cordingly, communicate this request to my Lord
Middlesex, to be communicated to his Royal High-
ness, which his Royal Highness refused to admit :
notwithstanding which, Mr. Dodington did again
renew the same solicitation, and persist in it, through
the same channel ; till Mr. Ralph was, at last, told
by my Lord Middlesex, that his Royal Highness was
441
so firm to his purpose, on that head, that he did not
think it adviseable to press him any farther.
JAMES RALPH.
This remarkable Memorial icas sent, by the penny-post,
enclosed in a cover to General Haicley, on the 20th of
December 1/52, and is referred to in the lj 6th page
of the Diary.
Tlie paper being received in the questionable shape of an
anonymous letter, the reader icill naturally be cautious
in giving too much credit to the very severe allegations
contained in it.
A Memorial of several Noblemen and Gentlemen of the
first rank and fortune.
The memorialists represent — That the education
of a Prince of Wales is an object of the utmost im-
portance to the whole nation : that it ought always
to be intrusted to Noblemen of the most unblemished
honour, and to Prelates of the most distinguished
virtue, of the most accomplished learning, and of the
most unsuspected principles, with regard to Go-
vernment both in Church and State.
442
That the misfortunes which the nation formerly
suffered, or escaped, under King Charles I. King
Charles II. and King- James II. were owins: to the
bad education of those Princes, who were early
initiated in maxims of arbitrary power: — That for a
faction to engross the education of a Prince of Wales
to themselves, excluding men of probity and learn-
ing, is unwarrantable, dangerous, and illegal: — That
to place men about the Prince of Wales, whose
principles are suspected, and whose belief in the
mysteries of our faith is doubtful, has the most mis-
chievous tendency, and ought justly to alarm the
friends of their country, and of the Protestant suc-
cession : — That for a minister to support low men,
who were originally improper for the high trust to
which they were advanced, after complaints made
of dark suspicions, and unwarrantable methods made
use of by such men in their plan of education,, and
to protect and countenance such men in their inso-
lent and unheard-of behaviour to their superiors, is
a foundation for suspecting the worst designs in such
ministers, and ought to make all good men appre-
hensive of the ambition of those ministers ; — That it
being notorious, that books inculcating the worst
maxims of government, and defending the most
avowed tyrannies, h ave been put into the hands of
the Prince of Wales, it cannot but affect the memo-
rialists with the most melancholy apprehensions,
when they find that the men who had the honesty
and the resolution to complain of such astonishing
methods of instructions, are driven away from court,
443
and the men who have dared to teach such doctrine
are continued in trust and favour: — That the secu-
rity of this government being built on Whig princi-
ples, and alone supported by Whig zeal ; that the
establishment of the present Royal Family being
settled in the timely overthrow of Queen Anne's last
ministry, it cannot but alarm all true Whigs to hear
of schoolmasters, of very contrary principles, being
thought of for preceptors ; and to see none but the
friends and pupils of the late Lord Bolingbroke in-
trusted with the education of a Prince, whose family
that very Lord endeavoured by his measures to ex-
clude, and by his writings to expel, from the throne
of these kingdoms : — That there beinsr "feat reason
to believe that a noble Lord has accused one of the
Preceptors of Jacobicism, it is astonishing that no
notice has been taken of a complaint of so high a
nature: — On the contrary, the accused person con-
tinues in the same trust, without any inquiry into
the grounds of the charge, or any steps taken by the
accused to purge himself of a crime of so black a
dye: — That no satisfaction being given to the Go-
vernor and Preceptor, one of whom, though a No-
bleman of the most unblemished honour, and the
other a Prelate of the most unbiassed virtue, have
been treated in the grossest terms of abuse by a me-
nial servant of the family, it is derogatory to his Ma-
jesty's authority, under which they acted, is an
affront to the Peerage, and an outrage to the dignity
of the Church: — That whoever advised the refusal
of an audience to the Bishop of Norwich, who was
444
so justly alarmed at the wrong methods which he
saw taken in the education of the Prince of Wales,
is an enemy to his country, and can only mean at
least to govern hy a faction, which intends to over-
throw the government, and restore the exiled and
arbitrary house of Stuart: — That to have a Scots-
man, of a most disaffected family, and allied in the
nearest manner to the Pretender's first ministers,
consulted in the education of the Prince of Wales,
and intrusted with the most important secrets of go-
vernment, must tend to alarm and disgust the friends
of the present Royal Family, and to encourage the
hopes and attempts of the Jacobites : — Lastly, the
memorialists cannot help remarking, that the three
or four low, dark, suspected persons, are the only
men whose station is fixed and permanent ; but that
all the great offices and officers are so constantly
varied and shuffled about, to the disgrace of this
country, that the best persons apprehend there is a
settled design in these low and suspected people to
infuse such jealousies, caprices, and fickleness, into
the two ministers, whose confidence they engross,
as may render this government ridiculous and con-
temptible, and facilitate the revolution which the
memorialists think they have but too much reason to
fear is meditating.
God preserve the KING.
445
A Conference between the Duke of Newcastle and Mr.
Dodington, October 10, 1755, with the Preliminaries
agreed on between them October 19th following,
lliis bargain and sale, which, to those who are un-
acquainted with the manners of a Court, may appear
a singular curiosity, is mentioned in page 336.
MY LORD,
I understand, by Mr. Fox, and by a letter from
your Grace to Lord Hallifax, that the King is dis-
posed to accept my services : and I am very ready
to serve him, if I can do it with utility to his Ma-
jesty and with honour to myself: for I do not want
the service, either to mend my fortune, or for an in-
troduction into the world ; I want it for neither. I
am come, therefore, my Lord, to know of your
Grace, in what, and in what shape and situation his
Majesty expects my services.
He said it was true : and that the King had re-
ceived what he laid before his Majesty of my zeal
for his family, and of my abilities, much more fa-
vourably of late, than when he formerly had done
all that he could with his Majesty, to
My Lord, I beg we may not look back : that, I
am sure, will not advance any thing I came hither
about.
446
He said it was very obliging in me, to forget
what was past — but he must have his own thoughts
about it.
And I mine, my Lord.
He proceeded to say, that as Mr. Fox was a per-
son agreeable to me, the King had directed that Mr.
Fox should come to Dorsetshire to me, to settle
matters, and that his Majesty would consent to any
thing for myself, that I liked and should be agreed
amongst us ; not then knowing that I should be so
soon at Hammersmith.
I said I had seen Mr. Fox, and that he had spoke
to me, in generals only, about public affairs, and his
Majesty's favourable disposition to me.
He said he understood it so : and that Mr. Fox
had only reported that 1 was well disposed to enter
into the service, and if measures could be made
agreeable, I had no objection to men. And that,
if there was any thing I liked, and would let it be
known, it might be shaped out to my satisfaction,
&c.
My Lord, where there is no offer, no answer can
be expected.
He said, all would depend upon measures, if those
could be made agreeable, every thing would be
447
made easy ; and therefore it would be proper to go
upon that.
My Lord, if your Grace pleases, one thing at
once. As you have no offer to make, you can ex-
pect no answer upon that head : and be pleased to
observe that i" have nothing to offer, and nothing to
ask.
Why, to be sure, he said, if what was thought of
was not agreeable, any thing else that I liked might
be brought about : but what the King first thought
of was the Comptroller's Staff.
My Lord, I will suppose I did not hear yon, and
as you have nothing to offer, and /have nothing to
ask, there can be no answer, and we may shut the
book.
He said, that if they had known I should not have
liked the Staff, it would not have been thought of.
My Lord, it should not have been thought of. Jf
you please, my Lord, let us suppose that nothing
ipecifical has been offered : and I repeat my ex-
pectation that your Grace will remember, that I
have nothing to offer, or propose to you, and nothing
to ask.
He said, he understood it so ; and that I came at
his Majesty's requisition, who was desirous I should
448
come into the service. And as for measures, they
had no particular ones, but the two treaties with
Hesse and Russia, which last had been negotiating;
these two years [what he meant by that, I neither
know, nor thought proper to ask], and he supposed
Mr. Fox had explained them.
Upon my answering in the negative, and saying
that I did not believe that Mr. Fox understood them
thoroughly himself; his Grace began to enter into
that with Russia : but I stopped him, by saying, that
I supposed they were two subsidiary treaties, which,
like all others, bargained for a certain number of
men, for a certain time : so much subsidy to the
Princes, and such pay to the troops, when called
for.
Yes — exactly so — and then proceeded to show
that the Russian treaty was the best, and only way
to defend Hanover, and prevent a Continent war.
That if Hanover was attacked for the sake of Eng-
land, it ought to be looked upon as England, &c.
And then would have gone on into the particulars,
but 1 interrupted him by saying, then I would not
lose your Grace's time in explanation, which can
only affect the mode of the thing, and not the sub-
stance ; I may possibly think of it, as of a dish dress-
ed by your Grace's cook, the more palatable, the
more unwholesome. But I will be plain with your
Grace ; I think this Russian subsidy to be ruinous
to this country, of most dangerous precedent, most
449
hurtful to his Majesty's true interest, and destructive
of the interest of his family ; at the same time in-
sufficient to the ends proposed by it, and instead of
preventing a Continental war, the most certain seed
and foundation of it. And I can never think I am
serving his Majesty by supporting it.
At the same time I will agree with your Grace,
and am willing it should be understood, I am for
defending Hanover, if it be attacked out of resent-
ment to England, and that I not only never will con-
sent to, but will hinder, to the best of my poor little
power, the sword's being sheathed, till Hanover be
indemnified. I will go farther, and will allow, with-
out farther examination, that if it be now attacked, it
is on the account of England : but I do not think this
Russian subsidy is the way to defend it, or to make
the people fond of it. Besides, my Lord, your
Grace knows, and I know, that (without this Russian
subsidy) it will never be attacked. He said, he
wished he did : that if I could convince him of that,
it would be the best news that had come to England
a great while.
I do know it, my Lord, and I thought your Grace
had : unless we are to suppose that people will do
the direct contrary to what they have promised, and
engaged to do.
But at the same time I say this of the Russian
Mibsidy, your Grace will observe that / do not sat/
G g
450
that I will be for the Hessian : I desire not to be
misunderstood, or misrepresented. Oh no! he un-
derstood me very well, and would be sure not to
misrepresent me any where.
My Lord, I will not be misrepresented. I do not
say that I will approve of the Hessian subsidy, if
there were no Russian, because considered by itself,
'tis a silly, unadvised step ; the best one can think
of it, or call it, is a job ; 'tis so apparently of no sig-
nificancy, and inadequate to the purposes held out :
and nobody can think you in earnest when you de-
clare them: but, however, as to that, there may be
modes and qualifications, especially as that is ratified
and concluded, (and your Grace says that you are
not sure you shall get the other) and as great respect
to, and desire to comply with, his Majesty's word,
when it was solemnly engaged, is our duty, as far as
is consistent with our duty to our country : I say,
there may, possibly, be found some temperament,
in that single case, that might enable one to speak to
gentlemen, and one's friends ; and if, upon proper
explanations, they were disposed to make so great a
compliment, I should not endeavour to inflame, but
rather, possibly, be inclined to acquiesce. After a
little, and not very material interruption, I resumed
the discourse, and said :
My Lord, I did not come here to dispute with
your Grace : my opinion of the general tendency of
these subsidies, both- at home and abroad, will admit
451
of no variation ; and it is fit that I should acquaint
your Grace, that as to the Russian, I will oppose it
with all the little credit and efficacy I have, both in
the House, and out of it : but I will do it with all the
decency that is consistent with truth. He said, they
were convinced of the great decency of my beha-
viour on all occasions. And I went on to say, that
as to the Hessians, I did not say that I would be for
them : that point, however, might admit of some
modification : but if they both came in, I would in-
dubitably oppose both, for whatever I did, I would
do thoroughly.
After civil expressions of concern, that we did not
agree in our opinion about measures, he let himself
into the danger of provoking other maritime Princes
to join France against us; from the present too
openly professed doctrine of being masters of the
seas: that Sweden and Denmark would, in conjunc-
tion with France, have a fleet of fifty sail in the
Baltic, &c. — that we had the greatest fleet, the best
provided, officered, and directed, that ever was:
that I saw it could not be depended upon : they
could not hinder squadrons from going out, and
coming in, through the most winding, difficult
passages, &c. I got up, and said, if we were not
superior at sea, we must give it up : that I had taken
up too much of his time, and begged leave to re-
capitulate what had passed, that there might be no
room for mistake, or misrepresentation : that, in the
first place, as to myself, I had made no manner of
Gg2
452
offer, nor asked any thing, of any body : that as to
measures for the Hessian subsidy, I had no ways
said that I would be for it, if it came single ; but, in
that case, it might admit of farther consideration;
but if it was to be combined with the Russian, I
would most certainly oppose both : that I had said I
would oppose the Russian, to the utmost of my
power, but with all the decency that truth would
admit : that there remained but one thing, and that
was not recapitulation, because I had not said it be-
fore, which was, that he should find (though I did
not know whether ever they told him one word of
truth) he should find (if they did) that I opposed it
solely from the unfitness of the thing, and not be-
cause any body there thought fit to oppose it : that
I should show it was from opinion, my own opinion
only, and not from any body's else : or out of dis-
like to, or against any body, that I opposed it. I
was unconnected with any one, and would be so,
upon this question : how long I should continue so
I could not tell, but I was so now. Nobody had
any demand, any right to call upon me, but one
gentleman, a near relation of his Grace's, Lord
Hallifax : he had a right, and when he did call, at
any time, and upon any occasion, I should always
be ready to obey it.
After a little insignificant talk, and reciprocal
civilities, we parted.
453
The Preliminaries.
What is hinted at for Mr. Dodington, is more
than he desires for himself; but without the con-
currence of his friends, and the following conditions
for them, it is impossible for him to enter into any
engagement.
Earl of Hallifax to be of the Cabinet. Such pro-
vision in possession, or reversion, for Mr. Furnese,
as shall be agreed upon between him and Mr. Attor-
ney General.
Sir Francis Dashwood to be offered the Comptrol-
ler's Staff, or something that is proper for, and would
oe agreeable to "him ; if he can be prevailed on to
accept any thing, which I very much doubt.
Lord Talbot to be comprehended. Mr. Tucker
to be provided for, at, or before the end of the
sessions.
Full liberty to oppose the subsidies, honestly and
fairly; which is never to cause the least coldness,
expostulation, or remonstrance.
Mr. Dodington is also obliged to be of the Irish
side of the question, about the linens.
454
It is presumed, that there is to be no trifling ;
but that the correspondence and communication be-
tween Mr. Dodington's friends, and the Administra-
tion, is to be sincere, honourable, and unreserved.
The Editor, at the request of a particular friend, has
added tJie following Letter to the Appendix ; it being
a justification of the Duke of Richmond from the
charge implied in the account of his Grace's accepting
and resigning a place in the King's Bedchamber. —
See page 371. And here the Editor begs leave to
observe, that as other transactions contained in this
Diary may, possibly, have been either unfairly stated,
or partially represented, he will be happy to insert all
explanations, that may come property authenticated to
him, in a future edition.
SIR, Gocdwood, June 21, 17S3.
I am much obliged to Mr. Wyndham for the com-
munication he has allowed you to make to me of
Mr. Dodington's Diary, which has afforded me great
entertainment ; for few readings, in my opinion, are
more amusing than this sort of original memoirs,
which give the truest picture of the times in which
they were written.
As the excellence of such a work consists in its
being perfectly original, the smallest alteration
would, in my opinion, destroy its merit ; and there-
fore, although the part, where I am mentioned, con-
tains by no means a true state of that business, yet
I am far from wishing to have it suppressed or alter-
ed. All I desire is, that when Mr. Wyndham thinks
proper to publish Mr. Dodington's Diary, he will
permit this letter, containing the true state of facts,
to be inserted as an explanatory note to that trans-
action.
Soon after his Majesty's accession, Sir Harry
Erskine, who had been removed from the Army by
the late King, was restored to it by his present Ma-
jesty, with the same rank he would have had, if he
had continued in the service; bv this means he
came in again over my head. This induced me to
desire an audience, in which I respectfully repre-
sented to his Majesty, that as I had particularly at-
tached myself to the Military, and had sought service
upon all occasions, I was in hopes that no person
would have been put over me. But finding from
his Majesty's answer, that Sir Harry Erskine's re-
moval in the late reign was owing to his attachment
to his Majesty when Prince of Wales, and that he
had then made him a promise to restore him to his
rank when he should come to the Crown, I most
cheerfully submitted, and begged of his Majesty to
believe, that nothing could be further from my wish,
than that he should break his word on anv account,
and particularly on mine. His Majesty then asked
456
me, how it happened that I had never thought of
any other line than the Military ? my answer was,
that I had not chose to put myself under an obliga-
tion to the Duke of Newcastle, or even to my bro-
ther-in-law Mr. Fox, being unwilling to connect
myself with any Minister. His Majesty was pleased
to receive very graciously all I had said.
Being present at the next levee day, Lord Bute
took me aside, and told me the King was much
pleased with my behaviour in the closet : that his
Majesty had observed my saying that I had never
thought of any line but the Military, and had order-
ed him to sound me (I perfectly well recollect the
expression) whether I should have any inclination
to a civil employment ? Lord Bute added, that he
thought the best way of sounding was at once to tell
me the whole : that the King thought of making me
a Lord of his Bedchamber ; that I might know it
would not be proper for the King to make a formal
offer, but that, if I was disposed to have it, I might
ask it, and he could assure me I should not be re-
fused. I thanked his Lordship, expressed my grati-
tude to his Majesty, and desired twenty-four hours
to consider of it. I then asked for it in form, and
was immediately appointed.
A few days after I had kissed hands, news arrived
of the battle of Closter Campen in Germany, in
which the Hereditary Prince of Brunswick, who
commanded there, had been worsted. Lord Shel-
457
burne (then Lord Fitzmaurice) had been present at
this action as a volunteer: Lord Downe commanded
the 25th regiment, and received the wounds of
which he afterwards died : my brother, Lord George
Lennox, commanded a battalion of British grena-
diers; he had been in the hottest part of the action,
and, although he had the good luck not to be hurt,
his clothes were shot through in several places, and
he had the peculiar satisfaction of remaining to the
very last with the Hereditary Prince in the wood,
which was the scene of action, and when all his peo-
ple were either killed or driven off, he, with a Cap-
tain Mac Lane, actually carried off in their arms,
the Hereditary Prince, who had no horse or atten-
dants, and who, from the wound he had received in
his leg, was unable to walk. Lord Fitzmaurice and
Lord Downe were both junior Lieutenant Colonels
to Lord George Lennox, but his Majesty was ad-
vised to reward their services in this action, by
giving them the rank of Colonel over his head.
I thought it my duty to represent to his Majesty-
how great a mortification it must be to my brother,
after having much distinguished himself during the
whole war, to be not only neglected, but even to see
his juniors rewarded, by being put over his head,
for their services in this battle, where his beha-
viour had been so remarkable.
My representations, however, proved ineffectual;
tipon which I resigned the Bedchamber, a fortnight
h h
458
after I had received it. I afterwards communicated
to Lord Bute the step I had taken, but have not the
smallest recollection of his Lordship's mentioning to
me " My having talked offensively of the Scotch on
<c the promotion of Sir Harry Erskine, and of him
" (Bute) in particular." On the contrary, his Lord-
ship was very civil to me, and expressed his regret
that I had not first communicated to him my inten-
tions of resigning, as possibly he might have found
means to satisfy me about my brother, and have pre-
vented my quitting the Bedchamber.
But the point I am most anxious to clear up is,
Mr. Dodington's assertion, that the account which
Lord Hallifax said I had given, "That the King
sent and offered me the Bedchamber" — is not true —
the account I have given will show whether Lord
Bute was not sent to me ; and whether the manner
in which his Lordship expressed the orders he had
received to sound me, do not, in the language of plain
dealing, amount to an offer of the Bedchamber from
the King. It is true, that I did ask it in form (I be-
lieve by letter to Lord Bute) but this was subsequent
to, and in consequence, of his orders to sound me, and
not at the audience I had on the business of Sir
Harry Erskine's affair, which was previous ; for I do
very positively declare, that till Lord Bute mention-
ed the Bedchamber to me in that conversation, as an
idea of the King's, it had not entered into my
thoughts, which were never turned to that sort of
employment.
459
The difference of whether I first asked for, or was
offered this place, is very immaterial, except as to
the charge Mr. Dodington brings against me, of
having said what is not true. . For, although it was
very flattering to me to be thought of by his Ma-
jesty to be about his person, I had not the silly im-
pertinence to be above asking for that honour, if
my turn of mind had led me that way, but I cannot
feel indifferent as to a fact which I am stated to have
misrepresented.
Your sending this letter to Mr. Wyndham with
the extract of the memoirs which I return enclosed,
will much oblige,
Sir,
Your most obedient,
And sincere
Humble servant,
RICHMOND, &c.
h h 2
INDEX,
A brian, Mons. d*, 16,
Aldworth, Mr., 68.
Amelia, Princess, ]6, 143, 155, 192, 238,
Amyand, Mr., 3 1 9.
Andrara, Mons. d\ 16.
Anson, Lord, 100, 190, 306, 314, 319, 339, 340, 353, 359,
363, 386.
Anstruther, General, 83, 100, 116.
Argyle, Duke of, 299, 303.
Arundel, Mr., 234,235.
Ashburnham, Lord, 108.
Attorney-General. — See Murray.
Augusta, Princess, Duchess of Brunswick, 68, 113, 155,
111, 221, 226, 258.
Aye, Marquis d J , 77.
Ayscough, Dr., 64.
Bailey, Lady, 66.
Baker, Alderman, 113.
Philip, Esq., 221.
Balch, Robert, Esq. 141, 219, 253, 256,258, 259, 268.
Balendine, Mr., 371.
Baltimore, Lord, 13, 14, 15, 17, 80, 21, 34, 35, 51, 52, 57,
73.
Bance, John, Esq., 7, 68, 102.
Barnard, Lord. — See Vere.
Sir John, 337.
Barrington, Lord, 108, 241, 248, 252.
462
Mr , 230.
Bath, Lord, 44, 232.
Bathurst, Lord, 9, 1 1, 27,29, 44, 5S, 71, 76, 258.
Mr., 77.
Beckford, William, 89, 208, 385.
Bedford, Duke of, 29, 07, 68, 89, 100, 108, 148, 162, 184,
192, 202, 209, 211,328.
Bengal, value of, 110, 112.
Berkeley, Mr., afterwards Lord Bottetours, 371.
Berkeley, Lady, 66.
Besborough, Lord, 368.
Bettesworth, the Conjuror, 71.
Bingham, Mr., 219.
Black -Tan, nickname of the Walpolians, 121.
Bland, General, 117.
Bludworth, Mr., 27, 58, 59, 101, 135.
Bodens, Mr., 16.
Bolingbroke, Lord, 443.
Bolingbroke, Henry, Vise, 1 1 4, 1 64.
Boone, Mr., 72, 101.
Bootle, Sir Thomas, 14, 18, 57, 76, 77.
Breton, William, Esq., 11, 16, 29, 58, 66, 71, 77, 86, 221.
Broke, Earl, 18.
Brunswick, Duke of, 317.
Buckinghamshire, Lord, 371.
Burleigh, Lord, 109.
Burroughs, Rev. Benj., 227, 231, 258,268.
Bute, Earl of, 8, 1 1, 17, 25, 27, 58, 66, 74, 361, 368, 370,
372, 387, 444-, 456.
Byng, Admiral, 338, 345, 316.
Cannon, Mrs. Midwife, 71.
Canterbury, Abp. of, Dr. Herring, 68.
Cardigan, Earl of, 119.
Carlisle, Earl of, 13, 14, 44, 76, 234, 297.
463
Caroline, Queen, 16.
Carr, Silk-manufacturer, 71.
Cary, Mr., 8, 27, 55, 114, 165.
Cavendish, Lord George, 75.
Lord John, 244.
Chamberlayne, Mr., 128.
Chandos, Duke of, 06, 88.
Chasin, Mr., 219.
Cherburg, Surrender of, 366.
Chesterfield, Philip, Earl of, 143, 235.
Cholmondely, General, 10.
Churchill, Mr. William, 111.
Clarke, Lieutenant, 354, 355.
Clinton, Admiral, 230.
Cobham, Lord, 9, 107.
Coke, Lady Mary, 15.
Concalle Bay, attack on, 363.
Cooke, Mr., 24, 59, 60.
Coram, Captain, 36.
Cornwall, Duchy of, and Mines, 61, 69, 70.
Cornwall, Mrs., 66.
Cotton, Sir John Hinde, 15, 20, 91.
Coventry, Earl of, 241.
Crawford, Earl of, 27.
Cresset, Mr., 135, 164, 171, 172, 292, 302, 315.
Cumberland, William, Duke of, 14, 27, 92, 114, 135, 162,
177, 186, 196,198,199,209,222,220,292,306,308,
SI 4, 319, 352, 358.
Cust, Sir John, 66, 101.
Darlington, Earl of, 232, 252.
Dashwood, Sir Francis, 6, 7, 59, 72, 77, 78, 92, 100, 102,
103, 106, 120, 128, 241, 295, 333, 371, 379, 386.
Davison, Major, 203.
Dawkins, Mr., 113.
464
Deering, Sir Edward, 91.
Dennis, Capt., 357.
Devonshire, Duke of, 207, 234, 238, 243, 292, 321, 328,
346, 349.
Douglas, Mr., 10, 101.
Dorset, Duke of, 67, 92, 130, 134, 137, 156, 157, 163, 166,
259.
Down, Lord, 10 4, 114.
Drake, Mr., 67, 69, 113.
Drax,Mr.,9, 10,61,64,120,217.
Drumlanrig, Earl of, 98.
Drummond, Dr., Bp. of St. Asaph, 225.
Dupplin, Lord, 230, 242, 248, 268, 273.
Edgecombe, Mr., 98.
Edward, Duke of York, 74, 113, 119, 141, 152, 188, 226,
229, 342.
Edwin, Lady Charlotte, 141, 142, 304.
Egmont, Earl of, 8, 9, 12, 14, 15, 17, 24, 32, 34, 35, 38,
54, 58, 66, 73, 76, 80, 82, 84, 88, 101, 220, 221, 223,
243, 244, 250, 253, 255, 260, 267, 276, 304, 329, 333,
374, 378.
Egremont, Lord, 46, 103.
Einsiddell, Comte de, 16.
Elizaheth, Princess, 135, 141.
Ellis, Welbore, afterwards Lord Mendip, 115, 117,239,
240, 243, 251, 369, 370.
Erskihe, Sir Henry, 82, 102, 372,455, 458.
Eyles, Sir Francis, 120.
Ferdinand, Prince of Brunswick, 358, 362, 382.
Fioren, Mons. de, 16.
Fitzmaurice, Lord, late Marquis of Lansdowne, 371, 457.
Fleming, Count de, 16, 36.
Foley, Lord, 8.
465
Forrester, Counsellor, 129.
Fosset, Mr., 193,203.
Fox, Henry, first Lord Holland, 107, 10 1, 186, 217, 221,
230, 232, 235, 237, 240, 270, 282, 284-, 296, 299,
308, 319,333,339,346,347,350,352,354,3.57,373.
Franklin, Rev. Dr., 227.
Frederick William, Prince, 66, 69.
Furnese, Henry, Esq., 6, 15, 25, 27, 34, 35, 50, 51, 52, 59,
68,71,72,73,76, 115, 129, 178, 199, 215, 232.
Garrick, 222.
George II., IS, 60,68,119, 124, 14S, 175, 181, 195, 207,
223,231,257,285, 294, 315, 354,360, 369.
George III., 11,68,69,74,90, 104, 108, J 13, 141, 142,
150, 166, 168, 175, 178,194,226,229,257, 289,292,
299, 315, 342, 345, 369.
Gibbon, Mr., 14, 77.
Glasse, Mr., 77.
Glover, Richard, the Poet, 95, 192, 373.
Godolphin, Lord, Treasurer, 180.
Gordon, Duke of, 137.
Govver, Lord, 143,357.
Grafton, Duke of, 232, 283.
Granby, Lord, 76.
Granville, Earl of, 12, 14, 106, 109, 113, 115, 116,306.
Grenville, George, 161, 230, 232,241,252, 269,336,348.
James, 302.
Earl, 322, 334, 364.
Griffin, Admiral, 119.
Grossa-testa, Abbe de, 16, 77.
Guernsey, Lord, 91.
Haldane, Colonel, 84.
Hallifax, Earl of, 18, 162, 294, 300, 309, 310, 336, 34*,
3 VI, 349, 350, 352, 354, 3G0, 362, 368, 372.
46(5
Hampden, John, M.P., 231.
Harcourt, Earl, 103, 152, 164, 165, 168, 169, 172, 147,
IS 8, 194, 203.
Hardwicke, Philip, Lord Chancellor, 12, 68, 106, 1 13, 202,
233,252, 31 Q, 325, 34-2, 359.
Harrington, Lord, 109, 162, 222, 232, 238, 239.
Haslang, Count de, 16,78, 159.
Hawke, Sir Edward, 306, 307, 309, 314, 321.
Hawley, General, 176,441.
Hayter, Dr., Bp. of Norwich, 164, 168, 173, 187, 203, 443.
Henley, Mr. Solicitor-General, afterwards Lord Northing-
ton, and Chancellor, 6, 10, 14, 5Q, 58, 77, 381, 384.
Henry, Prince, 67.
Herbert, Mr., Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire, 35.
Herring, Archbishop of Canterbury, 68.
Hillsborough, Lord, 160, 186,217,230,241,248,268,282,
284, 333, 347.
Hobart, Lord, 193,241.
Holbourne, Admiral, 359.
Holdernesse, Earl of, 100, 103, 109,296,319,843, 259,
370.
Home, Earl of, 229.
Honey wood, Mr., 60.
Howe, Commodore, 363.
Howe, Lady, 11, 17, 25, 27, 58, 66, 77, 142.
Huntingdon, Earl of, 230.
Hyndford, Earl of, 156.
Jersey, Earl of, 241.
Ilchester, Lord, 217.
Inchiquin, Lord, 11, 17, 25, 27, 29, 58, 59, 66, 70,77.
Johnson, Bishop of Gloucester and Worcester, 193,202,203.
Irwin, Lady, 66.
Kel&al, Mr., 08.
467
Kildare, Lord, 161.
Knovvles, Admiral, 119.
Kraygill, Baron de, 16.
Lamberti, Moris., 158.
Lascary, Count de, 78, 108.
Lascelles, Mr., 56, 72, 79.
Lawrency, Chevalier de, 16.
Lee, Dr., afterwards Sir George Lee, Civilian, 12, 14-, 16, 30.
38, 39, 47, 48, 55, 51, 11, 79, 82, 107, 1 12, 358.
Lee, M. D^ 81, 90.
Lee, Lord Chief Justice, 241.
Legge, Hon. Bilson, 239, 270, 333, 336, 350, 360.
Leslie, Mr., 102.
Levison, Mr., 120.
Levy, Chevalier de, 16.
Ligonier, Lord, 365.
Lincoln, Earl of, 119, 129.
Litchfield, Lord, 371.
London, Bishop of, Dr. Sherlock, 113.
Long, Sir Robert, 219.
Lossandiere, Mons. de, 77.
Lovel, Mr., 68.
Loudon, Lord, 359.
Lucchesi, Comte de, 16.
Lyttelton, Lord, 232, 252, 343, 380.
Macky, Mr., 371.
Maddox, Isaac, Bishop of Worcester, 104, 231.
Marlborough, Duke of, 162, 320, 363, 365.
Marmora, Comte de, 77.
Masham, Mr., 27, 29, 58, 66, 76.
Methuen, Sir Paul, 14.
Middlesex, Earl of, 1, 2, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 23, 25,23, 29,
33, 35, 3S, 44, 50, 52,59, 68, 69, 70, 71, 74, 76, 88,
101, 108, 130, 134, 156, 157, 163, 164, 166, 20S.
Middlesex, Lady, 10, 1 I, 17, 25, 27, 33, 58, 60, 66, 71, 77 y
88, 141, 221.
Milles, Colonel, 110, 112, 11 3.
Milton, Lord, 217.
Mirepoix, Marquis de, 16, 77, 108,. 112, 307, 335.
Madame de, 10, 11.
Montague, Mr., 101.
Mordaunt, General, 355, 356.
Moreton, Lord, 258.
Munchausen, Madame de, 58, 159, 190.
Murray, Alexander, Esq., 78, 114, 130.
Murray, William, Solicitor-Genera!, afterwards Lord Mans-
field, 115, 120, 126, 129, 150, 177, 178, IS8, 193> L96,
202, 214, 234, 252, 279,281, 291, 334, 350.
Newcastle, Duke of, 104, I OS, 110, 112, 121, 143, 158,
190, 191, 197, 202, 225, 22' ; , 231, 232, 239, 242, 252,
253, 259, 268, 273, 278, 279, 282, 284, 2S6, 290, 292,
299, 300, 308, 319, 323, 336, 343, 346, 348, 350, 354»
358, 360,368, 369, 377, 382, 387, 445.
Newton, Dr., Bishop of Bristol, 176.
North, Lord, 1 1, 66, 74, 86.
Northumberland, Earl, 230.
Norwich, Bishop of. — See Hayter.
Noyers, Des, 58.
Nugent, Mr., 14, 33, 38, 77, 107, 248.
Oglethorpe, General, 103.
Onslow, Arthur, Esq., Speaker, 92, 93, 128, 157.
Orange, Prince of, 113, 1 19.
Orford, Lady, 272.
Osborne, Sir Danvers, 15.
Oswald, James, Esq., 71, 72, 76, 80, 83, 95, 96, 129,335,
362, 366.
Owen, Publisher of the Remembrancer, 18, 23, 130.
Oxford, Earl of, 94, V5, 100.
Oxford, Bishop of, Dr. Seeker, 66, 68, 69.
469
Parker, Lord, 3SS.
Payne, Mrs., 06.
Pelham.. Hon. Henry, 2, 3, 14, 26, 75, 81, 89, 93, 96, 115,
117, 120, 134, 137, 138, 142, 161, 165, 190, 195,199,
204, 210,215,217,221, 222, 227, 231, 233, 241, 244,
273.
Pelham, James, 1 80.
Pembroke, Earl of, 15, 28.
Pennant, Sir Samuel, 12.
Perron, Count de, 16,77.
Peterborough, Bishop of. — See Thomas.
Pitt, William, afterwards Earl of Chatham, 46, 107, 152,
219, 230, 232, 26 I, 282, 284, 296, 301, 304, 323, 336,
337, 338, 340, 340, 350, 352, 359, 361, 363, 364, 377,
380, 3S4, 3-35.
Pitt, Mr. Thomas, 64, 107.
Plummer, Richard, Esq., 75.
Potter, Thomas, Esq., 337.
Poulett, Earl, 137, 139, 223, 254.
Poulett, Mr. Vere. — See Vere.
Proctor, Sir Wm, Beauchamp, 11*.
Prowse, Mr., 93.
Queensbury, Duke of, 78.
Ralph, James, Political Writer, 1, 2, 6, 8, 14, 18, 19, 25,
27, 33, 35, 50, 59, 71, 73, 76, 77, 95, 106, 136, 308,
210,215, 222,437.
Ravensworth, Lord, 193, 197,202, 203.
Regency Bill, 104.
Rich, Miss, 29.
Richecourt, Comte de, 112, 113.
Richmond, Duke of, 162, 371, 454.
Robinson, Colonel, 74, 102.
Sir Thomas, 241, 248, 252, 2Q6, 306, 319, 341,
350, 352.
Rohan, Chevalier de, 357
470
Rolls, Master of, 60. — See Strange,
Roxburgh, Duke of, 120.
Rushout, Sir John, 14, 76, 98.
Sackville, Lord George, 349,363, 365.
St. Fiorent, Baron de, 78, 108.
St. Albans, Duke of, 111.
Sandwich, Earl of, 100, 109, 144, 162, 235.
Saxon, the Apothecary, 120.
Scarborough, Earl of, 4, 88, 149.
Lady, 87.
Schaub, Sir Luke, 69.
Scott, Mr., 102, 152, 164, 171.
Scrope, Mr., 75, 120.
Seeker, Bishop of Oxford, 66, 68, 69, 225.
Selvvyn, Mr., Senior, 104.
Seymour, Francis, Esq., 219.
Shaftesbury, Lord, 8, 10, 83, 88, 95, 99, 216, 256.
Shannon, Lady> 29.
Sharpe, Rev. Dr. Gregory, 25, 33, 34, 158, 252.
William, 129.
Sherlock, Dr. Thomas, Bishop of London, 113.
Shirley, Mr., 272.
Solicitor-General. — See Murray.
Somerset, Duke of, 99.
Stanhope, Sir William, 9.
Earl, 95, 100, 105.
Stanley, Mr., 37.
Stone, Andrew, Esq., 104, 151, 164, 171,177, 193,202,
208, 279, 291, 299, 317, 334.
Dr. George, Primate of Ireland, 361.
Strange, Lord, 241.
Sir John, Master of the Rolls, 256.
Sturt, Mr., 219.
471
Talbot, Lord, 7, 27, 72, 70, 78, 102, 106, 173, 203, 295,
380.
Temple, Earl, II, 107, 2+1, 298, 309, 34-8, 352.
Tessier, Chevalier de, 16.
Thomas, Dr. John, Bishop of Peterborough, 1 78, 186.
Thomson, Dr., M. D., 72, 120, 128, 129.
Torrington, Lady, 29, 71, 76.
Townshend, Hon. Charles, 15, 252, 382, 386.
George, 83, 100, 371.
Lord, 203.
Trenchard, George, Esq., 137,217.
Trentham, Lord, 103, 109.
Tucker, John, Esq., 75, 102, 115, 123, 348.
Tyravvley, Lord, 16.
Vandeput, Sir George, 24.
Vane, Mr., afterwards Lord Barnard, 129, 165, 178, 199,
2)4, 209, 215, 230, 231, 252.
Vanneck, Mr., Jun., 70.
Vaughan, Mr., 371.
Vere, Mr., 137, 139, 141.
Walrlegrave, Lord, 166, 195, 299, 343, 357, 363, 365.
Wales, Frederick, Prince of, 1, 3, 8, 9, 11, 12, 14, IS, 24,
29, 34, 36, 48, 50, 5S, 61, 66, 76, 79, 80, 85, 94, 97,
112, 391.
Wales, Princess of, 87, 90, 105, 109, 111, 112, 113, 115,
118, 134, 141, 142, 166, 178, 186, 193,207,215,221,
225, 226, 228, 236,252, 257, 284, 286, 294, 299, 313,
337.
Wall, General, 16, 77.
Waller, Mr., 10,73, 77.
Walpole, Edward, 25, 28, 36.
Horace, Senior, 292, ."
Sir Robert, 1',.
472
Webb, Mr., 129.
West, Mr., Secretary to the Treasury, 259, 283.
Westmoreland, Lord, 77, 91, 93, 95, 96, 100.
Whitehead, Paul, 72.
Willes, Lord Chief Justice, 8, 9, 13, 14, 69.
Williams, Sir Watkin, 9.
Wilmot, Dr., 66, 87, 90.
Winchelsea, Earl of, 119, 234, 352.
Worcester, Bishop of. — See Maddox.
Yarmouth, Lady, 190, 233.
Yorke, Mr., 300.
FINIS,
Pit nted by S. Hamilton, \$eybridge.
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THE LIBRARY
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
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