Skip to main content

Full text of "History of England: From the Peace of Utrecht to the Peace of Versailles, 1713-1783"

See other formats 


Google 



This is a digital copy of a book that was preserved for generations on library shelves before it was carefully scanned by Google as part of a project 

to make the world's books discoverable online. 

It has survived long enough for the copyright to expire and the book to enter the public domain. A public domain book is one that was never subject 

to copyright or whose legal copyright term has expired. Whether a book is in the public domain may vary country to country. Public domain books 

are our gateways to the past, representing a wealth of history, culture and knowledge that's often difficult to discover. 

Marks, notations and other maiginalia present in the original volume will appear in this file - a reminder of this book's long journey from the 

publisher to a library and finally to you. 

Usage guidelines 

Google is proud to partner with libraries to digitize public domain materials and make them widely accessible. Public domain books belong to the 
public and we are merely their custodians. Nevertheless, this work is expensive, so in order to keep providing tliis resource, we liave taken steps to 
prevent abuse by commercial parties, including placing technical restrictions on automated querying. 
We also ask that you: 

+ Make non-commercial use of the files We designed Google Book Search for use by individuals, and we request that you use these files for 
personal, non-commercial purposes. 

+ Refrain fivm automated querying Do not send automated queries of any sort to Google's system: If you are conducting research on machine 
translation, optical character recognition or other areas where access to a large amount of text is helpful, please contact us. We encourage the 
use of public domain materials for these purposes and may be able to help. 

+ Maintain attributionTht GoogXt "watermark" you see on each file is essential for in forming people about this project and helping them find 
additional materials through Google Book Search. Please do not remove it. 

+ Keep it legal Whatever your use, remember that you are responsible for ensuring that what you are doing is legal. Do not assume that just 
because we believe a book is in the public domain for users in the United States, that the work is also in the public domain for users in other 
countries. Whether a book is still in copyright varies from country to country, and we can't offer guidance on whether any specific use of 
any specific book is allowed. Please do not assume that a book's appearance in Google Book Search means it can be used in any manner 
anywhere in the world. Copyright infringement liabili^ can be quite severe. 

About Google Book Search 

Google's mission is to organize the world's information and to make it universally accessible and useful. Google Book Search helps readers 
discover the world's books while helping authors and publishers reach new audiences. You can search through the full text of this book on the web 

at |http: //books .google .com/I 



HISTORY 

ENGLAND 

PROM THE EEACE OF UTEECHT 

TO THE PEACE OP VEESAILLES. 

1713—1783. 

BY LORD MAHON, 



IN SEVEN VOLUMES.— VOL. IIL 
1740—1748. 



THIKD EDITION, KEVISED. 



BOSTON: 

LITTLE, BROWN, AND COMPANY. 
1853. 



Hc.edbyGoOgIC 



idb,Googlc 



CONTENTS 



THE TI-riED VOLUME. 



CHAPTER XXI, 

1740. Probability of a war with France 
And growing discontenta at home 
Return of the Seceders to Parliament 
Pultenej'e explanation 
"Walpole's reply 

Diminished strength of the Minister 
Opposition of the Duke of Argyle 
Dismissed from all his eraplovmenls 
Death of Sir WilUam Wyndham 
His charaeter - - . 

Dealt of Lord Marchmont 
WDUam Pitt, afterwards Earl of Chatham 
His early life 



Hee: 



csParliaj 



„ -jd character 

Supporters of Walpole 

Sir William Yonge and Mr. Wmnington 

Divisions in the Cabinet 

EffiirB of Walpola lo preserve his power 

His plan to separate Ei^land from Hanoyep 

His overtures to the Pretender 

Slate of the exiled femily at Rome 

The two young Princes 

The Duke of Ormond and Earl Marischal a 

Aeaoeiation in Scotland 

Signed by Beyen principal persons 

Contrast between Lovat and I.ocbiel 



V^tOO^Ic 



1740. lord Sempill and Druminond of Bohaldie in France 
Mr. Shippea - - - - - 

Secret mission of the Marquia de Clermont 
Promises of Cardinal Fleury - . _ 



CHAPTER XXII. 

Expediljoni against Spanish America 

Anson Bails from Spitbead 

Tempests off Cape Horn 

Hia squadron eeattered 

He anchors at Jnan Fernandez 

SHfiterings of his crew 

Shipwreck of the Wager 

Byron's Narrative 

The Jesuits of Castro - 

Prizes taken by Anson - 

He attaclcs Paita 

Plnndec and eonaagrafion of that ton 

Generons treatment of the prisoners 

Anson's cruise for the Manilla galleo 

His disappointments 

He proceeds to the harhour of Chequetan 

Voyage across the Pacific 

The Island of Tinian - 

The ship driven out to sea by a ston 

Distress of the crew on shore 

The ship returns 

They sail to Macao 

Cruise off the Philippine Islands 

Capture of the Mandla galleon - 

Return lo Europe 

Second squadron, under Vernon 

Sent lo the West In^es - 

Taking of Porto Bello - 

Eitravagant rejoicings in England 

Vernon receives reinforcements 

Attack of Carihageca - 

Preparations of the Spaniards for defence 

The EngUsh repolsed with loss - 

They return to Jam^ea 

Fruitless expedidou against Sandago de Cuba 



idb,Googlc 



CONTESTS. 



CHAPTEE SXIII, 



1 740. Last Session of this Parliament - 
Debates on the Addi'ess 

1741. Motion for the removal of Sir Roheit Walpole ■ 
Mr. SamoeJ Sandys . - - 

Mr. Wortley Montagu - _ . 

Secession of Edward Ilarley 

AndofShippen 

Walpole's reply ... 

His iriumpliant majority 

Similai' motion in the House of Lords 

Subsidy to the Court of Vienna - 

State of affairs on the Emperor's death - 

Accession of Maria Theresa 

Her difficttlties . . - - 

Frederick the Second of Prussia 

He invades Silesia ... 

Battle of Molwitz 

New enemies against the Aostrian monarchy 

Fruitless negotiations - - - 

Two French armies enter Germany 

Forced nentciility of Hanover 

The Bavarian troops approach Vienna - 

Maria Tlieresa seeks refuoe in Hungary 

Her interview with the Diet at Presburg 

Hungarian enthueiasni and esertions 

Prague rednoed by the French and Bavarians 

The Elector of Bavaria crowned Emperor 

Dissolution of Parliament in England 

The Westminster Election 

Success of the Opposition leaders in various plac 

Their schemes and suggestions - 

Indifference of Pulteney 

Advice of Chesterfield - 

Alleged secret mission to the South of France 

Events in the Mediterranean 

Growing unpopularity of the adrainistrotion 



CHAPTER XXIV. 



Party straggles - 
Election Petitions 
1743. Fruitless negotiation wiih the P 



;,Goo»^lc 



-2. Walpole lietrayed by hie colleagues 

His energy- in debate . - - 

Defeated upon the Chippenham Election Petiti 

He resigns - - - 

And is created Earl of Orford - 

lieview of hie administration 

Popular outcry against him 

Patent of rank to his daughter - 

The King's message to Pulteney 

Pultfiney's answer 

Second message . . - . 

Pulleney refuses to taTie any office 

But names the new adminiatratiou 

Dissatisfaction of the Tories 

Meeting at the Fountain Tarern 

Speech of Palteuey .... 

And of Sandys .... 

Ministerial arrangements completed 

Clies(*rfleld and Pitt excluded . - . 

Pulteoey'a conduct reviewed - - . 

His creation as Earl of Bath ... 

Bepresentations traia the principal Counties and Xowi 

Cry for the blood of Walpole - 

Secret Committee of inquiry ... 

Their Proceedings .... 

Proposed Bill to indemnify Evidence 

Bejeeted by the House of Loi'ds 

Courage of Scrope, Secretary of tlie Treasury ■ 

Heport from the Secret Conunitlee 

Popular ridicule upon them ... 

Subsidy to Qneen Maria Theresa 

Success of her arms in Germany 

Her conquest of Ba,varia ... 

Invasion of her dominions by tlie King of Prussia 

Peace concluded between them - - . 

Eetreat of the French from Prague 

Affairs in the Mediterranean ... 

Forced Neutrality of Naples - . . 



CHAPTER XXV. 



Lord Hardwioke 
Lord Carteret - 
Views of the King 



.yGoogIc 



:o British pay 



1742. HaBcerian troops laken 
Violent clamours - . , - 
Speechefl of Pitt and Sir John St. Aabjn 

1743. Motion of Earl SlJUihopB . . - 
Pamphlet by Chesterfield and Waller 

Repeal of the Gin Act . - - - 

The Kin^ proceeds to the Continent 
The British troops march frora Flanders 
And encamp near Frankfort - - - 

Advance of Marshal Noailles and the French army 
Movements on hoth sides - ^ - 

Battle «f Dettmgen - - « . 

The French are defeated 
And eompeUed to retire from Germany 
The Rhine passed bj the Allies 
Close of tbe campaigo - - - - 

Afitos of Italy ----- 
Treaty signed at WormB - - - 

Death of Lord WilmmgWn - - - 

Struggle in the Cabinet fbr his succession 
Henry Pelliam appointed Prime Minislef 
His eiiaraeter ----- 
Deaths of Lord Hervey and the Duke of Argyle 
Meeting of Parliament - - - - 

744. Unpspulaoty of the Hanoyer Troops 

Preparations agfdnst an expected French iHTasion 

The Habeas Corpus Act suspended 

Troops assembled near London - - - 



CHAPTER SXVI. 

Prcgect of invasion from France 

Prince CharlM Stuart . . - - 

His character - - - - - 

He sets out ffoat Rome - - - - 

His advenlnrons- journey - - , 

His arrival at Gravelines in disguise 

The French squadron sails from Brest 

Encountered bythe British off Dungencss 

Dreadful storm, and wreck of the French transports 

The invasion relinquished . - - 

Prince Charles at Paris 

Naval battle off Tonlon 

Campaign in Flanders - - - - 

Alsace invaded by the Austrians 

illness at Metz of Louis the Fifteenth - 



^dbyGOOglC 



COKTENTS. 



1744. Fredeiiei of Pruesia again engages in the war - 
Campdgn in Italy - - - - 
Captivity of Marshal ds Belleisle and his hrother 
Deaths of Countess GramiUc, and the Duchess of Marl- 
borough . - _ ■ . 

Cahals iit the British Cahuiet . . - 

Earl GranTille (I^rd Carteret) dismissed 
Chesterfield appointed I.ord-Lientenaat of Ireland 
Pitt reconciled to the Govermncnt 

1745. His declBTation in the Honse of Commons 
The German subsidies continued 
The Hanover troops still paid by England 
Emliass)' of Chesterfield to the Hagne - 
Death of Robert Walpole, Earl of Orford 
And of the Emperor - . . - 
Anotber campaign in Flanders - - - 
The Duke of Cumberland commands the BrilJBh 
Battle of Fontenoy - - . - 
Energy of Marshal de Sase - - - 
Tnurnay taien by the French - - - 
The Duke of Lorraine is elected Emperor 
Peaee of Dresden between Austria and Prussia 
The British reduce Cape Breton 



CHAPTER XXVn. 

Prince Charles Stuart, at Paris - 

Hia projects and preparations 

Letters to his Father ... 

E^odezToaS at Nantes - - - 

Embarkation at the month of the Loire 

Charles arrivea among the Scottish Isles 

And approaches flie main land - 

Interview with CUnranald and bis kinsmen 

Charles's landmg ... 

He is joined by Loehlcl 

And by other Chiefe _ . . 

Skirmish at Spean Bridge 

Raising of the Standard 

Charles marches onwards 

Proceedings of the established GoTemment 

General Sir John Cope - - , - 

March of Cope into the mountains 

His retreat from before Corry Arrack - 

Charles descends into the Lowlands 

And entew Perth . - . 



^dbyGOOglC 



1745. AcceBsion of tiheDokeof Perth 
And of Lord George Murray - 
Farther advance of Charles 
He approaches Edinhnrgh 
State of feeling in tha.t capital - 
Preparutioas foF defeni;e 
The " Canter of Colt-brigg" - 
DepulaUou sent to Charles 
The Netherbow Port surpriBed hj h 
The Highlanders occupy the city 
Puhlio entry of Charles 
His festival at Holjrood Honse 









g of Cope at Dunbar 
Progress of the English General 
The two armies come ia sight of each other 
Tlieir relative positions and mantBuyres 
Battle of Preston 
Charles's moderation in victory - 
Flight of Cope to Berwick 



CHAPTER XXVHI. 

Return of the King to England 

Factions at Court 

Jacobite negotiations at Paris 

Prtgecta of Charles 

His triamphal return to Edinburgh 

Siege of the Casrie begun 

But relinquished 

Clemency shomi to the English piisoners 

Charles's Proclamations 

New accessions to his force' 

Camp formed at 



Supplies of money 

Charles names a Council 

His mode of life at Holyrood House 

His design of an expedition into England 

Opposed by the Scottish officers 

But insisted upon, and carried by Charles 

Preparations of the British Gorernment 

Slate of public feeling - 

The insurgent army be^ns ite march 

Charles crosses the Border 

Siege, and redaction of Carhsle 

TOI,. III. a 



;,Goo»^lc 



5. Feuds among the insurgent Chiefs 
They determine to push forward 
Inacdvity of Marshal Wade 
Charles enters Manchester 
And Maeolesfield 
Mrs. Skjring - - - 

The insurgents at Derby 
The Chieft urge a retreat 
Vehemently opposed by Chavles 
But in vain 

Public consternation io Londnn - 
Probahle result had they advanced 
Their retreat lo Scotland 
Pursued by the Duke of Cumberland 
Skirmish at Clifton 

The Dnke of Cumberland reduces Carlisle 
Prince Charles at Glasgow 



CHAPTER XXIX. 

6. Siege of Stirling Castle - 
General Henry Hawiey - 
His march against Prince Charles 
Battle of Falkirk 
Hawley'a retreat to Edinburgh - 
Burning of Linlitligow Palace - 
Siege of Sdrling resumed by Charles 
Arrival of the Doke of Cumberland 
Advance of his anay 
Siege of Stirling raised - 
The insntgentB march to the northward 
New Ministry formed at St. James's 
But dissolved within two days - 
The war languishes in Scotland 
The '■ rout of Moy " - 
The Duke of Cumberland at Aberdeen 
He pursues the insurgents 
Prince Charles at Culloden House 
His night-marcli to N^rn 
Future of that attempt - 
Proposal of Lord George Murray 
Battle of Culloden 
Charles's conduct in the action - 
Dispersion of the Highland army 
Cruel treatment of the prisoners and wounded 
And of women and cliildrtn 



iiv.Gooj^lc 



6. Demh of President Forbes ' 

And of the Duke of Perth 
Charles's wanderings 
Flora Maodonald . 
Cliarles togaised in woman's ololhes 
Concealed in a rohber's cave 
His escape ta France 
Trials and executions - 
Lords Kilmarnock and Balmerino 
Lord LoTat - - - 

Legislative 



CHAPTER XXX. 
Campaign in Flanders - 
And in Italy - - - - 

Earl of Chesterfield, Secretary of State - 

1747. His character . - - - 
His Lord Lieutenancy of Ireland 
Dissolution of Parliament and General Electioi 
Bevolutioii at Genoa - - _ 
And in HoUand 
Battle of Lanffeld 
The French reduce Ber^op-Zoom 
Despondency of the British Government 
Negotiations for peace - 
Divisions amongst the Allies 
And amongst the Ministers in Englanc 
Dissatisfaction of Chesterfield 

1748. He resigns tiie Seals 
His porsnits in private life 
Letters to his Son 
Congress at Aix-la-Chapelle 
Investment of Maestrieht by the Freni 
Negotiations of Lord Sandwich, at Ai:i 
Preliminaries of Peace - 
Resentment at Vienna and Tnrin 
Definitive treaty signed - 
Hostages for the restitution of Cape Breton 
Prince Charies at Madrid 
He returns to Paris - . 
Bis arrest and expnlslon from France 
Subsequent wanderings - 
Miss Walkinshaw 

Portrait of Charles in his later years 
Hie death - . - 

ConeluMon - - - 

Appendix - - - 



ooj^le 



idb,Googlc 



HISTORY OF EWGLAIfD 

THE PEACE Q-F UTUECIIT. 



CHAPTER XXL 

The year 1740 opened under no favouraljle auspices for 
Waipole, whether as regarding the peace of JEurape or 
the stability of his ndroinistratioa in England. Abroad, 
the wai- with Spain, however unmDingly begun, must 
now be vigorously urged ■ and there was this further evil 
attending it, that a rupture with France would ahaost 
inevitably follow. This was a consequence that Sir 
Eobert had always foreseen and feared; it had been one 
of his main motives for pea<«, although of too delicate a 
nature for him to aUege in debate. The monarchs of 
Spain and of France, bound together by close ties of 
kindred, always thought themselves natural allies, and 
tlie " Family Compact " existed in their minds long before 
It was concluded as a treaty or called by that name. 
Under the Eegency of Orleans, indeed, different maxims 
^evailed, the Regent having good reason to consider the 
King of Spain not as a kinsman but as a riva!. But 
under Fleury the old system returned in full force : he 
had used eveiy endeavour to avert a war between the 
Courts of London and Madrid ; when, however, that war 
actually ensued, ho became more and more estransed 

VOL. Ill, n ° 



^.Gooj^lc 



or ENGLAND. CHAP. XXI. 

from Ills English allies. The despatches of that period 
display the growing coldness, and point to the prohahle 
result. In the event, as 1 shall hereafter show, the war 
■between England and Spain became grafted into that 
-wliich arose throughout Europe on the death of the Em- 
peror Charles the Sixth ; but had even that event not 
occniTcd, there seems every reason to believe that France 
■would ere long have sided with Spain. This was the 
Tery evil which had been apprehended from the enthrone- 
ment of the House of Bourbon in Spain : such was the 
■very system against which Somers had negotiated and 
Marlborough fought ; and it is remarkable, that the same 
events should fully justify at once both the warlike coun- 
sels of Godolphin and the paeiflo policy of Walpole. 

At home the unpopularity of the Minister was gather- 
ing in the distance like a dark cloud on the horizon, ere 
long to burst in thunder on his head. He soon found 
that he had not bettered his condition by yielding to the 
foolish cry for war. Unjust clamours are not to be 
silenced by weak or wieked compliance ; instead of ap- 
peasing their violence it only alters their direction. All 
the alleged misdeeds of Walpole —the Gin Act —the 
Play House BiU — the Excise Scheme — the con-uption 
of Parliament, — the " unparalleled ruin " of the country, 
(for present distress is always eaUed "unparalleled") 
were now urged against him in combined array. He was 
held forth as the sole cause of national grievances, or 
rather as the greatest grievance in himself. Nay, more, 
it is certiun that had Sir Robert even declared war against 
all Europe at this time, he could not have freed himself 
from the disgraceful imputation of being a friend of 
peace ; it wonld stiU have been thought that he was forced 
forward agsunst his will, and that he would seize the first 
opportunity of indulging his base love of public quiet and 
prosperity. Such was the injustice of the moment ; and 
there had been for some time petty riots and risings, none 
of importance in itself, but in their aggregate denoting 
and augmenting the ferment of the people. * 

* See for esample Boyev's Polit. State, Tol. IvL p. S06. ImAj Mary 
■Worlley obseives, " Onr mobs grow reiy liomble ; here ai's a vaat 
"nnmber of legs and arms that only want a head to make a very 
•"fcrmidable body." (Letters, voL ii p. 212. ed. 1S37.) 



^dbyGOOglC 



1740. 

This ferment of the people gave of course strength, and 
spirit to the Opposition in Parliament. The Seceders 
having felt the error of their course, eagei'ly seized the 
declftration of war aa a, pretext to change it. On the 
meeting of Parliament in Novemher 1739, no sooner had 
the Address been moved and seconded, than Pnlteney 
rose, in the name of the rest, to explain their altered 
views. He began by defending them for their Secession. 
This step," he said, " however it has hitherto heen cen- 
sured, will, I hope, for the future be treated in a dif- 
ferent manner, for it is fully justified by the declaration 
of war, so universally approved, that any further vindi- 
cation will be superfluous. "Tb&re ia not an assertion 
mfuntained in it, that was not almost in the same words 
insisted upon by those who opposed the Convention. 
Since that time there has not one event happened that 
was not then foreseen and foretold. But give me leave 
U> say. Sir, that though the treatment which we have 
since received from the Court of Spain may have swelled 
the account, yet it has furnished us with no new reasons 
for declaring war; the same provocations have only 
been repeated, and nothing but longer patience has 
added to the justice of our cause. The same violation 
of treaties, the same instances of inj ustice and barbarity, 
the same disregard to the Law of Nations, which are 
laid down in this declaration, were then too flagrant to 
be denied and too contemptuous to be borne. .... It 
ia therefore evident that if the war be necessary now, 
it was necessary before the Convention. Of this neces- 
sity, tlie gentlemen known, however improperly, by the 
name of Seceders, were then fully convinced. They 
SS.W instead of that ardour of resentment and zeal for 
the honour of Britain, which such indignities ought to 
have produced, nothing but meanness, tamenesa, and 
submission, .... to such conduct they could give no 
sanction ; they saw that aH opposition was inefi'ectual, 
and that their presence waa only made use of, that what 
was already determined might he ratified by the ap- 
pearance of a fair debate. They therefore seceded. . . . 
The state of affairs is now changed ; the measures of 
the Ministry are altered ; and the st-ne regard for the 
honour and welfare of their oountrj that determined 



ibyGoogIc 



HISTORX OF ESGLAl 



" these gentlemen to withdraw, has now fcronght them 
« hither once more, to give their advice and assistance la 
» those measures which they then pointed^out as the only 
« means o£ asserting and retrieving them. ^ 

Sir Kohert Walpole replied with great spirit ' After 
« what passed last Session, and after the repeated declar^ 
" tions of the hononrahle gentleman who spoke last, and 
« his friends, I little expected that this Session we should 
« have been again favoured with their company. 1 am 
« always pleased, Sir, when I see gentlemen m the way 
" of their duty, and glad that these gentlemen have re- 
" turned to theirs ; though, to say the truth, i was in no 
" great concern, lest the service, either of H.s Majesty or 
" the nation, should suffer by their absence. I beheve 
"the nation is generally sensible that the many useful 
« and popular Acts which passed towards the end of l^t 
" Session, were greatly forwarded and favoured by the 
" secession of these gentlemen ; and if they are returned 
« only to oppose and perplex, I shall not at all be sorry 
" if they secede again."* . ^ , ^ 

The debate on the King's Speech was not confined to 
this remarkable incident ; a warning it contiuned against 
"heats and animosities," being construed by the Oppo- 
sition as an insult to themselves, was warmly resented. 
In the Commons, however, the Address passed unani- 
mouslv ; hut the Lords, stirred by eloquent speeches trom 
Chesterfield and Carteret, divided, 68 for, and 41 against, 
the motion. , . . , 

During the whole of this Session it is easy to observe 
the Minister's diminished strength. His supplies indeed 
passed without difficulty ; the Land Tax was raised again 
to four abilUngs in the pound ; and four millions were 
granted for the war.t But on most other questions, 

« Pai-L H^at. vol. ii. p. 8B. Coxe's Walpole, vol. i. p. .C26. 
Eoliiigbroke la rmarUWy cautious in forb^ing to give any opm.on 
as to die policy of the Sececlere retnvning, but aeema againet it. lo 
SirWilHaiiiWyndbaio,N0T. Land Hot. 18.1739. 

+ "row miUioasof money have been raiaei on the pwple this 

" year, yet in all probability nothing wiU be ioae Oar sitna- 

-t^ion is\ery extfaordinar?. Sir Robert rfl have ^ army >nU not 
have a wai', ajidcannot have apeaee!" Pnlteney to Swift, Jane 3. 
1740. (Swift's WorkB, T<J. Jdx, p. 323.) 



^dbyGOOglC 



1740. DIMINISHED STHBKGTH OF WALPOLE. J 

finding that he could not stand his ground, he prudently 
prefen-ed concession to defeat. When Wjndbam moved 
a violent Address to the Crown that no peace with Spaitt 
might he admitted unless the Bight of Search were re- 
nounced, the Opposition expected a great triumph, but 
were disappointed by Walpole declai-ing that he was the 
firat to agree to the motion. When Pulteney brought ia 
a BiU " for the encouragement of seamen," by which the 
public would be deprived of all share in prize-money, 
Walpole opposed it only in its first stage, but then sullenly 
and silently acquiesced. He agreed to an Address," that 
" a sufacient number of ships may be appointed to cruize 
" in proper stations for the effectual protection of trade ; " 
though the motion implied that the number of cruizers 
had hitherto been insufficient, and that the Ministers 
therefore had been neglectful of their duty. Still more 
evident was his sense of weakness when a BiU was intro- 
duced by himself for registering all seamen capable of 
service, and rendering them liable to summons on emer- 
gencies — a measure which he thought absolutely needful 
for the speedy equipment of the fieet. According to ofiicial 
returns, only 21,000 seamen could be mustered in the 
Eoyai Navy during the year 1739 * ; while impressment 
fi-om merchant shipping was an uncertain and invidious 
resource. Under these circumstances the Minister con- 
sulted Sir Charles Wager and Sir John Norris, the heads 
of the Admiralty, who declared that they could deviseno 
other i-cmedy but a general registry of seamen, according 
to the system which prev^led in France. But when the 
measure thus framed was laid before the House it was 
received with general disapprobation, and even horror, 
as an introduction of French measures and French des- 
potism; it was certainly open to very grave objections, 
and after a faint defence was speedily dropped by the 
Minister. A general embai^o upon shipping, to whiclx 
hehadrecour3e,wa3eueounteredwith scarcely less clamour 
by the merchants ; they called it an intolerable oppression 

• See t!ie Acconnts presented to the House of Commors (JonrnaJs, 
Januaiy 28. 1710). This calculation of 31,516 is the average of the 
montli, Iho numher baiug less in the first months, but more in the 



^dbyGOOglC 



6 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CIIAr. XXL 

upon commerce, and petitioned the House of Commons to 
be heard by counsel against it. Their request was sup- 
ported by the Opposition, but withstood by the Goyern- 
ment, and rejected by a large majority ; however, the 
latter soon afterwards yielded to a compromise, by which 
the merchants agreed to carry one third of their crew of 
landsmen, and to furnish one man in four to the King's 
ships 5 while on the other hand, about the 14th of April, 
the embargo was removed.* — Who in this cautious and 
conceding Session could recognise the imperions and all- 
powerful Prime Minister ? 

The Opposition which at this time had gathered against 
Walpole might well indeed dismay him, supported as it 
was by so much popular favour, and comprising as it did 
almost every statesman of lofty talents or brilliant repu- 
tation. In each House he saw arrayed before him the 
accumulated resentments of twenty years. In the Lords, 
Chesterfield had become the most graceful and admired 
debater of the day. With more depth of knowledge and 
more force of application, Carteret was equally powerful 
a a p ater ; he was marked out by the public voice for 
offi and, like Galba, would ever have been deemed most 
w by f power unless he had attained it.f The lively 

alh f Bathumt^ and the solemn invectives of Gower, 
n nu d to support the same cause ; and within the last 
y a ained a most important accession in the Duke of 

Ar 1 He had very many times before turned round 
f m party to the other, and each of his former 

ban may be clearly traced to some personal and selfish 
m For this last change, however, no adequate 

cause IS assigned. His enemies whispered that Argyle 
could always foresee and forsake the losing sidej; yet in 
so long a life it is not impossible that for once he might 
deviate into disinterestedness. Thus much only we know, 
that after being a zealous supporter of Walpole's adminis- 



* Tiiiclal'e Hist. vol. viii p. 457. 

■f Major privaJo vinuE dum priyatus fiiit, et omninm eonBensu capas 
Imperii, nisi imperisEet (Tacit. HisL lib. i. o. 49.) 

% " It is said that the Duka of Argyle is extremely angry, " It is 
'', a common saying that when a, house is to fall tLe rats go away." 
1733. [OpinionBoftieDtiohBEsofMarltiorongh, p. 7.) 



^dbyGOOglC 



1740. 

tration. during many years, he, in the Session of 1739, 
stood forth aa one of its moat bitter, most frequent, and 
moat formidable assailants in debate. Tet Sir Eobert^ 
still wishing to keep measures with a man of such prineelj' 
possessions, shining talents, and eminent services, left 
him in possession of every place, pension, ofSee, or emolu- 
ment, that had been lavishly heaped upon him as the 
price of his support This forbearance was ere long 
taunted as timidity. Once in 1739, the Duke being pre- 
sent under the gallery of the Hoase of Commons to hear 
the debate, Pulteney turned his speech to some ofBcera 
who had voted gainst the Convention, and had in conse- 
quence been arbitrarily dismissed. " They who had the 
" courage," cried Pulteney, " to follow the dictates of their 
" own breasts were disabled from farther serving their 
" country in a military capacity. One exception, Sir, I 
" know there is, and I need not tell gentlemen that I have 
" in my eye one military person, great in his character, 
" great in his capacity, great in the important offirea he- 
" has discharged, who wants nothing to make him still 
" greater but to be stripped of all the posts, of aO the 
" places he now enjoys. — But that, Sir, they dare not 
" do." * 

Want of daring, however, was seldom the fault of Wal- 
pole where bis own coOef^uea were concerned. Next 
year, finding that his moderation had but emboldened in- 
stead of conciliating his enemy, he prevMled upon the 
King, by one order, to dismiss the Duke from all his em- 
ployments. The news roused the Highland blood of 
Argyle. General Keith, brother to Earl Marischal, and 
a zealous Jacobite, was with his Grace when he received 
his dismission. " Mr. Keith," exclaimed the Duke, " fall 
" flat, fall edge, we must get rid of these people ! " — 
" which," says Keith, " might imply both man and master, 
"or only the manl"f 

In the I^wer House, at nearly the same moment, Sir 

* Tindal'a Hiat. yoL vlii. p. 404, 

t Latter of the Biirl Mariechsl, June 15. IT40. Stuart Papers. I 
owe this extract to tho kinflnesB of the Eight Hon. C. W. Wjnii, who 
copied it at Carlton Hoase. The oiiginfl seems to haTe fallen froni 
its right order, and I could not find it ftmong llie Stuart Pai>Brs of 
that yeer at Cumbislancl Lodge. 



idb,Googlc 



Bobert Walpole was freed from one of his most powerful 
autagonists, Sir William Wyndham, who died at Wells 
after ft few days' illness. His fraroe had always been deli- 
cate", and he was only fifty-three years old ; for nearly lialf 
that period had he been ft leading member of the House 
of Commons. " In my opinion," says Speaker Onslow, 
" Sir William Wyndham was the most made for a great 
" man of any one that I have known in this age. Eveiy 
" thing about him seemed great There was no ineon- 
" sistency in his composition ; all the parts of his charac- 
" ter suited and helped one another. " f The same au- 
thority, however, admits him, to have been haughty and 
arrogant in temper, and without any acquirements of 
learning. J Pope extols him as " the master of our pa£- 
" sions and his own ;" yet the lattei- praise, at all events, 
does not apply to his private life, since it appears that, 
though twice man-ied §, he resembled his friends; Boling- 
hroke and Bathurst aa a man of pleasore. || As a states- 
man, he wanted only a better cause, a longer life, and the 
lustre of oflcial station (one more year would have brought 
it) for perfect fame. Born of an ancient lineage and in- 
heriting a large estate, he dignified both his family and 
his fortune. The allurements which beguiled his lighter 
houi-3 may have sometime? relaxed his public applica- 
tion ; hut the dangers which crossed his cai'eer and tried 
his firmness, left him unshaken and unchanged. His 
eloquence, more solemn and stately than Pulteney's, and 
perhaps less ready, was not less effective ; and 1 cannot 
praise it more highly than by saying that he deserved to 
he the rival of Walpole and the friend of St. John. 



• " When I was lost among yon, Sir William Wjndham whs in a 
" had Btste of henlch: I always laved him, and r^oice to heat from 
"you the fignro hemBkes." Swift W Erasmus Lewis, July 23. 1737. 

f Speaker Onslow's Remtirks (Coxe's Walpole, vol ii p, 562.). 

f This is confinned by the Eev. Dr. Kingi "He was not eminent 
"in any bcanch of literature." (Anecdotes, p. 179.) 

g Ihe first wife of Sir William -was daughter of tho Duke of 
Somerset^ sumamed the Proud ; and the* inflnence of that family in 
1 749 obtained for Sii- Cliailes Wjndham, son and heir of Sir Williiun, 
the title of Earl of E^reoiont 

II See for example tbe Duke of Wharton's letter of Februniy 3. 
1725. Appendix, vol ii. 



^dbyGOOglC 



1740. sm "wiLLiAn WYSDHAJI. 9 

Id early life Wyndham was guilty of a failing which 
reason and reflection afterwards corrected : he thought 
and spoke with levity on sacred subjects. One instance 
of the kind, I am inclined to mention, on account of the 
admirable answer which he received from Eiahop Atter- 
hury ! an answer not easily to be matched, as a mcst ready 
and forcible, yet mild and polished reproof. In 1715 
they were dining with a party at the DiJse of Ormond's, 
at Richmond. The conversation turning on prayers, 
Wyndham said, that the shortest prayer he had ever heard 
of was the prayer of a common soldier just before the 
battle of Blenheim. " Oh God, if there be a God, save 
" my aoTil, if I have a soul ! " This story was followed by 
a general laugh. But the Bishop of Rochester, then first 
joining in the conversation, and addressing himself to 
Wyndham, said with his usual grace and gentleness of 
manner, " Your prayer. Sir William, is indeed veiy 
" short ; but I remember another as short, but a much 
" better, offered up likewise by a poor soldier in the 
" same circumstances : ' Oh Goi^ if in the day of battie I 
"'forget thee, do thou not forget me!'" — The whole 
company sat silent and abashed.* 

To Bolingbroke, the loss of Wyndham was, both on 
public and private grounds, a deep and grievous blow. 
He deplores it in his letters, conjointly with another loss 
the Opposition had just sustained through the decease of 
the Earl of Marchraont, whose son and successor. Lord 
Polwarth, of course lost his seat in the House of Com- 
mons, and yet. (for it was a Scottish title) gained none in 
the House of Lords. Polwarth was a young man of dis- 
tinguished abilities, of rising influence in the Commons, 
of great — perhaps too great party warmth.-f " What a 

* Dr. King's Aneeitoioa, p. 7, Dr. King, ihen a veiy yoimg man, 
was iumaelf one of the party. 

t " I havs heard some say that Lord Pclwaitii and Iiis brother ara 
"too warm; but I own I love those that are so, and never saw nmch 
" good in thoES that are not." (Opinions of ihs Duchess of Mar!- 
borongh, p. 72.) According to Hoiace Walpole, Su: Robert used to 
say to his Bona, "when I have answered Sir John Barnard and lovd 
" Polwarth, I think I have concladed the debate." But we may dis- 
tiitst the truth of this story, which seems intended m a side blow 
BgaiDst Flct and Falteney. 



^dbyGOOglC 



10 HISTORY OP ENGLAND. CHAP. SXI. 

star liasour Minister!" writes Bolingbroke, "Wyndliam 
dead, Marehmont disabled I The loss of Marchmont 
and Wyndham to our counti-y! I can con- 
tribute nothing, my dear Marchmont — thus I used to 
apeak to Wyndham, thus let me speak to you— I can 
contribute nothing to aUeviate your grief unless mingling 
my tears with yours can contribute to it. I feel the 
whole weight of it ; I am pleased to feel it ; I should 

despise mj^elf if I felt it less How impertinent 

is it to combat grief with syllogism ! . . . . We lament 
onr own loss, but we lament that of our country too I " * 
But whatever void the death of Wyndham may have 
left in the ranks of Opposition, there had — even before 
that shining orb was quenched — arisen in more happy 
augury, a still brighter star oyer the political horizon. 
What British heart does not thrill at the title of Chat- 
ham, or — loftier still — the name of William Pitt ? 

William Pitt, afterwards Earl of Chatham, was born in 
November 1708, of an old gentleman's family, fii-st raised 
to wealth and eminence by his grandfather Thomas, 
Governor of Madras. It was he who brought over from 
India the celebrated diamond which stUl bears his name, 
and which weighing 127 carats, was the largest yet dis- 
covered. He had given 20,000/. for it on the spot, and 
afterwards sold it to the Eegent Orleans for 125,O00t 
During the interval, we are told that he used upon hia 
journeys to conceal it in the cavity of one of the high- 
heeled shoes, which he wore according to the fashion of 
that day. Governor Pitt acquired political importance 
by purchasing the burgage tenures of Old Sarum, and 
political connection by the marriage of his daughter with 
General Stanhope in 1713. His grandson, William, was 
a younger brother, and intended for the army, but received 
his education at Eton, and Trinity College, Oxford. 
Scarce any thing is recorded of bis life at either, except 
that even at school he was already attacked by the great 
bane and curse of his future life — an hereditary gout. 



• To Lord Marcbmont, August 8. 1740, and an extiact from a, 
IcUer to Pope, of the same or nearly the same date. Maichmont 
Tapers, roL ii, p. 224. et seq. Bolingbroke adds, '■ Multis fortnnffl 
voberihns percffissns hnic nni me impai*wn senei." 



^dbyGOOglC 



1740. WILLIAM PITT (lokd Chatham), 11 

He was much noticed as a boy by his uncle Earl Stan- 
hope, who discerned his rising talents, and according to a 
family tradition used to call him " the young Marshal," 
His complaint increasing at Oxford, he was compelled to 
leave the University without taking a degree, and to go 
abroad for his health. His tour was extended through 
both France and Italy, and it was his visit to Lyons that 
afforded the material {what does not afford it to genius ?) 
for one of his most splendid and celebrated bursts of 
oratory. When in 1755 Pitt thundered j^mnst the un- 
worthy coalition of Fox and Newcastle, he compared it to 
the junction of the Elione and Saone. " At Lyons," said 
he, " I remember I was taken to see the place where the 
" two rivers meet ; the one a gentle, feeble, languid stream, 
" and though languid, of no depth ; the other a boisterous 
" and impetuous torrent ; but different as they are they 
" meet at last." * 

On Pitt's return to England he obtained a Cornetcy in 
the Blues, and in 1735 entered Parliament as Member for 
Old Sarum. But his hopes of promotion in the former 
could never sway his conduct in the latter ; so far from it, 
that he immediately plunged into strong opposition against 
the all-powerful Minister. For such opposition had the 
Duke of Bolton and Lord Cobham. been tyrannically de- 
prived of their commissions, and the Cornet soon shared 
the fate of the Colonels. After one or two able and ardent 
speeches he was dismissed the service, at a time when, as 
Lord Chesterfield assures us,, his patrimony was only 
100?. a year-l His talents, however, had already attracted 
general notice : he was ere long appointed Groom of the 
Bedchamber to the Prince of Wales, and continued to in- 
veigh gainst the Minister with nnabated energy and with 
expanding powers. 

At this period the Opposition had been reinforced by 
so many able men, who gradually fell off from Walpole, 
and gathered against him nearly ail the talent of the 
country, that there seemed no longer any opening left for 
a youth of proraise. But Pitt speedily showed, that even 
in the thickest crowd there is room enough for him who 



;, Google 



OF EWGLAKD. 

can reaet it — over and vipoii their heads I He ti 
high above all his contemporaries, and if he still yielded 
to Pulteuey or to Wyndham, it was to theiv weight and 
experience, and not to superior talent. His friend Lyttle- 
tonhad, atfir t b neste m dh' q l,h tth d'ff nee 
^yas soon dplydbtwnalftygn dn lya 

cultivated m d — b tw th k f h f rests, 

and the g ic i 1 nd pi as g b t p pi d d f ble 
creeping pi t 

Let us w 1 1 ly t d imly to 

judge that xtad yn hth tt v^as 

pitied for losing a Cometcy of Hoise, and who within 
twenty years bm made himself the first man in England, 
and England the first country in the world. He had re- 
ceived from nature a tail and striking figure, aquiline and 
noble features, and a glance of fire. Lord Waldegrave, 
after eulogising the clearnees of his style, observes that 
his eye was as significant as his words.* In debates, hia 
single look could aometimea disconcert an orator opposed 
to him. Hia voice most happily combined sweetneaa and 
strength. It had all that silvery clearness, which at the 
present day delights us in Sir William Follett's, and even 
■when it sank to a whisper it was distinctly heard ; while 
its higher tones, like the swell of some majestic organ, 
could peal and thrill above every other earthly sound. 
Such were his outward endowments ; in these, as in mind, 
how far superior to Lyttleton, who is described to us as 
having " the figure of a spectre and the gesticulations of 
" a puppet ! "t Even the gouf, that hereditary foe, which 
so grievously marred and depressed the energies of Chat- 
ham in his later life, may probably have quickened them 
in his earlier. In faet, it will be found that illness, with 
oil its p^ns and privations, has both enjoyments and ad- 
vantages unknown to stronger health. Who that has for 
weeks together been bound to the narrow and stifling con- 
finement of a sick-room, can forget the rapture with which 
he first again stepped forth to inhale the balmy breath of 
summer, and behold the whole expanse of an aznre sky? 
Thus also the distemper of Chatham, while it shut out 



;, Google 



r (ix)Ri> Chatham). 13 

the usual dissipations of youth, either allowed or enforced 
the leisure for patient study, and might induce him to 
exclaim : Such are the compensations afforded in the all- 
wise scheme of Proyidence ! 

■ _ Of this leisure for study Lord Chatham had availed 
himself with assiduous and incessant care. Again and 
again had he read over the classics ; not as pedants use, 
but in the spirit of a poet and philosopher; not nibhling 
at their accents and metres, but partaking in their glorious 
aspirations ; warmed by the flame, not raking in the 
cinders. As to style, Demosthenes was hia favourite 
study amongst the ancients ; amongst the English Boling- 
bi-oke and Barrow,* But "perhaps our best clue to Lord 
Chatham's own mental tasks, more especially in the field 
of oratory, is afforded by those which he afterwards so 
successfully enjoined to his favourite son. It may be 
stated on the authority of the present Lord Stanhope, that 
Mr. Ktt being asked to what he principally ascribed the 
two qualities for which his eloquence was most con- 
spicuous — namely, the lucid order of his reasonings, and 
the ready choice of his words — answered that he believed 
he owed the former to an early study of the Aristotelian 
logic, and the latter to his father's praetice in making him 
every day after reading over to himself some passage in 
the eiasaics, translate it aloud and continuously into Eng- 
lish prose. 

Nor was Lord Chatham less solicitous as to his own 
action and manner, which, according to Horace Walpole, 
was as studied and as successful as Garriek's f : but his 
cai-e of it extended not only to speeches, hut even in 
society. It is observed by himself, in one of his letters, 
that " behaviour, though an external thing, which seems 
" rather to belong to the body than to the mind, is cer- 
" Uinly founded in considerable virtues ; " | and he evi- 
dently thought very highly of the effect of both dress and 

• His odmiration of Bolingbroke's style in Ms political worts I have 
alreadj- hal occosioii to mention (yol. L p. 27.). We ai-e told that 
he had read some of Barrow's Sermons so oflca as to know them by 
heart. (Timclieraj's Life.vol a p. 399,) 

t Memoirs, vol. i. p, 479. &e. 

t To Thomas Pitt, afiierwiirds tord Camel&rcl, Jannarr S4. 1754. 
leWei's published by Lord GrenYllle. 



^dbyGOOglC 



14 HISTORY OP ENGLAND. CHAP, XXI. 

adiress upon mankind. He was never seen on buameas 
■without a full dress coat^ and a tie wig, nor ever per- 
mitted Ms Under Secretaries of State to be seated in his 
presence.* His very infirmities were managed to the 
beat advantage ; and it has been said of him that in his 
hands eyen his crutch could become a weapon of oratory. 
This striving for effect had, however, in some respects, 
an uufavourable influence upon his talents, and, as it 
appears to me, greatly injured all his written composi- 
tions. His private letters bear in general a forced and 
unnatural appearance ; the style of homely texture, but 
here and there pieced with pompous epithets and swelling 
phrases. Thus also in his oratory his most elaborate 
speeches were his worst; and that speech which he de- 
livered on the death of Wolfe, and probably intended as 
a masterpiece, was universally lamented as a failure. 

But when without forethought, or any other prepara- 
tion than those talents which nature had supplied and 
education cultivated, Chatham rose — stirred to anger by 
some sudden subterfuge of corruption or device of tyranny 
— then was heard an eloquence never surpassed either 
in ancient or in modern times. It was the highest power 
of expression ministering to the highest power of thought 
Dr. Franklin declares that in the course of his hfe he 
had seen sometimes eloquence without wisdom, and often 
wisdom without eloquence ; in Lord Chatham only had 
he seen both united.f Tet so vivid and impetuous were 
his bursts of oratory, that they seemed even beyond his 
own control ; insteaji of his ruling them, they often ruled 
him, and flashed forth unbidden, and smiting all before 
them. As in the oracles of old, it appeared not he that 
spake, but the spirit of the Deity witliin. In one debate, 
after he had just been apprised of an important secret of 
state, " I must not apeak to-night," he whispered to Lord 
Shelburne, " for when once I am up, everything that is 
" in my mind comes out." No man could grapple more 
powerfully with an ailment : but he wisely remembered 
that a taunt is in general of far higher popular effect, nor 

* Seward's Anecdotes, vol, il p. 362. 

fUr. Franklin to Eail Stanhope, Jnn. 23. 1775, — Chatham's 
PapeiH, ToL iv p. 385. 



^dbyGOOglC 



1740. -WILLIAM PITT (lOKD CHATHAM.) 15 

did he therefore disdain (and in these he stood unrivalled") 
the keenest personal invectiTea. His ablest adyersaries 
shrunk before him crouching and silenced. Neither the 
skilful and polished Murray, nor the bold and reckless 
Fox, durst encounter the thunderbolts which he knew 
how to launch against them ; and if these failed who else 
could hope to succeed? 

But that which gave the brightest lustre, not only to 
the eloquence of Chatliam, but to hia character, was his 
loftiness and nobleness of soul. If erer there haa lived 
a man in modem timea to whom the praise of a Eoman 
spirit might be truly applied, that man beyond all doubt 
wasWilham Pitt. He loved power — but only as a 
patriot shoTild — because he knew and felt hia own ener- 
gies, and felt also that his country needed them — be- 
cause he saw the public spirit languishing, and the 
national glory declined— because his whole heart was 
burning to revive the one, and to wreathe fresh laurels 
round the other. He loved fame— but it was the fame 

that follows, not the fame that is run after not the 

fame that is gained by elbowiag and thrusting, and all 
the little arts that bring forward little men — but the 
fame that a Minister at length will and must wring from 
the very people whose prejudices he despises, and whose 
passions he controls. The ends to which he employed 
both his power and his fame will best show his object in 
obtaining them. Bred amidst too frequent examples of 
corruption ; entering public life at a low tone of public 
morals ; atanding between the mock-Patriots and the 
sneerers at patriotism— between Bohngbroke and Wal- 
pole— he manifested the most scrupulous disinterested- 
ness, and the most lofty and generous purposes ; he 
shunned the taint himself, and in time removed it from 
his country. He taught British stateamen to look again 
for their support to their own force of character, inatead 
of Court cabals or Parliamentary corruption. He told 
hia fellow-citizens, not aa agitators tell them, that they 
were wretched and oppressed, but that they were the 
first nation in the world— and under his guidance they 
became ao ! And moreover (I quote the words of Co- 
lonel Barrel in the House of Commons), " he was pos- 
" sessed of the happy talent of transfusing his own zeal 



_70l_H^le 



16 HISTORY OP ESGLAKD. CHAP. XXI. 

" into the souls of all those who were to hare a shave in 
" cariying Ms projects into execution ; and it is a matter 
" well known to many officers now in the House, that no 
" man ever entered the Earl's closet who did not feel 
" himself, if possible, braver at his return than when he 
" went in." * Thus he stamped his own greatness on 
every mind that came in contact with it, and always 
successfully appealed to the higher and better parts of 
human nature. And though his influence was not ex- 
empt from the uaual gusts and veerings of popularity — 
though for some short periods he was misrepresented, 
and at others forgotten — though Wilkes might conclude 
a libel against him with the words, " He is said to be 
" still living at Hayes in Kent ; " yet during the greater 
part of his career, the nation looked up to its " Great 
" Commoner," (for so they termed him,) a& to their best 
and truest friend, and when he was promoted to an 
Earldom they still felt that his elevation over them was 
like that of Eocheater Castle over his own shores of 
Chatham — raised above them only for their own protec- 
tion and defence ! 

Such was the great genius, that in of&ce smote at once 
both branches of the House of Bourbon, and armed his 
countrymen to conquest in every clime ; while at home 
(a still harder task ! ) he dissolved the old enmities of 
party prejudice, quenched the last lingering sparks of 
Jacobitism, and united Whigs and Tories in an emulons 
support of his administration. The two parties thus in- 
termingled and assuaged at the death of George the 
Second, ere long burst forth again, but soon with a coun- 
ter-change of names, so that the Whigs now stand on the 
old footing of the Tories, and the Tories on that of the 
Whigs. Were any further proof required of a fact which 
I have elsewhere fully, and, I beheve, clearly unfolded, I 
could find it in the instance of Lord Chatham and of Mr, 
Pitt. It has never been pretended that tlie son entered 
public life with a diflerent party, or on other principles 
than his father. Yet Lord Chatham waa called a Whig, 
and Mr. Pitt a Tory. 

I am far. however, from maintaining that Chatham's 

* Speech of Cobnoi Eair^, May 13, 1778. Pari. Hist toI. xi& 



ibyGoogIc 



1740, wiLi.iASi PITT (lord Chatham) 17 

views were always wise, or his actions always praise- 
worthy. Ill several ti'ansactioas of his life, I look in 
vain for a steady and consistent eompaas of his course, 
and the horizon is too often clouded over with party 
spirit or personal resentments. But his principal defect, 
as I conceive, was a certain impractioahility and way- 
wardness of temper, that on some occasions overmastered 
his judgment and hurried him along. To give one in- 
stance of it ; when, not in the hey-day of youth, not in 
the exasperations of office — but so lata as 1772, and in 
the midst of his honoured retirement, he was replying to 
the speech of a Prelate, and to the opinion of a College 
of Divinity, he could so far fall in with the worst rants 
of the Dissenters, as to exclaim that " there is another 
" College of much greater antiquity as well as veracity, 
" which I am surprised I have never heard so much as 
" mentioned by any of his Lordship's fraternity, and that 
" is the College of the poor, humble, despised fishermen 
?' who pressed hard upon no man's conscience, yet sup- 
" ported the doctrines of Christianity both by their lives 
" and conversations. ..... But, my Lords, I may pro- 

" bably affront your rank and learning by applying to 
" such simple antiquated authorities, for 1 must confess 
" that there is a wide difference between the Bishops of 
" those and the present times ! " * Yet who was the 
Prelate against whom these sneers were aimed ? Was it 
any Bishop of narrow views, of sordid and of selfish 
mind ? No, it was the irreproachable, the mild, the 
good, the warm-hearted and the open-handed Bishop 
BaiTington ! 

Yet, as I think, these frailties of temper should in. 
jnstico he mainly ascribed to his broken health, and to 
the consequence of broken health — his secluded habits. 
When in society. Lord Chesterfield assures us, that he 
was " a most agreeable and lively companion, and had 
" such a versatility of wit, that he could adapt it to all 
" sorts of conversations," But to such exertion his health 
and spirits were seldom equal, and he, therefore, usually 
confined himself to the intercourse of his family, by 
whom he was moat tenderly beloved, and of a few obse- 

* Thackeray's Life, vol. ii. p. £47 
VOL, in. C 

Hc.edbyGoOgIC 



18 HISTORY OF EN&LAND. CHAP. 



quious friends, who put him under no constraint, who 
assented to every word he spoke, and neyer presumed to 
have an opinion of their own. Such seclusion is the 
worst of any in its effects upon the temper ; but seclu- 
sion of all iinds is probably far less favourahle to virtue 
than it is commonly believed. When Whitefield ques- 
tioned Conrade Mathew, who had been a hermit for 
forty years amidst the forests of America, as to his in- 
ward trials and temptations, the old man quaintly bnt 
impressively replied : " Be assured, that a single tree 
" which stands alone is more exposed to storms than one 
" that grows among the rest 1 " * 

I have lingered too long, perhaps, on the character of 
Chatham ; yet, what part of an historian's duty is more 
advantageous to bis readers, or more delightful to him- 
self, than to portray the departed great — to hold forth 
their eminent qualities to imitation, yet not shrink from 
declaring their defects ? And in spite of such defects, I 
must maintain that there are some incidents in Chat- 
ham's life, not to bo surpassed in either ancient or mo- 
dern story. Was it not he who devised that lofty and 
generous scheme for removing the disaffection of the 
Highlanders, by enlisting them in regiments for the ser- 
vice of the Crown ? Those minds which CnUoden could 
not subdue, at once yielded to his confidence ; by trust- 
ing, he reclaimed them ; by putting ai-ms into their 
hands, he converted mutinous subjects into loyal soldiers ! 



Let Rome or Sparta, 



But the most splendid passage in Lord Chatham's 



public life > 



they can, boast a nobler thought! 



inly the closing one ; when on the 



7th of April 1778, wasted by his dire disease, but i 
pelled by an overruling sense of duty, he repaired for 
the last time to the House of Lords, tott«ring from weak- 
ness, and supported on one side by his son-in-law Lord 
Mahon, on the other by his second son William, ere long 
to become like himself the saviour of his country. Of 
such a scene even the slightest details have interest^ and 
happily they are recorded in the words of an eye-witness. 
Lord Chatham, we are told, was dressed in black velvet, 
but swathed up to the knees in flannel. From within 

* See Wliitcfield's Journal, Nov. 27. 1739. 



;, Google 



1740. wriLiAii riTT (lord cha.tiiam). 19 

hia large wig little more was to lie seen than his aqisiline 
nose and his penetrating eye. He looted, as he was, a 
dying man ; " yet never," adds the narrator, " was seen. 
" a figure of more dignity ; he appeared like a heing of a 
" superior species." He rose from his seat with slowness 
and difficulty, leanin" on his crutches and supported by 
his two relations. He took his hand from his crutch and 
raised it, lifting his eyes towards Heaven and said, " I 
" thank God that 1 have been enabled to come here this 
« day — to perform my duty ajid to speak on a subject 
" which has so deeply impressed my mind. I am old 
" and infirm — have one foot, more than one foot in the 
" grave — I am risen from my hed to stand up in the 
"cause of my counlry — perhaps never again to speak 
" in this House." The reverence, the attention, the Btill- 
ness of the House were here most affecting ; had any one 
dropped a handkerchief the noise would have been heard. 
At first he spoke in the low and feeble tone of sickness, 
but as he grew warm, his voice rose in peals as high and 
harmonious as ever. He gave the whole histery of the 
American war, detailing the measures to which he had 
objected, and the evil consequences which he had fore- 
told, adding at the close of each period, " and so it 
" proved." He then expressed his indignation at the 
idea, which he heard had gone forth, of yielding up the 
sovereignty of America : he called for vigorous and 
prompt exertioo ; he rejoiced that he was still alive to 
lift up his voice against the first dismemberment of this 
ancient and most noble monarchy. After him the Duke 
of Richmond attempted to show the impossibility of still 
maintaining the dependence of the colonies. Lord Chat- 
ham heard him with attention, and when His Grace haji 
eoncluded, eagerly rose to reply ; but this last exertion 
overcame him, and after repeated attempts to stand firm, 
he suddenly pressed his hand to hia heart and fell back 
in convulsions. The Duke of Cumberland, I-ord Temple,. 
and other Peers caught him in their arms, and bore 
him to a neighbouring apartment, while the Lords, left 
in the House, immediately adjourned in the utmost con 
fusion and concern. He was removed to Hayes, and 
lingered till the 11th- of May,, when the mightry spirit 



^dbyGOOglC 



20 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP. SSI. 

was finally released from ita shatta-ed frame*, — Who 
that reads of this soul-stirring scene — who that has aeea 
it portrayed by that painter, whose son has since raised 
himself by his genius to be a principal light and orna- 
ment of the same assembly — who does not feel, that were 
the choice before him, he would rather live that one 
triumphant hour of pain and suffering than through the 
longest cai-eer of thriving and successful selfishness ? 

My theme has borne me onwards, far beyond the period 
I had chosen, or the length I had designed; but let me 
now return to 1740. — Against the rising talents of Pitt, 
agMnst the practised skill of the other Opposition chiefe, 
espeeiaUy Pulteney, Barnard, and Polwaith, what had 
Walpole to oppose? — himself alone. His extreme jea- 
lousy of power had driven fi-om his counsels any other 
member of the House of Commons, who could, even in 
the remotest degree, eater into competition with him. 
His colleagues and supporters were, therefore, only of 
two classes; in the first place, men of respectable cha- 
racter and plodding industry, but no aspiring abilities, 
such as Henry Pelhara ; secondly, men of superior talents, 
but for some cause or other, not clear in reputation, and 
looked upon as political adventurers. Of this class was 
Sir William Tonge, a man whose fluency and readiness 
of speech amounted to a faulty and wei-e often urged as a 
reproach, and of whom Sir Eobert himself always said, 
that nothing but Yonge's character could keep down his 
parts, and nothing but his parts support his character.-f 
Of this class also wei-e Mr. Winnington, and in the other 
House, Lord Hervey. 

Amongst the Peers, it is true that the Duke of New- 
castle was ready, and Lord Hardwicke most able in de- 
hate; but these, as I have already shown, were by no 

* See Seward's AneodoWa, vol. ii. (Art. LoM Chatiam) and 
Thaekeray's Life, toI. iu p. 376-381. 

t Horace Walpola's Memoirs, vol. i. p. 20. The old Duchess of 
Marlborough observes, with lier usual coarse shrewdness, "If it were 
" possible to have all done Ihat I wish, nobody should go uniewaidod 
'' that deserves . . But Sir Kobert aecms quite of another opinion, and 
" never likes any but tools, and such as have lost all credit." To the 
Barl of Marchouiiit, August 29. 1740. Hurcluqont Papers, vol ii. 
p. 233. 



^dbyGOOglC 



1740. DIVISIONS IN THE CABINET. ^1 

means cordially joined with Walpole upon the Spanisli 
question. Indeed, in precise proportion as the Minister's 
unpopularity increased, Newcas^e grew less and less 
friendly in his sentiments, or submissive in his tone, 
numerous hickerings and altercations now arose between 
them. Lord Godolphin having announced his intention 
to resign the Privy Seal, it was the intention of Walpole 
to appoint Lord Hervey in his place ; this, however, was 
warmly resisted hy Newcastle, who declares in one ot 
his letters: " Sir Kohert Walpole and Pulteney are not 
« more opposite in the House of Commons, than Lord 
" Hervey and I are with regard to our mutual inchna- 
" tions to each other in our House." » Notwithstanding 
his murmurs, and even a threat of resignation {which 
Walpole well knew that Newcastle, under any circum- 
stances, could never find it in his heart to fulfil,) Sir 
Eobert persevered, and the appointment of Ixird Hervey 
took place in April 1740. Another time, in conversation, 
the Duke wishing to reflect upon Walpole as sole Minister, 
muttered that, "not to have the liberty of giving one s 
« opinion hefoi-e measures are agreed upon, is very wrong. 
"What do you mean?" Walpole angrily replied, ' The 
" war is yours — you have had the conduct of it — I wish 
" you joy of it !" t On another occasion again, the expedi- 
tions to America being discussed in Council, and it being 
proposed hy Newcastle to send another ship of 60 guns 
(the Salisbury), the Prime Minister objected, and cried 
with much asperity, " What, may not one poor ship be 
" left at home? Must every accident be risked for the 
" West Indies, and no consideration paid to this country.' 
Newcastle recapitulated his reasons, but Walpole replied 
with stiU more heat, " I oppose nothing ; I give into every 
" thiii'r i am said to do every thing ; am to answer tor 
" every thing, and yet, God knows, I dare not do what 
" I think right. I am of opinion for having more ships 
" of the squadron left behind ; but I dare not, I will not 
" make any alteration. Let them go! Let them go! f 

• To Lord Hardwicko, October U. 1738. Hardwicke Papers, and 

+ DuiB of Newcastle to Lord Hotdwicke, October 25. 1 740. 
i Ibid. October 1. 1740. 



^dbyGOOglC 



22 HISTOKY or ENGLAND. CHAP. XXI. 

These petty altercations, each carefully detailed by New- 
castle to hia " dearest friend " Lord Hardwicke, strongly 
manifest tte declining ascendency of Walpole, and prove 
that hia Cabinet was threatened with internal dissolu- 
tion, not less than by outward pressure. 

The health and high spirits of Walpole began to fail 
"before this array of difflculiies. His son Horace writes 
to a friend in 1741, " He who always was asleep as soon 
" as his head touched the pillow, now never dozes above 
" an hour without waking ; and he, who at dinner always 
" forgot he was Minister, and was more gay and thought- 
" less than all his company, now sits without speaking, 
" and with his eyes fixed for an hour together. Judge if 
" tliis is the Sir Robert you knew!"* Tet in public life 
his energy and courage were wholly unabated, and he 
thought only of schemes to recover his lost ground. The 
expeditions to America, if crowned with success might, 
lie hoped, go far to retrieve his popularity. Another 
Bcheme more extraordinary, and at the moment un- 
suspected, was to prevail upon the King to consent to a 
Bill, that at his death the Electorate of Hanover might be 
dissevered from the Crown of England. This project is 
recorded by the unimpeachable authority of Speaker 
Onslow. " A little before Sir Eobert Walpole's fail, and 
" as a popular act to saye himself, he took me one day 
" aside and sajd, ' What will you say. Speaker, if this 
" ' hand of mine shall bring a Message from the King to 
" ' the House of Commons, declaring his consent to having 
" ' any of his family, after his own death, made by Act of 
*' ' Parliament incapable of inheriting and enjoying the 
*' ' Crown and the Electoral dominions at the same time ? ' 
" My answer was, ' Sir, it will be as a Message from 
" ' Heaven.' He replied, " ' It will be done.'"| By this 
project Walpole undoubtedly expected to gratify, not only 
the people's distaste to Hanover, but also the King's 
aversion to the Prjnce of Wales. Tet, whether the diffi- 
culties at Court proved greater than he had foreseen, or 
■whether he was diverted by other and more pressing 



^dbyGOOglC 



1740. 



23 



affe,ira, it does not appew that any further progress was 
made in the design. , . , „ri i 

But the most surprising measure to whicli Walpoiewas 
driven by his difaculties, was an application to the Pre- 
tender at Eome, with the view of obtaining the support 
of the Jacobites in England. It appears that m the 
summer of 1739, Thomas Carte the historian, bemg then 
about to undertake » journey to Rome, was entrusted with 
a mess^e from Walpole to the Pretender, declaring his 
secret attachment, and promising his zealous services, but 
desiring to have some assurances of James's intentions as 
to the Church of England, and as to the Princes of the 
House of Hanover. In reply James wrote and put into 
the hands of Cart* a very judicious letter, in which he 
expresses great doubts as to the sincerity of Walpoles 
sood wishes, but promises that if they shall be real and 
effective they shall be duly rewarded at his restoration. 
I have no dif&culty," he adds, " in putting it in your 
power to satisfy him authentically on the two articles 
about which he is solicitous, since, independent of his 
desires, I am fully resolved to protect and secure the 
Church of England, according to my reiterated pro- 
Biiaea As for the Princes of the House of Han- 
over, I tlmnk God I have no resentment against them, 
nor against any one living. I shall never repine at 
their living happily in their own country after I am 
in possession of my kingdoms ; and should they fall into 
my power, upon any attempt for my restoi-ation, I shall 
certainly not touch a hair of their heads." * This letter 
'as delivered to Walpole by Carte on his return, and it 
iS still to be found amongst Sir Robert's papers, endorsed 
with his own hand. No one, I presume, will here do Wal- 
pole the injustice to suspect him of sincerity. His zeal 
for the House of Hanover had been proved by most emi- 
nent services ; and there seems little doubt that his object 
was only, as Sunderland's had been eighteen years before, 
to catch the votes of the Jacobites at the next elections. 

• James to Mr. T. Cai-te, July 10. 1739. See Appendix, Mr. 
CoxB had a copy of this letter, and of the eniJorsemeat, Qmongst his 
MS8., and ought not, I think, to have suppressed all mention of it m 
his Life of Walpole. 



^dbyGOOglC 



24 H OP ENGLiUJD. CHAP, XXI. 

Nay more n t p bable tiat like SunderlaniJ he 

may have mmun t d the correspondence to the King. 
I am only at h d t this wily statesman could ex- 
pect that, f h pa t areer, the Pretender would be 
satisfied with w d , fa 1 to insist upon deeds. 

We find, also, that Walpoie in like manner tried his 
skill with Colonel Cecil, who, since the death of I/Ord 
Orrery, in August 1737, had become one of the principal 
Jacobite agents ; and that, by professing his devotion to 
the same principles, he often drew from Cecil several im- 
portant secrets.* Even in the beginning of 1741, we may 
observe Carte, in a letter to the Pretender, stiU expressing 
some hope of Sir Robert's good intentions.f 

Of all the reasons to be alleged in justification of Sii- 
Kobert Walpole's pacific policy, there is none perhaps of 
greater weight than the new life and spiiit which the 
Pretender and his party derived from the war. For 
several years had they been dwindling into insignificance ; 
their hopes and projects, though sufficiently numerous, 
never followed by results nor claiming the notice of his- 
tory. But as soon as foreign states became hostile to 
England, and had therefore an interest in overthrowing 
the government, or at least disturbing the tranquUlity, of 
England, from that very moment the Jacobite conspiracy 
assumed a more regular and settled form, and presented 
a lowering and formidable aspect. I must now, then, 
again advert to the machinations of the exiled Prince, his 
adherents and allies ; and trace the progress of that 
smouldering flame which ere long bnrst forth in another 

James was still residing at Eome. In 1735 his consort, 
tlie titular Queen Clementina, had died of asthma J, and 
this event, though they had lived far from happily to- 
gether, seems to have greatly increased his usual dejection 
both of Blind and manner. An interesting account of bis 

* Dc. King's Anecdotes, p. 37. 

■f letter fp>ni Mr. Carlo to James (roceivod April 17. 1741). See 
Appendix, 

J Buyer's Polii State, vol. xlix. p. 258. A splendid monument 
was taised to licr meiaory by I'ope Benedict XIV., and a medal 
Btruek on tha ocoaaion. See Stuart Medals, No. 55., in. Sir Hem? 
SUis's Catabgne. 



^dbyGOOglC 



1740. THE STUARTS AT EOJIE. 25 

appearance and habits in 1740, may te drawn from the 
lively letters of President dea Brossea ; letters wbicfa 
formerly appeared in a mutilated siiape, but of late liave 
been published correctly: — "The ISog of England ia 
" treated here with as much reapect aa though he were a 
" real reigning Sovereign. He lives in the Piazza di 
■' Sant' Apostoli, ia a lai'ge palace not remarkable for 

■ beauty." The Pope'a soldiers mount guard thei'e aa 

■ at Monte Cavallo, and accompany him whenever he 

■ goes out, which does not happen often. It is easy to 
' Itnow him for a Stuart; he has quite the air of (hat 

family ; tall and thin, and in his face vei'y like the por- 
traits we have in France of his father James the Second. 
He is also very like Marahal Berwick, his illegitimate 
brother, except that the Marshal's countenance was sad 
and severe, while tSiat of the Pretender is sad and silly. 
His dignity of manners is remarkable. I never saw 
any Prince hold a great assembly so gracefully and so 
nobly. Yet, his life, in general, is very retired, and he 
only comes for an hour to take part in the festivals 
which he gives from time to time, through his sons, to 
the ladies of Some. His devotion is excessive ; hn 
passes his whole morniiig in prayers at the Church of 
the Holy Apostles, near &e tomb of his wife. Of hia 



talent I nn 
sufflc nf m 


p ak p ely, for waEt of 
h eem b moderate, yet all 


Altho I 
appears bu a 
heth 
He sp k 


no a t>eh his conoition. 

te h h seeing him, he 

mm "T g fi-om church ; 

and n here till dinner. 

b h mu h courtesy and 



good nature, and withdraws soon after the meal is 
eluded. He never sups at night. Hia table for dinner 
is always equally laid with eleven covers for the f«n 
persons of his family, who in general dine with him; 
but whenever any foreign or Roman gentlemen wait 
upon bun in the morning, he most commonly asks them 
to stay dinner, and in that case a corresponding number 
of his attendants go and dine at another table, so that 

1706. See 



^dbyGOOglC 



26 HISTOKT OF 

" at his own the number is always the same. When he 
" sits down to dinner, his two sons, before they take their 
" places, go to kneel before him and ask his blessing. To 
" them he usually speaks in English, to others Jn Italian 
" or in French. 

" Of these two sons, the elder is called the Prince of 
" Wales, the younger the Duke of York, Both have a 
« family look; but the face of the latter is still that ofa 
" handsome child. They are amiable and graceful in 
" their manners ; both showing but a moderate under- 
" standing, and less cultivated than Princes should have 
" at their age. They are both passionately fond of music, 
" and understand it well : the eldest plays the violoncello 
" -with much skill ; the youngest sings Italian airs in very 
" good taste ; once a week they give an excellent concert, 
" which is the best music at Kome. The English, who 
" always swarm in this city, are most eager to have an 
" opportunity of seeing these Princes. The youngea^^ 
" especially, is much liked in the town, on account of his 
" handsome face and pretty manners. Tet I hear from 
" those who know them both thoroughly, that the eldest 
" has far higher worth, and is much more beloved by his 
" friends ; that he has a kind heart and a high courage ; 
" that he feels warmly for his family misfortunes ; and 
" that if some day he does not retrieve them, it will not 
" be for want of intrepidity. They tell me, that having 
" been taken, when quite a stripling, to the siege of Gaeta 
" by the Spaniards, one day during the voyage his hat 
" blew off into the sea. The people round him wished to 
" recover it. ' No,' cried he, ' do not take that trouble; 
" ' I will some day go the same way my hat has gone, if 
" ' things remain as they are.' " * 

The chief Minister of James, and by far the ablest man 
at his little Court, was James Murray, the titular Earl of 
Dunbar; his unworthy brother-in-law. Lord Inverness, 
had died this very year at Avignon. Sooa afterwards 
one Mr. Edgar, who is mentioned in 1728 in some letters 



• The tide of this work ie ritalie %ly a Cent Arts, and llie passaf 
I have translated is taken from vol. ii. p. 93—100., ed. 1836. 
liave fonnd llus work, itt other parte, both acute and impartiaL 



^dbyGOOglC 



"40. „. „o„„. ,„„. 2, 

from Italy* h.iiog fcecome James's prmto Seoretury, 
also obtained considerable influence over iiim Jm to 
lopj. of foreign succour, the Duke of Ckmond and tie 
M Mariscbal had hastened to Madrid upon the rupture 
inth England, but did not fad or make anj Tery favour- 
able opening m that quarter. " Nothing," writes the Earl, 
haa been intended here against the English Govern- 
ment, which they know waa forced into the war, and 
which they count on as ready to forward peace as soon 
as they dare."t But in France, the Jacobite prospect, 
were of brighter hue. When Cardinal Fleory mrceived 
that France must probably follow Spaiu in a breach with 
Jlngland, he began to lend a ready ear to the malcontents 
and eiile^ and eutcM into their designs, with secrecy 
Mdeed and caution, but still considerable warmth. In the 
hrst place, however, he paused to ascertain what the 
Jacobite, could effect for themsolTcs at home, declaring 
tlial if they would fullil their assurance^ he would he nS 
niggard of his aid. 

The Jacobite party in Britain, so long as peace con- 
tinued, was weU described by Bolmgbroke as " an unor- 
^^ ganiaed lump of inert matter, without a principle of life 
„ °' *';*'°» ".".i .J?P«ble of mobility, perhaps, but mous 
capable of divisibihty, and utterly void of aU power of 
spontaneoa. motion." ( But war was the Promethean 
spark that kindled the sluggish mass. In Scothmd an 
association m favour of the exiled family, undertaking to 
f !i , ■"; ''""""• "'"»•"' " body of foreign troips 
should land as auxdiaries, was signed in 1740 by .even 
principal po„„„,, ,„„j,j,^ ,j, j^^, ^, t- ^^ .-Eoman 
Catholic nobleman ! his brother Mr. John Stuart: the 
tituhir Duke of Perth J his uncle Lord John Drnmmmidi 
* See Atterbmy's Coireapondence, vol i. p, 206. 

penta. Am™ oOier pomu In 11,1, l«t„ it I, int„,fiug £ „^4 
a» Leid M,™id, love ot Pl.t^l, wbtt aterward. l„,.„™ 
„„ »™ Vt ""T" *"?*»T <*>■ Boas™.. Ilo.,e.a UmieK 
"S,!™^"?- "."""S '*'• "■ totl. ■]>«. le peat aombr, S 
et me prafite le pim Ce flit la premilie leotare de men eafance. 

:s rp,"=;r.rt,tT **"•■" '**'" '^'-- °="'^ 

t To Sir William WjniJliBm, Januaiy 25. 1740. 



ibyGoogIc 



23 msTORY OF 

Sir James Campheli of Auchinbreck ; Lord Iiovat ; and 
young Lochiel. The name of !Lovat may excite some sur- 
prise in tbose wto remember his activity against the in- 
surgents of 1715, but this crafty and selfish old man had 
been offended at some attempts of the Government to in- 
troduce law and order in the Highlands : he thought also 
his former service ill rewarded, and declared that he had 
not received enough — a word which, with him, always 
meant a little more than he had! What, then, were bis 
feelings, when in 1736, having excited the suspicions of 
the Government, he was stripped of the place and pension 
which he already enjoyed! Incensed, but with caution 
mastering even his most violent resentments, he plunged, 
eager, yet still dissembling, info thi Jacobite designs. 

The mind of Donald Cameron, young Lochiel, was cast 
in a far different mould : full of courage, hospitality, ajid 
honour ; a true model of that chivalrous character which, 
poets have feigned, oftener than found, in feudal chiefs. 
For the cause of the Stuarts had the father fought and 
bled, and was now living attainted and in exile ; for that 
cause, even when buoyed up by no visions of victory, the 
son was as ready to devote the last drop of his blood, the 
last acre of his lands. An erring principle, but sui-ely 9, 
most noble fidelity I His energy in war, his courtesy and 
charity in peace, are recorded even by bis political (ha 
could have no private) enemies. One of these, a courtly 
poet, unable to comprehend either how so excellent a man 
should be ^Jiut out from Paradise, or how any person of 
Jacobite principles could possibly enter in, ingeniously 
solves the difficulty by presuming that Lochiel will be- 
come " a Whig in Heaven." • Nowhere, I think, do our 
annals display a more striking contrast than this between 
Lovat and Lochiel. The one, hoary with age, and stand- 
ing on the very brink of the gi'ave, yet ti'embling with 
eagerness for none but worldly and evanescent objects ; 
wUling to sacrifice honour, conscience, country, nay, even, 
as we shall find hereafter, his ovm son, victims at the 
shrine of hia unprincipled ambition ! The other in the 
prime of manhood, with aims as pernicious for the public, 
but in him most pure and lofty : swayed not by places or 

* Scols' Magazine, 1748. 



..Google 



1740. LOVAT J 

pensions, by coronets and ribands, but by his own inward 
and impelling sense of right : faithful to James, only be- 
cause he believed, however erroneously, that James was 
Jiis rightful King — only because he felt that his duty and 
devotion to the King were a part of his duty and devotion 
to the Almighty King of Kings! 

Having formed their plot, the seven leaders next de- 
termined to impart it to tteir Prince, through a con- 
fidential agent, and for this purpose they pitched upon 
Mac Gregor, otherwise called Drummond, of Eohaldie. 
He was directed, on fiis return from Rome, to make some 
stay at Paris, and was entrusted with a memorial to Car- 
dinal Fleury, giving an account of the design, and con- 
taining a list of the Highland Chiefs well affected to the 
Stuart cause, such as Sir Alexaader Macdonald and Mae 
Leod. To Kome accordingly Eohaldie r^aired, and after- 
wards to Paris, where he was favourably received by the 
Cai'dinal, and where he ui-ged his negotiation, conjointly 
with one Sempill, calling himself Lord Sempill, at this 
time James's principal manager at the Court of Versailles. 

Witt respect to England, Colonel Brett was, early in 
1740, despatched from Paris to confer with the Jacobite 
leaders in that country. Amongst the foremost of these 
appears to have been the Duke of Beaufort ; a young man 
of delicate health and retired habits, who indeed survived 
only till the spring of 1745 — but his brother, and after- 
wards his heir, Lord Noel Somerset, directed the powerful 
influence of that family in the Western counties. Sic 
Watkin Wynn answered for North Wales ; in London, 
Lord Barrymore and Colonel Cecil, at Oxford, Dr. William 
King, Principal of St. Mary's Hall, were stirring agents. 
But, perhaps, the most active of the party was Sir John 
Hinde Cottoo, member for the county of Cambridge, a 
gentleman of old family and large estate : he had sat in 
Parliament ever since the time of Queen Anne, was not 
undistinguished as a speaker, and so zealous a Jacobite 
that he used to make an annual progress throughout 
England, to maintain the spirit of his friends,* On the 
28th of March Lord Sempill writes, that Colonel Brett 
Las returned from. England, and reports " Shippcn timid ; 

* See Coxe's Life of Lord Walpole, p. 376. 



^dbyGOOglC 



aO HISTOKY OF ENGLAND. CHAP. XSI. 

" Sir Jolin Hinde Cotton doubtful of others, but answers 
" clearly for himself s Sir Watkin Wynn hearty, and may 
" certainly be depended on."* 

In little more than two montlis after Colonel Brctt'a 
return, Lord Barrymore undertook a Jacobite mission 
from London to Paris, and was admitted, together with 
Lord Sempill, to an audience of Cardinal Fleury. The 
Minister gave them a gracious reception, listened with 
pleasure to their account of affairs at home, and promised 
to send a friend of his own to England, in order to obtain 
stUl fuller and more authentic information for his Court, ■[■ 
In a few days more we find Lord Ban-ymore about to 
return, and the Marquis de Clermont the person selceted 
by the Cardinal for the secret English mission. It also 
appears that Sir John Hinde Cotton was to remain in 
London throughout the aununer, as the channel of com- 
munication with James's friends; and that Shippen, whom 
the public voice still proclairoed as the great leader of the 
Jacobites, was thought by them so weak as to be left out 
of all their consultations. | Shippen, at this time, was 
sixty-eight, and Ms energy, perhaps, much impaired. 
But, as it seems to me, even his earlier reputation grew 
much more from his courage, his incorruptibility, his 
good humoured frankness of purpose, than from any 
superior eloquence or talent. Horaee "Walpole, the 
younger, describes his speeehes as spirited in sentiment^ 
but generally uttered in a low tone of voice, with too 
great rapidity and with his glove held before his mouth § 
— certainly not the portrait of a great orator ! It is said 
that he had some still in poetry, yet it does not seem that 
he.was known or prized by any eminent men without the 
Honse of Commons. His father was rector of Stockport, 
and his paternal inheritance had been small ; he ac- 

* Letter of Lord Seaipill, March 38. 1710. Stuart P^jers. The 
Bight Hon. C. W. Wynn has fciadlj eommunicated to me this, luiil 
the foJiowing estractE or smoBiariea, wbioh he made at Gaillon House 
fiN>iii SempiE's Letters of 1 740. I could find none of these in their 
place at Windsor. 

t Letter of Lord Sempill, June 6. 1740, Stnart Papers. 

t IetterofLordSciiipill,Jnnel3. 1740. Stuart Papers. 

g Conuniinicated to .fljijhdeacon Coxe. Memoirs ofWalpole,voLL 



^dbyGOOglC 



1740. jiR. SHIPPEN. 31 

quirecl, however, an ample fortune by marriage. His 
wife was extremely penurious, and as a relation gently 
expressed it, "with a peculiarity in temper,"* and un- 
willing to mix in society ; she was much noticed by 
Queen Caroline, b«t steadily declined all connection with 
the Court. Shippen, himself, like Pulteney, was not free 
from the odious taint of avarice: when not attending 
Parliament, he lived chiefly in a hired house on Eich- 
mond Hill ; and it is remarkable that neither of these 
distinguished politicians, though each wealthy, possessed 
that chief pride and delight of an English gentleman -^ a 
country seatf 

In September, this year, it appears that the Marquis de 
Clermont had returned from his secret mission, and that 
his reporta were favom-able to the Jacobite designs J ; 
and in December, after the Emperor's death had given 
new ground and probability of war, Cardinal Fleury was 
so far wrought upon as to promise positively that if Bo- 
haldie could bring full assurances from those who ma- 
naged the Clans, the Irish brigade in France should be 
forthwith transported to Scotland, with the arms and am- 
munition required. In that caee he also undertook to use 
endeavours with the Government of Spain to send an- 
other body of troops from thence, with the Earl Marts- 
chal.§ Such a project was indeed already entertained 
by the Spanish, or at least apprehended by the British 

Even from this outline it will be perceived how un- 
wearied, how extensive, and how formidable was the 

* IVom hor grand-nephew, Judge WiUes. Coxe's Walpole, vol. i. 
p. 673. Shippen survived hei' several j-ears in full possession of her 
fovtune. 

t This feet, as regards Shippen, ia stated in Coxe's Walpole, ut 
st^o- As regards Pulteney, I find it in a letter from Pope to Swift, 
of May 17. 1739. (Swift's Works, vd. xix. p 291.) 

t letter of Lord Sempill, Sept. S. 1 740. Stuart Pflpei's. 

§ letter of Lord Sempill, December 19. 1740. Stuart Papers, 

11 " The troops in Gallicia publicly dedaced they were to be em- 
"ployed under the Dnke of Ormond, who waa then in Spain, in a 
"descent upon England." (Tindal's Hist. vol. viii. p. 459.) Sir John 
Koms was sent out with a squadron to defeat this design, and the 
Buke of Cumbeiland sailed with liim as a volnnteei'; however, the 
Spaniards found ample employment for their force in South America. 



;,Goo»^lc 



32 IIISTOKY OP ENGLAND. CHAP. XSI. 

Jaco^iite conspiracy. Tet, at that moment, and for years 
Ijefore, the existence of any such conspiracy was stubbornly 
denied by the *' Patriots," in Opposition ; they maintaining 
that it was a mei-e chimera and device of Ministers to 
justify military preparations, a standing army, and the 
final establishment of despotic power. Daniel Pultcney 
a brother of William, of the same principles, and pre- 
vented only by his early death from attsuning similai- 
pohtical distinction — used to say that the Pretender 
would never subdue us, but his name would!* These 
mock-patriots, so jealous, as they seemed, of British liber- 
ties, were undonbtedly in effect — perhaps sometimes in 
intention — the best allies and patrons of the Jacobites. 

For the Jacobites themselves, their course, though far 
more direct and manly, vifas still less reasonable. Consi- 
dering the mildness and moderation of the reigning 
family, ive may wonder at their irreconcilable resent- 
ment ; and our surprise will augment, if we reflect on 
the feeble and bigot character of the Prince whom they 
were so eager to enthrone. To place at the head of the 
Church of England one of its most bitter and unchang- 
ing adversaries — such was the aim of men who believed 
or boasted themselves the beat, nay, the only real, friends 
of that Church! Every successive year, as it iaci-eased 
the difficulty of a devolution — aa it heightened the 
necessity to wade at this object through torrents of blood, 
and that hlood our fellow countrymen's -— added, as I 
conceive, to the responsibility and moral guilt of the 
attempt. And while I revere and wish to do justice to 
the high motives of many Jacobites, I cannot but strongly 
condemn the false political idolatry of aU. 

) Sir William Wjndham, KoTcmlier IB. 



^dbyGOOglC 



COSmODOKI! AKSON. 



CHAPTER XXir. 



As the South American Colonies had given the first im- 
pulse to the war with Spain, so was it against them that 
its chief exertions were directed. Tiieir wealtness, it was 
thought, would afford an easy conquest, and their wealth 
a rich hooty. Two squadrons were accordingly equipped ; 
the one under Commodore Anson to sail round Cape 
Hoi-n and rifle the shores of Peru ; the other under Ad- 
miral Vernon to attacl: Porto Bello and the Eastern 
coast. Each of these expeditions will demand and reward 
a particular detail. 

George Anson, commander of the firslj and afterwards 
Lord Anson, deserves to be held forth as a model to 
British seamen of what maybe accomplished by industry, 
by courage, by love of their profession. He was bora of 
a family at that period new and obscure, nor had he the 
advantage of distinguished talents. After his expedition, 
it used to be said of him that he had been round the 
world but never in it ; he was dull and unready on land ; 
slow in business, and sparing of speech. But he had un- 
dHunted bravery, steady application, and cool judgment j 
he punctually followed his instructions, and zealously dis- 
charged his duty; and by these qualities — qualities 
within the attainment of all — did ho rise to well-earned 
honours and bequeath an unsullied renown.* 

It is from Lord Anson's papers, hut by the pen of Mr. 
Walter, his Chaplain, that an accurate and interesting 
narrative of the expedition has been transmitted to pos- 
terity. The ships assigned for this service were the 
Centurion of 60 guns, and 400 men, the Gloucester and 
Severn, each of 50 guns and 800 men, the Pearl of 40 
guns, the Wager of 28, and the Trial sloop of 8. Gi-eat 

• See Lord Wnldegi-ave'e Momoira, p. 85. In Eonssean's fiction. 
Lord Anson expands to "tin capitaine, un snlclat, im piiote, nn 
"sngc, nil grand homme!" (Noiivelle IKloiac, pKi-tie iv. letbe 3) 

VOL, III. D 



;, Google 



34 HIS'XOKY OF 1, J LANLi CHAP. XXII. 

difficulty and delay, however took place in the manniiig 
of this squadron, for want of the fuller powers, which 
"Walpole had in. vain Bolicifed fiom the House of Com- 
mons. Thus far, therefore, no hlame can attach to the 
Minister ; but, on another point within his own control, 
he may be justly charged with want of knowledge or 
consideration. Jjistead of embarking a regiment of foot 
as at first designed, it was declared that 500 out-pen- 
sioaera of Chelsea should be collected instead of it, 
though these men were utterly disabled by age or wounds 
from even a common or less laborious service. The First 
Ivord of the Admiralty, Sir Charles Wager, concurred in 
the representations made by Anson on this'subject ; but 
the opinion of both was overruled, as it seems, hj the 
Prime Minister.* But^ further still, when the poor in- 
valids came on board they were found to be only 259 
instead of 500, for all those who had limbs and strength 
to walk out of Portsmouth had deserted! "Indeed," says 
an eye-witness, " it is difficult to conceive a more moving 
scene than the embarkation of these unhappy veterans. 
They were themselves extremely averse to the service 
they were engaged in, and fuUy apprised of all the 
disasters they were afterwards exposed to ; the appre- 
hensions of which were strongly marked by the concern 
that appeared in their countenances, which was mixed 
with no small degree of indignation, to be thus hurried 
" from their repose into a fatiguing employ, to which 
" neither the strength of their bodies, nor the vigour of 
" their minda, were anyways proportioned, and when, 
" without seeing the face of an enemy, or in the least 
" promoting the success of the enterprise they were en- 
" gaged in, they would, in all probability, uselessly perish 
" by lingering and painful diseases ; and this, too, after 
" they had spent the activity and strength of their youth 
" in their country's service." 

From this first deficiency, from contradictory orders, 
and from various other circumstances of mismaDagement^ 
above half a year had been wasted, and it was not till 
the 18th of September, 1740, that the squadron weighed 

* Walter's Narrative of Lord Aaaon's Voyage, p. 9. ed. 1748. 



idb,Googlc 



1740. TEMPESTS OFF CAPE HOBS. 39 

anchor from St. Helen's. They touched at" Madeira, re* 
freahed themselves at St. Catherine's on the coast of 
Brazil, and in March, 1741, safely crossed the streighta 
of Le Maire, '" As these streights," observes the Chap- 
lain, " are often considered as the boandary between the 
i' Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, we could not help flatter- 
^' ing ourselves that the greatest difficulties of our passage 
" were now at an end, and hence we indulged our imagii 
^* nations in those romantic schemes, which the fancied 
" possession of the Chilian gold and Peruvian silver 
" might be conceived to inspire. These joyous ideas 
" were heightened by the brightness and serenity of the 

" sty Thus we traversed these memorable 

" etreights ignorant of the dreadful calamities that were 
" then impending and just ready to breat upon us ; ig- 
*' norant that the time drew near when the squadron 
^ would be separated, never to unite again, and that this 
" day of our passage was the last cheerful day that the 
"greatest part of us would ever live to enjoy."* It 
appears that the delays in England had brought them 
to the moat stormy and perilous season for doubling Cape' 
Horn. On leaving. Streights Le Maire they were imme- 
diately assailed by a tremendous tempest j the sea ran 
mountain high ; and the oldest sailors on board were 
forced to confess that what they had hitherto called 
storms were- mere gentle breezes compared to the vio- 
lence of these winds. What added to their danger was 
their inequality, and the deceitful lulls they afforded,' 
suddenly interrupted by such quicli and violent motions, 
that the men were in perpetual peril of being dashed to 
pieces against the decks or sides of the ships. Thus 
were several men killed and others greatly injured ; one, 
for example, breaking his thigh, and another his collar' 
bone twice. Moreover, these blasts generally brought 
with them a great quantity of snow and sleet, which 
cased the rigging and froze the sails, thus rendering them 
and the cordage apt to snap upon the slightest strain, 
and which also benumbed and disabled many of the 
people, even to the mortifying of their toes and fingers. 
The ships sJso, by labonring in these high seas, had' 

• Lord Anson's Voyage, p. I06t 



idb,Googlc 



grown loose in tteir upper woris, so that they let in tlia 
■water at every seam, and scarce any of the officers ever 
slept in dry beds. . ^ ^i. 

For many days did the squadron struggle against these 
dangers and hardships, in the meanwhile striking to the 
Bouth-vTard, and having then advanced, as they hehevea, 
near ten df^rees to the westward of Tierra del Fucgo, so 
as to compensate the drift of the eastern current. Thus, 
then on once more steering north, they fully expected, 
within & few days, to enter a new scene, and experience 
the proverbial tranquillity of the Pacific ocean. But the 
case proved far otherwise. They unexpectedly discovered 
land, which they found to be Cape Noir, a point of Tierra 
del Fuego ; the snrprising strength of the currents having 
thus borne them hack to the eastward nearly seven hun- 
dred miles more than they had reckoned. Instead, there- 
fore, of enjoying a summer climate and more tranquil sea, 
their prows were again turned to the antarctic pole, again 
to contend with those fearful storms they had so lately 
encountered; and in this second cruise they underwent 
a new calamity in the total separation of the squadron, 
which had hitherto been kept together, though with dif- 
ficulty, by gnns fired almost every half hour from the 
commodore's ship, the Centurion. It only remained for 
each vessel to shift for itself, and endeavour to reach the 
island of Juan Fernandez, which Anson, with prudent 
forethought, had previously assigned as a point of ren- 
dezvous. , , 
The Centurion, now left alone, was beset with renewed 
hurricanes, especially upon the 22nd of May: "at which 
time," says Mr. Walter, " the fury of all the storms which 
■ * we had hitherto encountered seemed to have combined 
« for our destruction." * They escaped these dangers, 
but had still no cause for self-congrfltulation, for, even 
when the ship shot along the more quiet waves of the 
Pacific, it hore within it an active principle of destruction 
— that sea plague, the scurvy. In our days, when me- 
dical science has done so much to tame and subdue that 
dreadful disease, we may feel surprise at the violence of 
its former fury. Wc read amongst its symptoms on this 

• Lord Anson's Yoy.igo, p. 148. 



^dbyGOOglC 



1740. ISLAND OP JUAN FERNANDEZ. 37 

occasion, of putrid fevers, pleurisies, ike jaundice, and 
extreme rheumatic pains ; a difliculty of breathing, ulcers 
of the worst kind, attended with rotten tones, and jield- 
■ing to no remedies; a re-opening of the scars of old 
wounds ! nay, strangest of all in British sailors, "a dis- 
" position to be seized with dreadful teiTors on the slight- 
." est accidents." We ai'e told that the patients, though 
confined to their hammocks, sometimes continaed to bear 
the appearance of heaith ; for they ate and drank heartily, 
were cheerful, fmd talked in a loud strong tone of voice ; 
and yet, on their being the least moved, though it waa 
only from one part of the ship to the other, and that in 
their hammocks, they immediately expired ; and that 
others, who confided in their seeming strength, and at- 
tempted to rise, died before tliey could well reach the 
deck. If any reader should suspect exaggeration in these 
details, he will find them mournfully confirmed by the 
list of deaths. In tlie first month that the disease ap- 
peared the Centurion lost forty-three men, in the second 
month nearly double that number; and- before they 
reached the land above 200 had died, and so many were 
ill, that no more than sis fore-mast men in a watch could 
be mustered capable of duty. Ere long, too, there was 
a deficiency of fresh water ; and the island which they 
sought— a small speck in a boundless sea — for soma 
time eluded their research : once, when seen, it was mis- 
taken for a cloud on the horizon, and passed by. At last, 
on the loth of June, they approached and anchored at 
the much desired port, being then so feeble and exhausted 
that a few days longer at sea would probably have de- 
stroyed them altogether. 

llie island of Juan Fernandez (so called from a 
Spaniard who had formerly obtained a grant of it) was 
then uninhabited, though abounding in all the gifts of 
nature that could tempt the residence of man. Aromatic 
woodsclothe its sides, crystal springs gush from its val- 
leys ; it produces many kinds of excellent herbs, and the 
sea around it teems with the greatest variety of fish. In 
extent it is about five leagues long and two broad. It 
had once been dwelt in by Alexander Selkirk, a Scottish 
sailor, who had been left behind by his ship, and lived 
alone, until taken up by another some years afterwards. 



;,Goo»^lc 



This real Crusoe had published a most curious account 
o£ Lis hermit's -life ; and the accuracy of his statements 
was verified by a little incident that afforded great plea- 
sure — as a countryman's token iu a far distant and so- 
litary land — to the Centurion's crew. He says that^ as 
he often caught more goats than he wanted, he sometimes 
marked their ears and let them go; this being about 
■thirty-two years before the Centurion arrived at- the 
.island. Now it so happened, that the very first goat 
.killed by the BMlors, — a patriarch of " an exceeding 
" majestic beard, and most venerable aspect," had his 
ears slit, from whence they rightly concluded that he 
must have been one of the bermifs little flock. These 
■goats were, indeed, no small resource to the hungry sea- 
men ; they also ate seal's flesh, which they did not relish 
at firsl^ but afterwards calling it lamb among themselves 
— such is the power of names upon the multitude! — 
thought it very palatable,* Of still more service were 
the wild herbs to the sick, who were carried to land aud 
placed under tents; yet the healthy were so few, that 
though the olScers worked alike with the men, it was 
with the utmost difficulty that this removal was effected. 
Above a dozen died in the boats, on being exposed to the 
fresh air. Now, however, the disease rapidly abated, and 
a few weeks sufficed to restore the survivors to their 
■wonted strength and vigour. 

But where was the rest of the squadron ? A few days 
after the Centurion arrived the Trial sloop : it had been 
in like manner afflicted with the scurvy, and so severely, 
that at last only the Captain, the Lieutenant, and three 
men were able to stand by the.sails. Bnt even these 
Bufferings were light when compared with those of the 
Gloucester, which came in view shortly afterwards : they 
"had been for some time at the small allowance of one 
pint of water to each man for twenty-four hours ; they 
had ah-eady thrown overboard two thirds of their crew ; 
and of those that remained alive scarce any were capable 
of duty, except the officers and their servants. The poor 
Chelsea pensioners were of course among the earliest 



* Lord Anson's Voyage, p. 172. 



..Google 



1740. BYHOs's KAEiLWivE. 89 

victims; eveiy one of them tad perished. * In fact there 
■was DO longer strength sufficient to navigate the ship ; 
and, though some of the Centurion's men were sent out 
to it in boats, it was twice driven ofTthe island hy winds 
or currents ; and ahove a month elapsed hefore it could 
be brought to anchor, or the survivors he landed to re- 
cover and refresh themselves. 

, _ Some weeks later they were also joined by their 
victualler, the Anna Pink. Of the remaining ships the 
Pearl and Severn had suffered so severely ia the storms, 
that, as afterwards appeared, they had pat back to the 
Brazils, and took no further part in the expedition. The 
fate of the last ship, the Wager, was most disastrous of 
all : it was wrecked on a small desert island to the south- 
ward of ChUoe.. The crew (140 in number) were saved 
from the waves, but instantly exposed to still more dire 
distress ; many of them perishing miserably from want 
of food. Moreover, tlie men conceived that by the loss 
of the ship the authority of the Captain had ended : the 
Captain, on his part, was of no kind or conciliatory 
temper ; and thus mutiny soon came in to embitter the 
anguish of famine. The saUora, at length seizing the 
long boat, steered away with the view of passing the 
streights of Magellan; and, nearly impoasibie as it was 
deemed, yet, after a most surprising navigation, some of 
them, to the number of thirty, did actually reach Eio 
Grande, in Brazil. But afraid of being tried for mutiny 
in England, should their Captain ever be present to con- 
front them, they had insisted on leaving him on shore 
when they began their voyage, and with him the Lieu- 
tenant, tlie Surgeon, and the two Midshipmen. One of 
these last, the Honourable John Byron, has left a well- 
written narrative of his sufferings and adventures on thia 
occasion : he afterwards rose to the rank of Admiral in 
t3ie British navy, commanded in the West Indies, and 
snrvived till 1798, but is best known aa the grandfather 
of the celebrated poet.-f The same frankness, the same 

^ • Sen Lord Ansoa'a Yoysge, p. 223. In the Centurion there had 
sui-rivec! only four 1 

+ Loi'ii Bjron has made great iise of the real incidents of tbe 
Wager's Shipwreck far that in his Don Juan, as, indeeil, ia observad. 
by himself (canto ii. atansa 187.), 



^dbyGOOglC 



40 HISTORY OF Et 

energy, tlie same love of enterprise and of distinction, 
appear both in the sire and the son ; hut while the spirit 
of the former was restrained by the rules, and yet 
quickened hy the impulse, of the public service, the 
latter was assailed by the temptations of early wealth, 
and the opportunities of unlimited indulgence. Tliua 
did that great genius sink into errors and failings which 
his grandsire never knew ; thus his life, if more glorious, 
was far less long, less happy, less truly honourable. Well 
and wisely was it said, by a true practical philosopher, 
that next to religion the most important principle in life 
is to have a pursuit! * Yet the contrast «f the Byrons 
may show that a profession, where the duties are fixed 
and indispensable, is better still than a pursuit which 
may he t^en up or laid aside at pleasure. 

The four officers of the Wager left behind (for the fifth 
Lad sunk beneath his sufierings) contrived, by the assist- 
ance of some Indians, after surmounting many perils and 
enduring extraordinary hardships, to make their way to- 
wards the Spanish settlements. The country they passed 
is described by Byron as most dismal: " a deep swamp, 
*' in which the woods may be rather said to float than 
" grow ; so that, except a range of deformed broken 
"rocks which form the sea coast, the traveller cannot 
" find sound footing anywhere."| On reaching tiie island 
of Chiloe they surrendered themselves to the Spaniards, 
who treated them at first with much pomp and afieeta- 
tion of military prowess. Thus, on being carried to the 
town of Castro, " the boats all lay upon their oars, and 
" there was a great deal of ceremony used in haihng and 
" asking for the keys, as if it had been a regular forti- 
*? fication. After some time we landed, but could see 
" neither gates nor walls, nor any thing that had the ap- 
" pearanoe of a garrison. As we walked up a steep hill 
" into the town, the way was lined with men, who had 
" broomsticks upon their shoulders instead of muskets, 
<' and a lighted match in their hands. When we came 
" to the Corregidor's house, we found it full of people. 
" He was an old man, very tall, with a long cloak on, a, 



^dbyGOOglC 



1740. THE JESUITS OP CASTIiO. 41. 



" tie-wig', and a spaba of immense length hy his side, 
" and received us in great state and form." • The same 
evening they were transferred, in the hope, as was al- 
leged, of their religious conversion, to the Jesuits' Col-: 
lege, where they passed eight days, with at least the 
benefit of regular meais after their long famine. " We 
*' used to keep close to our cells till the bell rang for din- 
" ner,wiien we were conductedinto a hall, where tliere was 
" one table for the fathers and another for us. After & 
" very long Latin prayer we sat down and ate what was 
" put before ws, without a single word passing on either 
" side, and as soon as we had finished there was another 
" long prayer, which, however, did not appear so tedious 
" as the first, and then we retired to our cells ^ain." 
These Latin prayers, and a sti-ict search for any valuables 
they might have left (no doubt with the kind view to de- 
tach their minds from worldly things), were the only 
steps taken towards the great object of reclaiming them 
from heresy. On being sent, however, to the main land 
of Chili, they experienced much courtesy ajid generosity 
from the Spaniards, and were allowed to reside at large 
upon their parole, until the conclusion of & cartel gave 
them liberty to return to England. 

The tempests which had wrecked the Wager and scat- 
tered the other ships were, however, so far serviceable to 
them, that they produced still more effect upon a squadron 
fitted out from Spain to pursue and attack them. This 
squadron, commanded by Don Joseph Pizarro, and con- 
sisting of five ships of the line with a regiment of in- 
fantry on boai'd, had anived at St. Catherine's only four 
days after Anson had left it. Beyond Cape Horn they 
were, like him, baffeted by the winds and waves : two 
ships perished ; and the others, though escaping ship- 
wreck, and exempt from scurvy, suffered most grievously 
from famine, having, through the negUgence of the pur- 

• Byron's Narrative, p. 154. On another occnsion there was an 
alarm of an English laiidmg, upon which, BajsBp*on, "the Governor 
" of Chaco mounted his horse and Tode backw^da and forwards, say. 
" ing that he would give the English a warm reception, meaning, I 
" suppose, that he would have left them a good firo in his house ; 
" for I am certain ha n-onld soon have been in the woods, if he had 
" seen any thing lite an EngliEhsliip coming in." (P. 173.) 



;, Google 



veyora, left Spain ■with very scanty supplies. Sucli was 
their diatreaa, that rats, when they could be caught on 
board, were sold for four dollars each ; and, on one oc- 
casion, the death of a sailor was concealed for some days 
by liis brother, who during that time lay in the same 
hammock with the corpse, only to receive the dead man's 
allowance of provisions.* lu this miserable plight, Pi-' 
zarro, ao far from pursuing his enemy, was glad to re- 
trace his steps and seek relief in the lUo de la Plata. 

At Juaa Fernandez, meanwhile, Anson continued em- 
ployed in refreshing his men and refitting his ships. 
Baving taken out the stores and broken «p the Ajiua 
I^nk, he had three vessels left, but found the survivors 
amount only in all to 335 ; a number greatly insufficient 
for the manning the Centurion alone. Nothing daunted, 
however, his thoughts and those of his men turned rather 
"to the hope of triumph than to the remembrance of dis- 
asters. It was the beginning of September before their 
preparations were completed. On the 8th they espied a 
awl to the north-east, which they hoped might prove 
'another of their squadron ; but finding it steer away from 
'the island, and concluding it to be a Spaniard, they forthr 
with sent all hands on board the Centnrion, heaved 
anchor, and gave chase. At night they lost sight of their 
'object, nor could they discern it again the next day, so 
that, giving up the pursuit, they prepared to return to 
■Juan Fernandez. Now, however, they were agreeably 
'surprised by the appearance of a ship, dififerent from the 
'one they had at first perceived : «pon this they immedi- 
'ately bore down ; it was overtaken without difficulty and 
seized without resistance ; and it proved to be the Nun 
'estra Senora del Monte Carnielo, a merchantman, bound 
'from Callao to Valparaiso. Her cargo was of sugar and 
Iroad cloth, but comprised several chests of -wrought 
'silver and dollars, while the news obtained from the 
prisoners was scarcely less acceptable. Now first were 
'the English informed that Pizarro had been forced back 
into the Eio de la Phita, -with the loss of two of his 
.largest ahips ; that an embargo had been laid upon all 
the shipping by the Viceroy of Peru, in the month of 

• Lord Anarn's Voyage, p. 3i. 



^dbyGOOglC 



1740. PEiaES TAKEN ET ANSON. 43 

May preceding, from an appreliensioti that Anson might 
arrive about that period ; hut that on tlie account seat 
overland by Pizarro of his own distresses, part of wliich 
ttey knew that the English squadron must also have 
experienced, and on their having no news of it for eight 
■months after it was reported to have sailed from St. Ca- 
therine's, they were convinced that it must either have 
perished or put back, and, therefore, on the earnest ap- 
plication of the merchants, the embargo h&A heen lately 
taken off. 

With this prize, and with the prospect thus afforded 
of making more, did. Anson steer back t» Juan Fernan^ 
dea. It is remarkahle thaf^ when the Spaniards in the 
Carmelo saw the Trial sloop at anchor, they expressed 
their astonishment that the Commodore, wter all hie 
fatigues and hardships, should have had the industry, 
besides refitting his other ships, to build this new one 5 
and it was with great difficulty they could be prevailed 
on to believe that it had come from England with the 
rest of the squadron ; they insisting that it was impoS' 
sible such a bauble could pass round Cape Horn, while 
.the best ships of Spain were compelled to put back, 

Anson now determined, from the information he had 
.received, to separate his ships and employ them in dis- 
tinct cruises, so as to increase the chance of captures. 
According to this resolution, the Trial, ere long, fell in 
.with a Spanish merchant vessel, so large that it had 
often been manned and fitted out by the Viceroy of Peru 
,as a man-of-war. The Trial, on the contrary, was so 
small and so low in the water, that the Spaniards were 
^t first siiperstitiously alarmed at seeing nothing but a 
ploud of sail without any ship in pursuit of them ; howr 
gver, they soon recovered their spirits ; for, altering their 
^urse in the night, and shutting up their windows to 
prevent any of their lights from being seen, they thought 
Jhemselves secure. But a small crevice in one of the 
shutters baffled their precaution ; through this the Cap-- 
tain of the Trial perceived a light which he chased, untilj 
poming within gunshof, he alaimed them with a broad- 
gide and compelled them to surrender. This capture 
proved of great advantage to the expedition ; for, the 
Trial having buconio dismasted and leaky, it was judged 



_7 00J^le 



44 HISTORY Off ENGLAKD. CHAP. XXH. 

necessary to scuttle and sink her, transferring her crew 
and stores to her prize, and. commissioning the latter as 
a new frigate in His Majesty's service. The Centurion 
was no less fortunate, taiing two merchant ships with 
cai^oes of considerable value. 

Among the prisoners made in this last capture was 
one John Williams, an Irish vagrant of indifferent cha- 
racter, calling himself a pedlar, and being probably a 
thief: he was in rags, and had just been i-eleased from 
the prison of Paita. Yet this man, by a singular turn of 
fortune, now decided the destiny of the town which had 
■so lately held him in its dungeons. For it was he who 
informed the Commodore that a Spanish vessel, having 
seen the Gloucester, had by this time given the alarm to 
the whole coast — that an express had been sent to Lima 
.1 — that the entire English squadron was supposed to be 
at hand — that the Royal Intendant at Paita, apprehend- 
ing an attack, was busily employed in removing the King's 
treasure and his own to an inland town, Anson, per- 
«eiving from this news that no further prizes would be 
found at sea, ajid allured by the accounts which Wiiliams 
also gave of the great wealth of Paita, and of its defence- 
less condition, resolved to land his men and assail that 
place. He was so near it, that the execution ensued the 
very night after the design. 

"The town of Paita is built on a most barren soil, con- 
sisting only of sand and slate ; the houses are but ground- 
floors, the walls constructed of split cane and mud, and 
the roofs thatched with leaves; an architecture, which, 
however slight, ia suflcient for a climate where showers 
are considered a prodigy ; so that we are told some rain 
falling ia 1728 had ruined a great number of buildings 
which mouldered away, and, as it were, melted before it; 
The town itself was open, and had only a small fort foi 
its defence. Such being the weakness of the place, Anson 
conceived that his boats would be sufficient to attack it, 
and accordingly he manned them with 58 picked men, 
and entrusted them to Lieutenant Brett. Had he appeared 
in sight with his ships, they might, as he apprehended, 
have given the inhabitants the alai-m from a considerable 
distance, and allowed them leisure to remove their most 
valuable effects. Erett and his boats, on the contraryj 



_7 00J^le 



1740. TAKING OF TAITA. 45 

approaching in the night, had already entered the moutti 
of the bay before they were discovered; — then first they 
heard a cry LOS perros inglesks ! " the English dogs are 
eomiDg ;" — then first they saw several lights harrying to 
and fro in the fort, and other marks of general commotion. 
The Spaniards had time to load sereral of their cannon, 
and to point them towards the landing p!a«e ; and the 
first shot passed close to one of the boats, whistling just 
over the heads of the crew : the English, however, only 
plied their oars with redouhled ardour, and had dis- 
embarked before the second gun was flred. Having 
entered one of the streets which protected them from 
further fire, and formed themselves into a body, they 
rushed forward with drums beating and loud shouts to 
the Plaza, or principal square, of which the fort formed 
one side, and ^e Governor's house* another. On enter- 
ing the Plaza the sailors received a volley from the mer- 
chants, who owned the treasure then in the town, and 
who, with a few others, had ranged themselves in a gallery 
that surrounded the Governor's house ; but no sooner was 
their fire returned than they fled in confusion. The 
English then divided into two parties, the one to attack 
the fort, which the garrison (only one weak company) 
forsopk at their approach without resistance ; the other 
to seize the Governor. This dignitary had however 
already fled, displaying but little of the true Spanish 
gallantry, in either sense of that word ; for he had sprung 
from bed and escaped half naked without thought or care 
of his wife, whom he had married hut three or four days 
before, and whom he now left behind him. 

Sixty English sailors wei-e now therefore the undis- 
puted masters of this town. Meanwhile the Commodore, 
in expectation of the issue, had, after some delay, steered 
his ship towards the harbour, and had the joy as he ap- 
proached to see the British colours flying from the flag- 

* The word Botise Eeems more appropriate in these towns than 
their fiivourite term of Palace. At Castro Mr. Byron observes, " The 
" soldiers upon our journey had given vis a pompoua account of El 
"Palacio MBey, as they styled tlie Governor's Houaa, and therefore 
" we expeetfid to sea aometbing veiy magnificent, but it was nothing 
" betWr than a huga thatched bam partitioned off into several rooms." 
Kajrative, p. 159. 



^dbyGOOglC 



46 HISTORY OP 

staff of the fort, A fresli band of British, idl eager for bootyj 
now poured on shore. Neither public nor private pro- 
perty was spared : even the churches were rifled of their 
plate ; and it was a strange spectacle, says an eye-wit- 
ness, to behold the sailors decked forth in all the finery 
which the Spaniards had left behind them in their flight, 
laced and embroidered coats above their own tarred 
jackets, not forgetting tie or bag wigs ; nay, the latest 
comers, finding no other, in women's gowns and petti- 
coats ! During this time the Spaniards were mustering 
their force from all parts of the country on an adjacent 
hill : there were amongst the rest about two hundred horse- 
men, seemingly weH armed and mounted ; nevertheless 
the English remained in possession of the town two whole 
days without molestation. The amount of public treasure 
which they found in wrought silver and coin was up- 
wards of 30,000t ; the private plunder, though not ex- 
actly ascertained, must also have been considerable. But 
the chief wealth of Paita lay in stores and merchandise, 
which the Commodore could neither use nor remove ; 
and these accordingly, before he re-embarked on the third 
morning, he fired, assisting the conflagration with tar- 
barrels and other combustibles, and reducing the whole 
town to a heap of ashes ; an act which, as it appears to 
me, can scarcely be defended in civilised war, and which, 
striking not so much at the Spanish Government as at 
unoffending and industrious individuals, has imprinted a 
deep blot on the glory of Lord Anson's expedition.* 

A redeeming feature is, however, to be found in An- 
son's treatment of the prisoners made in his prizes at sea, 
and amounting altogether to nearly ninety persons. 
Several had been passengers in the ships ; amongst them 
some ladies of rank, and a son of the Vice President of 
the Council of Chili. All these when first taken were in 
the utmost aJarm, having, from the former barbarity of 
the Buccaneers, imbibed the most terrible idea of the 

* The Spamard, Ulloa, ivlio was on this coast at the same time, 
observes of the conflagf ation : " Personne ne ponvait se figurer quhm 
" procedfi ai barbare eut f tfi permis par le Commandant fle I'Escadre, 
" et en effet on a en depuia qne cette aetioa lui avail fort diplu." 
(Yoyaga d'Amerique, vol. ii. p. 9. ed. 1763.) But this is not con- 
flrmed by Anson's own nurative. 



idb,Googlc 



PEISONEKS. 4"7 

Englist, and expecting every aggravation of ill usage 
it was the constant endeavour of Anson to assuage their 
apprehensions and deserve their gratitude; his courtesT 
and indulgence were conspicuous to aU. The ladies espe- 
ciaUy were most carefully protected from insult, allowed 
to retain their own apartments, and treated with the 
same attention and respect as before their capture. Nay 
more, on leaving Paita, the prisoners of both sexes were 
restored to freedom, being sent on shore, and stationed 
lor present security in the two churches, which by good 
fortune stood at some distance from the town, and were 
therefore exempted from its conflagration.* Not a few 
of these Spaniards afterwards met in Chili the English 
captives of the Wager. " They all," says Mr. Byron 
" spoke in the highest terms of the kind treatment they 
" had received, and some of them told us they were so 
" happy on board the Centurion, that they would not 
" have been sorry if the Commodore had taken them with 
" him to Englaiid."f 

When Anson set sail for Paita, he directed his little 
sqnadron to spread, in order to look out for the Gloucester 
Nor was it long before that ship appeared in sight. It had 
meanwhile made two prizes, one of them a small vessel 
the other an open barge. The people on board the last 
had pretended to be very poor, and to have no other 
loading but cotton ; yet some suspicion was raised on 
observing that their dinner by no means tallied with 
their declaration, for they were found eating pigeon pie 
in stiver dishes ; and, on a closer search, it appeared that 
their jars were only covered over with cotton at top, and 
held beneath a considerable quantity of dollars and dou- 
bloons to the value of 12,000/. With this accession, the 
squadron continued to steer to the northward, which' had 

* Compare in Anson's Voyage, pp. 249. S77. and 2B4. 
t Byron's Narrative, p. 199. Captain BaEil Hull informs us that 
Lord Anson's proceedings are stiU traditionally Inown at Paita - 
"and It is curiona to obsei-ve that the iindnesa witii which tiiat eaea^ 
Clone officer inyai'iably treated his Spanish piisonei's, is, at thedis- 
" taiice of eighty years, better known and more dwelt npoo by tiie in- 
habitants of Paita than tite caphu^ and wanton desttoction of the 
town, (SonthAnierica,ToLii.p. 101.) AstronffcnjofofSDamsh 
generosity. i™™' 



^dbyGOOglC 



48 EisTOEY ( 

been its genersd direction ever since it left Juan Fer- 
nandez. Tlie design of the Commodore had been to 
touch near Panama, and from tlience communicate across 
tlie Isthmus of Darien with Admiral Vernon, -who he 
trusted might he already in possession of Porto BeUo, 
and of the eastern coast. To obtain a reinforcement of 
men from the other side — to reduce the city of Panama 
itself — perhaps even to mwntain the Isthmus, and there 
intercept all the treasures of Peru, — were the visions 
■which his hopes suggMted and his valour justified. But 
the report of the prisoners he had taken, had already dis- 
pelled these gorgeous dreams, by relating what had be- 
fallen Vernon and the British armament at Carthagena ; 
and he therefore limited his views to an enterprise, far 
less indeed, yet still, as it seemed, an overmatch for his 
scanty numbers — to seek out and attack the great 
Manilla galleon. 

Manilla, one of the most splendid cities ever founded 
by Europeans out of Europe, and perhaps the richest gem 
in the regal diadem of Spain, standing on the farthest 
confines of the immense Pacific, had costly merchandize 
to offer in exchange for Peruvian ore. The commerce 
between these two colonies had been guarded by the 
Council of the Indies with jealous care. Its station was 
at first assigned to Callao, the port of Lima, but after- 
wards, in consideration of the trade winds, transferred to 
Acapulco, on the coast of Mexico. This port was allowed 
to receive one, or, at most, two annual ships, wliich sailed 
from Manilla about July, ajid arrived at Acapulco in the 
December or January following, and after disposing of 
their effects, began their homeward voyage in March. 
These galleons (for such they were termed) were of enor- 
mous size, as may be judged both by their crew and by 
their cargo : the former in the largest ship sometimes 
amounted to no less than twelve hundred men* ; the 
latter seldom fell short in value of three millions of dol- 
lars. Of one article only — silk stockings — we are told 
that the number brought every yeai- from Manilla in this 
ship was full fifty thousand pair, I 

One of the earliest of these annual ships had been 

* Lord Anson's Voyage, p. 330, f Ibid. p. 327. 



^dbyGOOglC 



1740 THE MANtlXA GALLEON. 49 

captured by Sir Ttomas Cavendish in 158G, an example 
which Ansoa and his men panted to follow. Being how- 
ever only in the middle of November, they conceived that 
thoy should have sufficient time to water the squadron, 
of which it stood in great need, hefore the arriv^ of tho 
galleon ; and for this purpose they steered for the is- 
land of Quibo, a little beyond the bay of Panama. On 
leaving the coast of South America, they found the 
season greatly changed: the giant Cordilleras, which had 
hitherto affijrded a cool and tempered clime, and whose 
snowy summits might often be diseeraed many leagues at 
sea apparently floating in air* — the only clouds in that 
aaure sky— were now left behind, and no shield remained 
against the close and sultry heat of the tropics. Beyond 
Quibo also the winds proved unfavourable, and the pro- 
gress made was so smaJl that the month of January, 1742, 
had nearly elapsed before the squadron neared Acapulco. 
The next object being to obtain intelligence, a barge was 
sent out by the Commodore, and after some days, suc- 
ceeded in seizing three negro slaves in a canoe. From 
these it appeared, to Anson's great disappointment^ that 
the galleon had arrived a month before ; but hia hopes 
revived, on hearbg that it had delivered its cargo, was 
taking in water and provisions for its return, and was 
appointed to sail on the 3rd of March. During the 
whole of March, therefore, did Anson remain, with his 
squadron spread at some distance hefore Acapulco, so 
that nothing could pass through undiscovered. Yet still 
no galleon appeared, an3 tt then became suspected, as 
was indeed the case, that the barge sent out for news 

" " The land, atout twelve or tMi'teen leagues distant, made es- 
" ceeitiiig high, and uneven, and appeared quite white, what we saw 
" being doublless a part of the GordJIIoras, which are always covered 
" with snow." (Lord Anson's Voy^a, p. 151.) A later and a^lCT 
MTiler Bays, " It was only when tlie ship was at a conaderable ^is- 
" tance from the shore Ihat the higher Andes caioe in aght ... It 
" sometimes even happened that ftie lower ranges appeared sunk be- 
" low the liori7.on, when the distant ridges were still distinctly in 
"si^it, and more magnificent than ever. . . , We made obEBrvationg 
" on soma which, though upwards of 130 miles off, were quite dis- 
" Imctly visible. The pleasure which this ixmstant view of Ihe Andes 
« afforded ie not to be desoribed." (Capt Hall's SouHi America, voL i. 
p. 189.) 



^dbyGOOglC 



50 HISTORY OF EHGI.AKD. CHAP. SXn. 

had been seen from SAore, and that the Spaniacda, taking 
the alarm, had laid an embargo on the galleon till next 

Thus a second time baffled of bis prize, and finding 
himself under the necessity of quitting the station to pro- 
cure fresh supplies of water and proyision, Anson pro- 
ceeded to the harbour of Cheqnetan, about thirty leagues 
to the north-west of Acapulco. At that place he re- 
solved, on full deHberation, to destroy the Trial's prize, 
the Carmelo and tie Carmen, and to reinforce the Glou- 
cester with their crews; his whole number of men at 
this time not exceeding the complement of a fourth rate 
abip of war. The Spaniards near Chequetan did not at- 
tempt to molest the Commodore during this or his other 
proceedings, nor indeed evei- appeared m sight; yet the 
English could discern the smoke of their fires, and thence 
determine that they were posted in a circular hne sur- 
rounding them at a distance. One prisoner whom the 
Spaniards made— the Commodore's French cook— being 
sent to Mexico, and from thence to Europe, but making 
his escape at Lisbon, was the first person that brought 
to England an authentic account of the proceedings of 
the expedition, , 

Chequetan was Anson's last station m America, i'ost- 
poDing but not relinquishing his hopes of the galleon, he 
began his voyage a«rosa the wide Pacific— a protracted 
and to him disastrous navigation. The scurvy broke forth 
afresh, and raged with great fury amongst his crews. 
His ships also had become crazy and ansound ; in a vio- 
lent tempest that ensued both of them sprung leaks,^d 
the Gloucester lost the greater part of two masts. When 
the storm abated, and the two ships could again commu- 
nicate with each other, the Captain of the GloucestM- 
informed the Commodore that besides being dismasted,, 
his sbip had no less than seven feet of water in the hold, 
although the ofacers and men had been kept constantly 
at the pumps for the last twenty-four hours, and that 
this water covered their casks, so that they could come 
at neither fresh water nor provisions. A reinforcement 
of men was, therefore, indispensable ; yet this the t*n- 
tjjrion, with a leak of its own, and so many sailors sick 
of the scurvy, was wholly unable to afford. There re- 



^dbyGOOglC 



1740. ISLAND OP TIKIAK. 51 

mained, therefore, no other resource {nor, indeed, was 
there much time for deliberation) than to take on. board 
the Gloucester's crew, and as much of its stores as could 
be saved, and then suffer the hull to he destroyed. To 
execute this resolution employed the whole of two days. 
Yet so enfeebled were the men, that it was with the 
greatest difficulty that even the Gloucester's prize-money 
was secured ; the prize goods were entirely lost ; nor 
could any more pvovisioa be removed than five casks of 
flour, three of them spoiled by the salt water. Several 
of the sick expired even with the slight fatigue of being 
gently hoisted into the Centurion. By this time the 
Gloucester's hold was nearly full of wafer; yet, as the 
carpenters were of opinion that she might still swim 
some time if the calm should continue, and as it was pos- 
sible that she might be drifted to an island in possession 
of the Spaniards, she was set on fire. During the whole 
night the conflagration did not cease, her guns firing suc- 
cessively as the flames reached them, until early in the 
morning of the 16tt of August she blew up, her fate an- 
nounced by a large black pillar of smoke which shot high 
into the air. 

The Centurion, now the single remnant both of the 
squadron and the prizes, pursued her solitary voyage, 
the scurvy still gaining ground amongst her men, and 
several dying each day. It was, therefore, with inex- 
pressible joy that the survivors at length beheld the 
Ladrones Islands, to which their course was tending, and 
singled out that of Tinian as their station for repose. 
Such was then their debility that they were full five 
hours in furling the sails ; and all the hands they 
could muster capable of standing at a gun, and many of 
these too unfit for duty, were do more than seventy-one, 
gathered from the united crews which, when they sailed 
from England, consisted all together of near a thousand 
mea ! But Tinian vrith its herds of wild cattle and its 
delicious fruits — above all, that rare and especial gift of 
Nature to these islands — the Bread Tree, ere long re- 
stored their exhausted strength. Their rapture at this 
favourite spot was probably heightened by the force of 
contrast; they describe it as "not resembling an unin- 
" habited and uncultivated place ; but inuch more with 



;,Goo»^lc 



52 HISTOET OF ENGl.AMD. CriAP. XSII. 

" tlie air of a magnificent plantation, whero large lawns 
" and stately woods had been laid out together with great 
" skill and where the whole had been so artfully com- 
" bined, and so judiciously adapted to the slopes of the 
« hills and the inequalities of the ground, as to produce 
" a most striking effect, and to do honour to the inven- 
" tion of the contriver." * One of their first objects was 
now to repair the ship ; every seam was caulked and 
leaded over, and the leak stopped, not indeed effectually, 
but as well as the circumstances would allow. But, 
meanwhile, the roads in which the Centurion lay at 
anchor were by no means secure, and ere long expMed 
ter to a new and unexpected peril. A violent equinoctial 
gale drove her far out to sea, while the greater pai-t of 
the crew, and Anson himself, wei-e on shore: there 
were scarcely hands sufficient to man her, the vessel was 
unrigged, and thus there seemed but little probability of 
her weathering the storm and returning to the island. 

What then were the prospects of the sailors on shore? 
In a deserted island— six hundred leagues from their 
nearest port, Macao, on the coast of China; — none of 
them acquainted with that voyage ;— not even a compass 
or a quadrant left amongst them,— with but ninety 
charges of powder, or less than one fo every firelock ; — ■ 
■with no means of embarkation but a small Spanish vessel 
of about fifteen tons, which they had seized on their first 
arrival, and which could not hold a fourth part of their 
number: — such a situation might have daunted any 
ardent spirit, elated by success or queUed by reverses ; 
it scarcely ruffled the usual composure and steadiness of 
Anson. By concealing from the men his own apprehen- 
sions, he succeeded in aUaying theirs. He assured them 
that, at the worst, the gale which had driven the Cen- 
turion out to sea, and wliich still continued, would only 
oblige h to bear away for Macao, and that the single 
thing n dful was t join her at that port. For this 
purpose he p p d t haul the Spanish bark on shore, 
to saw it nd nd to lengthen it twelve feet, which 
would enlir t r forty tons burthen, and enable 

it to ca y th m aU t China. " Nothing is wanting ta 

• Lortt Anson's Voyage, p. 413. 



;, Google 



1740. ANSON AT MACAO. 53 

" this plan," added Anaon, " but the united resolution and 
" industry of all ; for my own part I will share the labour 
" with you, and expect no more from any man, than what 
" I, yonr Commodore, am ready to Bubmit to." Confi- 
dence like fear is contagious. The sailors recovering by 
degrees from their fii-st despondency, heartily engaged ia 
the project, and set themselves with cheerfulness to the 
different taska allotted them. Many materials were want- 
ing, some tools were to be made ; still, however, the work 
advanced ; and one day in searching a chest belonging to the 
Spanish bark, tliey espied a small compass, which though 
little better than the toys usually made for children, to 
them appeared an invaluable treasure; and some time 
afterwards, by a similar piece of good fortune, they found 
on the sea shore a quadrant^ which had been throrfn over- 
boardamongstother lumber belonging to thedead. Already 
had they fixed a day to begin their voy^e, when happily, 
on the 1 1th of October, one of the sailors being upon a 
hill ia the middle of the i.sland, descried the Centurion 
out at sea, and ran down loudly shouting " The Ship I 
" the Ship ! " to his comrades at their labour. At these 
joyful words the Commodore flung down the axe with 
which he was at work — then for the first time breaking 
through the even and unvaried demeanour he had hitherto 
maintained. The others, in a kind of frenzy, tumultuoualy 
rushed to the aea shore, eager to feast their eyes with a 
sight so long desired and scarcely yet believed. 

It appeared that the Centurion, though driven a con- 
siderable distance, and exposed to imminent perils, had 
yet, by good management and excessive labour, been en- 
abled to return to her station. After her arrival, it was 
determined to make no longer stay in the island than was 
requisite to complete their stock of water. A prosperous 
gale soon wafted tliem to Macao. This was, as now, a Por- 
tuguese settlement, and therefore a friendly port to Anson, 
where he might justly expect to supply his exhausted 
stores, and repair his leaky ship. Yet, when he waited 
upon the Governor to make known liis wants, the other 
declared that he durst not furnish him with any of the 
things required, unless an order were first obtained from 
the Viceroy of Canton ; for that he himself received 
neither provisions for his garrison, nor other necessaries, 



;, Google 



54 HISTORY OF ENG-LANU. 



but tliroagh this permission, and that they were only 
doled out to him from day to day. A long and weai-i- 
fiome negotiation ensued between the Commodore and the 
Chinese. It was not till after much solicitation and de- 
lay on the pai-t of this jealous people, that two Mandarins 
were even sent on hoard to examine the defects of the 
ship and the necessities of the crew. To them An.wn 
pointed out that a permission to purchase, which was all 
he demanded, could not safely he denied him ; that they 
itiust be convinced that the Centurion alone was capable 
of destroying the whole navigation of the port of Canton, 
without running the least risk from all the force the 
Chinese could collect ; that his men had hitherto behaved 
with great moderation, but that their hunger would at 
last prove too strong for any restraint; and that if could 
not be expected that they would long continue to starve 
in the midst of that plenty which their eyes daily wit- 
nessed. Nay, he even added, that if by the delay in sup- 
plying them with provisions they should be reduced to 
the necessity of turning cannibals, it was easy to foresee, 
■that, independent of their friendship to each other, they 
would in point of taste prefer the plump well fed Chiueae 
to their own emaciated shipmates!* The Mandarins 
seemed struck with the force of these arguments, and 
immediately wrote a permit in the manner desired by 
the Commodore. 

It was the beginning of April 1743 before the Cen- 
turion again put out to sea, new rigged, thoroughly re- 
paired, and fit for fi'esh adventures. Anson had given 
out at Macao that he was bound to Batavia, and thence 
to England; nay, more, to confirm the delusion, he took 
on board letters for the former place ; but no sooner was 
he clear of the coast, than summoning all his men on 
deck, he informed them that his real design was to cruise 
for the two annual ships (of last year and this) on theix 
way from Acapulco. The sailors received this annouiice- 
ment with great joy and three hearty cheers. Although 
each of these annual ships was known to be much larger 
and better manned than the Centurion, yet no doubt 
seemed to exist amongst the English of mastering both 



's Voyage, p. 4 SO. 



^dbyGOOglC 



togette 1, ItLej poL f lie cl sj oil as if already 
in tlieir gr'isp Tteii only fei wa. lest they might not 
■find the enemy one ti it thej should fail to subdue 

It WIS ofl Cipe Espir tu Santo that the Commodore 
proceeded to era e for the galleoiis tlit being the first 
headlai d of the Phil pp ne Island to v, hieh they always 
steered and yhere they us ally a r ved n the beginning 
of summer. He had already been a month on that station 
when, at length, early on the 20th of June the Bailors 
with straining eyes and eager hearts beheld a sail rise on 
the horizon, and bearing closer to it, discovered it to be 
one of the long expected galleons. The Spaniards showed 
no intention to avoid an engagement : they were prepared 
to expect an enemy, and had resolved to fight; yet they 
had neglected clearing their sliip till the last moment, 
when ^ready within gunshot, being then observed to 
throw overboard their cattle and lumber. Anson, on the 
contrary, had made his dispositions witli forethought and 
skill. Having learnt that it is common with the Spaniards 
to fall down upon the decks when they see a broadside 
preparing, and to continue in that posture till it is given, 
after which they rise again and maintain the ba,ttle as be- 
fore; he wholly disconcerted this scheme by stationing 
two men at each gun, and dividing the rest into gangs of 
ten or twelve each — the latter always to move about and 
fire such gnna as were ready, thus keeping up a constant 
fire, instead of broadsides with intervals between themi. 
Some of the best marksmen, d!so, he placed on the tops, 
from whence they made prodigious havoc, killing or 
wounding every ofBcer but one that appeared on the 
Spanish quarter-deck, while that deck was likewise swept 
by the grape-shot from below. The Spaniards fought 
with bravery, though not with skill ; but when their 

* One instance of this confident spirit Is given by Mi'. Walter. 
" The Conunodote hating taken some Chinese sheep to sea with him 
" for his own prorision, and one daj inqoiring of his butcher why 
" for some Ume past he tad. seen no mutton at bis table, and whether 
"aUtlie sheep were lolled; the batcher rery soriouBly replied, tlial 
" there were indeed two sheep 1eft,bnt that if his Honour would ^vfe 
•' Mm leare he proposed to keep those fur the eniertainment of tte 
"General of the GallBons." (Voyage, p, 493.) 



^dbyGOOglC 



56 HISTOET OP ENGLAND. CHAl'. XXII. 

General, who was the life of the action, had been disabled 
by a wouad, they began fo fall into disorder. The other 
officera were then seen attempting with great intrepidity 
to encourage their men, and prevent their dtsevtion fiom 
their quarters, but all their endeavours were in vain ; 
their fire slackened, and the proud standard of Spain was 
Struck. They had 151 either killed or wounded, the Cen- 
turion only 19. 

The name of the galleon was the Nuestra Senora de 
CoTadoaga * ; it was much larger than the Centurion, and 
had 650 men, above double the number of the English ; 
BO tliat some of the prisoners, when brought on board the 
Centurion, and observing bow slenderly she was manned, 
and the large proportion which the striplings bore to the 
rest^ could not restrain their grief and indignation to be 
thus beaten, as they said, by a handful of boys. They 
informed the Commodore that the other ship, which had 
been detained in the port of Acapulco the preceding year, 
instead of returning in company with the second galleon 
as was expected, had sailed alone before the usual period, 
and was already no doubt in the port of Manilla. The 
value of the present prize, however, was so large as to 
atone for any other disappointment ; it had on board, in 
silver coin and ingots, a million and a half of dollars — 
a rich and well-earned recompense for the toils of the 
gaDant British crew. 

To secure the prisoners was a task of no small risk, 
considering their great superiority of numbers. Anson, 
however, brought them safely with his prize into Canton, 
where he set them at liberty ; and from thence be began 
his homeward voyage, passing round the Cape of Good 
Hope. He cast anchor at Spithead in June, 1744, after 
an absence of three years and nine months, thus concluding 
an expedition in which his happy combination of skill, 
intrepidity, and prudence, retrieved and rose superior to 
every disaster; and which, though unconnected with the 
general march of public affairs, is so honourable to the 

• Covaflonga js tlie care in Asturias where Pelayo sought shelter 
with Ms Gotl^ (Mariiina. Hist. Hisp. lib. T. c. 2.); and a church has 
been bnilt there hy Charles the Third. (Minano, sub voce.) 



idb,Googlc 



1740. ADMIRAL VEP.NOK. 57 

courage, and so conducive to the fame of England, sis ever 
to deserve a conspicnous place in her annals. 

I now revert to the second squadron fitted out in 1739, 
against the Spanish West Indies. It was entrusted to 
Captain Edward Vernon, an officer, in most respects, the 
very opposite of Anson, As calmness and composure 
were the principal characteristics of the one, so were 
violence and passion of the other. His father, who had 
been Secretary of State under King William, had instilled 
a blind hatred of France, which the son, as a Member of 
Parliament, indulged by frequent sallies against the pacific 
policy of Walpole. So unmeasured were his invectives, 
that he was more tban once in danger of the Tower.* He 
became, however, a great favourite with the multitude, 
who were, like himself, impatient of peace, and prone, as 
usual, to consider the noisiest patriot the most sincere; 
and on the brealdng out of war he was appointed an Ad- 
miral and Commander of the West Indian squadron, by 
ike very Minister whom he had assailed, from the same 
concession to popular clamour which had produced the 
war itself. He was undoubtedly a good officer, so far as 
courage, enterprise, and experience can constitute that 
character ; but he was harsh and haughty fo his inferiors, 
untowai-d with his equals, mutinous and railing to all 
placed above him in authority. 

Vemon having sailed from England in July, 1739, and 
being baffled in attempting to intercept tlie Azogue or 
quicksilver ships, appeared off Porto Bello on the 20th of 
November with six men-of-war. The Spanish garrison 
was only on the peace establishment, and not even com- 
plete at that number ; the ammunition scanty, and in part 
spoiled i and many of the cannon, for want of mountings, 
lying useless on the ground.t On the 21st, Vernon began 
operations against a fort which protected the entrance of 
the harbour, and which, as a bravado of its strength, bore 
the name of the Iron Castle. The fire of his musketry 
having driven the Spaniards from the lower batteries, hia 
sailors scaled them, mounting on one another's shoulders, 

• Tuidal's Hist. vol. viii. p. 424. 

t Juan et Ullon, Voyage d'Amerique, vol. i. p. 80. ed. 1752. 
There is also giyen a. ploji ot the town and limboiir. 



^dbyGOOglC 



58 HISTORY OF ENCILABD. CHAI'. XXIL 

■and gained the pia«e with, very slight resistance. The 
saane evening the Admiral began to batter the Castillo de 
la Gloria, lying further down the hay, and defending the 
.open town ; and he was preparing next day to renew his 
cannonade, when he observed the castle hang out a white 
standard, and a boat push towards him with a flag of 
truce. He readily allowed the garrison to march out with 
military honours, and thus obtained possession both of 
castle and town. His own loss in killed was only seven 
men.* From the several castles he took on board sixty 
pieces of cannon, spiking the remainder ; and employed 
the gunpowder he captured in springing mines and de- 
stroying the fortifications. " It is remarkable," says a 
conteraporary, " that they found more danger and diffi- 
" culty in demolishing these works than in tiding them."f 
This object being acMeved, Yernon re-embarked his men 
.and returned to Jamaica. The treasure seized in Porto 
Bello was very inconsiderable ; only 10,000 dollars. The 
sailors might, perhaps, complain and wonder that the Ad- 
miral had restrained them from catting off and bringing 
home the ears of the Spaaiards $, yet they must have 
deemed it some compensation that he generously resigned 
to them his own share of prize money. 

Such was the capture of Porto Bello, which the reader 
will scarcely think either very glorious in achievement, 
or very important in results. But it had been gained by 
an enemy of Walpole ! — and the whole Opposition, with 
one voice, hastened to proclaim it an heroic exploit^ 
More especially was it urged that Vernon bad taken Porto 
Bello with only six ships, while in 1726 Hosier bad not 
attacked it with twenty ; a cry utterly senseless, since it 
was not pretended that want of force or of courage had 
hindered Hosier from taking the place, but merely his in- 
structions, that sought to avert and that did avert a war. 
Nay, so inconsistent is party rancour, that while Vernon 

* Official account, Whiteliall, March IS. 1740. Loudon Gazettes. 

t Tindal's ffist, voL viii. p. *44. 

i " I have longed this fonr years past to cut off some of their eaiS, 
" and was in hopes I should have sent you oue for a sample uow, hut 
" our good Admii'ttl, God bless hiin, was too mecdfull " (Letter from 
a sajhr on board the Squadron to his wife, pi'lnted m Beyer's Political 
State, vol. lix. p. 19S.) 



^dbyGOOglC 



1740. " oosiee's ghost." 

was estoUed for doing w 
.do with twenty, Hosie; , 
and declared to have died of a broken heart, from t£e in- 
activity wMch Ms orders prescribed. Botli tliese seuti- 
mente may be aeen — worthless tliemaelves, but precious 
from the splendid verse tliat inshrinea them — in Glover's 
ballad at tliat period, " Hoaier'a Ghost" — the noblest song 
perhaps ever called forth by any British victory except 
Mr. Campbell's " Battle of the Baltic." In the same spirit 
.did the Opposition within the House of Commons insist 
on inserting in their Address of congratulation the ob- 
noxious words " with six ships of war only," and this 
amendment they carried in a thin House, by 36 against 
81. By such insinuations and devices was a general en- 
thusiasm raised amongst the people. We are assured that 
no Roman Consul, after reducing a province, ever received 
more lavish marks of public applause than were now 
showered upon Vernon.* His name became proverbial 
for courage ; his head was a favourite sign ; his birth-day 
was celebrated with bonfires and rejoicings.! '^^^ ^PP^' 
aition which ehaunted his praise in public were no less 
careful to keep up a private correspondence with him. 
They inflamed his natural vanity and arrogance, repre- 
sented Walpole as envious of his fame, and prepared him 
to consider any future coadjutor as a secret enemy. 

On the other hand the IVOnisters, anxious to pursue his 
success, had determined io send him a large reinforce-; 
inent both of ships and soldiers. Their armament was 
nearly ready, when they received intelligence that a 
Spanish fleet was putting out to sea ; and that a French 
one was about to sail from Brest, its destination believed 
to be the West ladies, and its design hostile. It became 
expedient, therefore, greatly to increase the expedition 
from England, so as to render it adequate to all emer- 
gencies; but this could not bo effected without some 
delay, " I need not tell you," writes Sir Charles Wager 



* Tiiidal's Hist. vol. -riil. p. 456. 

■}■ " It is Admiral Vernon's bir(h-daj, and the dtj shops an fnll of 
" favours, the BtreetB of marrowbones anfl cleavers, and the night will 
■ be fell of mobbing, bonfires, Mid lights." Horace Walpole to Sir S, 
!Mann, !^0Teml>e]: 12. 1741 



idb,Googlc 



60 HISTORY OP ENGLAITD. CHAP. XXII. 



to Admirai Vernon, " how much time it necessarily takea 
" up to prepare and victual so large a squadron for a 
voyage to the West Indies, nor how difficult it very 
often is to get them out of the Channel, when they are 
ready to sail, as this year wo have experienced ; and I 
thought it would not be amiss for both French and 
Spaniards to he a month or two in the West ladies be- 
fore us, provided the treasure was not ready to embark 
in that time ; that they might he half dead and half 
roasted before our fleet arrived, as I doubt not but 
it has happened to them ; and the Government here, 
laying an embargo upon all provisions in Ireland, 
where the French had 14 ships loading provisions for 
the West Indies, has no doubt been a great disappoint- 
ment to them,"* The Opposition, however, took caie 
to esclaim against the delay, as though proceeding from 
the basest motives, and expressed strong doubts whether 
the expedition would ever really eaJl-f 

The expedition nevertheless did begin its voyage at the 
end of October 1740, the troops commanded by Lord 
Cathcart, and the fleet by Sir Chaloner Ogle. When 
joined with Vernon at Jamaica, it formed by far the most 
powerful armament ever yet seen in those seas, amount- 
ing to no less than 115 ships, above 30 of these of the 
line, with 15,000 sailors, and 12,000 land forces on board, 
Vernon, who meanwhile had taken and demolished the 
Bmall fort of Chagre, was acknowledged as chief Admiral, 
while the command of the troops (Lord Cathcart dying 
from the effects of the climate) devolved on Greneral 
Wentworth. The precise object of these formidable 
preparations had not been fixed and prescribed in Eng- 
land ; some had suggested the Havana, others Car- 
thageua, and the decision was at length referred to a 
Council of War, to be held ia the West Indies. In this, 
the impetuous wishes of Vernon, ever prone to dictate 
rather than consult, prevailed in favour of an attack on 
Carthagena. Hay, so thoroughly was he bent upon this 

* To Admiral Vernon, Pebruarj 4. 1741, 

t "I have not the least notion that our expedition under Lord 
" Cathcart is intanded to 1)0 sent any where" Pnltenej to Swift, 
Jnne 3. 1740. Swift's Works, voL six. p. 322. 



^dbyGOOglC 



1741. ATTACK ON CARTHAGENA. 61 

enterprise, that he Lad already announced the intention 
in a letter to the Frencln governor of St. Domingo* — a 
singular imprudence, which served to give the Spaniards 
timely notice, and stirred them to more active meaBttres 
for defence. 

Carthagena, then the best fortified and strongest place 
in Spanish America, stands upon a sandbank neai'iy sur- 
rounded by the sea or salt poois. A tongue of iand, 
beginning at the city, and ruaning out at some distance 
across a bay, incloses a harbour both spacious and secure. 
To this harbour tliere was then only one entrance, so 
narrow as to deserve the name of Boca Chica (Small 
Mouth) : a boom had been drawn across it, and it was 
defended by several forta and batteries-f Within the 
harbour, on a peninsula jutting out from the tongue of 
land, and thus covering the city, was built another large 
fort caUed Castillo Grande, and here the channel was 
almost impassable, being choked by ships sunk in order 
to prevent the approach of the British fleet. The ram- 
parts of Carthagena itself had been newly repaired and 
mounted by no less than 300 pieces of cannon; its 
garrison could muster 4,000 good soldiers ; and its Vice- 
roy, Don Sebastian de Eslava, was an officer of skill and 
spirit, whose mind, nourished with Greek and Eoman 
story, had long panted for some opportunity to emulate 
their Iieroic deeds J, and who — if he needed any meaner 
motive for exertion — might reflect that the Governor of 
Porto BeUo bad been sent to Spain and brought to trial 
for the surrender of that p]ace.§ 

Such were the preparations for defence at Carthagena 
when the British squadron appeared before it on the 4th 
of March, 1741. The first step of the officers on board 

• Tindal'a Hist, vol, viiz. p. 466, Campo Kaso also says of the ex- 
pedition, " de cujo suceso estaba Inglattrra tan segura, que no se 
" recelo de pnbliearla ocho meses antes de que se executase ; lo que 
"no dexo de contribnir en parte al malogro de ella." (Comentoiios, 
voL iv. p. 163.) 

t See a description aud two plans of Carthagena in Juan and 
Ulloa, Voynge d'AmJrique, toL i. p. 20—26. ed. 1762. 

J CoKe's Bourbon Kings oE Sp^n, vol. iii, p. 325. 

§ Bojer'a Polit, Stale, vol. lix. p. 404, Thia useful compilation 
ends in 1740. 



H.s,edbyG00gle I 



CHAT. xxiL 

was to hold a Council of War next day, in order to settle 
tl)c distribution of their future booty* ; or, according to 
the fable, sell the skin of the living bear I Perceiving 
that the high surf made it impracticable to batter 
Carthageiia from the sea, they determined to fore* the 
entrance of the harbour, and direct their attack from 
thence. Accordingly, they opened their fire upon the 
castle of Boca Chica, lanifing some troops and artillery, 
and riusing batteries against it They were met by a 
resolute resistance, and did not prevail till aftei- the loss 
of fifteen days and 400 men. It is also certain that the 
engineers were utterly unskilled, the General far from 
able ! and that Vernon was not wholly without reason 
for complaining, as he did, of " the soldiere' laziness," 
Having gained passession of the Boca Ohica, and entereff 
the harbour, the enemy immediately confined themselves 
to Carthagena, and relinquished Castillo Grande without 
a blow, while the Admiral, in great exultation, sent home 
a ship to announce his approaching victory, " The 
" wonderful success," says he, " of this evening and night 
" is so Mtonishing, that one cannot but cry out with the 
." Psahnist, ' It is the Lord's doing and seems marvellous 
" ' in our eyes.' God make us truly thankful for it ! " t 
So confident was his language, and so ready the belief it 
found in England, that, as is asserted, a medal was im- 
mediately struck in London to celebrate the taking of 
Carthagena, bearing on one side the head of Vernon, with 
an inscription as "The avenger of his country." J 

* Admiral TernoQ to the Duke of NewcasHe, April 1. 1741. His 
letters and deepatcbea at this period were aflsnvards publislied by 
himself as a pampUal. (London, 1744._) 

t To the Dnke of Newoaatle, April 1. 1741. 

j Voltaire, Sidole de Loois XV. ch. Tiii. He adds, " H y a beau- 
COnp d'examplea de ces midailles prlmatnrees qui tromperaient la 
posterity, si ITIiBtoire plus fldfila et pins atacte iie preTenait pae de 
" lelles erreois."— Pei'haps tte most remarkable of all these mMaates 

E'maturees is that struck by Napoleon for his intended conqueM of 
gland; hie head on one dde, on the other Hercules straggling wilJi a 
monster ; the words dbscbnte BMAHOtBTHRRB, and beneaUi FRArrf 
A tOBDRES, MDOOciT, I am informed that the die having been broken, 
onl7_ two of the original medals are preserved, tiie one in the Eoyd 
Cabinet at Pans, the other pnrchaseil by an. English gcnUaman for 
601, but there is a fac Gimile made at Birmingham, 



^dbyGOOglC 



REPULSED. 



The event did not quite confirm these golden dreams. 
The English sailors, indeed, by dint of labour, cleared a 
■way through the sank wrecks in front of Castillo Grande, 
and began to bombard the city from the inner harbour, 
while the soldiers and artillery, being set on shore, in- 
vested it from the land side. But at this period, an 
animosity that had long smouldered, between the Admiral 
and the General, burst forth into open flame. Vernon 
would bear no colleague, and Wentworth no master. 
The latter complained of the slowness in landing the 
tents, stores, and artillery of the troops, by which they 
were prevented &om mating an immediate attack, and 
exposed for three nights to all the inclemency of the 
climate. On the other hand, Vemoa declared that the 
General had remained inactive longer than he Bbould; 



and had committed an unpardonable error in not cutting 
off the communication between the town and the ai^acent 
country, by which the garrison was daily supplied with 
provisions. Each had some reason for his imputations ; 
but each overlooked in the other, while he loudly pleaded 
for himself, the difficulties of the situation and the service. 
In the midst of these untoward dissensions, Wentwoi-th, 
with the advice of a council of officers, attempted to storm 
Fort San Lazaro, which served as an outwork to the city. 
Twelve hundred men, headed by General Guise, cheer- 
fully marched to the attack. There was no breach in the 
wall : the signal for the night attack (for such had been 
designed) was protracted tiU nearly broad day ; and the 
deserters who undertook to act as guides were afterwards 
found, either through ignorance or ill intention, to have led 
them to the very strongest part of the fortification. Nay, 
more, on reaching the works, it was discovered, that 
from the neglect of the officers, the scaling ladders were 
partly too short, and partiy left behind. The Spaniards 
also, commanded by Eslava in person, were prepared for 
Vigorous resistance. Yet in spite of all these shameful 
disadvantages, the soldiers fought with stubborn intre- 
pidity ; whole ranks were mowed down by the enemy's 
.cannon without dispiriting the rest ; and one party had 
actuaUy attained the summit of a rampart, when their 
leader. Colonel Grant, received a death wound, and the 
men a repulse. Still, however, the survivors remained 



^dbyGOOglC 



64 nisTOKY OP ENGLAK0. CHAP, xxn. 

undaunted under the murderous lire of tlie fort, until half 
their numher had fallen *, and until their officers, per- 
ceiving valour to be useless, and success impossible, 
sullenly gave the signal to withdraw. 

The conduct of Vernon in this affair has been severely 
— perhaps too severely, judged.f Certain it is, howevei', 
that several parts of his behaviour seem not incompatible 
with a> malicious pleasure in the defeat of any enterprise 
not directed by himself, and that it was not fill lie saw 
the attempt irretrievably mined that he sent his boats, 
fuU of men, to the General's assistance. It may wail be 
supposed that such suspicions, combined with the iiTita- 
tion of failure, still further widened the breach between 
the rival officers, and still more strongly displayed the 
evils of joint command. In many cases, as Napoleon 
acutely obsei-ves in his private correspondence, even a 
bad general is better than two good ones ! { 

An enemy still more dire than either discord or the 
Spaniards now began to assail the British ranks, a sick- 
ness, the effect of a tropical climate on European consti- 
tutions, and 30 rapid in its progress, that, as the General 
declares, he found, in less than two days, his effective 
force dwindle from 6600 to 3200 men. Under these 
combined disasters a council of officers, held on the 24th 
of April, decided to relinquish' the enterprise and return 
to Jamaica iirst, however, demolishing the fortifications 
they had taken. " I believe," writes Vernon, " even the 
" Spaniards will give us a certificate, that we have effec- 
" tually destroyed all their castles;" and this was tha 
only fruit of an expedition that in England had cost such 
lavish sums and raised such high-wrought expectations, 
that had made Spain tremble foe her ladies, that had 
draWn Fi-ance in jealpusy *)f our aggrandisement to the 
very brink of war.§ 

• In the Spanish account this Iffsa is increseed to 1600 — more thaa 
the origisal number of assailants 1 Comentarios de Don Joseph del 
Campn Baso (toL iv. p, 182.), 

t Tindal's Hist. voL viii. p. 503, 

j Letter to Camoi, May 12. 1796. Sea also the Memoires d'ua 
Homme d'etat, voL iii. p. 349. 

g Scrae despatohee inlercepted near Cnrthagena prove that the Ad- 
In^ of the i^ench aouadron had orders to tilUuik, if he was strong; 



^dbyGOOglC 



i741, ATTACK OH SANTIAGO DE CDHA. 65 

Still less honourable was another expedition under- 
taken by Vernon and Wentworth in the ensuing July, 
partly in pursuance of orders from home, and partly ia 
hope to retrieve their reputation. Their object was San- 
tiago in the island of Cnba ; their militaiy force reduced 
to 3000 by sickness and disheartened by failure, A 
thousand negroes from Jamaica wei-e their unpromising 
auxiliaries. They landed without opposition in the bay 
of Guantanamo, to which they gave the name of Cum- 
berland, m honour of the Eoyai Duke. But this courtly 
compliment was their only exploit. On sending out par- 
ties to i-econnaifre Santiago, they received such accounts 
of the difficulties of the ground and the strength of the 
place, that Wentworth and his ofScers judged it best to 
re-embark ; the Admiral, after some angry i-emonstrances 
was compelled to acquiesce, and the enterprise was 
thus abandoned before it had encountered any, even the 
slightest resistance. Vernon's own statement on the 
subject has, at least, the merit of extraordinary frank- 
ness : — " Though I pretend to very little experience in 
" military affairs by laad, yet it is my belief that if the 
" sole command had been in me, both in the Carthagena 
"expedition and the Cuba one, His Majesty's foi-ces 
*' would have made themselves masters both of Cartha- 
" gena and Santiago, and with the loss of mucli fewer 
*' men than have died!"* 

enough. This ig Vernon's acconnf :_''One of our brave sajlora, 

"seeing a dasd Spauiard lying upon mi English ensign on ehore, 
Bwore (hat Spaiiisii dog shonld not lio upon English eoionrs, and 
went ttshore to remove liis quartets and feteh tlie colours, wiien he 
fortuii&«!y diBcovered wrapped up in those cobura tlie packets of 
''i"^ from the Spanish Admird Rodrigo de Torres, , , , and tlie 

"French Secretary of State's orders to the Marquis d'Antui (iha 
Frencii Admiral), by which your Graco will see ihcv had both 

"ordera jointly or separately to fall on us." To the Diiie of Kow- 

castle. May 30. 1741. 
" To tbo Dnko of Newcasllo, October 2. 1742. 



^dbyGOOglC 



HisToay OF I 



CHAPTEK SXin. 

Wheh Parliament met in Hovember 1740, the Opposi- 
tion, mindful of the approaching elections, under the 
Septennial Act, strained every nerve to aggravate the 
difficulties and hlacken the character of Walpole. No 
sooner had the King's Speech been read hy the Lord 
Chancellor, than the Duke of Argyle suddenly started up, 
anticipating Lord Holdemess, the intended mover of the 
Mmisterial Address, aad proposed an Address of his 
own ; he arraigned the whole conduct of the war, aad, 
instead of following the various topics of the Eojal 
Speech, suggested merely a general assurance of sup- 
port. On the same side Lord Carteret bitterly inveighed 
against "a Minister who has for almost twenty years 
" been demonstrating to the world that he has neither 
" wisdom nor conduct. He may have a little low cim- 
" ning, such as tliose have that buy cattle ia Smithfield 
" market, or such as a French valet makes use of for ma^ 
" naging an indulgent master, but the whole tenour of 
"his conduct has shown that he has no true wisdom: 
" this our allies know and bemoan ; this our enemies 
« know and rejoice in!" Still more invidiously did Ches- 
terfield represent the Grovcrnment, as " begging hard for 
" a little incense, and endeavouring to have a motion re- 
"jected with which even they themselves can find no 
" fault, in order to make room for encomiums which 
" themselves have prepared ! " However, the motion of 
Lord Holdemess, being brought forward as an amend- 
ment, was carried by 66 votes against 38; and in the 
Commons as decisive a majority declared in favour of the 
original Address.* 

In pursuance of this opening, the Opposition proceeded 
• Mr. Odebaj-to thBEev.KEtough.Hov. 2B. 1740. Paii llist. 
■vcl. xi. p. 613 696. The accoiuit of the Commons' dobate is ex- 
tremely meagi'e, and no mention mada of eithev Pitt or Lyttleton's 
speeches, except tJiat Mr. Orlebar says they were " very warm, which 
" occaaioned Sr Eobert to bo bo too," 



^dbyGOOglC 



1741. 



PAELlAMENTiRr DEBATES. 67 



night after night to heap imputations on the Miniater; 
and to harass him with incessant motions for the produc- 
tion of papers and letters, such as niigKt tend either to cri- 
minate him if disclosed, or afford a handle for inTective 
if refused. The Upper House especially was the chosen 
scene of this warfare. First came an Address for the 
iQStruetions to Vernon in taking Porto Bello, intended to 
show that the whole merit helonged to the Admiral, and 
none to the Minister. " Can we expect," cried Chester- 
field, " that he who gave Admiral Hosier orders to per- 
" suade the enemy's ships to surrender, and to lie with 
" his squadron till it rotted before a sea port which Mr. 
" Vemoa has taken with a fourth part of the force, — I 
^ " say can we expect tliat he will give proper orders to 
" any Admiral ? " Next appeared a motion for the letters 
from and to Vernon; after this another for the Instruc- 
tions to Haddock, who, having been sent with a largo 
squadron to the Mediterranean, had, it was alleged, re- 
mained shamefully inactive. In vain did Newcastle urge 
that Haddock Lad guarded Gibraltar and Port Mahon, 
blockaded Cadiz, and protected the British trade; such 
considerations it was answered were but mean and mer- 
cantile. " My Lords," began Eathurst, with his usual 
caustic wit, " the two noble young Lords who opened this 
"debate" (Sandwich and Halifax) "spoke with audi 
" dignity, such strength of argument, and such propriety 
" of expression, that I began to imagine myself in an old 
" Roman or Lacediemonian Senate, and therefore I must 
" return thanks to the Noble Duke who spoke last, for he 
" has brought me back to a British House of Peers ! " * 

These motions, and another strangely inconsistent with 
them, against any augmentation of the army, were, in- 
deed, rejected by the Ministerial majority, but served, as 
was intended, to agitate and inflame the public mind, 
and prepare the way for tho main attack, designed in 
both Houses to be aimed personally and directly against 
the Prime Minister. The cry of " Down with Walpole ! " 
was ahnost the only one on which the Tories and Whigs 



ibyGoogIc 



68 HI3T0KT OE ENGLAKD. CHAP. XXIII. 

in Opposition could heartily join, especially since tlie 
death of "Wyndham, which had greatly loosened the bonds 
of their alliance. All of them concurred in hatred of the 
Minister ; but few, as to the men or the measures that 
should follow Ills dismissal. That cry was also well 
adapted for effect upon the people, who, it may he ob- 
served, are far more easily excited by personal than by 
political questions, although they have never any interest 
in the first, and are often deeply concerned in the latter. 
On that cry, therefore, did Argyle and the other Whiga 
in Opposition determine to concentrate their whole 
strength; but it appears that, satisfied with having found 
a subject well adapted for concert, they neglected to se- 
cure that concert by previous communication with their 
Tory friends, and reckoned on probabilities instead of 
obtaining promises. 

Thus resolved upon, the great attack was fixed in both 
Houses for the same day, the 13tli of February ; to be 
brought forward in the Peers by Lord Carteret, in the 
Commons by Mr. Samuel Sandys. It is difiicult to under- 
stand -why so important a motion should have been en- 
trusted to a member hitherto of no great note in the 
ranks of Opposition*, unless either Mr. Sandys had the 
merit of first suggesting it, or that the principal leaders 
wished to reserve themselves for reply. Two days pre- 
viously, Sandys, crossing over the floor in the House of 
Commons, accosted the Minister, saying that he thought 
himself bound in common courtesy to inform him that 
he intended to bring an accusation of several articles 
against him; and soon afterwards, rising in his place, he 
gave public notice that he should on the ensuing Friday 
open a matter of great importance, which personally con- 
cerned the Chancellor of the Exchequer, who he thei-e- 
fore hoped would be present. Walpole received the inti- 
mation with great composure and dignity; he rose to 
thank his opponent for his notice ; said that he desired 

* The abilities of Sandys are spoken of wilh muoli contempt by 
his enemies. Kr Chailes HEmbury Williams aatiricallj laments that 
he could not speU (Sir C. H. Williams's Works, vol. L p. 161. ed. 
1822); and Horace WaSpole calls hun, in 1756, "tlie outcast of a 
"former silly administration" (Memoirs, vol, i. p. 48*). He had 
l>cen M.P. foi- Worcester over since 1717. 



ib,Googlc 



1741. ME. SAMUEL SANDTS. 69 

no fayour, but only fair play, and would not fail to at- 
tend the accQsation as not conscious of any crime, and 
he concluded with an apprapriate line from his favourite 
Horace.* 

On the appointed day the public expectation roae to 
the highest pitch ; the gallery was thronged with eager 
spectators; several members had secured their seats at 
sis in the morning, and at one time there were nearly 
600 in the House. The debate began at one o'clock, 
The speech of Sandys, probably concerted with the prin- 
cipal Opposition leaders, was elaborate and able. Having 
first iWented the dreadful calamities of the nation, and 
urged an inquiiy into the causes of them, ho declared 
that he should divide his accusation into three branches, 
— foreign negotiations, domestic government, and the 
conduct of the war. As to the former, ho inveighed, 
especiaDy, against the Treaty of Hanover, the Act of the 
Pardo, the acquisition of Lorraine by Prance, and the 
Spanish Convention. With respect to affairs at home, 
he charged Sir Kobert with fraudulent views in adjust- 
ing the South Sea Scheme; he computed the produce of 
the Sinking Fund in 1727, and asserted that the national 
debt was not diminished, although the Sinliing Fund had, 
since that period, produced no less than 15,000,000/. — 
"all spent in Spithead expeditions and Hyde Park re- 
views I " He next enumerated many instaaces of uncon- 

* A remarkfiljle incident then ooctirred between Walpole and Pnl- 
teney. According to the custom of that period, tlieso leaders of nd- 
rase parlies used to sit togEtlioc on the IVeaswT Bendi aa Pnvv 
Comcilloi^ Waipole had quoted 

" Mil oonscire abi, nvlti palleseere cnlpj." 
"When lie sat down Pnltenej diily obsetved to him that it was false 
TjBiia ; Sit Bobert betted bim a guinea it was not ; and they ngreed 
to refei' tlieir dispute to Mr. Nicholas Hardinge, cderk of the House, 
who was known as an exeelleot scholar. Haidinge decided for Pul- 
teney, the right word being nuHd instead of nullL The guinea was 
gimediately tossed to Pulteney, who caught it, and held it up to the 
House, cxcl^ming, "It is the only public money I bave received for 
"many years, and it shall be the last !" —This ouecdoie, with a few 
slight rariattons, is i-ecoxded in nearly all the histories of that time. 
Mr, Nicholas Hatdirige was the grandfather of my gallant and dis- 
thiguished friend Sir Henry (now Viscount Haidinge, 1852,); and 
the original gninea of the wager is preserved at the British Museum j 
B donatiou io 1828 from Lady Murray. 



^dbyGOOglC 



70 

slitulaonal conduct A larger standing army than was 
necessary — squadrons fitted out at an enormous eispense, 
and never employed against an enemy — all methods to 
secure the Constitution against corruption rejected — ■ 
many penal laws passed of an arbitrary tendency — votes 
of credit frequent — expenses of the Civil List increased 
— the aholition of burthensome taxes opposed merely 
because their collection required a great number of place- 
men — offtcers dismissed for voting agsunst the Excise 
Scheme, one of the weakest yet most violent projects ever 
set on foot by any Minister. Entering next upon the 
conduct of the war, Sandys complained that no sufScient 
reinforcements had been sent to Vernon in the West 
ladies, and that Haddoeli in the Mediterranean had been 
almost equally neglected. " Things being thus," said he, 
" I shall now name the author of all these public calami- 
" ties. I believe no one cin mistal e the person fo whom 
" I allude ; every one must be com meed that I mean the 
" Eight Honourable Gentleman opposite. .... If it should 
"be asked why I impute all tbeie evils to one person, I 
"reply, because that one peison has grasped in his own 
"hands every branch of government; that one person 
"has attained tie sole direction of affairs, monopolised 
" all the favours of the Grown, compassed the disposal of 
"all places, pensions, titles, ribands, as well as all pre-' 
" ferments, civil, military, and ecclesiastical ; that one 
".person has made a blind submission to Ids will, both in 
" Elections and Parliament, the only terms of present 

"favour and future expectation I therefore move, 

" That an humble Address be presented to His Majesty, 
" that he would be gracioasly pleased to remove the Eight 
" Honom-able Sir Eobert Walpole from His Majesty's 
" presence and counsels for ever." 

Lord Limerick having seconded tbis motion, it was 
next suggested that Sir Robert should be directed fo re- 
tire from the House during the debate — a cour'ie sup- 
ported by several ancient precedents, where specific 
charges or points of evidence were in question, but in 
this case most unju^it, as enibling any enemies to heap 
vague imputations upon the Minister, without allowing 
him any opportunity for explanation or reply. The 
mover of this last proposal. Mi Wortley Montagu, was 
a gentleman of immcnbe propeity ind consequent w eight 



iH^le 



1741, MK, WORTLEY BIONTAGH. 71 

amongat his contemporaries, but only known or deserring 
to be known to posterity as the husband of the Briti^ 
S^vign^. He appears to have combined very moderate 
talents with moat overweening vanity. From several of 
Lady Mary's letters to him we may gather that no flat- 
teries were too gross for his taste. Thus, " I never knew 
" any man capable of such a strength of resolution as 
" yourself." " I have always told you it is in your power 
" to make the first figure in the House of Commons." — 
" Tou have a stronger judgment than any! "* No maa 
of real sense would have endured such fulsome praises 
of-it, 

The motion of Wortley Montagu was seconded by Mr. 
Gibbon ; but, so general seemed the feeling in the House 
of its unfairness, and of tlio inapplicability o£ the prece- 
dents, that the proposal was withdrawn, and it was agreed, 
that Walpole should be permitted to bear every accusa- 
tion and to speak the last. The debate then reverting to 
the main question was long and acrimonious. The Mi- 
nister was defended by Pelham and Stephen Fox, per- 
iiaps with more zeal than talent : the ablest speeches 
against him were Pitt's and Pultenoy's. Edward Harley,* 
brother of the Lord Treasurer Oxford, and who a few 
months ^.fterwards, on the death of bis nephew, succeeded 
to the ewldom, gave a rare and most praiseworthy ex- 
ample ot moderation. " I do not," said he, " stand up 
" at this time of night either to accuse or flatter any man. 
" Since I have had the honour to sit in Parliament, I 
" have opposed the measures of administration because 
" I thought them vfTong, and as long as they are I shall 
" continue to give as constant an opposition to them. 
" The state of the nation by the conduct of our Ministers 
" is deplorable ; a war is destroying us abroad, and poverty 
" and corruption are devouring us at home. But what- 

* To M(. Worfley, January 35. 1742, June 1. 1740, and March. 
SS. 1744. It is itascrCed that ^ere still exists in MS. a epeech of this 
" first fignre in the Honso of Commons," -which he intended to read 
from hifl hat ; it has certain notable hints foe tie delivery carefullj' ar- 
ranged along the margin, ench as "here pause foi' a minute" — "look 
round" — "slow" — "load" — "cough." — I hope his hearers nevet 
applied tho latter hint to Cieniselvcs ! See Quarterly Eeview, H<v 
iri*! p. 416. 



^dbyGOOglC 



72 HISTOKV OP ENGL,1ND. CIIAP, XSIII, 

*' ever I may think of men, God forbid' that my private 
"opinion should bo the only rule of my judgment! I 
" ahould desire to have an exterior conviction from facta 
" and evidences. .... A Noble I*rd to whom I had the 
" honour to he related has been often mentioned in this 
" debate. He was impeached and imprisoned ; by that 
" imprisonment his years were shortened ; and the pro- 
" secution was carried on by the Kight Honourable Gen- 
" tleman who in now the subject of your question, though 
" he knew at that very time that there was no evidence 
" to support it. I am now. Sir, glad of this oppor- 
" tunity to return good for evil, and to do that Eight 
♦'Honourable Gtentleman and his family that justice 
" which he denied to mine." — So saying he left the 
house, and was followed by his kinsman Mr. Eobert 
Hiffley. 

As remarkable, though on very different grounds, was 
the conduct of Shippen. He observed that he looked upon 
this motion as only a scheme for turning out one IWinister 
and bringing in another; that it was quite indifferent to 
him who was in or who was out; and that therefore he 
■would give himself no concern in the question. With 
these words he withdrew, and was followed by thirty- 
four of his friends. Nay, Lord Cornbury even went 
further; and, declftiing that no man whose ardour for 
vengeance had not extinguished every other motive of 
action could resolve to sanction a method of prosecution 
by which the good and bad are equally endangered, an- 
nounced that he should vote against the motion. The 
coiu'se of these Jacobite Members excited much surprise, 
and called forth many conjectures. So far as Shippen 
himself is concerned, it is explained by a fact which one 
of his relatives communicated to Mr. Coxe. Some time 
before, Sir Eobert Walpole having discovered a corre- 
spondence which one of Shippen's party carried on with 
the , Pretender, Shippen called on the Minister, and en- 
treated him to save his friend. ' Sir Robert readily com- 
plied, and then said : " Mr. Shippen, I cannot desire you 
".to vote with the administration, for with your prin- 
« eiples I have no right to expect it. But I only requii'e, 
" whenever any question is brought forward in the House 
" affecting me personiJly, that you wiU recollect the favour- 



^dbyGOOglC 



" I have now granted you." * It is not to be supposed, 
however, that this engagement could bind any one but 
Sliippen himself. But a letter of Mr. Thomas Carte, ia 
the Stuart collection, and referring to this very subject, 
shows that the hopes inspired by Walpole'a message to 
the Pretender were not yet wholly dissipated, f It proves 
also that the motion of Sandys had been hastily brought 
forward without due and sufficient communication to the 
Jacobite Members, and that at the last moment they felt 
displeased, and determined to show their displeasure, at 
this arrogant neglect. 

_ When PuUeney had sat down Sir Robert rose, and de- 
livered a speech equal if not superior to any of his former 
efforts. Some of the charges gainst him, such as tha 
despotic dismissal of officers, did not in my opinion admit 
of any satisfactory answer; but on many points his de- 
fence was conclusive, and on all most able. lie observed 
that the parties combined against him might be divided 
into three classes, the Tories, the dissatisfied Whigs, call- 
ing themselves Patriots, and the Boys — the latter phrase 
denoting how generally the young men of promise who 
entered Parliament had joined the Opposition banner, and 
thus afforded, perhaps, the surest of all omens of a Mi- 
nister's fall. " The Tories," said Sir Eobert, " I can 
" easily forgive ; they have unwillingly come into the 
" measure, and they do me honour in thinking it necessary 

" to remove me as their only obstacle 

" Gentlemen have talked a great deal of patriotism — a 
" venerable word when duly practised ; but I am sorry to 
" say that of late it has been so much hackneyed about, 
" that it is in danger of falling infti disgrace : the very 
" idea of true patriotism is lost, and the term has been 
^ prostituted fo the very woi-at of purposes. A patriot, 
I' Sir ! -why patriots spring up like mushrooms ! I could 
" raise fifty of them within the four-and- twenty hours — . 
" I have riused many of tliem in one night. It is but re- 
" fusing to gratify an uin-easonable or an insolent demand, 
" and up starts a patriot. I have never been afraid of 

* MemoiraotWalpole.voI.i, p. 671. 

t Mr. Carte W the Pteleuder (Received April 17. 1741.\ Seo 
Appendix. 



^dbyGOOglC 



74 JHSTOKl' OP ENGLAKD. CHAP. T'tiTn. 

" making patriota, lavit I disdain and deapise all their 

"efforts lam called repeatedly and insidiously 

" prime and sole Minister, Admitting, however, for the 
" sake of argument, that I am prime and sole Minister in 
" this country ; am I therefore prime and sole Minister of 
" all Europe? am I answerahie for the conduct of other 
" countries as well as for that of my own ? Many words 
" are not ■wanting to show that the particular views of 
" each Court occasioned the dangers which affected the 
" public tranquillity ; yet the whole is charged to my ac- 
" count. Nor is this sufficient; whatever was the conduct 
" of England, I am equally arraigned. If we maintained 
" ourselves in peace, and took no share in foreign trans- 
" actions, we ore reproached for tamencss and pusilla- 
" nimity. If, on the contrary, wc interfered in the disputes, 
" we are called Don Quixotes, and dupes to all the world. 
" If we contracted guarantees, it was asked, why is the 
" nation wantonly hurthened? If guarantees were de- 
" dined, we were reproached with having no aJiies." 

Sir Robert nest proceeded to vindicate the Treaty of 
Hanover, and the whole series of his foreign policy. In 
Lis financial administration, he contended that within the 
last sisteen or seventeen years no leas than 8,000,000£ of 
the Debt had been discharged by the application of the 
Sinking Fund, and T,000,OWl. more taken from that fund 
and applied to the relief of the agriculturists through the 
diminution of the Land Tax. As to the conduct of the 
war, " as I am. neither Admiral nor General," said he, 
" as I have nothing to do either with our Navy or Army, 
" I am sure I am not answerahie for the prosecution of it. 
" But were I to answer for every thing, no fault could, 1 
" think, be found. It has from the beginning been carried 
" on with as much vigour, and as great care of our trade, 
" as was consistent with our safety at home, or with our 
" circumstances at the beginning of the war; and if our 
" attacks upon tiie enemy were too long delayed, or if 
" they have not been so vigorous or so frequent as they 
" ought to have been, those only are to blame who have 
" for many years been haranguing against standing armies. 
" .... la conclusion, what have been the effects of this 
" corruption, ambition, and avarice with which I am so 
" abundantly charged? Have I ever been suspected of 



_7 00J^le 



1741. 



WALPOLES TErnSIPHANT MAJORITY, 75 



being corrupted? A strange phenomenon, a corrupter 
" himself not corrupt I la ambition imputed to me ? Why 
" then do I still continue a Commoner? I, who refused 
a White Staff and a Peerage!— I had, indeed, like to 
have forgotten the little ornament about my shoulders, 
' which gentlemen have ao repeatedly mentioned in terms 
^of sai-castic obloquy. But surely, though this may be 
]■ regarded with envy or indignation in another place, it 
■ cannot be supposed to raise any resentment in this 
House, where many must be pleased to see those honours 
whieh their ancestors .have wora restored again to the 

Commons I must think that an Address to 

His Majesty to remove one of his servants, without so 
much as alleging any particular crime against him, 13 
one of the greatest encroachments that was ever made 
upon the prerogative of the Crown ; and, tbercforfe, for 
the sake of my master, without any regard for my own, 
I hope all those that have a due respect for our Con- 
stitution, and for the rights and prerogatives of the 
Crown, without which our Constitution cannot be pre- 
served, will be against this motion." 
_ This speech, which was not concluded till nearly four 
in the morning, produced a strong effect, and was followed 
by a triumphant division ; the numbers being, for the 
motion 106, against it 290, an unusually large majority, 
manly resulting, however, from the secession of the 
Tories. In the Upper House, that evening. Lord Car- 
teret was powerfully supported by Argyle and Bathurst, 
but opposed by the Lord Chancellor, the Duke of New- 
castle, and Lord Hervey, and the motion was negatived 
by 108 votes against 59. The Prince of Wales was pre- 
sent, but did not vote ; and it was observed that Lord 
Wihnmgton, though holding office tmder the Govern- 
ment, likewise remained neutral. A strong protest, which 
had been prepared, as is said, hy Bolingbroke *, was signed 
by 31 Peers. 

The remark of Sir Eobort himself, in a conversation 
with bandys, was, that they might, perhaps, get the better 
of him, but he was sure no other Minister would ever be 

• Ctarles Yorto W PMMp Torke. Crae's Walpole, voL iii. p. 



^dbyGOOglC 



76 niSTOKY OP ENGLAND. CHAP. XXHI. 



able to stand so long as he had done — twenty years.* 
The first effect of these motions seemed to ho the securing 
of Walpole in power. His levee the next morning was 
the fullest ever known f ; congratulations poured in from 
all sides; while his opponents, haffled and confounded, 
were imputing to each other the blame of their failure. 
But ia its ulterior consequences the motion of Sandys 
served in the ensuing General Meetion to point and con- 
centrate every attack upon the Minister, as the one great 
grievance of tiie state; and on the other hand, it is asserted 
that his success on this occasion threw him off his guard, 
and by increasing his confidence slackened his exertions.J 
An occurreDce of this Session, still more important in 
its consequences, was the Subsidy granted to the Court 
of Vienna, where there had arisen a new conjuncture of 
affairs-, portentous and eventful to the other European 
states. The Emperor Charles the Sixth had died on the 
20th of October 1740. His daughter Maria Theresa, the 
heiress of his dominions with the title of Queen of Hun- 
gary, was but twenty-ihree years of age, without ex- 
perience or knowledge of business ; and her husband 
Erancis, the titular Duke of Lorriune and reigning Grand 
Duke of Tuscany, deserved the praise of amiable qualities 
rather than of commanding talents. Her Ministers were 
timorous, irresolute, and useless : " I saw them in. de- 
spair," writes Mr. Eobinson, the British envoy, " but that 
" very despair was not capable of rendering them bravely 
" desperate." 6 The treasury was exhausted, the army 
dispersed, and no General risen to replace Eugene. The 
succession of Maria Theresa was, indeed, cheerfuOy ac- 
knowledged by her subjects, and seemed to be secured 
amongst foreign powers by their guarantee of tlie Prag- 
matic Sanction ; but it soon appeared that such guarantees 
are mere worthless parchments where there is strong 
temptation to break and only a feeble army to support 
them. The principal claimant to the succession was the 

• Opinions of the Dncbess of Mailborongh, p, lOS. The date of 
)7S9 is clearly erroiieous. 

t Mr. T. Carta to the Pretender. LetKrreeeived April 17. 1741, 

j Tindal'6 Hist. TOl.viiL p. 4B1. 

§ Mr, Bobinsoa to I«rd HminEton, October 22. 1740. 00X6*3 
HoQSa of AuBOia. 



idb,Googlc 



1741. FREDERICK TOE SECONB OP TUUSSIA. 77 

Elector of Bavaria, who maintained that the will of the 
Emperor Ferdinand the First devised tlie Austrian states 
to his daughter, from whom the Elector descended, on 
failure of male lineage. It appeared that the original will 
in the archiyes at Vienna referred to the failure, not of 
the male but of the legitimate issue of his sons ; but this 
document, though ostenfatioualy displayed to all the Mi- 
nisters of state and foreign ambassadors, was very far 
from inducing the Elector to desist from his pretensions.* 
As to the Great Powers — the Court of Fi-ance, the old 
ally of the Bavarian family, and mindful of its injuries 
from the House of Austria, was eager to exalt tho first 
by the depression of the latter. The Bourbons in Spain 
followed the direction of the Bourbons in France. The 
Bng of Poland and the Empress of Kussia were more 
friendly in their expressions than in their designs. An. 
opposite spirit pervaded England and Holland, where 
motives of honour and of policy combined to support the 
rights of Maria Theresa. In Germany itself the Elector 
of Coln^ne, the Bavarian's brother, warmly espoused his 
cause ; and " the remaining Electors," says Chesterfield, 
" like electors with us, thought it a proper opportunity 
"of making the most of tlieir votes, — and all at the 
" expense of the helpless and abandoned House of 
" Austria ["f 

The first blow, however, came from Prussia, where the 
King Frederick Wdliam had died a few months before, 
and been succeeded by his son Frederick the Second ; a 
Prince surnamed the Great by poets, and who would 
have deserved that title better had he not been one of 
them himself. It is difficult to understand how the same 
spirit could sometimes soar to the most lofty achievements 
— sometimes creep in the most wretched rhymes ; and 
when we painfully toil through page after page, and 
volume after volume, of intolerable dullness, here and 
there enlivened by blasphemy, we can scnrcely believe 
that they really proceeded from the first warrior and 
statesman of his age. Voltaire, who knew him well, 

* Mr. Rohinson to LortI Harrington, October SO, aiicl Noveniher 7. 
t Ciise of iho Hiinovw Force?. 



^dbyGOOglC 



78 HisToity OP 

gave him ttc nickname of Cesak-Cotin.* Nor was there 
a, less striking contrast Ijetween the qualities of his heart 
and of his head. Vain, selfish, and ungrateful, destitute 
of truth and honour, he valued his companions, not from 
former kindness, but only for future use-f But turn wc to 
his taients, and we find the most consummate skill in war, 
formed hy his own genius and aicquired from no master ; 
we find a prompi, sagacious, and unbending adminis- 
tration of affairs ; an activity and application seldom 
yielding to sickness aad never relaxed by pleasure, and 
seeking no repose except by variety of occupation ; a 
high and overruling ambition, capable of the greatest 
exploits or of the most abject baseness, as either tended 
to its object, but never losing sight of that object ; ptir- 
suing it with dauntless courage and an eagle eye, some- 
times in the heavens and sometimes through the mire, 
and never tolerating either in himself or in others one 
moment of languor or one touch of pity. 

This aspiring Prince liad found on Jus accession an 
immense treasure and an excellent army ; he panted for 
an opportunity of empbying both, and availed himself of 
the Emperor's death to revive some obsolete claims to 
certain duchies and lordships in Silesia. While others 
negotiated, he acted. He quietly collected his troops, all 
the while continuing his professions of amity to the 
Court of Vienna ; and, when his preparations were com- 
plete, secretly quitting Berlin at the close of a masked 
ball, on the 23d of December he entered Silesia, at the 
head of thirty thousand men. He had not strengthened 
himself by any engagements with the Court of VersailleH, 

* AbbS Cotiii, the constHiit liutt of Boileau's satire, was also the 
originel of MoliSre'e THssoHn in Les Femmes Savantei, The name 
wGs at first Trt-cotntt but ajierwarda altered, the allusioii being 
thought too pliun. 

f This appeared ftom the very outset of his reign. See in tho 
Appendix a letl«r from Lord Desliford to Marquis Visoontt, Decem- 
bCT 26. 1740. A aLmilac statement is made by Voltaire. He telie ns 
that when at BerBn some persons remonstrated with the King ibr fa- 
vouring Iiim so highly. " 'Laissez lake,' dit le Eoi, ' on preesc I'orauge, 
" 'et on la jette quand on a araJe lejns.' La Metrio ne manqiia pas 
" de me renclre co bel apophli^me digne de Deuis de Syracuse. Je 
"resolua dis lors de meltre en sflretS lea pelnres dc I'orange.' (&K- 
mckea de Volt^re, p. 224, ed. 1822.) 



^dbyGOOglC 



1741. THE PRUSSIANS INVADE SILESIA. 79 

but lie relied on its ancient animosity against the House 
of Austria, and perceived that lie might sign an alliance 
whenever he gained a victory. As he set off, he said to 
the French Amhassador, the Marquis de Beauvau : " I 
" am going, I believe, to play your game; andif 1 should 
" throw doublets, we will share the stakes." * 

At tlie same time, however, Fredei-ick made an overture 
in the opposif* quarter. He despatched Count Gutter as 
bis agent to Vienna, to announce his intended invasion, 
and to propose that the Queen of Hungaay should cede 
to him the province of Lower Silesia, on which condition 
be would undertake to change sides, and employ his 
tioops and treasure in defending Her Majesty against all 
ber enemies and obtaining for the Duke her husband the 
Imperial Crown. But the high spirit of Maria Theresa 
could ill brook such submission. She declared that so 
long as the King of Prussia had a man in Silesitt sha 
would sooner perish than enter into any terms with him, 
and Gotter returned in disappointment to his master.f 

Meanwhile the invasion of Silesia was easy and abnost 
unopposed. The Queen's troops, only 3000 in number, 
were compelled to retreat into Moravia ; and the Protes- 
tants, who had suffered severely under the Austrian yoke, 
bailed Frederick as a champion of their faith. Before 
tte end of January he Lad reduced the whole province 
except the fortified towns of Glogau, Brieg, and Neiss. 
Yet still he affected to call himself a friend of the Houso 
of Austria, and wrote to the Duke of Lorraine : — " My 
" heart has no share in the mischief which, my hand is 
" doing to your Court.''J Such hypocritical assurances 
tended only to inflame the resentment of Maria Theresa 
She collected an army of about 2^000 men in Moravia, 
and drew Marshal Neipperg from a prison to place him 
at its bead.5 According to ber orders, Neipperg, crossing 
the mountains, entered Silesia, and pushed forward to 

* Voltaire, SiSclo de Louis SV". cli. vi. 

t Coxc's House of Austria, -vol, iii. p. 232 — 234. 

j DeBpaKh of Mr. Eobinson to Lord Harrington, iFebniaiy 22, 
1741. 

§ Neipperg had been disgraced and sent to the castle of HaUita in 
1739, for signing the preliminaries of a disadvantageous peace with 
the Turks. (Coxe's House of Austria, vol. iii. p. 198.) 



;, Google 



■go HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP. XXIH. 

Neiss and Brieg, while Frederick, who had returned for 
a, short time to Berlin, hastened back to meet his new 
antagonist. On the 10th of April the Prussians, ap- 
proaching by rapid marches and favoured by a fall of 
saow, surprised Neipperg at Molwita, a villi^e near Brieg. 
The battle, however, which ensued, seemed at first to 
declare against them ; their cavalry, much inferior to the 
Austrian, was entirely routed ; the ITmg'a baggage was 
taien ; and the King himself was borne along by the 
crowd of fugitives to Oppellen, many miles from the field 
of action.* But the bravery and steadiness of the 
Prussian infantry, under Marshal Schwerin, retrieved 
the day : they not only arrested the progress of Neip- 
perg's ah'cady half victorious troops, but put them to 
flight with the loss of 3000 men and several pieces of 
cannon. An express was then despatched to the King in 
the rear, informing him that the battle which he bad 
long since despaired of was completely won. A strange 
outset of a hero's career, but nobly repaired in after years. 
The disaster of MolwiU; revealing the weakness of the 
Austrian monarchy encouraged new claimants to its 
Spoils. The Kings of Spain, of Sardinia, and of Poland 
as Elector of Saxony, eaeh on different grounds, pre- 
tended to some share in its dominions. On the other 
hand a generous spirit was rising throughout England 
to support the injured Queen, and the Opposition already 
began to clamour against the tameness of the Minister. 
Thus goaded, Walpole brought forward an Address ia 
the House of Commons, pledging Parliament to maintain 
the Pr^matic Sanction : he also proposed a Subsidy of 
300,000^ to the Queen of Hungary, and acknowledged 
the national obligation by treaty of assisting her with a 
force of 12,000 men. These motions were supported by 

• rrederick's behavior in this flight wsa eharacteristicaUy sdflsb. 
On aiTii-ing nt Oppellsn, the place was found to he oocnpied by an 
Austrian out-post, and some hussara salhed out against the King's 
party; upon which Fi'ederick exclaniBd to Manpertais, thelVench 
malhemaiician, imd some other flttendants, " FareweU, my friends, I 
"am better monnled than you all! " and gaMy roda off, leaving Man- 
pertnis and some othei's to be taken prisoners. This was related by 
Manpei-tuis himself at Vienna to Mr. Rolanson. (Despatch to Lord 
Harrington, April 23, 1741.) 



^dbyGOOglC 



1741. FRCITLESS NEGOTIATIOKS, 81 

Pulteney and other chiefa of the "patriots," but did iiot> 
pafis without some severe remarks from Shippen, who 
declared that the measures were intended only to secure 
the King's Electoral dominions. A similar Address, pro- 
posed by Ministers in the House of Lords, displayed a 
Btill wider schism in the Opposition ranks; Carteret, 
speaking in favour of the motion, but Chesterfield and 
Argyle opposing it as too Hanoverian. According to> 
Chestei-fidd, " the Prince of Wales behaved silhly upon 
"this occasion, making Lords North and Darnley^oto 
" against us ; such was the power of the hatale solum. 
" This has hurt him much with the pubhc."* Carteret 
on his part, with the view of thwarting Walpole's nego- 
tiations, took care to assure Count Ostein, the Auatriaa 
Ambassador, that the Subsidy did not proceed fjom the 
good disposition of the Minister, but had been c'^Ltoited 
by the general voice of the Parliament and people j 

The great object of Walpoie's negotiations at this time 
was to break the confederacy against Maria Theresa, by 
detaching the King of Prussia from it, nay, even convert- 
ing him into an ally. It was found, however, far from easy 
to mediate between a victorious invader and a haughty 
and offended Queen. When Lord Hyndford the English 
Ambassador urged Frederick to moderate his pretensions, 
and represented how beautiful a thing is magnanimity, 
he was impatiently interrupted : — "Do not talk to me, 
" my Lord, of magnanimity ! a Prince ought first to con- 
" suit his own interests. I am not averse to a peace, but 
" I expect to have four Duchies, and I will have them." j; 
Mr. Robinson at Vienna had full as many obstacles to 
combat. Scarce any concession could be wrung from 
Maria Theresa; she resolutely refused every part of Sile- 
sia, but at length proposed the Duchy of Limburg and other 
lands in the Low Countries. Even to these inadequate 
terms she was brought with extreme reluctance, and 
while empowering Mr. Robinson to make the offer to 
Frederick, passionately exclaimed, " 1 hope he may reject 

• Lord ClieBterfield to Lord Marchmont, April 24. 1741. March- 
mont Papers, toI. ii. 

t Sec the Life of Lord ■VTidpole, of Wollerton, p. 324, 

j Despatch of Lord Hradford to Lord Harrington, l&esliio, 
Jnne 12. 1741. 

VOL. m, Q 



^dbyGOOglC 



« it I" That wish was soon accompli abed. On arriving 
at the Prussian head- quarters the British Minister im- 
mediately opened hia commissioQ to the Ejng, hut was 
encountered hy a burst of indignation. " Still beggarly 
» offers!" cried Frederick. " Since you have nothing to 
" propose on the aide of Silesia, all negotiations are use- 
" leas. My ancestors " added he, with theatrical gestures, 
" would rise out of their tomhs to reproach me, should I 
" abandon my just rights." So saying he took off bis hat, 
and rushed behind the inner curtain of his tent.* 

Thus then the war continued, fraught with dangers, 
and apparent ruin to the Austrian Heiress. At the 
Court of France the pacific influence of Fleury waa over- 
horne by the Marshal de Belleisle, assisted by a female 
cabal; and Fleury, when driven to choose between the 
sacrifice of his power and of his principles, still at the 
age of eighty-seven clung with dying grasp to the forroer. 
He unworthily consented to preside over councils which 
be had long gainsaid and still disapproved. Belleisle 
was despatched to Breslau and to Dresden to concert 
the terms of fiance j with Munich they were aheady 
formed. The projects of Jacobite risings and French as- 
sistance were postponed at VersaiHea, the more readily, 
perhapa, since the failure at Carthagena had diminished 
the fear of British aggrandizement ; and the ti-oops were 
collected in two great armies for the invasion of Ger- 
many. The first army under Marshal Mailleboia passed 
the Meuse and Rhine and advajiced towards Hanover, 
where King George was then residing, having gone 
abroad in the spring in spite of the urgent entreaties of 
Walpole, and leaving that Minister to struggle, as he 
best might, throngh the difSculties of the General Elec- 
tion. His Majesty was accompanied by Lord Harring- 
ton aa Secretary of State, and was employed in assem- 
bling troops for the support of the Queen of Hungary, 
w^hen the approach of the French chilled his ardour and 
arrested his arms. Trembling for what was always 
nearest to bis heart, his Electoral dominions, he con- 

• The ieKah of this curiota interview are related by Mr. Eobinson 
in Ms despatch to Lord Harrington, Augii^ 9. 1741. A eeeonS 
joarney of Robinson, wltblavger ofieis, proved ec[nally fruitless. 

Hc.edbyGoOgIC 



1741. TIVO FRENCH ARMIES IN GEIMANY. 83 

eluded one year's neutrality for Hanover, stipulating that 
during that period it should yield no assistance to Maria 
Theresa, and that at the ensuing Election of Emperor 
its vote should not be given in favour of her husband. 
This treaty, signed on the 16th of September, was re- 
probate,d, and not without some reason, as a puaillauimous 
and selfish measure, and it is difficult to say whether it 
excited most displeasure in Austria or in England. 

The second French army, 35,000 strong, and headed 
by Marshals de Belleisle and de Broglie, pouring into 
Bavaria, joined the Elector's forces, and reduced the im- 
portant city of Lintz. There the Elector was inaugurated 
Duke of Austria, and declared war against Maria The- 
resa hj the name of Grand Duehess of Tuscany, Already 
had his outposts pushed within three leagues of Vienna, 
already was a summons sent to Count Khevenhuller, 
Gbvernor of that capital, already did its inhabitants 
hastily prepare, some for flighty others for resistance; 
and^ whUe a suburb which had grown up beneath the 
fortifications was destroyed, the Danube was covered 
with barges conveying away the most precious effects. 
The Queen herself, then advanced in pregnancy, was in- 
duced to depart with her infant son, leaving her husband 
and her brother-in-law Prince Charles of Lorraine to 
defend her capital and maintain her cause. 

Amidst this long train of disasters no resource seemed 
left fo the unfortunate Princess, but a people whose lofty 
spirit accorded with her own. For years, nay for cen- 
turies, had the Hungarians groaned or rebelled beneath 
the despotism of her Imperial ancestry. While they 
formed the outpost of Christendom upon their frontier, 
they were no less the martyrs of tyranny at home : al- 
most equally assailed from Constantinople and from 
Vienna, they had to defend their religion with one hand 
and their privileges with the other. The flower of their 
chivalry was again and i^ain mowed down in battle by 
the Turks or immured in dungeons by the Austrians, 
yet always started up afresh with renewed valom- and 
unconquerable love of liberty. Never, perhaps, had any 
nation undergone more grievous calamities or displayed 
more heroic courage. "In going through Hungary," 
says an English traveller, one hundred and twenty years 

fl,..:lh;,G00glC 



Si HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP. XXHI. 

^0, " notliing can. be more melancholy than to see such 
" a noble spot of earth almost nuinhabited ;" * and even 
at the present day, after a long period of quiet and 
good government, the scanty and squalid population, 
the dismal towns, and the uncultivated fields, still bear 
impressed upon them the stamp of former misery, and 
show how imavailing are the most lavish gifts of Provi- 
dence where the greatest of all — Peace and Fj-cedom — 
were denied. 

It was to this noble nation, resolute against the strong 
oppressor, but generous to the feeble and the suppliant, 
that now, at her utmost need, the Austrian Queen ap- 
pealed. She had already, when crowned at Presburg 
in the June preceding, gratified them by reviving and 
taking the oath of their iSng Andrew the Second (it had 
teen abolished by her grandfather) in confirmation of 
their privileges, and by fulfilling the stately ceremonies 
which their forms prescribed. Placing on her head the 
crown of St. Stephen, and borne by a spirited charger, 
she rode up the ancient barrow called the Royal Moun)^ 
and from thence, according to the established custom, 
■waved a drawn sword towards the four cardinal points, 
as though defying the universe to war. So fair and 
graceful was her aspect, that, as an eye-witness ex- 
clmmed, she did not require her weapon to conquer all 
who saw her.f Tet lovely as she seemed in her Royal 
Crown, her fascination augmented after she had laid it 
aside, when her beautiful hiuT, no longer confined by it, 
flowed freely in long ringlets on her shoulders, while the 
excitement of the previous ceremony diffused a warmer 
glow over her charming features ; and, as she sate down 
in public state at tlic Eoyal banquet, there was not a 
heart among the spectators, however chilled by age — or 

• Lady Mary W. Montagu to the Counfess of May, Jajiuniy 30. 
I7I7. 

t Ml-. Bobmson to Lord Harrington, June 28. 1741. This scene 
was also delaiied by seroral gentlemen who were present to Sir N. 
Wraxall (Courts of Berlin, Viecna, &c., vol. ii. p. 299. efl, 1799). 
He Bdils, " I am assured by those who witnessed bet coronation, that 
" she was ibea one of the most cliarmmg women in Europe : her 
"figure elegant, her shape fine, and her demeanour maj^c" ■" 
have compared and combined both descriptions ir •"" 



^dbyGOOglC 



1741. QUEEN MARIA THERESA AT rEESBDISO, 85 

■worse than age, by selflsliness — that did not heat high 
with chivabous and loyal admiration. 

Endeared by these recollections, the young Queen, or 
as they termed her, the King (for in Hungary the female 
title is applied only to Queens Consort,) ^ain repaired to 
Preaburg a few months afterwards as a fugitive from 
Vienna. All the Magnates and other Orders of the king- 
dom were there assembled in Diet. On the 11th of Sep- 
tember, a day whoso memory has ever since been cherished 
in Hungary, she summoned them to attend her at the 
Castle; they came, and when marshalled in the Great 
Hall, the Qneen appeared : she was still in deep mourn- 
ing for bor father, but her dress was Hungarian, the 
crown of St Stephen was on her head, and the scimitar 
of state at her side. Her step was firm and majestic, but 
her voice faltered, and tears flowed from her eyes. For 
some moments she was unable to Utter a single word, and 
the whole assembly remained in deep and mournful silence. 
At length her infant son, aftorwards Joseph the Second, 
■was brought in by the first Lady of the Bedchamber, and 
laid on a cushion before her. With an action more elo- 
quent than any words, the Queen took him in her arms, 
and held him up to the assembly, and while sobs still at 
intervals burst through her voice, she addressed the as- 
sembly ill Latin, a language which she had studied and 
apol.e fluently, not from pedantry, as ladies elsewhere, but 
beiiuse it is to this day in common use with the Hun- 
garian people, and still serves to convey the national de- 
liberations. Her speech was no cold and formal harangue 
ot a So^ ereign, cautiously declaring projects, or haughtily 
demanding supplies ; it was the supphcation of a young 
and beautiful woman in distress. When she came to tlie 
words" — " The kingdom -of Hungary, our person, our 
" children, our crown are at stake! Forsaken by aU, we 

* The procise irovds, as communicalcd from flie Hnngarian 
archives, bolh to Mt. Cose and Sir N. "WraxalJ, are aa foUows : "Agt- 
" tur de r^uo Hungarite, do personi nostra, prolibtts nostris et corona, 
"Ab omnilms deceiicd uniee ail inclytortun Statuura fidalitatem, 
"arma.etHungarorampriscaniyirtatani confiigimnsl" The exola. 
mation of the States in. reply ivae " Viteni et SangnmoJtt pro Majes- 
"tate Vestra! Moriamur proEege nostro.Mai^iaTIiereaal" — These 
words ivill resound to all posterity. 



ib,Googlc 



86 HiSTOET or ENGLAND. CHAP. xxni. 

" seek shelter only in the fidelity, the arms, the hereditary 
" valour of the renowned Hungarian states," — the whole 
assembly, as if animated by one soul and speaking with 
one voice, drew their sabres halfway from the Bcabbard, 
and exclAiraed, " Our lives and our blood for yonr Ma- 
"jesty! We will die for our King Maria Theresa!" — 
Nowhere, perhaps, does modern Histoiy record a more 
beautiful and touching scene. According to the narra- 
tive of one of the noblemen present, "we all wept, as did 
" the Queen, aloud, but they were tears of affection and 
" indignation. In a few minutes afterwards we withdrew, 
" in order to concert the necessaiy measures at such a 
*' period of public danger and distress," * 

It is certainly a great advantage, as all History attests, 
of female succession, that it tends above aU other causes 
to kindle the extinct or revive the decaying flame of 
loyalty. The warmest feelings then combine with the 
most deliberate judgment, and we become Eoyalists from 
enthusiasm as much as from reason. Nay even where a 
contracted understanding fails to discern the superiop 
benefits of Monarchy, the heart unbidden warms towards 
one whose ses makes it our pride to protect, as her birth 
our duty to obey her. And never, not even by onr own 
Elizabeth, were a people's loyalty and love more strongly 
stirred tliaa then by Maria Theresa. Her attraction was 

* The narrative of Connt Bj>llei-, who was present, was taten down 
from hia repeated relation, ancl in lus veiy words, I17 Sir M. WraxaU. 
(Ctourts of Berlin and Vienna, vol. ii. p. 296—298. ed. 1799.) "The 
" whole scene," adds the Count, "which has ftmuGhed 30 mnch matter 
"for histoiy, hai'dly lasted more than twelve or fifteen jninutea." 
Archdeacon Coie disoredila ^e point of the Queen's holding np the 
infent Archdnke to tha Diet, because, as he states, it appears from 
Mr. Bohinson's despatches that tJie Archdnke was not bronght to 
Presbui^ till fifler die aoth of the month. (House of Austria, vfd. 
iiL p. 2fi6.) Tet we know fiom other authority that Maria Theresa 
had taken her son with her from Vienna (Tindal's Hist, vol vlii. 
p. 520- ), and I should be the less inclined to trust Mr. Coxe's dates in 
this transaction, as he has chosen to transfer the celebrated scene 
before the Diet from lie 11th to the 13th. But on refeiTing to the 
despatch in question among Mr. Coxe's tianscripls (vol. cL p. 214. 
Brit. Mus.) it is evident that his copyist has pnt the word "Arch- 
" duke," by mistake, for " Grandduke" (that is, of Tuscany, and Duka 
of Lorrdne)} the son instead of the fetlier. Sea the Appendix of this 
volume. 



^dbyGOOglC 



1741. ENTnUSIASM OF THE HIIKGAEIAKS, 87 

not merely that of form or youth ; goodness and benevo- 
lence of character shone conspicuous in every period of 
her life ; and even when time and sorrow had deprived 
her of all pretensions to beauty, she still charraed all those 
that approached her by her manner and mien, displaying 
in most Larmonions combination, a motherly kindness, a 
regal dignity, a female grace. 

Wor cSd the enthusiasm of the Hnngai-iana evaporate in 
words. The spirit of the Magnates was canght by the 
vassals ; military ardour imited with feudal duty ; and 
though with different degrees of power, the energy and 
exertion were the same in all. From the remotest pro- 
vinces, from the banks of the Save, the Teias and the 
Drave, poured hardy and half-savage bands, whose aspect, 
nay whose very name was yet unknown to Western Eu- 
rope — Croats, Pandours, Tolpaches, Sclavonians — with 
Strange dress and arms, barbarous tongues, and unwonted 
modes of combat, yet able, as was shown by the event, to 
cope with most disciplined troops. The subsidy of 300,000/. 
which had been transmitted from England proved like- 
wise of no small avail, and an army, formidable both in 
spirit and in numbers, rapidly grew around the Eoyal 
standard. 

Vienna meanwhile was no longer in present peril from 
the Elector of Bavaria and his French aUies. Eeserving 
that capital for future prey, and impatient to be crowned 
King of Bohemia, he had turned aside from his Austrian 
expedition, and invested Prague. Its garrison was only 
3000 men j its governor, Ogiivy, an Irish exile. To re- 
lieve that city became Maria Theresa's first object ; the 
new Hui^arian levies, headed by the Duke of Lorraine 
and his brother Prince Charles, were set in movement 
early in November, and were joined by the remains of the 
Silesiaii army under Neipperg, as well as by a detachment 
from the garrison of Tienna. Already had they advanced 
within five leagues of Prague, when they had the mortifi- 
cation to learn, that on the preceding nighty the 25th of 
Eovember, the city had been taken by surprise. They 
thereupon retired to a secure position behind the marshes 
of Eudweis, while Prague resounded with the festal coro- 
nation of the pretended King of Bohemia. Prom that 
it the Elector hastened to a still prouder scone of 



;,Goo»^lc 



triumph, the Diet of Frankfort, where the neutralify of 
Hanoyer had left the Duke of Lorraine without a single 
vote, and where his rival was accordingly chosen and 
crowned Emperor by the title of Chai-les the Seventh,* 
These, however, were but the continued impulse and flow 
of his preceding fortune; the zeal and valour of the Hua- 
garians wholly tui'ned the tide ; and my next view of the 
affairs of Maria Theresa will display a success not iin- 
worthy of her spirit and theirs. 

In England the Parliament had been prorogued on the 
25tii of April, and dissolved a few days afterwards, I 
need not here recapitulate what I have already dwelt 
upon, the many causes that had combined to heap un- 
popularity and discredit upon Walpole, Indeed, if truth 
were always found half way between opposite angry alle- 
gations. Sir Robert might be proved a perfect character ; 
for he was denounced at once as profuse aad niggardly, 
timid and presumptuous, a sycophant and a despot, too 
hasty and too slow! But in reality, the faults of the 
Minister on some points are quite as undoubted as the inr 
justice of the people on others. The Opposition had also 
been most unremitting in their exertions throughout the 
country ; and the testimony of a Erench traveller at this 
period may possess some interest, as showing what pro- 
gress had been made in the science of Electioneering: 
" I am now," says he, " at Northampton; a town where 
" there are some of the best inns in England, but where 
" I am lodged at one of the worst ; this has happened be- 
" cause I fell in with a noble Peer who was going, like 
" myself, to London, and who insisted upon our travelling 
" together, which I readily agreed to, not knowing that I 
" should pay so dearly for the honour of his company. 
" Each party in this nation has its peculiar inns, which 
" no one can change unless he wishes to be called a 
" turn-coat. Our dinner consisted of a tough 

* The coronation at Bronkfoit was flelayea till February 14. 1743. 
The Margravine of Bareith, who was present, observes: " Le pauvre 
" Empereur ne gouta pas toute la satisfaction qne cette ef rlmonie 
"devait Ini inspirer. IlStait.monrant dclagoutleet delagraveile, 

" et pouvait k peine se sontenic L'lmpliatrioe est d'une taille 

" au dossoua de la )>etite, et ei pnissaiile qu'elle aemble une boule ; 
"clle est Id dc an possible, sacs air et sans grace," (Mem.deBareilli, 
vol. iL p. 342, and 346.) 



^dbyGOOglC 



1741, THE WESTMIKSTEK ELECTION. 89 

" fowl and a liquid pudding. This was not the worst ; it 
" seemed at one moment as if tlie innkeeper's hatred of the 
" Minister would give him the privilege of sitting down 
" to table with ourselves. The least we could do was, to 
" drink from the same glass as he used, to his health and 
" the healths of all those at Northampton, that are enemies 
" of Sir Rohert Walpole (against whom I have not the 
*' slightest cause of quarrel) and friends of our innkeeper 
" (with whom, as you see, I have no great reason to be 
" pleased). Nay, more, we had patiently to listen to all 
" the arguments of this zealous member of the Opposition, 
" for it was not the innkeeper that paid court to My Lord, 
" but My Lord that paid court to the innkeeper. The 
" latter loudly complained that his party in Parliament 
" was far too moderate. ' How shameful T he cried in a 
" ' passionate tone. ' If I were a Peer like your Lordship, 
" ' 1 would insist that all Ministers should be expelled 
" ' from both Houses, and that the Militia should be dis- 
" ' banded, or else (here he added an oath) I would set 
" ' fire to the city of London from end to end!' With 
" these words he angrily wished us good night. After he 
" was gone, ' Sir,' said my Nohle E'riend, ' you must not 
" ' be surprised at all this. That man is of more im- 
" ' portance in the town tlian you caa possibly imagine; 
*' ' his understanding is so much respected by, his neigh- 
" ' hours that his TOte at an election tilways deddes theirs, 
" ' and our party are bound to show him all possible at- 
"_' tention,'" * Such details may appear beneath the 
dignity of History, yet, let us never contemn whatever 
can best illustrate the temper and manners of the time.f 
One of the first elections that ensued at the Dissolution 
was that of Westminster. The Court had then a para- 
mount influence in this borough ; and its candidates were 
Sir Charles Wager, First Lord of the Admiralty, and Lord 
Sundon, a Lord of the Treasury, and husband of the 
former favourite of Queen Caroline. No opposition was 

* Lettrta d'un Francais, to!, i. p. 257—259. ed. 1745. 

t This quostion-Ks to whM circumstances should ot shoiOd not be 
excluded fromhietoiy— isM^oed witli some striking examples in 
Smile, livre i. (toL i. p. 429. ed. 1821). Tlie anlhor is as usnol 
most able, and what we seldom find him, I thint, in the righL 



ibyGoogIc 



90 insTOiiT OF ENGLAND. ciiAr. xxin. 

at first expected; but Sir Charles haying been sumraoTied 
to convoy His Majesty to Holland, and Lord yundon being 
an arrogant upatart, with no merit but his marriage, a 
party in Westminster set up Admiral Vernon, then in the 
height of his popularity, and Mr. Edwin, a gentleman of 
considerable fortune. Still, however, there was a majority 
in favour of the Ministerial candidates ; but some tumult 
ensuing, Lord Sundon was weakly prevailed upon to 
osrder the poll-books to be closed, a party of the Guards 
to attend, and himself and Sir Charles Wager to be re- 
turned by the Higli Bailiff while soldiers surrounded the 
hustings. So exasperated were the multitude that the 
Guards were pelted, and Sundon himself narrowly escaped 
with his life. 

This appearance of military force roused a strong re- 
sentment through, the country, and is supposed to have 
turned several elections against the Ministerial candidates. 
Another powerful lover of the Opposition was a sub- 
scription, to which Pult^ney, tho Dowager Duchess of 
Marlborongh, and the Prince of Wales, were lavish con- 
tributors ; the Prince incurring considerable debts oft 
this occasion. In Cornwall, Iiord Falmoutli and Mr. 
Tliomaa Pitt succeeded in gaining over several of the 
smaller boroughs firom the GDvemment. In Dorsetshire, 
Weymouth and Melcombe followed the change of Eubb 
Dodington, who had gone into opposition with the Duke 
of Argyle, irritated, as it was said, by the refusal of a 
peerage. Lord Melcombe (such was tho title he coveted) 
would have continued a steady firiend, Mr. Eubb became 
an inexorable enemy ! Scotland was made the battle field 
of two brothers, the Earl of Isla and the Duke of Argyle ; 
the former as manager for Walpole, the latter as his prin- 
cipal opponent. In this conflict the Duke prevailed ; and 
the Scottish members who had hitherto formed a close 
phalanx in support of the Government, and had even, as 
we have seen *, received each ten guineas weekly during 
the Session, were now, for the most part, ranged on the 
contrary side. On the whole the Ministerial majority 
was so far reduced, that even its favourers could not boast 
of above sixteen ; " and I well know," writes Dodington, 



ibyGoogIc 



1741. ADVICE OP CEESXERFIELD. 91 

" that if we take proper measures, sixteea and nothing is 
" the same thing I " * 

To concert these "proper measures" betimes was there- 
fore 01 main object. Dodington, Lord Limericlr, and 
several otiiers, wiged Pulteiiey to hold a meeting of the 
principal leaders, and determine the future operations ; 
but Pulfeney, who, like many other men of quick genius, 
Was always vibrating in Ms politics between blood-heat 
and freezing-point, being then at the latter, appeared very 
indifferent. He said that he saw no use of a meeting nor 
of concert^ — that he would by no means undertake to 
write to or summon gentlemen, — that he thought a, fort- 
night before the Session would be time enough — that if 
popular and national points were gone upon, people must 
follow them without further preparation — that he would 
meet if he was sent to, but would rather his friends would 
let him know what was resolved upon, and he would take 
his post — that he was weary of being at the head of a 
party, and would rather row in the galleys, f On the 
other hand. Lord Chesterfield wrote from abroad to point 
out and direct how the Government conid be best as- 
sailed. " I am," says he, "for acting at the very begin- 
" niiig of the Session. . . . For example, the Court gene- 
" rally proposes some servile and shameless tool of theirs 
" to be Chairman of the Committee of PriTileges and 
" Elections. Why should not we, therefore, pick out 
" some Whig of a fair character, and with personal con- 
" nectiona, to set up in opposition ? I thinit we should be 
" pretty strong upon this point. But as for opposition to 
" their Speaker, if it be Onslow, we shall be but weak ; 
" he having, by a certain decency of behaviour, made 
" himself many personal friends in the minority. .... An 
" Address to the King, desiring him to make no peace 
" with Spain unless our undoubted right of navigation in 
" the West Indies without molestation or search be clearly 
" and in express words stipulated, and till we have ac- 
" quired some valuable possession there as a pledge of 
" the performance of such stipulation — such a question 
" would surely be a pepulax one, and distressful enough 



^dbyGOOglC 



" to the Miniafay." Clieafoi-lield adds, that the decisive 
battle must be in the House of Commons, since among the 
Peers the Ministers are too strong to be shaken, and " for 
" such a minority to stmgglo with such a majority ■would 
" be much like ihe lafe King of Sweden's attacking the 
" Ottoman army at Bender, at the head of his cook and 
" his butler 1 " * 

This letter was dated from Spa, Lord Chesterfield hav- 
ing gone thither on account of his health, and the same 
motive led him in the autumn to the south of France. At 
Avignon he was for a few days the guest of the Duke of 
Ormond ; and it is positively asserted by his political 
opponents, that the true object of his journey was to so- 
licit through the Duke an order from the Pretender to 
the Jacobites, that they should concur hereafter in any 
measures aimed against Sir Robert Walpole-t The 
Stuart Papers, which I consulted, have afforded me no 
light upon this question. It is certsun that Lord Chester- 
field's ilhiess was both real and severe, it being mentioned 
as such many years afterwards in his most unguarded 
correspondence, % Ent it is far from improbable that the 
imputed negotiation may also have been a secondary ob- 
ject of his journey. Thus much we know — that the 
meeting of the new Parliament found Chesterfield restored 
to vigour, and actiye at his post, and that in the preced- 
ing month letters from James had reached nearly an 
hundred of his principal adherents, urging them to ex- 
ertions against the Minister. § 

The other events between the election and the. meeting 
of the Parliament all tended alike to the unpopularity of 
Walpole and to the downfal of his Government. A gene- 
ral resentment followed the news of the failures at Car- 
thagena and Cuba, and they were readily ascribed to the 
Minister's partial choice of land officers, or insufiicient 

• Lord Chestorfield t« Mr. Dodiiipon, Septembers. 1741. 

t See HortLoe Walpole'e Memoirs, vol. i. p. 45. 

j " I am retr glnd you begin to feel the good effects of the climate 
"where you are; I know K aavcd my life in 1741, when totli the 
" Ekilful and the unskilful gaye ine oyer." To his son, December 9. 
176G. 

§ Mr. Etongh to Horaeo Walpole the elder. See Coxe's Walpole, 



idb,Googlc 



■1741, EVENTS IN THE MEMTEREANEAK. 93 



preparations. Our commerce was also sustaining heavy 
losses from the war with Spain ; and though Walpola 
had foretold these losses, and had often urged them as a, 
motive for presei-ving peace, they were now chained to 
his fault. William Murray, afterwards Lord Mansfield, 
writes at this period to the liOrd President in Scotland ; 
" The trade has suffered by captures 1» a degree that pro- 
duces daily bankruptcies ; and the merchants, enraged 
with the smart of their sufferings, impute most of 
the losses to neglect, in not stationing properly a few 
"small ships, which was often desired to be done."* 
Anothei- fierce outcry was raised when a Spanish arma- 
ment of 15,000 men sailed from Barcelona to attack tha 
Austrian dominions in Italy. Where, it was asked, is 
Admiral Haddock ? Has his squadron no better employ- 
ment at this critical juncture than quietly blockading the 
Spanish flota at Cadiz ? Yet, as Sir Eobert observed to 
one of his sons, if Haddock had on the contrary allowed 
the flota to sail for the West Indies, in order to prevent the 
embarkation for Italy, the Tories would have complained 
as loudly, and said that ho had favoured the Spanish 
trade, imder pretence of hindering an expedition that was 
never really designed, f 

It appeared, however, on more accurate intelligence, 
that Haddock had in U-iith made an attempt to intercept 
the Barcelona expedition, but that it had been joined by 
a French squadron of twelve ships from Toulon, and that 
the French Admiral had sent a flag of truce to the Eng- 
lish, aanouncing that he was engaged in the same expe- 
dition, and that if the Spaniards were attacked he had 
orders to defend them. Haddock, unable to cope with 
double his force, called a council of war, and in pursu- 
Hice of its advice retired to Fort Mahon, leaving the 
French and Spanish ships to proceed to their destina- 
tion. This conduct, though different from the first re- 
ports, was not less unsatisfactory to the British natiou.f 
But moat unwelcome of all was the news of the Han- 



* Letter, SoTember 18. 174J. Cullodcn Papers, p. 1 70. 
t H. Wnlpole to Sii'H.Mami, December 3. 1741. 
j Tindaa's Hist. voL Tlii, p. 667. Coxe'a House of Bourbon in 
Spain, ToLiii. p. 3S1. 



^dbyGOOglC 



94 maiOET or englakd. chap. xxnr. 

over neutrality. It seeined as if His Majesty wished to 
cast tlie whole hnjthen of the war on his kingdom, and 
to protect his Electorate without any exertion of its own. 
Walpole was much concerned at this measure, not only 
as foreseeing its effect upon the public mind, but as jea- 
lous of its having been transacted without his participa- 
tion and advice. He complained that Lord Harrington 
had not given timely notice to the Cabinet *, and it was 
only when lie found that the treaty was finally concluded, 
and could not be recalled, that he gave it a sullen and 
reluctant acquiescence. 

Such causes then combined to heighten more and more 
the exasperation that preyailed during the elections. 
Every day the ferment increased ; whether justly or un- 
justly founded was of little importance to its progress -f, 
and it rose at length to such a pitch that no hmnan 
power, I am persuaded, could have stayed or warded off 
its violence. Had not Walpole been overthrown by the 
House of Commons, he would have been overthrown in 
spite of and against the House of Commons ; had be 
clung to the steps of the throne for his protection, the 
throne itself would have been sbalcen, and perhaps sub- 
verted, rather than allow him to retain his hateful power. 
Amidst this rising storm of indignation, with col- 
leagues helpless or wavering — "Wilmington hoping to 
succeed him — Newcastle making secret overtures to 
-^gylo — and Hardwicke always siding with Newcastle 
— under such adverse circumstances did Sir Robert en- 
counter the meeting of the new Parliament. 

• According to Horace W^pole the eider, " Lord Harrington's 
" correspondence (from Hanover) ia governed bv aJl the art and skill 
" of an old courtier. He discovers Ms master's desires widiont os- 
" plaining them freely and in cMnfideace to others here, or giving his 
" own opinion opon tlieta ; he pretends to leave the decision of 
" questions proposed to others hwe, which questions he Mates in so 
" Etrong a manner as puts them under a dilemma of either disobhging 
" the King or givmg an opinion they think perhaps not tor the in- 
" terest of their country." To Mr. Trevor, August 23. 1741. Life 
of Lord Walpole of Wolterton. 

t An eminent modem repuhliean writes toanotlier: — "Ton know 
" of how little wmsequence it is to human action whether opinions be 
" or be not well founded." Gouverueur Morris to Jciferson, Paris, 
September 27. 1792. 



^dbyGOOglC 



THE NEW PAIiLIAMENT MEETS. 



CHAPTER XXrv. 

The King's Speech (for Ma Majesty had lately retunied 
trom Hanover) was delivered by himself on the 4th of 
iJecember. Notwithstanding the care and caution with 
which It had heen drawn, it did not fail to excite a vehe- 
ment discussion in both Houses. In the Upper, Choater- 
lield reviewed the whole foreign policy of Goyernment, 
glancing with sarcastic bitterness at the Hanover neu- 
toaiity*; and he was supported both by Carteret and 
ArgyJe, but the original Address was carried by 88 to 
43. Amongst the Commons, where tlie discussion did not 
take place till four days later, an amendment was pro- 
posed by Shippen, seconded by Lord Noel Somerset, that 
His Majesty might be entreated not to engage the king- 
dom in war for the security of his foreign dominions. 
Ihey wei-e eager for a division; Pdfenoy, on iho con- 
tory declared against it, observing with a witticism, 
that dividing was not the way to muUiply-t Sir Eobert, 
on his part, showed most unusual timidity and sense of 
weaJmess, and declared that he was willing, for the sake 
ot unanimity, to omit the whole paragraph relative to 
the war mth Spam. Little did this concession avail 
S^ ■ ■;; .' , '^. exclaimed Pulteney, " it is no wonder that 
__ the Eight Honourable Gentleman willingly consents 
to the omission of this clause, which could be inserted 
tor no other purpose than that he might sacrifice it to 
^ the resentment which it must naturally produce, and 
by an appearance of modesty and compliance pass easily 

" ^n ■if^li*^''^?!^^? msde a very fine Epeech agf^nst the Addrass, 
"all levelled aS fee Honse of Hanover." H. W^le to Six H. ManQ 
Iteoemb^ 10. 1741 This oollecdmi of letter. noV becomes cT^ 
nse to lusttny, and (thoAigli still with many drawbacks) is far more 
tra^worthy than Walpole's Eemii^scenoes or convfiEadons, fifty 

Wal^ ^^^' ^ *^^ ^^^' ■^ ^"^"e^- IJecemher 10. 1741. Cose's 



^dbyGOOglC 



96 HISTOEY OF 

" tlirougli tlie first day, and obviate any severe inquiries 
" that might be designed." He then proceeded, in an 
able philippic, to urge afresh all the grounds of charge 
that could be gathered against the Government; and 
even went so far as to assert that Walpole was influenced 
by the enemies of the Protestant Estahhshment. The 
reply of Sir Robert, says his son, was delivered " with 
" as much health, as much spirits, as much force and 
" command aa ever;"* he repeated some words used by 
Chesterfield in the other House, that this was a " time 
" for truth, for plain truth, for English truth ;" and re- 
torted the charge of enmity to the Protestant Establish- 
ment by some hints of the secret mission to the South of 
France. He said he had been long taxed with all our 
misfortunes ; hut did he raise the war in Germany, or 
advise the war with Spain ? Did he kill the late Em- 
peror or King of Prussia ? Did he counsel the present 
King of Prussia, or was he First Minister to the King of 
Poland ? Did he kindle the war between Muscovy and 
Sweden? For our troubles at home, he declared dl the 
grievances of the nation were owing to the Patriots. He 
added, that far from wishing to evade a more strict and 
less general inquiry, if the gentleman who had thus pub- 
licly and confidently arraigned his conduct would name 
a day for inquiring into the state of the nation, he would 
second the motion. This challenge was accepted ; Pul- 
teney named the 2l3t of January next, and was seconded 
by Walpole, while the Address omitting the clause on 
the Spanish war, was passed imanimously. 

In the tactics of the Opposition at this period it seems 
that Chesterfield's advice from Spa had been adopted. 
They allowed Onslow to be placed in the Chair ^yithout 
resistance ; but when it came to the election of Chairmaa 
of Committees, they brought forward Dr. Lee, a gentle- 
man much respected by all parties. The Ministerial can- 
didate for that office was Giles Earle, a former dependent 
of the Duke of Argyle, who had forsaken his patron, and 
made many other enemies by his caustic vi'it. On the 

• H. Walpole to Sir H. Mann, DeoemTiei- 10. 1741. It appears. 
&om thence that the nscount of Coxe ia in Eayetal respects 
(Memoirs, p. 69 a) 



^dbyGOOglC 



1742. ELECTION PETITIONS. 97 

16th of December, after great preparations on liotli sides, 
the Opposition prevaileil by four votes, the numbers 
being 242 and 238. " Yo« have no idea of their huzza," 
writes Horace Walpole the younger, " unless you can 
" conceive how people must triumph after defeats of 

" twenty years together I'hey say Sir Eobert mis- 

" calculated: how should he calculate, when there are 
" men like Charles Boss, and fifly others he could name ? " * 
. — this Mr, Eoss, and some others, having unexpectedly 
voted against him, in spite of considerable former obliga- 
tions. But even admitting that Walpole may have been 
thus deceived, he may yet be justly blamed for his im- 
prudence and want of foresight in urging a, most unwel- 
come candidate at a most critical junctui'e. Where any 
principle was involved, it was his duty at all hazards to 
stand firm ; where only personal considerations were at 
stake, it would have been policy to yield. 

On another question — a motion for papers on the Ger- 
man negotiations, Walpole was less unsuccessful, carry- 
ing that point against Pulteney by a majority of ten. 
But the ground for fi'Cquent and almost nightly battles 
was afforded by the Election petitions. At that period 
tlie merits of each petition, instead of being referred to a 
Select Committee, and guarded by the imposition of an 
oath, were tried in the House by the votes of all the mem- 
bers present, and were almost always decided by con- 
siderations of party, instead of justice. Before the open- 
ing of the Session the Minister had been heard to de- 
clare that there must be no quarter given in Election 
petitions f ; and to one of his friends, who felt some scruple 
as to the Heydon case, he dryly said, " You must take 
" Walpole or Pulteney." f On ike very day after discussing 
the King's Speech, he prevailed in the Bossiney petition 
hj only seven votes. His son exclaims, " One or two 
" such victories, as Pyrrhus the Member for Macedon said, 
" will be tie ruin of us ! " But even this narrow majority 
forsook Walpole on the great Westminster petition which 
followed. The evidence given at the Bar clearly proved 

• To Sir H. Mann, December 16. 1741. 
\ Coso'a Walpole, vol. i. p. 691. 
t H". Walpole to Sir H, Mann, Deeemlier 3. 1741. 
VOL. III. H 



^dbyGOOglC 



gg HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP. XSTV. 

the interference of the soldiery, and waa enforced by the 
petitioner's Counael, William Murray, witk a brilliant elo- 
quence then for the first time manifested, and winning 
the applause even of his poHtical opponents. * On a divi- 
Kon, this election was declared void by a majority of four, 
and a further vote for censuring the Higli Bailiff passed 
bv a m^ority of two. One of this anti-Ministcnal pha- 
lanx was Lord Doneraile, an Irish Peer brougM into 
Parliament by the Court, who had a petition pending 
asainst his own return, and who had engaged to the op- 
posite party that if they would withdraw their petition 
he would vote with them in the Westminster proceedings. 
So severely did bis friends reproach him for his baseness, 
that he went to Pulteney to recaU his offer ; but Pulteney 
told him that his word of honour had passed, and that he 
would not release him. It was the vote of this con- 
scientious nobleman that turned the scale m the High 
Bailiff's censure; — such were then the dirty underplots 
of public life! The Justices who had sent for the sol- 
diers had a day appointed for being reprimanded on their 
knees by the Spesier. 

The triumph of the Opposition on the Westminster 
petition was not confined to the House ; a new election 
ensumg, no Court candidates ventured to appear at the 
hustings, and two " patriots," Lord Perceval and Mr. 
Edwin, were chosen by acclamation. 

The Houses having adjourned for the Christmas holi- 
days, and an interval for leisure being thus afforded, 
many personal friends of Sir Robert earnestly pressed him 
to resign. They represented to him that his health was 
broken ; that the serenity of temper and indifference to 
invectives for which he had ever been distinguished, 
■were now much impaired ; that he had become irritable 
and fretful in debate, to his own pain, and to the les- 
sening of his dignity and reputation; and that hia age 
seemed to allow, nay to call for, a well-earned repose; 
that the torrent against him was too powerful to stem; 
that he could no longer either prevent or pumsh the 
treachery of his colleagues ; that it was better to lay 

* " MmiaT spoie SiVmdr ; bejond what was ever heard at the 
" Bar." E. WslpoJe to Sir H. Maun, Deoeuiher 24. 1741. 



^dbyGOOglC 



1.74S. 



OFFEK TO THE rJilNCE < 



down Mie seals of office Han Snd them wrested from his 
land,! that hu enemies, who might now he satisled 
with his resignation, a few weeks later would call for Ms 
Hood. But though health, sticngth, popularity, friends, 
success, liadforsalion Sir Hobert Wnlpole, ambition had 
not. btin did he cling to that darHng power, his own for 
twen^ years, which because he would never share he could 
not slwajs retain. Still did he plan new eipedient. of 
Court craft or Ministerial patronage. Eetaining his in- 
fluence with the King, he preTailed upon His Majesty, 
though not without the greatest difUcully, that an offm 

S™, '^° '° *'• ™°" °' *»'<» »' ■" ■ddition of 
50,0001 to his yearly income, and of the future payment 
ot his debts, provided his Eoyal Highness would desist 
Iroui opposition to the measures of the Government. 
Xhis message was conveyed through Seeker, Bishop of 
c / ■ J v." """S" '""' ""' ""S Minister could so 
tar delude himself ss to expect any favourahle result 
trom such an overture at such a moment, or imagine that 
his weakness would pass for moderation. The answer of 
the rrince, after many expressions of respect and duty to 
the King, declared that he would never hearken to any 
proposals so long as Walpole continued in power.* 

Ihe period of the adjournment was as actively and 
more successfully employed by Walpole's enemies, in 
gaming oyer his adherents, extending their solicitations 
even mto his Cabinet. AletterwasaddressodbyDoding- 
ton to Lord WOmington, urging him to use bis induen™ 
with the Eing for the dismissal of Sir Eobertt New- 
castles brain was, as usual, teeming with perfidious ma- 
ehinations. Hervey, the Lord Privy Seal, pretending 
innes., kept aloof from his chief i aeeotding to Hor.M 
Walpole, ''he lives shut up with my Lord Chesterfleld 
_ and Mr. Pulteney— a triumvirate who hate one another 

more than any body they could proscribe, had they the 
" power. J ^ , 

Lt was amidst this turmoil of conflicting intrigues that 

• Edward Walpole (second son of Sir Eolisrt) to the Bute of 

+ See ttis letter in Coxe'e Walpole, vol. iiL p. 588. 
i To Sir H.Mann, Janueiy 7. 1742. 



:. Google 



Parliament met again on tlie 18th of January. Hext day 
the Opposition, without a division , carried Hume Camp- 
bell, brother of Lord Marchmont^ as member for Berwick- 
shire.* On the 21st ensued the long-expected motion of 
Pulteney, for referring to a Secret Committee the papers 
■which had been laid before the House relating to the 
war. Pulteney himself made two speeches, elaborate, 
powerful, and bitter; and on the same side Pitt spoke 
with equal ability and acrimony. Among the defenders 
of the Minister, Sir William Yonge, Winnington, and 
Pelham were much and deservedly admired. In his 
opening speech, Pulteney protested that the motion was 
not pointed against any particular person, but merely 
intended to assist His Majesty with advice, ajid on this 
footing the debate was fought, till Lord Perceval, the 
new Member for Westminster, blundered out the real 
truth, declaring that he should vote for the motion as a. 
Committee of Accusation. Sir Robert, perceiTing his ad- 
vantage, immediately rose, and observed that he must 
now lake the question to himself. He inveighed against 
the malice of the Opposition, who for twenty years had 
not been able to touch him, and were now reduced to a 
disgraceful subterfuge ; he defied them to the chai-ge, and 
desired no favour but to be made acquainted with the 
articles of accusation. He alluded to Dodington, who had 
called his administration infamous, as a person of great 
self-mortification, who for sixteen years had conde- 
scended to bear part of the infamy. As to Pulteney, 
we are told that " Sir Eobert actually dissected him, and 
« Iwd his heart open to the view of the House." t In 
short, his harangue, of which no further record now re- 
mains, was even by his enemies acknowledged as a mas- 
terpiece of eloquence, and surprised even some of his 
friends hy unwonted readiness in all the foreign affairs-t 

-' • « Saniiya, who loves persecntion even unto the deMi, moved to 
" pnnish the Sheriff (of Bevwict), and as we dared not divide, they 
" ordered him into cnstodj, where bj this time I auppoae Sandys has 
" eaten him." H. Walpole to Sir H. Mann, Jannaiy 22. 1742. 

+ Sir Eobert Wilmoc to the Bnke ef Devonehire, Jsnunry 23. 1742. 

i When the debate was -jver, Pulteney, who as nsnal sat near 
Walpole on the Treasury Bencb, said to '■■■""">' ^^ 
BO fine a drf- — '"" "'" ""^ "^'''^ 



^dbyGOOglC 



1742. CniTPENHA-M ELECTION PETITION. 101 

For tlie division there had heen on hoth sides most 
strenuous efforts, or, as at present we should term it, 
" whipping in ;" there were brought down the halt, the 
Jame, the blind, — " the lame on our side and the blind 
" on yours," said General Churchill. But tliree of the 
Ministerial sick, who had been kept wiwting in an adjoin- 
ing apartment which belonged to Sir Robert's eldest son. 
Lord Walpole, as Auditor of the Exchequer, found when 
they hastened to the House on the question being put, 
that the Opposition had been beforehand with them, and 
that the lock of the door was filled with sand and dirt 
BO that it could not be opened. Among the patriots. Sir 
William Gordon, most dangerously ill, was dragged from 
his bed and carried to the House, seeming rather like 
a corpse, wrapped in its cerements, than like a living 
man. His son, a Captain ia the Navy, had lately been 
lost at sea, and the news had been concealed from Sir 
William, that he might not absent himself. But when 
he appeared in the House, a Ministerial member, his 
friend (there is never any lack of such friends), went 
up and informed him of his unknown disaster. The old 
man bore it with great magnanimity, saying that he 
knew why he was told of it at that moment, but that 
when he thought his country in danger he would not 
quit his post. 

By such exertions the House was fuller than had been 
known for many years : including the Speaker and Tellers, 
there were 508 members present, and Pulteney's motion 
was rejected by a majority of only three ; a result, though 
not of victory, yet of joy and triumph to the Opposition. 

The next, and, as it proved, the decisive struggle, was 
upon the Chippenham election petition. A point aiising 
from it being mooted on the 28th of January, it appeared 
that the Opposition had so far gained in numbers since 
the last division as to prevail against the Minister by a 

" you cnu I " " Yes," replied Sir Eobei% " Yonga did better." 
Pnltaney rejoined, " It was fine, but not of that we^M with which 
" you apoke." (H. Walpole to Sh H. Mann, Jnnnaiy 22. 1742.) It 
is from this letter and 4ir Kobert Wilmot's Ihat we must glean tha 
only IiintB remaining of Walpole's speech ; the meagre repoita of the 
time judieiouBly oaai it altogellier, thrmgh giving Lord Perceval's 
pompous oration at full langto. (Part Hist. yol.3ai.p.370.) 



^dbyGOOglC 



102 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP. XXIV, 

majority of one. Walpole, with, an undaunted spirit, was 
still for maintMning ofB.co in the very face of a hostile 
House of Commons ; hut his hrother, his three sons, and 
aU his trustiest friends, now comhined in most earnestly 
urging him to resign. Still they would prohably not 
have prevailed had not the same cry resouaded from his 
own official colleagues. It is stated by himself, in a 
letter to the Duko of Devonshire, then Lord Lieutenant 
of Ii'eland, " I must inform you tliat the panic waa so 
"great among— what shall I call them? — my own 
" friends, that ihey all declared that my retiring was 
" become absolutely necessary, as the only means to 
" carry on the public business."* In truth, it does not 
appear that any one person of weight gave him the 
sUghtest encouragement to continue at the helm, unless 
it were the King, reluctant to lose a faithful and ex- 
perienced servant^ and the Archbishop of Canterbury, 
who went to see him at this period, and said as he took 
his leave, " Sir, I have been lately reading Thuanus : he 
" mentions a Minister who, having long been persecuted 
"by his enemies, at length vanquished them. The 
" reason he gives, quia se hon DBSBEDiT."-f 

Moved, though with extreme reluctance, by the all but 
unanimous opinion of his friends, and yielding to mutiny 
and panic in his own eainp rather than to the force of 
the hostile phalanx, Sir Robert, on the night of Sunday 
the 31st of January, formed the final resolution to resign. 
When next morning at a private audience he stated the 
necessity of the case to the King, he must have been 
gratified and yet moved at His Majesty's regret. As he 
knelt to kiss hands, the King fell on his neck, wepf, and 
kissed him, and requested to see him frequently. On the 
following day, when the final decision on the Chippenham 
election was impending, Walpole thought it his duty to 
send a private intimation to the Prince of Wales of his 
intended retirement. The circulation and effect of such 
a rumour were very perceptible in the division that 
evening ; the mtyority against the Minister being swelled 
from one to sixteen. Expecting this event, Walpole bore 



^dbyGOOglC 



1742. TVALrOLE KESIGKS. 103 

it Witt fortitude and cheerfulncBs. Aa the Tellers bcgaa 
tteir office, he beckoned to Mr. Baynton Kolt, the member 
whose return was questioned by a Ministerial petition, to 
sit near him, aod entered freely into conversation, ani- 
madverting on the ingratitude of several pei-sona whom 
he had greatly ohliged, and who were now voting against 
him, and declaring that be should never sit again in that 
House. 
Nest morning, the 3d of February, the Lord Chancellor 
eyed the King's desire that the Houses should adjourn 
I fortnight Some days later. Sir Robert Walpole 
ned all his pla<«s, and was created Earl of Orfoi^. 
Thns, then, ended Sir Robert Walpole'a long and re- 
nowned administration. Having traced it from its com- 
mencement to its close, I have already, as occasion offer- 
ed, pointed out what seemed to me its mei-its, or what I 
thought its errors ; and I need not here enter into a fall 
recapitulation of either. If we eompai'e him to his next 
§ueces3ors, their unsteadiness and perplexity, the want of 
principle in some, and the inferiority of talent in others, 
will be found to throw by contrast a reflected light on 
his twenty years of government. If we draw a parallel 
between him and the preceding Prime Minister, Lord 
Stanhope, we shall probably pronounce Walpole the su- 
perior in knowledge of finance, in oratorical abilities, in 
management of the House of Commons. On the other 
hand, it may be thought that Stanhope's was the higher 
skill in all foreign a^irs. Another marked distinction 
between them appears in the readiness of Stanhope to 
introduce measures, as he thought, of practical improve- 
ment ; while Walpole, on the contrary, strove to leave, 
as nearly as possible, all things as he found them. When 
Stanhope died, at the age of only forty-seven, he had in 
preparation five great measures. The first, for the relief 
of the Eonian Catholics, by the mitigation of the Penal 
Laws affecting their persons or property. The second, 
for the relief of the Protestant Dissenters, by the abroga- 
tion of the Test Act. The third, for the security of 
officers in the army, and the lessening of their dependence 
on the Government, by taking from the Crown tlie power 
of dismissal, except under the sentence of a Court Mar- 



^dbyGOOglC 



104 HISTORY OF EKGLAND. CHAP. SSIV, 

tial.* The fourth, for the limitation of the prerogative 
in the future creations of Peers. The fifth, not legisla- 
tive, but ftdminiatrative, for extending the popularity of 
the reigning family, widening the basis of the Govern- 
ment, and gradually gaining over the party in Opposition 
by employing several of its more moderate members. 
Every one of these measures was dropped by Walpole on 
succeeding to power. It may be maintained in bis justi- 
fication, that all these measures were miacbieyous ; one 
of them, at least, the Peerage Bill, undoubtedly was so. 
But it will be found, that the same indifference or aver- 
sion of Walpole to any change, extended even to cases 
where the change was cei-tainly and clearly beneficial. 
Thus, for example, in December 1718, Stanhope had 
moved for and appointed a Lords' Committee on the state 
of the Public Records; and its report, made after some 
months' inquiry, details the want of arrangement, classi- 
fication, nay even of proper house-room, for the various 
national documents, and recommends that some of them, 
at least, may be digested into order — that such of the 
loose papers as appear to he of value, may be bound up 
for their better preservation — that catalogues and in- 
dexes of them may be prepared without delay — that 
better apartments may be provided for their custody.^ 
Here, then, what defence can be framed for Walpole in 
discarding these recommendations? Was not the evil 
real and undoubted, the remedy plain and easy, and have 
we not even in the present times seen reason for lamenting 
its neglect? And are we not justified in saying, from 
this amd other such examples, that Walpole's dislike to 
innovation prevailed, even where the innovation was 
most evidently an improvement ? 

The character of Walpole might also, as I conceive, be 
unfavourably contrasted with Stanhope's, in point of dis- 
interestedness and political purity. I am very far — this 
must have been perceived in many former passages — 
from adopting the party suspicions and rancorous charges 

• See on this sabjoct in tlie Pnvliamevitary History the speeches of 
Pulteney, Bebrnarj !3. 1734, and of Lord Chestti'field the same day 
in tie other House. 

■f Hub Eeport is printed in the Loi-ds' Joui'nols, April 16. 1719. 



^dbyGOOglC 



1742. REVIEW or walpole's administeation. 105 

of corruption to which in his life-time Sir Eobert stood 
exposed. I believe, on the contrary, that of such charges 
gi-eat part waa falsehood, great part exaggeration. But 
still, looking only to proved and certain facts, and to t^e 
statements of his own partisans and panegyrists, we shall 
even on such testimony find cause to think that Walpole 
sometimes swerved from the Straight path, and altogether 
lowered the tone of public morals. Thus, for instance, 
both he and Stanhope were in office together when the 
South Sea speculations reached their height. Stanhope 
thought it his duty to refrain altogether from any such 
source of profit, Walpole, on the contraiy, plunged 
eagerly into the whirl, turned his own sagacity to good 
account, sold his shares of 1001. for 1000/., allowed his 
wife to gamble for herself, and gained a considerable for- 
tune. The same absence — I do not mean of integrity, 
but of any nice scruples, prevailed, I fear, during his 
subsequent administration. If it be needful any further 
to exemplify my assertion, I will take the very words 
of his own affectionate and admiring son. In a letter, 
several years afterwards, Horace Walpole is inveighing 
against Keene, Bishop of Chester: "My father," ho 
adds, " gave him a living of 700/. a year to marry one 
" of his natural daughters ; he took the living, and my 
" father dying soon after, he dispensed wth himself from 
" taking the wife, but was so generous as to give her 
" very near one year's income of the living."" I do not 
now inquire whether this accusation of Keene may not 
be unduly and untruly heightened. But 1 ask, could 
there be any stronger proof of a low tone of public morals 
than that Sir Eobert should empby Crown livings as 
portions for his illegitimate daughters, and that his son 
should tell the story as bearing hard upon the Bishop 
but without the slightest idea that it was also most dis- 
creditable to the Minister ? 

It is possible indeed that a feeling of partiality may 
bhnd me, but I will own that I cannot discern in any 
part of Walpole's career a parallel to the disinterested- 
ness of Stanhope in Spain, when offered by the Archduke 
an estate and title for his services, but refusing them, 

* To Sir H. Mmin, Deceiaber 11. 1752. 



ib,Googlc 



106 HISTOET OF EKGLAND. CHAP. XSIV. 

and adding that if any gratitude to Lim were felt, ha 
hoped it migM he shown in a readiness to conclude the 
Treaty of Commerce, which he was then negotiatiag.* 
How far less lofty was the course of Walpole on his re- 
signation I Instead of withdrawing with a nohle pride, 
asking nothing and accepting nothing, as one conscioiB 
of great services and resentful of popular ingratitude, he 
obtained the title of Earl of Orford, a further pension of 
4,000;. a year t, and a. patent of rank for his daughter by 
the mistress whom he had afterwards married. Was it 
wise for his own reputation to grasp immediate rewards 
for his services, and leave posterity no part of the deht 
to pay? Was it just to solicit such signal marks of 
Eoyal favour at the very moment when ovenvhelmed by 
national resentment, and thus to involve the Crown in 
his own unpopularity? So fierce was the outcry against 
these favours to the fallea Minister $, that Sir Robert 
was induced to relinquish the pension, which however he 
again sued for and received two years afterwards. He 
would, also, probably have cancelled Lady Mary's patent 
had it not been too late. A letter at this period, from 
one of his friends, strongly manifests the imprudence of 
these grants, but at the same time displays his high and 
unconquerable courage in adversity. Lord Morton writes 
to Duncan Forbes, President of the Scottish Court of 
Session : " I cannot finish without a word about our 
" honest friend Sir Robert Walpole, for whom, I own, I 
" am ia some fear. He this day went to Richmond, 
" never again to retm-n to Court. The letter of rank for 

• Wwof the Sncceswon.p. 177. 

t The dneenres and places for life held by Walpole's three sons at 
this very dme ace ennmerated by Coxb (MeraoirE, p. 370.), aud tJieir 
yearly income araonnta to 14,900i, besides the Eangeiship of Eich- 
mond Park, which was held by Sir Eobcrt and one of his sons jointly, 
with benefit of aurvivorship, and which produced seTCral tiousimda 

J It had for many years been an Opposition taunt, that Sic Bobert 
held in reserve a palsnt for some high title, to be token oat whenever 
ho retked. Swili wrkes in 17SI :— 

" E'ea qmt the House, for Ihou too long hsst sat in'E, 
" Produce at W tiiy dormaut Ducal piUent," 
See Swift's Works, toL x. p. 530. Scott's ed. 



ibyGoogIc 



1742. THE king's message to polteney. 10? 

' his daughter has raised such a torrent of wrath against 
him, that God knows where it may end. They now 
talk of a strict Pajrlianjentary inquiry ; your Lordsliip 
knows how little any man can stand such an ordeal 
after twenty years' administration. The last time I 
saw him, which \yas on Sunday evening, I told him of 
the clamour that was raised upon the subject of his 
daughter, hnt the thing was then passed the oflices, 
and could not be recalled, though ahe had not been 
presented, else I believe he would have stopped it. I 
would fain hope, after he is fairly away, that the fury 
may subside j at present it is very violent. L^t week 
there passed a scene between him and me, by oui'selves, 
which affected me more than any thing I ever met with 
in my life, but it is too long to trouble your Lordship 
with. He has been sore hurt by flatterers, but has a 
great and undaunted spirit, and a tranquilKty some- 
thing more than human."* 

Before his departure for Eichmond, Walpole had a 
considerable share in the choice of his successor. He 
was desirous to sow dissension in the ranks of his oppo- 
nents, to continue the administration on the Whig basis, 
and, in case Pulteney should decline to be First Lord of 
the Treasury, to appoint Lord Wilmington. Such were 
his objects; his means were influence over his Royal 
master. In the same audience of the 1st of February, 
when he announced his own retirement^ he prevailed over 
the King's aversion to Pulteney, and induced His Ma- 
jesty to send him an immediate message, offering him 
foil power, provided only he would screen Sir Robert 
from prosecution. This condition, suggested by Wal-* 
pole at that crisis, is surely no proof of a generous and 
lofty mind. Am I wrong in believing that at such a 
juncture Clarendon or Chatham would have thought only 
of their country's, or, at the worst, of their party's beneflt; 
and disdtuned to seek any safeguard for themselves, ex- 
cept from their own virtue and renown? 

The communication to Pulteney was intrusted to the 
Duke of Newcastle, who accepted it with peculiar plea^ 
sure. He had already some days before, though, as it 

• LetterofFebmarjll. 1742. Cullodeu Fapets, p. 1?5. 



^dbyGOOglC 



108 niSTOEY OF ESGLAND. CHAP. XXIV. 

Bcems, only on his own account, privately sent to Pul- 
teney, requesting to Iiave a secret meeting with him at 
the house of the Duke's Secretary, Mr. Stone, Pulteney 
had answered, that at the present juncture he could not 
comply with the request for a secret meeting, lest he 
should give umbrage to his friends, but had no objection 
to receive His Grace publicly at his own house. Tliis 
not suiting Newcastle's underhand designs, the commu- 
nication dropped. But the Duke, having now the Royal 
authority, no longer affected mystery, and wrote to Pul- 
teaey, stating that he and the Lord Chancellor had a 
message to him from the King, and were therefore about 
to wait upon him. 

A meeting accordingly ensued that same morning be- 
tween Newcastle and Hardwicke on one side, and on the 
otiier Puiteney, attended by Carteret as his confidential 
friend. The Duke opened the conference by saying that 
the King, convinced that Sir Robert Walpole was no 
longer supported by a majority in the House of Com- 
mons, had commanded them to offer the places held by 
that Minister to Mr. Pulteney, with the power of form- 
ing his own administration, on the sole condition that 
Sir Robert Walpole should not be prosecuted. To this 
Pulteney replied that if that condition were to be made 
the foundation of a treaty, he never would comply with 
it ; " and even," said he, " should my inclination indnce 
" me to accept it, yet it might not be in my power to 
" fulfil my engagement, for the heads of parties are like 
" the heads of snakes, carried on by their tails. For my 
" part I will be no screen ; but if the King should be 
" pleased to express a desire to open any treaty or to bold 
" any conversation with me, I will pay my duty at St. 
" James's, though I have not been at Court for many years ; 
" bot I vpill not go privately, but publicly and at noonday, 
" in order to prevent all jealousy and suspicion."* 

This result being communicated to the King, His Ma- 

* Life of Bishop Nenion. At tlie dose of this interview some 
refreshments being hrought in, Newcastle drank, " Here is to oar 
" happiei' meeting. — Pulteney replied by Shakspeare's lines ; 



ib,Googlc 



-1742- SECOND MESSAGE. i'Ji> 

jeaty, without delay, and following the advice of Wal- 
pole, sent Pulleney another private message (it does not 
appear through whose hands), to reijuest that if Pulteney 
did not choose to place himself at the head of the Trea- 
sury, he would let Lord Wilmington slide into it. Pul- 
teney acquiesced in this alternative. His friend Carteret, 
who coveted that ofSee, expressed some dissatiafaetion ; 
but Pulteney declared that if the other would not consent 
to Wilmington's appointment he would break his own 
resolution, and take the place himself. " Tou," he added, 
" must be Secretary of State, as the fittest person to di- 
" rect foreign affairs." Thus then Sir Eobert Walpole, 
■writing to the Duke of Devonshire on the Snd of Fe- 
bruary, the day of the final division on the Chippenham 
case, was already enabled to announce Lord Wilmington 
as his successor at the Treasury.* 

A few days afterwards the King despatched another 
embassy to Pulteney, consisting, as before, of the Chan- 
ceUor and Duke of Newcastle; but they do not seem to 
have been made acquainted with the intermediate mes- 
sage. H^ewcastle declared that he was now commissioned 
b/the King to repeat the former offers, without urging 
the condition of not prosecuting the fallen Minister; and 
His Majesty only requested, that if any prosecution was 
commenced against Sir Robert Walpole, Mr. Pulteney, if 
he did not choose to oppose it, would at least do nothing 
to inflame it. Pulteney answered, that he was not a man 
of blood, and that in all his expressions of pursuing the 
Minister to destruction, he had meant only the destruc- 
tion of his power, but not of his person. He could not 
undertake to say what was proper to be done ; he must 
take the advice of his friends ; though he was i'ree to 
own, that, according to his opinion, some Parliamentary 

* The details of these negotiations with Pulteney were commu- 
nicated by himself to Bishops Newton and Douglas. (See CoKes 
Walpole, Toli. Pnif. p. xsx. and p. 702.) Neither the Bishops nor 
the Archdeacon alMmpt to fe the dale, but it may be ascertained 
by obsernng that "Walpole did not decide on resigning tdl the mgM 
of January 31. ; that it was only on the following morning that ha 
overcame the King's repugnance to apply to Piiltenej ; and Ih"' on 

tlio day after, Pebiaary 2., he could already or "" "'■' "' 

Ms snoeessor. 



^dbyGOOglC 



censure, at least, ougtt to be inflicted for so many years 
of mal-administration, Newcastle then observed, " The 
" King ti-usts you will not distress the Goverciaent by 
*-' making too many changes in the midst of a Session." 
The reply of Pulteney was, that he did not insist on a 
total change, and had no objection to the Lord Chan- 
cellor or the Duke of Newcastle, but that he demanded 
an alteration of measures as well as men. He required 
that some obnoxious persons should be dismissed, and 
the main forts of Government delivered into the hands 
of his party ; namely, a majority in the Cabinet, the no- 
mination of the Boards of Treasury and Admiralty, and, 
of an office to be again restored, a Secretary of State for 
Scotland. These points being agreed to, though not 
without some demur, Newcastle said ho supposed that 
Mr. Pnlteney would place himself at the head of the 
Treasury, which, he added, was the earnest and repeated 
desire of the King, " As the disposition of places is in 
" my hands," said Pulteney, " I will accept none myself: 
" I have so repeatedly declared my resolution on that 
" point, that I will not now contradict myself." He then 
named the Earl of Wilmington First Lord of the Trea- 
sury, and Samuel Sandys Chancellor of the Exchequer, 
Carteret Secretary of State, and the Marquis of Tweed- 
dale the new Secretary for Scotland ; while for himself 
he required a Peerage and a seat in the Cabinet. 

Concurrently with this negotiation, overtures were 
made from the Court to the Prince of Wales. His Eoyal 
Highness was gratified by an addition of 30,0001. to his 
yearly income, and by the promise that two of his ad- 
herents. Lord Baltimore and Lord Archibald Hamilton, 
should be included in the new Board of Admiralty. On 
the 6th he granted a private audience to Sir Eobert 
Walpole, and assured him of his protection in case of 
attack — a promise from which he Afterwards receded. 

Meanwhile the rumours of the late negotiations, and 
of the intended appointments, raised a great ferment ia 
the ranks of Opposition. The Tories, though forming 
the larger share of the anti-ministerial phalanx, found 
themselves as yet utterly excluded. Among the "pa- 
" triots " many wished to be employed, and all to be con- 
Bultftd. Nay, more, as always happens in such cases, 



_7 00J^le 



1742. MEETING AT TUB rorNTAIN T4VEEN. Ill 

several persons, exasperated at tlie want of concert, 
murmured against the very course which themselves 
would have advised, had they been applied to. Under 
these circumstances, the chiefs of Opposition, not in the 
new arrangement, summoned a meeting of the whole 
party, to he held on the nth of Febniary (the very day 
of Sir Eobert's official resignation), at the Fountain 
Tavern in the Strand. This meeting was attended by 
nearly three hundred, both Peers and Commoners, Car- 
teret refused to go, only saying that he never dined at a 
tavern*; but there appeared Pulteaey and the new- 
Chancellor of the Exchequer, A general suspicion was 
expressed by the persona present that the change would 
not be complete, and that the old system was still to be 
continued. Lord Talbot^ son of the late Chancellor, and 
a man of considerable talents, filling a glass of wine, 
drank to cleansing the Augean stable of the dung and 
grooms.| But the principal opponent of Pulteney at thia 
meeting was the Duke of Argyle, who now, by a change 
that would have been surprising in any other person, 
stood forth as the leader more especially of the Jacobites 
in Parliament. He made a long and solemn speech. 
After observing, in sai-castic allusion to Ptdteney, that a 
grain of honesty was worth a cart-load of gold, he pro- 
ceeded — "Have we not too much reason to fear that 
" good use will not be made of the present happy op- 
" portunity, and that a few men, without any commu- 
" nication of their proceedings to this assembly, have 
" arrogated to themselves the exclusive right of nomi- 
" nation ? They have now been eight days engaged in 
" this business, and if we are to judge from the few 
" offices they have already bestowed, may justly be ac- 
" cused of not acting with that vigour which the whole 
" people have a right to expect. The choice of those 
" already preferred having fallen upon the Whigs, is an 
" iU omen to the Tories. If these are not to be provided 
" for, the happy effects of the coalifioa will be destroyed, 
" and the odious distinction of party be revived. It is 
" ■"•—^--3 highly necessary to continue closely united, 



ibyGoogIc 



112 

" and to persevere with the same vehemence aa ever, till 
" the Tories obtain justice, and the administration is 
" founded upoa the hroad bottom* of both parties." 

Pulfeney, whose strength lay in eloquence, and who 
always spoke far more ably than he acted, repUed with 
gi'eat spirit and effect. He complained that he and his 
collei^ues should be thus held forth and publicly ar- 
raigned with things of which no man durst venture to 
accuse them in private. " Wo deserve," added he, 
" very different usage for the integrity with which we 
" have hitherto proceeded, and with which we are deter- 
" mined to proceed. Overtures having been made to us, 
" it was our duty (as it would have been the duty of 
" every man to whom such overtures had been made,) to 
" employ all our abilities and endeavours to form a happy 
" settlement. So much for the imputation that we have 
" taken the management of the negotiation into our 
" hands I " He proceeded to argue, that as to the refer- 
ring of the settlement to the whole party, it was an idea 
fit only for the "superficial vulgar," — that there was 
neither justice nor prudence in attempting to dictate to 
the King — that it woold have been more to the credit 
of the party if their patience had extended a little longer 
than the few days which had elapsed; that as to the ap- 
pointment of Tories, it must be a work of some time " to 
•' remove suspicions inculcated long, and long credited, 
" with regard to a denomination oi' men, who have for- 
» m ly b n th ht t h fly tt h d t th 'g 
family St 11, h id 1 m t ff dly 

te t t th T 1 1 al dy b th 

IfemL dth wUbmy btt 

mu.tlpdp thpdt dtfthT 
th m 1 t 

blj 1 1 "I -i jgtlKgldd 
him the honoui to offer him a place, aud v, by should he 

* This was Hie iavoiuite pliriise of the day. H. WoJjJole writes to 
Sir H. Mann, Eebrnary 18. 1742 ; " One now hears of notiing but 
" the bro/iA bollom t it is the reigning cant word, and means the taking 
" all parties and people indifferently into the Ministiy." 

t The account of chis speech and of Argyle's is given jji " Faction 
" Doteet«d," a pamphlet irf great note, wtilleu by Lord Perceval, who 
was present at ike meeting. 



^dbyGOOglC 



1V42. MINISTEBIAL ARRANCEJIENTS. 113 

not accept it ? If he had noli another wnU ; if „„l,„d, 
would, tto King wonid be obliged to employ M, old 

"SL-'SSi'"' '"■«'"' '''•^■"*°"'"»' 
.1,™° e™"™" P™»' wore somewhat appealed by 
those eipknatmns, and ,ep«-at«d in better hmonr thai 
they had met. Bnt what seems to h.™ prinoipauj 
weighed with ttem wa,, ttat eaeh remembered how 
many offloes wore still „„.„,, and hoped that some were 
reserved for himself or for his fiionds. 

A few days afterwards a conference between the late 
Opposition leaders w»! held at the desire and in th. 
pnseneo of the Prince of Wales. On the one side wore 
Arsjle, Chesteredd, Cobham, Sew.r, „d Bath™ 
on the other camo Pultoioy, accompanied by Lord 
Scarborough' tho Prince's Treasurer. It does not ap- 
pear that any arrangement was eoncluded at this oon- 
tei-ODoe, yet undonbtedly it tonded, like the larger 
meeting, to allay dissatiafaotio- • — ■- . ^ 



-r---^, '" -^'^y uissaiisiaciion. a wise statesman 

pour forth their gtieTances, their mind seems reUeyed 
by the effusion, or their resentment oithausted by its 
own violence, and when once they have stated their 
eomphunt. as fuBy and as bitterly as they desire, they 
oB.n begm to feel that they have in liuth hi le oi 
nothing to comphiin of. 

The principal demand by the Dute of Argyle was an 
appointment for Sir John Hindo Cotton, wh5, a. I have 
ol«,where noticed, was perhaps the most active, and ne« 
to Shippen tlie most avowed, Jacobite in Parliament. 
Ihat Atgyl, shonld now so warmly espouse his interests, 
and so eioiely linli his cans, with his own, seems a itroni 
presumption that tho Dnke at this period was acting iS 

. ™ -^ T ",'S? Tf °"™' 10 Ita. 'at Jw.j" «I-A "He 
uearast Blend I ever haft." (Chariunera) 



idb,G00glC 



114 rilSTOET OP KNttLAHD. CHiP. XXIV- 

concert with, or at least in favour of, the exiled family ,» 
He received at length a reluctant assurance, that Cotton 
ahould he included m the new Board of Admiralty, and 
thereupon he condescended to accept for himself a seat 
in the Cabinet, the Mastership of the Ordnance, and the 
Begiment of which he had been lately dispossessed. 
Lord Cobham in like manner was made a Field Marshal, 
and restored to tlie command of the Grenadier Guards, 
which he had lost in 1733 for his opposition to the 
Esoise Bill, Lord Harrington, having resigned the 
Seals in favour of Carteret, was created an Eai-1, and 
appointed to the Presidency of the Council, vacant by 
Wilmington's promotion. Sir William Tonge was al- 
lowed to continue Secretary at War, and Mr. Pelham,. 
Paymaster of the Forces. Thus then the new adminis- 
tration being completed, except the Board of Admiralty, 
which, as so many promotions had been referred to it, was 
itself referred for further consideration, the whole party, 
headed by the Prince of Wales, went to pay their respects 
at Court, on the 18th of February, the day when Pavlia-, 
meat met % and on the same evening the new writs were 
moved in the House of Commons. 

■ For a little time the Government' business glided on 
with smoothness and despatch, interrupted only by occa- 
sional harangues from Shippen and Sir Watkin Wynn, 
whose animosity was not at all abated by the changes. 
Though very many others were dissatisfied, they stood at 
gaze, and would not yet openly oppose. But when the 
new Board of Admiralty was at length announced, there 
appeared at the head of it the Whig F^arl of WincheJsea 
(as Lord Finch, the friend and defender of Steele), and 
among its members the Pi-ince'a dependents. Lords Ealti- 
niore and Archibald Hamiltcn, but no Sir John Hinde 
Cotton. The King, it seems, had put a positive negative 
upon that gentleman, declaring that he was detei-mined to 

* This, it ttppcsra, ivae tlio decided opinion of Walpole. See, in' 
Coxs's Pellmm, hie confidential letter of October 20. 1743, after 
Ai'gyle'e death. 

. t Tte King's reception of his son was very cold and formal. •' His 
IMajestjj said, ' Hoiv does the Rincess do? I hope she is welL' 
" The Prince kissed his hand, and this was all" H. Walpole to Sir 
H. Mann, February 18, 1742. 



^dbyGOOglC 



1742, CHESTERFIELD AKD PITI EXCLUDED. 115 

stand by those who had set him and his famOy upon the 
throne. At this disappointment the whole Tory party 
raised a londyeU of indignation. Aa-gj-le, as their pi^sent 
chiet in the House of Lords, displayed the utmost resent- 
ment ; he had besides, as he conceived, other grounds o? 
his own to complain; he had set no bounds to his pre,- 
tensions ; he had expected to engross the whole govern- 
ment of Scotland, and was irritated that the Marquis of 
Tweeddalc, the Secretary of State, should, as such, pos- 
sess any degree of authority. With these feehngs, h^ oa 
the 9th of March, resigned all his new appointments, and 
relapsed into angry Opposition. The Prince of Wales, 
also, ere long, began to discover, that though his friends 
were in place, he was very far from power, and he showed 
lirst coldness and then aversion to the Grovernment. Thus 
the elements of a new Opposition speedily gathered and 
grow, beveral of the placemen, moreover, whose writs 
had been moved, found themselves no longer supported 
by their former patrons— especiaUy the Dukes of Bridge- 
water and Bedford; and Lord Limerick, who had been 
intended for Secretary at War, but who was member for 
iavistock, durst not vacate his seat for thatDucal borough, 
in this arrangement it may justly excite surprise, that 
no offers were made either to Chesterfield or Pitt. It ia 
certain that the former had excited the resentment of the 
■King, by his bitter invectives against the Hanover neu- 
trality, and probable that Carteret may have feared to 
fiaae a rival m the Council. Chesterfield hunself declares 
in a letter at that period:- "The public has assigned 
^^me different employments; but I have been offered 

« ?n"T T? ^^'^^^ ^"^ "*'"^ ^^ ^ ^'Jl ^cept of none, 

^11 1 see a httle clearer into matters than I do at present. 
1 have opposed measures, not men, and the change df 
two or three men only is not a sufficient pledge to me 

« u "^^"'■^ ''"U be changed, nay, rather an indicatioit 
that they wiU not ; and I am sure no employment what- 

^^ soever shall prevail with me to support measures I have 
so justly opposed. A good conscience is, in my mind, 
a better thing than the best employment, and I will not 
have the latter till I can keep it with the former."* 



* ScoMaty'ELife.p. 195. 



^dbyGOOglC 



llg HISTORY OP ENGLAND. CHAP, XXIV. 

With respect to Pitt, we may suppose, Trith great like- 
lihood, that both he and Lyttletou were passed over aa 
members of the Prince's household ; hia Royal Highness 
having applied in the first instance for Lords Baltimoro 
and Archibald Hamilton, and these appointments being 
considered as anfficient for that quarter. 

In reviewing the conduct of Pulteney at this memor- 
able period, he appeals equally conspicuous for good for- 
tune and ill judgment. He was placed on aa eminence 
as lofty and commanding as ever British statesman at- 
tained ; the dispenser of all public honours ; the arbiter 
between the Crown and the people. He saw humbled 
before him and imploring his forbearance that Monarch, 
who ten years back had sti-uck his name from the list of 
the Privy Council, and denied him his Coiamisaion es a 
Justice of the Peace. He saw the assembled Commons, 
till then the supporters and satellites of Walpole, over- 
throw his haughty rival and hail him their triumphant 
leader. Above all, he beheld that nation to which hia 
eloquent voice had so long appealed iu vain, now stirred 
by that voice as by an oracle, and raising their own in its 
support. How vast but how giddy a height ! How very 
great appears the occasion — how very unequal the man ! 
At such a crisis, instead of fixing his eyes on high public 
principles and objects, he looked only to his own show of 
consistency, to his previous declarations against receiving 
public money, or being ambitious of public office. He 
shrunk at provoking some taunt from Shippen, some 
lampoon from Hanbury Williajns ! Ought such trifles aa 
these to have weighed in the balance with his country's 
service, if his country really was in danger ? And if his 
country was not in danger, what pretence had he for 
having roused it almost to frenzy by his declamations 
against corruption and misgovernment ? The truth is, 
that to think of personal reputation instead of the national 
welfare is rank selfishness, differing only in kind and de- 
gree from that which clings with tenacity to posts of 
profit. Let every statesman be assured that if he will 
but take care of his country, his reputation will take care 
of itself. Posterity is not deceived. A true patriot will 
be acknowledged and revered, whether in Opposition or 
in Downing Street j while he who grasps at office, for the 



^dbyGOOglC 



1742. PDLTEKErs CONDUCT EE^TEIVED. 117 

^f?',^fjo^d gains, or he who declines it from tie dread 
of hbellous attacks, wiU be classed alike in a far lower 
and less honoured scale. 

But even admitting that Pulteney was defensible in 
his own refusal, with what justice could he yield the 
Treasury to Wilmington, a man even at the prime of life 
pi-OYcd unfit for high rule, and whose dulness of disposi- 
tion was now aggravated by the torpor of age? Was 
not this of an othei-8 the post which, as having been held 
by Walpole, would moat attract the notice of the public, 
and indicate the intentions of tbe Government ? Should 
then Walpole's principal opponent have left that post to 
one oi Walpolea colleagues, who was pledged as such to 
VVaipoIea whole course of measures, and who could not 
swerve from them, without far greater inconsistency than 
Pultmiey so anxiously avoided in himself? — I must own 
that I concur with Lord Chesterfield in thinking that so 
parhal a change in the Cabinet, far from being a pledge 
tiiat measures would be altered, was rather a sign that 
they would not. 

llien again why claim a peerage? If Pulfeney shrunk 
from the labours, he should also have relinquished the 
prizes of public life. The sacrifice should have been 
entire and complete. But it appears that this act of poli- 
tical suicide (for such it proved to the new Lord Bath), 
though prompted by his own inclination, had been aided 
and facilitated by the influence of Walpole with the I2ng. 
The veteran Minister clearly foresaw the irapendinf rnin 
of reputation to his rival, and it was with this view that 
he laboured to remove His Majesty's reluctance to Pul- 
tene/s expected demand — nay more, when Pulfeney 
wished afterwards to recede from his promised patent, 
the King, under Walpole's direction, insisted on his taking 
It. '_' I remember," says Horace Walpole, " my father's 
« action and words when he retui-ned from Court, and told 
"me what he had done: — 'I have turned the key of 
"'the cJoset on him!' malting that motion with his 
" hand." * 

• EGm!Tiiscences(WorkB,TOl.iv.p.317.). There is also a story of 
l^lteney Mingmg down and trampling upon tha patent when he first 
received it j bnt on this point Horace Walpolo lau onlv speat from 
ramonr. " 

I 3 

HcsledbyGOOglC 



118 EISTOKY OP ENGLASD. CHAP. XXIV, 



Hever, certainly, was any statesmaa'a conduct more 
fatal to himself. He lost ground alike with King and 
people. As Chesterfield observes, " the King hated him 
" almost as much for what he might have done as for 
" what he had done ; the nation looked upon him as a 
" deserter ; and he shrunk into insignificance aud aa Earl- 
" dom."* From the moment of Wilmington's appoint- 
ment, his influence and popnlarity hegan to decline ; the 
cry being that the nation was betrayed, and an infamous 
compromise effected for screening Sir Kobert Walpole. 
But at the news of his own creation as Earl of Bath, 
which was deferred till nearly the last day of the Session, 
the public indignation knew no bounds : the peerage 
was everyivhere denounced as the price of perfidy, and 
the acolWalions which used to greet his presence were 
changed to scoffs and hisses. His attempts to rise from 
this depression were frequent but ineffectual, for " the 
" confidence of the public, where once great, and once 
i' lost, is never to he regained," t The first time that 
liord Orford met him in the House of Peers, Orford 
walked up and observed to him with malicious pleasantry, 
" Here we are, my Lord, the two most insignificant fel- 
" lows in England 1 " f 

It must nevertheless be owned that however ill-judged 
the conduct of Palteney, his motives were very far from 
mean or sordid, and that the public resentment, though 
aot without foundation, greatly exceeded all bounds of 
justice or reason. But such is the common fate of factious 
men. Pulteney and his coadjutors had rjwsed a spirit in 
the nation, which they could not lay. All these bawlers 
against Walpole's system had no practical measures of 
improvement in view; and, when placed at the helm, 
had nothing better to suggest than a continuation of Wal- 
pole's system. The people who had been taught to believe 
themselves oppressed by the old Government, of course, 
imder such circumstances, believed themselves betrayed 
by the new. They became unjust to Pulteney, only be- 
cause he had made them unjust to Walpole. Nor are 
there any characters in History who, in my opinion, 

* Charaetei's, p. 31. f ^''^- P- 32- 

t Dr. King's Anecdotes of liis own Times, p. 43. 



..Google 



1742. CRY FOE THE BLOOD OF WALPOI.E. 119 

deserve less compassion, than those who become tlie 
vicfima of the popular ferment which themselves have 
stirred. 

We can trace with some accuracy the schemes with 
which the public mind was teeming at the period of Wal- 
pole's resignation; since almost immediately aftei- that 
event, tlie greatest counties and chief towns in Great 
Britain sent representations to their Members, stating 
and urging their wishes. The purport of all these docu- 
ments is nearly the same. Krst, comes a loud cry for 
the blood of Walpole. " Shall the disturber of the public," 
say the Westmiustor Electors, " be permitted the enjoy- 
" ment of a private tranquillity? Lenity to such a one 
" would be cruelty to the nation." We have next heavy 
complaints from Suffolk of the esportation of English 
wool, " which mauy agriculturists apprehend to be the 
" cause of the fatal decay of that manufacture in this 
" kingdom, and of the prodigious increase of the poor." 
In other passages we find an outcry against the recent 
decay of trade, for which Walpole is considered answer- 
able, as if such decay did not necessarily follow war, or 
as if Walpole had not been censured by themselves for 
presei'ving peace ! The members are earnestly entreated 
to vote against Standing Armies in time of peaoe — a 
strange earnestness in the midst of hostilities lately begun, 
and ao far from any prospect of cessation ! The Sep- 
tennial Act is reprobated — septennial ale being a much 
less pleasant prospect than triennial ! There is also a de- 
mand for a Bill to limit the number of placemen in Pai-- 
liament — undoubtedly a wise and well timed measure, if 
the limitation had not been carried, as they certainly de- 
signed, too far.* Had there been a Eeformed House of 
Commons at that period, all these sagacious recommend- 
ations must undoubtedly have prevailed; the head of 

* The measure demanded at this period ie defined by a contan- 
porarj " as a rigid place and pension Bill, excluding ftom. Parliament 
" every servant of His Mujisty, who had abilities and experience." 
(Tindal's Hist. vol. viiL p. 532.) He adds, " Many of tlie towns 
" were for reducing if not abolishing almost all tasea, though they aU 
" ^teed in flie wSsdoni and necessity of continniiig the war with 

" double TigODT." 



idb,Googlc 



120 msTORr of encland. cilai'. sxiv. 



Walpole -would have rolled upon the scaffold ; and an Act 
would have passed to check the increase of poor by limit- 
ing the sale of wool I But in 1742, as on many other 
occasions, the old nomination boroughs served to restrain 
the immediate fulfilment of rash desires, and allow the 
larger constituencies leisure to cool and to reflect. 

The only point on whichthe leaders of the late Oppo- 
sition showed a warmth corresponding with the nation's, 
was the prosecution of vindictive measures against Wal- 
pole, They had employed Mr. Faeaisrley, a high Tory 
lawyer and Member of Parliament, to draw up articles of 
impeachment * ; but not finding these satisfactory. Lord 
Limerick, on the 9th of March, moved for a Secret Com- 
mittee to inquire into the administi'ation of Sir Eobert 
during the last twenty years. Pnlteney was not present, 
being detained by the dangerous and, as it proved, mortal 
illness of his daughter; but his aversion to the motion 
was privately intimated by his friends ; and this hint, 
combined with his absence, caused the question to be 
negatived by a majority of only two, 244 against 242. 

When, however, Pulteney resumed his seat^ he found 
so many and such bitter imputations cast upon his want 
of aeal, that he was compelled to entreat Lord Limerick 
to renew h'is motion. But as the forms of Parliament do 
not allow any motion, once rejected, to be ti-ied j^ain in 
the same Session, the term of the proposed inquiry was 
altered from twenty years to the last ten. In this shape the 
motion was repeated on the 23d of March, when Pulteney 
not only voted but spoke for it, declaring, however, that he 
was against rancour in the inquiry, and desired not to be 
named on the Committee.^ The fallen Minister was de- 
fended by his son Horace in a first and not nnauccessful 
effort of oratory, hut was fiercely and most ably assailed 
by Pitt, who observed, that if it was becoming in the 
Honourable Gentleman to remember that he was the 
child of the accused, the House ought to remember also 
that they were the children of their country. On the 
division in a very full House, the question was carried 
by seven votes, the numbers being 252 and 245. 



^dbyGOOglC 



1742. SECEBT COMMITTEE. 121 

Tlie next point was the nomination of this Secret Com- 
mittee, through the means of lists given in hy overy 
member, and then examined hy a Committee appointed 
for that purpose. This Committee of examination con- 
tinued at their labour for twenty-two houra without any 
intermission.* At length the names being announced, 
were found, out of 21, to comprise many ranoorows op- 
ponents, and only two decided friends of Walpolaf 

The Committee having met and chosen Lord Limerick 
for their Chairman, entered upon their investigation with 
all the zeal and activity that hatred can supply. They 
searched tlu-ough the Treasuiy books and papers for 
proofs of guilt, and summoned before them the persona 
supposed to have been the secret agents of Walpole in 
tis schemes of corruption, So plain and open was their 
animosity, that several members of their own party in 
the Committee became disgusted with it and ceased to 
attend._ Among these, to his high and lasting honour, 
was Sir John Barnard, who declared that he thoiight 
their views had been more general, but that finding them 
BO particular against ono man, ha would not engage with 
them. I 

With aU their ardour and activity, the Committee 
made little progress. Paxfcn, Solicitor to the Treasury, 
Scrope, Its Secretary, and other persons brought before 
them, refused to answer, lest any thing in their replies 
should criminate themselves. The Courtiers also, though 
wlent and cautious, were eager to hush the inquiry : 
their communications with Orford were secret, but fre- 
quent , and Mr. Edgeombe, who had been under Walpole 
the mom manager of the little Cornish boroughs, was 
cieated a Peer, with the view that the privileges of the 



Bobens adhereMs on this CommitieB es tivo, and Horace Walpole, 
? ,. ^^"""ws fi^e, is easily explained by the distmction of sure or 
doubtful faends. — Sir Robert Walpole, who Dnderelood ihe emrii de 
corps, was very indifferent to this nomination of a few of hie sA- 
T^f^ ^^ observed, " They will become so zealous for the honour 

ot this Committeo that they will no longer pay resai'd \iO mine." 

t R. Walpole to Sir H. Mann, Apiil 22. 1742. 



ibyGoogIc 



Upper House migM shield Hm from examination. Under 
these circumstances the Committee, much perplexed, ap- 
plied to the Hoiiso. Paxton was committed to Newgate, 
and a Bill was introduced to indemnify evidence against 
the Earl of Orford, that is, granting to every witness a 
remission of all penalties or piinbhments to which he 
might become liable ty his diaclosares. 

This Bill, which, like that against Bishop Attcrbnry, 
broke through the settled forms and safeguards of law, in 
order to strike at one obnoxious head, was readily pMsed 
by the House of Commons, the members being then, as 
always happens in the heat of party, intent on their im- 
mediate object, and careless of final results. In the Lorda 
the measure was warmly suppoi'ted by Chesterfield and 
Bathurs^ but as warmly and more efiectuaUy opposed by 
Carteret and the Chancellor Hardwicke. " In my opi- 
" nion," said the latter, " it is a Bill calculated to maie 
" a defence impossible, to deprive innocence of its guard, 
" and to let loose oppression and perjury upon the world. 
" It is a Bill to daaele the wicked with a prospect of 
" security, and to incite them to purchase an indemnity 
" for one crime by the perpetration of another. It is 
" a Bill to confound the notions of right and wrong, to 
" violate the essence of oiir Constitution, and to leave us 
" without any certain security for our properties or rule 
" for our actions. So clearly do I see the danger and 
" injustice of a law like this, that I believe if I were con- 
" demned to a choice so disagreeable, I should more will- 
" ingly suffer by such a Bill passed in my own case, than 
" consent to pass it in that of another ! '.' • In fccMrdance 
with the judgment of this great magistrate, a large ma- 
jority of Peers decided for the rejection of the Bill. 

This disappointment was severely felt by the enemies 
of Walpole in the Commoas. Lord Strange, son of the 
Eaj'l of Derby, a young man of some talent, but more 
violence, moved a Kesolution that the proceedings of the 



* Pari. Hisl. vol. xii. p. G95. Horaee Walpo'e observes in Ms 
Hvely jnaaner ; " By tliis Bill, whoerer is guilty of murder, treason, 
"forgery, ftc, have nothing to do but fo add perjmy, and ewear. 
" Loiil Oiford knew of i(, aad they may plead their pardon 1 " To 
SirH-Mium, May IS. 1743. 



^dbyGOOglC 



1742. EBPOBT OP THE COitWITTEE, 123 

Peers were " an obstruction to justice," and tlie two 
Houses would have come into collision, had not Pulfeney, 
and the Members of the new administration, opposed the 
motion, and deiOTmined its rejeofloa by a majority of 
fifty-two. Thus baffled in their attempt at obtaining 
larger powers, the Secret Committee resumed their ait- 
tings, and again endeavoared to intimidate Scrope, the 
Secretary of the Treasury. But this old man, firm against 
all threats, bad formerly braved a sterner tyranny than 
theirs. As a stripling, he had fought undei- Monmouth 
at Sedge Moor, and carried intelligence to Holland in 
woman's clothes. He now, with as bold a spirit, answered 
the Committee that " he was fourscore yeai-s of ^e, and 
" did not care whether he spent the few months he had to 
" live in the Tower or aof, but that the last thing he 
" would do was to betray the King, and next to the King, 
" the Earl of Orford." * We may conclude that his cour- 
age and his years wrought fayourably with the more 
generous minds in the Committee. The new Chancellor 
of the Exchequer, also, pleaded in behalf of a useful secre- 
tary ; and, on the whole, Scrope was dismissed without 
further molestation. 

It was not till the 30th of June, very nearly at the 
close of the Session, that the Committee presented their 
Second Eepoi't. The insignificance of the charges it 
contains appears one of the strongest alignments in favour 
of the fallen MinisfOT. For even admitting that great 
obstacles might be thrown in the way of discovery, yet 
still, as I have elsewhere contended |, if Walpole's acts 
of bribery and corruption had been of such common and 
dmly occurrence as his enemies had urged, nay, even if 
they approached in any degree to the representations of 
them, it is impossible that a band of determined enemies, 
armed with all ordinary powers, should have failed to 
bring to hght a considerable number. Instead of these, 
the Eeport can only allege, that during one election at 
Weymouth, a place had been promised to the Mayor, and 
a living to his brother ; and that some Kevenue OfScers, 
who refused to vote for the Ministerial candidate, had 



^dbyGOOglC 



124 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CUAT. XSIT. 

been ilisinisaed. It denouneea a contrfict with Messrs. 
Burrell and Briatow as fraudulent, because the contrao- 
tora had gained 14 per cent,, forgetting that large profit 
in one case is often required to counterbalance total loss 
in anotiier. It then proceeds to express some loose suspi- 
cionB as to the applications of the sum for Secret and 
Special Services, which, as it asserts, amounted during 
the last ten years to no leas than l,453,O00£, whereas, in 
a corresponding period of tea years from 1707 to 1717, 
they were only 337,000/. But it appears that, in the first 
place, there is great disingenuousnesa in these calcula- 
tions, since the latter omits a sum of 178,000i, accruing 
from a deduction of two and a half per cent, from the 
pay of all foreign troops in the British service, and also 
omits a part of the sum of 500,000?., paid by Parlia- 
ment in I7l3, as the debt of the Civil List. It appears, 
moreover, that several expenses which at present are 
provided for under different heads, and in a more open 
manner — especially all pensions paid from the Trea- 
sury — were at those periods classed as Secret or Special 
Service. Nor should we forget, tiiat at a time when 
nearly all foreign Courts were moat disgracefully open to 
comiption, large sums might be necessary to procure 
early and exact intelligence of their intentions, or pro- 
duce a favourable decision in their councils. StiU, I ac- 
knowledge I think it probable, and scarcely to be doubted, 
that some part of the money was corruptly spent at home. 
But if such corruption had been common, flagrant, or un- 
blushing, I ask again, why should not the Committee 
have been able to trace and expose it, in like manner as 
they showed that of these sums for Secret Service, 
50,000/,, during the last ten years, that is, 5,000/. an- 
nually, had been paid to Walpole'a writers in newspapers 
and pamphlets ? 

On the whole, this Report of the Committee from which 
so much had been expected, instead of exciting indigna- 
tion agfUBst the Minister, rather drew ridicule upon 
themselves, and as we are told by a contemporary, was 
received by the public with contempt.* 

• Tindal's Hist. voL viii. p. 545. See the Report at full length in 
the I^ri. Hist. vol. jdi. p. 788 — 827., and the elaborate hnt partial 
Commeiitarj which fills the 61st Chapter of Coxe's Wslpole. 



;,Goo»^lc 



1742. SUBSIDY TO QTJEEN MARIA THEEESA. 125 

Another remarkable proceeding of tHs Session ivaa n. 
motion to repeal the Septennial Act, wlien Puheney, till 
then the warm promoter of such motions, etood forth as 
its opponent, and caused it to be rejected by Ms in- 
fluence. His creed on that occasion seems by no means 
clear ; he said he thought annual Pai'liaments would be 
best, but preferred septennial to triennial.* 

This memorable Session was also distinguished by a zeal- 
ous determination to support the Queen of Hungary. A 
subsidy of 500,000/. was granted to her on the motion of 
Pulteney, and a supply of upwards of 5,OO0,000t voted 
for the prosecution of the war. Carteret, who had now- 
succeeded to the chief, indeed the sole, matiagcnient of 
foreign affairs, and who had often complained of Wal- 
pole's backwardness, was fully resolved on more vigorous 
measures, and prevailed with his colleagues that a body 
of 16,000 men should be sent as auxiliaries to Flanders. 
Their command was entrusted to the veteran Earl of 
Stair, who was drawn from Lis twenty years' retirement 
out of public business, and dignified with the title of 
Field Marshal. But the slow forms and indecisive tem- 
per of the Dutch restrained them from taking the part 
that was expected in conjunction with those troops, 
though bound by the same engagements, and by a much 
stronger interest, than England to support the Pragmatic 
Sanction. In vain did Stair remonstrate ; in vain did 
Carteret himself hasten over to the Hague at the close of 
the Session ; the lightning of his eloquence flashed in- 
effectually upon the sluggish mass: and it was not till 
some time afterwards, that in the struggle of their jarring 
fears, their apprehensions of the French power prevailed, 
and induced them to assume a more prominent position. 
From thence it happened that the British forces, durii^ 
the whole of this campaign, remained in Flanders, " idle, 
" unemployed, and quarrelling with the inhabitants." f 

" BiehopSecker'EDiary,March31.1742. The molion was brought 
forward by Sir Robert Godacball, Loi'd Mayor and Memljer for the 
City, a veiy dull man. Once in discussing some metchaata' petitionB, 
there was a copy of a letter produted, the original being lost, and 
GodacLall asked, whether the copy had been taken befora the original 
was lost, or alter ! 

t These are the words of Endol (Hist vol viii. p. 689.). 



;, Google 



J26 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP. XXIV, 

Happily for the Queen of Hungary, the ardour of lier 
Bobjecta atoned for the slackness of her allies. During 
the -winter, her new levies, headed by Prince Chailea of 
Lorraine, recovered no small part of the open country of 
Bohemia, and confined Marshal de Eroglie and his French 
nearly to the ramparts of Prague. Another division, 
under Count KleYenhiiller, the most enterprising of the 
Austrian generals at this period, defeated the French and 
Bavarians united, at Linz, and compelled a large body <rf 
the former to capitulate. Not satisfied with this success, 
Khevenhiiller became the invader ia bis turn ; his troops 
pouring into Bavaria, overspread its vast plains almost 
without resistance, and entered its capital, Munich, on 
the very day that its sovereign was elected Emperor at 
Frankfort. And thus, by a singular coincidence, while a 
Court of Sovereigns hailed Charles their chief — while 
the orb of the world was, according to ancient custom, 
borne before him, as though all subject to his sway — he 
was despoiled even of his own hercditaTy states ! * Grater 
ful for such successes, the Queen of Hungary sent Khe- 
venhuHcr aa afi'ecting letter of thanks, with the pictures 
of herself and her son. The letter was read, and the pic- 
ture displayed to the assembled soldiers, raising their en- 
thusiasm to tho highest pitch, and calling forth a solemn 
and unanimous expi-ession of their devotion to her cause. 

Besides the enthusiasm of her own soldiers and people, 
Maria Theresa, at this period, derived no small advan- 
tage from the jealoiBies and animosities prevailing bsr 
tween the little German Princes, f Ceremony and pre- 
cedence were then, as it appears, the favourite business 
of their lives. Whether a single or an arm-chair should 
be assigned to each other at an interview — whether their 
right hand or their left should be held forth in a festival — 
whether they ought to be addressed as euke dukchiaucht 

• A BatiiicEl mcdsl was stmct abont tHs time ; on one side the 
head of Francis of Lorraine, afWiwardE Emperor, and the motto iOT 
c:aisAB itJT NlUH. ; on Ihe reverse the head of Charles, with et 

t A practised aiplomaliat observed eight yeacs before: " Stich is 
," the eternal envy in the neighbouring Conrts of Qermtmy, that they 
" most cordially hate one another." Horace Walpole (the elder) to 
Sir Eohert, October 22, 1734. 



^dbyGOOglC 



1742. 



■PRUSSIAN INVASION OP KOBEJUA. 127 

(your Highflesa) or Euek iiebden, (a subdivision of rank 
so minute m to defy translation,)— such were tho points 
T ^^t *5t^^ "°'* ^^"P^y ^"'^^ ^"* ™o»* frequently con- 
tended.* Not a few of them, says Chesterfield, would 



-^ ^.„. „ ,ti,, ui tuuiuj gays unesterJieJci, would 

borrow a ducat s worth of gold on purpose to exercise the 
jnvalaable jus ctjdkito^ honpt^. With such prejudices 
we may easily conceiTe that to assist the rapid afrsran- 
dizement of one of their own numher — to find a sove- 
reign where they had hitherto beheld an equal, — would 
be lax more gaUmg than a continuation of the old i-espect 
mA homage so long paid to the Court of Vienna. And 
It was, probably, in a great measure from this iealousy 
that many of the smaller German states, at first un- 
friendly to Maria Theresa, began to lean to her interests, 
upon tho enthronement of her Bavarian rival. 

Again, the stronger minds, among these Princes, en- 
tertained well-founded alarms of the encroachments and 
conc[uesla of the French in Germany. So prevalent was 
this apprehension with the King of Prussia, ^ to render 
him most desirous of peace and not unreasonable in 
his terms. Early In the winter he had even agreed to a 
secret armistice, which proved highly serviceable to 
Maria Ihereaa, as allowing her to employ her forces else- 
where, — te take Munich and to threaten Prague. But 
finding that he could not prevail in obtaining a peace 
with the concessions he desired, Prederick abruptly re- 
sumed the offensive, entered Moravia, reduced Olmutz 
and then passing into Bohemia engaged the army of 
Pnnce Charles on the 17th of May, at the vill^e of 
t^zaslau. The numbers on each aide were nearly equal 
not so the skill of the commanders ; and the Austrians 
were worsted with considerable loss.f This defeat in- 

• ThE constant recurrence of such discussioDs, and the erav^ 
t^er of tretoDg them, are veij strikmg in Uie Memoirs of the 
margravine of Bai'eith— a priucess certainly of no ordinary under- 
|tandmg. Sea Ihe case of Etier Liebdea (voL ii. p. 249.). At Front: 
m, in her interview with the Bavarian Empress, fte point of chairs 
caused temble difficulties. " On disputa tout )e joiu-. .... Tout 
^ ce qa'on put obtenir fut que I'lmperalrice ne prondrait qu'un trla 
, pent fantsuil, et qu'ello rae (lonnei'ait un grand dossier 1" (lb. 

■f Coxe's House of Austria, vol iii. p. 273. 



^dbyGOOglC 



128 EISTOEI OP ENGLAND. CHAP. XXIV. 

duced the Queen of Hungary to recede from lier deter- 
mination witli respect to Silesia, and to yield that pro- 
vince as a peace-offering to the most dangerous of her 
antagonists. A treaty with this condition was accord- 
ingly signed at Breslau, in the ensuing month, including 
likewise the accession of the King of Poland as Elector 
of Saxony, who was gratified with soroe small districts 
on the Bohemian frontier. 

Thus freed from the Prussian arms. Prince Charles 
was enabled to turn his undivided force to the reduction 
of Prague, where the French, ahout 25,000 strong, had 
been joined and were now commanded by Marshal Belle- 
isle. The place was closely invested hy the Austrians, 
who, however, pushed their attacks with very slender 
skill and slow progress ; hut a still more formidable 
enemy — famine — was wasting theEVench ranks within. 
Belleisle, in a conference with Konigsegg, one of tlie 
Austrian Generals, offered to evacuate the city and all 
Bohemia, provided he had. leave to march with his arms, 
artillery and baggage. He also presented to Konigsegg 
a letter from Cardinal Fleury, in which that Minister 
expressed his readiness for peace, and declared that he 
had been forced into the war against his inclination. 
But the Austi'ian leaders would hear of no terms but 
unconditional surrender, and gave no other answer to 
Fleury's letter than by printing it in the public papers, 
to the great discredit and mortification of the Car- 

To relieve the French at Prague, Marshal MaiUebois 
was directed to advance with his army from Westphalia. 
At these tidings Prince Charles changed the siege of 
Prague to a blockade, and marching against his new op- 
ponents, checked their progress on the Bohemian fron- 
tier ; the French, however, still occupying the town of 

• Voltaire, SiSde de Louis XV. ch. 7, He adds : " Le Cavdinal, 
" vojaut ea lettre imprlmfe, en ferivit ane seconde, dana laqnelle it 
" Be plaint an General Autrichien de ce qn'on a pubJie sa premiere, 
" eC Ini dit gn'il ne lni Icrira plus desoi'mais cc qu'il pense. Cette 
" seconde lettre lui fit encore plus de tort qiie la pi'smiero." Theea 
letters are inserted in Hie Momoirea de Noaillea (vol. v. p. 413—19.), 
but the sceond does not contain, thu tlireat of insincerity wMdi 
Toltoice asserts. 



^dbyGOOglC 



174^;. FRENCH r.ETBEAT PKOM PIUGTIE. 129 

Egra. It was under these circumstaiicea that Belleiala 
made his masterly and renowned retreat from Prague. 
In the night of the 16th of December, he secretly left 
the city at the head of 11,000 foot and 3000 horse, hav- 
ing deceived the Austrians' vigilance by the feint of a 
general forage in the opposite quarter ; and pushed for 
i-gra through a hostile counUy, destitute of resources 
and surrounded by superior enemies. His soldiers, with 
no other food than frozen bread, and compelled to sleep 
without covering on the snow and ice, perished in jireat 
numbers ; but the gallant spirit of BeUeisle triumphed 
over every obstacle: he struck through morasses almost 
untrodden before, offered battle to Prince Lobkowita, 
who however declined engaging, and at length suc- 
ceeded in reaching the other Fi-ench army with the 
flower of his own. The remnant loft at Prague, and 
amounting only to 6000 men, seemed an easy prev ! vet 
their threat of liring the city, and perishing beneath its 
rum^ and the recent proof of what despair can do, ob- 
tained for them honounible terms, and the permiasion of 
rejoming their comrades at Egra. But in spite of aU this 
skill and courage in the French invaders, the final i-esult 
to them was failure ; nor had they attained a single per- 
manent advantage beyond their own safety in retreat. 
Madlebois and De Broglie took up winter quarters ia 
Bavaf la, while BeUeisle led back his division across the 
iihine ; and it was computed that, of the 35,000 men 
whom he had first conducted into Germany, not more 
than 8000 returned beneath his banner. 
_ As in Germany apprehension of the French wrought 
in favour of Maria Theresa, so did apprehension of the 
Spaniards in ItiJy. The Queen of Spain made no secret 
ot her desire and intention to obtain an independent 
sovereignty for her younger son Don Philip, as she had 
already the kingdom of Naples for Don Carlos, and this 
indeed had been her main motive for entering into the 
war; but the pi-oject was so distasteful te the King of 
Sardinia, who imagined that it might be realised partly 
at his own expense, that he was induced not only to 
rebnquish his alliance with France and Spain, but to 
espouse the opposite cause of Blaria Theresa. His acces- 
sion gave the Austrians a decided superiority in the field, 



^dbyGOOglC 



130 HISTORY OP ENGLAND. GHAP. XXIV. 

enabling them to drive the Spanish general, the Duke de 
Montemar, out of Lombacdy, with the losa of neariy half 
Hs army. At the same time no less important services 
■were achieved by the British fleet on these coasts. It3 
commander was no longer Haddock ; he had been super- 
seded by Admiral Lestock, and Leatock in his turn by 
Admiral Mathews, who was sent out on the change of 
administration with seven additional ships of the line, 
and who arrived eager to justify the choice, and to cor- 
rect the inactivity so much complained of in this quarter. 
One of his captains, cruising in pursuit of five Spanish 
galleys, and finding them take refuge in the little French 
port of St. Tropez, was not withhold by the peace which 
still STibawted with France (for both Prance and England 
had hitherto engaged only as auxiliaries), but entered 
the haibonr after them, attacked them, and by the aid 
of a firesbip reduced them to ashes. This insult to the 
French flag, though passed over by Cardinal Fleury, 
affected him most deeply: when the tidings were brought 
to him we are told that he covered Hs eyes with his 
hands, exclaiming Si mea. ckeditatkahort me!-— which 
he repeated again and again.* 

Another squadron of the British fleet, entrusted to 
Commodore Martin, suddenly appeared in the Bay of 
Naples, andthreatened an immediate bombardment, unless 
the King would engage in writing to withdraw his troops 
(there were 20,000 men) irom the Spanish arnw, and to 
observe in future a strict neutrality. The ISfeapolitan 
Court, wholly unprepared for the defence of the city, en- 
deavoured to ekde the demand by prolonging the nego- 
tiation. But the gallant Englishman, with a spirit not 
unworthy the Koman who drew a circle around the 
Asiatic despot, and bade him not step from it until he 
had made his decision !■, laid his wat«h upon the table in 
his cabin, and told the negotiators that their answer must 
be given within the space of an hour, or that the bom- 
bardment should begin. This proceeding, however, railed 
at by the diplomatists as contrary to aliform and etiquette, 

* Mr. Villctte to the Duke of Newcastle, July 19. 1742, Ap- 
t Liv. Hist. lib. sly. c. 12. 



^dbyGOOglC 



1742. FOECBD KEUTEALirr OF NAPLES. J31 

produced a result such as they had seldom attained by 
protocols. Within the hour Don Carlos a-"—' -■ =- 



the required terms. Thus was the neutrality of a con- 
siderable kingdom in this contest secured by the sight of 
five British ships of the line during four-and-twenty 
hours; for their number was but such, and no longer 
time elapsed between their first appearance and their 
final departure from the bay.* 



^dbyGOOglC 



HISTOKY OP ENGLAND. 



CHAPTER XXV. 

When in November, 3742, the new administration again 
encountered the assembled Parliament, it had already 
survived the popular impulse which gave it birth, and, 
while itself discordant, could only lean for strength on 
the discord aud division of its opponents. It had en- 
deavoured, at the close of the last Session, to gratify the 
Tory party by appointing Lord Grower Privy Seal in the 
place of Hervey, and Lord Bathurst Captain of the Band 
of Pensioners. Shortly afterwards, also, the oflce of 
Solicitor General was bestowed, and most worthily, on 
William Murray. But the Tories, aad indeed the whole 
people, disappointed in their vast though vague expecta- 
tions of national advantage from the Ministerial change, 
looked on, for the most part, In moody discontent. They 
felt, as Bolingbroke observed (for Bollngbroke had come 
over to England on a summer ramble, or perhaps with 
an ambitious hope), that "the principles of the last Op- 
" position have been the principles of very few of the 
" opposers," With still greater bitterness does he add to 
Marchmont, " Your Lordship and 1, and some few — very 
"few — besides, were the bubbles of men whose ad- 
" vantage lies in having worse hearts." * And again at 
a later period, " Liberty has been the cry of one set of 
" men, as prerogative was formerly of another. But it 
" has been, no more than a cry ; and the cause of liberty 
" has been as little regarded by those leaders wKo gave 
" it out to their troops, as the cause of St. George or St. 
" Denis was concerned in the battles of the English and 
" the French," ^ Tet, notwithstanding such tmgry de- 
nunciations of his countrymen, Bolingbroke had deter- 
mined once more to live among them. We find him again 
returned to England in January, 1743 5:! and he chiefiy 

* To Lord Mfltclimont, October 30, 1742. 

+ To the same, Noyember 35. 1746. 

^ See the Marchmont Papers, vol. it p. SS9. 



idb,Googlc 



1742. 



* THE KEW CABINET. I33 



resided, til! hia death 111 1752, at a house near Battersea, 
surrounded by the yoteran friends of hh youth, or the 
youthftd admirers of his genius, and manifesting a far 
diminished influence, but an nnahated eagerness in aU 
poliftcal cabala. 

The new Cabinet -was divided into two great and 
nearly equal secUons; the former opponents and the 
fonner colleagues of Sir Robert Walpole. Among these 
^V t «f St eminent undoubtedly was the Chancellor, 
±;hihp Yorke, Lord, and afterwards Earl of, Hardwicke! 
Xhe tamiiy of Hardwicke was neither rich nor old ■ he 
owed his elevation solely to himself, to high character. 
^ 1 c^^*' knowledge, and eminent abilities. He was borD 
in tbSO, the son of an attorney at Dover; and at ths 
early age of twenty-two we find him amongst the smaller 
contributors to the Spectator.* He was first brought 
forward m public life by Newcastle and Stanhope, of 
whom the former named him a Member of Parliament in 
171S, and the latter, Solicitor General in 1720.f Risinff 
through the difierent stages of his profession, and dis- 
fanguishing himself in all, he at length, in 1737, became 
Chancellor on the death of Lord Talbot, and continued 
such tor nearly twenty years. Never was that hish office 
more worthily or honourably filled. If we compai-e him 
to homers— yet how difficult to assign the palm between 
hvo such mighty names! —we should say, perhaps, that 
Komers was the more distinguished as a statesman, but 
Yorke the superior as a mi^istrate. His decisions have 
ever been revered as a great landmark in our law ■ nor 
has calumny once dared to breathe against the upright- 
ness of his motives. Amidst a degenerate age — whSe a 
too prevalent corruption had deeply tainted the State, his 
Judges ermine, like the fleece of Gideon, shone forth un- 
sullied and pure. As an orator, he was never warm or 
impassioned, but clear, weighty, and convincing. When 
he rose in debate, it seemed, says Lord Lyttleton, like 
i^bhc Wisdom speaJdng.f His knowledge, high as it 
• Part's Confinuation of Walpole'a Eoyol nnd IToblo Authors, 
vol. IV. p. 267. Mr. Yorke was the aatJior of the letter on travelling 
in No. 364., signed FhiUp Homebred. ° 

+ Boyei''a Political State, vol.xix. p. 351. 
J See H. Waipole'a Memoirs, vol. i. p, 303. 



^dbyGOOglC 



134 HISTOKY 

soared in his own department, was riot confined to it ; in 
literature be was accomplished ; with foreign affairs well 
acquainted, Lord Waldegrave, who does not praise him 
as a statesmaB, owns, that eyea in that capacity he had 
been the main support of the I>uke of Newcastle's ad- 
ininistration.* The "principal blemish which his enemies 
imputed to him, and probably not without some truth, 
was avarice; yet, it should be borne in mind that Chan- 
cellors are easily, but unjustly, exposed to this charge, 
from being contrasted with their colleagues and asso- 
ciates, men in general of hereditary fortunes and large 
expense, whilst the Head of the Law, on the contrary, 
m.ust endeavour to found a family, and earn an estate, 
and not leave his son, as a. poor Peer, a burthen on his 
country. This endeavour every thoughtless spendthrift 
or envious detractor may call avarice ; but should not the 
Tlistorian award to it a nobler name ? 

Of the others who had been Walpole's colleagues, Lord 
Wihnington, though nominally at the head of the Govern- 
ment, was justly regarded both by his own subordinates 
and by the public as a mere cypher. The Felhams, 
namely, the Dute of Newcastle and his brother, backed 
by niird Harrington, cowered beneath the storm that had 
overwhehaed their late chief; they were supported by the 
still powerful influence of that chie^ from his retirement 
at Houghton, and by the good opinion of their Eoyal 
master ; but they directed their views chiefly to future op- 
portunities, and prudently awaited the clearing of the sky. 
■ On the opposite side in the Cabinet were Mr. Sandys, 
Lords Winchelsea, Tweeddale, Grower, and Cart«ret ; the 
latter considered by the people, and being in fact, the new 
Prime Minister. His character, which I have elsewhere 
more fully portrayed f, was a strange medley of brilliant 
abilities and of boyish freaks. Sometimes astonishing 
and over-awing his colleagues by his genius, at other mo- 
ments he must have become their laughing-stock, as when 
he insisted upon reading to them in Council the love 
letters he received from Lady Sophia Fermor, a, young 
beauty who became his second wife. " He is never 



* Lord Waldegiuye'B Memoil's, p. 85. 



^dbyGOOglC 



LOED CARTERET. 



80ler, writes Horace Walpole, '• and his r.hls ate 
amrang, but so ai» his parts and Ms spirit." The 
period of his (^vernment was called " the Drunken Ad- 
imnistration," in allusiou partly to his convivial haWti 
hut deraibing also his dashinj, bold, and buoyant tem- 
per. We are 1»ld that, on coming to power, he was base 
enonehto think, and rob enough to say publicly, that 
inghind could only be governed by corruption.t He was 
admirably skilled in all foreign 'affairs as well a. 1™ 
guagcs, and speedily gained the King's highest favour by 
going all lengths in his Hanoverian measaree. But intent 
as he was upon diplomatic negotiations and Eoyal smiles, 
ho neglected all those .maUer but necessary cares bv 
which alone party in«uence can be acquired or retained. 
Un one occasion vre are told, that when the Chief Justice 
Willes came to apply to him for an appointment, •■ What 
.. I'' «.to me, cried Carteret, " who is a Judge and who 
a Jiishop.^ It IS my business to mate IGngs and 
,. i^fPT^"' ""'^ *" ruaintain the balance of Europe'" 
iJien, answered the Chief Justice, " tliose who want 
to bo Judges or Bishops wiU apply to those who will 
condescend to make it their business I "t And so, in- 
deed. It proved The disposal of patronage was a labour 
oi love to tlie Pelliams, and to them accordingly the 
whole psA of place-hunters - always a large one - le- 
■■■"1.''^^ ??■ " •»PP«"'i. <IiM in the raJe of power, 
which had begu, even now, from the declining hellth of 
Wilmington, and for the spoila of his succesSion, Lord 
Carteret— immeasm-ably superior as he was in genins 
to the Pelhams-far higher as he stood at one time, 
both inBoyal and popular regard — sunk down, ovor- 
StoStS"""''' *""" """■ '""'''^'' »>><l decorous 
The great object of Gsorgo the Second at this time 
wa4 to appear, in emulation of William the Third, at the 
head ot a confederate army, and to assist his Electoral 

! 3^,^"" H. Maim, November 30. 1743, and April 15. 1744 
i.^ ^1 ^f^ , '^ ^'"^J fcteaed upon by Mr. CaiTe and he 
shrewdly adds, that "the world sooner foi^Ms an mTtiorin a 
A?p"air " ""'"'"' ''"«*■" To "• aetonder. May 4. 174S 
t See H. Waipole's Memoirs, voL i. p. U7. 



ib,Googlc 



136 HISTORY OP EWGLAND, CHAP. XSV. 

dominiong as largely as possible from his kingdom's re- 
sources. With this view, had tho British troops been 
sent to Flanders ; with tiiis view, had they been rein- 
forced by 6000 Hessians, taken into British pay, under a 
convention which Walpole had not long since concluded, 
and which forms one of the least justifiable acta of his 
whole administration. But it was now desired to extend 
this measure still further, and more directly to Hanover, 
by hiring from the British Treasury 16,000 soldiers oi 
that country. Much as Carteret had clamoured against 
such a system, while yet in Opposition, he now readily 
acceded to it, thereby gaining at once the King's highest 
confidence ; it was also, strange as it seems, concurred 
in by Lord Bath and Mr, Sandys, and adopted by the 
Cabinet. 

But when at the opening of Parliament the King's 
Speech announced the 16,000 Hanoverians, and when 
hints of British pay for them were thrown out in the 
MinisferiaJ ranks, it may easily be conceived how adverse 
was the feeling excited in the country. Tho hiring of 
foreigners in bands of mercenaries, however consonant to 
the rude military system of the darkest ages, is condemned 
alike by religion and natural reason : it ia neither praise- 
worthy in those who sell their blood, nor in those who 
buj^ it ; and is rightful only when the former have some 
national interest of their own in the quarrel, and when 
the latter have already raised, armed, and tried their own 
force, and found it unequal to their enemy's. But, inde- 
pendently of these general reflections, it seemed very far 
from constitutional to have taken a step of such import- 
ance, and so great extent, without the previous deliber- 
ation and censent of Parliament. But even waiving this 
also, there still remained the chief grievance which the 
people felt or the Opposition urged — the glaring par- 
tiality to Hanover. It was heaping fuel on a fire that 
already burned high. Since I7l4, it had always been the 
cry that Hanover was preferred to England : that cry 
had resounded sometimes with and sometimes without 
reason; but never had more just cause been afforded it 
than now. The nation observed, that though Hapover 
was far more immediately concerned in the event of tbg 
present war than England, it did not appear to have con- 



ooj^le 



1742. 



BRITISH PAY. 137 

cause. 



tributed any thing to the supDort of luo uummon cause 
It was also not left unnoticed that, on this occasion! 
Hanover had made a far more profitable bargain for her- 
self than in 1702, when Marlborough had negotiated for 
the hire of 10,000 men from Luneburg, there being in that 
contract no stipulatioa either for levy or recruit money 
whereas, in this present case, these amounted to 160,000^.* 
It was said, that a force to the same amount might be 
salely spared to go abroad, from the 23,000 soldiers whom 
we idly maintained at home. It was contended likewise 
that it we must have mercenaries we ought to have taken 
any rather than from Hanover, because we 'might have 
engaged the Prince whose troops we hired, to loin us in 
espousing the cause of the Queen of Hunga^, and be- 
cause, It the Hanoverians were once taken, our future ad- 
inmistratjons would always be ready to gratify the Kin? 
by finding pretexts for retaining them. Nay, the more 
eager partisans carried their exaggeration so far as to de- 
clare that the Act of Settlement^ providing that Great 
Jiritain should never engage in war on accountof Han 
over, had been violated, and they did not even shrink 
Irom the inference to which that declaration seemed to 

The ambiguity of the King's Speech as to the pay of 
the Hanovenaaa, restrained discussion upon them until 
that pay was actually moved for in the House of Commons 
AU doubts, however, were speedily dispelled. On the 
10th of December, Sir Wiiliam Yonge, aa Secretary at 
War, proposed a grant of 657,000/. for defraying the cost 

" CompBfe the ConunonB' Journals, Norembsi- 19. 1704 aril 
D«!emher 3. 1742. The additional iMms in the latter are ^ 

Levy Money - - , . -139 313 

Ecerait Money from Augnst tiU Dccembei' 1742, 

Horse - .. . - 2 215 

I'oot - . . , a'^'j'i 

TiU December 1743, ' 

Horse .... ^g^^ 

root - - . . 7^gi4 

These charges are inaccurately stated in Tiniial.— There is also a 
provision for an eicesave number of staff officers. 



^dbyGOOglC 



138 HISTOSY OF ENGLAND. CHAl', XKY, 

of these troops, from August 1742 till December 1743. 
He defended the proposa] with hia usual volubility, and 
■was supported (with signal courage, considering former 
professioES,) by the new Chancellor of the Exchequer. 
But several eloquent voices were raised against them. 
"As the King," said Sir John St Aubyn, "lias every 
" other virtue, so he haa, undoubtedly, a most passionate 
" love for his native country ; a passion the more easily 
" to be flattered, because it arises from virtue. I wish 
" that those who have the honour to be of his coimcils 
" would imitate his Eoyal example, and show a passion 
" for their native country too ! " * The invective of Pitt 
was as bitter, and more direct. " It is now too apparent 
" that this great, this powerful, this formidable kingdom is 
*' considered only as a province to a despicable electorate, 
" and that, in consequence of a scheme formed long ago 
" and invariably pursued, these troops are hired only to 
« drain this unhappy nation of its money." f Yet, on a 
division, the Ministers could muster 260 votes against 
193 — a clear sign how many of the patriots had com- 
bined with Walpole's friends, and how weak, even against 
the most unpopular proposals, was the new Opposition. 

It was on another such debate, relative to the British 
troops ■ lying unemployed in Flanders, that Murray the 
new Solicitor Generd made hia first speech in Parlia- 
ment : it was received with high applause, and was an- 
swered by Pitt ; and observers could foresee, even from 
this first trial, that the two statesmen would henceforth be 
great rivals.^: 

As, however, the principal members of the Cabinet and 
leaders of the Opposition were now in the House of Peers, 
it was there that the main debate on the Hanoverian 
troops ensued. The question was brought forward by- 
Lord Stanhope, son and successor of the lat« Prime Mini- 
ster. Philip, second Earl Stanhope, was born in 1714, 
and therefore only seven years old at his father's decease. 
He had great tsklents, but fitter for speculation than for 
practical objects of action. He made himself one of the 
beat — Lalande used to say the best — mathematicians 

* Pari. Hkt. voLxiL p. 952. t "^^'^^ P- 1035. 

i H. WaJpolo to Sir H. Mann, Dacember 9. 1742, 



^dbyGOOglC 



1743. PHILIP, SECOND EAKL STANHOPE. 139 

in England of his day, and was likewise deeply skilled in 
other branches of science and philosophy. The Greek 
language was as famiiiar to him as the Enghsh ; he was 
said to know every line of Homer by heart. In public 
life, OH the contrary, he was shy, ungainly, and embar- 
rassed. So plain was he in his dress and deportment, 
that, on going down to the House of I^rds to take his 
seat, afl«r a long absence on the Continent, the door- 
keeper could not believe he was a Peer, and pushed him 
aside, saying " Honest man, you have no business in this 
" place." — " I am sorry, indeed," replied the Earl, " if 
" honest men have no business here ! " From his first 
outset in Parliament he took part with vehemence against 
the administration of Walpole.* He had been educated 
chiefly at Utrecht and Geneva, and the principles he had 
there formed or imbibed leaned far more to the democra- 
tical than to the kingly or aristocratioal branches of the 
constitution ; they are even termed " republican " by 
Horace Walpole f, but unjustly, for, like his father, he 
was a most zealous aasertor of the Hanover succession. 

The speech of Stanhope on this occasion was pre-eom- 
posed and full of strong arguments, but delivered, as we 
are told, "with great tremblings and agitations." Ho 
said, " the country these troops come from makes it pro- 
" bable they wiil frequently be taken, and affairs abroad 
" embroiled for the sake of lending them. What would 
" Poland think of taking Saxons into pay ? Why should 
" not some regard bo had to the opinion of the people, 
" who will always judge right of the end though not of 
" the means, as well as to the inclinations of rulers who 
" may aim wrong in both ? " J and he concluded with a 
motion for an Address to the King, that he would be gra- 
ciously pleased to exonerate his people of those Mercena- 
ries, who were taken into pay last year, without consent 

. * " "We are to have Lord Eockingham and Lord StanhopB {who 
" are just come of ^e) in the Ilonse of Ixirds ; tiie Brst of whom I 
*• hear wih be witi us, the latter against us. All tie Slani 
" Spencers sit taught to looi oa a "Walpole as one they ai 
" by inheritance." Lord Hervey to Horace Walpole t] 
Decembei' £3. 1785. Coxe'a Walpole. 

IH. Walpole'e Memoirs, toL i. p. 100. 
Bishop Seoker'a Diary, Febrtituy 1. 1743. 



^dbyGOOglC 



OV EKGLAND, CHAP, XXY. 

of Parliament. He was ably seconded by Lord Sandwich, 
and still more ably answered by Lord Carteret. Hervey 
spoke with much eloquence against, and Batlnirst for the 
Hanoverians ; a strange transposition of parts, and surely 
not unconnected with the loss of office in one case, with 
the acquisition of it in the other ! Lord Bath, rising for 
the first time in that House, declared, in nearly the same 
terms as Walpole had so often urged against himself, 
that he " considered it an act of cowardice and mean- 
" ness to fall passively down the stream of popularity, 
" and to suffer reason and integrity to be overborne by 
" the noise of vulgar clamours, which have been raised 
" by the low arts of exaggeration, fallacious reasonings, 
" and partial representations." He added that the term 
of" Mercenaries," in Stanhope's motion, seemed designed 
rather to stir the passions than to influence the judgment. 
" This was not," said he, " the rash measure of any single 
" man, but the united opinion of aU the administration 
" that were present " (for Lords Gower and Cobbam it 
appears had stayed away) : " it was not only acquiesced 
" in, but approved on a solemn dehberation. We have 
" now an Address to dismiss plaghantb bello, troops, 
" which the other House have given money to pay. 
" Wliat a difficulty would this put the King under! It 
" would be a greater blow to the Queen of Hungary thaa 
" losing ten battles." — A brilliant oration from Chester- 
field, and an able argument from Hardwicke, concluded 
the debate. On the division the Ministers had 90, the 
Opposition only 35 votes ; but among the latter, to their 
high honour, were two members of the Cabinet, Cobham 
and Gower. Their consequent dismissal was expected by 
the public • but did not ensue. 

Although these divisions in both Houses were decisive 
of the subject^ so far as the Government was concerned, 
it was too powerful a weapon for the Opposition to relin- 
quish ; and the public mind continued to be stii-red by 
pamphlets, among which, the " Case of the Hanover 
" Forces," written by Lord Chesterfield, in conjunction 

• H. Walpole fo Sir H. Mann, rebmarr 2. 1743. Ho speaks only 
of power, but we may conclude that the same expectation existed 



^dbyGOOglC 



1743. KEPEAL OP THE GJN ACT. 141 

with Mr. Waller, excited tiie most attention, and received 
the highest applause, I need scarcely add how eagerly 
the Jacobites ibrwarded and swelled a ery so fayourahle 
to their hopes and designs. Tet while I condemn the 
measure on pi-inciple, I must aclmowledge that in its 
effects it produced a great collateral advantage ; since, it 
was the taking of these troops by the Government, and 
their confirmation hy the House of Commons, that appear 
to have mainly determined the wavering temper of the 
Dutch, and brought them, at this very period, to a co- 
operation and concert of measures with the King. Nor 
should it be forgotten, that His Majesty in some measure 
softened the objections to the grant of British money, by 
reinforcing, of hia own accord, the 16,000 Hanoverians 
with a body of 6000 more, paid from his Electoral re- 
venues. 

Another remarkable proceeding of this Session was the 
repeal of the Gin Act, passed in 1731.* It was found, as 
Walpole had foretoli^ that the duties imposed by that 
Act, and amounting nearly to a prohibition, had only 
afforded encouragement and opportunity to fraud. Infor- 
mers were terrified by the threats of the people ; justices 
were either unable or unwilling to enforce the law ; and 
it was proved that the consumption of gin, instead/of 
diminishing, had considerably augmented since the heavy 
duties were imposed. Though no license was obtained, 
and no duty paid, the liquor continued to be sold at 
all corners of the streets ; nay, we are even assured that 
the retailers of it used to set up painted boards, inviting 
people to be drunk at the small expense of one penny, 
assuring them they might be dead drunk for two-pence, 
and have straw for nothing ! They accordingly provided 
cellars or gai-rets strewed with straw, to which they con- 
veyed those poor wretches who were overpowered with 
intoxication, and who lay there until they recovered some 
use of their understanding ; whilst the other dens for 
drinking were hideous receptacles of the most filthy 
vice, resounding with continual riot, oaths, and blas- 
phemy f. To check these frightful disorders, and at the 

* See vol. ii p. IB7. 

f See Smollm's HiEtory, book ii. ch. 7. sect. 36. 



..Google 



1-4.2 HISTOEI OP ENGLAND. CHAP. XXT, 

same time prevent the loss to the Revenue, tlie Miniatera 
had framed a new Bill, by which a small duty per gallon 
was laid on the spirits at the still-head, and the price of 
licenses reduced to twenty shillings. Through this mea- 
sure it was calculated Uiat the price of gin by retail 
would be moderately but really raised — so much as to 
discourage the drunkard, yet not so much as to encourage 
the smuggler — that the law, being mitigated, would be 
enforced — and that the Eevenue would gain a clear 
and certain aec«38ion. And if even it were true, as 
the Opposition affirmed, that the latter motive was the 
main one with the promoters of the Bill, and that, in the 
words of a great Spanish historian, " El rulers never 
" deem their Exchequer wrong;"* still the wisdom of 
the preceding consideration would deserve our praise, — 
as what reason suggests, and experience has fully con- 
firmed. 

The Bill passed the House of Commons rapidly, and 
almost without remark I, but in the Lords encountered 
a most vigorous resistance. All the Bishops opposed it. 
It was denounced as a sanction to vice — as a license 
granted to the people for poisoning themselves ; as " a 
" bait spread over the pit-falls of debauchery "J, — as an 
infamous attempt to raise the Eevenue at the expense of 
the health and morals of the people. Lord Hervey, in a 
dexterous speech, moved that sevei-al eminent physiciana 
should he summoned to the Bar, to prove to the House 
the fatal effects of dram-drinking. But the palm of elo- 
quence on this occasion was undoubtedly borne away by 
Chesterfield : his two speeches on tliis question, far better 
reported than most others of that day, may still attract our 
admiration, and have seldom been surpassed, as combina- 
tions of lively wit and impressive forebodings. Some- 
times, comparing the measure to " the tax which Vespasian 
" laid on spirituous liquors of another kind, that would 

• " Fisei causa enb malo Principe nunquiim est mala." Maviana, 
Hist Hispan. lib. xvii. c. 4. 

f " It was hurried through the other Ilouse with the utmost pre- 
" cipitation, and passed afiioat without the formalily of a debate." 
Ckstecfield's Speech, Febrntuy 21. 1743. This ia better authority 
than Tinilal's to Che contrary. 

% Chcsteifleld'a Second Speech, February 24. 1743. 



^dbyGOOglC 



"not indeed admit of a total prohibition;"* in other 
passages, again, he thunders against it as the infallible 
harbinger of nationa,! decliae, depopulation, and ruin. 
Tet^ notwithstanding his exertions, and those of the 
Eight Reverend Bench, the Bill passed by a great ma- 
jority. 

In this Sesfion an attempt was also made to renew the 
inquiry into the conduct of Lord Orford, the proposal' 
being brought forward by Mr. WaOer, seconded by Sir 
Watkin Wynn 5 but it was defeated by large numbers — 
a proof that the current of popular feeling had already 
turned. The forces voted for the year were 40,000 sea- 
men and 11,000 marines, 16,000 British troops in Flan- 
ders, and 23,000 for guards and garrisons at home. The 
supplies did not fall short of 6,000,000?.f 

The King having prorogued the Parliament on the 21st 
of April, hastened over to his Grerman dominions, ac- 
companied by his son the Duke of Cumberland, and at- 
tended by Lord Carteret, as Secretary of State. In the 
preceding January a strong impulse had been given to 
the war, on the part of France, by the deatli of Cardinal 
Floury in the ninetieth year of his age. His pacific 
policy died with him ; and the hostilities which he had 
begun from compulsion were Continued and extended 
from choice. The young King, selfish, indolent, and de- 
voted to pleasure, took no part in public business ; but 
the power of Fieury was shared between Count D'Argen- 
son, Minister of War, an expert diplomatiHt, and Cardinal 
Tenein, a subtle insinuating priest, of considerable talents, 
but fitted for intrigue rather than for govei-nment, dis- 
graced by some acts of fraud in early life |, and devoted 
to the House of Stuait, which had wrought his elevation 
to the Purple. His sister, Madame de Tenein, a nun who 
had renounced lier convent, was celebrated for her wit 
and gallantries. Bolingbroke is said to have enjoyed her 
favours during his embassy at Paris; and at another 
period she became the mother — it would be most pre- 

* See Bishop Seeker's Diary, Pebroaiy 24. 1743. 
f CommoDa' Journals, Novemljer 36. 1742, &c. 
i StSimon, Mgm. Tol.ss.p.4. ed. 1829. Tenein Tedded at Roma 
in 1740, and is described by PreeidBut des Brosses in Ms Travels, 



^dbyGOOglC 



BISTOKY OF ENGLAND. 



The French Ministers, eager to signaliae themaoives 
by a vigorous prosecution of the waj-, and excited by the 
unfavourable news that came from Glermany, collected a 
large army under the Mareschal Duke de Noailles, who had 
been distinguished in the Spanish campaigns, to support 
their other forces in the Empire. These forces, first com- 
manded by Maillehois, and afterwards by De Broglie, 
had ceased to threaten Ha m the 

relief of Prague. They ar wi d in 

Northern Bavaria ; and it sion 

that the Emperor Charles t as to re- 

enter his capital. But in was 

again defeated by the Aus m yen 

from his hereditary states ; D B g m only 

on his own secniity, and ions 

from hazarding a battle. T Em ror 

whose exalted rank served d- of 

his calamities, and to make them more conspicuous "and 
deplorable, sought shelter in the free city of Frankfort ; a 
Sovereign without any states to rule, nay, even without 
any revenues to maintain him. De Broglie, on his part, 
retreated in confusion from Bavaria, harassed by the 
Austrian cavalry, and sustaining heavy losses, until, on 
the banks of the Neckar, ho received a reinforcement of 
12,000 men from Noailles, and again attempted to keep 
Prince Charles of Lorraine in check. 

During that time the British troops also were advanc- 
ing into Germany, having begun thoii- march from Flan- 
ders, at the end of February, under the command of the 
Earl of Stair. They were joined on their march by some 
Austrian regiments, headed by the Duke of Aremberg and 
hy the 16,000 Hanoverians in British pay, who had win- 
tered in the Bishoprick of Liege. But so tardy was their 
march, that it was the middle of May before they ci-ossed 
the Ehine, and fixed their station at Hochst, between 
Mayenee and Frankfort. Here Lord Stair determined to 
await the junction of the 6000 Hanoverians in Electoral 
pay, and also of the same number of Hessian mercenaries, 
■who had been employed in garrisoning the Flemish for- 
ti-esses, but who were now reheved hy an equal body of 



;, Google 



1743. ADVANCE OP THE FRENCH AKJIT. I45 

Dutch teoop. and left .t libeilj- to r.jom the main army, 
iiven without anj fpesh accessions, howei-er. Lord Stair 
co„M most,, a. Hochs. ncl, 40,000 soldier, „f mi?£ 

W hlfhlrt' " ^' "^ ''™ »™P»l»™lr respected 
by both parties m this contest—or, to speali more truly 

Svi^Sse.' ■°"™ "" '^°'"'" r"™'»'> •■■" """J' 

The Marosehal do Woames, on his part whose armv 

the Mayn on the southern bank, as the British on thn 
northern The two c«„p, ,„. no'moro th.^ Sr 1 ^'e 
nSeiT ""* °"'» Yet ,tai, .midst the» hSI 
Sf™ ;T * K" •»P™'J»B battle, the two nation, 

« Prenoh lu Loudon. •• A ridiculous situation I > writea 
Horace Walpole. - Wohayo the nam, ofwor w fhsSS 
;;„«.„. ae thing, and war with l?.,„ce wZuf ThS 

In the manauvros that ensued, lord Stair, whose mili- 
tar, genius, ue»er very bright, was rmtod iith ase ao- 
pears to kayo committed blnude, upon blunder. Hayin, 
irst doterrained to await the Hessians and Hanoyerian? 
« I { f "r? '■" '■"»«»". replied the detach: 
ments which he lad sent across the Mayn, and adyancod 
up the course of that riycr on th. right bank, wiT K 

IZit 'Tl^r"""- '■'■<'" 'a»"«»i»."d rfcommu- 
mcating with tie Austrian forces. He reached Aschaf- 
f.nburg on the I6th of June, closely foCed .S eoM- 
pletely o«t-g,neralIed by Hoaille,. The French mS 
w"l "hi.";'', °t " •!"°^ '"'"■•' "" Gi-s.Ss.hdS 

Jlnglish found IheuaelvM cut off loth from their own 

.uS;r S "■ f''/""" *'"' «P«»" aanconi.; 
anpphe. Moreoyer the duties and details of our Com- 
missariat appear m that ago to haye been ill understood 



* To Sir H. Mann, July 19. 1 743, 



idb,Googlc 



C1IAP.,XSV. 



OP SPOMly osilectBd. " EnglmS, ttat Is fmon. fop nej- 
ligS.06,--"!' MribopouBli i» one of his lelMps.' 

TJndep these circumstances, when on the 19th iiing 
Geopse apiived from Hanovep, with Lord Cartcpet and 
the Dale of Cumb8pk>nd, he found afiilts m a most 
cpitical postnpci the soldiets on half rations, the hopsei 
pining foP want of forage i Slaip and Aremierg dmded 
bT a violent feud, and the army peduced to 37,000 men, 
aid cooped up in a naprow TaJley that puns between 
Mount Spessapt and the Majn, and citends abng that 
riyer from the town of Aschaffenburg to the huge village 
of Dettingeat, while in sight appeated a far supepiop 
fopce of Fpench, ably commanded and well supplied, and 
in confident expectation that the allies must eithep sur- 
i-endep prisoners of war, or be cut to pieces in their 
pctreat The expected Hessians and Hanoverians, it ap- 
pealed, had nearly reached Hanan, but so fat fpom being 
able to advance and join, were themselves in pen! oi 
being taken by the French. Still, nnder every disad- 
vantage and dangep, the soldiers were full of spirits and 
eager to tight, and the presence of then: King became a 
further incentive to their valoup. 

Aftep repeated councils of war, the only measnre that 
seemed practicable was to fall back on the m.gasmcs 
and reinforcements at Hanau; and this resolutioii was 
hastened by so utter a failure of forage, that, had they 
remained but two days longer, they mu«t have sacrilicKl 
their horsesi The movement, however, was neithcp sale 
nop easy in the face of a superior enemy, quick at dis- 
<«pning and powcpful to prevent the design. At the first 
si"ns of their intended retreat, NoaiUes immediately al- 
tered his own position from their front to their rear, 
advanced to Seligenstadt, threw two bridges ovep the 

* To Lord Goaolphm, September 3. 1703. 
+ llie disttmee betweeu Aschaffenburg and Dettmgen is one snrt 
ft half German or atout eight English miles. Dettmgen was tl^n and 
i^ now thVpost station on die road from Asehaffanburg to Hamm 
which is two German miles flnther. 

' i " Oa manqoait de fonrrages an fKiiat qu'on proposa de conper 
" les jarrets anx ciievaus, et on I'aurait fait si on etmt i^ en^e 
"deai joai. d»«cette poJiioa." Tollane, SiMe de Lo«s XV 



idb,G00glC 



1?43. 



147 



Mayn, and sent his nephew, tlie Duke de Grammonf; 
with 23,000 men, across the river to secure the defile of 
Dettingen, through which the Allies must march. These 
troops were accordingly drawn up on very strong ground, 
while hattei-ies were also raised along the opposite bank 
of the Mayn, and these precautions were the more danger- 
ous, because in a great measure unknown to the English, 
who still believed the principal force of Noailles to be on 
the other side of Aschafienbnrg. 

Before day-break, on the morning of the 27th of June, 
the Allies struck their tents and began their march to- 
wai-dB Dettingea in two columns. The King himself 
Mimmanded the rear guard, which, from the ignorance of 
Noailles's movements, was considered the post of danger. 
But when they found their advanced posts repulsed from 
Dettingen, and beheld the French forces pooi-ing over the 
bridge of the Mayu, they perceived that their front was 
chiefly threatened. Their columns were immediately 
halted, and the King, riding to the first ranks, drew np 
the army in order, the infantry before and the cavaby 
behind; its right extending to the slopes of the Spessart, 
and its left to the river. Their only hope" lay in cutting 
their way through the French lines, yet these were strong 
as nature and skill could make them. The village of 
Dettingen, occupied by Grammont, was covered by a mo- 
rasa and a ravine, the bed of a small rivulet ; and further 
reinforcements to support him were already in motion 
from the army of Noailles. The batteries on the other 
side of the Mayn began to play upon the British flank ; 
behind them Aschaflenburg, which they had left, was 
already taken by a French division of 12,000 men : thus 
were they completely enclosed and hemmed in, and our 

militaiy fame — the Kves and liberties of our soldiera 

nay even of our King — seemed already within our 
enemy's grasp. 

Happily at this decisive moment the Mareschal de 
Noailles left his post in the front and passed to the other 
bank of the Mayn, to give some further directions in 
that quarter. During his absence, the impetuous courage 
of the nephew marred the uncle's skilful policy. Gram- 
mont, burning to engage his adversaries, and believing 
that the force before him was only part of their army, 



^dbyGOOglC 



■which he might easily exterminate, ordered his troops to 
cross the ravine, thus quitting his vantage ground, and 
giving the Allies battle on equal terms. By this move- 
ment, also, the hatteries on the other side of the Mayn, 
that were already mowing down whole ranks of Engliali, 
were compeUed to suspend their Are, lest it should strike 
their countrymen as much as their enemies. As the 
French approached, the horse of Geoi^e the Second, 
frightened with the noise, ran away with His Majesty, 
and had nearly carried him into the midst of the enemy's 
lines, but was fortunately stopped in time.* The King 
then dismounted, and put himself at the head of the 
British and Hanoverian infantry, at the right, flourish- 
ing his sword, and addressing the British in those words, 
" Now, boys, now for the honour of England ; fire and 
" behave bravely, and the French will soon run!" The 
Dulie of Cumberland in like manner, as Major General, 
commanded the first line on the left. Yet, notwithstand- 
ing the bravery of their Eoyal leaders, and their own, 
the troops were thrown into some disorder by the first 
impetuous charge of the young French chivalry. The 
King, however, with admirable courage and coolness, 
made every exertion to retrieve tliis slight confusion, 
while the battle rapidly spread from flank to flank and. 
became general along the line. Tlie Duke of Cumber- 
land, like his father, appeared in the hottest of the flghf, 
displayed tlie highest courage, and oven when wounded 
in the leg refused to quit the field, f 

Noailles, who from the other side of the river had be- 
held the first motion of his troops with astonishment and 
grief, hastened over with all possible speed to give the 
needful directions ; but on his arrival he fonnd the tide 
of the battle ah^ady turned. The English and the Hano- 
verians vied with each other in the most determined 
intrepidity; while the French, though no way inferior 
in gallantry, did not on this occasion display an equal 



* Letter from Mr. Kendal, of Lord ABliUiniliam's troop. 

f Tha great gallantry of the Dnke of Cumberland in thii 
Rcknowledged by the rrench as well as English wiit^e. 
also an interesting story of his generons treatment ot a 
rrciich officei- ; l)iit to this the Bubsequent conduct ol tlio . 
makes it more difficult ta give credit. 



There B 
wounQed 



^dbyGOOglC 



^™- BiirLE OF DETTJKOEN. ]49 

•toiuiiiiois, and mre not He them, in.piriled by tho 
preience and „Mi„„, „f ,h.t King. Tie condnct of 
teoig. ,n th„ mflioi ao„ve. the highost praise i and 
11 WM nndouMedly tkrongh him and through his »oi tar 
more than through any of iiis Generals, that the day 'was 
won. A dense »a.. of infantry formed and led by His 
Majesty ,n person, broke and se.tter.d the enemy, ihom 
they fonnd eihansted by their own brave St im 
prndent onset. So dreadful a slaughter ensued in the 
Freneh ranks, that Hoailles despairing of the day, and 
aiiious only to prevent further havoc of his men save 
the sjgni^ of retreat across the Majn. But this retreat 
spOMiii, heeaine a rent. Man, of the French were cut 
down by their pursuers before they could reach the 
bridges i and the bridges becoming ehoked with the mul- 
titude of fugitives many more plunged into the river and 
were drowned. Olhers, again, turning in the opposite 
direction and throwing down their a?ms, endeavoured 
to ascend the mountiuns to the right, and were taken 
prisoner, without resistance. The hghting continued tiU 
Jour in the afternoon, and the King remained on the 
ground till ten at n.ght The loss of the French in Idllod 
and wounded was computed .t 6000, including a large 
proportion of then- offlcere, whose headlong valour Btro'e 
during the engagement to repair the error it had caused 
at the commencement. It seemed only surprising how 
so m™, brave men Muld ever, nnder »iy circmnstances, 
to deleatei The jUlic. on their part siifered severely, 
tOeir toss being scarcely under 3000 men. Both theii 
Msrshab, D'Aremberg and Stair, though eclipsed bv 
their Boyal master, well deserved his praise for iotre- 
piaityi the former was wounded in the shoulder, and 
S,T '•.'/"!!»' f P«™e tke French in their retreat. 
But considering (hat so large a proportion of Noailles's 
^y bad not engaged and was still quite fresh , that the 
Alhes wore exhausted from then- hard won victory and 
from their msufflcicnt supplies , that, as one of theft offl- 
eers oomphnns, «wo bad neither victuals, drink, nor 
tents to be in, after the work was done,"— the rash 
proposal of Stair wa. wisely overruled, and the troops, 
»fter a few hours' halt, continued their retreat to Han.n 
Jhey were compelled, however, to leave their wounded 

iii.jh, Google 



150 HISTOKT OF ENGLAND. CHAP, XSV. 

at the mercy of the French commander, who treated 
them with signal generosity.* 

Such was the battle of Dettingen, the last in which a 
King of England has appeared at the head of his troops. 
In its circumstances it might, perhaps, not unaptly he 
compared to the battle fought by Napoleon, in 1813, 
against the Bayarians on the neighbouring ground of 
Hanau, except that on this last occasion the position of 
the French was inverted, and that they had to force in- 
stead of ittiorcepting a pass^e. We may abo observe 
that at Dettingen, superior as was the army of Noaiilea, 
yet from the French divisions at Aachaffenburg, and on 
the other side of the Mayn, the numbers actually en- 
g^ed were most considerable on the side of the Allies. 
And, notwithstanding the glory which this battle sheds 
on both the English and the Hamoverifin arms, we must 
own, that the good conduct of the troops was required by, 
and could scarcely retrieve, the blunders of the Generals, 
A few weeks afterwards Voltaire met Lord Stair at the 
H^ue, and took the liberty of asking him has opinion of 
the battle. " I think," repUed the Earl, " that the French 
" made one great mistake, and the English two : yours, 
" was not standing still; our first, entangling ourselvee 
" in a most perilous position ; our second, failing to pursue 
" our victory." The latter project has been already men- 
tioned as wild and rash, but the former complaint may, 

* The chief authorities for the battle of Dettingen aro, Lord 
Cftrteref B despatch, June ao. 1743, O.S., and the otiier official acconnta 
— Capt. Kendal's letter, published in the Gentleman's Msgazine, 
Jnl7, 1743 — Coxe's Pelham, vol. L p. 85 — 71. — Honse of Austria, 
Tol. iiL p. 292 — 294. — Memdrss de NoaillCB, vol. v. p. 347—357. 
There was also published in England the same year, a pamphlet con- 
taining eevetal other letters from officers and soldiers present at the 
battle, for the sake of those who " love tmth anii particulars " 
(p, 31.). The latter indeed ate Guffidently minute, extending even, 
to Lord Stfdr'sloss of his bat, a few days before the action (p. 44.). 
It is almost as little worth while to notice that Frederick the Second, 
in hia " Histoire de Moil Temps," caricatures the conduct of the Kin^ 
in this battle, and represents him as standing all the time, with Ma 
Bword drawn, in Hie attitude of a fencing master who is about to make 
a Innge in carte ! We must remember that Frederick was not present 
— that he hated his cousm — and that he bad never any regard for 



^dbyGOOglC 



J743. ..THE FKENCH EE-CKOSS THE EillNB. 151 

with great justice, be urged against Lord Stair himself, 
aa the commander.* 

At Hanau, the Allied aeaij heing joined by the ex- 
pected reinforcements, and thus becoming nearly equal 
to the French, Lord Stair again proposed to pass the 
Mayn and attack the enemy. But seTcral circumstancea 
— his own hasty temper, and violent quarrel with the 
Hanoverian oflcer.s — the jealousy of the petty German 
Princes — the very delays and perplexities of consulta- 
tion — tended to prevent a second hattle; nor, indeed, 
was it necessary to the expulsion of the invaders from 
the Empire. For, De Broglie being closely pressed by 
Prince Charles, and giving way before him, was drives 
across the Rhine near Manheim ; and Noailles, by this 
means, finding himself plaeed between two formidable 
armies, determined on retreat, burned his magaaines, and 
likewise passed the Khine on the 17th of July, opposite 
Worms, from whence he and De Broglie withdrew to 
their own frontier on the Lauter, so that the whole of 
Grermany was now freed from the French. 

It appears that De Broglie, who had already offended 
the Emperor by his refusal to defend Bavaria, sent him a 
message at this time, on the part of his Government, that 
the King of France could afford him no further assistance, 
and advised him to make peace with the Queen of Hun- 
gary. The unhappy Prince was then at Frankfort, with- 
out credit for even the common necessaries of life, and 
obliged to borrow 40,000 crowns from Noailles, who had 
come (as did also Lord Stwr) to visit him after the battle. 
Yet, notwithstanding his destitute condition, he replied 
to De Broglie with becoming spirit, saying, that he never 
would be instructed how to make peace by those who 
were so ignorant how to make war.'f In conformity 
with his suggestion, however, he signed a neutrality for 
his own hereditary states, which were to remain in the 
Queen of Hungary's possession till the conclusion of a 
peace ; and this peace he endeavoured to obtain through 
the mediation of George the Second, and by the agency 
of Prince William of Hesse, Bat Maria Theresa was by 



^dbyGOOglC 



152 H r O EN ND CHA XX 

no means inclined to n any m a rm 
either to keep Ea a, x h 

Imperial Crown.* M h Mi E and 

much incensed a Cart n and waa n 

aultation with them, reaolutel7 declined to Bauetion or 
adopt the preliminaries agreed to between the King and 
the Emperor, more especially as these provided for a sub- 
sidy of 300,000 crowns to the latter. All the petty Ger- 
man objects of the day, as Chesterfield observes on another 
occasion, were to be paid in a few ducats, and a great 
many guineas ! f Under such obstacles, the negotiation 
■with Prince "William was reluctantly abandoned by King 
George and Lord Carteret. 

On the retreat of the French, the King's quarters at 
Hanau had become the scene, not merely of this nego- 
tiation, but of several Councils of War which Prince 
Charles and Count Khevenhiiller left the Austrian army 
to attend. An immedial« invasion of France was planned 
and announced, and the public expectations, akeady ex- 
cited by the victory of Dettingen, were wound up to the 
highest pitch. , King George accordingly marched across 
the Rhino at the bridge of Mayence, and fixed his station 
at "Worms, while Prince Charles, from Alt Ereisach, 
seized a post on the left bank of the river. But these 
were almost their only achievements ; each considering 
the season too far advanced, or the French too strong, for 
furthei- operations. Moreover the King's camp was dis- 
tracted with jarring counsels and rival pretensions ; Lord 
Stair, above all, complained with bitterness that his advice 
had been slighted; and he delivered to His Majesty an 
angry memorial, reflecting on past transactions, hinting at 
Hanoverian partialities, and asldng permission to retire, as 
he expressed it, to his plough. His resignation was im- 
mediately accepted, not without some marks of the Eoyal 



• " The Qneen of Hungary hss proposed in form tliat she should 
" keep Bavaria and the Upper Palatiiiata, and that the Eeetor of 
" BftVftria should in exchiuige have the Mcgdoni of Naples. , . . 
" Lord Carteret treats it as impracticable, and has sent strong orders 
" upon it to Sir Thomas Eobinson," Mr. Stone to the Earl of Har- 
rington, July 31. 1743, 

t To Mr. D^pMhes, Seplemher 15. 17Sa. Chesterfield's Work?. 



^dbyGOOglC 



1743. 



AFrAlRS or ITALY. 153 



of lhe,r H.no,eri«« ri™!,. Amid,, such dh.lZlTTt 

■nd h,, troop, to Iheir former station in Fi.ndors. 

w., lar from fdHlhng th, apeot«tions raised .1 it, oom- 
meneement. Montem.r h.ri^ been ree.Ued on "'c„n°t 

» hi °r»™ r 'h'^r" ■■' '*''»" '"O -P^'"" 
as ni» snccesjor Count do Gages, an o«cer of En-lish 

n the wmler, he reo.ivod peremptory order, fSnw" 
.mpenou. m,,tr„s to gi,e tattle to the Austrian, ,Stl5? 
three days, or elso resign Us eomm.ud to ,»„th,, Sr 

on the Jd of February, at Campo Santo, and claimed a 
™torr „th the capture of some .tandardslmd S.rr 
Nevertheto, he ™ ,oou afterward, cZ^mZSi 

of ml? ^T"'' ""' '" "■= ■""'•" tow J the fr?nar 
01 Naples, with an atmy reduced to 18,000 men. Tnscam 
ttough subject to the Queen of Hu,;g.r,'s hueb.nd S 
S 'ffn "''" • <"»»7 of nenlrality wS to 
M concluded Savoy and the coa.l of Kid were e'! 

Mp, and ,omo troops a.sombled in D.uphinv ; but ho 

™o";i°rf •""'""' "* «■- i»iut£ 



or Bakf?,?,"' "S" °' "f °rP"S«, "ither i„ Germany 
or Italy, a treaty alfecnng both thoie oountrio, wa. sisned 
by Kag George a. Worn,., on the 13th of Sept.Xr 
The oontr.tt.ng parlies were Eugl.nd, Austria Ld C- 

PdhZ''!^™*-? '■"'.H«rln|loa, ScptmiberH. 1743. (Co,.-, 
t Muraton, Annal d'ltal. Toliii. p. 295-302. 



ib,Googlc 



154 llIisTOPI or BNCLAND CHAP. XXT. 

dinia. By thia alliance the King of Sardinia undertook, 
to assist tte common lauoe witi an aimy of 45,000 men, 
and to renonncfi the pietensiona -nhicli he had adyanced 
to the Milanese, in letum he wa" to be gratified with 
the supreme command of the Allied forces in Italy, when- 
ever present in person, — ■with the cession of the Vigeye- 
nasco and other districts from Austria — and -with a 
yearly subsidy of 200,000?. from England. Maria Theresa 
likewise consented to transfer to him her daim to the 
town and Marquisate of Finale, which had been mort- 
gaged to the Genoese ; find George the Second, besides 
his subsidy, stipulated to maintain a strong fleet in the 
Mediterranean. This treaty of Worms had been nego- 
tiated by Lord Carteret in submission to the Electoral 
wishes of the King, and with scarce any reference to the 
other Ministers in England; nevertheless, it being al- 
ready concluded, they gave it a sullen acquiescence. But 
they absolutely refused to admit a separate and secret 
Convention agreed to at the same time and place, but not 
yet signed, and stipulating that Great Britain should pay 
the Queen of Hungary a subsidy of 300,000i every year, 
not merely during the wai-, but so long " as the, necessity 
" of her affairs shatl require ; " and thia Convention, ac- 
cordingly, was never ratified nor publicly avowed.* 

It cannot fail to be perceived in all these negotiations 
that Carteret made every sacrifice of British interests, 
and of his own popularity, in order to secure the person^ 
favour of the King. Ho was sanguine of prevailing in 
the struggle between the rival parties in the Cabinet, 
which impended from the declining health of Lord Wil- 
mington, and which came to an issue from the death of 
that statesman on the second of July. The two candi- 
dates for his succession were Pulteney and Pclham : the' 
former supported by Carteret, the latter hy the secret 
but still powerful influence of Walpole.f 

* Duke of Newcastle to Mr. Stone, Octolier 14. 1743. (Coxa's 
PelMm,) He adds, " It is a moat strange, tmfair, unpardonable 
" proceeding in Lord Carteret ; but what we must always exi>ect. 
" from him." 

+ The channel of commnaication between Lord Oiford and the 
Court, was the house of Mr. Powla, a Commissioner of Excise, in. 
GoWen Square. Late in the eveninge Walpole used lo meet there in 



^dbyGOOglC 



1743. DEATH OF LOED WILMINGTON. 155 

The fallen Minister, judging of events with his usual 
sagacity and foresight^ aad looking round amoag the 
members of his former party, ss,w none but Henry Pel- 
ham qualified to undertake the direetion of the Treasury, 
and the management of tlie House of Commons. Pelham 
himself, with characteristic timidity, shrunk from the 
dangerous pre-eminence, but was urged forward by the- 
exhortations of Lord Orford, of his brother Newcastle, 
and of the Chancellor Hardwieke. At length, he had 
been prev^led upon to solicit the reversion of Wilming- 
ton's office, before the King went abroad : his application 
was secret ; and the answer, by Orford's influence and 
advice, was a positive promise from His Majesty. 

On the other hand the friends of Lord Bath perceived 
the fatal error he had committed, in not taking the Trea- 
sury on Walpole's resignation, and warned him not to be 
the bubble of his own reputation for consistency. Pul- 
teney admitted the truth of their representations ; he felt 
that it was a chimerical hope to direct public measures 
without holding any public appointment, and that de- 
clarations against office thrown out in the heat of debate, 
or in the bitterness of party struggles, mighty to promote 
his principles, be infringed without blame. Still how- 
ever he wavered, and would make no application previous 
to Lord Wilmington's demise. But on that event he was 
persuaded to write a letter to Lord Carteret, to be laid 
before the King, stating the unanimous wishes of the 
Board of Treasury in his favour — expressing his own 
acquiescence — and soliciting the place. This letter he 
sent express to the Continent by a confidential servant 
of Sir John Rushout, his warm friend and one of the 
new Lords of the Treasury. 

This letter, and a renewed application from Mr. Pel- 
ham, reached His Majesty while he still remained at 
Hanau. For five weeks no decision was taken upon 
either. The foi-mal answer to Pelham — that the King 
would make known his pleasure through Lord Carteret 
— was far from affording him an omen of success. AI- 



he IQng's confidential psge ; the door being slvrays opened 
It -by Ml-. Fowle himself ; but hia danghliers sometiroea peeped 
e top of (he stall's. See Coxe'a Walpoie, vol i. p. 733. 



^dbyGOOglC 



156 EKTORT OP ENGLAND. CHAP. SXV. 

ready did the faint resolution of Pelham begin to sink, 
and was only sustained by friendly exhortations from 
Houghton. " If," added Lord Orford, " you Lad tafcen 
" the adviee of a fool, {meaning himself) and heen made 
*' Chancellor of the Exchequer, under Lord Wilmington, 
" the -whole had dropped into your mouth. Lost oppor- 
" tAinities are not easily retrieved."* It may, therefore, be 
supposed with how mueh surprise and delight the Pel- 
hams hailed a letter from Lord Carteret, dated the 16th 
of August, Old Style, in which hy His Majesty's com- 
mand he announced & decision in their favour. The 
tone of Carteret in this communication was manly and 
straightforward, yet not hostile! he avowed to Pelham 
that he had striven to the utmost against him, but added, 
" what could anybody in my circumstances do other- 
" wise ? If I had not stood by Lord Bath who could 
" ever value my friendship, and would not yon have de- 
" spised me ? However, as the affair is now decided ia 
" your favour by His Majesty, I wish you joy of it, and 
" I will endeavour to support you as much as I can." f 

Henry Pelham, when he became First Lord of the 
Treasury, was forty-seven years of age, and had been 
twenty-fom- in Parliament. His character was Walpole's 
in miniature. He had formed himself upon Sir Rohcrt's 
model as nearly as his far inferior talents would allow, 
while his cai-e and caution had restrained him from Wal- 
pole's more open defects. He differed, however, from 
Lis model in natural temper : far from the joyous good 
humour and buoyant courage of Walpole, Pelham was 
peevish and irritable ; qualities which would have made 
him very unpopular amongst his party, had they not been 
usually kept down by an inborn timidity and dread of 
giving offence. From this difference of temper between 

• To Mr, Pelham, Jnly 13. 1743. (Coxe's Pelham.) 
t See tbis letter in Coxe'a Pelham, vol. i. p. 85. In his Memoirs 
of WaJpoIe, Mr. Coxe says, " it is more than probable that before the 
" return of Bushout'a mesEenger, the King had consnlted cbe Earl of 
" Ortbni." (p. 735.) This, iiowever, appears to be disproved by 
Orfbrd'e confidentiDl letters, as pubUsheil in Coxe's sabseqnent work. 
Nor would it be easy to explain why the King should think it de- 
sirable to consult Lord Ocforf agdn, having bdbra he left England 
received his opinion and adrica on the veij point at Jssne. 



^dbyGOOglC 



1743. nENRT PELHAM. 157 

the two Ministers, it followed that the love of power, 
in ■which both concurred, was manifested in opposite 
ways, — Sir Eobert's by bearing none but mutes in the 
Cabinet ! Mr. Pelham's by shrinking from any new op- 
ponent in the Commons, In the same proportion, how- 
ever, as his abilities fell below Ms predecessor's, did they 
rise, above hia brother the Duke of Newcastle's. He had 
probity, industry, punctuality ; he was a good speaker on 
points of business, and a good Minister'for quiet times. 
He never incurred lavish expense, except when the King 
very particularly desired it; nor forsook his friends, but 
on extremely pinching questions. In short, we may plac« 
him in that large and respectable class of statesmen, 
whom contemporaries do right to keep in office, but 
whom posterity will seldom, take the trouble to re- 



The view of the Bang in preferring Pelham, besides his 
dislike of Bath and his regard for Orford, seems to have 
been that, since the Hanoverian troops, the foreign sub- 
sidies, and the dissensions of the Gienerals were likely to 
excite considerable . clamours, it was absolutely requisite 
to secure the most powerful assistance in the House of 
Commons. At the same time, however, Carteret's fa- 
vour and confidence in all foreign business continued 
unimpaired. Under these circumstances, the following 
was ^e advice of Pelham's old patron in Norfolk ; " Gain 
" time, strengthen yourself, and enter into no hasty en- 
" gagements. " * Such a course was sufficiently agreeable 
to Pelham's natural caution. He made no rash or un- 
necessaiy alterations. He found places for hia friend 
Henry Fox, and for Lord Middlesex, an adherent of the 
Prince of Wales. The Paymastership of the Forces, va- 
cant by his own elevation, he bestowed on Winnington ; 
and, requiring for himself the office of Chancellor of the 
Exchequer, he gratified Sandys on his retirement with a 
peerage and a place in the Eoyal Household. And when, 
' ■' ■ g December, two Members of the Cabinet, 



• Lord Orford to Mr. Pelham, July 13. 1J43. This was written 
in anticipation of the event. In a snbseqncnt letter the veteran 
statcsmnn and Eportsman adds, " Whig it ivith all opponents that will 
"parlj, but Vara Tory!" Angust 25. 1743, 



^dbyGOOglC 



1S8 HIBTOKY OP ENGLAND. CHAP. XXV. 

Lords Gtower and Cobham, resigned from disgust, at find- 
ing that the Hanoverian troops were still to he continued, 
the Privy Seal Tvas transferred to Lord Cholmondeley, 
although on tliis last occasion, Lord Bath strained his 
whole influence in favour of Lord Carlisle. It is remark- 
able, thai^ from the long tenure and exorbitant power of 
"Walpole in government, the office he had filled at the 
Lead of the Treasury was now universally considered as 
that of the Prilne Minister, whereas, previous to 1721, 
the main authority had often been vested in a Secretary 
of State. 

Another advantage to Pelliam, at this period, accrued 
from the death of two principal chiefs of the new Oppo- 
sition, Lord Hervey and the Duke of Argyle. The bril- 
liant parts of Hervey had been always checked by Lis 
feeble health, while the great name of Argyle was lowered 
by ids rapid changes, and recent Jaflobit* connectiona. 
Leaving no male issue, Argyle was succoeded in his titles 
and estates by his brother, and of late his bitter enemy, 
the Earl of Isla. Never did such near kinsmen display 
less affinity of mind. With aU his faults and follies, 
Argyle was still brave, eloquent^ and accomplished, a 
skilful officer and a princely nobleman. Isla, on the con- 
trary, was base and mean — " his heart is like his aspect, 
"vile," says Hanbm'y Williams, — suspected of having 
betrayed Walpole at his fall*, I believe, unjustly, yet, 
seldom on any occasion, swayed either by gratitude or 
generosity. 

The King and Lord Carteret having returned to Eng- 
land, the ParUament was opened on the 1st of December. 
The Opposition did not appear very formidable on common 
questions ; thus, an attempt to put a negative on the Ad- 
dress of Thanks was rejected by 278 against 149. But 
the unpopularity of Hanoverian troops and Sardinian 
subsidies armed them with extraordinary strength. Ches- 
terfield and Pitt^ above all, thundered against Carteret, as 

* This chai^ is broadly urged by Sir C. Hanbuiy Williams, in a 
poem, from which the line aboTe is taken {Works, vol. i. p. 28.) ; and 
it is more than once hinted hy Horacu Walpole in Ha letters. But I 
observe that Sir Robert himself altaebed no weight to if. See hia 
warm letter of congratuIalJon to Isla on his accession to the Dukedom. 
(Coxe'fl Walpole, voL iii, p. 599.) 



^dbyGOOglC 



1744. MEETIlfa 03? PAELIAJIENT. 159 



the autlioT of these measures, and transferred to him most 
of the hard names whici had so lately resounded against 
Walpole. On the very first night of the Session, Pitt 
denounced him as " an execrable, a sole Minister, who 
" seems to have drunk of the potion, which poets have de- 
" aerihed, as causing men to forget their country." And 
on another occasion, after calling him " the Hanover- 
*' troop-Minister " — "a fls^itious task-master " — " with 
" the sixteen thousand Hanoverians as his placemen, and 
" with no other party ;" in short, after he had exhausted 
invectives, he added, "But I have done; if he were 
" present I would say ten times more ! " * In the same 
dehate, a cousin of Lord Strange went even further — if 
that was possible — in violence ; his own friend, George 
Grenville, called him to order ; and we find even Mr. 
Torke complaining of " the inconsiderate warmth of 
^'Stanley."! 

Motions against tho Hanover troops and Hanover 
measures were now brought forward, night after night, 
in every variety of form. The arguments I need not 
recapitulate ; they were nearly the same as in the pre- 
vious Session. On these points the Ministerial majorities 
were neither large nor willing, while the nation ii-om 
without were loud in their expressions of resentment. 
It frequently happened that the toast of "No Hanoverian 
" King " was proposed even in loyal companies, and the 
very name of Hanoverian became a by-word of insult 
and reproach. Thus fraught with all but universal un- 
popuhurify, the question of the foreign troops had begun 
to scare even the moat resolute members of the Cabinet. 
All except Carteret wavered. A letter is preserved from 
the Duke of Hewcasfle, in which he argues against the 
Hanoverian mercenaries, as strongly as he did for them 
a few months before and a few months after.J Mr. 
Pelham, as usual, was timorous ; his fears were quick- 
ened by his brother's, and the measure would undoubt- 
edly have been dr-opped but for the interposition of Lord 

* H. "Walpole to Sir K Mmm, jEtnuary 24. 1744. _ 

+ Mr P. Yorke'B Jonmal, Pai'L Hist. vol. xiii. p. 464. It 19 welded 

that " the scene could be compareil to nothing but a tumultuous 

" Polish Diet." 

J To Lord Haiilwic.kc, Koiemljer 1. 1743. 



^dbyGOOglC 



160 IlISTOET OF ENGLAND. CHAP. XXV. 

Orford. This veteran statesman, on coming to town, 
most warmly deprecated such an insult (for so lie deemed 
it) to his Ecyal master; he used his authority over Pel- 
ham and his otlier partisans in tlie Cabinet — an autho- 
rity that finally prevailed over their alarms. And though, 
hitherto, he had seldom appeared, and never spoken in 
the House of Lords, having remarked to his brother 
Horace that he had left his tongue in the House of Com- 
mons, yet on this occasion his eloquent voice was once 
more raised, beseeching their Lordships to forget their 
cavils and divisions and unite in affection round the 
throne.* It was solely owing to him that the torrent of 
public opposition was braved and overcome. "The 
" whole world," says his son, "nay, the Prince himself, 
" allows that if Lord Orford had not come to town, the 
" Hanover troops had been lost." "j" 

Whatever may be thought of the system of buying 
troops from Germany, " that great market of men," as 
Pitt emphatically called it in debate J, we must own that 
it was no fit season to disband the army, when the perils 
of the war were rapidly thieliening around us. The 
French Glovetnment, irritated by the Trealj of Worms, 
had, on their part, concluded at Fontainebleau an alliance 
offensive and defensive with Spain. They determined 
to send forth a superior army in the next campaign, with 
their young King at its head, and, instead of continuing 
the contest as auxiliaries, to issue a direct declaration of 
hostilities against both England and Austria ; nay, more, 
they were encouraged by iJie clamours against the Han- 
overians, and the other symptoms of popular discontent 
in England, to undertake a Jacobite invasion — an at- 
tempt of which a fuU account shall presently be given. 
It was met, however, with prompt resolution, both by 
the Ministry and by the Psffliament. Several members 
of the Opposition — none more conspicuously than Pitt — 
laid aside, for the moment, their party animosities to 
withstand the common danger. The Duke of Marl- 
borough, in spite of his recent resignation, hastened up 

* Seo his speech at length, in Coxe's MemoJi'B, p. 738. 
■f H. Walpole w Sir H, Mann, Januavy 24, 1744. 
i ParL Hist. vol.xiiL p. 468. 



^dbyGOOglC 



1744. HABEAS CORPUS ACT SUSPEHDED, 161 

to London to move a loyal Address ia the House of 
Peers. Tte Earl of Stair, forgetting his wrongs, offered 
his services in any station, and in return was graciously 
appointed Commander in Chief. It soon appeared — a. 
fact till lately incomprehensihle to foreign nations ■ — that 
the most ardent adversaries of the Minister might lie 
among the moat zealous subjects of the King. The high 
Tories and Jacobites, on their part, expecting that their 
cause would soon be decided by other weapons than 
words, prudently, for the most part, kept aloof from the 
debat«s. Supplies were voted fo the amount of nearly 
10,000,000/. including suhsidies of 300,000/. to Austria, 
and 200,000/, to Sardinia. The Habeas Corpus Act was 
suspended, but only for two months. A Bill w^ brought 
in, from the ranks of Opposition, providing that the 
penalties on treasonable coiTespondence with the Pre- 
tender should extend to correspondence with his children. 
But on reaching the Upper House two additional clauses 
were proposed by the Lord Chancellor : one, to attaint 
the sons of the Pretender, in ease they should attempt to 
land ; and the other, to extend the penalties of the Act 
to the posterity of those who should be eonvicfed under 
it, during the lifetime of both the young Pretenders. 
The former clause passed unanimously ; but the latter, 
which tended to impose a cruel punishment on children 
for the offences of their fathers, was strenuously though 
ineffectuaUy opposed by the Duke of Bedford and Lord 
Chesterfield in one House, by Mr. Pitt afli Lord Strange 
in the other. 

Out of Parliament the proceedings were not less 
vigorons. A proclamation was issued for putting the 
laws in force against Papists and Nonjurors. Lord 
Earrymore and Colonel Cecil were arrested and ex- 
amined, but no material discoveries being made against 
them they were soon afterwards released.* Troops were 

* The Earl of Bacrjmore, an Irish Peer, and a Member of the 
House of Commons in England, was at this time the oldest Lien- 
tenant General in the service : he died in 1747, at the ^e of eighty. 
His fortune was great, tut his temper penniioua ; in Ma political 
principles he was whollj devoted to the exiled family. See Mr. 
Torke's Journal, Pad. Hist. toL xiii. p. 668. and Tmdal's Histoiy, 



^dbyGOOglC 



OP EKGLAND. CHAP. XXV. 

directed by fbrced marches to the Southern coast, and swC 
application was sent to the Dutch for the 6000 auxiliai-ies 
which they were hound by treaty to furnish in case of 
an invasion. Loyal addresses and protestations of service 
poured in from every quarter. Yet, with all this out- 
ward show, it appears that, in truth, no more than 7000 
Englishmen, in arms, could he drawn together for the 
defence of the capital or any of the neighbouring coun- 
ties i while, on the other hand, the Jacobite conspiracy 
was extensive, well laid, and ready to hurat forth. The 
veteran brother of Sir Robert Walpoie, whose sagacity 
and zeal for the Protestant Succession are equally uu- 
questionahle, laments in private that, " I see nothing but 
" words stirring in the City, for the support of the Gto- 
vernmenL I do not look upon Addresses to carry with 
them powder and hall — and I apprehend that the peo- 
ple may perliaps look on and cry, ' Fight dog ! fight 
' bear ! ' if they do no worse ! " f As it appears to me, 
the fate of England at this juncture hung suspended on 
the winds and the waves : had theae not favoured us tlie 
cause of the Stuaj-ts might, nay must, for a season have 
prevailed ; but, as with the Spanish Armada, flavit 
Deus et dissipanttjr. 

r. Treyor, Mmv!i 3. 



^dbyGOOglC 



CHAPTER XXVI. 

EvEE siDce the accession of Cardinal Tencin to power, 
the Jacohites had formed the most sanguine hopes of 
French support. His attachment to the House of Stuart 
— the favours it had hestowed upon him — his enter- 
prising temper, as contrasted with the dilatory prudence 
of Fleury — the rancour excited by the progress of the 
■nrar — these circumstances might well justify tlieir ex- 
pectations. Nc* were they disappointed. The Cardinal 
immediately renewed the negotiation with the British 
exiles at Paris, which had greatly languished in the last 
year of Flewy's life, but which was still in the hands 
of I«rd Sempill, and Drummond of Bohaldie. He also 
disposed the French Government in favour of the scheme, 
and found the King's mind, though indolent, yet well 
inclined to the Stuarts, as to his kinsmen, in whose 
veins as in his own ran the heroic blood of Henri Quatre. 
Nor were considerations of policy wanting, to show the 
French the importance of at least distracting the British 
from foreign affairs, and if possible, placing a grateful 
ally upon their throne. Arrangements were, therefore, 
speedily in pi-ogress for an expedition to England, and a 
smaller one to Scotland, to be assisted by simultaneous 
risings in both countries. For these was needed the pre- 
sence of the exiled Prince as their ohject and leader. 
But, even the youth of James had never been remarkable 
for enterprise, and he was latterly weighed down by age 
and disappointmento. He had even formed a project (as 
we learn by some mysterious hints in the Stuart Papers) 
of resigning his titular Crown in favour of his eldest son j 
a project from which at a somewhat hiter period it needed 
the young prince's most anxious entreaties to dissuade 
him.* James had hoped that there might not be even a 
B Charles to liia father 



^dbyGOOglC 



164 mSTOKT OP ENGLAND. CnAP. XXT. 

whisper of auch a scteme until tlie moment for its execu- 
tion ; but certainly no secret is so hard to be kept as the 
intended resignation of a Sovereign or abdication of a 
Minister. It seems that some slight rumours of his 
purpose were ah-oady rife among his partisans ; and at 
all events, conscious as they were of his infirmities, their 
m^n hopes had for some time rested on hb son Prince 
Charles, then in the twenty-fourth year of his age, en- 
dowed by nature with many, and by their imBgiaafion 
with all, great qualities.* 

Cliarles Edward Stuart is one of those characters 
that cannot be portrayed at a single sketch, but have so 
greatly altered, as to require a new delineation at different 
periods. View him in his later years, and we behold the 
ruins of intemperance — as wasted but not as venerable 
as those of time ; — we find him in his anticipated age 
a besotted drunkard, a peevish husband, a tyrannical 
master — his understanding debased, and his temper 
soured. But not such was the Charles Stuart of 1745 1 
Not such was the gallant Prince full of youth, of hope, of 
courage, who, landing with seven men in the wilds of 
MoidarC could rally a kingdom round his banner, and 
scatter his foes before him at Preston and at Falkirk! 
Not such was the gay and courtly host of Holyrood ! Not 
such was he, whose endurance of fatigue and eagerness 
for battle shone pre-eminent, even amongst Highlwid 
chiefs ; while fairer critics proclaimed him the most win- 
ning in conversation, the most gi'aeeful in the dance! 
Can we think lowly of one who could acquire such un- 
bounded popularity in so few months, and over- so noble a. 
nation as the Scots ; who could so deeply stamp his 
image on their hearts that, even thirty or forty years 



* The fervid imaginalion of tlie Jacobites at tbis dine in favour of 
Prince Chm-lea was esmtei by the mipopnlarity which they, not 
■without some foundation, ascribed to bis rival Piinca Prederict 
liua we find Hb. Cari« writes to James : " Tour Majesty's caniso 
" seems to me to have derirod several advantogeB from this Session. 
" Among them I leekoa the utter contempt into which. Print* Ered- 
" erick is feUen by his conduct at thsx, time, so that nobody for the 
" future will have any icoourse to hira or dependence npon him." 
Letl«r dated May i. 1743, in the Stnait Papers, See Appendix, 



^dbyGOOglC 



I^'IS. PKINCE CHAELES STL'AET. J65 

Kfter his departure, hm name, as we are told, always 
awakened the most ardent praises from all wiio liad 
known hint— the most rugged hearts were seen to melt 
at Lis rememhrance— and tears to steal down the fur- 
rowed cheeks of tlie veteran ? Let 113, then, without de- 
nying the faults of his character, or extenuating the 
degradatioa of his age, do justice to the lustre of Hs 
manhood. 

The person of Charles— (I begin with this for the 
sake of female readers)— was tall and well-formed ; his 
hmbs athletic and active. He excelled in all manly exer- 
cises, and was inured to every kind of toil, especiaUy long 
niM-ches on foot, having applied himself to field sports in 
Italy, and become an excellent walker.* His face was 
strikingly handsome, of a perfect oval and a fair com- 
plexion ; his eyes light blue ; his features high and noble. 
OontJ-aiy to the custom of the time, which prescribed 
perukesUis own fair hair usually fell in long ringlets on his 
neck. This goodly person was enhanced by his graceful 
manners: fi-equently condescending to the most familiar 
kindness, yet always shielded by a regal dignity, he had 
a pecuhai- talent to please and to persuade, and never 
failed to adapt his conversation to the taste or to the sta- 
tion of those whom he addressed. Yet he owed nothing 
to his education : it had been entrusted to Sir Thomas 
bhendan, an Irish Roman Catholic, who has not escaped 
the suspicion of being in the pay of the British Govern- 
ment, and at their instigation betraying his duty as a 
teacher. I am bound to say that I have found no corro- 
boration of so foul a charge. Sheridan appears to me to 
have lived and died a man of honour; but History can 
only acquit liim of base perfidy by accusing him of gross 
neglect. He had certainly left hia pupil uninstrucfed in 
the most common elements of knowledge. Charles's 
letters, which I have seen amongst the Stuart Papers, are 
written in a krge, rude, rambling hand, like a school- 
V ■*'' » 1. '^'^ ^f^^'"S ttey are still more deficient With 
hiin " humour," for example, becomes emee; the weapon 
he knew so well how to wield is a soud ; and, even his 
own father's name appears under the alias of gems. Nor 

* Boswell's Tour to Ihe Hebrides, p. 23 1, ed. 1786. 



^dbyGOOglC 



are these errors confiDed to a single language: who — to" 
gi^e another instance from his French — would recognize 
a hanting-knife in COOiO db cuas? I can, therefore, 
readily believe that, as Dr. King assures us, he knew^ 
very little of the History or Coiistitntion of England.* 
But the letters of Charles, while they prove his want ot 
education, no less clearly display his natural powers, 
great energ}- of character, and great warmth of heart.' 
"Writing coi^dentially, just before he sailed for Scotland, 
he says, " I made my devotions on Pentecost Day, recom- 
" mending myself particularly to the Almighty on this 
" occasion to guide and direct me, and to continue to ma' 
" always the same sentiments, which are, rather to suSFer 
" any thing than fail in any of my duties.''t His young 
brother, Henry of York, is mentioned with the utmost 
tenderness ; and, though on his return from Scotknd he 
conceived that he had reason to compliun of Henry's cold- 
ness and reserve, the fault is lightly touched upon, and 
Charles observes that, whatever may be his brother's 
want of kindness, it shall never diminish his own.}: To 
his father, his tone is both affectionate and dutiful : he 
frequently acknowledges his goodness ; and, when at the 
outset of liis great enterprise of 1745, he entreats a bless- 
ing from the Pope, surely, the sternest Eomanist might 
foi^ive him for adding, that he shall thinli; a blessing 
from his parent more precious and more holy still, § As 
to his friends and partisans. Prince Charles has been 
often accused of not being sufficiently moved by their 
sufferings, or grateful for their services. Bred up amidst 
monks and bigots, who seemed far less afraid of his re- 
maining excluded from power, than that on gaining he 



* Anecdotes of his own Time, p.20!. 

t Second letter of Jnne 12. 174S. See Appentlix. 

J LettfiT to his father, December 19. 1746. 

§ Letter of June 12. 1745. James on his part writes lo bis eon 
with warm aflfection, many of his letters beginning with the Italian 
name of endearment, " My dearest Corluecio." — But my remarks 
apply no further than July, 1747, when the nomination of Henry 
as a Cardinal — e, measure most injurious to the Stnart canse, and 
carefully concealed till the last moment from his brother, so as td 
prevent hie remonstrances — prodnced an almost complete estrauge- 
ment between. Charles and his family. 



idb,Googlc 



I'^'^S. PJtIKCK CHARLES STUAET. 107 

should use it liberally, lie Lad been taught the highest 
notions of prerogative and hereditaiy right. From 
thence ho might infer, that those who served him in Scot- 
land did no more than their duty— were merely fulfllling 
a plam social obligation, aad were not, therefore, entitled 
to any very especial praise and admiration. Yet, on the 
other hand, we must remember Low prone are all exiles 
to exaggerate their own desert, to think no rewards suf- 
ficient for it, and to complain of neglect, even where none 
really exists ; and moreover that, in point of fact, many 
passages from Charles's most familiar correspondence 
might be adduced to show a watchful and affectionate 
care for his adherents. As a very young man, he deter- 
mined that he would sooner submit to personal privation 
than embarrass his fi-iends by contracting debts.* On 
retm-mng from Scotland he told the French Miniatar, 
D Ai^enson, that he would never ask any thing for him- 
self, but was ready to go down on his knees to obtain 
favours for his brother eziles.j Once, after lamenting 
some divisions and misconduct among his servants, he 
declares that, nerertheless, an honest man is so highly 
to be prized that, " unless your Majesty orders me, t 
" should part with them with a sore heart."J Nay more, 
as If appears to me, this warm feeling of Charles for his 
unfortunate friends survived almost alone, when, in his 
decline of life, nearly every other noble quality had been 
dimmed and defaced from his mind. In 1785 Mr. Greathed, 
a personal friend of Mr. Fos, succeeded in obtaming an 
interview with him at Eome. Being alone with him for 
some time, the English traveller studiously led the con- 
versation to his enterprise in Scotland. The Prince 
showed some reluctance to enter upon the subject, and 
seem^ to suffer much pain at the remembrance ; but 
Mr. Greathed, with more of curiosity than of discretion 
still persevered. At length, then, the Prineo appeared to 
shake off the load which oppressed him ; his eye bright- 
ened, his face assumed unwonted animation ; and he 

*, "I never love to owe, but, on die 
" of little conveniencHS rather than ri 
1744. Stuart Papeia 

j- Xettfir of Dec 19. 1746. 

J InJCter of January 16, 1747, 



^dbyGOOglC 



Ids HISTOKY OP ENOLAMD. CHAP. XXVI. 

begim the narrative of his Scottish campaigns with a 
vehement energy of manner, recounting his marches, liis 
battles, his victories, and his defeat, his hair-breadth 
escapes, and the inviolable and devoted attachment of hia 
Highland followers, and at length pi-oceeding to the 
dreadfni penalties which so many of them had subse- 
quently undergone. But the recital of their sufferings 
appeared to wound him far more deeply than liis own ; 
then, and not till then, his fortitude forsook him, his 
voice faltered, his eye became fixed, and he feD to the 
floor in convulsions. At the noise in rushed the Duchess 
of Albany, his illegitimate daughter, who happened to he 
in the next apartment. " Sir," she exclaimed to Mr. 
Greathed, " what is this ! you must have been speaking 
" to my father about Scotland and the Highlanders 1 No 
" one dares to mention these subjects in his presence."* 

Once more, however, let me turn from the last gleams 
of the expiring flame to the hours of its meridian bright- 
ness. — In estimatLDg the abilities, of Prince Charles, I may 
first observe that they stood in most direct conti-ast to hia 
father's. Each excelled in what the other wanted. No 
man could express himself with more cleai'ness and ele- 
gance than James ; it has been said of him that he wrote 
better than any of those whom he employed^ j but, on the 
other hand, his conduct was always deficient in energy 
and enterprise. Charles, as we have seen, was no penman j 
while in action — in doing what deserves to be written, 
and not in merelyivriting what deserves to be read — he 
stood far superior. He had some little experience of war, 
having, when very young, joined the Spanish army at 
the siege of GaetaJ, and distinguished himself on that 
occasion, and he loved it as the birthright both of a 
Sobieski and a Stuart. His quick intelligence, his prompt- 
ness of decision, and his contempt of danger, are recorded 
on unquestionable testimony. His talents as a leader 

' S(;ottisliEpisKipalMj^iiiine,ToLii. p. 177.i and Ciiambtas's His- 
tory of the Eeballion of 1745, vol. iL p. S21. The rigljt due must ba 
not 1783 bat 1785, as Charles was Etill at norence in tfie former year, 
and not yot joined by bis daagiitev. 

t See Macpherson's State Papers, vol Ji. p. 225. 

j Muracori, AnnaL d'ltal. vol xii. p. 207. 



^dbyGOOglC 



1745. PRINCE CHARLES STUART. IQg 

probably never rose above tbe common level ■ vet. in 
T° "fi '''.-, ?"""* "lere be aod bis morepietised 
offleer,d.irer.a,„ opinion, it will I, Wnk .pp„ 5„, ^ " 
jere „ong and he ws. rigbt. No kniglt o£ tbe oldm 
time conld have . loftier sense of bononr, indeed b. 
pushed ,t to such wild eitremes, tint it often led bia into 
erior and misfortnne. Tbn^ he lost tbe battle of Culloden 
in a great measure because he disdained to talte advantane 
of the ground, and deemed it more cbivalrous to meet tbe 
memr on equal t»ms. Thus, also, bis wilful and fro- 
«rf conduct at the peace of iUx la Chapello proceeded 
from a fa se point of honour, which ho iliongbt involved 
in It At other times, again, this generous spirit mav de- 

^„IV5™°.* "5 ''"'"'• '• ™" '"" <" UrxiM or 
provoked into adopting anj- harsh measures of retaliation • 
his extreme lemty to his prisoners, even to such as h J 
attempted bis iifo, was, it' seem., \ common matter ff 
complaint among liis troop,.; and, even when enconrage- 
ment had been given to his assassination, and a price out 
upon his he»J, bo continued most oarnestlv to urge that in 

no possible c.«, should lb, .' Eiector,-a. be'calicdTii. ,S,S 
Bu«.r any personal injui7 or insult. This miiietv was 
always presea in bis mind. Mr, Forsyth, > g.nileoan 
whose description of Italy is far tbe best that ha. appeared, 
and whose sernpnlo,s accuracy and superior means of 
imbrmation will he aeknowicdged by all travellers, relates 
how, only , few years after the Scottish eipedition! 
Charles relying on tbe faith of a single adhercnL set out 
S n '" *.''."''!= """B^'e. »ud under the name of 
ioTo , ""fT ';■« ""••• '" "" i»t'«iueed at midnight 
into a room full of conspirators whom iie had never pre- 
viously seen « Here," and his eondnctor, " is the person 

IsSSbr Th"' '"' ''" ".'* "' '° «■= "f-S"'" 
mSfTi^r T ™» "'"' i»»e™4 themselves 
equal at that time, to treat with him for the throne of 
Ungland. "Dispose of me, gentlemen, as you plea«,» 

"Jan Sn ', ?' "\'? '° r' P™'' »"" "-"^e 
can stipulate for nothing. Tet give me, I entreat, one 
solemn promise, that if your design should succeed; the 

* Capt. Danid's Narrative, MS. 



idb,Googlc 



170 EISTOKT OF ENGLAND. CHAI". XXVI. 

" pf esent family shall be sent safely and honourably 

Another quality of Charles's mind was great flrmnesa 
of resolution, which pride and sori-ow afterwards hardened 
into sullen obstinacy. He was likewise, at all times, 
prone to gnsfs and sallies of anger, when his language 
became the more peremptory from a haughty conscious- 
ness of his adversities. I have found among his papers a 
note without direction, but no doubt intended for some 
tardy officer : it contained only these words : " I order 
" you to execute my orders, or else never to come bad:." 
Such harshness might, probably, turn a wavering adherent 
to the latter alternative. Thus, also, his public expressions 
of resentment against the Court of France, at different 
periods, were certainly far more just than politic. There 
seemed always swelling at his heart a proud determination 
that no man should dare to use him the worse for his evil 
fortune, and that he should sacrifice any thing or every 
thing sooner than his dignity. 

Such is, I conceive, a true and impartial portviut of 
Prince Charles, as he departed from Rome, and as he 
arrived iii Scotland. I shall afterwards have occasion to 
explain some of the causes that ere long impaired the 
merits and darkened the shades of his character; and, at 
this place, it only remains for me to touch upon some fea- 
tures, inconsistent with the portrait I have drawn, but 
resting, as I think, on no sufficient evidence. " He was 
" a miser," says Dr. King. " I have known him, with 
" two thousand louis-d'ors in his strong box, pretend ha 
" was in great distress, and borrow money from a lady in 
" Paris who was not in affluent circumstances. His most 
"faithful servants were ill rewarded."! ■ ■ ■ ■ First it 
should be remembered that the testimony of Dr. King is 
very far from impartial to the Stuarts ; he was that worst 

* Poreyth's Italy, p. 687, Geneva ed. He is, howerer, raistuken as 
to tiie date of this journey, which whb nndoubtetUy September, 17S0. 
See long's Aneodotfs, p. 196. Tliera aeema to nave been another 
Buch corispiracj two yeara ^lerwards. A medal, in my possessionj 
has on one side Prince Charlcis's head, and on the other the inscvip- 
tion, LS^Anna dVES, sept. sxiu. hdcclii. This date, there is reason 
to conjectnre. rei^ to Charles having declnred himself a Fi*ot£ataat. 

t Anecdotes of his own Time, p. 202. 



^dbyGOOglC 



1745. PEINCE CHARLES STUART. 171 

of all enemies, a former friend. If the facts of his st^iry 
be truly stated — and his authority, though not impartial, ia 
yet, I own, of no inconsiderable weight — they will cer- 
tainly admit of no defence. But as to the charge of ava- 
rice in general, and of sparing rewards to his servants, I 
may observe that for the sake of the exiles themaeives, 
and with a view to their certain and complete relief, it 
was surely better for Charles to be thrifty of his means, 
and to collect money for the execution of one great enter- 
prise, rather than to scatter it 'n a u a I 1 t f 
bounty. 

"But he was a coward!" Su h tl 1 ge f 

those who love to trample on h fall n nd to 1 eap 
imputations upon him whom f ha al ealy 

whelmed. When Lochiel, L d C g Mu y aad o 
many other brave men so ofte n d Cha 1 s sh 
aad cheeked his headlong eagemeisa for battle, can it be 
doubted that he equalled (for none could esceed) them in 
bravery ? But who are they that assert the contrary ? 
Helvetins, the French philosophist, whose house at Paris 
was for some time Charles's residence, told David Hunw* 
that the Prince was utterly faint-hearted, insomuch tiiat 
when the expedition to Scotland was in preparation, it 
had been necessary to carry him on ship-board by main 
force, bound hand and foot.* Now, on the contrary, there 
are no facts in all history better attested than that, 
throughout his stay in I'Vance, Charles warmly pressed 
the expedition against many of his friends, who wished to 
await a more favourable opportunity, and that, in Scot- 
land, it wi« solely his earnest persuasion that prevailed 
npon the first Highlanders to rise. The documents which 
l^ve since appeared not only establish these facts in the 
clearest manner, but must tend, by subverting the testi- 
mony of Helvetius on one point, to render it worthless oa- 
all others.f 

But the cowardice of Charles is also asserted by the 
Chevalier Johnstone, an officer of Ms own army. This, 

• Letter from Hume to Dr. Pringle, Pebruaiy 13. 1773, Meinoires 
Secrets do Dubois, vol. i. p, 139. 

t See this srgument more fiilly m^d ia a note to Waverley, vol ii. 
p. 272. revised ed. 



^dbyGOOglC 



172 niSTOKY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, XSVl. 

at first eight, may appear uiimipeachable nuthority. The 
keener eyes, however, of Sir Walter Scott, and other 
Scottish antiquaries, have diecovered that Johnstone, in 
other parts of hia narrative, allows himself quite unworthy 
of credit. Thus a most minute and circumstantial story, 
which he ascribes to Gordon of Abbachie, is proved to he 
in all ifa parts an utter fiction. Tiius, again, his own 
private circumstances are found to be in some respects the 
very opposite from what he represents them.* After 
such detections, I can only value Johnstone's Memoirs for 
their military criticisms and remarks, but shall never 
admit them as sufiicient evidence for facts. The com- 
plaints of men who in their vanity think their services 
slighted, or the calumnies of those who forsake, and then, 
to excuse their forsaking, slander, the defeated, are 
always too readily welcomed by contemporary rancour. 
But there is I believe no higher duty — I am sure there 
is no greater pleasure — in history, than to vindicate the 
memory of a gallant and unfortunate enemy. 

Early in the summer of 1743, Cardinal Ten ci a wrote 
to the old Pretender, urging that Prince Charles should 
at once proceed from Eome to France, so as to be ready 
to take the command of the intended expedition when- 
ever that should be prepared. The answer of James, 
however, far more sagaciously points out, that his son's 
journey should rather be deferred tiU those preparations 
were completed, as it would otherwise serve to put the 
British Government upon its guard, and induce it to 
adopt more active measures of defence^ Accordingly, 
the previous step was to draw together 15,000 veterans at 
Dunkirk, to be commanded, under Charles, by the Mares- 
chal de Saxe, an illegitimate son of the late King of 
Poland, and at that time the most skilful and intrepid 
officer in the French service: a large number of trans- 
ports for the descent were collected in the Channel, and 
& fleet of eighteen sail of the hne, for their protection was 
ready to sail from the harbours of Eochefort and BresL 
Notice of these equipments, and of thcii" state of forward- 
ness, being duly sent to Eome, James, on the 23d of Do- 



^dbyGOOglC 



'^■*^' JOURNEY FIfOlt HOME. 173 

cembCT, 1743; put his name to several important acts _ a 
proclamation to the British people to be r bl" 1 1 
the landing— and a Commi d 1 tl P 

hia son, Regent, with full p h ^ On 

the same day he likewise 1 p t t 

rather than to reward, the d btf 1 fld 1 ty f Lo d 
liovat, by naming him Duk f I as 1 tl E 

lieutenant in all the counties th f Sp i t 

Thua prepared, and full of h p id Ch lea 
took leave of hia father, and f m E m th 

night of the 9th of Jannary, 1744 h p f fa 

hunting expedition, and after 1 tl d fa 

Spanish courier. He was t d d ly by gl 

seryant, a faithful groom, wl p d So h 

Admiral Mathews by sea, w -l f tl v Id t 

intercept him ; but so skilfully w h mca f k 

that his departure remained a t 1 y 

brother during several days. T U d y 1 ht 
he reached Savona, and, embark ^ u lessel ran 

through the British fleet at great risk of being captured 
but aiTiTed safe at Antibes. From thence he pursued his 
ir^ZIl "f 'u^ P"'** ^'^^ ^"'^^ ^P^^-i «« to enter Paris on 
theSOthof the same month- the very dny on which the 
pretended King at Eorae publicly, at his own fable an- 
nounced his son's departure, aad received the congratula- 
tions of his family. 

An interview with theKing of France was now eagerly 
solicited by Charles, but in vaia; and it is remarkable, 
that he was never admitted to the Eoyal presence, until 
after his return from Seotland.| He held, however, re- 
peated conferences with the Eai-I Marischal, and Lord 
Ji-lcho; the former his avowed, the latter his secret, ad- 

Stl^ *'■*" TI"l '" *' ^'^^^'■'O" of tfie Deckmtlons and other 
State Papers of the Inenrgents at Edinbureh. Eeprinted 1749 

I °S^ ^'^ Lo^U's Trial, 1747, p. 24. 
allthe Iffi ™^ an interview (yoi. is. p. 21.), snd ha w followed by 
all cue later writem ; but the Stuart Papers Baeia to urnvp thn fnrf 
r^. J«mr« write, to Mr.O'Bijen, Au^m. 1745 -"■^™." 
que le Prii,ce etait on France, il a ^t^ tenu gahs moina <, 



™ ie Boi." 



as permis d'aJler ^ I'armfe, 



gnere moiaa que prison- 



idb,Googlc 



174 

herent. He then taatetied from Paris to direct the 
intended expedition, and tflok up his residence at GraTe- 
lines, where he lived in strict privacy, under the name ot 
the Chevaher Douglas, and witli only Bolialdie attending 
him as secretary. It was from thence that hia eyes, for 
the first time, greeted the white difFs of that island, which 
he believed himself horn to rule, and was destined so 
soon to invade. What visions of glory and empire may 
then have floated before him, and seemed to settle on the 
distant British hills ! How little could the last heir and 
iiamesalce of the martyred Charles at that time foresee 
that he should he even more unhappy, hecanse selt- 
degraded, and unlamented in his end ! 

The letters of Charles, at this period, to his father, give 
a lively picture of his dose concealment : — " The situ- 
" ation I am ia is very particular, for nobody knows 
" where I am, or what is become of me ; so that I am 
" entirely buried as to the public,.and cannot but say that 
" it is a very great constraint upon me, for I am obliged 
" very often not to stir out of my room for fear of some- 
« body's noting my face. I very often think that you 
" would laugh very heartily, if you saw me gomg about 
« with a single servant, buying flsh and other things, and 
"squabbling for a penny mora or less!" And again: 
« Everybody is wondering where the Prince la : some put 
" him in one place, and some in another, but nobody 
" knows where he is reaDy ; and sometimes he is told 
" news of himself to his face, which is very diverting. — 
" I have every day large packets to answer, without any 
" body to help me but Maloch (Bohaldie). Yesterday I 
« had one that cost me seven hours and a half."* About 
this time, however, the Prince received a visit from Lo^ 
Marischa], who intended to join the expedition to bcotland, 
but was informed by Charles that it was deferred until 
that to England had sailed. , t, v f . i, ^ 

■ Meanwhile the squadrons at Brest and lUicheiort had 
combined, and, led by Admiral Roquefeuille, were already 
advancing np the British Channel. Our fleet had. till 
lately, lain anchored at Spithead ; it consisted of twenty- 

• To his father, April 3. April 16. and Mai-ch 6. 1744. Stuart 



^dbyGOOglC 



1745, DKEADITL STOBM m THE CHANNEL. 175 

ono ships of the line ; and its commander yraa Sir John 
Norris, an officer of much experience, hut whose enterprise, 
it is alleged, was quenched by age. He had now steered 
round to the Downs, where, as Captain of Deal Castle, he 
had long been well acquainted with the coasts, and where, 
being joined by some more ships from Chatham, he found 
his force considerably greater than the French. Eoqne- 
feuilie, bythis lime, had come abreast of the Isle of Wight, 
and, perceiving no ships left at Spithead, rashly adopted 
the conclusion that they had all sought shelter within 
Portsmouth Harbour. Under this belief, he despatched a 
small vessel to Dunliirk, to urge that the expedition should 
take place without delay, a direction which was cheerfiiUy 
complied with. Seven thousand of the troops wei-e at 
once embarlted in the first transports, the Prince and the 
Mareschal de Sase in the same ship, and they had put out 
to sea, while Eoquefeuille, proceeding on his voyage, was 
already at anchor off Dungeness. 

At this critical moment the British fleet, Laving ad- 
vanced against Eoquefeuille, anchored within two leagues 
of him, 80 that the Downs and Isle of Thanet were, 
for the time, left open to invasion. The French fleet 
might have been attacked witJi every advantage, and 
almost certain prospect of not only tlieir defeat, but their 
destruction ; but though a good officer, Norris was no 
Nelson ; and, considering the state of the tide, and the 
approach of nighty resolved to defer the battle till next 
morning. Next morfting, however, the French fleet was 
gone. Eoquefeuitle seeing the very great superiority of 
bis opponent, and satisfied with having made some diver- 
sion for the transports, liad weighed anchor in the nighl, 
and sailed back towards the French harbours. Next day 
a dreadful tempest, which greatly damaged hia ships, pro- 
tected them, however, from any pursuit of Norris. 

But the same storm proved fatal to the transports. It 

jDlew — as was observed in London on the same day 

directly on Dunkirk, and with tremendous violence: 
some of the largest ships, with all the men on board, were 
lost ; others were wrecked on the coast ; and tlie re- 
■mainder were obliged, to put back to the liarbour witli no 
small injury. For some time Charles hoped to renew the 
Rttempt; but the French Ministers were discouraged, and 



^dbyGOOglC 



X76 IIISTOHY OF ESGLAKD. CHAP. XSVI. 

the French troops dimmished by tMs disaster. The 
ilareschal de Sase was appointed to the command in 
Flaaders, the array withdrawn from Dunkirlf, and the 
expedition relinquished. 

Under these mortifying circumstances, Charles, not yet 
losing hope, sent a message to Lord Marisciial to repair 
to him at Gravelines, and proposed that they should 
engage a small fishing vessel and proceed together to 
Scotland, where he said he was sure he had many friends 
■who would join him. This bold scheme — yet scarcely 
bolder than that which Charles put in execution a year 
later, and far better timed as to the preparations of his 
party — was afcrenously opposed by Lord Marischal, and 
at length reluctantly abandoned by Charles. The Prince's 
next wish was, to join the French army in the ensuing 
campaign, a project which was in like manner withstood 
and finally baffled by the Scottish nobleman. On this 
last occasion Charles wrote to hia father in terms of high 
resentment against Lord Marischa!.* It certainly is no 
matter of hlwie to a young Prince if he ardently pants 
for warlike distinction; but on the other hand, Lord 
Marischal was undoubtedly most kind, judicious, and far- 
sighted in preventing him from entering the French ranks 
against his own countrymen, where his restoration was 
not concerned, and thereby heaping a needless unpopu- 
larity upon his head. 

As another instance how rife were divisions and ani- 
mosities amongst those who had every motive to remain 
united, it may he mentioned that Charles had, at first, 
neglected to summon the Duke of Ormond from his re- 
tirement at Avignon, to embark with the intended expe- 
dition. Ormond, it is true, was now an octogenarian, 
and his exertions even in his prime were little worth; 
but his name and popularity in England had long been a 
tower of strength. The Prince perceived his error when 
too late, and hastily wrote to the Duke pressing him to 
join the armament, and Ormond accordingly set out ; but, 
receiving intelligence upon the road that the design had 
already miscamed, returned to Ids residence. 

Disappointed in all projects of immediate action, whether 

* Letter, Kay 11. llii. Stuart Papers. 

fl,..:lh;,G00glC 



1745. PRINCE CUARLES AT PAKrs. 177 

in England, iu Scotland, or in Plandprs rh«vU. „ 

tl « loWE, where I am like a h.rmil." • But in "Sfle 
" bSnTii P.!' ^ ' °^'"'^ '>■ "™"'f. "■" 1"1 "7 

to retire to Rtz-Jame,, tlie seat of the Duke of Berwicli 
.l,er, h, eooght r«,r«.ti„n i„ £eid sports. Durinr.U 
«». 1,0,0 h. earried on an aoti,. eorreSpondene.3 U, 
Soottrsh partisans, whom he soon p.reeLd to be maS 
•TT f.r' "" """"i".!™ to hisEngllE ^"tS, 
".^rL'f i""?""; i^" ■•?■>» .talaterjeriod, "that 

and tinnt of Ijttle else b»t of di.erting themrivee 
" olhermsd ,. shonld not .a„t the Kine of F™! -t 
Damg the l.s, .„ jear. hi, adh.rents Sthl N«h h J 

iroaghton, > gentlemai of birth and property Am 
thy knew to be active and able, and h.Ueved Sra™ 
and Msty, .„d this person being despatchefto ?a,°' 

chSrrs;iSi,?-t^rdt-=?rei 

Ihe ,nvas,on of Engknd had not been the solo ohieot 
of tlie armament, at Dnnkirk and at Brest; the French 
wore «,u,lly a.s,ron, of striking a decisive Mow upon 
With tS raoarces and reputation of Steal Britain. 
With th,s TOW the £eel at Toulon, consisting parll, of 
tor5fto''°lM SP»»l.»e«*, wa. likowiteVecttl 
to sail from tliat harbour, and to nk an engagement wiih 
Admiral Mathews. The two Je.ts met oiF° Toulon „„ 
the 22nd of Fehruar,, New Style, th. British vessel, 
wore the more numerous, but in worse condition from 

* letter, Jrnie 1. 1744. Stuart Papers. 

+ To his father, Novemher 16. 1744. 

I To h;Efather,Febmai721. 1745 

VOL. m. K 



;, Google 



178 HISTOKT OF ENGLAND. CHAP, sx'n:, 

the length of time they had kept the sea, anil a deadly 
feud rankled between Mathews and Lestock, the first and 
second in command, Mathews, with hia own division, 
attacked the Spanish squadron vei^ gallantly, himself 
bearing down upon the Spanish flag-ship, a vessel of 114 
guns. I^estock during this time kept aloof, withheld, as 
Mathews alleged, from motives of personal envy ; as him- 
self declared, from the confused and doubtful signals of 
his chief. When night parted the combatants, the Span- 
iards had suffered severely; their Admiral's ship was 
shattered to a mere wreck : the Eoyal Pliilip was dis- 
abled ; and the Poder, after being taken and retaken, was 
finally burnt by the EngHsh. Next day, the combined 
squadrons retiring in disorder, Lestock, with his diviwon, 
gave them ehase, and was followed by the whole fleet ; 
hut, just as he was in hopes of coming up with the 
enCTiy, Mathews gave the signal to cease from pursuit ; S 
measure difiicult to explain from any other causes than 
jealousy and resentment. Lestock was, moreover treated 
■with great personal harshness by his superior oificer, sus- 
pended from his command, and sent for trial to England, 
where, however, Mathews himself was speedily sum- 
moned to answer for his conduct. After some proceed- 
ings in the House of Commons, there ensued a Court 
Martial, and a most protracted and wearisome inquiry : 
the result being at last, that Lestock was honourably ac- 
quitted, and Mathews declared incapable of serving His 
M^esty in future. The Spaniards, on their part, ac- 
cused the French, though unjustly, of having deserted 
them in the engagement, and, as unjustly, claimed for 
themselves the honour of the day, decorating their Ad- 
miral, Don Joseph Navarro, with the pompous title of 
Marquis de la Victoria. 

The naval designs of the French Government, and 
their reported reception of the young Pretender, contraiy 
to the stipulatioas of treaties, were loudly complained of 
by Mr. Thompson, who was still British Resident at 
Paris. His representations, however, were met by haughty 
answers, and terminated by a public declaration of war. 



* Coxe's Bowbon Kings of Spsiin, vol. iii. p. 346. 



^dbyGOOglC 



1^44- CAMPAIGtf IN I'LAKOEKS. J79 

issned by Frmce in the moull, of Mmh, aod couched in 
most offensive terms.* 

About the middle of Maj, King Louis took the Held in 
person on the side of Fl.nder., with Do S... for his 

fS!"i !""',*°'°*' "f"*"" "»" <■"■■ !>" "my. Tte 
AllttS h,d undertAen to how K.OOO in that ouorter • but 
so gri.vonsly bad the Dutch and Austri.os failed in Ihet 
conojgeute, that the whol. united force did not „cc.d 
50,(X)0. Besides the Bntisb commander, Matiihal Wade. 
though a respectable officer, was ill qualiSed to cop, wili 
the pracfajd skdl and daring energy of Sa,e. He migS 
also eomptau that the Dutch and Austrian general, fm- 
peded a^l bi, measures _«, they ouco had Jfarlborough's 
M„J, i'"!,°^r*J"»'''»" """"ds! and ho h«l not 

Marlborough-, h,gh serenity of temper »id g« „f „" 
tence— ■ patience," says that great man, « that will over- 
come all things"t-to support him. Thus the French, 
feebly opposed by inferior and dirided adyers.ries, re- 
duced within SIX weels Conrtray, Monin, Tores, Fort 
Knoquei and Fumes, and spread alarm to the inmSt oro 
™ce. of Holland. But, in July, their pro-res, 2, 
•rrosted by the tidings, that another Austrian army S 
suddenly burst into Alsace. " ° 

Prince Charles of Lorraine had with great promntiludo 
town toeethe, a considerable force at Heilbronn, and 
with great skill passed the Ehine near Phihpsbum in 

the Brench before him to the ramparts of Strasbur. To 
aTcrt the threatened danger Louis the Fifteenth nTsolred 
to march in person, with half bis army, leaving the rest 
uude. Do Sax,, «, maintain their ground. S woSd 
have been the moment for the AlBos in Phnders to 
nndortate some important operation ; bnt discord iod in- 

?mS2 T%"'" ""; '"l" "' "■"' ™™'"- "1 a™ 

2ory.f " ^^°° ""°°' """P™ "' 

t Daie of MaiiboiWigl, to Lord Godolpliin, July 13 1703 

t i-«a HBawid, 10 *. D,k= of n.,S,di if^ il°\;^ 



ib,Googlc 



180 HISTOEY OF ENGLAKD, 



The Frencli King had been but little inured to the 
iatigues of the field, and had sought to alleviate them by 
the pleasures of the table.* He had advanced tis far as 
Meta on hb march to Alsace, when he ■vms seized with a 
violent fever, which increased so rapidly that, in a few 
days, his life was despaired of. ITie news reached Paris 
in the middle of the night ; immediately the Queen and 
Eoynl Family hastened away lo the scene of danger, and 
arrived just when the King's illness had taken a favour- 
able torn. But the general grief and consternation in 
the capital can scarcely be described. The cry was, " If 
" he dies it will be from marching to our defence," The 
churches were opened at midnight, and prayers offered 
for His Majesty's recovery ; but the voices of the priests 
were often overpowered by their own emotion, or lost 
amidst the rising sohs of a loyal and afflicted people ; and, 
when the tidings of the King's convalescence came, the 
messenger who brought them was embraced and nearly 
stifled by rejoicing crowds; his very horse was covered 
with kisses, and led in triumph through the streets,^ 
Such feelings are the more remarkable, as flowing from 
duty and principle rather than from gratitude. Louis 
had, hitherto, done nothing for the welfare of his sub- 
jects, and seldom even bestowed a thought iipon them 
except as instruments of his pleasures ; he was selfish 
and cold-hearted, incapable of friendship, but always 
blindly governed by some female favourite. In his ill- 
ness, however, he discerned the error of his ways, and 
hearkened to the voice of priestly admonition ; he dis- 
missed his reigning mistress, Madame de Chateauroux, 
and declared that if Providence spared his life he should 
hencefortli devote it to the good of his people. Almost 
every man, when sick, forms an earnest resolution of 
amendment^ and his progress in recovery may be accu- 
rately traced, day after day, by the slackening of his good 
intentions. And so it proved with Louis. As he grew 
in strength he recalled Ms former misti-ess, and sunk back 
to his old voluptuous indolence. And thus it happened 
in the course of time, and by the progress of niisgovern- 



..Googlc 



IWi 



CAMrAIGN IN GERMAKr. Jgl 



ment, that the surname of lb EiEN-AiJii, which he jusllv 
obtained from .,ich .igo.! m„k, of popular affootion, hm 
become a brmrd of deriiion whenever coupled with his 
name. Ihs French King," says Chesterfield only eight 
jears afterwards, "is both hated and despised, which 
seldom happens to the same man "* 
DopinB the King's illness at Meta there came a di- 
rarsion to Alsace, .till more effectual thm, he could ha.o 
afiorded had he remained in healtli. Frederick of Prussia 
had for K,me time riewed with jealousy the rapid snccesse, 
and revrang power of the Austrians, and apprehended 
that a restoralton of Silesia would become the iim of their 
•mbilton He had, indeed, pledged him«,lf to Mari« 
Iheresa, both by ptiblio treaties and private promises, but 
his liberal mmd was emancipated from any such narrow 
prejudices as to speak the truth or to iicep hi, word. Ee- 
solved to renew hostilitio., he had lately negotiated at 
iiaukfort an engagement with the Emperor, and now 
broke into Bohemia at the head of 60,000 soldiers, while 

oH'S^'lSr To"*'' u' :""■" '"™»° "' his army. 
On the I6th of September he reduced Prague, after a ten 
days siege, making the garrison, no less than 13,000 men 
prisoners of war. Encouraged by bis ei.mpfe, the Im- 
perial troops, under Marshal Seckendorf, entered Bavaria, 
drove a diminished force of Anstnaus before them, and 
once mote reinstated Charles the Seventh in his capital, 
and in the greater part of his Electorate. Even the cH; 
rf Vienna began to tremble at and provide against a sieg^ 
But on the very first movement, of the KhTg of Prussia, 
Prince Ch.rles had been hastily summoned from his con^ 
quest of Alsace i he repassed the Ehine with skill and with 
saioty in the presence of a superior enemy, and led his 
army by forced marches to the frontiers of Bohemia, him- 
self proceeding to Tienua to eoneert the military opera- 
t.ons.t Maria Theresa, on her part, again repaid K 

• EarlofChesterfieldtoMr. DajioUoa. May 19 1752 

TlotlS" "aTa°"S ''.''",,°'' "" """ "' '^ "■'. »™'Slr Thomas 
Eobmson, d|iW S.phmb„ 1 6. 1744, «id piioM la „, Appandbc 
The King MFrmm, on begiaaia j ho.aMes, p.bli.lied a Sur^ 
add,.. B tbepeojl. of England; - . poi ,„«»nii«M T «S 
Horace Walpole. " His Voliaites and bis SterMi should correct Ma 



idb,G00glc 



PresbuTg, again appealed, and not in vain, to the chival- 
rous loyalty of the Hungarians ; roused the gallant nobles 
to renewed exertions in her cause, and saw tumultuous 
but intrepid levies crowd beneath her banner. By these, 
a.nd by Prince Charles's troops combined, the Prussian 
conquests were speedily retrieved ; and, before the winter, 
Frederick found himself compelled to evacuate as speedily 
as he had overrun Bohemia. 

The campaign in Italy was marked bj several im- 
portant events- The Fi-endi, headed byjhe Infant Don 
Philip, and by the Prince de Conti, not only coniiuered 
Savoy, but reduced Nice, forced several mountain passes, 
and routed the King of Sardinia in person at the bloody 
battle of Coni. On the other hand the Aiistrians, under 
Prince Lobkowitz, drove tbe Spanish troops from their 
strong position at Eimini, and pursued diem towards 
the frontier of Naples with every prospect of defeating 
them. At this critical moment, however, the King of 
Naples broke his neutrality, and joined the Spaniards with 
some forces. Tlie Austiians, though out-numbered, not 
dismayed, formed a gallant scheme, resembling Prince 
Eugene's at Cremona, to surprise the Neapolitan King 
and Generals at the head-quarters at Velletri ; and their 
first column successfully penetrated into the place, set fire 
to the suburbs, and spread no slight consternation among 
the Spanish army; but reinforcements coming up, they 
were finally repulsed with considerable slaughter. They 
then commenced their retreat towards the Po, and closed 
the campaign in nearly the same positions as at its com- 
mencement.* 

This year England obtained, as captives, the two prin- 
cipal promoters of the war, the Mareschal de Belieisle 
and his brother. They had been sent in the autumn, by 
the King of France, on a mission to the King of Prussia, 
hut stopping to change horses at Elbingerode, a village of 
the Electorate of Hanover, were detained by the magis- 
trates. From thence they were conveyed to England, and, 

" works before they are printed. To pen manifestoes worse than the 
"lowest cotnmia Uiat is kept jointly by two or three M^graves, is 
" insnfferable." To Sir H. Mann, August 16. 1744. 
• Muratori, Annal. d'ltaL vol. xiL p. 308—316. 



^dbyGOOglC 



1 44 EA H THE DUCHESS OP MARLB0E0UI3H. 183 

f t heir parole in the mode it was reqniretl. 

w fi d f security in Windsor Castle. Ihe Em- 

p mpl d of tlieir arrest as a breaeii of the priyi- 

1 ^ f th Emp re ; the prisoners, themselves, claimed 
h b fit f h cartel of exchange ; and the British 
6 m t w nclined to consider them as prisoners, 

n f Id t t state. The question was referred by 

th K 1 hree Field Marshals, Stsur, Cobham, and 

W de, wh of a due examination of Belleisle's papers 
and mm ns, gave it as their opinion that Belleisle 
a d h b 1 vere prisoners of war ; and they were 
I s.lj 1 ed under the cartel, and sent back to 
Fra e, i ral months' detention": but we must 

a kn wl d th n this transaction, the British Govern- 
m pp ar n ther rightful in its claims, nor speedy in 
Its justice. 

On the same day, in the month of October, died the 
Countess of Granville and the Duchoas Dowager of Marl- 
borough. The former event is only remarkable for the 
succession to her title of her son, Lord Carteret, who 
must henceforth he mentioned as Earl Granville. Sarah 
of Marlborough was nearly a nonagenaiian, surviving 
both enemies and friends : her rival, the Duchess of Buck- 
ingham, had died in the preceding year ; her satirist. 
Pope, only five months before. To her last, she was pre- 
cisely the Attosa of hia masterly delineation : — " cursed 
" with every granted prayer ; childless with all her chil- 
" drea ;" she appeared a living proof that riches cannot 
surely bestow happiness, nor offspring always inspire 
affection. Much as she hated all those who had ever 
crossed her own or her husband's path, her fiercest ran- 
com", perhaps, was reserved for some of her own descend- 
ants ; nor did her gratitude for kindness at all keep pace 
Wfith her resentment of injuries. It may be doubted 
whether her dogs, of whom she speaks with peculiar ten- 
derness and respect, did not at last engross the larger 
portion of her heart.f Her enormous wealth, as during 

• Tindal's Hist. vol. ix. p. 107. and 136. 

+ " My three dogs base nil of them gratitude, wit, and good sense, 
f things Tery rare to be fonnd in this conntij. They are fond of 
" going ont with me, but when I reason with them, and tell them i6 
" is not proper, Ihey submit, and watch for my coming home, and 



..Google 



18* HISTOKT OP ENGLAND. CHAP. XXVI. 

her life it had indulged her in every caprice of tyranny, 
enabied her, in her Will, not only to endow her favourite 
grandson, John Speneer (Earl Spencer's ancestor), but to 
mark, by large legacies, her admiration of several leading 
opponents of the Ministry. To IJord Chesterfield she be- 
queathed 20,000?^, and the reversion of the Wimbledon 
estate*; to Pitt 10,000/., in consideration of "the noble 
" defence he has made for the support of the laws of Eng- 
" land, and to prevent the ruin of hia country." t 

The new Earl Granville was now in the very crisis of 
his Ministerial fate. Hia unscrupulous support of all 
Hanoverian measures had lost him his reputation, both 
in Parliament and with the people, in the same degree as 
it had secured the boundless favour of the King. His 
Majesty's regard to Granville was at this time still fur- 
ther enhanced by his displeasure with the other Ministers t 
who, in the first place, had opposed his undertaking an- 
other journey to Hanover, and induced him, much against 
his inclination, to remain this year in England. He said 
to one of the Foreign amhaaaadors at his Court, that the 
people here were angry at his going to Hanover, when 
they all went out of town to their country-seats; but 
that it was unjust, for Hanover was his country-seat, and 
he had no other.f Secondly, they were wnwilling to sup- 
port His Majesty in new payments to other German: 
principalities. On one occasion he exclaimed to the 
Chancellor, "I wish Saxony could be assisted with a sum 
"of money!" "Upon this," writes Lord Hardwicke, 
" I took the liberty to observe that the large additional 
" subsidy which His Majesty had already granted to the 
" Queen of Hungary, was an additional reason against 
" the practicability of this Saxon demand. The King 
" made no reply, but pulled some papers out of liis pocket; 
'■ so I made my bow ! " § But the Royal displeasure was 



" meet me wilfa as much joy as if I had never given them good 
"adsiee." Opinions oftholiueiiess of Marlborough, 1737, p. 16, 

* Maty's Life, p. 22B. 

t Thacfcemj's Life, vol. i. p. 137. 

j Marehmont PapeiB, voL i. p. 54. His Majesty appeara to hava 
overlooked Hampton Court and Windsor Castle. 

§ To the Duke of Newcastle, August 6. 1744, Coxe's Pelham, 



^dbyGOOglC 



J 744. CABALS IN THE C 



185 



soon more unequivocally manifested. " Oar refusal," says 
Newcastle, "in the Saxon affair, has produced all the 
' resentment that can be shown by manner, by looks, by 
" harsh expressions to those, and to me in particular, 
" who he thinks have obstructed his views .... And I 
" think I can see by the air of the Court and the courtiers, 
' a greater shyness towards us, or at least towards me, 

than I have ever yet observed Upon the whole, I 

am of opinion that the King thinks, at present, he has 
nothing more to hope fi-om us, and nothing to fear- 
" that -we will go on with his favourite, Lord Carteret, 
and he will use us accordingly." * 
Granville on his part, conscious of far superior talents, 
elated with the Eoyal favour % and drunk with ambition 
and wme, continued to treat the Pelhams with haughty 
disdam. He had even frankly told them, a few months 
*erM-e, that he should insist on a larger shave of power. 
" Things," said he, " cannot remain as they are. I will 
not submit to be overruled and outvoted upon every 
" point by four to one. If you wiU take the Government 
upon you, you may ; but if you cannot, or will not, there 
must be some direction, and I will do it"! Under 
these cn-cumstances, but not without considerable hesita- 
tion, the love of power in the brothers triumphed over 
tiieir timidity, and impelled them to decisive measures 
Early m November they declared to the Sin<T, for them- 
^Ives, and for the greater part of their colleagues, that 
His Majesty must choose between their resignations and 
the dismissal of Lord Granville. The alternative, as they 
ftresaw, was most painful. On the one side lay the 
Kjngs inclinations, on the other his necessities: Hanover 
with Granville, the House of Commons with Pelham. 
How could he venture, while requiring large subsidies 
for his German objects, to alienate the money-giving part 
of the Legislature, and convert its leaders from placemen 

* Dulte of Newcastle to Mt. Pelham. Anguat 25 1?44 
" / -^ ^' .^ «'^''"]l^'s nia^m was, ' ftW <.«y ma« &e c'oum m Ms 
Side and heean defy every iking: Winningtoii askod him, ' If [hat 
were true, how he cfltne to be Stinister ? ' " H. Waipole to Sir H. 
Mann, November 26. 1744. ■ju ". 

t Coie's Life of Horace lord WaJpole, p. 269. 



^dbyGOOglC 



i86 HISTOHY 06- KNGLAND. CHAP, XXVI. 

into pati-iots? Yet Gleorge made every resistance in lua 
■power, consulted with Granville how to avert the storm, 
and sent for Lord Orford, who was sick at Houghton, 
entreating him to come to London, and give his advice' 
and assistance, EJflj, at this crisis, he even received as- 
sistance from the Prince of Wales, who agreed with his 
father only on one point, devotion to Hanover, and who 
rightly considered Granville as the victim of his Electoral- 
zeal, But Frederick had little weight even with his own- 
party : the advice of Orford was strongly against Gran- 
,ville ; the latter failed in his overtures to the Opposition 
chiefs ; and, thus compelled, the King, on the 23d of No- 
yember, announced to the Chancellor his sullen submis- 
sion. Accordingly, next day the Seals were resigned by 
Granville, and given back to his predecessor, the Earl of 
Harrington.* 

With Granville retired Lord Winchelsea and his Board 
of Admiralty, and other persons of inferior note, which, 
together with some cyphers and secret eaemies to be flung 
out, left sufficient vacancies for a large accession of new 
strength. The object of the Pelhams was now to guard 
against the return of their rival, and to facilitate their 
Government ia the House of Commons, by a coalition of 
■parties. They accordingly opened a negotiation with the 
.principal men in Opposition, especially with Chesterfield, 
■Gower, and Pitt, ife well pleased were these at the fail 
of the " sole and execrable Minister," that they expressed 
itheir readiness to assist in maintaining the honour of 
Great Eritinn, and carrying on the war upon a practicable 
footing. It was agreed that they should unite against 
Granville and Bath; that as to public questions, the 
;Hanoverian3 in British pay should be relinquished; and 
that, as to personal points, the heads of Opposition, whe- 
ther Whig or Tory, should so far as possible be admitted 
jnto place. 

• See Mr. Yorke'a Journal, Pari. Hist. vol. xiii. p. 975—983. He 
caJla Graftville " this htfnted Minister, at pc«S60t an outcast &om 
■" "all pai'tiee." The King ascribed the whole blame to Newcastle, 
who, hi His Majesty's own words, ■' is grown as jeaions of Lord Gran-' 
.» Tille as he had heeo of Lord Ocfoi'd, and wants to be Prime 
" Minister, which, a pnppy I how shotdi he be?" H. Walpole t« 
Sir H. Mann, Nov, J6. 1744. 



^dbyGOOglC 



1744. CUESTEKFIELD AND PITT. ] 87 

During this time the Parliament had met, when there 
appeared a dead calm in both Houses, atid in consequence 
of it a very thin attendance. The leaders had imposed 
silence on their party ; but this inlerval of apparent tran- 
quillity was filled up by active negotiations and con- 
ferences among themselves. But liere, again, the utmost 
difficulties were encountered from the Eling's personal 
aversion, especially to Lord Chesterfleid and Mr. Pitt. 
His Majesty warmly resented the zeal of both against his 
Hanoverian objects, nor had he forgotten Chesterfield's 
connection with the Duchess of Kendal, and claims under 
the Will of George the First.* He was also— and it must 
be owned not unreasonably — displeased at the prospect 
that an undoubted adherent of the exiled family, like Sir 
John Hinde Cotton, should be forced into the nominal 
service of his own.f 

The repugnance of George prevailed in a few cases ; 
in most others it was surmounted by the necessity of his 
afiairs, he exclaiming with bitterness, " Ministers are the 
•'King in this countryl"J As the Tories continued to 
insist on some place for Cotton, as the condition of their 
support, he was appointed Treasurer of the Chamber in the 
Eoyal Household. Lord Gower resumed the Privy Seal 5 
and, according to the elder Horace Walpole, " several other 
" Tories, knights of the shire, were offered plaees by the 
"mediation of Gower, but serving for Jacobite counties 
" could not hazard a new election, and therefore declined 
" the offer, of which they have since made a merit with 
" their party. This made room for more of the patriot 
" kind." § The King's objections to Chesterfield were so 
far complied with, that ^e Earl consented to be Lord 
Lieutenant of Ii-eland instead of Secretary of State ; the 

• See vol ii. p. 111. 

_ t A caiicatnre waa drculated, representing lie MiniBters thrusting 
Sir John Hinde Cotton, who was extrameiy corpulent, down the 
King's throat. (Cose'e life of Horace Lord Walpole, p. 276.) It 
would Beem that political caricatutes were mbch in vogue, in England, 
at that period ; two vejy curious ones are mentioned in a letter of 
Earl MariBohil, of November i. 1743. S«o Ajipendix, 

i Notes of Convasation between the King and Lord Chancellor. 



^dbyGOOglC 



OF ENGLAND. CHAP. XXVI. 

former post not requiriog, and indeed precluding, his fre- 
quent access to tbe Royal presence. The Duke of Devon- 
fihire, the devoted friend of Walpole, and often called by 
him " the rough diamond," * became Lord Steward, The 
Dulie of Bedford was made First Lord of the Admivalty, 
■with the Earl of Sandwich as second Commissioner. A 
seat at the same board, for George Grenville, gratified 
his uncle Lord Cobham. In the room of Lord Sandys, 
Lord Bathurst, and Sir John Rushout, stepped in Waller, 
Dodington, and Lord Hobart, while a Lordship of the 
Treasury was conferred on Lyttleton. 

Pitt done was placelese. He loftily declared that he 
would accept no office, except that of Secretary at War, 
and the Ministers were not yet able to dispense with Sir 
William Tonge in that department. This resolution of 
Pitt, joined to the King's pertinacity against hira, excluded 
him, for the present, from any share of power. But the 
Pelharas felt his importance, and anxiously courted his 
aid. They promised to take the earliest opportunity to 
soften or subdue the prejudice against him which rankled 
in the Eoya! mind ; and they were sincere in that promise. 
Their great object was to prevent the return of GranTille 
to office ; their great dread, that Granville might form a 
party in the Lower House; and it was, therefore, their 
evident policy to attempt no deception, and to give no 
offence to any Commoner, so able and aspiring as Pitt, 
On the other hand, Pitt cheerfully concuiTcd in the new 
srrangements ; he resigned his place in the Household of 
the Prince, who had fallen into great contempt^ by cling- 
ing, like the King, but against his own former proiessions, 
to Hanover and Granville j and he undertook to support 
the Ministerial measures in the House of Commons. An 
opportunity for Pitt's public declaration was afforded in 
the January ensuing, when Sir William Tonge moved a 
grant for continuing the army in Flandere ; a grant which 
the patriots had heretofore strenuously opposed. Pitt, at 
this time, was disabled with gout, and painfully, nay 
dangerously ill; yet he desired to be carried to his place, 
and, rising upon his crutches, spoke with undiminished 
eloquence and fire. " If," said he, " this were to be tho 

* H. Walpole's Memoirs of George the Second, vol. i. p. ITO. 



_7 00J^le 



1745. 



PITT ItECONCILEO, 



" last day of my life, I would spend it in the House of 
'' Commons, since I judge the condition of my country to 
'' be worse than even that of my own bealtli." He argued, 
that the question was changed since the preceding year, 
when a certain fatal influence prevailed in His Majesl/a 
councils. The object seemed then to multiply war upon 
war, expense upon expense, and to ahet the House of 
Austi-ia in such romantic attempts, as the recovery of the 
AvuLSA MEMBRA IMPERII, without regard to the immediate 
interest of Great Britain. " The object now is," he con- 
tinued, « to enable ourselves by a close connection with 
" Holland, to hold out equitable terras of peace, both to 
" friends and foes, without continuing the war a moment 
" longer than is necessary for our own rights and those of 
"our allies. We are now free of that Minister, who, 
" when not ten men in the nation were disposed to follow 
him, supported himself in the Closet, on that broken 
" reed, a dependence on foreign Princes." He then pro- 
ceeded to compliment Mr.Pelham on his genuine patriotism 
and capacity for business, and the new Ministry, for pur- 
suing moderate and healing measm-es. « I perceive," he 
exclaimed, " a dawn of salvation in my country breaking 
" forth, and I will follow it as far as it will lead me. I 
" should, indeed, consider myself as the greatest dupe in 
" the world, if those now at the helm did not mean the 
" honour of their master, and the good of the nation. If 
" I find myself deceived, nothing will be left but to act 
" with an honest despair ! " A Member present, no friend 
of Pitt, declares that "his fulminating eloquence silenced 
"all opposition," and the question passed with only a 
single negative from Lord Strange.* 

Indeed, so thoroughly were the leading members, 
whether Tory or Patnot, reconciled by the recent changes, 
that the Ministers might boast to the King, " If your 
" Majesty looks round the House of Commons, you will 
" find no man of business, or even of weight, left, capable 

* Per this remaikalle Sfibnte see Mr. Yorfce'a Journal (Purl Hist, 
vol. xiii. p. 1052 ) aad Mr Comal)B"a letter, January 25. 1745 in 
my Appeudix. Sir Watkin Wynn also spoke for ihe question 
saying, that ha agreed with the Court for the first time in hia life. 
Oq ihe otlier hand. Sir E. Hewdigato drily called it " an dd measure 
" fiom a noiv Ministiy :" but he was put down by Pitt 



^dbyGOOglC 



190 HI3T0GY OF KNGLAND. CnAP-XXVI. 

" of heading or conducting an Opposition." • And though 
some change occnrred in that respect, yet still, fi-om this 
period to the death of Mi-. Pelham, in 1754, the Opposition 
was so feehle, that the debates in Parliament dwindled 
almost to insignificance ; they made far less impression on 
the people, and should fill a much briefer space in History. 
Thus, for example, the remainder of the Session of 1745 
■was marked by no important division, and produced only 
some proceedings on the conduct of the Admirals in the 
Mediterranean; a silly motion of Mr. Carew for Annual 
Parliaments ; and an attack upon the City Act of 1725 f, 
which was repelled this year, hut to which Mr, Pelham 
prudently yielded in the next. 

It must, however, be acknowledged, that no sooner had 
Granville fallen, than the Ministers readily slid into what 
they had previously denounced as " his abominable courtly 
"measures." J The Hanoverian system was as steadiljr 
pursued, the English money as lavishly supplied. All ob- 
jection to the King's favourite wish at this moment — a 
new Saxon subsidy— disappeared, as soon as the Minister 
who urged it was "removed. In January, lV4S, a Quad- 
ruple Alliance was concluded between England, Holland, 
Austria, and Saxony ; by which, the latter power engaged 
to furnish 30,000 men for the defence of Bohemia, in con- 
sideration of a subsidy of 150,000/., two thirds of this to 
be paid by England, and one thii-d by Holland. But the 
system of German subsidies did not end here ; such ex- 
amples are contagious ; and tliere was scarcely a Prince 
in the Empire, who did not, henceforth, think himself 
entitled to the praise and pay of Great Britain, even when 
he only defended his own dominions. The Elector of 
Cologne was gratified with 24,000/. ; another sum of 
8,000/, was not too small to tempt the Elector of Mayence. 
All these, as well as an increased subsidy of half a million 

" Notes of conversation between the King nnd Lord Cliaiicelloi*. 
January 5. 1745. 
f See YoL ii. p. 76. „ , -r , 

j An expression of the Diifee of Newcastle. See Coxe s Loi'ii 
■Wfllpole of Wolterton, p. 377. The Dnke, with a faint effoi't at 
conaietencT, writes to his brother, Decemher 30. 1 744, " We must not, 
■" tecanae we saem to be in, forget all we said to keep Lord Granville 



^dbyGOOglC 



.1745. 



S GF.RMAN SUBSIDIES. ]9] 



to the Queen of Hungary, being supported by the patriota, 
were readily passed by the Britisli Parliament. 

With respect ta the Hanoverian and Hessian mer- 
cenaries, they were indeed dismifised the British service, 
but by a private agreement with the Queen of Hungary, 
they were immediately taken into Austrian pay; and it 
was with this very view, that her subsidy had been raised 
from 30O,000i to 5O0,O00i The only difference was 
therefore, that, in the first ease, the same foreign troops 
■were paid by British money directly, and in the second 
rase, indirectly. Nay, more ; when the outcry against the 
Hanoverians had died away, the Ministers, knowing that 
popular clamour can scarce ever be effectually revived 
upon the same subject, reverted to their former plan. In 
1746, 18,000 Hanoverians were once more talcen into 
British pay, and the new Parliament of the ensuinsr vear 
voted 22,000. *■ ^ 

Id all these measures, a strong case of inconsistency 
may unquestionably be established against the statesmen 
who, having first vehemently opposed, afterwards bronfht 
forward or acquiesced in them. My admiration of Chat- 
ham does not lead me to assert the perfection, though it 
does the purity, of his whole political career. Yet, with 
P t tl H f d t 1745 I Id 

nib hth bli hhldmf dth 

t g k f d t d th w t f t oop at I m 

plac dth mt wfunlt f 

p dffddfar jfibi di 

h pp 

Tl LodLt tflllbfp dg 

to lus Government, consented to undertake another em- 
bassy to the Hague, to endeavour to bring the Dutch into 
a more hearty co-operation in the war. In this object 
every preceding negotiator had failed ; Chesterfield in a 
great measure succeeded. His knowledge of Dutch po- 
lities and statesmen, derived from his former mission, the 
high reputation wlueh he had then left behind, joined to 
his insinuating manners and skilful address, in a few weeks 
prevailed over the greatest obstacles.* The Dutcli were 

• See an account of his procGeding, wiii the lY'ench envoy, Abb^ 
do la Villu, m a Ittter ta Ilia son, September 29. 1752. See sJso 
Maty's Life, p. 236—243. 



^dbyGOOglC 



192 niSTOKY OF KKM.AXD. CHAP, XXVI. 



brought to undertake, upon paper, that they would mnin- 
tain 50,000 men in the field, besides 10,000 in their garri- 
sons ; and that the Duke of Cumberland, who was Ki be 
put at the head of the British forces in the next campaign, 
should be appointed commander-iu -chief of the whole eon- 
federate army. And though the Dutch, in reality, did 
much, leas than they had promised, it was yet much more 
than, from past experience, their British allies had any 
reason to expect. 

In March 1745, and before the close of the Session, 
Eobert Walpole, Earl of Orford, expired. The cause of 
his death was partly the stone, partly a quack medicine 
which he took to cure it. To the last, amidst severe 
bodily pain, wliich he bore with high fortitude and re- 
Btgnation, his mind retained &\l its wonted sagacity and 
clearness. Only a few days before he died, the Duke of 
Cumberland, having in vain remonsfrated with the King 
against a marriage being concluded for him with a de- 
formed Danish Princess, sent his goTemor, Mr. Poyntz, 
to consult Lord Orford how to avoid so hateful an alliance. 
After reflecting a few moments, Orford advised that the 
Duke should give his consent to the marriage, on con- 
dition of receiving an ample and immediate establishment ; 
" and believe me," added he, " that the match will be no 
" longer pressed." The Duke followed the advice, and ' 
the result fulfilled the prediction. 

In January, the same year, one principal obstacle to 
peace was removed in the Emperor Charles the Seventh, 
who died at Munich, worn down by disasters as much as 
by infirmities.* His son and successor in his hereditary 
states concluded a treaty at Fuessen, with the Queen of 
Hungaiy, by which the new Elector renounced all claims 
to the Austrian succession, engaged to recall his troops 
from the French army, and promised his vote for the Duke 
of Lorraine in the next Imperial Diet ; while Mai'ia 
Theresa acknowledged the validity of the late Emperor's 



* ■" n n'avait H4 malheureux que depuis qu'il avait ele Empei'eur. 

" La nature dfelors iui avait Mt pins de mal que la fortune 

" n arait la goutte et h pierre ; on trouva sea ponaions, son foie ct 
*' son estomac gangrenes, deB pierrea dans ses reins, un polype dans 
"soncteurl" (Voltaire, SiMe de Louis XT. ch. xit.) 



^dbyGOOglC 



-■745. BATTLE OP i''ONTj;Nor. ]93 

election, and restored all the ferritory wliicii slie had con- 
quered from Bavaria. 

In April, the campaign was opened on tlie side of 
inlanders, where the French had an army of 76,000 ex- 
cellent troops, commanded by tJie Mareschal de Saxe As 
to the AUies, England had furnished Iter full contino-ent 
of 28,000 men, but Holland less than half of the 50,000°she 
had stipulated ; there were but eight Austrian squadrons, 
and fhewhole body scarcely exceeded 50,000 fi-rhtinff 
men. The nominal leader was the young Duke of Cum- 
berland, but subject in a great measure to the control of 
an Austrian vef«ran, Marshal Konigsegg, and obliged to 
consult the Dutch commander. Prince deWaldeek. Against 
these infermr numbers and divided councils the French 
advanced la full confidence of victory, and, after various 
movements to distract the attention of the Allies, suddenly 
on the 1st of May, invested Tournay. This was one of 
the strongest fortresses in Flanders, well provided with 
stores and provisions of every kind, and garrisoned by no 
less than 9000 Dutch. To relieve this important dtv 
mmedia^ly became the principal object with the AUies 
and the btates, uauaDy so cautious, nay, timorous in their 
suggestions were now as eager in demanding battle. Ac- 
cordingly, the Dufce of Cumberland, who had but lately 
mrived at the Hague from England, set out again for 
itrussels, and afler a few days passed in preparations, nut 
himsell at the head of his troops and led them towards the 
^T^; -r , ,*^^ "^^^^ '"'"'^' ^^ Mareschal de Saxe made 
most skilful dispositions to recei ve them. Leaving 1 5 000 
infantry to cover the blockade of Tournay, he drew up the 
rest ot his army, a few miles further, in an excellent po- 
sition which he strengthened with numerous works ; and 
his soldiers were inspirited by the arrival of the King and 
Dauphin, who had hastened from Paris to join in the ex- 
pected action. 

Tnth the „ll,ge of Antom und Ihe rirer Scheldt on thelJ 
right, Fontenoy ,nd a narrow mllej in their front, and » 
man mod, named Barr4 on Heir left. The p.asage of 
the SekeH^ „d, ,f needfnl, a retreat, »ere .eeured b? the 
lindgo of Calonne m the tear, by » ,.&, „, ton, md 



:, Google 



194 HISTOItT OF ENSLANO. CHAP. XXVI, 

by a reserve of the Household Troops, Ahbatis wero 
constructed in the wood of Barr^ ; redouhta between An- 
toin and Fontenoy ; and the villages themselves had been 
carefully fortified and garrisoned. The narrow space be- 
tween Fontenoy and Bai-re seemed sufBciently defended 
by cross firea, and hj the natural ruggedness of the 
ground ; in short, as the Frenoii officers thought, the 
Strength of the position might bid defiance to the boldest 
assailant. Nevertheless, the Allied chiefs, who had already 
resolved on a general engagement, drove in the French 
piquets and outposts on the 10th of May, New Style, and 
issued orders for their intended attack at daybreat. The 
night was passed by all the troops under arms : ours, 
daunted neither by the strong position nor superior num- 
bers of the enemy, but full of that calm self-reliance, that 
nnboastful resolution, which are scarce ever found want- 
ing in British soldiers. They have, truly indeed, that 
fear-nought feeling ascribed to them by a Geoei-al who 
had often led them forward in former wars. When, in 
1714, Cobham and Stanhope went together on an embassy 
to Vienna, a body of 10,000 excellent cavalry — deemed 
the best in Europe — was reviewed before them by Prince 
Eugene i who, turning to Stanhope, asked him, " If he 
" thought that any 10,000 British horse could heat those 
" Austi'ians?" " I cannot fell. Sir," answered the General, 
" whether they could or not, but I know that five thousand 
" would try I " * 

At six o'clock on the morning of the 11th, the cannonade 
began. The Prince of Waldeck, and his Dutch, under- 
took to carry Antoin and Fontenoy by assault, while the 
Duke of Cumberland, at the head of the British and 
Hanoverians, was to advance against the enemy's lefL 
His Royal Highness, at the same time with his own attack, 
sent General Ingoldsby, with a division, to pierce through, 
the wood of Barr^ and storm the redoubt beyond it. But 

* This reply hsa sometimes been ascribed to Sir C. H. Williams, 
Sir A. Mirchdl, or others, at the Couvt of lYederiek the Second. 
Bnt the mucli earlier and respectable aothority of Dr, King fixes it 
beyond all question, on " the English officer who accompanied Lord 
" Cobliam in his embassy to Vienna," tbat is. General Stanhope. 
(See King's Anecdotes of his own Time, p. 1 30. and the first vol. of 
tWs History, p. 115.) 



^dbyGOOglC 



^'^'i^- BATTLE OF FONTEKOr. 



195 



Ingoldsby, finding the wood occupied bv some aharp-elioot- 
T' u "^^^ "^'^""^ *■•"■ * ■'''"sider-ible body, hesLtedl 
disobeyed his positire orders- and returned to the Duke 



!■ J- ■', ■ — t— ""■■=vmcia — ana recurned to tiie 1 
of time to the ™, of honour to himself. On the oth»- 
wng hkewse, the Dotol were r.puUed in their attsekj 
.nffer,ng so .ewre , f,„„ ,he «,» „f ,h. „„„epon, i,t 
£ » h.t they retired ,n confusion to son,, di.t.nce from 
S=;,l;,Sr ""'■.'~"««<i >I"Se»h .nd unmored 
.peetntops of the renmining eonffict. N.j, more ; one of 
thmr Colonels (Appius wn. his n.me) rode ...j iith th. 
gre.ler p.rt of hr, men. some 15 or 20 miles, to Ath ; .„S 
trom thence ,1th .n impudent foUj sqo.l to his cowatd- 

Allied army had engaged the French, and teen totally 

blghtTslt""' """ '■"* ''''""' '» ''" P""""!' 

d„?''.il°BT'?'^,.S'' ""> ^"•''' ™« ">" f"ili«g in 
S:^.« r^ "'' H«»0"ri.ns had not foigotten thlrs. 
These gallant troops, leaving their cavalry in ' 
from the rnggodness of the ground, but draggin 

several field ni„nae „i rj J ■ 6S "I 



— , — - "5&i^"coQ ui iiiH grouna, out art 
eeveral Held pieces plunged down the ^'i? tei^.'n' 
Fontenoy and Barr<:, and marched on aga' 



;ing forwards 
•onrenoy and Uarrf, and marched on againsra pSS 
which he best M„-sh.ls of Franco had deem'" im- 

n "j 'At'l y';"' "" '■"' '~»P' °f «■•« n«tion de- 
fended. At their hend was William of Cumberland, con- 
.pienous for his courage, and whoso want of eiporienee 
m. supplied by an excellent o«eer_his militar/ta™^ 
Qoneral ligomer. The French and Swiss Snarts stood 
before th.ir front, and offered every resistance that brave 
men could make ; while whole ranks of the British wero 
...pt away at once by th, murderous lire of the batteries 
on their left and right. Still did their column, diminish- 
ing in numbers not in spirit, steadily press forward re- 
pulse several desperate attack, of the French infantry 
and gmn gi-ound on its position. Soon did they be^n S 
retahate upon the enemy the t.rriblo slaughter they had 
themselves oipenenced. One of the 8r,t that fell dead 

TH.1';i''°'!" ,?";'!'•'?'•■ "■! "• ""■ See Appeadix 



idb,Googlc 



196 HISTORY OF EUGLAMD. CHAP. XX\1. 

in the French ranks was the young Duke de Grammoni^ 
the same whose imprudent valour had hazarded and lost 
the day at Dettmgeii, At his side, when he fell, was hia 
uncle De Noailles, an older Marshal than De Saxe, but who 
would not refuse to serve in any capacity that liis King 
and country required; and who, in this battle, assisted 
his junior commander with all the skill of a veteran, with 
all the submission of an aide-de-camp.* 

The space between Fontenoy and the wood of Barr6 
was so narrow, that the British, as much from necessity 
as choice, remained in a close and serried column. This 
mass — firm, solid, and compact, and all animated by the 
same spirit as though it formed but a single living frame, 
as though one mighty Leviathan of war — bore down every 
tiling before it with irresistible impulse. The news of the 
Dutch retread indeed, and of Ingoldaby's return, struck a 
momentary damp upon their spirits, but was speedily re- 
paired. Again did the British soldiers stand proudly on 
the French positions they had won, while charge after 
charge of the best French cavalry was urged at them in 
vain. Nay, they even continued to press forward in the 
rear of Fontenoy, threatening to cut off the cominunicatioa 
of the enemy witli the bridge of Calonne, and, therefore, 
his passage of the river. The battle appeared to be de- 
cided: already did Marshal Konigsegg offer hia con- 
gratulations to the Duke of Cumberland ; already had 
Mareschal de Saae prepared for i-etreat, and, in repeated 
messages, urged the King to consult his safety and with- 
draw, while it was yet time, beyond the Scheldt. But 
Louis, with a spirit which could not forsake even the most 
effeminate descendant of Henri Quatre, as repeatedly re- 
fused to quit the field. " K," says a French historian, 
" the Dutch had now put themselves in movement, and 
" joined the English, there would have been no resource, 
" nay, no retreat for the French army, nor, in all pro- 
" babilitj, for the King and for his soa."| 

The French Marshal now determined to make one last 
effort to retrieve the day. The inactivity of the Dutch 
enabled him to call away the forces that held Fontenoy 

i. p. lis. 



^dbyGOOglC 



''^45. BATTLE OF FONTENOr. 197 

and Antoin : he drew together the Household Troops, the 
whole reserve, and every other mnn that he could muster, 
but foremost of all were the gallant Brigade of Irish exiles. 
Moreover, by the advice of the Duke de Richelieu,— the 
destined conq f M' ca— he placed and levelled a 

" T f f P f aon, against the very front of 

t^ i g B 1 1 mn. A fierce and decisive 

t d Th B t 1 exhausted by their own ex- 

t m d d w by th irtillory in front, and assailed 

by h f h t p fit -were overpowered. Their 
col w d— h L — i li back. Yet, stiU there wa3 

" *" ^ nf on in their ranks, and their 

t eat w m d 1 ly t p by step, with their face to 
" f d w g h 1 ghest admiration, even from 

h t wh m th y J Id d Tlie Duke of Cumberland 
w th 1 th t, he had been foremost in the 

h H call d t h t ops, aloud, bidding them re- 

in mb Bl h m d E. m liies ; and seeing one of hia 
fij g £f H E val Highness drew a pistol 

t li Th I y too, which had been unable to 

tak p t th fl t^ f m the rugged nature of the 

d w m p d p oved of essential service in 
V t t tl f tl b at. In this guise did they 

1 tl li !d 1 h onjunction with the Dutch, 

flU k 1 mp fAth.« 

1 tl b 1 f 1- t Y (for such is the name it has 
borne), the British left behind a few pieces of artillery, 
but no standards, and scarce any prisoners but the wounded. 
The loss in these, and in killed, was given out as 4041 
British, 1762 Hanoverians, and only 1544 Dutch; while, 
on their part the French likewise acknowledged above 
7000. To the Allies, it should be deemed an abortive 
enterprise or a tolf-won victory — a disappointment rathei- 
tlian a defent. The misconduct of the Dutch needs no 
comment ; of the British officers it might, perhaps, be said 
that they showed, throughout, more courage than capacity. 
But, amongst the French, the highest praise is due to the 

• For this battle see especially the official account in the Gazette 
— Cose's Pellmm, vol.i.p. 232—235 — Voltaire, Si^ole Sa Louis XV. 
eh. XV.— two letters printed in the Culloden Papers, p. 200—203., 
-iiid two otiera from Mr. Torke M Mr. Walpole, Maj 4. and 16, 
1745, O. S. which will be fuund in the Appendix. 



ibyGoogIc 



198 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP. XXVI. 

Mareschal do Saxe, In him, it was but a feeble tie that 
bound togetlier a aicltly body with a fiery and inviticiMe 
soul. At this period, so much was he wasted with sick- 
ness that he could scarcely travel ; and Voltaire, who met 
him at Paris, avowed to Lim some apprehensions that, if 
he persisted in setting oot^ he would never live to reach 
the army. " The object now," replied the Marshal, " is 
" not to live, but to go ! " When he had arrived, he was 
unable to bear the weight of a breast-place : he sometimes 
Sunk from his horse, and then was carried forward in an 
osier litter ; but Lis genius triumphed over its earthly 
trammels: to him went every i-eport — from iiim came 
every order; and his eagle glance (as was eloquently said 
of Condi's •) saw through every thing ia battle, and was 
never diizzled there. 

After the battle, the siege of Tournay might still have 
delayed the French army some considerable time ; but the 
treachery of the principal engineer, who deserted to the 
enemy, and the timidity of other officers in the garrison, 
produced a surrender of the city in a fortnight, of the 
citadel in another week.f The important citadel of Ghent 
was next invested; a detachment sent to reinforce the 
garrison, and headed by the Hanoverian General Molk, 
was worsted in a skirmish at M€le ; and the besieged 
capitulated. Equal success crowned similar attempts on 
Bruges, on Oudenarde, and on Dendermond, while the 
Allies could only act on the defensive, and cover Brussels 
and Antwerp. The French next directed their arms 
against Ostend, which, noti^thstanding the arrival of two 
battalions from England in the harbour, yielded in four- 
teen days ; the Dutch governor refusing to avail himself 
of the means of defence which the place afforded, by in- 
undating the adjacent country. Meanwhile, the events in 
Scotland were compelling the British Government to with- 
draw the greater part of their force ; and it was only the 
approach of winter, and the retreat of both armies into 
quarlers, that obtained a brief respite for the remaining 
fortresses of Flanders. 



* " Ce ooup-d'ceil cI'Mgle qni voittout a la guerre et ne E'y ebiouit 
"jamais." Dc Eete, Mem. vol. i. p, 1S4. ed, 1817. 

t Mr. Yorte to Mi*. Walpole, May 27, 1745. Siio Appeiiclix. 



_7 00j^le 



1745. PEACE SIGNED AT DRESDEW. 199 

King Greorge, in spite of all remonstrances, liad repaired 
to Hanover at the close of the Session, attended by Lord 
Hm-ringtouj who laboured, but at first very ineffectually, 
to mediate a peace between Prussia and Austria. Maria 
Theresa had formed sanguine hopes of the reconquest of 
Silesia, and had sent thither a large army under Prince 
Charles of Lorraine. The genius of Frederick, however, 
gained a signal victory over him at Friedbei^, on the 3d 
of June.* In the ensuing September, another battle at 
Sohr, near the sources of the Elbe, proved equally in fa- 
vour of the Prussinms. But some compensation appeared 
to Maria Theresa for this last disaster, since in the same 
month her husband was chosen Emperor at Frankfort, by 
all the Electoral votes except the Palatine and Branden- 
burg. She was present at the ceremony ; and from her 
balcony, was the flrst to raise the cry " Long live the 
"Emperor Francis the First I" a cry eagerly re-echoed 
by ten thousand glad voices below. From Frankfort she 
proceeded to visit her army at Heidelberg, amounting to 
60,000 men: she was received by the Emperor himself, at 
the head of the ti'oops, and passed between the lines, 
raising the highest enthusiasm by her beauty, her affa- 
bility, and a donation which she directed of one florin to 
each soldier. Meanwhile the King of Prussia, in spite of 
his victories, was jealous of the progress of the French in 
Flanders, and sincerely desirous of peace. The Empress 
still rejected his overtures ; but another battle which he 
gained over the Austrians and Saxons, combined, near 
Dresden, and which gave him possession of that city, 
overcame her hesitation, and a treaty was signed at Dres- 
den on Christmas Day, confirming to Frederick the pos- 
sessioii of Silesia, and, on the other hand, acknowledging 
on his part the recent Imperial election. 

In Italy the campaign proved as disastrous as in Flan- 
ders. A French and Spanish army, again ponring down 
from the Alps, and headed by Don Philip and Mareschal 

• Frederick had very shortly before receiyed from Loais the 
Fifteenth a notification of the battle irt Flanders, and answered Mm 
in the following terms: " Monaenr mon frgre, J'ai acqiiittg I, Eriod- 
" berg la lettre de ehange qne vons avea tiree sur moi a Fontonoj," 
(ToltiJre, Siecle de Louis SV. ch. sti.) 



^dbyGOOglC 



de Maillebois, was reinforced by Count de Gages, and tia 
troops, across tte Apennines. They were still further 
strengthened by 10,tX)0 men from Genoa; a state deeply 
nggrieved by the cession of Finale under the treaty of 
■Worms. These combined troops forced the pagsago of the 
Tanaro, and routed the King of Sardinia, compelling him 
to seek shelter under the walls of his capital. It was in 
vflia that the Britisk fleet, now commanded by Admiral 
Eowley, endeavoured to effect a diversion, by battering 
and burning some towns on the Genoese coast. Doa 
Philip, advancing to Milan in triumph, received the homage 
of the neighbouring cities ; and the Queen of Spain already 
saw, in imagination, the Crown of Lombordy encircle the 
brow of her second son.* 

From America, at least, there came joyful tidings. The 
people of New England had formed a design for reducing 
Louisburg, the capital of Cape Bi-etoD, a French port of 
great importaJice, and sometimes termed the Dunkirk of 
America-t The King's Government afforded its assistance 
to the enterprise. Early in the spring, about 4000 volun- 
teers assembled at Boston : they were reinforced by a body 
of marines, and supported by Admiral Warren, with a 
squadron of ten ships of war. For their commander they 
chose Mr, Pepperel, a private gentleman, in whom courage 
and sagacity supplied the place of military skill. Land- 
ing with very slight loss in the bay of Chapeau Rouge, 
or as called by a local corruption Gabarus, about four 
miles from Louisbourg, they invested the place by land 
while the fleet blockaded the harbour. The walls were 
newly repaired and ihe garrison mustered 1200 men, and 
a resolute resistance was encountered; but, nevertheless, 
on the 15th of June, after foitj'-nine days' siege, the 
town and the whole island were compelled to surrender 
fo the British ai-ms. 



^dbyGOOglC 



PSINCE CUARLES AT I 



CHAPTEE XXVn. 

We are now arrivetl at that memorable period when the 
cause of the banished Stuarts flashed with brilliant lustre, 
then sunk info eternal darkness —when the landing of 
seven men could shake an empire — when the wildest 
dreams of fiction were surpassed hy the realities of history 
— when a principle of loyalty, mistaken indeed, but 
generous and noble, impelled to auch daring deeds, and 
was followed by such i tt ' _ hen so many gallant 
8p ts, 1 t ly 1 ng h p f ward in action, were 
q h d 1 nt d th w ted in the lingeriuir 

Ba f xl 

Th p g f ] 4 f nd tl y ig Pretender stiU at 
F h d by tl d d f I own adherents, and 

e.yfliug bk d— the friendship of 

L th Fi th S 1 f lure at Dunkirk, the 

^niipf f t we continued, but the 

I ty h d 1 Uy d pp 1 It seems that several 
P t tant P n — th K g f P ssia more especiaUy 

• Of the rehellion of 1 745 Ihere are Uu'ee separata Wstorles, lyhioh 
I We consulted and found of great service. First, Mr. Home's, 
published in ie02 , it is meagre, nnsatisfaclorj-, and by no meang 
worthy the a«aior of Douglas, but it contains several valuable facta 
and letters. Secondly, Sir Waller Scotf s, in the Taiea of a Grand- 
father— an eaMOlsnt and perspicuous nanrative, bat which, bdng 
imllon for hia hitle grandson, is, of course, not always as weU 
adapted to oldM' persons. ThmUy, Mr. Chambers's— very full and 
(wacf The writer, though a warm partisan of the Stuarts, is aJwajs 
Id candid, and deserves much praise for hia mdustij in eoUectiiig 



^dbyGOOglC 



202 HISTORY OP ENGLAND. CHAP. XXl'Il. 

— had remonstrated against tte support which Fraaca 
was giving to the Roman Catholic party in Great Britain *, 
and that most of the French Ministers shrunlt from 
offending their continental allies, while others wished 
every effort to be concentrated for Flanderi Even the 
Irish Brigade^ though cona t f CI 1 w ntry- 
men and partisans, was t d f h vice. 

Even a little money, for h d t winta Id only 

be obtained after repeated h ta n a d 1 delay. 
Yet Chai-lea'a high spirit od red H writes t his 
father: " I own one must I ge.t k fp ceto 

" bear all the ill usage II f m h F h Court, 
" and the TRiCASSERiES of our own people. But my 
" patience will never fail in eitlier, there being no other 
"part to take."f And again, "Whatever I may suffer, 
" I shall not regret ia the least, as long as I think it of 
" service for our great object ; I would put myself in a, 
" tub, like Diogenes, if necessary." :f 

It had been intimated to Charles, through Murray of 
Eroughton, and on the part of his principal Scottish 
friends, that they could do nottiing in bis behalf, nor 
even think themselves bound to join him, unless he came 
with a body of at least 6000 troops, and 10,000 stand of 
arms. These he had no longer any hope of obtaining, 
and he was therefore brought back by necessity to his 
first and favourite scheme, " having it always at heart," 
says he in a later letter, " to restore my Eoyal Father by 
"the means of hia own subjects alone." § He wrote to 
Scotland, whither Murray had now returned, announcing 
his intention, at all hazards, to attempt the enferprise. 
Meanwhile he made every exertion for procuring arms, 
borrowed 180,000 livres from two of hia adherents, and 
wrote to his father at Rome, concealing his real project, 
but requesting that hia jewels might be pawned, and the 
money sent to him. " For our object," says he, " I would 

* Memoirea de Noailles, vol. vL p. 22. This passage has hitherto 
been OTeriooked, in reference to the conduct of the Fi-eiicii Court upon 
(his subject, but folly accounts for it, 

+ Letter, January 16. 1745. Stuart Papers. 

{ lettei', Jannary 3. 1745. 

§ iDstrociions to Alexander Macleod, Edinburgh, September 24. 
1745. See Home'a History, Append, p. 324. 



:. Google 



1745. 



PBDfCB CITART.ES AT NAVARRE, 



" pawn even my shirt. ... As for my jewels, I should, on 
" this side the water, wear them with a very sore heart, 
" thinking that there might he made a better use of 

" them It ia but for such uses that I shall ever 

" trouble your Majesty with asking for money ; it will 
*' never he for plate or fine clothes, but for arms aod 
" ammunition, or other things that tend to what I am 
" eome about to this country."* 

The announoenient of Charles's intentions exdtod equal 
Hurprise and alarm among his friends in Scotland; all, 
with, the single exception of the Duke of Pertli, con- 
demned his project; they wrote dissuasive letters which, 
however, came too latef, and they stationed Murray on 
the -watch on the Highland coast, that if the Prince came, 
he might see him, and ui^e him to return. Murray 
remained on this station during the whole month of June, 
and then went back to bis house in the soutli of Scotland, 
supposing the enterprise abandoned. But, on the con- 
trary, the tidings of the battle of Fontenoy had decided 
Charles's movements, it seeming to afford a favourable 
opportunity, such as might never occur again. He made 
all his preparations with equal speed and secrecy. He 
was then at the Chateau de Navarre, near Evreuxt, 
formerly a favourite haunt of his great ancestor Henri 
Quatre, and, since Charles Stuart, again the refuge of 
fallen grandeur in the Empress Josephine. In 1745, it 
was the seat of the young Duke de BouiUon, between 
whom and Charles a romantic friendship had been formed.S 
From Navarre, on the ] 2th of June, Charles wrote a most 
remarkable letter to Lis father, for the first time revealing 
hia design. Here are some extracts:— "Let me mention 
" a parable : a horse that is to be sold, if spurred it does 
" not skip or show some signs of life, nobody would care 
• Letter, March. 7. 1745. 

i Esaminatiott of Mr. Mnrray of Bcong^fon, Augqst 13. 1746. 

± " Navarre, a nne demie liane d'Evreux, bSti par Monseigneqr Is 

I>no de Bonillon, anr les mines d'un chateaa qae Its Boie de MaTana 

am^t fflit fairs poar la chasse, 1702." (Copied from a MS, 

Bibhotheqne dn Hoi, Paris.) DeliUe says, in lea Jardin.^, 

" L'ombre du Griuid Henri chgrit encore Navarre." 

S See in the Cullodan Papers, p. ao5., an intercepted letter fixini 

the Dafce to Chariea in Scotland, assuring him in the warmest terms 

of friendship that he may dispose of all his est.ito and blood. 



;, Google 



204 



to have him, even for nothing. Just so my friends would 
care very little to have me, if, afKa- such scandalous 
usage from the French Court, which all the world ia 
sensible of, I sliould not show that I have life in me. 
Your Majesty cannot disapprove a son's foliowimr the 
example of his father. You yourself did the like in the 
year Fifteen; but the circumstances now are indeed 
very different^ by being much more encouraging. . . . 
This letter will not be sent off till I am on shipboard, 
I have sent Stafford to Spain, and appointed Sir 



Thomas Geraldine to demand 



succours in my name to 



plete the work, and I have sent letters for the Kin" 
' and Queen. Let what will happen, tlie stroke is struck'; 
' and I have taken a firm resolution to conquer or to die, 
■ and to stand my ground as long as I shall Lave a man 

remaining with me Wliatever happens unfortunate 

to me, cannot but be the strongest engagement to the 
French Court to pursue your cause ; nay, if I were sure 
they were capable of any sensation of this kind, if I did 
not succeed, I would perish, as Curtius did, to save my 
country and make it happy. . . . Tour Majesty may now 
see my reason for pressing so much to pawn my jewels, 
which I should be glad to have done immediately, for I 
never intend to eome back."* 

To King Louis, or to the French Ministry, Charles 
gave no intimation whatever of his intended enterprise, 
having strong grounds to fear that he might else bo 
forcibly detained. Hevertheless, he secured the assistance 
of one large French man-of-war, and had even hopes of a 
second. "It will appear strange to you," writes he to 
James's Secretary, " how I should get these things with- 
" out tlie knowledge of the French Court. I employed 
" one Eufledge, and one Walsh, who are subjects ;" {they 
were merchants at Nantes ;) " the first has got a grant of 
" a man-of-war from the French Court to cruise on the 
■*' coast of Scotland, and is luckily obliged to go as far 
" north as I do, so that she will escort me without appear-^ 
"ing to do it."t The ship of war thus obtained was 
named the Eliaaheth, and carried sixty-seven guns : the 
vessel for Charles's own conveyance was a brig of eighteen, 



;, Google 



1745. 



EENDEZVOrs AT NANTES. 203 



♦he Doutelle*, an excellent saUer, filled out by Walsh to 
cruise against the British trade. The arms provided hy 
the Prince— about 1500 fusees, 1800 broad-swords, with 
powder, balls, flints, and twenty small field-pieces— were 
for the most part embarked in the Elizabetli : the money 
that_ he carried with him was less than four thousand 
I^uis dors. It must he owned, that the charm of this 
romantic enterprise seems singularly heightened, when 
we find from the secret papers 1 have now disclosed, that 
It was undertaken not only against the British Govern- 
ment^ but without, and in spite of, the French ! 

The Doutelle lay in the mouth of the Loire, and Nantes 

T713 the place appoint 1 1 meet at. The better to conceal 

m who were to embark with 

*- us routes to the rendezvous; 

'" ^ they lodged in different parts 

ccidentally met in the streets, 

ice of each other, nor seemed 

w there was any person near 

t Ail things being prepared, 

^ m R rre, and, after heing delayed 

, ^ y ^nds, embarked on the 2d 

. '^ ning, from Saint Nazaire, at 

the mouth of the Loire. At the island of Belleisle they 

were further detained till the 13th, expecting the Elizabeth, 

but, on her arrival, proceeded in good eai-nest on their 

voyage It was from Belleisle that the Prince bade a last 

farewell to his friends in Italy. « I hope in God we shaU 

" soon meet, which I am resolved shall not be but at 

■' home I am, thank God, in perfect good health, but 

have been a little sea-sick, and expect to be more so - 
" but it does not keep me much abed, for 1 And the more' 
1 struggle against it the hetter."J As a disguise, he 
* It ia called Le Du Belier by Charles himself in his letter of Au- 
gust 2. 1745 (sec Appendix) ; but all other aufhoritieE agree in the 
name La Doutelle. 

t JaeoHla Memoirs of 1745, p. S. ; a raluable work, compiled 
TtT^u^^^^ °^ ^^"'P ^'"■''^= ''? Sir Henry glcnart of AlaSloa, 
and E. ChamberE, Esq. 1834, 

t To Mr, Edgar, July la. 1746. In the proceedines Bbroad I 
always give file date according to the Hew Style, but in Great Britain 
according to the Old, Tlie same is to ha observed of Prince Charles's 
own letters. 



^dbyGOOglC 



OF ENGLAND. Clr.li-. XXViT. 

wore the habit of a student of the Scots College at Paris, 
and his rank was not known to the crew ; aJid to conceal 
his person still more, he allowed his beard to grow until 
his arrival in Scotland. 

On the fourth day after leaving Belleisle the adventurers 
fell in with a British man-of-war of 58 guns, called the 
Lion, and commanded by Captain Brett, the same ofBcor 
who, in Arson's expedition, had stormed Paita, An en- 
gagement ensued between this ship and the Elizabeth, 
when after a well-matched tight of five or six hours, the 
vessels parted, each nearly disabled. The Lion found it 
necessary to put hack to England, and the Elizabeth to 
France. As to the Doutelle, it had kept aloof during the 
conflict; Charles had eai'nestly pressed Mr. Walsh to 
allow him to engage in it, but Walsh, feeling the magni- 
tude of his charge, exerted his authority, as owner of the 
vessel, and steadily refused, saying at last, that if the 
Prince insisted any more he should order him down to 
the cabin!* The Doutelle now pursued her voyage 
alone ; but the return of the Elizabeth lost Chai-les the 
greater part of the arms and stores he had so laboriously 
provided- 
Two days afterwards the little bark that bore " Cssar 
" and his fortunes," was chased by another large vessel, 
but escaped by means of superior sailing, and was rapidly 
wafted among the Western Isles-f After about a fort- 
night's voyage, it moored near the little islet of Erisca, 
between Barra and South Uist. As they neared the 
shore, an eagle that came hovering round the ship, de- 
lighted the adventurers by its favourable augury. " Here," 
said Lord Tullibardine, turning to his master, "is the 
" King of Birds come to welcome your Royal Highness 
"to Scotland!" Charles and his followers then landed 
and passed the night on shore. They learnt that this 
cluster of islands belonged to Macdonald of Clanranald, a 
young chief attached to the Jacobite cause, — that Clan- 
ranald himself had gone to the mainland ; but that hia 

* Harrative of Mv, ^Eneas Macdonald, one of the Prince's com- 
Banions. (Jacobite Memoirs, p. 7.) 

f There is some dieci'epancy here as to the datfis (compare tbo 
Jacobite Memoirs, p. 9. with the Lockhnrt Papers, vol ii p. 479.)i 
but it is of smaJl importance. The day of Charles's hrnding in Moi- 
dart was ceiteiuly July 35, 0. S. 



.yGooj^lc 



1745. AREIVAI, ON THE SCOTTISH COAST. 207 

uncle, and principal adviser, Macdonald of Boisdale, was 
then not far distant in Soutli Uist. A summons from 
Charles brought Boisdale on hoai-d .the Doutelle the next 
morning. But his expressions were not encouraging. 
He remonstrated with Chariea against his enterprise, 
which he said was rash to the verge of insanity; and 
added, that if his nephew followed his advice he would 
take no part in it. In vain did Charles exert all his 
powers of persuasion : the old man remained inflexible, 
and went back to his isle in a boat, while Charles pursued 
his voyage to the mainland. 

Arriving at this, Chariea entered the bay of Loch- 
nanuagh in Invemesshire, between M 'd rt d A ' 'g 
He immediately sent a messenger On d ho 
came to hira on hoard, attended by be, 

especially Macdonald of Kinloeh ]V T h m 

Charles addressed the same arguments h d E 
dale, imploring them to assist thei P h jr 

countryman, at his utmost need, I P y h y d 

like Boisdale, that to take arms without concert oi sup- 
port could end in nothing hut ruin. Charles persisted, 
argued, and implored, During the conversation they 
w^ked to and fro upon the deck j while a Highlander 
stood near them, armed at al] points, as was then the cus- 
tom of the country; he was a younger brother of Kinloeh 
Moidart, and bad come to the ship without knowing who 
was on board it; but when he gathered from the dis- 
course that the stranger was the Prince of Wales, and 
when he heard his chief and his brother refuse to take 
arms with their rightful sovereign, as they believed him, 
his colour went and came, his eyes sparkled, he shifted 
his place, and instinctively grasped his sword. Cliarles 
observed his agitation, and with great skill availed him- 
self of it. Turning suddenly towards him, he called out ; 
" Will you, at least, not assist me?" — " Iwill ! I will!" 
cried Kanald. " Though no other man m the Highlands 

" should draw a sword, I am ready to die for you ! " 

Charles eagerly expressed his thanks to the warm-hearted 
young man, saying he only wished that all the High- 
landers were like him. But, in very truth, they were 
like him. Catching his enthusiasm, and spurning all 
further deliberations, the two Macdonalds declared that 



^dbyGOOglC 



OP EKGLAND. CHAP XXVJI. 

they also would join, and use every exertion to engage 
their countrymen.* 

During this scene, the other kinsmen of Clanranald 
had remained with Charles's attendants in a tent, that 
had been pitched at the opposite end of the deck. One 
of these Macdonalds has left a journa!, in which Charles's 
appearance is descrihed : " There entered the tent a tall 
youth of a most agreeable aspect, in a plain black coat, 
with a plain shirt not very clean, and a cambrick stock 
fixed with a plain silver buckle, a fair round wig out of 
the buckle, a plain hat with a canvass string, having 
one end fixed to one of his coat buttons : he had black 
■' stockings and brass buckles ia his shoes. At his 
" first appearance I found my heart swell to my very 
throat. But we were imraediately told that this youth 
was an English clergyman, who had long been pos- 
sessed with a desire to see and converse mth High- 
landers." f It is remarkable that among these Mac- 
donalds — the foremost to join Charles — was the father 
of Marshal Macdonald, Duke de Taronto, long afterwards 
raised to these honours by his merit in the French Eevo- 
lutionary wars, and not more distinguished for courage 
and capacity than for integrity and honour. 

Charles, being now sura of some support, landed a few 
days afterwards, on the memorable 25th of July, Old 
Style, in Loohnanuagh, and was conducted to Borodale, a 
neighbouring farm-house belonging to Clanranald. Seven 
persons came on shore with him, namely the Marquis of 
Tullibardine, who, but for the attainder of 1716, would 
Lave been Duke of Athol, and was always called so by 
the Jacobites — Sir Thomas Sheridan, who had been 
tutor to Charles — Sir John Macdonald, an officer in the 
Spanish service— Kelly, a non-juring clergyman, the 
same who had taken part in Atterbury's plot — Francb 
Strickland, an Enghsh gentleman — ^neas Macdonald, a 
banker in Paris, and brother of Kinloch Moidart — and 
Buchanan, the messenger formerly sent to Eome by Car- 
dinal Tcncin. These were afterwards designated as the 
" Seven Men 'of Moidart;" and the subsequent fate of 



^dbyGOOglC 



each has been explored by the Jacobites with mournful 
cutiosity.* 

The first step of Charles waB to send letters to "such 
Highland chiefs as he knew, or hoped to be, his friends, 
eapeeiaUy to Cameron of Lochiel, Sir Alexander Mac- 
donald, and Mac Leod. Lochiel immediately obeyed the 
surnmona; but he eame convinced of tlie rashness, nay, 
madness of the enterprise, and determined to urge Chaj-les 
to desist from it and return to France fill a more favour- 
able opportunity. On his way to Borodale he called upon 
his brother, Cameron of Fassefern, who concurred in his 
opinion, but advised him rather to impart it to the Prince 
by letter. " I know you," said Fassefern, " better than 
^^ you know yourself. If this Prince once sets his eyes 
upon you, he will make you do whatever he pleases " f 
Lochiel, however, persevered in going on; he saw- 
Charles, and for a long while stood firm against both 
argument and entreaty. At length, the young adventurer 
tned one fiijal appeal to his feehnga : — " I am resolved " 
he exdaimed, "to put all to th h d In a few days 
I wiU erect the Eoyal Standard dp I im to the 
" people of Britain, that Charles St ait e over to 

" claim the Crown of his a p sh in the 

'• attempt. Lochiel, who, my f th h It n told me, 
' was our firmest friend, may t y t h m and ieam 
Irom the newspapers the fate f 1 P At these 

glomng words, the sturdy determination of the Chief dis- 
solved hke Highland snow before the summer sun. " Not 
'■ so," he replied, much affected ; « I will share the fate of 
my Prince whatever it be, and so shall every man over 
' whom nature or fortune has given me any po'wer ' 
Such, observes Mr. Home, was the singular conversation 
on the result of which depended peace or war ■ for it is a 
point agreed among the Highlanders, that if Lochiel had 
persisted in his refusal to take arms, the other chiefs 
would not have joined the Standard without him, and the 
spark ot rebellion must have instanfly expired. 

The answer of Sir Alexander Macdonald and Mac 
Leod, removed as these were from the fascination of 

" Sea Jflcobilo Memoirs, p. 3. 
fHLtor""""4iT'^ '" "^^' ^^ ^™'^^"' """^^ » »■ Ho"io 
VOL. III. P 



^dbyGOOglC 



210 H K EN LAUD. CHAP. XXVII. 

Charles' p n — w favourable. These two 

chiefs — p h p h m p w rfd in the Highlands, 
could e h h rom 00 to 1500 followers. 

They we h gh uhlseof Skye, where Clan- 
ra,nald had gone in person to ur^e them. But they alleged, 
as they might with truth, that their former promise of 
joining Charles was entirely contingent on his bringing 
over auxihariea and supplies, and they also pleaded, as an 
additional motive for delay, that a great number of their 
men resided in the distant islands. Their object being to 
wait for events, and to side with the victorious, they pro- 
fessed zeal to both parlies, but gave assistance to neither; 
thus, for instance, they wrote to the Government to com- 
municate Charles's arrival in Scotland ; but prudently 
postponed their news till nine days frora his landing,* 

There were not wanting in Scotland many men to 
follow such examples; but Lochiel's feeling was that of 
far the greater number. The Soots have often been re- 
proached with a spirit of sordid gain. The truth is merely 
— and should it not be matter of praise ? — that by their 
intelligence, their industry, their superior education, they 
will always, in whatever country, be singled out for 
employment, and rise high in the social scale. But when 
a contest lies between selfish security or advancement on 
one side, and generous impulse or deep-rooted conviction 
on the other ; when danger and conscience beckon on- 
ward, and prudence alone calls back ; let all History 
declare whether in any age or in any cause, as followers 
of Knox or of Montrose, as Cameronians or as Jacobites, 
the men— ay, and the women — of Scotland, have quailed 
from any degree of sacrifice or suffering ! The very fact 
that Charles oame helpless, obtained him the help of many. 
They believed him their rightful Prince; and the more 
destitute that Prince, the more theywere bound in loyalty 
to aid Mm. Foreign forces, which would have diminished 
the danger, would also have diminished the duty, and 
placed him in the light of a hostile invader rather than of 

* See Mae Leod'e letter in the Culloden Papeiis, p. 203, He says 
in the poEtecript, " Young Clanranald has been hero with us, and 2ias 
"given tia ai possible assnrancee of his prudcncsl" In anotlier 
letter of August 17. Mac Leod adds, " In mj opinion it would be a 
■' TBiy wrong step to draw many of tte ti-oops to Scotland, as there 
" can be but little danger here ! " 



_70l_H^le 



It45. the highland c 



211 



a native soTereign. MorcoTer, Cliarle. was now in the 
Mi-y centre of those tribes, which ever since thev were 
tmed hj Montro.._,neh is the st.mp that gre.t <„i,iS 
c.n inipnnt upon po.teiity!_h,d continuod (im ,nd 
devoted adherentt of the House of Sln.rt. Ifecdon.ld 
of Keppoeh, Mrfonjd of Siengury, and m™v othi 
gentlemen, sent or came with warm amnmces of setviee 

neni the 19th of August heing toed for the raisin» of 
the itaiidarf and the muster of the forces. ChaJies, 
meauwUe, d.spl.jed great skill in gaining the .if«,tion* 
of lettghlander, around hi, person, he adopted their 
nationul dress, mi consulted their national enstoms, and 
soon learnt some words of Gaelic, which he used on puMie 
oecas.on,., while all those who conversed with him in 
tnghiii, felt the injueneo of hi. faseinatiug manners 
Having disembarked his ecnly treasure and arms from 
the Uouteiie, ho emplojod himself in distributing the 
Mter amongst those who «iemed best able to serve hha. 
Ihe ship Itself he sent hack to France with an account of 
his landing. He paid a farewell visit to llr. Walsh on 
board, and gave Mm a letter to James, at Borne, entreat- 
ing that m reward for his service he should receive the 
patent of an In.h Earldom, f Sy the same opportunity 
he informed his father of his progress- —"I am joined 

1' "T V"?" ^'P'"' " ' "P^tei : " I have not yet 

set up the Standard I cannot tell the number ■ 

but whatever happens, we shall gain an immortal ho'nmr 

by doing what we can to deliver our country in re- 

sloting our Master, or perish sword iu hand."/ 

irom Borodale, Charles prooeoded in a few days by 

water to Kinloch Moidart, a better house, belongiig ti 

the chief of that name, and about .even mile, furfber. 

llere he remained till the raising of his Standard. There 

also be was joined by Murray of Bioughton, who had 

hastened from his seat m the south, at Charles', summons, 

having first performed the perilous duty of having the 

• See MaaSoiiald's Journal, Loclthart Papers, vol i! p. 482 " 
t ninoe Charles to his fiither, August 2. !7t5. 'AupendiiL I 
believe that the iiononr was accordingly oonferced, and I was formerlv 
•nqa.int«l « B,d„ with t!o,nt Walsh, who w.^ « J nud,,looJ. 
the descendant and representativo of this Ksulenmn. 
{ titter, August 4. 1745. Appendix 



ib,Googlc 



212 HISTOET OF EKGLAUD. CHAP. XXVIL 

manifeatos, for future distribution, printed. He was ap- 
pointed by Charlea his Secretary of State, and continueij 
to act as such during the remainder of tlie expedition. 

During this time the Engliah GrOvemor at Fort Au- 
gustua, alarmed at the vague reports, hut undoubted 
preparations, that tvere spreading around him, had de- 
termined to send a reinforcement to the advanced post at 
Fort William. On the 16th of August, two companies 
marched for this service, commanded by Captain Scott. 
The whole distance is thirty miles : for above twenty, the 
soldiers marched without molestation, when suddenly, in 
the narrow ravine of Spean Bridge, they found themselves 
heset by a party of Keppoch's Highlanders. Assailed by 
a destructive fire from the neighbouring heights, and 
unable to retaliate upon their invisible enemies, they 
began a retreat ; but more Highlanders of Lochiel coming 
up, and their strength and ammunition being alike ex- 
hausted, they were compelled to lay down their arms 
Five or six of them had been kiUed, and about as mitny 
wounded : among the latter, Captain Scott himself All 
the prisoners were treated with marked humanity, the 
wounded being carried to I/ochiel's own house at Auch- 
naoarrie; nay, more, as the Gtovernor of Fort Augustus 
wo'uld not allow his sui^eon to go forth and attend Cap- 
tain Scott, the generous Chief sent the Captain to the 
Fort for that object on receiving his parole. 

This success, though of no great importance in itself, 
served in no small degree to animate the Highlanders on 
the Baising of the Standard, The day fixed for that 
ceremony, as I have already mentioned, was the 19th of 
August ; the place Glenfiiman, a desolate and sequestered 
vale, where the river Finnan flows between high and 
craggy mountains, and falls into an arm of the sea; it is 
about fifteen miles from Borodale, and as many from Fort 
William. Charles having left Kinloch Moidart on thelSth, 
proceeded to the house of Gtlenaladale, and early next 
morning embarked in a boat for the place of muster. On 
arriving, attended only by one or two companies of Mac- 
donalds, he expected to find the whole vdley alive with 
assembled clans ; but not one man had come, and Glen- 
finnan lay before him in its wonted solitude and silence. 
Uncertainj and anxious for bt3 fete, tlie Prince entered 



^dbyGOOglC 



]745. RAISING OP THE STANDAED. 213 

one of tlie neighbouring Lovels, and waited for about two 
hours. _ At length the shrill nol«s of the pibroch were 
heard m the distance, and Lcwhiel and his Camerona 
appeared on the brow of the hill : they were above six 
hundred in number, bat many without weapons ; and they 
advanced in two lines of three men abreast, between which 
were the two English companies taken on the 16th, 
marching as prisoners, and disarmed. On being joined 
by this noble clan, Charles immediately proceeded to erect 
the Boyal Standard ; the place chosen being a little linoll 
in the midst of the vale. The Marquis of TuUibardine, 
tottering with age and infirmities, and supported by an 
attendant on each side, was, as highest in rank, appointed 
to unfurl the banner : it was of red siUc, with a white 
space lu the centre, on which, some weeks afterwards, the 
celebrated motto, " tandem teiumphans," was inscribed. 
At the appearance of this Standard, waving in the moun- 
tain breeze, and hailed as the sure pledge of coming battle, 
the air was rent witli shouts, and darkened with bonnets 
tossed on high; it seemed, says an eye-witness, like a 
cloud.* TuUibardine, after a littJe pause, read aloud the 
manifesto of the old Chevalier, and the Commission of 
Kegency granted to Prince Charles. This was followed 
by a short speech from the Adventurer himself, asserting 
bis title to the Crown, and declaring that he came for the 
happiness of his people, and had selected this part of the 
kingdom because he knew he should find a population of 
brave gentlemen, willing to live and die with him. " 



d at their head to conquer or to perish. Among 

the spectators, but no willing one, was Captain Swetenham, 
an ii,nghah officer, taken prisoner a few days before in 
proceeding to assume the command at Fort William : he 



(J — — — ~"" .^.^.*uu(nJM rti, A-v,iL n itiib.ni I ne 

was now dismissed hy Charies, after very courteous 
treatment, and with the words, "You may go to your 

tieneral ; say what you have seen ; and add that I am 

coming to give him battle ! " 

On the same day, but after the ceremony, arrived 
Keppoch with three hundred of his clan, and other 

c^^t'^''.'^'^^.*^'^'''^^'' ^^P'"^' P- 387., derived from Caplain 
Swetenham s descnptioii. On tie spot where the standard was r^d 
fhere now stands a menument with a Latin inscription. See note to 
Waverlej, vol. i p. 238. ed. 1829. ^ 



^dbyGOOglC 



214 HlSTOItY OP ENGLAND. CHAP. XSVII. 

smaller parties. Some gentlemen of the name of Mac 
Leod came to offer their services, expressing great indig- 
nation at the defection of tlieir Chief, and proposing to 
return to Skye, and raise as many men as they could. 
The little army encamped that night oa Glenflllan; 
O'SullivaD, an Irish officer who had lately joined the 
Prince, being appointed its Quarterm aster- Gteneral.* 
Next morning they began their march, Charles himself 
proceeding toLochiei's house of Auchnacarrie, and he was 
joined by Macdonald of Glencoe with one hundred and 
fifty men; the Stuarts of Appin, imder Ardshiel, with two 
hundred, and Glengarry the younger, with about the 
same ; so that the united forces marching onwards soon 
amounted to upwards of sixteen hundred men. 

While these things were passing in the Highlands, the 
established Groyemment was neither prompt in its news, 
nor successful in its measures. It was not till the 30th of 
July, Old Style, that we find Lord Tweeddale, the Scottish 
Secretary of State in London, informed that the young 
Pretender had sailed from Nautes.f This report was im- 
mediately transmitted to Edinburgh ; yet, even so late as 
the morning of the 8th of August, nearly tliree weeks 
after Charles's first appearance oa the coast, it was un- 
known to the authorities at that capital. " I consider tha 
" report of the sailing as improbable," writes the Lord 
President on that day, " because I am confident that 
'" young man cannot with reason expect to be joined by 
" any considerable force in the Highlands J," and he then 
proceeds to show how much the Jacobite party was re- 
duced since 1715 : it had indeed died away Uke a fire for 

• There scemB some imcertaiiity as to when Mr. O'Snllivan joined 
tlie expedition. It is supposed by some persons that he sailed with 
Chaxles in tlie Doutelle, and Chat Buchanan being conGidered tho 
Prince's domestic was not included in tlie number of seven thai came 
on shore. (Jaeohite Memoira, p. 2.) But it is more probable that 
O'SuUivan afterwards joined Charles on shore — one of several 
ofBcers who came from France and lauded on the east coast of Scot- 
land. (See Gulloden Papers, p. 398.) 

■f- Lord Tweeddale to Lord Milton, July 30. 1745. Home's 
History. 

X Cnlloden Papers, p. 204. See also p. 360. and 365., and the 
Lockhart Papers, vol. ii. p. 405., on the diminution of the Jacobites 
sinee 1715. 



^dbyGOOglC 



1745. PROCEEDINGS OF THE GOVERNMEKT. 215 

want of fuel, while tie strength of prescription (the 
mightiest after all of any) had gathered round tip lieignuig 
Family. But then this inference suggests itself — if tlie 
Scottish Jacobites even thus diminished seemed scarcely 
a minority in 1745 — what, under wise direction, might 
they not have been thirty years before? 

At this period the persons in Edinburgh most relied oa 
by the Government, were, first, the commander in chief. 
General Sir John Cope; secondly, the Justice Clerk 
Andrew Fletcher, Lord Milton ; and, thirdly, the Lord 
President, Duncan Forbes. The last has been highly, 
yet not too highly, extolled as a most learned and upright 
judge, a patriot statesman, a devoted and unwearied 
assertor of the Protestant succession. Few men ever 
loved Scotland more, or served it better. Opposing the 
Jacobites in their conspiracies or their rehelhona, but be- 
friending them in their adversity and their distresses, he 
knew, unlike his colleagues, how to temper justice with 
mercy, and at length offended, by his frankness, the 
Government he had upheld by his exertions.* When, in 
1715, the jails of England were crowded with Scottish 
prisoners, plundered, penniless and helpless, Forbes, who 
had lately borne arms against them in the field, set on foot 
a subscription to supply them with the means of making a 
legal defence ; and when, on the same occasion, the exas- 
perated Government proposed to remove these misguided 
hut unhappy men from the protection of their native laws, 
to a trial in England, it was Forbes that stood forward to 
resist, and finally to prevent^ this arbitrary measure. His 
seat lying in the north, (Culloden House, near Inverness,) 
he had always repaired thither in the intervals of the 
Court of Session ; he had there cultivated a friendly inter- 
course with the principal Highland gentlemen, and gained 
a considerable mastery over the rainds of many. He was 
the link that bound the false and fickle Lovat to the 
Government ; it was mainly through him that Mac Leod, 
Sir Alexander Macdonald, and several other chiefs, were 
restrained to a prudent neutrality; it was he who inspi- 

• See 31 



^dbyGOOglC 



216 HiSTOET OF ^.NGI:A^^). CHiP. xxvn. 

rited, guided, and directed tte Sutherlands, tl e Micl lya 
and the other well affected clans in the nottl Fven 
iDsfore the news of Charles's landing Tvas fully conflr ned 
he hastened from Edinburgh to CiiUoden, ready to perform 
every eervice tKat the exigency might deraanl 

Sir John Cope, on his part, eent orders for driw n" 
together his troops at Stirling. He had two eg nents oi 
dragoons (G-ardiner's and Hamilton's), but they were the 
youngest in the service ; and the whole force under hia 
command, exclusive of garrisons, fell short of three thou- 
sand men. There were also several companies of a High- 
land regiment, headed by the Earl of Loudon: these, 
however, besides the doubts of their fidelity, were not at 
hand for present action, being for the most part in the 
north, beyond laverness. Nevertheless, with such force as 
he could muster. Cope was eager to march forward to the 
mountains, and crush the rising rebellion in its bud. This 
scheme he proposed in a letter to the Lords Justices in 
England, and it was warmly approved ; nay, he even re- 
ceived their positive commands to carry it into execution. 
They also fnmished him with a proclamation, issued in 
the Ixindon Gazette several days before, offering a reward 
of 30,000?. to any person that should seiae and secure the 
pretended Prince of Wales. 

Thus instructed by the Government, but at the same 
time deluded by the Jacobites araund him with a multi- 
tude of false advices. Sir John set out from Edinburgh on 
the 19th of August, the very day that Charles was raising 
his standard at Glenfillan. Next morning he commenced 
his march from Stirlmg, at the head of nearly fifteen 
hundred foot, but leaving behind the dragoons, who could 
not have afforded much service amongst the mountains, 
nor yet obtained sutflcient forage. He took with him, 
however, a vast quantity of baggage, a drove of black 
cattle, to kill for food, when required, and about a thou- 
sajid stand of arms, which be expected to distribute to 
native volunteers. Not one such appearing to join him, 
he sent back 700 of the muskets from Crieff His march 
was directed to Fort Augustus, as a central post, from 
which he hoped to strike a decisive blow against the 
rebels; and as he advanced, being met by Captain Swe- 
tenham, he obtained the first certain accounts of their 



^dbyGOOglC 



1745. PRINCE CHAKLES ON COI 

numbers and appearance. But on arriving at Dalwliinnio, 
he found the pasa of Corry Arract, that lay between him 
aod Fort AugustiiB, already in possession of his enemy, 

Corry Arrack is a huge precipitous mountain, ascended 
by a part of Marshal Wade's military road, which winds 
np m seventeen eig-aags or traverses, before it attains the 
rugged heights. The pass was known to the country 
people by the name of the Devil's Staircase, and afforded 
a mpst excellent position for defence. Charles, discerning 
Its importance, had determined to occupy it as soon as 
he heard of Cope's approach; and made a forced mareh 
for that object, burning and destroying all incumbrances 
which could impede his progress, and, that his men might 
not complain, sacrificing his own personal baggage. Early 
on the 27th he stood on the north side of Corry Arrack, 
and hastened to ascend it, expecting an attack that after- 
noon, and exulting in the expectation. It is recorded, 
that as he put on his new Highland brogues that morning, 
he exclaimed with delight, "Before these are unloosed I 
" shall be up with Mr. Cope.'"* As he walked up he sent 
forward Macdonald of Loehgarry, and Secretary Murray, 
expecting that they would see the British troops begin- 
ning their ascent on the opposite aide. But when they 
reached the summit, instead of beholding the numerous 
windings filled with the ascending files of Sir John Cope's 
army, they gazed on utter solitude. Not a single man 
appeared. At length, they observed several Highlanders, 
whom they supposed some of Lord Loudon's, and the 
British van-gnard ; but who proved to be deserters, bring- 
ing the surprising intelligence that the General had en- 
tirely changed his course, and, avoiding the expected 
battle, was in full march for Inverness.f 

For this and for his subsequent conduct^ Sir John Cope 
has sometimes been called a coward, and sometimes a 
traitor. He was neither. He was a plain, duU officer, of 
indisputable fidehty and courage, who had been previously 
in action, and behaved respectably under a superior; but 
endowed with very moderate abilities, and overwhelmed 

* Mr.T.FrttsertotheLordPresideiit,Aiignst2G.l745. CuEoden 
f Tales of a Grandfether, vol ii. p. 270. 



^dbyGOOglC 



218 HISTOEy OP ENGLAND. CHAP. XXVJI- 

by the feeling of his own responsibility as chief.* Ott 
this occasion ho felt that it was in vain to attack the rebels 
upon Corry Arrack : to remain at Dalwhinnie seemed in- 
active, to return to Stirling ignominious. What other 
course then was left but a march to Inverness to join the 
well-affected dang, with the prospect that the insurgents 
must be drawn towards the same direction, and would not 
venture to descend upon the Lowlands while Cope re- 
mained in their rear? But Sir John did not trust to 
his judgment only; he adopted that favourite resource 
of incapable commanders — a Council of War. No officer 
was found to advocate remaining near Dalwhinnie ; only 
one urged the alternative of a retreat to Stirling ; all the 
others, concurring with their General, gave their signs 
manual to the plan he proposed. Tet, it certainly was by 
far the worst of the three ; and had the King's troops hut 
kept their ground in front of the rebels, the latter would, 
probably, either have been checked in their advance, and 
cooped up in their mountains, or else been obliged to 
hazard a battle upon equal terras.f 

The news of Cope's flight (for such it was considered) 
filled the Highland host with exultation. The greater 
number wished to follow and give him battle — a less 
hazardous course, perhaps, than to march onwards, leaving 
his army unconquered, tocnt off their retreat; but Charles, 
seeing the superior importance of a descent upon the Low- 
lands, wisely decided for the latter scheme. It was imme- 
diately put into execution. Two days carried him through 
the rugged mountains of Badenoch ; on the third he be- 
held the pleasant vale of Athol, expanding to his view. 
The Grants, of Glenmorriston, to the number of one hun- 
dred men, had already come in at Corry Arrack ; and as 
the Highland army descended to the plain, they were 



• On Cope's character, see Qnarto-ly Kotiew, Ho. Isxi. p 177, and 
also tliB proceedings on Co))e'B trial. 

f " Ihe military men here think that, though it might not hava 
" been fit foe his Majesty's service for Siv John Cope to attack the 
" rebels, yet that he oaght to have etajd aomewh^e about Dalwhimiie ; 
" and, in chat case, it wonld not have been easy for tho rebels to have 
•* made such a progress into the south before him. But as the matter 
" is now over, it is needless to enter into a discussion." (Lord TwMd- 
ilale to the jiord. President, September 10. 1745.} 



jiGooglc 



i745. LOItD LOVAT. 219 

joined, Uke one of their own rivers, by accessions of 
strengtli at the mouths of all the little glens which they 
passed." Charles was especially eager to secure Lord 
Lovat, and sent him the most pressing solicitations througt 
Loehiel, together with his patents as Duke of Eraser, and 
Lord Lieutenant of the northern counties. But the wily 
old Chief stiU kept aloof and unengaged : on the one hand, 
continuing the strongest professions of his allegiance to 
his neighhour, the Lord President; and at the same time 
writing to Loehiel, " My serrice to the Prince ; I will aid 
" you what 1 can; but my prayers are all 1 can give at 
"present."! Prayers! from such a saint of course doubly 
precious ! — By this conduct, Lovat expected to reap profit 
whichever party prevailed; by this conduct did he ulti- 
mately bring his head to the scaffold, and his name to 
lasting disgrace. When wil! mankind become convinced 
that the dirtiest path is always tlie most slippery I 

Charles, however, derived some compensation from one 
of hia detachments, which, after an unsuccessful attempt 
on the barraeks of Euthven, carried off as a prisoner, 
perhaps no unwilling one, Lovat's son-in-law, Macpherson 
of Cluny, the head of a powerful clan. Cluny had been 
appointed by the Government Captain of an indepen- 
dent Company, but now, after several conversations with 
Charles, consented to return and raise his men in the 
Prince's cause. As an apology for his change, he declared 
to a friend that "even an angel could not resist such 
" soothing, close applications !" J Indeed, the fascination 
of Charles was acknowledged by every one around him. 
The Highlanders were delighted at his athletic form and 
Mn tired energy ; like one of Homer's heroes, he overtopped 
them all in stature§, and they found that he never re- 
quired from them any hardship or exertion that he was 
not willing to share. Thns, at Dalwhinnie, he slept with 

• Clmmbera's History, vol. i. p. 79. 

t Lord Lovat to the Lmrd of Loehiel, September, 1745. 

1 SeeCnlloden Papers, p. 413. 

g One of Sir John Cope's spieB from Perlh dcBcribed to him the 
Chevalier, as " in a fine Highland dress laced with gold, wears a 
" bonnet laced, wears a bioadsword, had a green riband, but did not 
" see the star ; a well made man, taller than any in hia comiiany." 
(Sr John Cope Co the Lord Preaident, September 12, 1745.) 



^dbyGOOglC 



them npon tlie open moor, slieUered only by Lis plaid. 
Every day he marchecl alongside some one or other of their 
bands, inquiring into their national legends, or listening to 
their traditionary songs. At table, he partook only of their 
country dishes, seeming to prefer them to all others : he 
wished to be, as he said, " a trne Higbknder," and hia 
few phrases of Gaelic were used whenever occasion offered. 
On the other hand, the simple and enthusiastic High- 
landers were prepared to And or to fancy every possible 
merit in their long expected Prince. Upon the whole, it 
might be questioned whether any chief has ever, in so 
short a period, so greatly endeared himself to his fol- 
lowers. 

On the 30th of August, Charles reached Blair, the seat 
of the Duke of Athol, who hastily fled at his approach, 
while Tullibardine resumed possession of his paternal 
halls, and gave a stately banquet to hia young master and 
his ancient vassals. Charles remained at Blair two days, 
during which he was joined by several gentlemen of note: 
Mr. Oliphant of (>ask, Mr. Mercer of Aldie, Mr. Murray, 
brother of the Earl of Dunmore, Lord Strathallan, with 
his son, and Lord Nairn, the son of the Peer who had 
been attainted and condemned to death in 1716. Still 
marching onwards, the vanguard of the insurgents arrived 
at Perth on the 3d of September, and the Prince made 
his public entry on horseback, and amidst loud acclama- 
tions, the nest day. Unlilte his father, he did not pro- 
ceed to the neighbouring palace of Scone, but took up hia 
residence at an antique house in the town, belonging, as 
Scone, fo Lord Stormont. Here he remained a week to 
collect supplies and to muster hia men. Of the 4000 
loTiis-d'ors brought with him, he had remaining on the 
day he came to Perth but a single one, which he showed 
to Mr. Kelly, saying that he would soon get more.* Ac- 
cordingly, he sent out parties through Angus and Fif^ 
who, while they proclaimed " King James the Eighth " in 
the principal towns, enlisted a few men and levied a little 
public money. Prom the city of Perth he obtained 5001., 
and several voluntary offerings reached him from his 
partisans at Edinburgh. All the strangera, however, 

* noma's Eistoij, p. 75. note. 



^dbyGOOglC 



1745. PKINCE CHARLES AT PEKTU. 221 

whom Charles found at Perth attending the fair, received 
his passports, fo protect their persona and goods from 
depredation ; and with several of them he courteously 
conversed, amongst others with a linen-draper from 
London, whom he desired to inform his fellow-citizens 
that he expected to see them at St. James's in the course 
of two montlis. Nor was he less busily employed in 
bringing into some degree of order, the ill-assorted ele- 
ments of hia httle army : one day he held a pubhc review 
upon the North Inch, and could not suppress a smile at 
the awkwardness of some of the new recruits. Every 
morning he rose early to drill the troops ; and it is re- 
corded that one night, when invited to a great ball by 
the ladies of Perth, ho had no sooner danced one measnre 
than he made his bow and withdrew, alleging the ne- 
cessity of visiting hia sentry posts. It is added, that 
the Perth ladies— thinking, of course, that no business 
could possibly be so important as their ball — were grie- 
vously surprised and offended at the shortness of his 
stay." 

At this period Charles received two most valuable 
acceseions to hia cause, in the Buke of Perth and Lord 
George Murray. The former brought with him about 
200 of his men ; the latter was of great use in raising the 
tenantry of hia brother, the Duke of Athol ; and both 
were created Lieutenant Generals in the Prince's service. 
James Drummond, titular Duke of Perth, was grandson 
of the Chancellor of James the Second in Scotland, and 
had received hia education in France.t His character 
was amiable rather than able, of courtly manners, con- 
ciliatory temper, and dauntless bravery, but very young 
and unskilled either in politics or war. A warrant had 
been issued for his apprehension by the Government, aa 
a suspected person, about the time of Charles's landing. 
Captain Campbell, who was charged with the execution 
of this warrant, had first, in a spirit very unlike a British 
officer's, procured for himself an invitation to dine at 

* Chambers's History, toI. L p. 87. 

t " The Dncheaa of Perth earned off her sons So France (in 1720) 
" as soon as she heard of the Diiko their father's death." ( Lookhart 
^pers, vd.iL p. 42.) She was a moat vehement Eoman Catholic. 
(Xmtlals Hist voLix. p. 165.) 



^dbyGOOglC 



222 HESTOET OP KSGLANI). CHAP. XXVIT. 

Drumraond Castle, directing his men to draw as near as 
they could without rMsing the alarm, and then, at des- 
sert, told His Grace that he was his prisoner. The Duke 
received the tidings very coolly, saying there was no help 
for it ; but in leaving the apartment he made the Captain, 
as if in courtesy, pass before him, and then suddenly 
starting back and locking the door, escaped by a private 
staircase from the house into the wood. He was quickly 
followed, and might perhaps have been retaken, had he 
not found a pony and leaped upon its ba^k, without 
saddle or bridle, and only a halter on its head. By this 
means he made his way from his pursuers, and lay con- 
cealed in the neighbouring Highlands until, on the ap- 
proach of Charles, he joined him with as many of his 
men as he could raise. 

Lord George Murray was both an older and an abler 
man. Witli his brother Tullibardine he had taken part 
in the rebellion of 1715 ; he had been at the fight of 
Glenshiel in 1719, and had afterwards served for some 
years in the Sardinian army. Being then pardoned by 
the Government, he had si 

in Scotland, had married, nn as m 

nay, as it is said, he had ev nun in 

the British army, which wa h H as 

by far the most skilful offi.c th 
siirgents in the whole eours ih H 

sonal hardihood and braver m 

be rivalled by many others id m 

in planning a campaign, p 

improving victory. Yet s m ng 

formal tactician or lover of tr 

advised the Prince to trust d 

mode of fighting of the Hig m 

ments of discipline, rather t m m 

in any more scientific mance B m 

Lord George, as a coraman w d m 11 

* Lord Geofge was the auces Duk 

He has left a Mlilary Memoir on ma 

(printed in the Jacobiw Memoirs ly ar 

and able, but dwelliag a little to us Hia 

letter on the battle of Cnlloclen a m H 

—370. 



^dbyGOOglC 



1745. COONTER PROCLAMATIOKS. 223 

waywarduess of temper, an impatience of contradiction, a 
blunt and supercilious address. A rivalry almost imme- 
diately sprung up between him and the Duke of Perth j 
which, as we shall find, afterwards ripened into a quarrel 
very hurtful to their common cause. In these broils the 
part of the Duke was always espoused hy Secretary Mur- 
ray, an able and active, hut selfish and intriguing man, 
who expected to wield a greater influence oper Perth 
than over the superior genius of Lord George. Sir 
Thomas Sheridan also, whom Lord George once or twice 
fiereeiy rebuked for his ignorance of the British Laws 
and Constitution, became of course his personal enemy ; 
and the Prince himself, who was equally ignorant upon 
those subjects, was often ofiended at his disrespectful 
tone. 

From Perth, Charles despatched a letter to the Earl of 
BaiTymore in London, urging his party to strenuous exer- 
tions.* He also caused to be printed, and circulated as 
widely as possible, his Father's Proclamations and his 
own. Besides those put forth at his landing, he had been 
prevailed upon to issue a reprisal for that of the Estab- 
lished Government, setting a price of 30,000/. upon hja 
head. For several days Charles stubbornly refused to 
follow -what he termed " a practice so unusual among 
" Christian Princes ;" he only yielded, at length, to the 
necessity of conciliating his officers, and then insisted that 
tte pnee in his Proclamation should be no more than 30/. 
Fresh importunities at last induced Urn to extend it to 
the same amount as in the Governmentf ; saying, how- 
ever, he was confident no follower of his would ever think 
of domg any thing to merit such a reward. This gene- 
rosity of Charles was more than once carried to a romantic 
extreme : thus, as we shall see hereafter, his reluctance to 
punish some acts or attempts of assassination, even to his 
own peril, provoked the discontent and murmurs of his 

" Examination ofMr. Murray of Bronghton, August 13 174G 
t See this document in the Collection of DeclarafioiiB, &o. p. aa. 
signed Charles P. E, and countersigned John Murray The & 
citidmg words are: "Should anj tat-' -'■'■■^'■'•' >■ : ' — ■•- 



^dbyGOOglC 



224 HISTORY OF ENOLANO. CHAP. XXYII* 

During their stay at Perth news reached the inaurgenta, 
that General Cope, deeply mortified at their descent into 
the Lowlands, was directing his march from Inverness to 
Aherdeen, with the intention of embarking his army, and 
returning with it for the protection, of the capital." On 
these tidings Charles formed his plana — not like Lord 
Mar'a, to stand at gaae and wait for others to help him — 
hut to forestall hia enemy's movement upon Edinburgh, 
by a movement of his own. Having completed his scanty 
preparations, he resumed his adventurous march on the 
1 1th of September. It was found no easy matter to draw 
the Highlanders from their good quarters at Perth ; but 
the Prince went first with the vanguard, and the rest 
joined him at Dumblane. " It was in this neighbourhood," 
observes one of the officers, " that many of our fathers, and 
" several of us now with the Prince, fought for the same 
" cause, just thirty years before, at the battle of Sheriff- 
" muir."f On the 13th they proceeded to the Fords of 
Frew, about eight miles above Stirling ; since they could 
not cross the Frith, where several of the King's ships 
were stationed, nor yet the bridge of Stirling, which is 
commanded by the cannon, of the castle. But at the Fords 
of Frew, the river being low at this season, they passed 
without difiieulty ; and Gardiner's dri^oona who had 
been left behind by Cope, retired bef th m d ning 
to fall back upon the other regim nt h I was now 
lying at Leith. As the insurgents m h d n h ight 
of their Eoyal Standard provoked som h t Irom 

Stirling Castle, aimed, it is said, at Ch 1 h m If but 
without effect; the town however gl dly p 1, t gates, 
and furnished its provisions. Every thi „ w pa d for, 
discipline being strictly maintained by the exertions of 
the officers ; and Lochiel, finding one of his men plunder 
in spite of his repeated orders, shot him dead upon the 

The army was now passing over the plain of Bannock- 

* ThiM iiilelligence is first mentioned in ft letter of Lord Gecnsa 
Murray's in the night of Saturday the 7th September. (Jacobite 
Memoirs.) 

i Maedonald's Journal. (Lockhait Papers, ToLii. p. 486.) 

J "SiamberB's Histoij, vol. i. p. 101 



^dbyGOOglC 



1745. APPEOACH TO EDDJBUEGH. 225 

burn : on the next evening, tlie 14th, they were quartered 

C«ll™r'H "'■''■'?.',"■■ ,°'^ » »™ '"«» S.T»r 
t-nllendep Home. Clwle! himself was entertained at that 
mansion b; its owner, the Earl of Elmarnocli, who hailed 
nim as Jiis sovereign, and assured him of his future ser- 
viees. Aceording to the information given by the Em-I, 
GKdinei's dragoons had intended to dispute the passage of 
Imhthgow Bndge next day, and the Prinoe. hopin™ to' 
6arpr.se tliem sent forward before daybreak a detaehSent 
of .thousand Highbinders under Lord George Murray, 
tot they found that the dragoons had deoamped tli. even- 
ng before and quietly took possession of the town and 
lb. -pS! ? few liours later they wore joined by 

the Pnnoe m person and his vanguai-d pushed !m„i a 
Ktrkhston, only eight miles from Edinburgh. All the 
ground thus traversed by the insurgents i. fran"ht with 
the bnghtest reeolleetiou. of Seottish atory. On that 
Held of Bannoekhurn bad Liberty and The Bruoe pr" 
,k 'M 7, S'i.""'"" °' I-i-'l'ls"" ™ 'he Wrth-pke. of 
the .11-f.ted Mary, and afterwards her dwelling in hours 
-alas how br,ef and few !_of peaeeful sove.lignty and 
honourable fame -those battlements of Stirhng had 
guarded the cradle „f her infant son -there rofe tta 
Xorwood where Wallaee sought shelter from the English 

bridled the wild Highhindman." Surely even a passing 
atiange, eould never ga.e on such scenes without motion 
— still less any one intent on hke deeds of chivalrous re- 
nown - least of all the youthful heir of Bobert Br aee and 
of the long hue of Stuart Kinc^s 1 

JSIeanwhile the citizena of the capital, like a stormv sea 
tosstng w.th saeeossive billows, had been agitated by 
every alternation, according to the rumours that reached 
tnem, ol presumptuous confidence or of craven fear But 
Wtle concern appeared at the Sr.t new. of the insurgent.. 
JNone of the fnends of Sovernment doubted their sSeedy 
dispersion or defeat , while the Jacobites (there, as else- 
wJioro in Scotknd, a very considerable party) concealed 
their secret hopes under an aliected derision of the enter- 
p.-.se, and of all the measures adopted to quell it. But 
when the t.d.ags came that Cope had marched to Inver- 
ness, and that Chailes was descending from the moan. 



:. Google 



226 HISTOEr OF BMGLAND. CRAP. XXVII. 

tsiins, the well-disposed inhnbitanta were struck, with 
consternation, mucli teightened by the succeeding intel- 
ligence, that the Prince had already entered Perth. The 
Government newspaper indeed, the Edinburgh Evening 
Courant, continued to speak of the Highlanders in arms 
with most utter contempt, as "a pitiful ignorant crew, 
" good for nothing, and incapable of giving any reason 
" for their proceedings, but talking only of snishinq 
" (tobacco), Kjno Jamesh, ta Eashant (the Regent), 
" PLTJNTEB, and NEW PROGDEs!"* But this confident 
language was belied by the activity with which the pre- 
parations for defending the city were now pursued. A 
lew days later, however, the magistrates and the inha- 
bitants reverted to their feelings of security from the 
arrival of one of Sir John Cope's Captains, directing 
that transports for his embarkation might be immediately 
despatched to Aberdeen. These transports accordingly 
sailed on September the 10th ; and from that time, says 
an eye-witness, the people of Edinburgh were continually 
looking up to the vanes and the weathercocks f, as con- 
scious that their destiny hung suspended on the winds. 
But who shall describe their fresh panic, when they learnt 
that the young Pretender had not only passed the Forth, 
but that, driving the King's dragoons before him, he was 
actually within a few milea of their walls ! 

Against this danger the Castle of Edinburgh stood 
secure in its inaccessible position, and held a sufficient 
garrison, commanded by General Guest^ an intrepid 
veteran. The city, on the other hand, was protected only 
by an antique rampart of varying height, from ten to 
twenty feet, which was embattled, but with parapets in 
most places too narrow for mounting cannon, and on the 
whole hut little stronger than a common garden wall. 
Some fortifications, indeed, hut hasty, slight, and incom- 
plete, were added in this emergency, under the direction 
of Professor MacLaurin, the celebrated mathematician. f 
The defenders were still more contemptible than the 
defences. There was a Town Guard, of which the value 

is ^Ten in Mr. Chambers's Hisloiy, yol. i. p. 125. 



^dbyGOOglC 



1^45. THE TEAMED BATTDS, 227 

may sufficiently be estimated from tlioir eonduot in tfie 
Porteous Mob. There were Trained Bands of Militia- 
but these had never been called out since the EevolutJon 
except for a yearly parade on his Majesty's birthday, and 
a dmner afterwards. There were also some volunteers, 
who had offered their services at this crisis; but their 
number never exceeded four hundred, and liiey required 
to be taught the iirst elements of military discipline. All 
these forces were under the authority of the Lord Provost, 
Archibald Stewart^ who was afterwai-ds subjected to a 
long imprisonment and a haraBsing trial, for alleged 
breach of duty at this period. It is probable that his owa 
principles were not free from a secret Jacobite bias ; but 
nevertheless it was proved on the clearest evidence, and 
to the satisfaction of the juiy, that he bad honestly acted 
for King George, and had failed from want of m4ns, or 
perhaps of capacity, but not from any traitorous design.* 
ITie di-agoons of Colonel Gardiner having now retired 
before the rebels to Corstorphine, within three miles of 
the city, and resolving to make a stand, sent for the 
second regiment from Leitli ; and it was proposed that 
they should also be supported by ibe City Guard, and by 
the body of volunteers. To collect the latter, the fire- 
bell, an ominous signal, began to toil on Sunday, the 15th, 
in the midst of divine service ; the churches were emptied 
in an instant, and the congregations pouring out into the 
streets beheld the volunteers arrive under arms, and 
Hamilton's raiment ride through on its way to Corstor- 
phine. As the dragoons appeared the volunteers hailed 
them with loud huzzas, in token of their own alacrity, 
which the dragoons returned with similar shouts and with 
the clashing of their swords. At these warlike sights 
and sounds, the female friends and relatives of the volun- 
teers were filled with consternation, and clung around the 
objects of their tenderness with tears and entreaties to 
consult their precious safety. Sir Walter Scott truly 
observes, that there is nothing of which men in general 



• See llio proceedings of fbls tria], which began March 2* 1747 
and which affords much minnte and antheutic information on the 
Burrender of the cilj. Stewart was certainly VBrr hMshly dealt with 
by the Government. 



^dbyGOOglC 



228 HISTOKT OP EHGLAKD. CHAr. SXVII. 

are more easily persuaded tlian of tliii extreme value of 
their own lives ; and a further argument was supplied hy 
a clergyman present, who declared that such valiant men 
ought cot to sally forth, but reserve themselves for the 
defence of the city walls. The effect of these exhortations 
was soon apparent. When the regiment of volunteei's 
was directed to move on, the files grew thinner and 
thinner; man after man dropped off ; from hundreds they 
dwindled to tens, from tens almost to units; and at last, 
when their commander, Mr. Druramond, had passed the 
gates and looked round, he was amazed to find only one 
or two dozen in his train. One of their number, after- 
wards, in very sublime and suitable language, compared 
their marcli to the course of the Ehine, a noble river as it 
rolls its waves to Holland, but which, being then con- 
tinually drawn off by little canals, becomes only a small 
rivulet^ and is almost lost in the sands before reaching 
the ocean.* 

On this occasion, however, the prudence of the soldier 
citizens was not destined to he shamed by any superiority 
in the regular troops. The command of the latter was 
assumed on Sunday night by Brigadier Fowkes, who bad 
been despatched from London, and had just landed at 
Leith. By this new chief the dragoons and Town Guard 
were drawn up at the Colt Bridge, a little nearer the city 
than Corstorphine. There, on the Monday morning, they 
were, at Prince Chai-les's order, reconnoitred by a party 
of mounted gentlemen from the Highland army, who, as 
they rode up, discharged their pistols in the usual manner 
of skiFmishers, Immediately, the dragoon piquets were 
seized with an unaccountable panic : that panic was com- 
municated to the main body ; and the officers, after vainly 
endeavouring to check, were compelled to share their 
shameful flight. Within half an hour the inhabitants of 
Edinburgh were dismayed or rejoiced according as their 
principles incHned them, to see these dragoons galloping 

• See Quarterly Eeview, No. Isxi. p. 173. Another Tolunteei', a 
writing master, assumed for his marcli what has been termed a " pro- 
" feesional cuirass," namelj, two quu'es of long foolscap paper, wiiich 
he tied round his valliani bosom; but stiil, for fear of accidents, 
wrote upon them as follows : " This is the hody of John MnoLure ; 
" pray give it Christian burial 1 " 



idb,Googlc 



174,'t. "CAKTER OP COr-TBriGR." 229 

jlong in the greatest confusion oiep tlie gronnd wliert 
tlie Wew Town at present stands. No sense of Iionoar 
no respeM to opdm conld omit them; tliey seareely 
S 51 " S"^ ~", to Preston, ,he,. ttej, ottered 
tor tne mglit n^r the house and grounds of their own 
Juet-the eicelleut and deeply aflioted Colonel Gardiner. 

Jappened to faU into a disused eoal-pit full of water and 

his ontory for aesistanee was mistaken by hi. eomradea ' 

tor an alarm that the Highlander, were eoming; upon 

whieh they distantly remounted their horses, und resumed 

their race ttaugh the night, never stopping till they 

reached the shores of Dunbar. ^ 

lie "Canter of Coltbrigg,- as this disgraceful flighl 

has been popularly called, might .ell h.™ damped much 

stouter hearts thai now remained for the defence of 

Jidmbuigh. Even previon.ly, they had been greatly 

aiarmed at a message brought them by one Mr Alves. 

who elated that having approached the rebel army by 

accident, he had the e .e n h Deke of Perth, to whom 

he was personally k wn The Dake," continued Mr. 

A vee, "desired me nfo m h „ns of Edinburgh, 

that ,f they openel he g, heir town .hooldbiS 

favourably treated bu ha f they attempted rosi.t- 

anee, they must oip m a execution ; and hi. 

Grace ended by ad e nf. a youu man near him with 

the title of Royal Highness, and de.iring to know if 

such were not hi. pleasure, to which the other assented." 



- -"*.- ^.-*^,« jMi. u, tv nuH^ii HI tj Oilier aSSe' 

'"r "-""S^ being publicly delivered, (for which piece 
of imprudence, or of ti-eacbery, Mr. Alve. was eommitted 
to prison,) seemed to produce a general feeling of aver- 
sion to any further mea.nrea of defence, an aversion 
speedily heightened into panic terror by the rout of the 
dragoons. In this emergency the Provost called a meet- 
tag ot the magistracy that same ailernoon, and sent also 
lor the Uo.n offleer. to require their advice, but these, 
with mtinite prudence, bad already quitted the city. 



VFu ^^f"'"''"CB, iiau aireany quitted the city. 

Ibo magistrete. having met, and many unautbori.od 
pereons pressing m amidst the general confasion, the 
question, "Defend, or not defend the town?" was put! 

, Google 



qnraiion, - ueiend, or not defend the town?" was nut, 
and but very few voice, declared in favour of the forier! 
But in tie height of the debate, or rather of the din, a 



230 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP. XXVII. 

letter addressed to the Provost and Town Council waa 
lianded in at the door, and, being opened, appeared sub- 
scribed " Charles P. E." The Provost rose and protested 
against reading any such letter: it was read, nevertheless, 
and was found to contain a summons to surrender, with a 
promise to preserve all the rights and liberties of the city, 
and the property of every individual. " But," it added, 
" if any opposition be miide to us, we cannot answer for 
" the consequences, being firmly resolved, at any rate, to 
" enter the city ; and if any of the inhabitants are found 
" in arms against us, they must not expect to be treated 
" as prisoners of war."* This letter, though it increased 
the ery against resistance, did not lead to any definite 
resolution; and it was at length agreed, as a mid.dle 
course, to send out a depntaiion to the Prince, entreating 
a suspension of hostilities, and time for full deliberation. 

Scarcely had the deputation set forth on their eiTajid, 
when the citizens were once again inclined towards war- 
like counsels, by the arrival of an express, with news that 
Cope's transports were already in sight of Dunbai-, and 
that the General would immediately proceed to land his 
men, and march for the relief of the city. It appeared, 
therefore, that a few hours of delay or of defence might 
be sufficient to save the capital of Scotland; and various 
measures for that object were submitted to General G-uest, 
and to the magistrates, — all, however, on examination, 
rejected as impracticable. 

About ten o'clock at night the deputation returned: 
they had found the young Chevalier at Gray's Mill, 
within two miles of the city, and brought back another 
letter from him, appealing to his own and to his father's 
Declaration^ as sufflcieat security, and demanding a posi- 
tive reply before two in the morning. Thus pressed for 
time, the bewildered magistrates could think of no better 
expedient than to send a second deputation to Gray'a 
Mill, with renewed enti'eaties for delay. This deputation, 
however, the Prince refused to admit into his presence ; 
and' they were obliged to return without any answer. 

During this anxious night Chai'les slept only two hours, 

ti-ialCp. 113.), and 



^dbyGOOglC 



1/15. TUB HIGHLANDERS OCCUPY EDDIBUEGH. 231 

without taking off his clothes. Fully conscious of the 
value of time at this crisis, aud afraid that the negotiation 
would lead to no result, he resolved to storm or surprise 
the city at dayfareiik ; and sent forward Lochiel and 
Murray of Broughton, with Ave hundred Camerons, to 
watch any favourable opportunity. They carried with 
them a harrel of powder, to blow up one of the gates, if 
necessary. Arriving, without discovery, close to the 
Metlierbow Port, they lay in ambush near it ; when as it 
happened, about five in the morning, the hackney coach 
which had conveyed the second deputation to Grra/sMill 
drove up to the gate from within, the coachman having 
completed his business, and wishing to return to hia 
stables in the suburb of Canongate. The sentinels, 
knowing that the man had been that night engaged in 
the service of the magistrates, readily opened the gate to 
let him go home. But no sooner were the portals dis- 
closed, than the foremost Highlanders rushed in, over- 
powei-ed and secured the watchmen, and seized the guard- 
house. Immediately sending parties round the inner cir- 
cuit to the other gates, they secui-ed these also, without 
bloodshed or disturbance. It passed as quietly, says a 
person present, as one guard relieves another ; and when 
the inhabitants of Edinburgh awoke in the morning, they 
found that the Highlanders were masters of their city." 

At the first break of dawn the Camerons were mai-ched 
up to the Cross, where they stood (so strictly was disci- 
pline maintained') from six oclock till eleven, in perfect 
Older, refusing the whiskey that was offered them, and 
retruning from all plundei, though in a city talsen, as it 
weri- by storm, ind surrounded by so many objects of 
temptation At noon the old Cross — already so re- 
nowned in the Scottish annals — became the scene of 
another striking ceiemony The heralds and pursuivants, 
arraypd m then antique and ghttering dresses of office, 
weie compelled to prochim King James the Eighth, and 
to read the Eoyal Declirations and Commission of Re- 
gency, while the bagpipes were not wanting in their 
music, nor the populace in its acclamations ; and a thou- 
sand fair hands, from the neighbouring windows and bal- 

* Home's History, p. 96. 



idb,Googlc 



coniea, waved whif i dk hi f 1 f I d 7 

One lady, of di g h d bea ty Mi M y f 
Broughton, sat on li rs b k b d h C 
drawn sword in on I 1 d w 1 tl h d nb 
the white ribbons th d t d tt iim 1 1 th H 
of Stuart. The old d y f fe t h h 1 y pp ed 
to hnve returned. 

At nearly fte s< m h f fh m m m h! 1 th 
of September, Cha 1 1 11 th t h 1 d f h d 
vancing troops, se f th t t I p f tl p I 

of his ancestors, T Ihii fhCtlh d 

a considerable circ tth tlh tlhKg 
Park by a breach which had been made in the wall*, and 
approached Holyrood House by the Duke's Walk, bo 
termed because it had been the favourite reaort of hia 
grandfather, as Duke of York, during his residanoe in 
Scotland. His march had begun on foot, but the enthu- 
siastic crowd which pressed around him, eager to kiss his 
hand, ov even to touch his clothes, nearly threw him down; 
he therefore mounted hia charger, having on his right the 
Duke of Perth, on his left Iiord Elcho, who had joined 
him the night before. His noble mien and his graceful 
horsemanship could not fail to strike even the most indif- 
ferent spectators ; and they were scarcely less pleased at 
his national dress — a tartan coat, a blue bonnet with a 
■white cockade, and a star of the order of St. Andrew. 
With fonder partiality, the Jacobites compared his features 
to those of his ancestor Eohert Bruce, or sought some 
other resemblance in that picture-gallery at Holyrood, 
which, according to their boast, contains so many un- 
doubted originals of Kings who lived so many centuries 
before the invention of painting. On this occasion, indeed, 
the joy of the Jacobites knew no bound ; and their feel- 
ings,_ loi^ dissembled or pent in, from compliance with 
the times, now burst forth in exuberant and overflowing 
transports. The air resounded with their rapturous ac- 
clamations ; and as Charles rode onwards, his boots were 
dimmed with their kisses and tears.f 

As Charles came in front of Holyrood House, the gar- 



^dbyGOOglC 



rison of the Castle, informed of his progress, and eager if 
possible to arrest it, flred a cannon ball with suet direction 
as to make it descend upon the palace. It did, however, 
but little injury, striking obliquely a part ■ of James the 
Pifth's Tower, and falling into the court yard, followed by 
a quantity of rubbish. The Prince, undismayed at thia 
accident, was about to enter the porch, when a gentleman 
stepped from the crowd, drew his sword, and raising it 
aloft marshalled the way up stairs. This was James 
Hepburn of Keith, who had taken an active pai-t in the 
rebellion of 1715, and had ever since continued devoted 
to the Stuart cause. His main motive was abhorrence of 
the Act of Union; while even his political enemies, ad- 
miring him as " a model of ancient simplicity, manliness, 
" and honour," lamented that he should sacrifice himself 
to a visionary idea of Scottish independence,* 

la the evening the long-deserted chambers of the palace 
were enlivened with a splendid ball, and, as on the eve of 
another great battle — " bright the lamps shone o'er fair 
" women and brave men," anil " a thousand hearts beat 
happily."f — Charles showed that neither the fatigue of 
the previous march, nor the anxiety of the coming con- 
flict, could impair his natural vivacity and powers of 
pleasing ; and the ladies were loud in his praises, many of 
the younger, perhaps, thinking that the cause of so hand- 
eome a Prince and so graceful a dancer could not possibly 
be wrong. 

Next morning was devoted to more serious cares. The 
Standard had lately been joined by several persons of dis- 
tinction, the Earl of Kellie, Lord Balmerino, Sir Stuart 
Threipland, Sir David Muri-ay, Lockhart the younger of 
Camwath, (his grandfather, James's correspondent, had 
died in 1732,) and several other Lowland gentlemen. 
From the magazine of Edinburgh Charles obtained about 
a thousand muskets, which served to arm many of hia 
Highlanders, still leaving, however, several unprovided. 
He also laid upon the city a requisition for tents, targets, 

* Home's History, p. 101, 

t Ineedscarcely quota— for who does not know and admire?— 
the beantifnl stanzas on the Duchess of Eichmond's ball at Bmsaeis in 
1815. ChiidB Harold, canto iii. 



^dbyGOOglC 



shoes, and canteens. Few of the burgliera showed any 
iQclination to enlist in his service ; but on the next day 
after his entry, Lord Nairn, who had. been left in the north 
to gather reinforcements, came up with five hundred men, 
consisting of the clan MacLauchlan, with their chief, and 
other Highlanders from Athol, All these forces — the 
new and the old — were passed in review at the camp 
before the Prince, and he announced hia resolution to lead 
them forward against Sir John Cope, and give him battle 
— a courageous measure, to which he obtained the consent 
of aJl the officers. 

The leisure left to Charles for repose or preparation at 
Edinburgh was only one entire day, the ISth ; on the night 
of Thursday, the 19th, he came to the village of Duddiug- 
stone, and the troops lay upon their arms. Calling a 
council of war, the Prince proposed to march next morn- 
ing, and meet the enemy half-way ; this being agreed to, 
he next asked the chiefs how they thought their men 
would behave. The chiefs desired Keppoch to answer 
for them, since he had served in the French array, and 
was well acquainted with the difference between High- 
landers and regular troops. Keppoch said, that as the 
country had been long at peace, few or none of the private 
men had ever seen a battle, and it was not very easy to 
say how they would behave; but he would venture to 
assure His Eoyal Highness that the gentlemen would be 
in the midst of the enemy, and that the private men, as 
they loved the cause and loved their chiefs, would ceitainly 
follow them. Charles then declared that be would lead 
them on himself, and charge in the first ranks. But here 
a general outcry ensned; the chiefs exclaimed that they 
were mined and undone, for if any accident befel Hia 
Eoyal Highness, a defeat or a victory must bo the same to 
them ; and on Charles's persisting, they said they would 
then return home, and make the best terms they could for 
themselves. The Prince was therefore compelled to yield, 
declaring, however, that at least he would lead the second 

Eai-ly on the morning of the 20tb, the Highlanders 
began their march in a single narrow column, and with 
joyous anticipations of victory. As Charles put himself 
at their head, he drew hia sword, and said to them, " Gen- 



^dbyGOOglC 



1745. siK JoiiN COPE. i'35 

"tlemen, I have flung away the acabhard," -wliich was 
answered by loud cheers. Their cavalry scarcely amounted 
to fifty, being only some gentlemen and their retainers 
on horsebaclt ; hut their numbers altogether were about 
2500.* They had but a single piece of artillery — an iroa 
gun, which was fired as the signal of march, but was use- 
less for any other military purpose. Charles had expressed 
a wish to leave thia encumbrance behind bim ; but to his 
surprise the Highland chiefs interposed, pleading the pre- 
judices of tUeii- followers in favour of the " Musket's 
" Mother," as they termed any cannon ; and accordingly 
it followed the march, drawn by a long string of Highland 
ponies. The dunhie wassails, and the best men in each 
clan, were excellently armed ; but even after the supply 
Irom Edinburgh, several of the inferior followers could only 
boast a single weapon — a sword, adirk, apiatol, oreven a 
scythe-blade set strmght upon the handle. Besides the 
Eoyal Standard, each elan displayed its banner inscribed 
with its gathering words, such as those of Clanranaldi 
DHANDEON CO HEEiGHA (Gainsay who dares), of Mao 
Gregor, "E'en do and spare not," or of Athol, "Forth 
" Fortune, and fill the Fetters." In this guise did the 
men march on, interrupted only by some straggling shotS 
from the Castle, and soon disappearing beyond its reach. 
I must now advert to Sir John Cope's proceedings. 
That general was landing his army at Dunbar on the 
same day that his enemy's entered Edinburgh; his dis- 
embarkation, however, was not completed till the 18th. 
He had been reinforced at Inverness by 200 of Lord 
Loudon's men, and was joined at Dunbar by the runaway 
dragoons, in number 600, so that his whole force was up- 
wards of 2200 men. A very few gentlemen from the 
Lowlands also came to him as volunteers, but brought no 
accession of force ; the principal of them, the Earl of 
Home, being attended only by two servants. Even so 
late as 1633, the Earl of Home of that day had come to 
greet Charles the First at the head of 600 well-mounted 
meji, Hs relations and retainers. The change was, no 

' See the answers of Mr. Palullo, Mustei'-maskr General lo the 
Eebel Army, and Mr. Home's note in his Appendix, p. 331.' Sea 
also a long and valnafale note (by the ediwr) to Johnstone's Memoirs, 
p. 29. optaio ed. 



^dbyGOOglC 



236 HISTOKT OP EKGLAKD. cn.ip. xxvn. 

doubt, mainly owing to the decline of feudal power ; but 
it also, in some degree, denotes the state of popular f^'eling 
in Scotland, and the difference between raisii m n f 
against the House of Stuart, 

The King's troops at Dunbar became 1 k wi ha 
refuge of the Judges and othet Crown Offlc wh had 
fled from Edinburgh before its capture, but * h xp d 
to be soon and triumphantly restored. One f h In 
teers — Mr. Home, afterwards the author of D u^laa — 
had remained a httle longer in the capital to observe the 
force and appeamnce of the rebel army, and now brought 
Cope an accurate report of it. Sir John's own forces, 
besides being very nearly equal fo the enemy's, were well 
equipped and in high spirits, the infantry seeming eager 
to augment, and the dragoons to retrieve, their reputation. 
He had six pieces of artillery — a most effective sim 
against Highlanders ; and not only the country people, 
who flocked fi-om all quarters to gaze on the array, but 
many of the Royal olBcera, were convinced that there 
would be no battle, but only a pursuit, as soon as their 
strength was seen and understood by their opponents.* 

Beginning his march on the I9th, Sir John Cope 
encamped that night near Haddington, and resumed his 
advance next moi-ning. He expected that the High- 
landers — if indeed they awaited his approach — would 
be met along the common highway ; but, on the contrary, 
lifter passing the bridge of Musselburgh, they had turned 
inland to their right, to obtain the advantage of the rising 
ground ; and they occupied the brow of Carberry Hill, 
the spot marked in former yeai-s by the surrender of the 
unhappy Mary. The English General, hoping to obtain 
early intelligence of their movements, had sent forward 
two of the Edinburgh volunteers ; who, however, proved 
aa incompetent for this as for every other militaiy duty.| 

• Home's Historj-, p. 107. He adds, "It is donbtful wliether the 
" people ivho tailtsd in this manner redly thought go ; but such was 
" ihe tone of the army, and whoever did Dot hold the same languid 
" was looked upon as a lukewarm friend." 

■f See a miimte aceomit of their adventures, Quarterly Eeview, 
Ho. IxxL p. 177. It seems that these two doughty warriors could 
not resist the temptation of some e^ecllont oysters and sherry oi a 
well-remembeted public house, and were both taken prisoners by % 
foung lad, an attorney's clerk. 



^dbyGOOglC 



1745. THE TWO AliJnES I 



237 



Cope received no report; and thus, on the 20tli, after 
having inarched about eight miles, while he continued to 
look out for the rebels to the west, he suddeniy saw them 
appear on the ridge to the southward. Immediately he 
changed his front, and drew up his troops ia order of 
battle, his foot in the centre, with 3 regiment of draffoons 
and three pieces of artillery on each wing. His right was 
covered by Colonel Gardiner's park wall and by the vil- 
^ge of Preston ; at some distance on his left stood Seton 
House; and the sea, with the villages of Preston Fans 
and Cockenaie, lay upon his rear. 

When the Eoyal troops first pei-ceived the insurgents, 
they set up a loud shout of defiance, which was prompt^ 
answered by the Highland yell. The two armies weri 
ess than a mile apart; the Prince's occupying the ridge 
beyond the httle town of Tranent, with a g^tle descent 
and a deep morass between them and their enemy. It 
was now about three in the afternoon*, and Charies was 
desirous to mdulge the impatience of his troops by an 
onset the same day. Firs^ however, to reconnoitre the 



._ "'V -^""'j """■ever, [0 reconnoitre tna 

ground, he sent forward one of hie oiBcers, Ker of Gradon, 
who, mounted upon a little white pony, rode down the 
tnh in jront of the enemy with the utmost coolness. 
OJiaregardiDg several shots that were fired at him in the 
discharge of his duty, he esamined the ground with great 
care and in several directions; and on comin^ to one or 
two walls of dry stone that intersected il, he deliberately 
alighted, pulled down gaps and led his horse over them 
He then returned to the Prince and assured him that the 
morass was deep and difficult, and could not be passed to 
attack the English in front without risking the loss of 
the whole army, t Charies accordingly desisted from his 
purpose, to the great dissatisfaction of the common High- 
Janders, who supposed that the enemy intended to escape 
Irom them as before at Corry Arrack; nor were thev 
appeased until Lord Nairn with 500 men was detached to 
the westward, so as to prevent Sir John Cope from steal- 

• I^donaM's Joimial CLockhart Papers, vol ii. p. 4m Mi 
Chambai-s, on less good anaority, sajs noon 

viaT^T ^°"'' ^^""^' ^■'"" '"'"'' *^' ^='^'"' ^^P^'^ 



^dbyGOOglC 



233 BISTOEY OF EKGI.AND. CHAP. XXVII. 

ing off towards Edinbwi^h, had he so designed, unpei-- 
ceived and unopposed. 

Meanwhile the English General, heing satisfied with 
the strength of his position, damped the spirit of his mea 
"by remaining thus eatitiouBly on the defensive. In vain 
did Colonel Gardiner urge upon him the necessity of 
bolder measures; the only aggression of the King's troops 
that afternoon was to fire a few cannon shots and dislodge 
a party of Highlanders from the churchyard at Tranent. 
The two armies lay that night (it proved dark and cold) 
upon their ground ; Cope, however, retiring to more com- 
fortable quarters at Cookenzie, but Charles sleeping amidst 
Lis soldiers in a field of pease made up into ricks.* 

But, earlier in that evening, the young Adventurer and 
his principal followers had met in council, and agreed, at 
nil hazards, to make their attack next morning opposite 
Tranent, where the morass seemed leas impervious ; and 
for many hours did their minds continue to revolve their 
hazardous determination. Amongst them was Anderson 
of Whitburgh, a gentleman well acquainted with the 
neighbouring country, who, in the middle of the night, 
suddenly bethought himself of a path that from the heights 
where they lay wound to their right by the farm of Eingan 
Head, avoiding in a great measure the morass, and lead- 
ing to the plain below. This important fact he imparted 
first to Hepburn of Keith, and then to Lord George 
Murray, who immediately went with him to awaken 
Charles. The Prince sat up on his bed of pease-straw, 
and heard with joy the tidings that assured him of speedy 
battle, more especially when Anderson undertook to act 
as his guide. He sent for Lochiel and some other chiefs ; 
and finding their opinion concur with his own, he pre- 
pared at once (for by this time the night was well nigh 
spent) to execute the scheme. An aide-de-camp having 

* It was long remembered at Trajient, that lale that afternoon 
Prince Clmrles, attended, by the Duke of Perth and another officer, 
went into the little inn of thitt village to dine. They hud some coafse 
kail, or broth, and then the meat (toia which. It had been made ; but 
as the landlady had previously concealed list \ixSe service of pewler 
fbr fear of the ffighlanders, they had only two wooden moons among 
the iJiree, and one bul<^he^'8 knife to cut the meat, which they then 
ate with, their fingers. (Chambers's History, red. i, p, 163.) AonrioM 
picture of n. Prince on the eve of a victoiy. 



ib,Googlc 



J745. BATTLE OF PRESTON. 230 

been sent to recall Lord Nairn and his detachment, the 
troops got under anus, and began to move forward with 
equal silence and apeei^ Anderson leading the way. The 
path was found lonely and unguarded, and tlie morass 
was passed without much difficulty, though even in this 
selected place several Highlanders sunk knee deep, and 
the Prince himself stumbled and fell. Soon, however, 
they reached the firm ground, concealed from the enemy, 
first by the darkness, and when day began to break, by a 
frosty mist. On the plain, however, the dragoon outposts 
heard the sound of their march, and firing their pistols, 
galloped off to give the alarm ; but as a surprise had 
formed no part of the insurgents' scheme, they were not 
discomposed, and only hastened to form themselves in 
line of battle. There had heen some warm discussion as 
to which clan should obtain the honours of the right : it 
was claimed by the MacdonaJids, and in prudence, but 
reluctantly, was yielded by the Camerons and Stuarts. 
Charles put himself at the head of the second line, which 
was close behind the first, and addressed them in these 
words : — _" Follow me, gentlemen, and by the blessing of 
" God, I will this day maie you a free and happy people !" 
On the other part, Sir John Cope lost no time in dis- 
posing his troops, his order of battle being nearly the 
same as when he first saw the enemy on the previous 
day, except that the men's faces were now turned in the 
opposite direction, towards the east instead of towards 
the west. His infantry stood in the centre, Hamilton's 
dragoons on his left, and Gardiner's, with the artillery 
before them, on his right next the morass. The mists 
now rolling away before the rising sun revealed to each 
army the position of the other. But the Highlanders did 
not long stand at gaze. First, with uncovered heads, 
uttering a short prayer, they pulled their bonnets over 
their brows, and as the pipers blew the signal, they 
rushed forward, each clan a separate mass, and raising a 
war-cry that gradually rose into a terrific yell. 

The first reached was the Eoyal Artillery, which was 
not served by regular gunners, but by some seamen whom 
Cope had hastily collected from the fleet. The Camerons 
and Stuarts, running straight on the muzzles of the 
cannon, took them by storm, while the scared artillerymen 



ibyGoogIc 



240 HISTOItr OP ENGLAND. CHAl'. XXVII. 

dispersed in all directions. Colonel Gardiner now com- 
manded a charge upon the advanoiDg enemy, encouragiog 
both by voice and example his dragoons. But these re- 
ceiving a heavy rolling fire from the Highlanders, and 
seeing them come on ii-ith their drawn broad-swords, 
wavered — gave way — and struck with a panic, galloped 
off in all directions. On the right, at nearly the same 
time, and nearly the same manner, did the Macdonalda 
scatter Hamiitoa's regiment before them. The English 
infantry now remained uncovered at both flanks, but yet 
undismayed, and poured upon the Highland centre asteady 
and well-directed fire, before which several of tlieir best 
men feU, Am g t th w J m M G n 

of the w k w Eob P h k by ii 

wounds, n d m h g II d 

animate h m B m q he 

Highland pdwh gh drs 

bayonets, d pai m h n b ke 

through o p h dd Kgs 

army; by nhicb means the whule of tbe latter was 
thrown into confusion, while the inclosures and park wall 
of Preston impeded their retreat. So rapid was this 
Highland onset, that in five or six minutes the whole 
brunt of the battle was over. 

Never was a victory more complete. There was scarce 
any cavalry, indeed,, to pursue the dragoons; but not 
above 370 men of the infantry escaped, all the rest being 
either killed or taken prisoners. The whole number of 
slain in the Eoyal army was nearly 400 ; and of these 
none was more lamented than Colonel Gardiner. Whea 
forsaken by his horsemen in battle and left almost alone, 
he saw a party of the foot who were then fighting bravely 
close by, but who had no officer to head them : " These 
" brave fellows," said he, " will be cut to pieces for want 
" of a commander," and riding up, he cheered them on to 
the charge ; but, in a few moments, he was cut down by 
a Highlander with a scythe, and despatched with several 
wounds, close to his own park wall.* Thus died a gallant 

"■ Dr. Doddridge's Eemarkaiile Paesages in Uie Life of Colonel 
Gardiner, p. 187. Gardiner was caiTied senseless to the manse of 
Tranent, where he expired a few hours ailenvards, Mid wiib buried 
close to his children in his ovo, the Tillage, church. 



^dbyGOOglC 



eoljier and a woi-tliy man. In his youth he had been 
drawn to ardent devotion by a miracle, as he beheved it ; 
—while awaiting an assignation with a married woman, 
lie saw, or thought he saw, the Saviour on the Cross, sur- 
rounded on all sides by a glory, and calling Jiim to 
repentance — a call whidi he obeyed ever afterwards by a 
most exemplary life.* 

The insurgents' loss in this conflict was only thirty 
tilled and seventy wounded. The Highlanders wreaked 
their whole fury on such dragoon horses as tbey could 
reach, believing, in their ignorance of cavalry, that these 
animals were trained to bite and tear in battle. But as to 
their vanquished enemies, Charles, who had been scarcely 
fifty paces behind the vanguard, immediately exei-ted 
himself, and, in a little while with success, to command 
and enforce mercy. In fact, his moderation in his victory, 
whether proceeding from temper or from policy, has been 
universally actnowledged.t He remained on the field 
till midday, giving orders for the relief of the wounded of 
both armies, without any distinction of friend or foe. It 
is recorded, also, that one of his oifioers coming up to con- 
gratulate him, and saying, " Sir, there are your enemies at 
" your feet ;" the Prince, far from exulting, expressed only 
his eompassion for what he termed his father's deluded 
Bubjects.J: 

_ No sooner was the victory decided, than most of the 
victors disbanded for plunder. The standards and other 
trophies, and the military chest, containing about 25007., 
were brought to the Prince, but all other p '1 w e- 
served by the captors for themselves. Uu t m d to 
luxuries, the rude mountaineers looked h U n and 

half in wonder on the refinement of 1 d I f A 
quantity of chocolate taken was afterw d d n the 

streets of Perth under the name of J h C p 's 

^ salve!" One man, who had got a waf h y n Id 
it for a trifle, observing, with great glee, that he was 
' glad to be rid of t!ie creature, lor she lived no time after 

• Doddiidge. See a note to Waveriey, wvised ed. vol. i p 73 
T Home's Histoiy, p. 122. 

j MS. Memoirs of Jnmea MaxweU of Kiikooiincll. See a note to 
Warerley, revised ed, vol. ii. p, 2 73. 
VOL. IlL K 



^dbyGOOglC 



242 HisTOET OF ESGTAKD. CHAP. xxvn. 

" Le caught her" — the machinery having in fact stopped 
for want of winding up I Another man exchanged a horse 
for a hoi-se-pistol 1 TJncouth old Highlanders were seen 
struttinj^ about in the officers' fine clothes ; others appeared 
Lurrying away with a large military saddle upon their 
backs ; and a great number immediately set off, without 
leave or notice, to their mountains on purpose to secure 
their spoil. 

Of tbe dragoons who tad fled from the field of battle, 
a small party made their way to Edinburgh, where they 
rode up the High Street at full gallop, and with prodigious 
confusion and uproar. They continued their race up the 
hiD to the Castle as their surest place of refuge; but the 
Governor, so far from admitting them, sent them word to 
begone, or he would open his guns upon them as cowards 
who had deserted their colours. Scared at this new peril, 
they tui-ned their horses, and pursued their flight towards 
the west. But the greater number having been collected, 
though not rallied, hy Sir John Cope and the Earls of 
loudon and Home, were seized with a fresh panic the 
same morning, and in spite of every exertion of their- 
chiefs, went off again at full speed towards Coldstream. 
Even at Coldstream they did not feel secure, but after a 
night's rest sought shelter behind the ramparts of Berwick. 
There they arrived in the most disgraceful disorder; and 
Sir John was received by his brother officer Lord Mark 
Ken" with the sarcastic compliment, that he believed he 
was the first genei-alon record who had carried the tidings 
of his own defeat! 

This battle, called of Preston, or sometimes of Preston 
Pans, by the well-affected party, received the name of 
Gladsmuir from the insurgents, out of respect, as it would 
seem, to certain ancient predictions. " On Gladsmuir. 
" shall the battle be," — says a Book of Pi-ophecies printed 
at Edinburgh in 1615; but Gladsmuir — a large open 
heath — lies a full mile to the cast of the actual scene of 
conflict. 



^dbyGOOglC 



CNPBEPAREU S 



CHAPTER XXTin. 

At the news of the growing insurrection. King George 
b.a .el 0,1 fr„„ H.noT.r, .ni on the 31st of Sn« 
mved m London. He found thut the Eegency In h s 
absence h.d not neglected .ny measure of nrecantion- 
even on the more >pprehension of the troubles • warrant 
(though as we hare seen, ,n Tain) was issued against the 
Duke of Perth ; and with better .noeess were sSr Hector 
Mtceaj and two or thm,, others brought prisoners to 
KSJ; -*;."?™l;»'' 1«1 been sent M the Dutch for 
the 6000 austharies they were hound to furnish , a reso- 

Handers. Marshal Wad. had hk.wi«, been directed to 
coUect a. many troops as he eonld at Newcastle, and the 

S- ,1 T""' "!"'"" "■" "°«'' <"•'■ But *e spirit 

01 the p«iple m no degree responded to tic effort, of the 

government i they remaned cold lookers on, not indeed 

apparently favouring the rebellion, but a. little dispo.ed 

to strive against it. A m.mbcr of the administration, »id 

a man of no desponding temper, Henry Fox, in his con- 

fidentml letters at this period, admits and deplores the 

pas.™ state of public feeling: "England, *,de sa^ 

and I beheve, is for the iirst comer , and if you can tS 

■SS' "joS" >>?* "-l the ten b'attalions of 

English, or 5000 French or Spaniards, will he here iirst, 

you know our falcf The French .r. not eomft 

this island a week ago, I verily beU.re the enth, eon- 

queat would not have cost them a battle." t 

On the King's return, moreover, the factions of the 

Court aggravated the difhcultic. of the country. His 

M,M,. whole co.Jdene. ,., centered on thj fallen 

minister Granville, who awaited only some favourable 

' linaoi's Hist. vol. ix. p. 171. 

J To Sir C. H, WiUiaras, Sept. 5. 1745 

t Tothorane,S=pl.lB.17«S. Ooi,', l„.j Wolpol. of Woltertra. 



idb,Googlc 



244 HISTORY Off ENGLAJID, CUAV. XXVIII, 

opening to drive the Pclliams from power, and who, from 
rivalry to them, continued till the battle of Preston to make 
light of the rehellion. According to Horace Walpole, 
" Lord Granville and bis faction peraat in persuading 
" the King that it is an affair of no consequence ; and 
" for the Duke of Newcastle, he is glad when the rebels 
" mate any progress, in order to confute liOrd Granville's 
" assertions!"" — It whs amidst such feuds and jealousies 
that the ministry had to make their preparations for 
retrieving the lost battle, and for meeting the Parliament 
which was summoned for the l7th of October. 

On departing from France without permission from its 
Government, Charles had left a letter of apology and 
solicitation for the Bong, which was delivered nfter he 
had sailed, and was seconded by the warm entreaties of 
Lis friend the Duke de Bouillon.f Still more effectual 
■were the tidings of his first successes. Louis became well 
disposed, both in self-interest and generosity, to aid him, 
and continued to despatch several small supplies of arms 
and money, some of which were intercepted by the Enghsh 
■^uizers, while others safely reached their destination. 
Snt another far more important diversion in hia favour 
was meditated by the Court of France. His young 
brother, Henry of York, having arrived fi-om Rome, it 
was designed to put him at the head of the Irish regiments 
in the French service, and of several others, and enable 
him to effect a landing in England; and ijready were 
jproparations for that object in active progress in Dunkirk. 

Charles, conscious how much his final success would 
depend upon French succour, had determined to lose no 
opportunity of pressing it. On his victory at Preston he 
sent over Mr. Kelly with letters to the Court of Versailles 
and to his father J ; three weeks later Sir James Stewart 
was despatched. Both these emissaries succeeded in safely 

* To Sir H.Mann, Sept™iber 20. 1745. He adds seyen dajis later, 

aSor the battle, " Lord Granville stiU buoys up the long's spirits. . 

" His Majesty uses his ministers its ill as possible, and discourages 
" every body thai would risk then: lives and fortunes with him." 

SCuUodeu Papers, ji. 308. 
See these letters in tlie Appendix. I am surprised tliat Wt. 
Chambers should have been imposed upon by a oluniEy foi^iy, which 
ho inaens ia his Histoi-y, Tol. L p. 1S3. 



^dbyGOOglC 



1745. rr.ojECTS and pitEPAHATioNs. 245 

arriviug at Paris ; Kelly, however, narrowly escaping 
arrest fi-om the British consul at Camp Veer in Zealand. 
But neither of them thi-ove in his ncgofiationa. Cabals 
were akeady at work agMnst the intended expedition ; 
some pretest of delay was always invented, some ohstacle 
always interposed. Even the warmest partisan of tha 
Stuarts, Cardinal Tencin, complained to Kelly of the 
backwardness of the English Jacobites, and insisted, as a 
pledge of their sincerity, that, before the armament sailed. 
Sir John Htnde Cotton should resign his office at Court. 
In vain did Kelly reply that Cotton could not reasonably 
be expected to incur that useless risk, since his resignation, 
at such a crisis, would at once be followed by his arrest 
and committal to the Tower.* — Thus did the French 
Government long defer, and finally lose, the fairest op- 
portunity it had ever seen since the Revolution of establish- 
ing its influence and principles in Britain. 

Prince Charles's first wish and design upon his victory 
was to march immediately towai-da London, at t!ie head 
of his little army. On the very next morning he de- 
spatched an agent into Northumberland, with instructions 
to stir up the country and prepare the way for his coming-t 
Had Chai-Ies really been able to push onwards with a 
body of two or three thousand men, there is strong reason 
to believe, from the state of things I have described in 
England — the previous apathy — and the recent terror — 

the want of troops — and the distraction of councils 

that he might have reached the capital with but little 
opposition, and succeeded in at least a temporary restora- 
tion. There was no fortified place upon his way beyond 
the Tweed, except Newcastle, and even at Newcastle his 
arms had struck the deepest dismay. We learn from 
Wesley, who was there at the time, "The walls are 
"mounted with cannon, and all things prepared for 
" sustaining an assault; but our poor neighbours on either 
" hand are busy in removing their goods, and most of 

* Secret examination of Mutray of Broughton, August 13. 1746. 

These and many other carious particulars wore EuapreEsed in liis public 

evidence. 

t This agent's name ivas Hickaon, he was discorered and attested 
Newcastle. Seo his insmictions in the Appendix, dated Sept. 22. 



1745. 



^dbyGOOglC 



■" the best houses ia our street are left without either 
"furniture or inhabitants."* If such was the feeling 
behind ramparts, what must it have heea in open and 
defenceless towns? 

Oa the other hand, the Prince's Scottish advisers were 
nearly unanimous against an expedition into England. 
Itwas urged, as a reason for at least delaying it, that he 
might triple or quadruple hia army by reinforcementa 
front the Highlands, and obtain the advantage of the 
French supplies that were heginning to arrive at Montrose, 
Dundee, and other points of the eastern coast. But the 
motive, which more than any other weighed with Charles 
to forego his resolution, was the number of Highlanders 
who were already hastening towards their mountains ia 
order to secure their plunder ; so that, had he marched 
on from the field of battle, he could scarcely perhaps have 
mustered 1500 men beneath his standard. 

Accordingly the young Adventurer, having passed the 
night of his victory at Pinkie House, returned next 
evening to fix hia readence for some time at Holjrood. 
On the same day his army marched hack into Edinburgh 
with every token of triumph, displaying the prisoners, the 
spoils, and the standards they had taken, while the multi- 
tude greeted them with repeated acclamations, and the 
pibrochs struck up the old Cavalier tune, " The King 
" ahsll enjoy his own again." Amidst the exulting licence 
of this tumuituous entry, many of the Highlanders fired 
their pieces into the air; but one of them having been 
accidentally loaded with ball, it grazed the forehead of 
Miss Nairn, an enthusiastic Jacobite, who was waving 
her handkerchief from a neighbouring balcony. She was 
stunned for some moments, but on coming to herself, her 
first words were, not of concern at the pain, or of resent- 
ment at the carelessness: "Thank Gtod," she exclaimed, 
as soon as she could speak, "that the accident haa 
" happened to me, whose principles are linown. Had it 
" befijlen a Whig, they would have said it was done on 
" purpose !""[■ 

* TVeslcr's Jonma], September 23. 17+5. 

t Note to Waverley, revised ed. vol. iL p. 202. Miss Nairn snr- 
■vived E(^ long as to he an acquaintance of Sir Walta^ Scott m Ms 
younger days. 



idb,Googlc 



1745. PRINCE CHARLES AT noirRooD. 247 

The batde of Preston made tie Prince master of all 
facodand, except some districts beyond Inverness, tiie 
Highland forts, and the castles of Ediaburgh and Stirling 
In almost every town was the Pretender proclaimed as 
King James the Eighth," while the public money was 
levied for hia service. On the city of Glasgow, at once 
the nchest and the least friendly to hia cause, aa extra- 
ordinary payment of 5000/. was imposed. The iato pablic 



— _-.™j j,„j^v^„ „i uuuvt. HUB ijiiposea. j.ne late pablic 
authoritiea either fled to England, or skulked in privacy 
while the Jacobites, throwing ofi' tlie mask, took no pains 
to dissemble their rapturous joy, ajid loudly vaunted of 
their young Pnnce, who, according to their own phrasQ 
at the time, " could eat a dry crust, and sieep ou peaae- 
« ■^' f J. ^^^^'^ ^ ^^"^ minutes, and win a battle 

Meanwhile this idol of their affections was exercising 
at Holyrood all the attributes of sovereignty, and makinl 
eveiy exertion to confirm and heighten the popular feel- 
ing in his favour. He forbade all pubiie rejoicings for 
his victory, stating as his reason the loss which his 
lather s misguided subjects had sustained. The Banking 
Companies having retired into the Castle, to the great 
public inconvenience, iie invited them to return by a 
proclamation, assuring them of full protection; but none 
obeyed the summons. The clergy of Edinburgh were in 
like manner exhorted in another proclamation to resume 
■^eir religions duties : with a timidity, however, for which 
they were afterwards censm-ed by their own party they 
persisted in absenting themselves. One only, MacVicar 
by name, the minister of the West Church, appeared as 
usual in his pulpit, and even continued to pray for King 
George. Charles was urged to punish this boldness, but 
.wisely refused to disturb him ; and Mr. MacVicar, perhaps 
in gratitude for the toleration, added to his prayer on the 
next occasion, "As for the young man that is come 
among us to seek an earthly Crown, we beseech thee in 
mercy take him to thyself, and give him a Crown of 
"glory!" 

Forbearance in such a case was easy, but in that of 
Edinburgh Castle it involved a heavy sacrifice. Having 

* Caledonian Merauiy, ap. Ch.imbci-s's Hist. vol. i. p. 204. 



..Google 



248 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, XXTHL 

drawn a close blockade around the fortress, and being 
informed that the garrison had only a sis weeks' stock 
of provisions, Charles might reasonably hope that this 
important stronghold must ere long fall into his hands. 
General Guest, however, wrote as governor to the magis- 
trates of Edinburgh, that unless the communication were 
re-opened he would fire upon the city and lay it in ashes. 
The affi-ighted townsmen obtained a day's respite in 
order to lay the letter before Charles at Holyrood. The 
Pi-ince's answer was likewise given in writing ; he de- 
ckred that be was surprised at the barbarity of an officer 
who could threaten ruin to the inhabitants of Edinburgh 
for not doing what it was out of their power to do ; that, 
if even compassion should make him raise the blockade of 
the castle, the Governor might next with equal reason 
require him to leave the city with his troops, and resign 
all the advantages of victory; and that, if any wanton 
mischief were attempted, he would make full reprisal 
npon the estates of the officers in the Castle, " and even 
" upon all who are known to be open abettors of the 
" German Govei'nment,"* This answer being transmitted 
by the citizens, they obtained from the General a suspen- 
sion of bis threateued cannonade until the return of an 
express, which was sent to London for orders. Mean- 
while the Governor expected that nothing should be 
attempted against his garrison. But this condition not 
being clearly understood by the common Highlanders, 
they, a few days afterwards, fired at some people whom 
they saw carrying provisions up the hill. Upon this 
General Gueat opened his own fire 5 tbe streets were 
swept with cartridge shot, and several of the inhabitants 
as well as Highlanders were killed. A new and most 
earnest appeal was now made to Charles's mercy, and be 
either found it necessary, or felt it desirable, to yield in 
his second answer. "As we have threatened, we might 
"justly proceed to use the powers which God has put in 
" our hands to cliastise those who are instrumental in 
" the ruin of this capital, by reprisals upon the estates 
" and fortunes of those who are against us ; but we think 

3. 1715) is printsJ in Ihe Collection of 



^dbyGOOglC 



1745. CLEiiEKcr Tu the tkisoscrs. 249 

" it no wny dei-ogatoiy to the glory of a, Prince to sug- 
^^ pend punishment, or alter a resolution, wiien thereby 
' the lives of innocent men fan be saved. In consequence 
of this sentiment the blockade of the Castle is hereby 
"taken off."* From this time forward, therefore, sup- 
plies were freely allowed to pass into the fortress, its 
cannonade ceased, but all hopes of its reduction disap- 
peared, 

lu another transaction of this time, however, the 
Prince's generosity excited no small discontent among 
his followers. It had been proposed to send one of the 
prisoners of Preston to London, in order to demand of 
that Court a cartel for the ex h f p ners taken 



or to be taken. 



that if this 



were refused, and if the Prii ce t d f 11 ng into the 
enemy s hands, were put to d h as b Is the Prince 
would be compelled to treat hi pt a the same 

manner. It was evident that ca t 1 w Id be of the 
utmost advantage to Charles I well-wishera 

would bo far more ready to 1 1 f i m if they had 
only to fear the chances of w n I h Id and it was 
argued that a few severe ex mpl w Id induce the 
Engljah officers to reraonstrat , d th E glish Govern- 
ment to comply : but to this scheme, however plausible, 
and however warmly urged, Charles stubbornly refused 
his assent. " It is below me," he said, "to make empty 
" threats, and I wiU never put such as these into execu- 
' tion; I cannot in cold blood take away lives which I 
" have saved in the heat of action." ■)■ 

According to Charles's orders great clemency was 
shown to the prisoners of Preston. Within a few days 
the officers were liberated on paiole, and permitted to 
live at large m the town, and scarcely more restraint waa 
imposed upon the common men. But one officer break- 
ing his parole and escaping into the Castle, both officers 
and privates were sent into temporary custody at, or near, 
Perth, where, however, it was found both difScult and 
expensive to conflne them. Some few were persuaded to 

• Charles's Proclamation, Oct. 5. 1745. 

t MS. Memoirs of MaxwoU of Kirkeonnell i from a copy in Doa- 
Bession of Sir Waitor Seott. w i' " 



^dbyGOOglC 



250 HISTORY OF EKGLAtiD. CHAr, xxvni. 



enlist in the Prince's army, and the greater number were 
released on taking an oath not to serve against the House 
of Stuart for one twelvemonth ; an engagement which is 
allegeii, though not perhaps oa adequate authority, to have 
been broken by many. 

The first thought of Charles had heen to summon a 
Scottish Parliament at Edinburgh, but the practical dif- 
ficulties of that scheme were so great that he relinquislied 
it. He published a proclamation, however, on tlie 9tli of 
October, denouncing " the pretended Parliament of the 
" Elector of Hanover," summoned at "Westminster for the 
17th, warning the English not to attend, and declaring it 
high treason for the Scotch. Another longer and more 
important proclamation, issued by Charles on the 10th, 
was designed as a pledge of his future conduct, and aa 
incentive to popular support. Ho had observed that the 
'measure most obnoxious on the north of the Tweed was 
^he act of XInion ; it was still clamoured against aa a fatal 
blow to the national independence ; and no saying was 
more common among the Jacobites, than that they were 
■fcound to restore, not merely the King, but the kingdom, 
of Scotland.* In his proclamation, therefore, Charles 
'takes care to announce that his father would never ratify 
this " pretended Union ;" but, " with respect to every 
" law or act of Parliament since the Kevolution, so far as 
" in a free and legal Parliament they shall be approved, 
■" he will confirm them." He also touches upon the deli- 
cate subjects of the public funds and the ft-otestant 
religion, and repels the various imputations that had 
leen urged against his cause, "We must further declare 
"' the sentiments of om' Eoyal Father with regard to the 
" national debt. That it 1ms been contracted under an 
" unlawful government nobody can disown, no more than 
"" that it is now a most heavy load upon the nation ; yet 
'" in regard that it is for the greatest part due to those 
" very subjects whom he piomises to protect, cherish, 
■" and dctcnd he is resolved to take the idvice of hia 
'" Parliament concerning it Om present at- 

" tempt is not undeitiken to impciP upon any a religion 
" which they disl he but to secure them all the enjoyment 



>r example the Lockhart Papevs, vol. ii. p. 3t 



;,Goo»^lc 



■ of thase which aie leapcctivel? it present established 
; among tliem eith r m England Scotland or Iiehnd 

And this Becuntj for you religion proper- 

■ ties and law we ratify, ind onfirm m our own name 
before Aim glity CTod upon the faith of a Chiistian! 
and the hoiiDur of i Prince 

' Let me now expostulate this weighfj matter with 
you my fathers ^ubiects Do not the pulpits 

and congregations of the clergy, as weU as your weAly 
papers, ring with the dreadful threats of Popery 
Slavery, Tyranny, and Arbitrary Power, which are 
now ready to be imposed upon you by tlie fomidable 
powers of France and Spain ? la not my Eoyal father 
' represented as a bloodthirsty tyrant, breathing out no- 

■ thing but destruction to all those who will not imme- 

■ diately embrace an odious religion ? Or have I myself 

■ been better used ? But listen only to the naked truth. 
I with my own money hired a vessel, ill-proyided with 
money, arms, or friends ; I arrived in Scotland attended 

■ by seven persons ; 1 publish the King my father's 
declaration, and proclaim hia title with pardon in one 
hand, and in the other liberty of conscience, and the 

' moat solemn promises to grant whatevei- a free Parlia- 

■ ment shaU propose for the happiness of the people I 

■ have, I confess, the greatest reason to adore the good- 

■ neas of Almighty God, who has in so remarJiable a 

■ manner protected me and my small army through the 
many dangers to which we were at first exposed, and 

■ who has led me in the way to victory, and to the capital 
' rf tHa ancient kingdom, amidst the acclamations of the 

King my father's subjects As to the outcries 

tormerly raised against the Eoyal Family, whatevei- 
' miscarriages might have given occasion for them have 
I been more than atoned for since, and the nation has 
now an opportunity of being secured against the like 
for the future. That our family has suffered exile 
' during these fifty-seven years every body knows Has 

■ the nation during that period of time been the more 
happy and flourishing for it ? Have you found reason 
to love and chei-ish your governors as the fathers of the 
people of Great Britain and Ireland ? Has a family 
upon whom a faction unlawfully bestowed the diadem 

fl,..:lh;,G00glC 



252 nisTORy of ekgi.akd. chap, xxyiu, 

" of a i-igiitful pi-ince, retained a due sense of so great a 
"trust and favour? Have yon found more humanity 
*' and condescension in those who were not born to a 
" Crown, than in my Royal forefathers ? Have they, or 
" do they, consider only the interest of these nations ? 
" Have jou reaped any other benefit from, them than an 
" immense load of debts ? If I am answered in the 
" affirmative, why has their government been so oftem 
" railed at, in all your public assemblies? Why has tha 
" nation been so long crying out for redress? 

" The fears of the nation from the powers of Finance 
" and Spain appear stiU more vain and groundless. My 
" expedition was undertaken unsupported by either. 
" But indeed when I see a foreign force brought by my 
" enemies against me, and when I hear of Dutch, Danes, 
" Hessians, and Swiss, the Elector of Hanover's allies 
" being called over to protect his government against the 
" King's subjects, is it not high time for the King my 
" father to accept also of assistance ? Who has the better 
" chance to be independent of foreign powers — he who, 
" with the aid of his ow n subjects, can wrest the govern- 
" ment out of the hands of an intruder, or he who cannot, 
" without assistance iiom abroad, support his govern- 
"ment, though established by aU the ciiil power, and 
" liecuied by a stiong milit-iry force, against the undis- 
" ciphned part of those he has ruled over for so many 
"years' Let him, if he plea'jes, tiy the experiment. 
" let him send off his foreign hirehngs, and put all upon 

h b wi King 

m h ee 

Th m w m sume, 



rectud as to the language, and must have been as to ttie Kpelling j 
but the style appears to me very much to resemble that of Charlea'a 
letters, ajlowiug for the difference between a studied and a basty com- 



idb,Googlc 



i.j4o, EETKFOHCESIEKTS OP MEN-. 253 

from their mountains. Lonil Ogilvie, eldest son of the 
Earl of Airly, brought 600 men, mostly of his own name, 
from Forfar. Another regiment of 400 from the hiOa of 
Aberdeenshire came under Gordon of Glenbucket. In 
the same country Lord Lewis Gordon, brother of the 
Duke, declared for Charles, aod undertook to raise the 
Tassals of his house. Macpherson of Cluny, having gone 
from Perth to levy his followers, returned witli about 300. 
Lord Balraerino, a bold, hluff, hard-drinking veteran, o£ 
tiie old Scottish stamp, took up arms again, as he had in 
1715. Another still more important accession was gained 
in Lord Pitsligo, a man also in advanced years, of gentle 
temper, and peculiar wariness and prudence. " I always 
" observed him," says Dr. King, " ready to defend any 
" other person who was ill-spoken of in his company. H 
" the person accused were of his acqnaintance, my Lord 
" Pitsligo would always find something good to say of 
'' him as a counterpoise. If he were a stranger and quite 
" unknown to him, my Lord would urge in his defence 
" the general corruption of manners, and the frailties and 
"infirmities of human nature!"* From this cautious 
temper, which he was known to possess, the gentlemen of 
his neighbourhood in Banffshire deemed him a safe leader, 
and were the more easily persuaded to join him when he 
espoused the Stuart cause: they formed with their re- 
tainers about 150 cavalry under his command; besides 
which, he also brought a small body of foot. 

With Sir Alexander Macdonald and MacLeod tlie 
Stuart cause found less favour. Only three days after the 
battle Charles had despatched to them a messenger, ex- 
horting them, but in vain, to join his standard.^ Lovat 
likewise, though strongly urged in Charles's letters, con- 
tinued to waver between his hopes and fears. For some 
time he brooded over a scheme of collecting a new High- 
land ai-my at the Cony Arrack, which should affect 
neutrality, and side at last with the victorious. But 
Ending this impracticable, and afnud of losing all credit 
witli the Pretender's parfy, he finally adopted the dastardly 
middle course, of exposing his son's life to protect hia 



^dbyGOOglC 



254 

owa. He privately directed that son, the Master oi 
Lovat, to march towai-ds the Prince at the head of seven 
ov eight hundred of his clan, protesting all the while to 
his neighbour, the Lord President, that tlie march was 
made to his inflnife sorrow and against his repeated 
orders. But his previous hesitation had lasted so long, 
that the Frasers did not arrive at Perth until after the 
Prince had entered England. And it may be alleged, 
lYith great show of truth, that the defection or delay of 
these three chiefs, MacLeod, Macdonald, and Lovat — 
who could, had they heartily engaged, have brought a 
further force of 4000 men — turned the nearly balanced 
scale against the success of the English expedition, and the 
triumph of the Jacobit« cause. 

Wotwifhatanding these drawbacks, Charles's army, 
within six weelts after his victory, mustered nearly 6000 
men. These were encamped at Duddingstone, and sup- 
plied with tents, partly from the requisition upon Edin- 
burgh, and partly from the spoils of Cope, The hardy 
mountaineers, however, were not easily prevailed upon lo 
sleep otherwise than in the open air, and only yielded at 
length, as they said, oat of respect to the Prince's orders. 
Charles came daily to visit or review them, and sometimes 
passed the night in the eomp, lying down without taking 
off his clothes. He formed the cavalry, besides Lord 
Pitsligo's, into two troops as guards ; the first to be com- 
manded by Lord Elcho, the second by the Earl of Kilmar- 
nock, Great pains were taken in lite manner to equip 
and discipline the infantry; their rations being punctually 
supplied, and their pay fixed at sixpence a day for the 
common men, and a shilling for those of the front ranks 
in the Highland regiments. But with every care the 
camp still presented an irregular and uncouth appearance. 
A spy, who was sent from England about the middle of 
October, reports as foUows : " They consist of an odd 
" medley of grey beards and no beards, -— old men fit to 
" drop into the grave, and young boys whose sworda are 
"near eqiial fo their weight, and I really believe more. 
" than their length. Four or five thousand may be very 
" good determined men ; but the rest are mean, dirty, 
" Tillanous-loolting rascals, who seem more anxious about 
" plunder than their Prince, and would be better pleased 



^dbyGOOglC 



1745. SUPPLIES OE MONEY. 255 

"■with four fihillings than a Crown."* — Yet we may 
observe that, ia spite of such forbidding looks, their acts 
oi outrage or depredation to the counfiy.people were at 
this time extremely few. It was not uncommon, indeed, 
tor them to stop some respectable porUy citizen as he 
passed along, levelUng their muskets at him with savage 
and threatening gestures; but, on being asked by the 
trembhng townsman what they wanted, they usually 
answered " a baubee," that is, a halfpenny ! Several more 
serious robberies that had been at first imputed to them 
were soon cieai-ly traced to some professed thieves — a 
class abounding the more, since the insurgents had every 
where opened the public jails, and who now assumed the 
Highland dress aud the white cockade as a convenient 
disguise for their misdeeds. Agwnst these mock High- 
landers Oharles issued a proclamation f, and succeeded in 
recovering and restoring a part of the stolen propei-ty 

Money was scarcely less needful than men to the young 
i^retender, and this he obtained in three modes— free 
gifts, forced contributions, and foreign supplies. Several 
gentlemen, too aged or too timid to take up arms, displayed 
their zeal for him in purse instead of person ; thus for 
example, the old Earl of Wemyss sent 500/. The public 
revenues and the King's-land rents were levied throngh- 
out the greater part of Scotland, as by a regular and esta- 
blished government, and all arrears of them called in.t 
Forced loans, also, were imposed upon some places, as 
Glasgow i and the factors of the estates forfeited in 1715 
were commanded to render their accounts, and pay their 
balances§; all under the threat of military execution, with 
fire and sword. The goods in the custom-houses at 

* MS. Ecport quoted in Chambers's Hist. voli. p,214. Ibis soy 
oljtamed an audience of the Prince as a pretended partisan and wm 
asked many qneBldons as to the Eumbej; of troops and Ihe alate of 
public feeling in En^and. 

t Colleelion of Dadarationa, p. 33. It is amusing to find the 
Jacobite newspaper aUege the jaila flung open by tbemselyta as a 
proof of public Yirtuj^ " Amosg the observables of this time, one in 
.thatfliei'eis not mflieeily jaU one single prisoner for crime, debt, 
ra otheiwise. The h-ke, perbaps, never could have been said brfore 1 ■ 
— L^edonian Mercmy, October a. 174S. 

I ProelasiaeioD, October }5. 1745, 

§ Circular letter to the Pactors, September 30, 1 745, 



ibyGoogIc 



256 ii!5T0KT OF E::(GLAKn. ciiA.r. xxviu. 

Leith and other ports having been seized, Charles forth- 
with converted them into money, by selling them back to 
the smugglers, from whom they had been taken, Le3S 
invidiously was his treasury replenished from a Freach 
Bhip, which anchored at Montrose, with 50001, on board. 
Three other ships coming to the same coast brought 
lOOOt more; they also conveyed about five thousand 
stand of arms, a train of six fleld-pieces, and several 
French and Irish officers. With these came over, like- 
wise, M. de Boyer, called the Marquis d'Eguilles, and 
brother of the well-known Marquis d'Argens, who was 
entrusted with a letter of congratulation to Charles from 
liOuis the Fifteenth. This was the principal business of 
his mission ; but the Prince, with excellent policy, insisted 
on calling him " Monseigneur de Boyer,"* and receiving 
him with studied ceremony, as the accredited ambassador 
from the King of France to the Prince Eegent of Scot- 
land. This belief, together with the promise of a French 
landing in Charles's favour, tended in no small degree fo 
raise or to sustain the spirits of his partisans. 

To carrf on these and his other measures with an air of 
royalty, Charles had named a council, consisting of the 
two Lieutenaat-Generals, the Duke of Perth and Lord 
George Murray ; the Quartermaster- General, O'SulIivan ; 
the Colonel of the Horse Guards, Lord Elcho; Secretary 
Murray, Lords Ogilvie, Nairn, Pitsligo, and Lewie Gordon, 
Sir Thomas Sheridan, and all the lEghland chiefs. This 
council be appointed to meet him at ten o'clock every 
morning, in his drawing-room. It was then his custom, 
first to declare his own opinion, and afterwards to ask that 
of every other member in their turn. The deliberations 
were often protracted and diecordant, and embittered by 
rivalry between the Scotch and Irish officers. According 
to Lord Elcho, " there was one third of the council whose 
" principles were, that Kings and Princes can never think 
" wrong, so in consequence they always confirmed what- 
" ever the Prince said ; " and he moreover alleges, that 
" His Koyal Highness could not bear fo hear any body 
" differ in sentiment from him, and took a dishke to every 

* Caledonlm Mei'cuiy, Odober 16. 1745. 



^dbyGOOglC 



1745. 



257 



"hoiy that iU.-' We »hoi,H not forgot tbat Lord 
Jlleho wrote thm in exile, after • rioleot quarrel and total 
estrangement between him and the Prince ; yet, on the 
whole, from hi. and otiier tejlimony, »e may clearly con- 
clude, that Charles was too fiery in hie temper and too fixed 
in his opinions. 

Before tlie council, Charles always held a levee ; wheir 
the council rose, ho dined in public will, hi. principal 
officers, and then rode ont with his Life GuaMs, usually 
to ills camp nt Duddingstone. On returning in the even- 
ing, he held a drawing-room for the ladies of his party • 
and not unfrequentl, clo.ed the day by givin, them » 
ball m the old picture-gallery of Holyrood. His affability 
and constant wish to please were neither rehixed by his-, 
good fortune not yet clouded by his cares: at table he- 
oKen combined a compliment to his followers with a sar- 
?' « "3 , i'/?' i! ",'^■'5. Ihat, after his restoration, 
Scotland sliould be his Hanover, and Holyrood House hii 
Herrenhausemt At his camp he tallied familiarly oven 
to tlie meanest Highlanders.} At his baihi he was careful 
to call alternately for Highland and Lowland tunes, so as 
to avoid showing an invidious preference to either,— to 
such minute particulars did his anxiety to please descend 1 
Ihe lair sex in general, throughout Scothmd became 
devoted to Ins cause — h wh d w th him 

won by his gaiety anl g 11 try th t 

sphere, dazzled by his m terp d t 

and moved by the g P f w 

heart. The heii- of K b t I B m t i m his 

birthriglit, and animat d h y f dly b 1 d bv 
liindred spirit 1_ tile m t f t dmyt „ „ 
boneuh the cannon of , hostile fortress 1- ,n exiS twS 
months before ! — a conqueror to-day I — perhana a mon- 
arch or perhaps again an outcast and fugitive to-monow I 
Charles, b.vmg now coBected as large an army as his 
present means allowed, was eager to employ it in an 
expedition to England. His Scottish counsellors, on the 
contrary, argued, that he onght to content himself with 

t Chamters's Hist voL L p. 211. 

J^ Eepoit of the epy sew from England, Octoljer, 1745. 



^dbyGOOglC 



the posaesaiott of their ancient kingdom ; to think only 
of defending it a^inst the English armies when they 
marched agwinst him, hut to run no hazard in attempts 
at further conquest* : a. strange and thoughtless advice, 
evidently founded on traditional feelings, rather than on 
Bober reason! With hetier judgment the young Prince 
perceived, that in his eircumstances tw await attack wat 
to ensure defeat, and that his only hope of retaining 
Scotland lay in conqupring England. It might indeed, 
with more ground, be objpcted to his enterprise, that his 
present force was wholly insufficient for it, and would 
expose both his cause and his person to imminent peril. 
Tet still, considering that the English could hardly be 
incited to an insurrection, nor the French to a descent, 
without Charles's personal appearance, and that further 
delay would probably strengthen the established govern- 
ment in a far greater proportion than himself, the course 
of present danger was undoubtedly the best for final safety 
and success. At three several conaeils did Charles 
accordingly propose to march into England and fight 
Marshal Wade, whose army, consisting partly of the Dutch 
auxiUaries and partly of English regiments, was gathered 
at Newcastle ; but as often was his proposal overruled. 
At length he declared, in a very peremptory manner, "I 
"see, Gentlemen, you are determined to stay in Scotland 
" and defend your country, hut I am not leas resolved to 
" try my fate in England, though I should go alone." 

Thus pressed in honour, the chiefs reluctantly yielded; 
limiting their consent^ however, to a march a little way 
across the Border. It was then tjrged by Lord George 
Murray, that since they needs must enter England, it 
should be on the Cumberland rather than on the Nor- 
thumberland side : for, if Marshal Wade advanced towards 
Carlisle to give them battle, he must harass his troops 
by a fatiguing march through a difficult country, and the 
Highlanders would fight to advantage among hills not 

• Sea these views vehemently maintained by Chevalier Johnstone ; 
Memoirs, p. 45. 8yo ed. ; a work that may be consnlted for opinions, 
thoiwh not trnated for Eiots, He adds, " By fomenting the natural 
" hatred which the Scots have at all times majiifested against the 
■' English, the wax woidd have become natjonnl j and this would have 
" been a moat fortunate dreumstanca for the Prince." 



^dbyGOOglC 



174o. MEASUKES OE THE GOVERNMENT, 259 

mlike tleir own. If, „„ ihecontrarr, ft« Marstal „ 
»jm.a „.oh,. a,eP™ce»o.ld beulibortyto „„"o 
th. PiOToli to toa, or the Engli.l, to ,i^. Thi, schema 
»l.»h «ea. . great i„p,„,„ent on Ch.vle.'s amSJ 
»i» findly resolTod upon ; tie seerot, lowever, w„ ».U 
kept. ,t b„ng gener^j, gi„n „. ..^ belioTOd tS lly 

EngLsh »s long a> po.sible, the Oheraliop rfnptod anotler 
?ugg..t,on ot Lorf George, that the arm .hSS ~a 

J? in £i ,h ?"'■""■*; t««g«8e and inenmbra.ce" 
to go by the dmet toad of Moif.ii bnt the .eoond and 
hghtep one, under th, Prinee in person, to paa by K.Im 
"ItT, '^''TT "fP""-?" intoNoSSS: 
iio jonger, as after Ireston, unprepaxed or defenceless- 
their rogmen,, i.d arrived froi )S.„ders, tie ir S: 
«r.es from Holland. Besides Wade's .rmy'a, §ew"tk 
which amonnled already to neai ten thonsind m„ 
•nothcr nnder the Dnke'of CnmberlaS ^TZLT'i 
the midland connlios. The miliiia had been ,3 n 
many dtstncf, and th. Dnke of Bedford, S"hi iS 
other noblenen, had nndeMaken ,„ rai» each a ne" 
regiment of hi. own The Honse of Commons, moreo°" 
lad voted not merely loyal aJdr.sso, bnt liberal snppS 
and consented to suspend the Habeas Corpus Act On 
their pari, .11 the rnling st.to.men had begun to o„„ 

and the Chancellor starting a. from a lethargy, f em"fed.' 
that he had thonght lightly of the Highklds but nS 
saw they mad. a third of the i.knd m the map • " vaT 

were reminded that Iho Pipsts eU JioffiermStf! 
* Earl of Marchmont » Diaiy, October 7, 1 74S 

HcsledbyGOOglC 



and the Highlanders were Leld forth as hrutal eavages, 
from whom the worst exceasea might he feared. I have 
now lying before me a pamphlet, "hya British Lady." 
"Let every mother," says the fair authoress, "consider, 
" if this inundation is not stopped, her prattling boys, the 
"pledges of her love and the darlings of her heart, may 
" be torn from her sight, and slavery, the EVeneh galleys, 
"and the Spanish Inquisition be their portion. What 
" may be the fate of her girls, whom she watches over 
"with so mucli tender care, I have already hinted, and 
"think the subject too horrible, to resume— indeed too 
"horrible even but to mention: what then must be the 
"reahty?"» 

It may be doubted, however, whether, with bU these 
exertions and exaggerations, much effect was produced 
upon the great body of the people. The county of York 
Beems to have been the only one where the gpiitry and 
yeomen, headed by their Archbishop, made a public and 
zealous appearance. Tlie fourteen promised regiments 
all vanished in air or dwindled to jobs :— " These most 
' disinterested Colonels," writes Horace WaJpole, " will 
"name none but their own relations and dependents for 
the ofacers who are to have rank."f Great lukewarm- 
ness. to say the least of it, appeared in the ranks of 
opposition. Lord Bolingbruke told Marchmont, that he 
thought this was the time when people should endeavour 
to keep themselves cool ; and that unless there was a 
third party for the Constitution, there was none worth 
fightine for!{ And at a still kter period he says, "I 
^^ wait with much resignation to know to what lion's paw 
'we are to fall."5 In like manner, the great Scottish 
peers of King George's side, from whom much l.ad been 
^peeted, promised little and did nothing. Thus, the 
Duke of Montrose thought it a right opportunity to 
complain that Argyle had always been preferred before 

• Epistle from a Britlsli Lady to her ConntiywomeK, U-tS, p. Ii, 
At y. 1 3. she bids them emulate " tlie courage of Uie women in the 

reign of Koraulus ! " 

t To Sir H. Mann, November 4. 1745. 

I Lord Marchmont's Dlaiy, September 24. 1745. 

6 Lord Bolinghtote to Marchmont, D^ember, 174S. Marchmont 
Papers, vol ii. p. 348. 



^dbyGOOglC 



1745. 



U.ES MABCHfS IMO ETGI U,D. 26! 



him:— "My grnndfather," added he, "lost his estate nt 
"tJie head of a party — and I will not lose mine at the 
" tail of one ! "* But, on the other hand, the faction of 
the Jacobites in England seemed atiU more inactive and 
benumbed, taking no apparent measures to nse in aims, 
and fo counteract the immense superiority ot legular 
troops which their Prince must have to overcome 

Charles, having now matured and fixed his plans, set 
out fi-om Holyrood on the last day of October, and at aix 
in the evening. That night he slept at Pinkie-house, as 
after Preston ; nest day his army, dividing into two 
columns, began its march. The whole force fell short of 
six thousand men of whom ihout five 1 dr J w 
cavalry: they wer Ulhd Iquipl dhd 
horses to carry the b nd f d y p f 

But a march into E gl d w ly d t fit 

the common Highl nd t h If d tl y 

began to desert igt mb nthl^yO 

morning Charles i d t 1 p d 1 la 

half belbre he could p i po a ly of the men to go 
forward J : the weather, too, was so unfavourable, that it 
would have prevented any troops less hardy than the 
Highlanders from marching. 

Charles's column halted for two days at Kelso and 
sent forwaid oidora to Wooler to prepare the q 
thus alarming "Wade for himself, and divert h 
tention from Cailisle, the real object of att k B a 
sudden march to the westward and down Lidd d y 

enteiel Cumberland on the evening of the 8 Iv 

vember As the clans crossed the Border h d w 
their awoids and raised a shout in pledge of h 
resil ition but Lochiel, in unsheathing his w h p 

pened to lut his hand, and the Highlanders, — h m 
men wl om a drawn sword in battle never li d — 

turned pale at the evil omen.§ Nest day bo h m s 
of the army joining, proceeded together to the 
of Carlisle. 

Carlisle, the ancient bulwark of England o n 

• Lord Mnrolimoiit's THaiy, Octobei' 7, 1745. 

+ Chambers's HisL vol. i. p. 249. t Ibid. p. 255, 

§ LookLart Papers, -vol. ii. p. 455. 



^dbyGOOglC 



262 UlSTOEY OP EKGLAKD. CUA.I: XXVIII. 

tier, was overtopped by an old and massy castle, and 
1>egirt by a mouldering waU. In tie castle tiiere waa 
only one company of invalids as garrison, commanded by 
Colonel Duraud ; but the city was held by a considerable 
body of Cumberland militia ; and, however unfit to stand 
a regular siege, mighl^ perhaps, reast an enemy who had 
no other cannon than a few four-pounders to bring 
against it. Accordingly, both Colonel Durand and the 
Mayor took measures for defence, and returned no answer 
to Prince Charles's summons ; the Mayor merely issued 
a proclamation to the inhabitants, informing them of the 
important fact as to his own name and birthplace, that 
he was not Paterson from Scotland, but Pattieson, a 
true-born Englishman, determined to hold out the town 
to the last,* 

The Prince had already gipen orders to break ground,, 
when he received intelligence that Marshal Wade was 
mai-ching from Newcastle to relieve the city. Upon this, 
relinquishing his operations, he judged it best to advance 
with the greater part of his forces to Brampton, so as to 
engage the enemy with the advantage of hilly ground. 
But at Brampton he ascertained that the news respecting 
Wade was false; and he then sent back the Duke of 
Perth with several regiments to i-esume the siege. 

On the 13tb, Perth began to raise a battery on the. 
east side of the town, his Grace himself and Tullibar- 
dine working in the trenches without their coats, in 
oirder to encourage the men. At the sight of these 
works, the valiant Mayor, Englishman though he was, 
felt his courage ooze away : he hung out a white flag, 
and requested a capitulation for the town. An express 
was sent, referring the question to the Prince, who re- 
fused to grant any terms unless the castle were included 5 
and the result was that both town and castle surrendered. 
The conditions imported, that the garrison and militia 
might retire where they pleased, delivering up their arms 
and horses, and engaging not to serve against Charles for 
the space of one twelvemonth. The whole siege cost 
the Highland army only one man killed, and another 
wounded ; yet it added no smalt lustre to ^eir arms, and 
terror to theii- name. On the I7th, the Chevalier himself 

• Tales of a Graudfnthei-, toI. iiu p. J9 



^dbyGOOglC 



1745. EEDUCTiON or Carlisle. 2G3 



made a triumplial entry into the place. Few, if any, of 
the inhabitants showed any affection to his ciiuse ; but 
they all acknowledged with gratitude the generous treat- 
ment of the Duke of Perth. 

As for Marshal Wade, the march to Kelso had suc- 
ceeded in completely blinding him : he did not move 
from Newcastle until the day after Carlisle had yielded j 
hut hearing of that event at Hexham, and finding the 
mountain roads very difficult from a fall of snow, he 
thought it proper to return whence he came, leaving the 
insurgents at full liberty to push forward if they pleased. 

The advantage which Charles derived from the re- 
duction of Carlisle was balanced by a feud which it- 
pi'oduced among his generals. Lord George Murray, 
envious of the reputation which Perth had won, and of 
the favour he enjoyed, wrote to the Prince, in no very 
conciliatory terms, reaigaing his own commission.* At 
the same time he secretly set on foot a petition from 
several other officers, praying the Prince that he would 
be pleased to dismiss all Roman Catholics from his 
councils (this was aimed against the Duke of Perth and 
Sir Thomas Sheridan), and to reinstate Loi-d George 
Murray in his command. Charles was disposed to sup- 
port his own frieads, and his own faith : but Perth, 
seeing the evil of discord, generously insisted on waiving 
his pretensions to command ; and the insurgents thus 
continued to enjoy the benefit of Murray's far superior 
military skill. 

The news, moreover, received from Scotland was not 
favourable. On leaving that country, Charies had ap- 
pointed Lord Strathallan commander-iu-chief, and di- 
rected him to collect as many reinforcements as he could 
at Perth. Strathallan had so far succeeded, that by the 
arrival of the Master of Lovat, of the Earl of Cromarty 
of Mac Gregor of Glengyle, and of detachments from 
various other clans, he could muster between two and 
three thousand men. Lord Lewis Gordon, too, had 
raised three battalions in Aberdeenshire. But, on the 
other hand, the friends of Government, under the Earl of 
Loudon and the Lord President, were gathering in con- 



ibyGoOglC 



264 EI3T0KT OF ENGLAND, CHAP. XXVin, 



siderable force at Inverness; to tlie soutli, the towns of 
Glasgow, Paisley, and Dumfries had resumed their aDe- 
giance, and leyied their militia for the House of Hanover ; 
and even at Perth and Dundee the populace had insisted 
on celebrating King George's birthday, and a few shots 
or blows bad been exchanged between them and their 
Jacobite garrisons. The city of Edinburgh had been re- 
entered by the Crown officers, in solemn procession, on 
the departure of the Highland army ; and two regiments 
of cavalry had been sent forward by Mai'shal Wade to 
their suppoi-t. On. the whole, the tidings proved how 
frail and brief was the tenure of the young Pretender's 

Under tlieae circumstances, Charles sent the Chief of 
Mac Lauchlaa back to Scotland, with orders to Lord 
Strathallaii to march, and join him in England with his 
whole force, and with the utmost speed; but Slrathallan, 
seizing some of those pretexts that ore never wanting for 
inaction, delayed his movements until a period when they 
became far less useful and important to his cause. 

The course for Charles himself to take was the next 
question to decide. A council being called, some pro- 
posed to remain at Carlisle, and watch events in England ; 
some others expresseda strong inclination to return at once 
to their native country; but^ when it came to Lord George 
Murray's turn to speak, he said, that though he could not 
advise his Soyal Highness to march far into England, 
without more encouragement from that country than had 
yet appeared, yet he was persuaded that, if His Eoyal 
Highness resolved to make a trial, his army, though b«t 
small, would follow him. Charles immediately said he 
would venture it, and was sure his friends in Lancashire 
would join when he came amongst them.* The Marquis 
d'Eguilles no less confidently declared his immediate ex- 
pectation of a ffrench landing ; and, on these assurances, 
the whole Council acquiesced. 

The army began its adventurous expedition on the 
20th of November, separating, for the convenieuea of 
quarters, in two divisions, which kept generally about 

• Mr, Home's aooonnt (p. 143.) is remarkaWy conflrmed, even to 
the very words, by Lord George's onn nntrutive. — Jacobilc Memoirs, 

p..>. 



idb,Googlc 



1745. PK0GE15SS TIIRODGH I.ANCASHIHU. 263 

half a day's maroh from each other. The first was 
commanded by Lord George Murray, and the second 
1»7 the Prince in person. They left a garrison of two 
hundred men at Carlisle ; thus reducing (aa was seen 
at a review) their force to nearly four thousand five 
hundred, and showing that above a thousand had deserted 
and gone home since they set out from Edinburgh. Tho 
whole army reunited at Penrith, and halted there one 
day, in the expectation that Wade was advancing to attack 
them ; but on learning the retreat of that doughty veteran 
from Hexham, they pursued their pr<^ress. Their route 
lay by Shap, Kendal, and Lancaster, to Preston, where 
the array again met, and rested on the 27th, There pre- 
vailed a superstition among the Highlanders, founded on 
the defeat of the Duke of Hamilton in the Civil Wars, 
and on the surrender of Brigadier Mac Intoah in 1715, 
that Preston was a fatal barrier, beyond which no Scot- 
tish army could ever advance. From regard to these 
feelings. Lord George, on the same evening they arrived, 
marched forward with their vanguard across the Eibble- 
bridge ; thus breaking, as they believed, the formidable 
spell that bound them. 

During these and the following laborious marches, 
Charles insisted that the aged and infirm Lord Pitsligo 
should occupy his carriage. Eesolving to share the 
fatigues of his meanest followers, he would not even 
mount a horse, but walked on foot, at the head of one or 
other of the dans, c3ad in the Highland garb, and with 
his target slung across his shoulder. He did not carry 
with him even a change of shoes ; and it is recorded of 
him in Lancashire that, having worn a hole in one of 
those he wore, he was obliged at the next village to have 
a thin plate of iron fastened over the sole ; and he ob- 
served, with a smile, to the blacksmith as he paid him, 
" Tou are the first, I believe, that ever shod the son of a 
"king!" He seldom stopped for dinner; but, making 
one hearty meal at night, would throw himself on his 
couch without undressing, and rise again at four the next 
morning. Nothing but an iron constitution and a lofty 
spirit would have home him day aiter day through all 
these toils of a soldier, added to all the cares of a com- 
mander. He enforced the strictest discipline among bis 



^dbyGOOglC 



266 HiSTOitr 01? England. ciiap. xxvm. 

soldiers ; and his household book, which is still preserved, 
shows tlio punctual payment of all his personal expenses.* 
Tet, in spite of his forbearance, the uncouth moun- 
taineers were in many places viewed with terror and 
aversion ; it is evea said, though on no good authority, 
that some old ladies imagined that they would devour 
young children. Here ia the story as Chevalier Johnstone 
tells it : " One evening, as Cameron of Lochiel entered 
" the lodgings asaigaed to him, his landlady, an old. 
"woman, threw herself at his feet, and with uplifted. 
" hands and tears in her eyes, suppUeated him to tate 
" her life, but to spare her two little children. He asked. 
" her if she was in her senses, and told her to explain 
" herself; when she answered, that every body said the 
" Highlanders ate children, and made them then tommon 
" food. Mr. Cameron having assured hei that they 
"would not injure either her, or her little children or 
" any person whatever, she looked at him for some 
"moments with an air of surprise, and then tpened t 
" press, calling out with a loud voice. Come out childien, 
" ' the gentleman will not eat you!' The children imme- 
" diately left the press where she had conCLaled them, 
" and threw themselves at his feet, "j" In other places, 
again, the impression was more favourable At Preston, 
Charles was received with three heaity cheeis, the hrst 
he had heard in England ; and a ft,w men consented to 
join him as recruits. 

From Preston the army marched to "Wigan, ind from 
"Wigan to Manchester. On this road throngs of people 
appeared, eager to see the Prince, pass b), and expressing 
their good wishes for his success ; but when arms were 
offered them, and they were asked to enlist, they all de- 
clined, saymg in excuse that they did not understand 
fighting ! The sigrta of popular favoui increased and 
became moie substantial when the Fiince arnved at 
Manchester there the iinging of bells, and the acdama- 
tions of multitudes, marked his entry an illumination 
shone forth in the evening ; white cockades were cheer- 
fully assumed; and a great number ot peisons came to 
kiss his hand, and to offer their services Such favourable 



..Google 



1745. 



ENTERS MANCHESTER, 267 



demonstrations, though they undoubtecdy occurred ara 
suppressed or glossed over in the Secret Letters of in^ 
teUigence, which were written from Manchester to the 
X»uke of Cumberland, and by him transmitted to the 
Seci^tary of State. Yet as a curious and authentic 
poi^ait of the Highland march, these letters appear to 
me deserving of insertion. The first is dated the 28th of 
November. Just now are come in two of the Pretender's 
men, a serjeant, a, drummer, and a woman with them, 
i have seen them. The serjeant is a Scotchman, the 
drummer 13 a Hahfax man, and they arc now goins to 
beat up. These two men and the woman, without any 
^ others, came into the town amidst thoiisandsof spectators. 
1 doubt not but we shall have more to-night. They 
" say we are U> have the Pretender to-morrow They 
" are dressed in plaids and bonnets. The serjeant has a 
_ target ! " The letter of next day (November 29) is as 
follows ;— " The two Highlanders who came in yesterday 
and beat up for volunteers for him they called His 
Koyal Highness Charles, Prince of Wales, offered five 
guineas advance; many took on; each received one 
shilling, to have the rest when the Prince came. Thev 
" do not appear to be such terrible fellows as has been 
' represented. Many of the foot are diminutive creatures, 
but many clever men among them. The guards and 
officers are all in a Highland dress, a long sword, and 
stuck with pistols ; their horses all sizes and colours, 
ihe bellman went to order all persons charged with 
excise, and innkeepers, forthwith to appear, and bring 
» their last acquittance, and as much ready cash as that 
contains, on pain of military execution. It is my 
opinion they will mate all haste possible through 
^ iJerbyabire, to evade fighting Ligonier. . I do not see 
that we have any person in town to give intelligence 
to the King's forces, as all our men of fashion are fled, 
_^ and all officers under the government. A party came 
m at ten this moniing, and have been examining the 
best houses, and fixed upon Mr. Dicconson's for the 
Prince's quarters. Several thousands came in sit two' 
" o clock : they ordered the bells to ring ; and the bellman 
has been ordering ns to iUnminate our houses to-night 
" which must be done. The Chevalier marched by my 



^dbyGOOglC 



268 HiSTOiiT ( 

« door in a Highland dress, on foot, at three o'clock, 
» surrounded by a Highland "uird ■ no music but a pair 
« of bagpipes. Those that came in 1 t n h d manded 
" quarters for 10,000 to-dny * 

Next day, during whici th p 1 alt d ah 200 

men wei-e enrolled and embod 1 th tl li who 
had joined in England ; tl e wh 1 tal ng h n me of 
the Manchester regiment, a d ramand IhyM i ancis 
Townley, a Romau Cathol ot a v y old f m Ij n Lan- 
cashire, one of the few volunteers upon the march. Such 
accessions, however, were far, very far inferior to what 
the insurgents had expected, or their predecessors had 
experienced in 1715. At that period Lnncasliire was 
nearly all devoted to the Stuart cause ; but it is evident 
that the lapse of thirty years had quenched the flame of 
Jacobitism among the common people, and that even in 
the minds of the gentry it burned only with a dim and 
wavering light. 

The disappointment of the Highland chiefs was ag- 
gravated by the news theynowreceivedof the formidable 
numbers and movements of their enemy. iVom behind. 
Marshal Wade had begun to advance against them throngh 
Yorkshii'e. In front ky the Duke of Cumberland, with 
hia head quarters at Lichfield, and with a force of scarcely 
lees than 8000 soldiers. A third army, for the immediate 
protection of London, was forming at Finchley, composed 
of the Royal Guards, and of other but newly raised troops, 
which the King declared that, in case of need, he would 
command in person. To prevent a French invasion, or 
even French supplies. Admiral Vernon had been ap- 
pointed to cruise in the Channel ; and Admiral Byng with 
a smaller squadron blockaded the east coast of Scotland. 
Large bodies of militia had been nused in several districts ; 
and close to the rebels, the city of Chester had been 
secured by the Earl of Cholmondeley, and the town of 
Liverpool by the zeal of its own inhabitants.f As if these 
diseouri^ements were not sufficient of themselves, it was 
also learnt that the bridges over the Mersey, and some 
others in front, had been broken down by order of the 

• These letters are now in tie State Paper Office, ScoiLiKn, 1745, 

t Tindal'a Historj-, vol ix. p, 204. 



^dbyGOOglC 



174S. PASSAGE OP THE MEKSET. 269 

Duke of Cumberland. Cbarles, with an undaimted spirit, 
waa still for moving onwards, saying he was certain of 
more support as he advanced. His principal officers, 
however, remonstrated with Lord George Murray on their 
alarming situation, wben Lord George advised them to 
offer no further opposition to the will of his Eoyal High- 
ness untU they came to Derby, hoping that by that time 
they might be joined by the English Jacobites in con- 
siderable numbers ; but pi-omising that, if not, he would 
undertake, as General, to propose and enforce a retreat. 

Before leaving Manchester, the Prince gave orders for 
repairing a small bridge near the town, and issued a pro- 
clamation on the subject, with a sneer at Marshal Wade-* 
Resuming his march on the Ist of December, Charles, 
at the head of one diviaon, forded the Mersey near 
Stockport^ with the water up to his middle ; the other di- 
vision, with the baggage and artillery, passed lower down 
at Cheadia on a kind of rough bridge, made by choking 
up the channel with the trunks of poplar trees. BotS, 
divisions joined that evening at Macclesfield. It is said 
(the tale is traditional, and I heard it in conversation from 
the late Lord Keith) that, on the opposite bank of the 
Mersey, Charles found a few of the Cheshire gentry drawn 
up ready to welcome him, and amongst them Mrs. Skyring, 
a. lady in extreme old age. As a child, she had been 
lifted up in her mother's arms to view the happy landing 
at Dover of Charles the Second. Her father, an old ca- 
valier, had afterwards to undergo, not merely neglect, but 
oppression, from that thankless monarch ; still, however, 
he and bis wife continued devoted to the Eoyal cause, and 
their daughter grew up as devoted as they. After the 
expulsion of the Stuart: all her thoa^hts her hopes, her 
prayers, were dir d t oi I K t tion. Ever 
afterwards she had w th md p t Hy laid aside one 
half of her yearly m t t f h xiled family 

abroad ; concealing Ij th m f th giver, which, 
she said, was of n mp t to th m 1 might give 

them pain if they ra mb d th k d t eatment she 
had formerly received. ..he had now parted with her 
jewels, her plate, and every little article of value she pos- 

• Proclamation, HoYBmber 3(>, 1745. See Appenduc 



^dbyGOOglC 



a70 mSTOKT 

sesseJ ; the price of whieli, in a purse, slie laid at tlie feet 
of Prince Charles, while, straining her dim eyes to gaze 
en his features, and pressing his hand to her shri7elled 
lips, she exclaimed with affectionate rapture, in the words 
of Simeon, "Lord! now lettest thou tiiy servant depart 
"in peace!" It is added that she did not survive the 
ehoclj; when, a few days afterwards, she was told of the 
retreat. Such, even when misdirected in its object, or 
exaggerated in its force, was the old spirit of loyalty in 
England! Such were the characters which history is 
proud to record, and fiction loves to imitate — that Major 
Colehy, who, devoting family and fortune to the Eoyal 
cause, joined Charles the Second on his march to Wor- 
cester with his four sons and one hundred and fifty men ; 
— that Lady Ahce, who, when the same monarch, after 
hia defeat, was tracked by Ms pursuers to her Iiouse, sent 
forth her son and her servants to make good, at the cost 
of their lives, one hour's respite for his Majesty's escape ; 
and who, when she saw her child brought home a prisoner, 
and mortally wounded, could yet read in his expiring 
glance the safety of their rescned King ! How greatly 
have we now improved upon those unphilosophical times ! 
How far more judicious to value Kings and governments, 
like other articles, only according to their cheapness or 
convenience ! How much safer always to acknowledge 
the reigning sovereign as the rightful one ! With what 
scorn must a modem Docti'inaii-e look down upon an 
ancient Cavalier — one of those sage deputies, for ex- 
ample, who, in July, 1830, lurked in garrets and cellars 
while the brave populace was fighting, and who emerged 
when all was over, equally ready to depose the tyrant, or 
to hang the rebels, according aa victory might have de- 
clared! — Noble-minded men, who flirg their allegianee 
to the winds, to he wafted to and fro by any gust of 
fortune, and who never know to-day what principles they 
Ehall maintmn to-morrow ! 

Notwithstanding, liowevcr, the respect which fidelity 
to misfortune claims, we must acknowledge that, in 1745, 
onr countrymen would have done well and wisely to prefer 
a Protestant, a tolerant, an enhghtened and enhghtening 
Government, to the dreams, "however bright, of the olden 
time. . But in that year the most common feeling through- 



_700J^le 



1745. THE iNSUEGENTs Df DEEBrsrmiE. 271 

oat England was indifference. As Cliaa'les advaneed from 
Manchester, he found tlie people very little inclined to 
favour or assist him, and displaying no sympathy or fel- 
low-feeling with the " wild petticoat men," as they called 
the kilted Highlanders. On the other hand, they showed 
an equal unconcern to the interests of the lleigning 
Family ; and looked coolly on the struggle, as they might 
upon a game, forgetting that they themselves formed the 
Bfake of the players. The poet Gray writes from Cam- 
bridge, "Here we had no more sense of danger than if 
"it were the battle of CanuEe. I heard three sensible 
"middle-aged men, when the Scotch were said fo be at 
" Stamford, and actually -were at Derby, talking of hiring 
" a chaise to go to Caxton (a place on the high-road) to 
" see the Pretender and Highlanders as they passed."* 

From Macclesfield, Lord George Murray, by a dexte- 
roHS manceuFre, succeeded in completely misleading his 
enemy. He advanced with his column of the army to 
Congleton, where he dislodged and drove before him the 
Duke of Kingston and a small party of English horse, 
pursuing them with his vanguard some way on the road 
to Newcastle. Thus he impressed the Duke of Cumber- 
land with a full belief that the insurgent troops were on 
their march in that direction, either to give him battle, 
or to join their partisans in Wales. Accordingly, the 
Duke hastily pushed forward with his main body to 
Stone, ready either to intercept, or to flght them, as 
circumstances might require. But Lord Gteorge, having 
meanwhile obtained accurate intelligence of the Duke's 
numbers and position from Mr. Weir, one of Cumber- 
land's principal spies, whom he captured at Congleton, 
and whom the Prince saved from hanging|, suddenly 
turned off to the left, and, by a forced march, gained 
Ashbourne. There the Prince's column likewise arrived 
along the direct road. Pursuing their progress next day, 
they both entered Derby, Lord George in the afternoon, 
and Prince Charles in the evening of ihe 4th of De- 
cember ; having thus skilfully gained two or three marches 

• Gray to H, Walpole, rebraaiy 3, 1746. (Lord Orford's Works, 
■f Locldiart Papers, vol. ii. p. 4^8. 



idb,Googlc 



■npon the Dulte of Ctimberlancl, and interposed between 
!iis army and London. 

Charles toot up his quarters at the Earl of Exeter's, 
"^DW Mr, Mousley's, one of the beat houses in the town. 
He arrived in high spirifs, reflecting that he was now 
within a hundred and thirty miles of the capital*, 
and that neither Wade'8 nor Cumberland's forces any 
longer lay before that object of his hopes. Accord- 
ingly, that eveaing, at supper, he atudiousiy directed 
his conversation to his intended progress and expected 
triumph — whether it wonld be best for him to enter 
London on foot or on horseback, in Highland or in 
English dress. Far different were tlie thoughts of his 
followei-s. Eai-Iy next morning, he was waited upon by 
Lord George Murray, with all the commanders of bat- 
talions and squadrons ; and, a countal being formed, tbey 
laid before him their earnest and unanimous opinion for 
an immediate retreat to Scotland. They had marched 
thus far, they said, on the promise either of an English 
rising or a French descent; neither had yet occurred, 
neither could any longer be safely awaited. Tliey' asked 
if the Prince could produce even a single letter from any 
Englishman of distinction or of influence, received upon 
their march, and adTising them to persevere in it. What 
was their own force ? barely 5000 fighting men, a number 
insufficient to give battle to any one of the three armies 
by which they were surrounded; nay, scarcely adequate 
even to take quiet possession of London, were thei-e no 
camp at Finchley to protect it. What was their enemy's 
force ? perhaps not much less than 30,000 men, were it 
all combined. If even they should elude the Duke of 
Cumberland's division, and gain a battle against George 
the Second, under the walls of Ixmdon, it would not be 
gained without loss ; and how, with still further dimi- 
nished numbers, could they gather any fruits of victory ? 

• There seoms to be a sort of ttaditjon or rooted belief among the 
Scots, that tho Prince, at Derby, waa witbin 1 00 miles j>f London. 
Sit Walter Scott repeatedly calie the distance 90 miles (as in Talcs of 
a Grniidfathei', vol. iii. p. 101.), and Mr. Cliaaibcrs makes it esactly 
100. (HiBt vol. L p. S74.) Yet it is, I believe, as ceKaiii, as any fact 
in gaogniphy can be, that the actnol distance is 127. So much easier 
is it to repeat than to iaqmre! 



^dbyGOOglC 



1745. DELTBEUATIONS AT DERBY. 273 

But supposing fl defeat, would a single man of their array 
be able under such cii-ou instance a to escape ? Would not 
the Prince's own person, even if he were not killed in the 
action, fall into the hands of his blood-thirsty enemies? 
Or how, if Wade's and Cumberland's armies should com- 
bine and close in upon them from the rear? How much 
wiser, then, to retreat while it was yet time, to support 
and be supported by their friends in Scotland ! Already, 
continued Lord George (and he pointed to despatches 
which had reached the Prince that very morning), we 
learn that Lord John Drummocd has landed at Montrose, 
with the regiment of Eoyal Scots and some piquets of tlie 
Irish Brigade, so that the whole force under Lord Strath- 
allan ready to join us from Perth is not less than three or 
four thousand men.* 

Charles listened to these arguments with impatience, 
and replied to tliem with warmth. He expressed his 
fij-m reliance on the justice of his cause, and on the Pro- 
vidence which had hitherto so signally protected him. 
He owned that there was some danger in advancing, but 
to retire was equally dangerous, and, besides, disgraceful. 
As to his personal risk, he wonld never allow that to 
weigh with him, " Eather than go back," he cried, " I 
"would wish to be twenty feet under ground I "-j- He 
proceeded at some length to argue on the probability that 
the French woidd yet land in Kent or Essex, — that his 
friends could not fail to join him as he advanced, — that 
defections must be expected, even from the English ranks, 
■ — that boldness and enterprise would supply the want of 
numbers, and distract the councils of the enemy. Finding 
that his arguments made no impression, he resoi-ted to 
entreaties, imploring his friends not to forsake their 
Prince at his utmost need ; and at last, as a middle course, 
he proposed that they should march into Wales, to give 
their partisans in that country an opportunity of joining. 
But the council still continued Arm in pressing a retreat 
to Scotland. Only the Buke of Perth, though retaining 

• See Lord George Miirray's own summary of Us advice in this 
council, (Jacobite MBmoira, p. 54.) 

t Memoira of Captain Damel, a Toluntecr who joined in Lanca- 
shire, and atlached himself lo the Dttko of Perth. His MS, has heen 
voiT obligingly communieawd lo me by Lady Willonghbj d'Ereshy, 



;, Google 



iJl4 HISTOKY Ol' ESGLAM). CHAP, XXVIH. 

his own opinion, was moved by his master's vehemence, 
and wished to yield to it. Some of the Irish officers were 
also willing to go on ; but then, as the Scots invidiously 
observed, they did not run equal risk, since, being in the 
French service, they were sure, at the worst, of being 
honourably treated as prisoners of war, instead of being 
tried and hanged as traitors. After several hours of 
stojiny debate, Charles broke up the council without 
having formed any decision, the army halting that day 
for rest at Derby. Meanwhile the lower officers and 
soldiers, animated with very different wishes from their 
chiefs, and eagei- for the expected conflict, were em- 
ployed, some in taldng the saci-ament at the difierent 
churches*, others thronging the cutlers' shops to renew 
the edge of their broadswords-f 

During the whole day, the Prince continued to ex- 
postulate with some of his officers singly, in hopes of 
changing their opinions. Finding them inflexible, he 
was at length strongly advised by those he mc«t confided 
in — Sir Thomas Sheridan and Secretary Murray — to 
yield to the prevailing sentiment, since tiiey were sure 
the army would never fight well when all the chiefs were 
against it. Accordingly, at another council, summoned 
the same evening, Charles sullenly declared his consent 
to a retreat; but. added that, in future, he would call no 
more councils, since he was accountable to nobody for 
his actions, excepting to God and his father, and would 
therefore no longer eithei- ask or accept their advice, 

Nest day, the 6th of December, the insurgents began 
their retreat As they marched in the grey of the 
morning, the inferior officers and common men believed 
that they were going forwai'd to fight the Duke of Cum- 
berland, at which they displayed the utmost joy. But 
when the daybreak allowed them to discern the sur- 
rounding objects, and to discover thut Ihey were re- 
tracing their steps, nothing was to be heard throughout 
the army but expressions of rage and indignation, " If 
" we had been beaten," says one of their officers, " the 
" grief could not have been greater."|; 

* Lovd George Mnrray's Harmtjve. (Jacobite Memoirs, p. 76.1 
■f Chambfli-s's -"'- -' = - —" 



I Chevalier Joimstone's Memoirs, p. 73. Svo. ed. 



ibyGoogIc 



1745. A RETiniAT cojDiENcur). 273 

Ttiis ended the renowned advance to Derby — ended" 
against the wishes both of the Prince and of the soldiers.' 
It certainly appears to me, on tiie beat judgment I can 
form, that they were i-ight in their reluctance, and that^ 
had they pursued their progress, they would, in all pro- 
bability, have succeeded in thnir object, A loyal writer, 
who was in London at the time, declares that "when the 
" Highlanders, by a most incredible march, got between 
" the Duke's array and the metropolis, they struck a 
' terror into it scarce to be credited."* An immediate 
rush was made upon the Bank of England, which it is said 
only escaped bankruptcy by paying in sixpences, to gain 
time. The shops in general were shut, public business 
for the most part was suspended, and the restoration of the 
Stuarts, desired by some, bat disliked by many more, 
was yet expected by all as no improbable or distant oc- 
cun'ence. The Duke of Newcastle, at his scanty wits' 
eoon-reached end, stood trembling and amazed, and knew 
not what course to advise or to pursue ; it has even been 
alleged, (a rumour well agreeing with his usual character, 
but recorded on no good authorityf,) that he shut himself 
up for one whole day in his apartments, considering 
whether he had not better declare betimes for the Pre- 
tender. Nay, I find it asserted that KiDg Geoi^e himself 
ordered some of his most precious effects to be embarked 
on board his yachts, and these to remain at the Tower 
quay, ready to sail at a moment's warning. Certain it is, 
that this day of universal consternation — the day on- 
which the rebels' approach to Derby was made known — 
was long remembered under the name of Black Friday.^ 

» Bicldii^, in the True Piitiiot 

f Chevalier Johnsttine's MemoirB, p. 77. Sro. ed. 

j See a nole to H. WiJpoie'e letters to Mann, vol. ii. p. 9S. Tha 
day was tJie 8th of December. I may observe that the Jacobite paity 
was veiy stcoag in London, and had at its head one of the City 
meraboiB, Aidennan Heathcote, as appears from the Staait Papers. 
Thus, a secret letter, transmitted to Rome by Lord Scmpill, and dated 
London, Oetobar 31. 1745, says, " Aldeiman Heathcolo and several 
" more have been with Sir Watkin Wynn to assure him that they will 
"rise in the City of London immediaiely upon a landing; and to beg 
" thai arms and ammnnilion be brought with the troops." And Lord 
Sempill adds <HovembBr 13. 1745), "Mr, Heathcote has been 
" reckoned, especially ance the hasa defectioa of Polleney, one chief 



idb,Googlc 



276 insTOKY OF e^kjt.aso. chap, sxvni. 

Had, then, tlie Ilighlanaers continued to push forward, 
must not the increasing terror have palsied all power of 
resistance ? "Would not the little army at Finchley, in- 
ferior in numbers, and with so convenient a place for dis- 
persing as the capital behind it, have melted ftway at their 
approMih? Or, had they engaged the Duke's army, who 
can doubt the issue, if the victory of Falkirk had been 
gained on English ground ? It is probable also, from the 
prevalence of Jacobite principles amongst the gentry at 
this period, that many oflcers in the Eoyal army -were 
deeply tainted with them, and might have avowed them 
at the decisive moment. It is certain, at least, that many 
would have been suspected, and that the mere suspicion 
■would have produced nearly the same effects as the reality 

bewilderment, distrust, and vacillation in the chiefs. 

Even the high personal valour of the King and of the 
Duke could hardly have borne them, safe amidst these 
growing doubts and dangers, I may add, that, in the 
opinion even of the Duke of Cumberland's principal of- 
ficers, there were hut scanty hopes of arresting the 
Highlanders (when once at Derby) in their progress to 
London. The D k f B' 1 n 1 wh mmanded the 
cavalry, writes asfllwtb E dF wkener, from 
LiehfieW, at eight n tl n n f th 5 h of Decem- 

ber :— "I am just g ng t n hf Co entry to-day, 
" and UTorthampt t m a ding to His Royal 

" Hi"-hness'B ovde b t I h had n ther oi-ders of 
"any kind. I kn w y w H 1 1 1 am to do if the 
"enemy comes up to me, but what am I to do if 
" advised of their approach ? For as to sending out 
" guards or outposts it will be impossible after two such 
" days' march, as from here to Northampton : the men 
"might do it, but the horses absolutely cannot; and now 
"they have got over the Trent, there is no pass to defend; 
" and if they please to cut ns off from the main army they 
" may, and also if they please to give us the slip, and march 
" to London, I fear they may before even this avant-garde 
" can come up with them ; and if we should. His Eoyal 
" Highness knows best what can be expected from such 
"an inconsiderable corps as ours : however, we will do 

« leadOT of the patriot Wiigs, not in the City of I-ondon only, but in 
" tliB nation. He opened liimself, above tiro months t^o, lo Su' John 
" Hinde Cotton." 



^dbyGOOglC 



1743. THE JACOllITES IN ENOLA-VD. 277 

"our best, and are ready fo obey wbat orders be will 
*' please to send us,"* 

It appears, moreover, that the camp at Fbcbley was as 
yet not foi'raed, but confined to paper plans, tbat the coasts 
of Kent and Essex were but feebly guarded by the British 
cruisers, and tbat the French ministers were now in the 
very crisis of decision as to their projected expedition. 
The preparations for it were completed at Dunkirk ; and 
had Charles, by any forward movement, seemed to show 
that he scarcely needed it, it would undoubtedly (such 
policy is but too common with alhes!) have been ordered 
to sail. Nor were the Jacobites ia England altogether as 
supine as was supposed ; they had already, it seems, taken 
measures for a vising. A letter of the young Pretender, 
many months afterwards, mentions incidentally, in refer- 
ring to Mr. Barry, that he " arrived at Derby two days 
"after I parted. He had been sent by SirWatkinWynn 
"and Lord Barrymore to assure me, in the name of 
"my friends, that they were ready to join me in what 
"raannei- I pleased, either in the capital, or every one to 
"rise in his own country.""}" 

I believe, then, that liad Charles marched on wai-d from 
Derby he would have gained the British throne ; but I 
am fai- from thinking that he would long have held it. 
Bred "Up in arbitrary principles, and professing the 
Eomanist religion, he might soon have been tempted to 
assail — at the very least he would have alarmed — a 
people jealous of their freedom, and a Church tenacious 
of her rights. His own violent though generous temper, 
and his deficiency in liberal knowledge, would iiave 
widened the breach ; some rivalries between his Court 
and his fathei-'s might probably have rent his own party 
asunder ; and the honours and rewords well earned by his 
faithful followers might have nevertheless disgusted the 
i-est of the nation. In short, the English would have 
been led to expect a much better government than King 
Oeorge's, and they would have had a much worse. Their 
new yoke could neither have been borne without suffer 
ing nor yet cast off without convulsion ; and it therefore 
deserves to be esteemed among the moat signal mercies 

' Sfato Paper Office, vol. Ivii. Sootube, 1745. 
t Frince Cliarles to liis fadioTi Avignon, rebi-uary IS. 17iT. 
<Stuart Papers.) ^g 



;, Google 



of Providenoe, that this long train of digaensions and 
disasters, this necessity for a new revolution, should 
have been happily averted hj the determinatioa to retreat 
at Derby. 

The Highland ^rmy pursued their retreat by the same 
track as they hiil come hut by no means with the same 
order. Disappointed and humbled in their own estima- 
tion, and with then bonds of discipline relaxed, they 
committed numerous acts of outrage, some in vengeance, 
others for plunder. Thus at a place near Stockport, the 
inhabitants having shot at a Highland patrole, his com- 
rades in retaliation set lire to the vUlage. The conse- 
quenee was, that their stragglers or the sick whom they 
left behind, were either killed or taken prisoners by the 
country people- At Manchester, so friendly a few days 
before, a violent mob opposed their vanguard, and, though 
dispersed, again hung upon their rear when they marched 
away. The Prince much offended at this unexpected 
reception, imposed and exacted a fine of 5000/. upon the 
town. His own behaviour on the retreat tended still 
further to dishearten his men ; he took no pmns to conceal 
his grief and resentment, but, on the contrary, affected to 
show that he was no longer commander of the army. 
Instead of being, as formerly, earliest in the morning, and 
foremost in the march, he now lingered at his quarters 
till eight or nine o'clock, so as to delay the rear-guard, 
and then, mounting hia horse, dejectedly rode on to Bis 
column. 

Charles had designed to halt his army a day at Man- 
chester, but was dissuaded by Lord George Murray, who 
argued that the men had no occasion for it, and that it 
was only giving so much time for the enemy to overtake 
them. Nest morning, accordingly, they pursued their 
rapid retreat. As they were going out oi the town of 
"Wigan, some zealot formed a plan for the Prince's assassi- 
nation ; but, mistaking his person, shot at Mr. O'SuUivan. 
" Search was made for him," says one of their officers, 
" but in vain : and no great matter for any thing he would 
" have suffered from us ; for many esercised their maJico 
" merely on account of the known clemency of the Prince, 
" whicl^ however, they would not have dared to do if he 
" had permitted a little more severity in punishing them. 



..Google 



1745. skuuiish at clipton, 279 

The nrmy, irritafed by such frequent instancea of the 

enemy's malice, began to behave with less forbearance, 

and now few there were who would go on foot if they 

■' could ride ; and mighty taking, stealing, and pressing 

'of horses there was amongst us! Diverting it was to 

see the Highlanders mounted, without either breeches, 

saddle, or any thing else but the bare back of the horses 

to ride on — and for their bridle only a straw-rope ! In 

this manner did we march out of England."* 

On learning that the rebels were at Derby, the Duke 

of Cumberland had fallen back from Stone in all haste 

for the protection of the capital ; and lie was already at 

Meriden Moor, close to Coventry, when he was assured 

of their retreat. He immediately commenced a pursuit 

at the head of his cavalry, and of a thousand foot, whom 

he mounted upon horses supplied by the neighbouring 

gentry. But with all his despatch he found, on coming 

to Macclesfield, that the enemy were full two days' march 

ahead of him. Continuing, however, to press forward, he 

was joined at Preston by another body of horse, detached 

and sent across the coontry from the army of Marshal 

Wade ; but it was not until the county of Westmoreland 

that he came up with the insurgents. On the evening of 

the 17th their main body, headed by Charles, had entered 

Penrith, but the rear-guard, under the command of Lord 

Greorge Murray, having been delayed by the breaking 

down of some baggage waggons, could proceed no further 

than Shap, Early next morning Lord George resumed 

his majch ; but on coming to the village of Clifton, about 

three miles from Penrith, he found several parties of 

cavalry, volunteers of that neighbourhood, drawn up to 

intercept him. These, however, he dispersed with one 

charge of Glengarry's men, and made several prisoners ; 

among the res^ a footman of the Duke of Cumberland, 

who said that his Eoyal Highness was already close in 

the rear with 4000 horse. Lord George sent the man to 

be examined by the Prinee, at Penrith ; a,t the same 

• MS. Memoirs of Capt^Q DanieL He also bitterly complains of 
the Prince's clsmencj' on (mother previons occasion — the barbarous 
murder of a joung English Tohmteer, by a woman and ber son, near 
Manchester ! they were seiieii and brought to Cbatles, and they con- 
fessed tlieir crime ; but he would not allow them fo be put to death. 
■si 



ibyGoogIc 



time requesting oi-ders for his own direction. Charles, 
with great courtesy, dismissed the servant to his master ; 
and, for the support of Lord George, despatched two 
regiments — the Stuarts of Appian, and the Macpheraons 
of Cluny. 

The sun was just setting when the Duke's advancing 
forces first appeared in sight of Lord Greorge: and they 
slowly formed upon Clii'ton Moor and the high road ; on 
one side the stone fences of the village, on ^e other the 
enclosures of Lord Lonsdale's princely domain. It was 
now nearly durk; hut the moon shone out at intei-rals 
from among the clouds, and by this light Lord Georgo 
saw a body of men — dismounted dragoons, or ratiier 
infantry, who had resumed their proper mode of warfare 
— gliding forward to surprise him along the stone fences. 
He immediately cried CLAyMOKE ! and rushed on, sword 
in hand, followed hy the Macphersons and Stuaits j and, 
losing his honnet in the fray, continued to light bare- 
headed among the foremost. In a few minutes the 
English were completely repulsed, their commander, 
Colonel Honeywood, being left severely wounded on the 
field, and their total number of killed or disabled exceed- 
ing a hundred men, while the insurgents lost but twelve. 
It was with great difficulty that the Highlanders could 
be recalled from the pursuit, they exclaiming that it was 
a shame to see so many of the King's enemies standing 
fast upon tlie moor without attaeking them. Lord Geoi'ge 
also was desirous of maintaining his position with further 
reinforcements ; hut receiving thePrince's repeated orders 
to the contrary, drew off his men to Penrith. So effec, 
toal, however, was the check he had given, that the Duke 
of Cumberland forebore any further attempts to harass 
the Highlanders in their i-etreat. 

Pursuing this retreat, Charles and his troops arrived 
early next day, the 19th, at Carlisle. Here they thought 
it requisite to leave a garrison, so as to secure this k^y of 
England for them in a second, and, as they hoped, a 
speedy invasion of that country; yet the same object 
might have been attained by blowing up the works. Be- 
sides a few French and Irish, and some men from a 
Lowland regiment, who consented to remain, we learn 
from an ofiicer present, that "Mr. Townley, Colonel of 



^dbyGOOglC 



1745. AUK INSOIMJRNTS LKAH! CAKLISLi;. 281 

" the English, p 
" name, but in 
" Chester regiment, to be left, though the latter never 
" assented to or desired it, many of them wishing to un- 
" dei^o tlie same fate as their Eoyal master. However, 
" on Colonel Townley'a coming baclc, aad telling tlieni 
" that it was the Prince's pleasure that they should re- 
"main at Carlisle, they all, taking it as coming from tiie 
"Prince, most willingly acquiesced."* Yet the result 
was most fatal to them, and the determination to leave 
them most unwise. No sooner had Charles departed 
than they were invested by the Duke of Cumherland. 
They supposed (and this seems to have been Charles's 
own opinion, when he left them) that the Duke had no 
battering artillery at his disposal ; some, however, was 
unexpectedly brought from Whitehaven; and on the 
29th it began to play upon the mouldering walls. The 
besieged t!ien desired to capitulate, but could obtain no 
other terms from his lloyal Highness, than that " they 
" should not be put to the sword, but reserved for his 
"Majesty's pleasure" — a stipulation which to many of 
them was only death deferred. 

On the 20tli of December, the Prince's birthday, the 
Scottish array left Carlisle, and re-entered their own 
country by fording the Esk. That rivei- was swollen 
with winter floods and rains to the depth of four feet ; 
yet nearly all the men ci-ossed safely, wading arm in arm, 
and supporting each other ag^nst the violence of the 
current. Charles, with his horsemen, rode through a 
little below the place where the rest of hia army passed ; 
and, while in the midst of the water, saw one or two of 
the men, who liad drifted fi-om the hold of their comrades, 
and were carried down the stream. With great intre- 
pidity and presence of mind, Charles sprung forward, 
and caught one poor soldier by the hair, at the same time 
calling out, in Gaehc, CoBHEA£f ! cohheab ! that ia. Help ! 
help ! and supporting him until he could receive as- 

* MS. Memoira of Captain DanieL It is scarcely worth while to 
notice a calumnious and absurd iusinnatton of tlie Chevaliev John- 
etone, that Charlaa leii this unfortunate garrison behind, " in a apirit 
"of vengeance j^iunst the Euglish nation," for not more effectiiiiMy 
supporting him I 



^dbyGOOglC 



282 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP. XXVllI. 

siatance. This proof of Ha compassion and care for his 
followers greatly tended, it is said, to enhance his popu- 
larity amongst them. 

The main hody of tlie insurgents stopped that night at 
Annan, and the next at Dumfries. This town Lad always 
been rennarkable for its attachment to the Protestant 
succession ; and a report having lately reached it of some 
defeat or disaster to the Highland army, a general re- 
joicing had ensued. When the Highlanders marched in, 
they found the candles of the illumination stiU in the 
windows, and the honfires unextinguished.* They im- 
posed a fine of 2000t upon the place ; and, receiving only 
1100?., carried off the Provost and another magistrate as 
security for the remainder. From hence they proceeded 
by different routes to Glasgow, marking their trackby 
numerous acta of plunder and depredation. Charles him- 
self went by way of Hamilton Palace, where he allowed 
his troops a day of rest, and himself a day of shooting in 
the Park. His forces were now reduced to about 3600 
foot and 500 horse. On the 26tb he entered Glasgow, 
thus completing one of the most extraordinary marches 
recorded in history. From Edinburgh to Derby, and 
from Derby back again to Glasgow, they had gone not 
less than 580 miles in fifty-six dajsf, many of these days 
of halt; yet one of Charles's personal attendants com- 
plains, that, during this whole time, he was able hut once, 
at Manchester, to throw ofi'hia clothes at night, J 

Glasgow had already given strong proofs of its hostility 
to Charles, having raised many hundred men against him 
in his absence. His appearance made no impression in 
his favour ; nay, one fanatic even snapped a pistol at him, 
as he rode along the Salt-Maiket.§ A most heavy 



* MS. Memoirs of Ciiptain Daniel. 

t Reckoning the diatance from Catliale to Devbj Ihi-ongli Wigan, 
ISl miles (twice over) ; from Edinbiu^h to Carlisle and Erampton, 
throng Kelso, perbapa 110; from Carlisle to Glasgow about the 
same, — the total will be 582. But this is only an approximation. 

t Sea some notes of converEatlon witii Mr. Gib, the Prince's Major 
Ztomo, in the Jacobite Memoirs, p. 394, 

§ Chambers's Historj, yol, i. p. SS5. It appears that, as usnal, no 
panishment followed. 



^dbyGOOglC 



1745. nosTiLiTT OF Glasgow. 283 

requisition to refit the Highland army was now laid upon 
tlie citizens ; for whicli they afterwards claimed and 
received a compensation from tlie established Govern- 
ment. How strange the contrast between Manchester 
and Glasgow! The most commercial town in England 
the most friendly — the most commercial town in Scot- 
land the most adverse — to the Stuarte! 



^dbyGOOglC 



cuAr. sxix. 



CHAPTEE XXIX. 

Haying refreshed and new clothed his army, by eight 
days' residence at Glasgow, Charles again set forth, on 
the 3rd of January, 1746, and marched to Stirling, where, 
according to ordera he had sent, he was joined by the 
forces under Lords John Drummond and Strathallau. 
There came also the detachment of Lord Lewis Gordon, 
which only a few days before had worsted the Earl of 
Loudon's levies in a skirmish at Inveriuy, and driven 
them back towards Inverness. By these accessions, the 
total force under Charles's banner was augmented to 
nearly nine thousand men, being the largest tliat he ever 
mustered in the course of these campaigns. With this 
he now undertook the siege of the Castle of Stirling ; the 
more readily, since Lord John Drummond had brought 
both battering guns and engineers from France, and 
since he was eager to secure a constant and easy com- 
munication between the Highlands and the Lowlands. 

Stirling Castle, however, stood secure in its cra^y 
height, a good garrison, and an experienced governor. 
General Blakeney. By this time, also, the army of 
Marshal Wade had advanced into Scotland, and was re- 
inforced by the Ihike of Cumberland's cavalry. The 
Duke himself had been recalled from Carlisle, and hia 
infantry from Lichfield, to guard the southern const, and 
provide against the still apprehended French invasion. 
But though absent himself, he was requested to name the 
commander of the army in Scotland in the room of 
Marsha! Wade, whose talents, never of the brightest, had 
sunk beneath the torpor of age, and whose inactivity had 
justly been complained of during the last campaign. In 
hia place, the Royal Duke recommended General Henry 
Hawley, an officer of some experience, who had served 
in the battle of Sheriffmuir as a Major of dragoons : 
but destitute of capacity, and hated, not merely by his 



^dbyGOOglC 



enemies, but by his own soldiers, for a most violent and 
vindictive temper. Both he and Iiis Eoyal patron were 
signal exceptions to the rule, that brave men are never 
ci-uel. — Once, in Flanders, a desei'ter being hanged 
before Hawley's windows, the sui^eons begged to have 
the body for dissection. But Hawley was reluctant to 
part with the pleasing spectacle; "at least," said he, 
II you shall give me the skeleton to hang up in the guard- 
"roora!"* — One of his first measures, on arriving at 
Edinburgh to take the chief command, was to order two 
gibbets to be erected, ready for the rebels who he hoped 
might fall into hia hands; and with a similar view he hid 
several executioners attend hia ai-my on its march. Such 
ferocity sinks Hawley very far below a man he often 
scoffed at, — hia pi-edecessor at Preston, — and appears 
altogether alien from the true military character: in one 
word. Cope was no general; but Hawley was not even a 
soldier 1 

The disposable force of Hawley being augmented by a 
tew Yorkshire volunteers, by a Bimilar body from Glasgow 
and by some Argyleshire recruits under Colonel Camp' 
bell, was nearly the same as that of Charles,— between 
eight and nine thousand men. At the head of these he 
marched from Edinburgh to raise the siege of Stirling 
and, as he confidently boasted, drive the rebels before him. 
On the other hand, Charles, hearing of hia approach, left 
a few hundred men to continue the blockade of the Castle, 
and with the remainder advanced to meet the enemy. On 
the I6th of January he drew up his men on Bannockbui-n 
a field, as he remarked, of happy augury to his arms and 
awaited an attack ; but found the English remain wholly 
inactive at Falkirk. His cavalry, whom he sent out to 
reconnoitre close to Hawley's camp, brought word that 
they could see no appearance of movement. Nest morn- 
ing he again drew up his army, and again awaited an 
attack ; but still in vaia ; upon which, with characteristic 

...* H-W^PoJe to SirH.MBmi, January 17. 1746. He adds that 
the soldiars' nickname for Hawley was, "the Lord Ciief Jnstice." 
His own will, dattd March 29. 1749, is most disoredilable to him in 
anolhec respect : it contiunE this plimse, about his huvial ■ " My car- 

' case may be put any where The priest, I conduae, wiU have 

"Lis fee; let iJie puppy have it!" 



^dbyGOOglC 



286 HISTOKT OF ENGLAND. CHAP. XXIX. 

ardour, he determined tliat bis own troops should move' 
forwards that same day, and beoome the aggressors in the 
battle. 

Hawley, meanwhile, filled with an ignorant contempt 
of the " Highland rabble," as he termed them, belieyed 
that they would disperse of themselves at the mere news 
of his approach, onCneglected the most common precau- 
tions for security, such as sending out patroles. On the 
forenoon of that very day, the 17th, he allowed himself to 
be detained at Callender House, some distance from his 
men, by the courtesy and good cheer of the Countess of 
Kilmarnock, whose husband was in the insurgent army, 
and who had therefore strong motives for retarding and 
misleading the hostile chief. Only the second in com- 
mand, Gteneral Huske, remained at the camp in front of 
Falkirk ; he was a good ofScer, but had no authority to 
direct any decisive movement. His attention also was 
diverted by a well concerted stratagem of the Highland 
army : for while Charles, with his main body, marched 
round considecftbly to the south of the English camp (a 
route he had calculated so as to give his troops the ad- 
vantage of the wind in the battle), he detached Iiord John 
"Drummond with all the cavalry towards the other ex- 
tremity of Hawle/s fine, and along the straight road from 
Stirling to Falkirk. This detachment, having in its rear 
the ancient forest of the Torwood, was directed to display 
the Royal Standard and other coloui's, so as to produce an 
impression that the whole army was behind, and advancing 
from that quarter. So successful was this feint, that Ge- 
neral Huske's attention became whoUy engrossed by the 
evolutions of these distant squadrons ; during which time 
Charles, with his main army, had already passed the river 
Carron, beyond Dunnipace, and was only separated from 
the enemy by the Falkirk Muir, a rugged and ridgy 
upland, now well cultivated, but then covered with heath. 

It was now between one and two o'clock, and the 
English soldiers were preparing to take their dinner, 
when some country people, hastily running in, brought 
an account that the Highlanders were near at hand ; and 
their report was confirmed by two of the officers momiting 
a tree, and through a telescope discovering the enemy in 
motion. Tlie drums instantly beat to arms, and a press- 
ing message was despatched to Hawley, at Callender 



^dbyGOOglC 



1746. 



2S7 



House, while the troops were formed in line in front of 
their camp. Frequent, and surely not unfounded mur- 
murs might now be heard amongst the mea : — " Where 
"is the general ?— what shall be done?— we have no- 
" orders ! " * 

Startled at these tidings, Hawley soon galloped up, in 
breathless haste, and without his hat ; he immediately 
ordei-ed his three regiments of dr^oons to advance with 
him, full speed, to the top of Falkirk Muir, so as if pos- 
sible to anticipate the Highlanders ; and the foot he com- 
manded to follow with their bayonets fixed. They pushed 
forward, with a stoi-rn of wind, to which heavy rain was 
now added, beating full in the faces of the soldiers. For 
some time it appeared like a race between the dragoons 
and the Highlanders, which should first attain the summit 
of the hill. The mountaineers, however, prevailed in that 
object ; and the English, then halting, drew up on some- 
what lower ground. There was a rugged ravine, tliat 
began at the centre, between the two armies, and deepened 
towards the plain on the right of the King's forces ; and 
the whole position, thus hastily cliosen by Hawley, was 
far from favoui-able to the evolutions of regular troops. 
The English artillery, also, stuck fast in a morass, which 
formed pai-t of the plain, and it could not be extricated ; , 
but^ as the Highlanders had also left theirs behind, neither 
force had ia that respect any advantage above the other. 
Each of the armies now formed ; the Prince's in two 
lines i his right commanded by Lord George Murray, and 
his left by Lord John Drumraond, who as soon as he saw 
the enemy take the ahii-m, had desisted from his feint, 
and rejoined the main body of his countrymen. Charles 
himself took his station, as at Preston, ia the second line, or 
rather close bebi nd it, on a conspicuous mound, still known 
by tie name of Chablib's Hill, and now overgrown with 
wood. For the English, their cavalry remained as they 
had come, in front, and their infantry drew up, like the 
insurgents, in two lines ; while in the rear of all stood a 
reserve, consisting of the Argyle militia and the Glasgow 
regiment. General Hawley commanded in the centre, 
and Huske on the right ; and the cavalry were under 

* Home's History, p. 167. 



^dbyGOOglC 



288 HISTOBV OP EKCLAND. CHAP. SXTX. 

Colonel Ligonier, ■wlio on tlie death, of Gardiner had suc- 
ceeded to his regiment. 

These arrangomenfs being completed, Hawley sent 
orders to Ligonier to chaise with all the horse on the 
enemy's right. The iasurgents in that station, chiefly tlie 
Macdonald clans, seeing the dragoons come on, reserved 
their own fire, with the utmost steadiness aad composure, 
until the English were within ten yards' distance ; they 
then, at Lord George's signal, gave a general discharge, 
so close and well aimed, that a very large iiamber of the 
hostile horsemen were seen to reel and fall from their 
saddles, and the survivors were completely broken. Two 
of the dragoon regiments, the same that had £ed at the 
Coltbridge and at Preston, being now well skilled and ex- 
perienced in that military operation, repeated it on this 
occasion. The thiivi regiment, Cobham's, stood firmer, 
but was likewise compelled to yield, after heavy loss. It 
was now Lord George Mnrraj^s endeavour to bring back 
the Macdonalds into regular line ; but their victorious 
ardour was not to be controlled ; running forward, and 
loading their pieces as they ran, they fell upon the flank 
of Hawley's two columns of foot, which at the same 
moment were furiously assailed in front ; the Highlanders, 
after their fire, dropping their muskets, and charging 
sword in hand. The English, on their part, nearly blinded 
by the wind and rain, and dispirited by their previous 
inaction, could not stand iiim against this combined 
assault ; in vain did their General attempt to animate 
them by his personal courage ; his white head uncovered, 
and conspicuous in the front ranks of the combatants : the 
whole centre gave way in confusion, and betook them- 
selves to flight. But on the extreme right of the Eoyal 
army the result had meanwhile been very different. The 
three regiments there, protected by the rugged bank of 
the ravine, maintained this natural fortification, and kept 
aloof the Highlanders from their favourite close onset, 
sword in hand. Nay more, being reiaforeed by Cobham's 
dragoons, who rallied in tiieir rear, they not only checked 
the pursuit on their flank, but spread confusion into the 
ranks before them, of the Prince's left, many Highlanders 
scampering away from the field, under the belief that tJie 
day was lost, and spreading tbese disastrous tidings in 



^dbyGOOglC 



^r.lGnT OP GlitJERAL 



their rear. T]ius it might be said, that, of fho Eoyal 
armj, three fourths had been defeated, and one fourtli 



Charles seeing, from his commanding station, this state 
of things, immediately put himself at the head of hia 
second line, and, advancing against the enemy's right, 
arrested their momentary triumph. They were now 
compelled, like their comrades, to withdraw from the 
field ; but theirs was a i-etreat, and not like their com- 
rades', a flight : they marched in steady order, their 
drums heating, and colours displayed; and protected the 
mingled mass of other fugitives. Had the Highlanders, 
neyertheless, pursued at this critical moment, there seema 
little doubt that the King's army must have been utterly 
destroyed. But the Eight was now setting in, early at 
this winter season, and the earlier from the violent storm 
which blew; and they deemed it imprudent to push 
forward in the darkness, suspecting, as they did, some 
stratagem or ambuscade. Lord John Drummond espe- 
cially, who was a general officer in the Freacb seiwice, 
entertained and expressed that apprehension, when he 
saw the Scots Eoyal fly: "These men," said he, "be- 
"haved admirably at Fontcnoy — surely this must be a 
*' feint I " Thus the insurgents remained for a consider- 
able time upon the field, irresolute, disordered, and igno- 
rant of their own success, until some detachments sent 
forward by Charles brought him the news that the 
English had akeady retreated from Falkirk. The Prince 
then (itwas late in the evening, and the rain continued 
to fall in torrents,) made his entiy into the town, and 
was conducted by torch-light to a lodging which had been 
prepared for him. Hawley, meanwhile, did not atop that 
night until Linlithgow, nor the next day until Edinburgh, 
where his troops arrived ia much disorder and dejection. 
His only consolation was to make use of the gibbets 
erected for the rebels to punish his own soldiers ; that is 
such of them as had grossly misbehaved in the action. 
No less than four were executed in one day. On the 
field of battle he left about four hundred, dead or dying, 
with a large proportion of officers, amongst whom were 
Sir Robert Munro of Foulis, tliree Lieutenant Colonels, 
and nine Captains. The insurgenia' lofls was estimated by 

VOL. m, p 



;, Google 



HISTORY OP 



themselves at only forty men* ; but was, probably, triple 
tliat number. There were also about one hundred prisoners 
taken from the Royal army; one of them John Home, 
afterwards the liiaforian of tils conflict. Three standards, 
and all the artillery, ammunition, and baggage, fell into 
the hands of the insurgenfa, who might exult that an 
attempt made by Hawley to set 3re to his tents before he 
left them, was baffled by the rain. At Linlithgow, fur- 
thei- on in the retreat, the English army succeeded better 
in their attempts at conflagration : some troops which 
tad been quartered in the Eoyal Palace, next morning, 
before their departure, deliberately set it on fire, by 
raiting the live embers from the hearths into the straw 
pallets, thus reducing the venerable pile to a blackened 
and desolate ruin, as it still remains, f 

All that night, stormy though it was, the unwearied 
Highlanders employed themselves in plundering the camp, 
and stripping the dead bodies. This last work they per- 
formed 30 effectually, that a citizen of Falkirk, who next 
morning surveyed the slain from a distance, used to say 
that he could only compare them to a large flock of white 
sheep at rest on the face of the hill, J The prisoners of 
the Glasgow regiments were roughly handled, as volun- 
teers and eager partisans, but the others had bettel- treat- 
ment ; and the greater number, for safe custody, were 
sent to the Castle of Douse, all seeming much amazed at 
their disaster, when a triumph over the " Highland 
"rabble" had been so confidently promised them. One 
prisoner (an Irishman perhaps) was even overheard to 
mutter to his comrades, " By my sou!, if Charlie goes on 
" in this way. Prince Frederick will never be King 
" George ! " § 

But this victory brought the Pretender no fruit, but 
barren laurels ; nay, it may be said without a paradox, 
that it proved hurtful instead of advantageous to his 
cause. Among the oiflcers, it raised an angry dissension ; 

■ * Collection of Dcdaraliona, &c. p. 72. 

■f Chambers's Hist, vol ii. p. 63., and Scott's Provincial Antiquities, 
art. LiJiLiTHGow. Bnt Grose ascriioa tie fire K> accident. (Aiiti- 
quiticB of Scotland, p. 232.) 

i Cliambers'e History, "vol. iL p. 1 7. 

§ MS, Memoirs of Captain DanieL 



^dbyGOOglC 



1746. FEUDS AJioNe the Highlanders. 291 

etvch lamenting that the destruction of tlie enemy had not 
been completed ; Lord George Murray inveighing against 
Lord John Drummoud, and Lord John retaliating upon 
Lord George. The common Highlanders, loaded with 
plunder, went off as usual to their mountains to secure 
it ; and thus was the army deprived for a time of several 
hundreds, nay thousands, of its men. An unfortunate 
aeeident also, which occurred the day after the battle, 
tended in no small degree to increase this desertion. One 
of Clauranald'e clansmen was examining a musket, a part 
of his booty, as he stood at an open window, when the 
piece went off, and by mischance killed a son of Glen- 
gari7 who was passing in the street. Charles, foreseeing 
the ill effects that might ensue, exerted himself to show 
every respect to the memory of the deceased, attending 
the funeral himself as chief mourner. The tribe of Glen- 
garry, nevertheless, far fi-om appeased, loudly demanded 
life for life ; and Clanranald having reluctantly agreed 
to suiTender hia follower, the poor man was immediately 
led out and shot dead with a volley of bullets, — bis 
own father joining in the fire, that his sufierings might 
end the sooner. But even this savage act of vengeance 
was not sufficient to satisfy the ofiended clan ; and the 
greater number, yielding to their grief or rage, forsook 
the Prince's standiird, and withdrew to their r 



On the evening after his victory Charles again en- 
camped on Eaanoekburn, where he employed a press, 
which he had brought from Glasgow, to print a quarto 
sheet, containing an account of the battle.* This proved 
to be the last of his Scottish Proclamations or Gazettes. 
He now resumed the siege of Stirling Castle, deeming it 
derogatory to hia arms to relinquish any enterprise of 
danger once begun, and thus leaving hia eaemies full 
leisure to recover from their recent defeat. 

When the tidings of the battle of Falkirk reached the 
Court of St. James's (it was on the day of a Drawing- 
Eoom) every countenance, it is smd, appeared clouded 
with doubts and apprehension, except only the King's, 
whose heart was inaccessible to fear, and Sir John Cope's, 

* CollcclionsofDeokvalions, &o. p, 69— 73. 



^dbyGOOglC 



ENGLAND. CHAP. XXIS, 

■who rejoiced to have at last a partner in his misfortune 
or misconduct* The Duke of Cumberland, in conver- 
sation with the Eai-l of Mai-chmont, "laid the blame of 
" the affair of Hawley on want of discipline, and said, 
" were he there he would attack the rebels with the mea 
"that Hawley had left."f This determination was 
speedily put to the proof; for the fear of a French in- 
Tssion having, now subsided, and the want of another 
general in Scotland being manifest, hia Eoyal Highness 
was appointed to the chief command in that country, and 
was eai'nestly requested to set out immediately. Tra- 
velling night and day, he arrived most unexpectedly at 
Holyrood House on the morning of the 30th of Jaauary, 
— a day, as usual, of ill augury to the house of Stuart, — 
and he chose for himself the same apartments, nay evea 
the same bed, in the palace, which had lately been occu- 
pied by Charles. 

The Eoyal Duke destined to wield so decisive an in- 
fluence over the fortunes of his cousin and competitor, 
was of very nearly the same age, being only four months 
younger He had not howevei, the same" graces of per- 
son being corpulent and i nwieldy to a remarkable de- 
gree and in his manner rough and displeasing. His 
character was adorned by considerable virtues ; honesty 
of purpose adheience to his promises, attachment to hia 
friends He was a dutiful son and a liberal patron ; as 
a soldier he was enthusiafitically fond of his profession ; 
he had closely studied its details and might even ba 
lauded for capacity in an age i\hich, to England at least, 
was singulaily barren of military merit His unwearied 
activity and his high personal courage would, however, 
at any period have justly claimed applause. But, as one 
of his own friends comphiins, "his judgment is too much 
" guided by his passions, which are often violent and un- 
" governable." Against his foreign adversaries he dis- 
played no undue asperity, and towards his soldiers he 
could sometimes show compassion ; thus, for instance, on 

• See Quarterly Eeview, Ko. Isxi. p. ISO. An abstracted Scottish 
Peer, at this Drawing Boom, addressed Sir John bj the titla of General 
Hawley, to the no small amuaeniBnt of the pomnnnv 



Hawley, to the no small amuaemont of the company, 
t Lord Murchmont's Diary, January 23. 1746. 
j Lord Waldegrave's Memoirs, p. S3. 

Hc.edbyGoOgIC 



1746. THE DCKE 

arriving at Edinburgh he inimodiately arrested the course 
ofHawiey's savage executions: yet even liis own army 
often nmrjaared at his harshness and rigour ; and as to 
any rebel, he treated him with as little mercy as he might 
a wolf. Never perhaps did any insurgents meet a more 
ungenerous enemy. From the deeds of blood in Scotland, 
— committed by his own order in some cases, and con- 
nived at in raaiiy more, — his contemporaries branded 
him with a disgraceful by-word — the butchek; and 
the liistorian -who cannot deny the guilt, must repeat and 
ratify the name. 

The Duke of Cumberland remained but thirty hours at 
Edinburgh : on the 31st he set forward with liis army to 
give the insurgenfs battle; his favourite Hawley still 
acting under hira as one Lieutenant-General ; and the 
other was the Earl of Albemarle. Officers and soldiers 
were in high spirits, and confident of victory under' their 
new commander. But on approaching FalHrk his Royal 
Highness was informed that the rebels had already com- 
menced their retreat ; the causes of which I shall now 
proceed to detail. 

In the siege of Stirling, Charles had employed as his 
engineer one M. Mirabelle, a vain volatile Frenchman, 
who had come over with Lord John Drummond. So 
ignorant was this man of his profession, that the batteries 
he constructed with great labour were entirely com- 
manded and soon silenced by the fire of the Castle. StiU, 
however, the prince persevered, taking only tlie advice of 
his favourite counsellors. Secretary Murray, Sir Thomas 
Sheridan, and the Quarter-Master General. But the 
other chief officers, mortified both at their loss of con- 
fidence since the Derby retreat, and at the slow and 
doubtful progress of the present siege, determined to 
assert their authority by holding a consultation of their 
own. The result was a memorial signed by many in- 
fluenlial names, and sent to the Prince by Lord George 
Murray, who was no doubt the secret mover of the whole 
design. This memorial is still preserved*; after lament- 

• Home's HisL Append. Ho. 39. Those who si^ed it were Lord 
Graorge Murraj', Lochisl, Keppoch, Clanranald, ArdsMel, Lochgarrj, 
Scotlionse, and Simon Traser, Master of LovsC 



^dbyGOOglC 



ing the numbers of Highlanders goae home, and the 
unequal chances of another battle, it proceeds: "We 
" are therefore humbly of opinion that there is no -way to 
" extricate the army out of the most imminent danger 
" but by retiring immediately to the Highlands, where 
"we can be usefnlly employed the remainder of the 
" winter by taking and mastering the forts of the North, 
" and we are morally sure we can keep as many men 
" together as will answer that end, and hinder the enemy 
"from following us into the mountiuQS at this season of 
" the year ; and in spring we doubt not but an army of 
" 10,000 effective Highhmders can be brought togetlier, 
" and follow your Eoyal Highness wherever you tHnk 
" proper." 

This remonstrance, coming from such persons, and 
armed witk all the force of a command, struck tha 
Prince with astonishment and grief. Loi-d George had 
been with him but the day before, and shown him a plan 
he had drawn for the intended battle, which Charles had 
approved and corrected with his own hand. In the same 
view, likewise, had the sick and wounded of the army 
already been sent to the rear at Dumbhine. When, 
therefore, he read the paper disclosing such different 
designs, he could scarcely believe his eyes ; he passion- 
ately es-claimed, "Gtood God! have I lived to see this?" 
and dashed his head against the wall with so much 
violence that he staggered. He sent sir Thomas Sheridan 
to argue with the chiefs against their project ; but finding 
them firm, had no alternative but a sullen acquiescence.* 

The insurgents accordingly began their retreat on the 
1st of February, first spiking their heavy cannon, and 
blowing up their powder magazine at St. Ninian's. So 
ill was this last operation contrived, that the explosion 
destroyed, together with the magazine, the neighbouring 
church, and lost the lives of several country people ; nor 
did party spirit fail to impute this accident to deliberate 
and malignant design. The best proof to the contraiy 
-will be found in the fact, that some of the insurgent 

* John Haj 'b Account of Ihc Retieat fiom ]?.in>nk (Home's Ap- 
penaix, p. 355.). 

HcsledbyGOOglC 



1746. MAECH TO 

soldiers themselves, and particQlarly the man who fired 
the train, were amongst the killed. Very little, however, 
of discipline or regularity was obBeryed in the retreat. 
Charles, with a frowai'dness and recklessness that seem 
to have heen part of his character, whenever he was 
thwarted, had either neglected to give the needful orders, 
or suddenly changed them after they were given, and 
much confusion and loss of haggage ensued.* The direc- 
tion of the retreat was to Cr' ff wh th a -my paratcd 
in two divisions ; nor did th j un t f m w 1 
both, however, malting t! ir w y by difi t d 
towards Inverness. They w i 1 b n t 

taken, by the Duke of Cumb 1 d wh fi h 1 al 

quarters at Perth, sent ou d hm t d the 
neighbouring districts. 

While such were the events n th N th th C t f 
St. James's was agitat«d by h b t g 1 m n 
terial revolution. The Eoy If h 1 b f 

time engrossed by Lord 6i n 11 th P Ui'un b th a 
found themselves treated with coldness and reserve, and 
apprehended that in eaiTying the supplies this winter they 
would only be paving the way for their own dismissal at 
the end of the session. To them, the unquelled rebellion 
appeared, not as a motive of forbearance, but only as a 
favourable opportunity for pushing their pretensions. 
They determined, therefore, to bring the question to au 
issue, and to concentrate their demands on one point — 
an office for Pitt — to whom they were bound by their 
promises, and still more by their fears. The king, how- 
ever, guided by Lord Granville, and under Granville by 
Lord Bath, and mindful of Pitt's old philippics against 
Hanover, steadily refused his assent to this arrangement. 
On the 6th of February, Lord Bath, coming from the 
Eoyal closet, said frankly to Lord Harrington, that he had 
advised the king to negative Mr. Pitt's appointment and 
to pursue proper (he meant Hanoverian) measures on the 

• At a council of war, called near Crieff, there was great cora- 
plnint and vecrimination amoDgsE the officers, as to the disorder of tlia 
retreat. Charles ended theii' qnarrel by sajing very handsomely, 
that ha would take all the hlame on himself. Lord George Murray a 
Naiiatire, Jacobite Memoirs, p- 100. 



^dbyGOOglC 



HISTORY OF EKGLASD. 



Continent. Lord Hamngton coldly replied, "Tlievwho 
" dictate in private sliould be employed in public."* A 
resignation was now resolved upon by nearly all the mi- 
nisters. In this affair the Pelhams prudently shrunk from 
the iront ranks ; the van therefore was led by Harrinfrton 
he being the first on the 10th to give up the seals, and 
thus drawing on himself the King's especial, and lastiug 
resentment. He was followed on the same day by the 
Duke of Newcastle, on the next by Mr. Peiham Other 
self-denying placemen now poured in, with their white 
staves and gold keys. His Majesty immediately sent 
the two seals of Secretaries of State to Lord Granville 
(who was indisposed), that he and Lord Bath might form 
nn admmistration as they pleased. « Thug far," saya 
Horace Walpole, " all went swimmingly ; they had only 
" forgotten one little point, which was to secure a ma- 
" jority in both Hou3ea.''t Scarce any man of weight or 
reputation was found willing to join them. Chief Justice 
Wilies declined to be their Lord Chancellor, and Sir John 
Barnard to be their Chancellor of the Exchequer. After 
various offers and repeated refusals, this ministry of forty 
hours was dissolved, and Lord Bath announced his failure 
to the King, who bitterly complained of his painful situa- 
tion, and cried shame that a man like Newcastle, who was 
not fit, said he, for a chamberlain to a petty Court in Ger- 
many, should be forced on him and the nation as Prime 
Jffinister. His Majesty had, however, no other choice 
than to reinstate his former servants, and admit whatever- 
terms they now required. It was agreed to dismiss from 
place the remainmg adherents of Eaih and Granville, 
amongst others the Marquis of Tweeddale, whose office as 
becretary for Scothmd was again abolished. Pitt became 
■— not indeed Secretary at War, as was asked at first — 
but Vice-Treaswrer of Ireland, and soon afterwards, on 
the death of Winnington, Paymaster of the Forces. The 
Opposition grew still weaker from their weakness being 
so aignaUy tested and disclosed, and dwindled for soma 
time to a scarcely perceivable minority. Yet Lord Gran- 
ville s high spirits never forsook him ; he continued to 



* Coxe's Memoirs of Horaco Lord Walpole, n. "95 
t To Sir II, Mami, Fcbruiuy 14. ir4S, 



..Google 



laugh and drint as before, owning that the attempt was 
mad, but that he was quite ready to do it again.* 

In Scotland the war languished for several weeks. 
Charles, on approaching Inverness, found it rudely for- 
tified with a ditch and palisade, and held by Lord Lou- 
don's army of about 2000 men. In the first instance, 
therefore, the Prince halted ten miles from the town, at 
Moy Castle, the seat of the chief of Mac Intosh. The 
Chief himself was serving with Lord Loudon, but Lady 
Mac Intosh remained to raise the clan for the opposite 
party, and rode in their front as commander, with a man's 
bonnet on her head, and pistols at her saddle-bow. The 
neighhonrhood of Moy Castle, however, and the security 
in which Charles was living, incited Lord Loudon to ii 
sudden night>-march, in hopes to seize his person. But 
this well- con eei-ted scheme was baffled by no more than 
sii or seven of the Mac Intoshes, who, meeting the King's 
troops, dispersed theraselces in different parts of the wood, 
and fired upon the advancii^ columns, at the same time 
imitating the war-cries of Lochiel, Keppocb, and other 
well-known clans, and thus producing an impi-ession that 
the whole Highland army was at hand. The King's 
troops, astonished and doubtful from the darkness, hastily 
turned back to Inverness, where they arrived in so mudi 
confusion that their retreat was afterwards known by the 
name of the Rout of Moy. 

Next morning, the 17th of February, the Chevalier 
assembled his men, and on the 18th advanced to Inverness 
to repay Lord Loudon his unfriendly visit. The Earl, 
however, did not wait his coming; he embarked with the 
Lord President and with his soldiers in boats, and rowed 
across the Moray Frith to Cromarty. He was afterwards 
pursued by the Earl of Cromarty and some Highland 
regiments marching round the head of the inlet, and was 
compelled to cross the Great Ferry into Sutherland, 
Here, still followed by Cromarty, his array disbanded. 
But Lord Cromarty, too confident in his first success, was. 
surprised in hia turn, and taken prisoner with his ofiicers 
at Dunrobin Castle, by a body of the Sutherland militia. 



^dbyGOOglC 



298 HISTORY OP ENGLAND. CHAP. XXIX. 

This last event, however, did not ciceur till the day before 
tlie battle of CuUoden, and had therefore no influence 
upon, the main events of the campaign. 

Having occupied the town of Invernesg, Charles applied 
bimaelf to the siege of the citadel, ■whieli surrendered in 
a few days. Another of hia parties reduced and destroyed 
Fort Augustus, but was less successful before Fort 
William, as they could not prevent its communicationa 
by the sea. Lord Greoi^e Murray likewise failed in taking 
the Castle of Blair, which a doughty veteran. Sir Andrew 
Agnew, maintwned with some regulai- ti^jops ; and this 
failure greatly tended to heighten the suspicions, though 
most unjust ones, which Charles already entertained of 
Lord Geoige's fidelity. A rough draught in Charles's 
writing, and amongst the Stuart Papers, declares that 
"when Lord George Murray undertook the attack of the 
" post of Blair Castle, he took an officer, whom he seat 
"back without so much as consulting the Prince — a 
" tiling so contrary to all military practice, that no one 
" that has the least sense can be guilty of it, without 
" some private reason of his own." Such doubts and 
jealousies amongst the chiefs hastened and embittered the 
decline of their cause, and still more severely did they 
snfier from the failure of money and provisions. They 
were now cooped up in barren mountains, and debarred 
from their Lowland resources : and though the supplies 
of France were frequently despatched, they could seldom 
at this period reach their destination. Several shipa 
were captured by the British cruisers, others steered 
hack to the French ports; one, the Hazard, having oa 
board 160 soldiers and 10,000/. in gold, ran ashore on the 
north coast of Sutheiland and both ciew and cargo were 
taken by the tnbe of the Mic Kayj Thus Charles's 
little tiesBUty was soon reduced to 500 louis-d'ors, and 
he wat. compeDed to i ay his (roopa m meaJ, — to the 
desertion cf miny to the disi,ortent and indiscipline of 
those thit remnned * Noi were even these supplies of 

• " Onr army had got no pay in money for some time past, but 
" meal only, wMcIi the men being obliged to sell out and conrert inlo 
'! money, it went but a sbort way for their other needs, nt whicli the 
"poor raeatnrea gnunbled oxceedinglj', and wei-e suspicioua that 



;, Google 



1746. DUKE OP CmiBEELAKD iDVAKCES. 293 

meal certain and invariable ; the men were often pinched 
with hunger, and unavoidably dispersed over the country 
for subsistence, while, according to the I'eport of an 
English prisoner, even the best officers were glad when 
they could procure a few leaves of row cabbage from, 
the farmers' gardens.* 

During this time the Duke of Cumberland's army was, 
on the contrary, well supplied and powerfully reinforced. 
In February, there landed at Leith l?rinee Frederick of 
Hesse Cassel, with 5000 auxiliaries from his country, who 
had been hired, with consent of Parliament^ in the place of 
the Dutch troops. For these last being the same that 
had capitulated at Tournay and Dendermond, and beea. 
set free under pai'ole not to serve against any soldiers 
of France, Lord John Druramond had, immediately upon 
his landing, despatched a message to their commander, 
stating his own commission in tlie French service, and 
his arrival at the head of a French regiment, and requir- 
ing therefore that the Dutch troops should withdraw 
Jrom the contest, — a summons which they had accord- 
ingly obeyed. The Hessians now served to garrison and 
secure the south of Scotland for the Duke of Cumber- 
land, thus ejiabling him to draw together his whole 
native force against the rebels. After a visit to Edin- 
burgh for a consultation with the Prince of Hesse, he had 
fixed his head-quarters at Aberdeen, where it was com- 
monly believed that he intended to remain till summer. 
But they who thought thus, knew not the daring and 
active energy of that Eoyal Chief.f 

On the 8th April, the Duke set forth from Aberdeen, 
at the head of about 8000 foot and 900 cavalry. His 
march was directed to Inverness, with the intention to 
offer his enemy a battle ; and proceeding along the coast, 
he was attended and supplied by the fleet. At Banff he 



i According to ILWalpole, "the Duke complains csWemelj of 
e loyai Scotch ; lie says lie can gst no intelligence, and reckons 
" Mmfdf more in im eneinj'a conntjy than when he was warring with 
"the French in Tiandei's." To Sir R Mann, March 21. 1746. 



^dbyGOOglC 



300 HISTOUY OF ENGLANU. CIIAl'. XXIX. 

Beized and hanged two Highland spies, employed, acconl- 
ing to their pvimitive manner, in notching the numbers 
of his army upon a stick.* There now lay before him 
tde Spey, a deep and rapid mountain atream, where he 
apprehended some i-esistance to his passage. Several 
■weeks before, Charles had despatched I^ord John Drum- 
mond with o. strong party to defend the fords; and some 
batteries had accordingly been raised upon the left bank. 
But as the Duke brought up cannon sufficient to com- 
mand these imperfect works, Loi-d John justly considered 
his^ position as untenable, and feil back to Inverness, 
while the Hoyal army forded the Spey in three divisions 
on the 12th, and on the I4th entered Nairn. Beyond 
this town some skirmishing ensued between the Highland 
rear and the English van ; but Charles coming up sud- 
denly to support the former with his guards from Inver- 
ness, the latter in their turn retired, 

Charles and his principal officers lodged that night at 
Culloden House, the seat of his ablest enemy in Scotland, 
President Forbes. His troops lay upon the moor, where 
the heath, as one of the subalterns remarks, " served us 
both for bedding and fuel, the cold being very severe." t 
Early on the 15th they were drawn out in battle order, 
and expected an attack ; but no enemy appearing, Lord 
Elcho was sent forward with his cavalry to reconnoitre, 
and brought word that the Duke of Cumberland had 
halted at Nairn, and that this being his birthday, his 
troops were passing it in festivity and mirth. The pro- 
vision from their ships was abundant", the insurgents, on 
the other hand, were so ill supplied, that only a single 
biscuit could be served out to each man during the whole 
of the 15th. In numbers they were scarcely loss de- 
ficient ; notwithstanding every exertion, some of their 
best regiments had not been able to rejoin Ihem ; thus 
Cluny, Lord Cromarty, and the Master of Lovat were 
absent^ so that barely 5000 men could be mustered on the 
field. 

Charles's spirit, however, was still undaunted. He had 
declared, two days before, that he was willing to attack, 



^dbyGOOglC 



1"^6' MIGHT MAItcn TO NAIKX. goj 

had he lot , ihoraand men.' Hb now oi> Lord Elcho'. 
report, aronblod a counoil of war, with . .eoret desim 
to compeosate for his inferiority of numbers hy a nieht 
mroh, K, as to surprise the Duke in hi, c.mp « Nairn, 
the dislanee being about twelve miles. In the counei] 
he found lord George Mu.Tay suggest this „ry seheme 
Charles then rose and en,br,,o.d him, and aeknowM.ed 
the project as his o»n ; .pen whieli, by eommon eonsent, 
ordm were immediately gira for its eieontion.t sl 
the Pnnce's dneetions, the heath was set on (ire, that the 
light mn-ht convey .n idea of his troops being still in the 
same position I the w.teh.ord be assigned, was "Kine 

l.?"fft,b *"'i' '^••"-"'"'itan'merUs.traggl.S 
had left the ranks, repairing to Inverness and other 
phiees ,n <,a.st of food , and they told the oHieer, eS 

pel them to starve any longer. From this o.uso some 
preeious hour, were lost aod many good «,ldier. missed, 

3^w"prir:ntartsr.r;rt:ti- 

. The night was dark and so far favourable to the pro- 
jeet of surprise; but for the same reason it misled the 
guides and retarded the progress of the troops. &£„, od 
with privations they conld no. display'thdr wonted 
energy , slowly «id painfully did they toll througlTw.st; 

eISppIS'* '"°'^' """'• ^"S"» '• "«■ P*«i. 

JuS" "S^UaVSSSrJi^S™"™.' "" ~* 
StaartPapers. It states- "Wh^nthTln^L^''^ aaiongst tho 

•' rfwe did not them, tlie Prince called a eZ.c,l J^ ^ at laverness, 

; ev«T OB. aped! before lilai. LoU o,? M.i,„ Jif CfaS 
" he proposed to attatt that nighl as the b&texoHHc,^, ,b* ^ - 
•• what H. Mae. landed, b.fhe"c,u;S?S2' m'SJ" 
-then embraced Lord dmg, Marra, .„„dT'.J ^°° 

Kctp .tore ADgTistuF, and to niaka ic sen-s as a claee of i-allvinn. ;„ 



idb,Googlc 



302 msTOKY OF ENOLABD. CHAP,.XSIX. 

or marshy ground, many men dropping altogether from 
the ranks, and the rear falling considerably behind the 
van. Under these disadvantages it was two in the niom- 
ing before the head of the first column passed Eilra- 
vo'ck House, witHn four miles of the EngUsh eamp. 
This was the very hour for which the attack had been 
designed; and Lord George pointed out to his officers 
that it was now no longer possible for them to reach the 
enemy before the dawn should expose them to his observ- 
ation. Several gentlemen — Hepburn of Keith above 
all — still vehemently adhered to the first proj ect, saying 
that the Highland broad-aword would not be the worse 
for a little daylight to direct its operations. But not- 
withstanding this flourish, it was plain that all hopes of 
a surprise had ended, and that the object of the night- 
march had failed. During the discussion, Mr. O'Suliivan 
came up with a message from the Prince, that his Koyal 
Highness would be glad to have the attack made ; but 
that, as Lord George was in the van, he could best judge 
whether it could be done in time or not. Thus empow- 
ered, Lord George gave orders for retreat ; Charles af- 
terwai-ds riding up, was convinced by his reasoning of the 
unavoidable necessity ; and the troops, sadly retracing 
their steps, took up their original position on Drum- 
mossie, or CuUoden Moor.* 

Thus,onthemorningof April the 16th, the Highlanders 
were harassed and hungry, and without any neighbouF- 
ing stores of provision; even for the Prince himself no 
refreshment beyond a little bread and whiskey could be 
found. It was now the wish of Lord George Murrayand 
otherskilfulofflcerstliat the army thns unfitted foresertion 
should retire, and take' up a position beyond the river 
JJarin, where the ground was high and inaccessible to 

" Lortl Geoi^ was afterwards accused (most Tinjustly) of U'eacher , 
anfl of commandiDg tlie retreat without orflefs. There is some dis- 
ocapanoy, which in my nurratrre I have attempted to reeoDcile, 
bBtwe«n his own aeconnt (Lettci', August 5. 1749), and an answer to 
a query sent to Chaj-les in Italy, nearly thirty years later. (Home's 
Appendix, No. 44.) Lord Georges recollection is lUiely to be the 
more correct so ehorUy after the iianaaction. But it is singular, and 
very honourable to both the parties concerned, tJiat Charleys aiKonnt 
acquits Lord Geoi^ bIjU more completely than Lord George does 
himself, of the alleged crime of acting without orders. 



..Google 



IT46. BATTLE OF CtlLLODEN. 303 

cavalry, so that the Duke of Cumbei-Iand could not have 
engaged them but at great diaadpantage to himself. 
Charles on the other hand, like his forefather at Flodden, 
was imbued with the cMyalrous idea, that he ought never 
to decline a battle on fair ground, nor enable his enemies 
afterwards to say, that his victory had not been owing to 
his valour. Besides, as Lord George Murray complains, 
"His Eoyal Highness had so much confidence in the 
" bravery of his army, that he was rather too hazardous, 
" and was for fighting the enemy on all occasions." » It 
appears moreover that the counsellora on whom he most 
relied, instead of checking his romantic rashness, rather 
urged bim forward. According to another officer who 
was present, " when proposals were made to retire over 
"the river Nairn, which might have been done with 
great facility, Sir Thomas Sheridan and others from 
France having lost all patience, and hoping no doubt for 
a miracle, in which light most of them had considered 
"both the victory at Preston and that at Falkirk, insisted 
■'upon a battle, and prevailed, without reflecting that 
many were then absent, and those on the spot spent and 
discouraged by a i'orced march during a long dark night 
whereas upon the other two occasions the men were in 
full vigour and spirits." f 

The insurgents were now drawn up for battle in two 
nes: on the right the Atho! brigade, the Camerons, the 
Stuarta, and some other elans under Lord George Murray ; 
on the left^ the Macdonald regiments, under Lord John 
Drummond. "But we of the clan Macdonald," says one 
of their officers, " thought it ominous that we had not 
" this day the right hand in battle, as formerly at Glads- 
"muip and at Falkirk, and which our clan maintains we 
" had enjoyed in all our battles and struggles since tho 
"battle of Bannockbum."J The right Uanic on this 
occasion was covered by some straggling park walls ; to 
the left began a gentle slope leading down towards Cul- 
loden House. Tliua placed, it was about eleven o'clock 



t Answers of Mr. Patliillo, Muster-master- General of 
gent nrrtiy. (Home's Appendix, p. 332.) 

t Macdonald's Journal. (Lookhart Papers, voL iL p. 5 



;, Google 



304 HISTOaY Ol" ENGLAND. CnAP. XXIX. 

when the Highland out-posts first ohserved the horizon 
darken with tho advancing masses of the Duke of Cum- 
berland's army. The Duke on approaching formed hia 
army with great skill in three lines, with cavalry on each 
■wing, and two pieces of cannon between every two regi- 
ments of the first line. To obviate the effect of the 
Highland target he had instructed his soldiers, that each 
of them in action should direct his thrust, not at the man 
directly opposite, but against the one who fronted his 
right-hand comrade. He now again addressed hia troops, 
saying that he could not suppose that there was any man 
in the British army reluctant fo fight, but if there were 
any, who either from disinclination to the cause, or from 
having relations in the rebel army would prefer to retire, 
he begged them in the naine of God to do so, as he would 
rather face the Highlanders with 1000 determined men 
at hia hack, than have 10,000 with a tithe who were 
lukewarm."* He was answered by loud huzzas and re- 
peated shouts of "Flanders! Fkndera !" It being nearly 
one o'clock before hia arrangements were completed, it 
was proposed to His Eoyal Highness that he should 
allow the men to dine before the battle. " No," he re- 
plied, " they will fight more actively with empty bellies, 
"and besides, it would be a bad omen. You remember 
"what a dessert they got to their dinner at Falkirk!" 

The battle began with a cannonade on both sides, hj 
which (so different was the skill of their artillerymen !) 
the royal army suffered little, but the insurgent gi-eatly. 
Of the rival princes, William at once took up his position 
between the first and second lines ; Charles, before i-e- 
pairjng to his, rode a!ong the ranks to animate the men. 
His little party soon became a conspicuous mark for the 
enemy's cannon ; several of his guardsmen fell, and a 
servant, who held a led horse, was killed hy his side, the 
Prince himself being covered by th* earth thrown up by 
the ball. Not discomposed, however, he coolly continued 
his inspection, and tlien, as at Falkirk, stationed himself 
on a little height just behind tho second line. Mean- 
while a storm of snow and hail had begun to fall, but 



^dbyGOOglC 



1746. BATTLE OP CULLODKN, g05 

mlike tl»l at PattiA, blomngr full i„ the faces of the 
H.gUandBT.. At length Lord Geoigo Murr.j, finJin, 
h,, <li,,,,„„ of the right lo.. so muoh more than thoy 
infioted from the cannonade, sent Oolonol Ker of Gradoi 
tothe Prince requesting permission to attaclt. This 
bemg granted, the right wing and centre, with one loud 
shout, rushed furiously forward, sword in iiand- thev 
were received with a rolling fire, both of cannon and 
grapeshot, but jet so resistless was their onset that they 
bmlte thi-oogh Monro's and Bnrrel's regiments in thi 
hrst hne, and captured two pieces of cannon. But the 
lluke loreseeing the chance of tliis event, and with a 
view to provide against it, had carefully strengthened and. 
stationed his second line ; it was drawn up three deep, 
the front ranit Itneeling, the second bending forward, thi 
third standing upright. These, reserving their n5 titt: 
the Highlanders were close upon them, poured in a 
yolley so weU sustained and destructive as completely to- 
disorder them. Before they could recover, the Eiyal. 
wK '°;?;T ?° «a™nlag«, md driving the clina. 
together till they became one mingled mas, turned then» 
&om assailant, into fugitive.. Some of their best Porans 
WiSSAiLs and the Chief of Mac Lauchlan were IiiUed 
and trampled down ; the brave Lochiel fell wounded hut 
was carried from the field by his two henchmen i and the 
call of the other chiefs arose unheeded and overborn. 
In short the whole right and centre of the insnrgents 
were now in irretnevable rout, pursued by superior 
numbers, and drooping from previous exhaustion 

Yet let It not be deemed that even thus their courage 
failed. Not by their forefathen at Bannocltbnrn_nM 
by theaiselv.s at Preston or at PalItirl_not in after 
years when discipline had raised and refined the valour 
of tlieir sons— not on tlie shores of the Nile— not on that 
other field of victory where their galknt chief, with a pro- 
phetic shroud (it IS their own superstition) high upon his 
breast', addressed to them only these three wbrds, HiOH- 

.. J* '!,?™^? 1*™"^ "^ perceived about one, it is a sure proenostic of 

pcKon i for If It IS seen ahuvB the middle, death is aot to be expected 

lor the spare of 3 yeai-. but as it ascends Iiiaher to»,.,dr,h^ VT 

- dclh i, caelndod't, i, at t,M, ,'S a fSd„"l"n„, h" u 



:. Google 



lUSTORT 01' ENGLAND. 



LANDKliR, : 
triumph 
lute bra 
right and 
human sp r 
sity and 
Pavja n g 
honour. 
Onth 



h d d 
ud d — h 
mbers— 



M 



Culloden. The 

h m n strength or 

d d only to neces- 

p e monarcli at 

as lost but their 



"rievci^, and as 
by from the post 

01 liono dm m irresolute to 

flght. In vain did the t)uke of Perth, who was stationed 
there, tell them that, if they behaved with their usual 
valour, they would make a right of the left, and he would 
call himself in future a Macdonald.f In vain did Eeppoch 
rush forward to the charge with a few of his kinsmen ; 
the clan (an event almost unexampled in Highland 
warfare) would not follow: calmly they beheld their 
chief brought to the ground by several shots from the 
enemy; calmly th y 1 d h dy' w d wh h h 
faltered forth, " My G d h th h Idr f m-) t b 
forsaken me!" Th fh j- to d whil tl ht d 

centre of their a my p t t 1 t d th 

falling back in g id d th y j d th f 

the second line. Bttth tmh •a 

became exposed t th body f E 1 h 1 d 

^gyleshire Highl d whb kggp h ^I 
•the inclosures on h b 1 ht f m d p tl 

■«pen moor beyond dm f f 1 in t h 
■cut off aU retreat f m th d fu t d my 

Charles, from the height where ho stood with one 
:SC[uadron of horse, gazed on the rout of Ha army and the 

" daily experience confinns." (Martin's "Western Islands, 1716, p. 
300., and Scott's Poetieal Worts, vol -viii. p. S06. ed. 1834.) I know 
not whether it has ever ljeennotieed,tliat the Highland word foraseer, 
Taisheer, ia nearly the same as tJie Turkish ; — 

" Warned by the voice of stem Taheer." 

* The words of Sir John Moore lo the 42d re^ment at Ihe battle 
of Cotnnna. (Sondiey's Peninsular War, -vol. il p, 624. Svo ed.) 

■f Home's Hist. p. 234. In the Talcs of a Gimidfather, this saying 
is erroneously ascrihcd to Lord George Miuray, who commanded on 
the other wing. (Vol. iii. p. 250.) 



ib,Googlc 



i'r46. 



tOKD ELCIIO. 3Qh. 

ruin of his cause ivith wonder, nay almost with incredulity 
with unavailing orders and passionate tears. It was th4 
ttiat Lord Elcho spurriog up to him proposed that His 
Koyal Highness should put himself at the head of the yet 
unbroken left, aod charge forward with them to retrieve 
the fortune of the day. The other ofacers, however con- 
curred in thinking that the battle was irretrievably lost 
and that a amgle wing of an army could never prevail 
against the whole of anotJier army far superior at the 
Jir3t,_ If, as it appeared to them the only hope lay in 
rallying, it follows, that to continue the battle without any 
prospect of gaining it, could only serve to increase the 
slaughter, and diminish the chance of collecting the sur- 
vivors. To Lord Eleho's proposal, therefore, the Prince 
returned a doubtful or negative answer, upon which Lord 
Jtlcho, according to his own account, turned away with a. 
bitter execration, swearing that he wouldnever look npon 
his faoe agam. It is added that he kept his word, and in 
lus exile used always to leave Paris whenever Charles 
entered It.*— Some suspicion, however, should attach to 
the whole of this story, because the latter part is certainly 
unfounded. The official account now lies before me, ot 
Oharles s first public audience at the Court of Prance after 
iis return, and amongst the foremost of his train on that 
occasion appears Lord Elcho.f I must further observe 
that Loi-d Elcho was a man of most violent tempei-, and 
no very constant fidelity. Within two months fi-om the 
date of this battle, he made overtures for pardon to the 
British Court, « but," says Horace Walpole, " as he has 
distinguished himself beyond all the Jacobite command- 
' ers by brutality, aad insults aJid cruelty to our pri- 
"soners, Ithink he is likely to remain where he is ;"t 
and so he did ! There is also some contrary evidence as 

EkwrMs'^mo-'^^^"'' ■^°' ^^' ^' ^^^-'^'"^ ^ reference to Lord, 

JLockhait Papers, vol. ii. p. 6G7. 
To Sir. H. Mann, June SO. 1747. See also a note to TTaTerler 
Tr^^'r ''■ Ih ^ "^"^^^ CbevBlier Johnstone as no authority in any 
qn^iion of fectj but I observe that, thongh condurrine in LorS 
JSlchos accusation, he gires an entirely different coloui' to it bv 
placing the conversation between Lord Elcho and the Prince, "soni 
fe>urB afiffl- the battle, beside the river Nmm." (Mem. p. 19s 8vo 



^dbyGOOglC 



308 HiSTOur or England. cuap. xsis. 

to Charles's behaviour. A Cornet in his .'iquadroii of 

J 1. 1.„„ L.. v:- gj^g^ jgff [^^j attestation when 

s the Prince had resolved to go 

( i remaining Highlanders, but 

t Uivan seize his horse by the 

I i-idan, force him from the fatal 

ail repeatedly declared at the 
1 .. . ^ , he was resolved either to pre- 

vail or perish — and that he did neither. Yet we must 
remember, that not only at CuUoden but for some days 
afterwards there were still hopes of rallying the ai-my and 
renewing the war. And even waiving those hopes, 
Charles's conduct in this respect may be favourably com- 
pared with that of a far greater man, at afar more matured 
period of life. Oaly four days before tlie battle of Water- 
loo, it was announced by Napoleon — not like Charles in 
private letters, but in a public and recorded proclamafion 
— "The moment is come for every Frenchman of cou- 
" rage, either to conquer or to die I " * 

^e little remnant of the rebel army with which Charles 
might have charged, did not long remain compact and 
united; being presseed by the Koyal forces it broke into 
two divisions. Of these the smaller, comprising all the 
French auxiliaries, fled towards Inverness, where they lay 
down their arms to the Duke of Cumberland, The other, 
preserving some degree of order, but thinned every 
moment by men hastening singly to their homes, made its 
way to Euthven in Badenoch. Fourteen of their stands 
of colours, 2300 firelocks, and all their cannon and baggage 
fell into the hands of the English. The victors reckoned 
their own loss in killed and wounded at 310 men; that of 
the insurgents was about 1000, or a fifth of their army. 
Quarter was seldom given to the stragglers and fugitives, 
except to a few considerately reserved for public execu- 
tion. No care or compassion was shown to their wounded ; 
nay more, on the following day, most of these were put 

» "Pour tout Franjais qni a du Cfeur, la moment est arrive do 
" Tainoro on de perir 1 Orilre du Jour, signed Hapoleon. Juno 14. 
1815. ." Ancient heroes," sijs the author of Anastasius, " havB been 
" praised for dying wiihont the least iiecesaity, and modsni worihies 
" for living without the smallest hopes I "" 



idb,Googlc 



1746. TiiK iiioiiL.ufD pr.isoNEKs. 309 

to death in cold blood, with a orueltj such as never per- 
haps befoi-e or since has disgraced a British army. Some 
were dragged from tho thiclteta or cabins where they had 
sought refugB, drawn out in line and shot, while others 
were dispatched by the soldiers with the stocks of their 
muskets. One farm-building, into which some twenty 
disabled Highlanders had crawled, was deliberately set on 
fire the next day, and burnt with them to the ground. 
The native prisoners were scarcely better treated ; and even 
sufficient water was not vouchsafed to their thirst. "I 
"myself," says a gentleman of Inverness, "have often 
"gone by the prison at that melancholy time, when I 
"heard the prisoners calling out for water in the most 
"pitiful manner."* — To palliate these severities it waa 
afterwards stud in the Eoyal army, that an order had 
been found in Lord Greorge Murray's writing, that the 
Highlanders if victorious sliould give no quarter. But 
this pretended order was never shown or seen ; it is ut- 
terly at variance with the insurgents' conduct in their 
previous battles ; and was often and most solemnly denied 
l>y their prisoners. 

From the field of Culloden Charles had ro3e awey with 
Sheridan, (ySullivan, and other horsemen, to Gortuleg, 
where Lord Lovat waa residing. It was the first and 
last meeting between them ; but small was the sympathy 
or consolation which the young prince received from the 
hoary, and now despairing, intriguer. While Charles 
exclaimed on tho ruin of the cause, Lovat thought only 
of his own ; he forgot even the common courtesy of a 
host, arid they parted in mutual displeasure. Resuming 
his flight, at ten o'clock the same evening, Charles and 
his little party rode rapidly on to Glengarry's castle of 
Invergarry, where they arrived two hours before day- 
break of the 17th, so utterly esliausted that they could 
only throw themselves upon the floor in their clothes. 
The success of a fisherman, who went out and caught two 
salmon from the neighbouring brook afforded their only 
chance of food; nor was there any other beverage than 
the same brook supplied. Yet how shght were these 



^dbyGOOglC 



310 HISTORY OP EKCLAKD. CHAP. X-'ICX. 

hardships compared to those ■wLicli followed! — There 
was still aoine prospect of ralljing an irmy it Eothven 
to which about 1200 fugitives from C 11 d h J p ed 
directed by the talent and animated lyh put iL d 
George Murray. But the want of s pj !i f 11 k d 
—the terror of the recent battle — th g wn dp n 
— and the fat superior forces of th n y h d — 
ere long dispelled these lingering h p L d C e, 
indeed, was still for persevering at 11 1 d b a 
message was received from Charles, th k h g 1 
men present for their zeal, but urgi tl m d ly 
■what each might think best for his f ty d tl y 

accordingly dispersed. And thus w th E b Ih n 
finally extinguished.* 

The Duke of Cumberland now fix d 3 1 d q rt 
near Fort Augustus, in the very cen t t! at 

districts. It would have been atakwlm mt 
generals, and not unbecoming in any t h t [ d 
justice with mercy, — to reserve the hi f p pal 
delinquents for trial and punishment, b t p e, [ 
teet, and conciliate the people at large. Not such, how- 
ever, was the Duke of Cumberland's opinion of hia duty. 
Every kind of havoc and outrage was not only permitted, 
but, I fear we must add, encouraged. Military licence 
usurped the place of law, and a fierce and exasperated 
soldiery were at once judge — jury — executioner. la 
such transactions it is natural and reasonable to suppose 
that the Jacobites would exaggerate their own sufferings 
and the wrongs of their opponents, nor, therefore, should 
we attach much weiglit to mere looso and vague com- 
plaints. But where we find specific cases alleged, with 
names and dates, attested on most respectable authority 
—by geatlemen of high honour aad character — by 
bishops and clergymen of the episcopal church — in some 
cases, even by members of the victorious party — then 
are we bound not to shrink from the truth, however the 
truth may be displeasing. From such, evidence it appears 
that the rebels' country was laid waste, the houses 

* There was some idea of rallying the olane in tl:e May followii^, 
but it proved ivholly aborEive. Ths cnneapondGnco of Xodiiel and 
Clnny on this subject is printed in Home's Appondis, Ho. 47 — 5 1> 



idb,Googlc 



1745. CEUEL TiiEATlIENT OF THE V.VNQUISHED. 311 

plundered, the cabins Inirnf, the cattle driven away. The 
men had fled to the mountains, but such as could be 
found were frequently shot; nor waa mercy always 
granted even to their helpless families. In many cases 
the women and childi-en, expelled from their homes, and 
seeding shelter in the clefts of the rocks, miserably 
perished of cold and iiunger; others were reduced to 
follow the track of the marauders, humbly imploring for 
the blood and offal of their own cattle which had been 
slaughtered for the soldiers' food! — Such is the avowal 
■which historical justice demands. Eat let me turn from 
further details of these painful and irritating scenes, or 
of the ribald frolics and revelry with which they were 
intermingled — races of naked women on horseback for 
the amusement of the camp at Fort Augustus!* Ge- 
neral Hawley, it is said, was foremost in every cruelty, 
and much more deeply conscious of, and responsible for, 
them than his Eoyal master. Yet the latter must be con- 
demned in no small degree, even judging only from his 
own correspondence. He writes to the Duke of New- 
castle before Culioden : — " All in this country are almost 
" to a man Jacobites, and mild measures will not do. 
" You will find tliat the whole of the laws of this ancient 
" kingdom must be new modelled. Were I to enumerate 
"the villains and villanies this country abounds in, I 
"should never have done."t And again, from Fort 
Augustus: — "I am sorry to leave this country in the 
" condition it is in ; for all the good that we have done 
"has been a little blood-letting, which has only weak- 
" ened the madness but not at all cured it ; and I tremble 
"for fear that this vile spot may still be the ruin of this 
" island and of our family.''^ The licence of the soldiery 
was not curbed in Scotland till July, when His Eoyal 
Highness set out for Edinburgh, and from thence to Ijon- 
don. Everywhere he was bailed, and not undeservedly, 
as the public deliverer; while the thanks of Parlia- 
ment, the vote of 25,000i a year as a pension to himself 

* Rer. James Hay of Inverness j attestation to Bishop Eorbes, 
received, June 3a 1750. 

t Letter, April 4. 1746. Coxe's Pelham. 
j Letter, July 17. If46. lb. 



^dbyGOOglC 



a d h 1 d tl f J t mp 

g t d h tur 

Smgrat dli mhtlwUl 

1 d P d t 1 1 wl m h t! 

S t m f th t p d h d pi Id 1 1 tl 

K ca Bthlyal 1 it fd 

wf tt thqlbtl wlm 1 h 

■wl 1 t C n 1 h n J d I 

t pi d f p It all d h t^ g 

t hDkth h yftlilwl w 

wd Wht! Iw!l kab dge 

1 dhdil ft Ibk pt, 

and impoverished in estate, unable to obta n lepaynient 
of those very suma which, when other resources i'ailed in 
1745, he had freely advanced for his country's service.* 

Notwithstanding the eagerness with which, after Cul- 
loden, the rebels were tracked and pursued, and the guard 
both of land and sea, several of their chiefs suceeeded, 
after various concealments, privations, and dangers, in 
effecting their escape. Lord Geoi^e Murray made hia 
way to Holland, where under the name of l)e Valigni^, 
he resided for the most part until his death in 1760. In 
another ship from Prance embarked the Duke of Perth, 
Sir Thomas Sheridan, and Mr. O'Sullivan ; but the Duke, 
a young man of delicate frame, espired on his passage, 
and Sir ThomaB Sheridan, going on to Eome, and being 
severely arraigned by the Pretender for engaging in an 
expedition with such slight resources, was, it is said, so 
far affected by the repi-oof that he fell ill and diod.'f On 
the other hand the Government officers succeeded in 
seizing the Earl of Kilmarnock, Lord Balmerino, and 
Secretary Murray. Lovat was discovered in one of the 
wildest tracts of Inverness-shire, wrapt in a blanket, and 
hid in the hollow of an old tree, which grew upon an 
islet in the centre of a lake.| Lord Strathallan died of a 
wound at Culloden, and TuUibardine of disease and 
Borrow, when ab-eady immured in the Tower and await- 
ing bis trial. 

* Culloden Papers, Introduction, p. xxxvii., luia Qimi'toi-Iy Eeview 
No. xxviiL p. 829. 

■t JacobitB Memoirs, p, 4. note. 

X ChuraberB's History, vol ii. p. 170. 



^dbyGOOglC 



1746. CHAHLES'S WAKDEUINGS. 3]3 

But wliere was he, the joung and princely chief of 
this ill-fated enterprise — the new Charles of this second 
Worcester ? His followers dismissed to seek safety as they 
couldforthemselves— he sometimes alone — sometimes with 
a single Highlander as his guide and companion — some- 
times begirt with strange faces, of whose fidelity he had 
no assurance — a price set upon his head — hunted from 
mountain to island, and from island to mountain — pinched 
with famine, tossed by storms, and unsheltered from the 
rains — liis strength wasted, but his spirit still unbroken 
— such -was now the object of so many long cherished 
and lately towering hopes! In the five months of hia 
weary wanderings — fi-om April to September — almost 
every day might afford its own tale of hardship, danger, 
and alarm, and a mere outline must suffice for the general 
historian. It is nmch to Charles's honour, that, as one of 
his chance attendants declares, " he used to say, that the 
*' fatigues and distresses he underwent signified nothing 
" at all, because he was only a single person, but when 
" he refiected upon the many brave fellows who suffered 
" in his cause, that, he behoved to own, did strike him to 
" the heart, and did sink very deep within him."* But 
most of all entitled to praise appear the common High- 
landers around him. Though in the course of these five 
months the secrets of his conceahnent became entrusted 
to several hundred persons, most of them poor and lowly, 
not one of them was ever tempted by the prize of 30,000t 
to break faith, and betray the suppliant fugitive ; and 
when destitute of other help, and nearly, as it seemed, 
run to bay, he was saved by the generous self-devotion 

In the hope of finding a French ship to convey hira, 
Charles had embarked, only eight days after Ci;lloden, 
for that remote cluster of isles to which the common name 
of Long Island is applied. Driven from place to place 
by contrary winds and storms, and having sometimes no 
other food than oatmeal and water, he at length gained 
South Uisf, where his wants were in some degree relieved 
by the elder Clanranald. But his course being tracked 
or suspected, a large body of militia and regular troops, 



;, Google 



314 IJISTOKT OF ESGI.AKD. CIIAP. XX:x. 

to the number of 2000 men, landed on the island, and 
commenced an eager search, while the shores were sur- 
rounded by small vessels of war. Concealment or escape 
seemed alike impossibJe, and so they must have proved 
but for Miss Flora Macdonald ; a name, says Dr. Johnson, 
which will for ever live in history. This young lady 
was then on a visit to Clanranald's family, and was step- 
daughter of a Captain in the hostile militia which occupied 
the island. Being appealed to in Charles's behalf, she nobly 
undei-torA to save him at all hazards to herself. She 
obtained from her step-father a passport to proceed to 
Skye, for herself, a man-servant and a maid, who was 
termed Betty Burke, the part of Betty to he played by 
the Chevalier. When Lady Clanranald and Flora sought 
him out, bringing with them a female dress, they found 
him alone in a little hut upon the shore, employed in 
roasting the heart of a sheep upon a wooden spit. They 
could not forbear from shedding tears at his desolate 
situation, but Charles observed, with a smile, that it 
would be well perhaps for all Kings if they had to pass 
through such an ordeal as he was now enduring. On 
the same evening he took advantage of the passport, 
embarking in his new attire with Flora and a faithful 
Highlander, Neil Mac Eachan, who acted as their servant. 
The dawn of the nest day found them far at sea in their 
open boat, without any land in view ; soon, however, the 
^irk mountains of Skye rose on the horizon. Approach- 
ing that coast at Waternish, they were received with a 
volley of musketry from the soldiei-s stationed there, but 
none of the balls took efFeot, and the rowers, vigorously 
plying their oars, bore them away from that scene of 
danger, and enabled them to disembark on another point. 
Charles was now in the country of Sir Alexander 
Macdonald, at first a waverer in the contest, but of late 
a decided foe. "When the prudent chief saw the Jacobite 
cause decline, he had been induced to levy his clan 
against it, and was now on the mainland in attendance 
on the Duke of Cumberland. Yet it was of his wife, 
Lady Margaret, a daughter of the Earl of Eglinton, that 
Flora determined to implore assistance, having no other 
resource, and knowing from herself the courageous pity 
of & female heart. Lady Margaret received the news 



ibyGoogIc 



1746. I'LiiRA JiACDONALD. ;;]5 

w tl I nd urprise, but did not disappoint Flora's 

firm elia e her own house was filled with militia 
office bn she entrusted Charles, with earnest in- 
jun t ons f Is safety, to the charge of Macdonald of 
Kingsbu h th kinsman and factor of her husband. 
As they walked to Kingsburgh's house, Charles still in 
woman s disguise, they bad several streams to pass, and 
the Prince held up his petticoats to high as to escite the 
surprise and laughter of some country people on the road. 
Being admonished by his attendants he promised to take 
better care for the future, and accordingly in passing the 
next stream allowed the skirts to hang down and float 
upon the water. " Tour enemies," said Kiagsburgh, " call 
" you a Pretender, but if you be, I can tell you, you are 
" the worst of your trade I ever saw !" 

Best day, at Portree, Charles took leave of the noble- 
minded Flora with warm expressions of his gratitude, 
and passed over to the Isle of Rasay, under the less in- 
convenient disguise of a male servant and the name of 
l<ewis Caw. His preservers soon afterwards paid the 
penalty of their compassion, both Kingsburgh and Flora 
Macdonald being arrested and conveyed in custody, the 
former to Edinburgh, the latter to London. The conduct 
of Lady Margaret likewise was much inveighed against 
at Court; but once, when it provoked some such censure 
from the Princess of Wales : " And would not you, madam," 
asked Frederick, with a generous spirit, " would not you 
" in like circumstances have done the same? I hope — 
" I am sure you would!"* It waa at the intercession, 
as it is said, of His Eoyal Highness, that Flora was re- 
leased from prison after a twelvemonth's conlinement. A 
collection was made for her among the Jacobite ladies in 
London, to the amount of nearly 1500i She then married 

• Quarterly Review, Ho. xxviji. p. 330. In the Culloden Papers, 
p. 291., is an apologelic letter from Sir Alexander. He tells us that 
" the Pretender aceoated Kingsburgh with telliiighim, that his life was 
" now in his hands, which ha might dispose of; that ha was in the 
" ntmost distress, having had no meat or sleep for two jays and two 
" nights. Bitting on a roclt, beat upon by the rains, and, when they 
" ceased, ats up by flies, conjured mm to show compassion but for one 
" nigl^ and lie should ba gona This moving speech preTailed, and 
" the visible distress, for he was me^ra, ill-coloured,audoveiTUnwitli 
" the scab ; so they went to Kingsburgh's house," &c. 



idb,Googlc 



316 HisToaY oi' KKfir.AKD. ciiAr. xxix. 

Kingsburgh'a son, and many years afterwards went with 
him to North America, but both returned during the civil 
war, and died in their native Isle of Sltye.* 

From Rasay Charles again made his way to the main- 
land, where he lay for two days cooped up within a line of 
sentinels, who crossed each other npon tiieir posts, so that 
he could only crouch among the heather, without daring 
to light a five, or to dress Lis food. From this new danger 
he at length escaped hy creeping at night down a narrow 
glen, the bed of a winter stream, between two of the 
stations. Another vicissitude in his wanderings brought 
him to a mountain cave, where seven robbers had taken 
their abode ; and with these men he remained for nearly 
three weeks. Fierce and lawless as they were, they never 
thought for an instant of earning "the price of blood;" 
on the contrary, they most earnestly applied themselves 
to sflcure his safety, and supply his wants. Sometimes 
they used singly and in various disguises to repair to the 
neighbouring Fort Augustus, and obtain for Charles a 
newspaper or the current reports of the day. On one 
occasion they brought back to the Prince, with much ex- 
ultation, the choicest dainty they had ever heard of — a 
pennyworth of gingerbread ! 

On leaving these generous outlaws, and after other 
perils and adventures, Charles effected a junction with his 
faithful adherents, Cluny and Lochiel, who was lame from 
his wound. There he found a rude plenty to which he 
had long been unused. "Now, gentlemen, I live like & 
" Piincel" cried he on his first arrival, as he eagerly de- 
voured some collops out of a saucepan with a silver spoon.f 

* Tales of a GrandfHther, vol. ill p. 329., and Clmmbera' Hiat 
vol. ii. p. 221. She ia described as " n littls ivomsn, of a genteel np- 
" penrance. and uncommonly mild and well-hred." (Boswell's He- 
brides, p. 214. ed. 1785.) 

f Cluny's NaiTative (Home's Appendix, p. 380,). There is a vagna 
and romantje story about this time of one Hoc Kenzie, lately an 
officer In tha ineurgent army, who, being beset and lilted by some 
soldiers, cried, in his dying moments, "I am your Prince," — his ob- 
ject being lo afford a diversion for Charles's escape. It is added, that his 
head was cut off and passed for that of Charies, and was taken to Lon- 
don hy the Duke of Cumberland in his own carriage, &c. This stcry 
is adopted both hy Sir Walter Scott and Mr. Cliambers ; but on es- 
" nnot find that it lesls on any better authority than that 



^dbyGOOglC 



1746. CHARLES ESCATES TO FRAJiCE, 317 

For some time they resided in a singular retreat, called 
the Cage, on the side of Mount BeiiaJder; it was con- 
cealed by a close thicket, and half- suspended io the air. 
At this place Charles received intelligence that two French 
vessels, sent out expressly for hia deliverance, under tlie 
direction of Colonel Warren of Dillon's regiment and with 
that ofBcer on board, had anchored in Lochnanuagh. 
Immediately setting off for that place, but travelling only 
by night, he embarked on the 20th of September, attended 
by Lochiel, Colonel Koy Stuart^ and about one hundred 
other persons, who had gathered at the news. It was the 
very same spot where Charles had landed fourteen months 
before, but how changed since that time, botli his fate and 
his feelings ! With what different emotions must he have 
gazed upon those desolate mountains, when stepping from 
his ship in the ardour of hope and coming victory ; and 
now, when he saw tiiem fade away in the blue distance, 
and bade them an everlasting farewell I Eapidly did his 
vessel bear him from the Scottish shores j concealed by a 
fog, he sailed through tlie midst of the English fleet ; and 
he safely landed at the little port of Eoscoif, near Morlaix, 
on the aSth of September, 

He went — but not with him departed liis i-emembrance 
Irom the Highlanders. For years and years did his name 
continue enshrined in their hearts and familiar to their 
tongues ; their plaintive ditties, resounding with his ex- 
ploits, and inviting his return. Again in these strains, 
do they declare themselves ready to risk life and fortune 
for his cause ; and even maternal fondness, — the strongest 
perhaps of alt human feelings, — yields to the passionate 
devotion to " Prince Charlie." * 

On the rebeOion being finally quelled, the punishment 
of its principal chiefs and instigators became the eai-nest 
desii-e of the people, and undoubtedly also the bounden 
of Chevalier Johnstone (Memoii-s, p. 207.), and therefore I liavo no 
hesitation in r^ecting it. 

* " I ance had sons, but now hao none, 

" I bred them toiling snivly ; 

" And I wim\ bear thcni a' again 

" And lose tliem a' for Charlie ! " 



^dbyGOOglC 



318 

ivty of ttie government. Witli every sympathy for 
individual suffering — with every allowance for the 
f f m t k 1 y Ity for the hlindness of 

idlhd — til ratb owned, that a rebellion 

d Iglgd dso nearly auccessfnl, 

11 d 1 d f m nd repressive acts of 

3 It m y 1 w w II be questioned whether 

tl tw utTidfth both in number and 

rig , ii ty w Id warrant. A very judi- 

cious modern writer, while eommenfing on tbe executions 
in 1716, observes that there seems to have been "greater 
" and less necessary severity after the rebellion of 1745."* 
Yet, in general, time effects a happy change in the op- 
posite direction! and the aggravation in this case must 
certainly he ascribed to the Dute of Cumberland who, 
even after his retm'n to London, continued, as we are 
told, to press " for tbe utmost 8everity."f The Scottish 
prisoners were removed for trial to England, lest their 
own countrymen should show them partiality or pity. 
At one time there were no less than 385 crowded together 
at Carlisle ; of thes h th m m w per- 

mitted to cast lots, n n tw ty t b t d nd h ged, 
the rest to be tra p t 1 TI n d ffl Ity in 

obtaining proofs ag divid I h had p nly 

appeared in arms. Am n t th 1 t nff r« were 

Colonel Townley a d ght h ffl p a s of 

the Manchester regun nt, h 1 g d nK nnn"ton 

Common near" London. Other esecntions took place at 
York, at Brampton, and at Penrith ; in all there were 
nearly eighty. The barbarous ceremony of unbowelling, 
mangling, and casting the hearts into a fire was not 
omitted, nor did it fail — such is the vulgar appetite for 
the horrible ! — to draw forth exulting shouts fi-om the 
spectators. Differing as the sufferers did in age, in rank, 
and temper, they yet, with scarcely an exception, agreed 
in their behaviour on the scaffold ; all dying with firm- 
ness and courage, asserting the justice of their cause, and 
praying for the exiled family. 

Amongst these numerous condemnations, the one per- 



^dbyGOOglC 



1746. TlilALS AKD EXECUTIONS. 319 

haps of all others most open to exception, was that of 
Charles Eadcliffe, hrotiier of the Earl of Derwentwater, 
beheaded in 17] 6. Charles Radeljife had tlien avoided a 
like fsfe by breaking from prison ; he had lately been eap- 
tured on board a French vessel bound for Scotland, with 
supplies for the insurgents ; and he was now, after a long 
confinement, put to death upon his former sentence, which 
had slumbered for thirty years. 

The noblemen who appeared for trial before their Peers 
in July, 1 746, were the Eai-ls of Cromarty and Kilmarnock, 
and Lord Balmerino. The two Earls pleaded guilty, ex- 
pressing the deepest remorse for their conduct, while BaJ- 
merino endeavoured to avail himself of a flaw in the 
indictment, as not having been at Carlisle on the day it 
set forth ; but this being overraied, he declared, that he 
would give their Lordships no further trouble. On being 
brought up to receive sentence, both Cromarty and Kii- 
mamock earnestly sued for mercy. " My own fate," said 
Cromarty, "is the least part of my sufferings. But, my 
" Lords, I have involved an affectionate wife with aa un- 
" bora infant as parties of my guilt to share its pcnalties- 
" I have involved my eldest son, whose youth and regard 
" for his parents hurried him down the stream of rebellion. 
"I have involved also eight innocent children, who must 
" feel their parent's punishment before they know his guilt 
" Let the silent eloquence of their grief and tears supply 
"my want of persuasion!" — Kilmarnock urged, in ex- 
tenuation of his own offence, the excellent principles ho 
had instilled into his heir, "having my eldest son in the 
" Duke's army fighting for the liberties of his country at 
" CuUoden, where his unhappy father was in arms to 
"destroy them!" — But no acknowledgment of error, no 
application for mercy could be wrung from the haughty 
soul of Balmerino. In compassion chiefly to Lady Cro- 
marty, who was far advanced in pregnancy* a pardon 
was granted to her husband, but the two others were 
ordered for execution on Tower Hill on the 18th of 
August. Eamarnock met his fate with sufficient steadt- 
neaa combined with penitence, owning to the last the 
_ * When her child was bom after this di'eadfnl suspense, it hore npoa 
its neck the riistinct impression of an ase. (Tales of ji Grandfather 
voJ. lit. p. 310.) 



idb,Googlc 



820 HISTORY or EKGI.ANIl. ClIAr. XXIX. 

heinousness of hia rebellion. His corapanion in mis- 
fortune, oa the contrary, as a frank resolute soldier, per- 
seTeved and gloried in Lis principles. "When at the gate 
of the Tower and on their way to the scaffold, the of&cers 
tad ended the words of form with the usual prayer " God 
BaveKingGeorge!" Kilmarnock devoutly sighed "Amen;" 
but Baimeriao stood op and replied in aloud voice, "God 
save King James!" And as he laid his head on the block 
he said: "If I had a thousand lives, I would lay them all 
"down here in the same cause!"* 

The last of the " Martyrs," as their own party chose to 
call them, was Lord Lovat. Hot having appeared in arms, 
nor committed any overt act of treason, this grey-haired 
hypocrite could not be so readily convicted as the bolder 
and better men who had walked before him to the scaffold. 
But a King's evidence waa obtained in John Murray of 
Bftjughton, lately Prince Charles's Secretary, who now 
consented to purchase safety for himself by betraying the 
secrets and hazarding the lives of his former friends.f It 
was he who revealed to the Government the whole train 
and tissue of the Jacobite conspiracy since 1740, although, 
as the law requires two witnesses in charges of treason, 
it was not possible to proceed further against the Duke of 
Beaufort, Sir Watkin Wynn, or other English Jacobites ; 
nor indeed did the Government show any wish for their 
impeachment. In the case of Lovat, however, his own 
letters to the Chevalier were produced by Murray, other 
conclusive documents and some corroborating evidence 
from his clansmen were also brought forward, and his 
guilt was thus established iu the clearest and most legal 
manner. His trial, which did not commence until March, 
1747, continued during several days. Lovat's own be- 
haviour was a strange compound of meanness, levity, and 
courage, — sometimes writing to the Duke of Cumberland 
for mercy, and pleading how he had carried his Eoyal 
Highness in his arms, when a child, about the parks of 

• H. Walpole M Sir H. Maan, Angnst 21. 1746. 

t Mr. Murray Burvirea many years aftccwnrds, redding chiefly in 
Scotlanti. In Loclthiirt's Life of Scott (vol. i. p. 179.) is related a 
very curious scene between him and Sir Walter's father, showing tho 
exrceme abhorrence witii which the unfortunate gentleman was sllU 
regarded. 



idb,Googlc 



1746 EKD OP LORD LOVAT. 321 

Kensington and Hampton Court — sometimes striving by 
chicanery to perplex or rebut the proofs against him — 
sometimes indulging in ridiculous jests. " I did not think 
" it possible," says Horace Walpole, " to feel so little as I 
" did at so melancholy a spectacle, but tyranny and viliaay 
" wound up by buffoonery took off all edge of compassion."* 
When after his sentence he was taken from the Bar, he 
cried, " Farewell, my Lorda, we shall never all again meet 
" in the same place !"f Like Balraerino and Kilmarnock 
he was beheaded on Tower Hill; and he died with great . 
composure and intrepidity, attended by a Roman Catholic 
priest, and repeating on the scaffold the noble line of 

Horace, ditlcb ei decortim est peo pateia moki. 

But in truth no man was ever less strongly imbued with 
that sentiment — except perhaps its writer! 

A few weeks ailerwards, there happily passed an Act 
of Indemnity, granting a pardon to all persons who had 
committed treason, but clogged with about eighty excep- 
tions._ By other legislative measures, passed with little 
opposition — the Disarming Act — the abolition of Heri- 
table JurisdicUons — and the prohibition of the Highland 
garb — it was sought to precipitate the fall of feudal power, 
and to subdue the spirit of the vanquished mountaineers. 

* To Sir H. Mann, MbitIi 20. 1747. 

t This answer is transferred by lord Bjron, -williont acknow- 
ledgment, to his Israel Borluccio. (Dt^ of Venice, Act 5. acena 1,) 



^dbyGOOglC 



CHAPTER XXX. 

The rebellion in Scotland and the consequent recall of 
the British troops from Flanders, left that country an 
easy conquest to the French. Marshal de Saxe, unex- 
pectedly renewing his operations in the midst of winter, 
invested Brussels ; on the 20th of February that impor- 
tant capital surrendered, and its large garrison hecame 
prisoners of war. Antwerp, Mons, and Charleroi fol- 
lowed in their turn. Even Namur, which had so long 
■withstood the arms of King William, capitulated on the 
19th of September, after a siege of only six days. Mean- 
while the command of the allied army had been assumed 
by Prince Charles of Lorraine, and he had gradually 
received both British and Hanoverian reinforcements : 
but, on the Uth of October, he was repulsed in an en- 
gagement at Eoucoux, near Lifege ; and, at the close of 
the campaign, the French were in possession of nearly 
the whole of the Austrian Netherlands. 

But their successes on the Scheldt and Meuse were 
balanced by reverses on the Po. The Austrians, freed 
from their Prussian enemy by the peace of Dresden, had 
sent large reinforeemenia over the Alps ; they recovered 
Parma, Guastalla, and Milan, and completely defeated the 
jFrench ajid Spaniards at a battle near Plaeentia on the 
l7th of June. Pursuing their victory, they entered Genoa 
in September, and urged their preparations for an imme- 
diate invasion of Provence.* 

Another event unfavourable to the Court of Versailles 
was the death of Philip the Fifth of Spain, on the 9th of 
July. His son and successor, Ferdinand the Sixth, felt 
but a slight interest in the establishment of Don Philip in 
Italy — the main object of the war in the preceding reign 
— and he accordingly pursued that war languidly, un- 
willingly, and with diminished forces. Thus France, de- 
serted by Prussia and Bavai-ia, and faintly supported by 

" Muratori, Annal. d'ltal. vol. xii. p. 34S. et Eeq. 



_700J^le 



1746. EXPEDITIOK TO liltlTTAMT. 323 



Spain, had no longer any one efficient ally ; and notwith- 
standing her conquests in Flanders, was not disinclined 
to peace on reasonable terms. Some conf n es w e 
opened at Breda, hut from the high pretens f En 

land and of Austria at that time, led to no re It 

In this summer the British Ministers d p t h d n 
expedition to the coast of Brittany, the t i und 
General St. Clair, the fleet under Admiral I/e t k Th 
object waa to surprise Port L'Orient, and d t y h 
ships and stores of the French East India Company, bat 
the result attained was only the plunder and bui-ning of a 
few helpless villages. Thus much only might he boasted, 
that the fleet and troops returned with Httle loss. " The 
" truth is," says a contemporary, " Lestock was by this 
" time grown too old and infirm for enterprise, and, as is 
" alleged, was under the shameful direction of a woman 
" he carried along with him ; and neither the soldiers 
" nor the sailors, during the whole of the expedition, 
" seem to have been under any kind of discipline." * 

At home the tranquillity of the Cabinet was slightly 
ruffled by the resignation of I/ord Harrington, That 
Minister — so lately the King's favourite — had incurred 
Ilia Majesty's most serious displeasure by his courage in 
heading the seoeders of February, 1746. In the same 
proportion — for common minds have only a certain stock 
of friendship or of enmity, which is never increased or 
diminished, but only transferred from one person to 
another — had His Majesty's feelings relented towards 
Pitt and Chesterfield ; to the former he began to show 
signs of esteem — of the latter he no longer opposed the 
admission into office. Thus, when Harrington, mortifled 
at the King's antipathy, and feebly supported by the 
Duke of Newcastle, for whose sake he had exposed him- 
self, gave up the Seals on the 29th of Octobpr, they were 
immediately entrusted to Chesterfield, while Chebterfield's 
appointment as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland was tranafen-ed 
to Harrington.* 

* Tindal's Hist, voL ix, p. 271. 

f I must oliBeiTe, in jostice to Neifcasile, that though not sufB- 
cianlly firm in supporting his friend in the Cabinet, he insisted on 
obtaining for hun tlie Lord Lieutenancy, which the King ivas im- 
wiUing to grant. Sea Coio's Felhaiii, vol L p. 343. 



^dbyGOOglC 



824 HISTOKY OP ENGLANB. 

Philip Dormer Stanhope, fourth Earl of C 
one of the most shining characters of his age, was born 
in 1694. His father — a mati of morose and gloomy 
temper — appears from his earliest years to have con- 
ceived a coldness, nay ayersion to him.* But the parental 
place -was in a great measure supplied by Iiis grand- 
mother, the Marchioness of Halifax, who with great ac- 
complishments combined an overflowing benevolence. At 
the age of eighteen young Stanhope was sent to complete 
Lis studies at Cambridge. According to his own account, 
many years afterwards, " at the University I was an 
" absolute pedant. When I talked my best I quoted 
« Horace ; when I aimed at being facetious, I quoted 
" Martial; and when I had a mind to be a fine gentle- 
" mao, I talked Ovid. I was convinced that none but 
" the ancients had common sense, that the classics coa- 
" tained every thing that was either necessary, useful, 
« or ornamental, to men ; and 1 was not even without 
" thoughts of wearing the to&a virilis of the Eomans, 
" instead of the vulgar and illiberal dress of the modern3."t 
Yet there is reason to suspect that this was not the real 
fact with himself, but only an encouraging example held 
forth to his son to show him how pedantry may be suc- 
cessfully surmounted. Certain it is, that the few lettera 
preserved of Chesterfield, during his nonage, display 
wit, acuteness, and knowledge of the world. Thus, from 
Paris, in 1715, he writes satirically: " I shall not give 
" yoti my opinion of the French, because I am very often 
■" taken for one of them ; and several have paid me the 
" highest compliment they think it in their power to be- 
■" stow ; which is, ' Sir, you are just like ourselves ! ' I 
■" shall only tell you that I am insolent ; I talk a great 
"deal; I am very loud and peremptory ; I sing and dance 
" as I walk along; and, above all, I spend an immense 

"sum in hair-powder, feathers, and white gloves!" J Hia 
■correspondent, on this occasion, was M. Jouneau, a tedious 
old gentleman, of whose acquaintance he was evidently 

• See a letter, daWil 1703, in Atterbury's Correspondence, voL ii. 
T-3*- 

t Letter to his son, Jnhe 24. 1751- 

j ChcstBi-field's Works, vol. iii. p. U. Sto ed, 1779. 



;, Google 



1747. LORD CHESTEETIELD. 325 

weary ; but if ia, I fear, in some degree characteristic of 
Chesterfield, that this, the very last letter he ever wrote 
to that person, contains the following expressions : — 
" Tou reproach me, and not without cause, for not having 
" written to you since I came to Paris, I confess my 
" fault ; I repent of it, and you will be convinced of the 
" sincerity of my repentance by the number of letters 
" with which I shall in future overwhelm you. Tou will 
" cry out for quarter, but in vain ; I shall punish you for 
" not having known your first happiness ! " 

Chesterfield had entered the House of Commons even 
before the legal age*; but allured by pleasures, into which 
he plunged with no common eagerness, he shrunk from the 
arduous labours of a statesman. It was not till the death 
of his father, in 1726, that he began in earnest to tread 
the thorny paths of ambition. Nature had endowed him 
with a brilliant and ready wit, which was sometimes the 
delight, sometimes the scourge, but always the wonder, 
of his companions ; and which shone alike in his most 
laboured writings, and his least premeditated sallies. 
His own care had formed manners, till proverbial for 
their excellence, and, in his own time, the model for the 
world of fashion ; while attaining the highest degree of 
courtly polish, they had neither relaxed into insipidity, 
nor stiffened into superciliousness ; but were animated 
and enlivened by a never-failing anxiety to please. As 
ia acknowledged by himself — " Call it vanity, if you will 
" — and possibly it was so ; but my great object was to 
" make every man I met like me, and every woman love 
" me. I often succeeded, but why ? By taking great 
" pains," f But these more superficial graces and accom- 
plishments were, it speedily appeared, supported by what 
alone can support them in public life; a hirge and solid 
fund of reading. " Nobody," says he to his son, "ever 
" lent themselves moie tJian I did, when I was young, to 
" the pleaauies and dissipation of good company ; I even 
" did It too much But then I can assure you, that I 
" always found time foi serious studies ; and when I 
" could find It no olhei wa^ , I took it out of my sleep j 
"for I resohed alnajs to use early in the morning, 

* See vol, 1. p. 132. -f To his son, July 21. 1152, 

H,.. lb, Google 



326 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CU4P. XXX. 

" however late I went to bed at night ; and this resolu- 
" tion I have kept so aacred that, unless when I have been 
" confined to my bod by illness, I have not, for more than 
" forty years, ever been in bed at nine o'clock in the 
" morning, but commonly up before eight." * — " But," 
he adds, " throw away none of your time upon those 
" trivial futile books published by idle or necessitous 
" authors for the amusement of idle and ignorant readers : 
" such sort of boolis swarm and buzz about one every 
" day ; flap them away ; they have no sting : cebtcm 
" PETE iTNEM ; have some one object for your leisure 
" moments, aud pursue that object invariably till you 
" have attained it." f — With Chesterfield that main object 
■was oratory. " So long ago as when I was at Cam- 
" bridge, whenever I read pieces of eloquence (and, in- 
" deed, they were my chief study), whether ancient or 
*' modern, I used to write down the shining passages, and 
" then translate them as well and as elegantly as ever 
" I conld ; if Latin or French, into English ; If English, 
" into French. This, which I practised for some years, 
" not only improved and formed my style, but imprinted 
" in my mind aud memory the best tlioughts of the best 
" authors. The trouble was little, but the advantage I 
" have experienced was great." :f Whether from such 
Studies, or from natural genius, Cliesterfleld's speeches 
became more highly admired and extoUed than any others 
of the day. Horace WaJpole had heard his own father ; 
had heard Pitt ; had heard Pulteney ; had heard Wynd- 
ham ; had heard Carteret; yet he declares, in 1743, 
that the finest speech he ever listened to was one from 
Chesterfield. § 

The outset of Chesterfield in public employments was 
his first embassy to Holland, in which he displayed great 
skill and attained universal reputation. Diplomacy was 
indeed peculiarly suited to his tastes and talents : he was 
equally remarkable for a quick insight into the temper of 
others, and for a constant command of his own ; with 
foreign languages and history he had long been familiar : 

• Letter, December 13. 1748. f Ibid. May 31. 1752. 

i Letter, FebruBry 1. 1754. 

5 To Sir H. Manu, December 15. 1743. 



ibyGoogIc 



1747. lORU CIIESTEEFJI 



32T 



and pubHc business, though at first strange and unwet 
come, soon became easy, nay deiightful, to him Me 
writes to Lady Suffolk from the Hague —"As yoa 
" know, I used to be accused in England, and I doubt 
" pretty justly, of having a need of such a proportion of 
"talk in a day: that is now changed^ into a need for 
" such a proportion of writing in a day " * 

Chesterfield's second embassy to Holland, m 1744, con- 
firmed and renewed the praises he bad acquired by the 
first. So bigb, did his i-eputation stand at this period, 
that Sir Watkin Wynn, though neither his partisan nor 
personal friend, once in the House of Commons reversed 
in bis favour Claiendon's character of Hampden ; saying, 
that " Lord Chesterfield had a head to contrive, a tongue 
" to persuade, and a hand to execute, any worthy _ac- 
" tion." t At home his career, though never, as I think, 
inspired by a high and pervading patriotism, desei^es 
the praise of humane, and liberal, and far-sighted policy. 
Thus after the rebellion, while aU his coUeagues thought 
only of measures of repression— the dungeon or the scat- 
fold— disai-ming acts and abolition acts— we find that 
Chesterfield "was for scboob and villages to civilise the 
"Highlands."! , , ., ^ - 

But, undoubtedly, the most bnlhant and useful part ot 
Chesterfield's career was his Lord Lieutenancy of Ire- 
land. It was he who .first, since the Eevolution, made 
that office a post of active exertion. Only a few years 
before, the Duke of Shrewsbury had given as a reason 
for acceptbg it, that it was a place where a man had 
business enough to hinder him from falling asleep, and 
not enough to keep him awake! § Chesterfield, on the 
contrary, left nothing undone, nor for others to do. 
Being once asked hov/ be was able to go through so 
many affairs, he answered, "Because I never P"* oft' 
" till to-moiTOw what I can do to-day. || Cliesterfield 
was also the first to introduce at Dublin— long as it had 
reigned in London— the principle of impaitial justice. 

» To Lady Suffolk, August 13. 1728. Sufiblk Letters, 1824. 

+ See Pari. HieL vol xiii. p. 1054. 

j Diary of Lord Marclimont, August 31. 1747. 

8 Marchmont Papers, vol i, p. 91. 

Jl Maty's Life, p. 255. Pi'oin the Bishop of WalerlortU 



^dbyGOOglC 



It is no doubt much easier to rule Irelanil on one exclu- 
sive principle or on another. It is very easy, as was 
formerly the case, to choose the great Protestant families 
for " Managers ; " to see only through their eyes, and to 
hear only through their ears : it ia very easy, according 
to the modern fashion, to become the tool and champion 
of Koman Catliolic agitators ; but to hold the balance 
even between both; to protect the Establishment, yet 
never wound rclitrioua liberty ; to repress the lawless- 
ness, yet not chill the affections of that turbulent but 
warm-hearted people ; to be the ni-biter, not the slave ot 
parties ; this is the true object worthy that a statesman 
should strive for, and fit only for the ablest to attain. 
" I came determined," writes Chesterfield, many years 
afterwards, "to proscribe no set of persons whatever; 
"and determined to be governed by none. Had the 
« Papists made any attempt to put themselves above the 
" law I should have talten good care to have quelled 
" them again. It was said, that my lenity to the Papists 
« had wrought no alteration either in their rehgious or 
" their political sentiments. I did not expect that it 
"would: but surely that was no reason for cruelty to- 
« wards them."* "Vet Chesterfield did not harshly cen- 
sure even where he strongly disapproved; but often 
conveyed a keen reproof beneath a good-humoured jest. 
Thus, being informed by some exasperated zealots that 
his coachman was a Koman Catholic and went every 
Sunday to Mass: "Does he, indeed!" replied the Lord 
Lieutenant, "I will take good care that he shaU never 
" drive me there!" When lie first aiTived at Dublin in 
the summer ofl745, a dangerous rebellion was burstme- 
forth in the sister kingdom, and threatened to extend 
itself to a country where so many millions held the faith 
of the young Pretender. With a weak and wavering, or 
a fierce and headlong Lord Lieutenant,— with a Gralton 
or a Strafford— there might soon have been another 
Papist army at the Boyne. But so able were the mea- 
sures of Chesterfield ; so clearly did he impress upon the 

• Letter of Lord Chesterfield, preserved in the archives of DuUln. 
Castle, ni.cl quoted by Lord MnJgrave ia the debate m the House of, 
Lord^ Hoyomber 27. 1S37. 



^dbyGOOglC 



1747. rOKD COESTEKl-IELD. S29 

public mind that Ms moderation was not wealtness, nor 
his clemency cowardice ; but that, to quote his own ex- 
pression, " his hand should be as heavy as Croniwell'a 
" upon them if they once forced him. to raise it;" — so 
well did he know how to scare the iimid, while conci- 
liating the geueroua, that this alarmiug period passed 
over with a degree of tranquillity such as Ireland haa 
not often displayed even in orderly and settled times. 
This just and wise — wise because just — administration 
has not failed to reward him with its meed of fame ; his 
authority has, I find, been appealed to even by those 
who, as I conceive, depart most widely from his maxims ; 
and his name, I am assured, lives in the honoured re- 
membrance of the Irish people, as, perhaps, next to Or- 
mond, the beat and worthiest in their long Viceregal line. 
The biographer of Chesterfield, after portraying liia 
character, in whatever points it can be praised, con- 
cludes, — "These were his excellences; let those who 
" surpass him speai of his defects."* I shall not follow 
that example of prudent reserve. The defects of Ches- 
terfield were neither slight nor few ; and the more his 
contemporaries excused them, — lost as they were in the 
lastre of his fame, — the less should they be passed over 
by posterity. A want of generosity; dissimulation car- 
ried beyond justifiable bounds ; a passion for deep play ; 
and a contempt for abstract science, whenever of no 
practical or immediate use; may, I think, not unjustly 
be ranked amongst his errors. But, at lie root of alt 
lay a looseness of religious principle. For without im- 
puting to him any participation in the unbelief which his 
friend Bolingbroke professed, it is yet certain that points 
of faith had struck no deep root into his mind, and exer- 
cised no steady control upon his conduct. The maxims 
laid down in his familiar correspondence, even when, 
right themselves, seldom rest on higher motives than ex- 
pAiency, reputation, or personal advantage. His own 
glory, — the false flame that flits over these low grouuds, 
— however brilliant and daazling from afar, will he 
found to lack both the genuine glow of patriotism, and 
the kindling warmth of private friendship. The country 

* M;ily's Life, p, 357. 



^dbyGOOglC 



380 HISTORY OF ENGLAHD. CHAP. XSX. 

is to be served, not because it is our country, but inas- 
much as our own welfare and repatation are involved in 
it: our friends are to be cherisbed, not as our inclination 
prompts, or their merits deserve, hut according as tliey 
appear uBeful and conducive to the objects we pursue. 
Pbodessb qdam conspici was both the motto and the 
maxim of Soraers ; the very reverse, I fear, might some- 
times be applied to Chesterfield. 

During the administration of the new Secretary of 
State, his great oratorical abilities were seldom tried. 
The two Houses had now — dwindled, shall I say, or 
risen — into very pacific and business-like assemblies. 
Even the ill success of the war could not stir the quiet 
t«mper of the people; nor did the dissolution of Parliar 
ment, in the summer of 1747, add anything to the strength 
of the Opposition. In most of the ensuing contests the 
friends of the Ministry prevailed. It was with great 
difficulty that Sir John Hinde Cotton, now dismissed 
from office, could rally a remnant of the Jacobites ; or 
that a small band of followers was retained by the Prince 
of Wales, aided by the councils of Bolingbroke and Dod- 
ington.* There was no want of vehemence, at least, in 
his Eoyal Highness. " These Ministers," says he, " have 
" sulhed the Crown, and are very near to ruin all. Pray 
" God they have not a strong majority ; or adieu to my 
" children, the constitution, and everything that is dear 
"tome."t 

In this year, the progress of the war was marked by 
two naval victories of England ; one by Admiral Anson, 
near Cape Finisterre ; another by Admiral Hawke, off 
Belleisle: in each six French shipsof the Ibc were taien. 
But on land the campaigns proved inefficient in Italy, 
unprospcrous in Flanders. So early as November, 174^ 
an Austrian army, under Marshal Brown, had invaded 
Provence, and bombarded Antibes ; when they were 
startled at the news of a popular rising in their rear. The 

• Dodingtoa— a true Lord GSstonbiay, accordirg to Miss Edge- 
worth's admirable sketch— was eager only for a peerage. That 
object of his whole life was not attained till 1761, the year before ha 
died. 

t To Sir Thomas Bootle, June, 1747. Coxe's Pclham, Appendix, 



^dbyGOOglC 



1747. REVOLUTION IN HOLLAND. 331 



Genoese, it appeared, had, by a sudden effort, flung off 
the German yoke, and restored their Republic to inde- 
pendence. Under these cii'cumstances, the Austrians, in 
Provence, aeon finding their communications intercepted, 
and themselves harassed by the French force of Marshal 
de Belleisle, hastened to recross the "Var, and applied 
themselves to a long and desultory, but fruitless block- 
ade, of the insurgent city. The French, in their turn, 
attempted another invasion of Italy, but were checked in 
an action at the Pass of Exiles, in July, 1747 ; when the 
Chevalier, brother of the Marshal de Eidleisle, and nearly 
four thousand veteran soldiers, were among the slain. 

On the side of the Netherlands, the Duke of Cumber, 
land had been again entrusted with the command, and 
took the field in February; hut found, as usual, the 
Dutch and Austrians grievously deficient in their stipu- 
lated quotas. With an ill-combined andmurmuring army, 
bis early movements served rather to harass his own 
troops than to injure or even alarm the enemy's. The 
Court of "Versailles relied for success, not merely on their 
arms, but on the timid and wavering, the despised and 
despicable, government of the Dutch. Already had great 
advantages accrued to the French from their constant 
reluctance to engage directly and frankly in the war; 
and now it was hoped to terrify them into a separate 
negotiation. With this view, Louis the Fifteenth issued a. 
formal manifesto on the 17th March, suspending the con- 
ferences of Breda; and the French Minister at the Hague 
was instructed to announce that, as the Dutch had for- 
merly sent twenty thousand of their troops over the fron- 
tier of Lille, without declaring war ; so the King of 
France would now send an equal force into their terri- 
tories, not as declaring war, but to counteract the ill 
effects of the assistance which they had afibrded to the 
Queen of Hungary. On the same day, the army of Mar- 
shal de Saxe was put in motion, and the vanguard of 
twenty thousand men, headed by Count Lowendahl, burst 
into Dutch Flanders, and reduced the frontier fortoessea, 
Sluys, Sas van Ghent, and Hulst. 

The danger of 1672 now appeared renewed to Holland; 
but with precisely the same effect As in 1672, it stirred 
and roused, instead of intimidating, that brave people. 



ibyGoogIc 



332 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP. XXX. 

Fai" from yielding as the enemy expected, they raised a 
cry of treachery against their timid magistrates, as the 
friends and abettors of France, and turned for help to 
their neverfailing deliverers in peril, the House of Orange. 
As in 1672, the head of that House was proclaimed 
Stadtholder hy almost universal acclamation. The revo- 
lution commenced in Zealand; but rapidly spreading 
from province to province, was achieved and completed 
■within a few days. Even at the Hague, the magistrates, 
surrounded by an immense and raging multitude, and 
timid for themselves as they had been for the state, could 
only purchase their own safety hy waving the Orange 
standard, a symbol of their recognition, from the palace 
windows.* Prince William of Nassau was acknowledged 
as Stadtholder, Captain Greneral, and Lord High Admi- 
ral, with the same extended powers which had been en- 
oyed by his kinsman and name-sake, William the Third, 
and which had lain dormant since his death. Nay, more, 
he was enabled, some time afterwards, to guard against s, 
similar lapse in future, by a law rendering these dignities 
hereditary to his children ; and thus changing the consti- 
tution to a limited monarchy in fact, though not, as yet, 

The fall of the old decrepit government, and the acces- 
sion of a young and popular prince, son-in-law of the 
King of England, seemed a happy omen for the vigorous 
prosecution of the war. There did, indeed, ensue no 
small accession of administrative energy, and of military 
means. Unfortunately, however, when the Pi-ince of 
Orange took the field at the head of the Dutch army, he 
was found ignorant of tactics, and jealous of his more 
practised, but not less overbearing brother, the Duke of 
Cumberland. According to Mr. Pelham, " Our two young 
" heroes agree but little. Our own is open, frank, reso- 
'■ lute, and perhaps hasty ; the other assuming, pedantic, 
" ratiocinating, and tenacious. ... In what a situation 
" then are we ! We must pray for the best, for direct it 

" we cannot. We have notiiing to do, but to make 

"up the present quarrels, get a little breathing time; 

• Siicle tie Louis XV. ch. x:dii 



;, Google 



1747. BATTLE OF LATJFFELD. 333 

" and then, perhaps, some people may come to their 
" senses, or some senses may come to them." * 

It was thia disunion in the allied army that caused it a 
check on the 2d of July, at the village of Lauffeld, ia 
front of Maestricht, The Dutch, in the centre, gave way 
and fled! the Austrians, on the right, under Marshal 
Bftthiany, ■would not move from their fortified position ; 
so that the entire brunt of the battle fell upon the British, 
oa the left. Assailed by the whole French army, which 
was animated by the presence of Louis, and directed by 
the genius of lie Saxe, the Duke of Cumberland could 
not long maintain his ground : he effected his retreat, 
however, in good order, leading the troofs to a new and 
strong position behind the Mouse. Tliey lost four stand- 
ards; but, notwithstanding their repulse, they captured 
six. The number of killed and wounded, on both sides, 
was great, and nearly equal. Marshal de Saxe after- 
wards owned, that his victory had cost him no less than 
8000 foot and 1000 horse.f " 'i'he great misfortune of 
" our position," writes the Duke of Cumberland, " was, 
" that our right wing was so strongly posted, that they 
" could neither be attacked nor make a diversion ; for I 
" am assured that Marshal Bathiany would have done all 
" in bis power to sustain me, or attack the enemy." J 
Both commanders showed high personal gallantry in the 
foremost ranks ; the Marshal being once nearly taken 
prisoner, and the Duke also once mixed with a squadron 
of French horse. The English horse suffered severely 
from their own ardour ; they broke at first whatever 
stood before them ; but hurrying on too far, were out- 
flanked by columns of foot, when their body was with 
great slaughter repulsed, and their chief, Sir John Ligo- 
nier, taken. The King of France gave a favourable re- 
ception to that officer, who had been bis subject by birth, 
but alienated from his country by the fanatic persecution 
of the Protestants. " Would it not be better," said Loub, 



• To Mr. Walpole, Aagnst 14. 1747. 

t Sir Everard Fawksner, Militaiy Secretary fo Sir Tliomas 
Eobinson, July 16. 1747. 

t Despatch to the Earl of Chesterfield, Jnly 3. 1 747. 



^dbyGOOglC 



334 niSTORY OF esgland, chap. xxs. 

" to think seriousiy of peace, instead of Leliolding the de- 
" struction of so many brave troopa ? " * 

Puraning hia success, the French commander detached 
Count Lowendahl, who, at the head of 30,000 men, 
rapidly traversed Brabant, and unexpectedly invested 
Berg-op-Zoom. This fortress, the key of Holland oa that 
side, and the master-pieee of the celebrated Cohom, was, 
besides its strong works and its numerous garrison, con- 
nected with an intrenched camp which 12,000 troops de- 
fended. Although the trenches were opened in the 
middle of July, it was not till the beginning of Septem- 
ber that breaches, and those only alight ones, were 
effected in the walls ; but the governor. Baron Cronatrom, 
a veteran of fourscore, unfortunately relied so much on the 
strength of the place as to neglect the usual precautions 
for security ; and thus Berg-op-Zoom waa taken by sur- 
prise on the 15th of September, with very slight resist- 
ance from the garrison. This disaster closed the cam- 
paign, the French reserving the siege of Maestricht for 
the opening of the next, and taking up quarters in their 
new conquests ; while the English and Dutch occupied 
the neighbourhood of Breda. It is difBcult to describe 
what melancholy apprehensions then prevailed in the 
British councils. Mr. Pelham writes to the Duke of 
Cumberland : — " we are told every day to exert, to arm, . 
" and to augment. The advice. Sir, is certainly good ; 
" but are we not almost brought to the necessity of 
" answering, as King William said to the man who ad- 
" vised him to change hands, — ' Tell Wyndham to 
" ' change hands,' who had but one ? Is not our case, Sir, 
" near to that ? Have we not gone almost as far aa we are 
" able ? Are there many more troops to be had ? Tho 

* SiScle de Louis XV. oh. sxvi. ToltMre charitably hints that 
LigoniCT might haye been put to death by way of reprisal "Des 
" Eeossais, offiders an service de rmnce^ ayaieuC peri par le dernier 
" Bajiplice en Anglotene dans I'infortune du Prince Charles Edonard." 
—It is said that Ligonier, when surrounded in the balfle, endeavoured 
fiDr some time to pass for one of the enemy's oiSceis, nnd even led the 
Fi'ench troops wiUi great alertness to an attack, in the hope of effect- 
ing his escape; but, unfortunately, the order of the Bath being 
observed tinder Ms coat, ho was recognised and secured. See Coxe's 
Pelham, vol. i, p. 3G0, 

H™.db,Googlc 



1747. 



335 



"Euasian'! tte King his oideied (to the numher of 
" 30,000) to be taken into our pay, if they will come. 
" To the Dmes intimations are given also ; bnt is there 
" the leaat reason to think His Majesty mil he successful 
" in that generous attempt ' And last of all, lu case he 
" should succeed, what will they cost ? And how shall 
" we get the money ? " * 

Happily, however, the French were not less inclined 
for peace, and availed themselves of Ligonier's captivity 
as an opening towards it. After a few vague remarks 
from Louis, De Saxe had several confidential discourses 
■with Sir John. The Marshal said that the King, his 
master, did not love war ; — that he, the Marshal, as little 
desiredto continue it;~that the whole EVench nation 
hated him ; — that were he to meet with one misfortune, 
the King himself oould not protect him ; — that he had 
already all the honour he wished for, and all the rewards 
for his services that he could ask, or the King gi-ant ; — 
that, in this situation, broken as he was also in his health, 
he could not but feel eager for a peace, — and that he 
knew his master did likewise. He, at last, proceeded to 
tell Ligonier, that the King of France desired he would 
return to the Duke of Cumberland, and assure His Eoyal 
Highness, in his name, of Ms wish to put an end to the 
wai; — that he thought this object would be best attained 
by themselves at the head of their respective armies ; 
that he knew the honour of the Duke too well to imagine 
he would engage in any thing without his Allies ; — but 
that, as the two armies would soon withdraw to winter- 
quarters, there would he time for His Eoyal Highness to 
receive the opinion of those Allies ; — and that he doubted 
not but they would have the wisdom to trust their in- 
terests to His Eoyal Highness's hands. " As to the King 
" of France," De Saxe added, " he looks to nothing for 
" himself ; he is willing to restore all Flanders as it now 
" is, except Fumes, which he expects to keep if you insist 
" on the total demolition of DuAirk ; but if you will let 
" that harbour remain as it is, he will then desire nothing 
" but the restitution of Cape Breton." Even this resti- 



^dbyGOOglC 



tution was only proposed as an exchange for Madras, 
which the French had lately succeeded in wresting ffom 
the English. " Genoa," continued the French Marshal, 
" ought to he restored, if taken, to the Repuhlic, and the 
" Duke of Modena reinstated in hia own dominions ; and 
" Spain must, for the honour of France, he included and 
" considered." All other details were skilfully passed 
over as easy of adjustment,* 

These unexpected overtures produced much pleasure, 
but some perplexity, in England. The Duke of Cum- 
bcdaad, who transmitted them, was eager to retain in 
his own hands the honour of negotiation, and the King 
showed no less anxiety to gratify his favourite son ; 
while, on the other hand, the Ministers trembled at his 
well-known violence of temper, and total inexperience in 
diplomatic affairs. It was apprehended that the secret 
object of France might perhaps be only to sow jealousies 
amongst the Allies, or to inveigle the hasty Duke into 
the signature of rash and ill-judged preliminaries. At 
length the Ministers consented to entrust the nominal 
negotiation to His Royal Highness ; but prevailed upon 
the King that the Earl of Sandwich, already employed as 
plenipotentiary in the Breda conferences, should be sent 
to head-quarters as the assistant (the Court phrase for 
director) of the Duke. Sandwich accordingly hastened 
over to Holland, and had a secret interview at Liege 
with the Marquis de Puisieuls, the French Minister of 
foreign affairs. ISotliing was decided between them as 
to the terms of a peace, but it was agreed to take the 
negotiation from military hands, and refer it to a Con- 
gress to be held at Aix la Chapelle. 

It soon appeared, however, that the wishes of the Allies 
for peace were not sincere or not lasting. The Empress 
Queen, irritated at the conduct of the French, in com- 
mencing and urging the war, was not willing to close it 
without some signal triumph, or solid advantage, over 
tfiem. The Prince of Orange and Duke of Cumberland, 
much as they differed on other points, agreed in a thirst 
of military fame, and a consequent desire of further mili- 
tary operations. George the Second was anxious, at this 



• IVfr. Pelham to Mi". "Walpole, July 30. 1747. 



..Google 



1747. DISSATISFACTION OP CHESrEIa?lELD. 337 

period, to conciliate the head of the Empire ; and for this, 
and his other petty German objects, coveted either exorbi- 
tant terms of peace, or an indefinite prolongation of war. 
Thus, therefore, though the first overtures of Prance haet 
been readily welcomed, amidst the dejection of military 
iailures and reverses, they were not cordiaUy pursued.. 
The measures to assemble the intended Congress were so- 
Blow and dilatory, on the part of the Allies, that the 
plenipotentiaries could not meet before the ensuing year ; 
whOe, on the other htnd, their preparations for the next 
campaign weie urged forward with unwonted activity 
and ardour It plainly appeared that their secret object 
was to delay the negotiation until it might proceed con- 
jointly with the mihtaiy movements, and until the bril- 
liant successes, which they foolishly anticipated, should 
enable them to dictate whatever terms they pleased. 

In the British Cabinet, the prudence of Mr. Pelhani» 
which induced him to sigh for peace, was always counter- 
acted, and, in general, overpowered, by another more 
selfish prudence, that watched and trembled at the first 
symptcms of Eoyal displeasure. The Dute of Newcastle, 
^er at all hazards to retrieve his own favour with the 
King, and incapable of any more long-sighted views, be- 
came a decided partisan and promoter of the war, and 
most frequently drew his reluctant brother in his train. 
To the Pelhams nearly all the other Ministers— selected, 
in general, for their subservience — tamely bowed; but 
not so the Earl of Chestoriield. From the first moment 
of his admission into the Cabinet, ho had made peace the 
main object of his care; he now urged the pressing 
necessity, and the exceUcnt opening, for it, with an 
eagerness that began to alienate his sovereign, and to 
embroil him with his colleagues. It was with great 
difficulty that, when Parliament met in October, the dis- 
cordant Ministers could concur in any expressions for 
the Eoyal Speech. Lord Marohmont^ who was then in 
London, and familiar with many of the leading statesmen, 
relates in his Diary,—" Lord Chesterfield told me there 
" was as yet no Speech ; that they had put it to the 
" Chancellor, who had desired to know what he was to 
" say ; that he saw he could not please them all three, 
" the Duke of Newcastle, Lord Chesterfield, and Mr. 



;, Google 



''=' HISTORY OF EKGLAND. CHAP. XXX. 

Pelham ; and therefore desired hiats, which as yet 

were not given him That Mr. Pelham and the 

Duke now_ conversed only through Mr. Stone, heing 
apt to fall into a passion when they coniJersed together ; 
that they would surely break, if Mr. Pelham did not 
think it would be the ruin of them both ; that Mr. 
Pelham's only concern was, that he might not be per- 
sonally attacked in the House of Commons ; and that, 
provided he was not made the object there, he was easy. 
" For this end, Ktt, and the Lyttletons, and Grenvilles, 
" mast have every thing they asked ; and now held half 
the places in the King's gift ; and then the old set, who 
hated these, came and asked when there would be no 
more Lyttletons, and Grenvilles to be pleased, that they, 
might have room for something ! Lord Chesterfield 
added, that Mr. Pelham had the same opinion of the 
Duke that we liad; and that the King had a most 
mortal hatred to him, worse than to any man in his 
dominions." * 

The project'of Chesterfield, in entering the Cabinet^ 
had been to govern George the Second through Lady 
Yarmouth, aa he onee had hoped through Lady Suffolk.f 
Over the one lady, as formerly over the other, his in- 
sinuating manners gained him an entire control ; but, 
in neither case, did the King allow political power to 
the mistress. The assiduities of Chesterfield, therefore, 
served rather to rouse the watchful jealousy of Newcastle 
than to secure his own ascendant. In his great public 
object, the peace, he could make no progress. In hig. 
more personal requests, he found himself no less thwarted, 
by his colleagues, who had formed, as he says, a settled 
3;esolution, that no person should be promoted through: 

• lord Marchmont's DiaiY, October 27. 1747. 

i " Locd Cheeterfleld, who was as mndi for peace as Lord 

"^irmgton, aimed at snperior, if not eupreme power, with the 

■•Kine. In the means he succeeded fiilly, having gained Lady 

" Yannooth's good-wni, and had ell the help she can give, most cor- 

^ diaUy. In the end be failed entireiy ; hiiving brought Hia Majestj- 

to no more than civility, fiunihaiitj, and, perhaps, liking to his 

conveaation.'' Mr. Fox to Sir C, H.WiUiams.Febmary 17. 1748. 

Tftangh no Mend to Chesterfield, Fox goea on to ndmit that " his 

Lordships province was most offensively enci'oached upon" by 

Kewcastle nnd Sandwich. 



..Gooj^lc 



1748. CHESTEKFIELD RESIGNS THE SBAIS. 339 

Li^ influence TIu' last qoettion he bi-ouglit to an issuer 
in tte case of his eousin Colonel George Stanhope, 
youngrtt am of the lato Pnme Minister, an officer of 
merit nho had di'ftinguished himself both at Dettingen 
and at Culloden lor him Chesterfield solicited a regi- 
ment , hut, though Hia Majesty gave away five in suc- 
ceaiion, the name oi btinhope was always omitted.*^ 
IXnder these circumstances. " what must the world think," 
said he, " hut that I coDtinue m foi the sake of 5000£ a 
" year ? " t and, in January, 1748, he formed the resolution 
to resign. As he writes to his confidential friend at the 
Hague : — " Could I do any good I would sa<irifice some, 
■ more quiet to it; but, convinced as I am that I can do. 
none, 1 will indu^ my ease, and preserve my character. 
I have gone through pleasures while my constitution 
and my spirits would allow me. Business succeeded 
them ; and I have now gone through every part of itj 
without liking it at all the hotter for being acquainted 
with it. Like many othw things, it is most admired 

by those who know it the least I have beea 

behind the scenes both of pleasure and of business ; I 
have seen all the coarse pulleys and dirty ropes which 
exhibit and move all the gaudy machines ; and I have 
seen and smelt the tallow-candles which illuminate the 
whole decoration, to the astonishment and admiration 

of the ignorant multitude Far from engaging in 

opposition, as resigning Ministers too commonly do, I 
shall, to the utmost of my power, support the King and 
his Grovemment ; which I can do with more advantage 
to them and more honour to myself when I do not re- 
ceive 5000/. a year for doing it My horse, my 

books, and my friends will divide my time pretty 
equaUy ; I shall not keep less company, but only better, 
for I shall choose it." J 

The first step of Chesterfield towai-ds resignation was 
to draw up an able memorial, setting forth the dangers 
of the war, and the necessity of taking serious measures 

. * Lord Marclimoiit'B Diaiy, October 27. 1747 ; and Febraaiy 5. 
1748. H. Fox to Sir 0. S. ■WilUams, JFebniary 17. 1748. 

■f Iiord Miirchmont'a Diary, December 24. 1747. 

t Lord Chaaterfield 1» Mr. Dayrolles, January 26., I'ebruarj' 9., 
Februaiy 23. 1748. 



^dbyGOOglC 



340 HISTOEY OF ENOLAND. CHAP, XXX. 

to close it; and finding that he could engage but one of 
his colleagues to concur in these opinions, he, on tho 
6th of February, waited upon his Eoyal Master, and gave 
up the Seals, The King expressed, in strong terms, 
value for his services, and regret at his departure ; hoped 
that he would not engage in opposition ; and offered to 
grant him a signal mark of his satisfaction by the title of 
Duke.* This, however. Lord Chesterfield respectfully 
decKned. He withdrew for the remainder of his years 
to private, or at least uoofBcial, life ; but still taking, 
when his liealth allowed, a prominent part in the House 
of Lords, In 1751, he had the honour to propose and 
carry along required improvement, — the Reformation of 
the Calendar, — assisted by two most able mathematici ana 
in the Houge and out of it, the Earl of Macclesfield and 
Mr. Bradley. The error of the old Calendar was gross, 
increasing, and avowed ; yet so strongly upheld by 
popular prejudice, that many statesmen shrunk from its 
correction. Chesterfield teUs us that, when he gave the 
Duke of Newcastle, as Secretary of State, previous notice 
of hia design. His Grace " was alarmed at so bold an un- 
" dertaking, and entreated me not to stir matters that 
" had been long quiet ; adding, that he did not love new- 
*' fangled things ! I did not, however, yield to the 
" cogency of these arguments, but brought in the Bill, 
" and it passed unanimously." f It was also the en- 
deavour of Chesterfield, by writing in some periodical 
papers of the day, to prepare the minds of the people for 
the change ; yet their resentment was both deep and 
lasting. When, in 1754, Lord Macclesfield's eldest son 
stood a great contested election in Oxfordshire, one of tho 
most vehemeat cries raised against him was, " Give us 
" back the eleven days wo have been robbed of ! " And 
even several years later, when Mr. Bradley, worn down 
by his labours in the cause of science, was sinking under 
mortal disease, many of the common people ascribed hia 
Bufferings to a judgment from Heaven, for having taken 
part in that " impious undertaking !"! 

The pursuits of Chcsterlield, in his retirement, were 



_700J^le 



1748. CHESTEBFIELD Kf KETJItEMENT. 341 

not, however, all praiseworthy, or even hsirmlesa. While 
in office, cither in Ireland or England, he had scrupu- 
lously forborne from touching a card ; but the passion 
remained; and, on the very evening of his resignation, 
he went to White's, and resumed his former habits of 
deep play.* 

It may, perhaps, be doubted, notwithstanding the phi- 
losophy with which Chesterfield affected to speak of office 
and ambition, whether he would have permanently perse- 
vered in his renouncement of them; hut, in 1752, he waa 
attacked with an ailment equally baneful to the honours 
of public, and to the enjoyments of private, life — the loss 
of hearing. Amidst his morldflcation at this infirmity ha 
could still allude to it with his usual lively flow of wit, 
" In spite of my strong hereditary right to deafness, how 
willingly would I part with it to any Minister, to whom 
hearing is often disagreeable ; or to any fine woman, 

to whom it is often dangerous I have tried a 

thousand infallible remedies, but all without success ! 

But I comfort myself with the reflection that I 

did not lose the power, tall after I had very near lost 

the desire, of hearing ! " f — But he clearly understood 

his altered situation. " Eetirement was my choice seven 

years ago; it has now become my necessary refuge. 

Public life and I are parted for ever."^ And accord- 

Lgly, in 1757, he wisely forboi-e from profiting by a 

most brilliant avenue to power, which opened before him, 

as the mediator between contending parties.^ 

Chesterfield had no children by his marriage ; but an 
iU^itimafe son, bom in 1732, had, even in his busiest 
moments, engaged no small portion of his thoughts and 
time. The education of that boy — his proficiency in 
classic, and still more in worldly, knowledge — and hia 
consequent success in public life — was always Chester- 
field's favourite, and grew, at last^ his only, object. But 
his anxious admonitions and exertions were by no meana 

* Maty'a Life, p. 307. 

t Letters to Mr. Dayrolles, April 17., May 19., June 30. 1752. 
The deafness of Cbesterfield forms the groundwork for one of 
Voltaire's prose tales, Les Ordllea du Comle de Chesterfield. 

t To Mr. DayroUeB, May 2. 1755. 

§ See Lord WaldegriiTC's Memoirs, p. 110. 



^dbyGOOglC 



342 HISTOKY OV ENGLAND. CHAP. XXS. 

Crowned with success. Philip Stanhope becamo a man of 
deep learning and sound sense ; but utterly wanting in 
■what hb father so highly prized — the graces. His ad- 
Tancement in the world was owing far more to Ms father's 
influence than to his own abilities ; he failed as a Parlia- 
mentary speaker ; and bad risen no higher in diplomacy 
than Envoy to Dresden, when he died, in 1768, 

From this period, the old age of Chesterfield, untU hia 
own death, in 1773, was desolate and cheerless. He 
adopted his youthful godson and next heir to the Earldom ; 
whom he found, however, uncongenial in temper, and 
little inclined to foUow bis advice. Accordingly, though 
bequeathing his estates to his successor, he cai-efufly 
guarded them against waste or dilapidation from horse- 
races, which be bad always contemned, or from bis own 
vice — now too late repented of— high play. His Will 
declares, " In case my said godson, Philip Stanhope, shall, 
" at any time hereafter, keep, or be concerned in keeping 
" of, any raee-borses, or pack of hounds; or reside one 
" night at Newmarket, that infamous seminary of ini- 
" quity and ill-manners, during the course of the raees 
" there ; or shall resort to the said races ; or shall lose, in 
" any one day, at any game or bet whatsoever, the sum of 
" 500/. ; then, in any of the cases aforesaid, it is my ex- 
" press will that he, my said godson, shall forfeit and pay, 
" out of my estate, the sum of 5000/., to and for the use 
'f of the Dean and Chapter of Westminster." * This last 
sentence comprises a lively touch of satire. The Earl 
had found, or believed that he found, the Chapter of 
Westminster of that day exorbitant and grasping in their 
negotiation with him of land for the building of Stanhope 
Street, in front of Chesterfield House ; and he declared 
that be now inserted their names in his will, because he 
felt sure that if the penalty should be incurred, they would, 
not be remiss in claiming it. 

It had appeared, on the death of Chesterfield's son, that 
he had secretly married, without his father's consent, 
or even knowledge: and the >vidow, upon Chesterfield's 
own demise, published, for profit, the whole correspond- 
ence of the Earl with her late hiisbaad ; a correspondence 



* EsjI of Ctestevfield's WiU, datad June 4. 



;,Goo»^lc 



1748. chesteefield's letters. 343 

written in tlie cloaest confidence and unreserve, and with- 
out the slightest idea of ever meeting the public eye. It 
is, howei'er, by these letters that Chesterfield's eharact«r, 
as an author, must stand or fall. Viewed as compositions, 
they appear almost unrivalled as models for a serious 
epistolary style ; clear, elegant, and terse, never straining 
at efiect, and yet never hurried into carelessness. While- 
constantly urging the same topics, so great is their variety 
of argument and illustration, that, in one sense, they ap- 
pear always different, in another sense, always the same.. 
They have, however, incurred strong reprehension oa 
two separate grounds ; first, because some of their maxims^ 
are repugnant to good morals ; and, secondly, as insisting, 
too much on manners and graces, instead of more solid 
acquirements. On the first charge, I have no defence to 
offer ; but the second is certainly erroneous, and arises 
only from the idea and expectation of finding a general 
system of education in letters that were intended solely 
for the improvement of one man. Toimg Stanhope was' 
sufficiently inclined to study, and embued with knowledge ;■ 
the difficulty lay in his awkward address and indifference 
to pleasing. It is against these faults, therefore, and 
these faults only, that Chesterfield points his battery of 
eloquence. Had he found hia son, on the contrary, a 
graceful but superficial trifler, his letters would, no doubt, 
have urged, with equal zeal, how vain are all accomplish- 
ments, when not supported by sterling information. In 
one word, he intended to write for Mr. Philip Stanhope, 
and not for any other person. And yet, even after this 
great deduction from general utility, it was still the opinion 
of a most eminent man, no friend of Chesterfield, and no 
proficient in the graces — the opinion of Dr. Johnson, 
" Take out the immorality, and the book should be put 
" into the hands of every young gentleman."* 

I now revert to Chesterfield's retirement from office.- 
It was Newcastle's desire that the vacant post might he 
filled by Lord Sandwich; but a superior cabal in the 
Cabinet bestowed it upon the Duke of Bedford, an 
honourable but hot-headed man ; moat ungraceful in hia 
manner and delivery, yet not destitute of powers of rea- 

* BosweE'a Life, 1776, voL vj. p. 175. ed. 1839. 



^dbyGOOglC 



344 HISTORY OF ENGLAMD. CHAP. SXX. 

soning or of just weight in the House of Lords ; upon the 
whole, perhaps, mainly recommended by hia high rank 
and pi-iucely fortune.* Sandwich, however, who was all 
this time a close friend of Bedford, succeeded His Grace 
as the head of the Admiralty, and was likewise despatched 
as plenipotentiary to Aix la Chapelle, where the Congress 
did not open until the 11th of March. At nearly the 
same season, commenced the campaign. But the war 
party in England, which had hoped to win brilliant suc- 
cesses, and to dictate trinmphaat terms, found its reliance 
on the new Dutch promises altogether deceived. Their 
stipulated contingents never appeared in the field ; and 
so far from supplying the sums they had undertjJten, 
they sent to London, at this very moment, to sohcit the 
loan of one million aterling.f Meanwhile the British 
resources were already drained and exhausted by our 
own demands. We learn that " money was never so 
" scarce in the City, nor the stocks so low, even during 
" the rebellion, as now -, 12 per cent, is offered for money, 
" and even that wiU not do." J 

To add to these discouragements, the Mareschal dc Sase 
proved himself as superior in skill, as he was in numbers, 
to the Duke of Cumberland. Completely deceiving His 
Eoyal Highness by some false demonstrations against 
Breda, he suddenly concentrated his forces before Maes- 
tricht, which he invested on the 3d of April. The Aus- 
trians wei-e driven back to Euremond, with the loss of 
their magazines ; the Russian ausiliaiies still lingered on 
their march through Franconia ; and the Dutch and Eng- 
lish combined were far too weak for ofi'ensive operations. 
Under these circumstances, the fall of Maestricht ap- 
peared certain, and the invasion of Holland probable. 

Thus pressed, and yielding to necessity, the British 
Ministers determined to close even with far less favour- 
able terms than they might lately have obtained. The 

• On the character of the Duke of Bedford, as on several points 
favonrably modified since ray second edition bj a perusal of his snb- 
iBequently pnbliied correspondBiice, see the nole dated 1844 in the 
Appendix to the fourth, volume of this Histoiy. (1852.) 

t Bute of Bedford to Mr. Pelham, Fobniarj 27. 1748. Coxe's 
Pelham. 

j Lord Chesterfield to Mr. Dajrolles, March 22. 1749. 



^dbyGOOglC 



114.S. PEELIMIKAEIES OP PEACE. 345 

views of Pelham tad always been pacific, and he now 
gafliered spirit to enforce them. Newcastle himself, who 
had promoted the war, not from honest conviction, but 
rather from jealousy of Chesterfield, having prevailed 
over his riv^, was no longer disinclined to peace. In 
April, accordingly, his Grace wrote to Lord Sandwich, 
declaring that the King, unable either to check the pro- 
gress of the French army, or to reconcile the discordant 
pretensions of his own Allies, had resolved, without the 
concurrence of the other powers, to accept the conditiouB 
which France was disposed to grant. Sandwich was, 
therefore, instructed to conclude a preliminary treaty, 
combined with a cessation of anna, especially in the Nether- 
lands ; to communicate the treaty to the plenipotentiaries 
of the Allies, and endeavour to obtain their concurrence ; 
but if they refused it, to sign without them.* 

In these instructions, the Dutch Govei-nment, swayed 
at this period hy the British, and by their own sense of 
danger, fully concurred. Count Bentinck, accordingly, 
on their part, as Lord Sandwich on tho part of England, 
pursued the negotiation with Count St. Severin, the ple- 
nipotentiary of France ; who, however, feeling his van- 
tage-ground, availed himself of itt He also hastened the 
result by threatening that the slightest delay in the ne- 
gotiation would be a signal for the French to destroy the 
fortifications of Tpres, Namur, and Berg-op-Zoom, and to 
commence the invasion of Holland, The Ministers of the 
other powers peremptorily refused to join ; but lata at 
night of the 30th of April, New Style, the preliminaries 
were finally adjusted and signed by tlie English, 'Dutch, 
and French plenipotentiaries. The following were the 
principal articles : — 

The renewal of all former treaties, except in such 
points as were specifically changed. 

The mutnal restitution of all conquests in every part 
of the world. 

• DukeofTTewcastle totheEarl of Sandwich, Aprils. 1748, O.S. 

t " M. St. Severin, io tte whole course of the negotiation, knew 
" his Guperiority, and made nse of it ; and I am. very apprehensive 
" that Home way or other, fron-. the Hague, he must haTB known the 
" substance of my instructions." Lord Sandwich to the Duke of 
Newcaedo, May 1, 174S, 



^dbyGOOglC 



346 IIISTOKY OP EKCiLAND. CHAP. 



"Dankirk to remain fortified towards tlic land in its 
actnal condition, and towards the sea on tke footing of 
ancient treaties ; in other words, the works on that side 
to be demolished. 

The Duchies of Parma and Guastalla and Placentia, to. 
he assigned to the Infant Don Philip ; but, in case he, 
should either die without issue, or succeed to the throne, 
of Naples, Parma and Guastalla to rerert to the House of 
Austria, and Placentia to the King of Sardinia. 

The Duke of Modena, and the Republic of Genoa, to be 
reinstated in their fonner temfories, comprising the resti- 
tution of Finale. 

The cessions made fo the King of Sardinia, by the treaty 
of Worms, to be confirmed, with the exception of Pla- 
centia and Finale. 

The Asiento treaty to be rerived for four years,, the 
period of its suspension during the wai-. 

The articles in the treaty of 1718, on the guarantee of 
the Protestant succession, and the exclusion from France 
of the Pretender and his family, to be confirmed and. 
executed. 

The Emperor to be acknowledged by France in his Im- 
perial dignity, and the guarantee of the Pragmatic Sanc- 
tion to be renewed. 

The Duchy of Silesia and tlie county of Glatz to be 
guaranteed to the King of Prussia. 

With these preliminaries was also signed an aet for the 
suspension of hostilities. 

Never, perhaps, did any war, after so many great 
events, and so large a loss of blood and treasure, end in 
replacing the nations engaged in it so nearly in the same 
situation as they held at first. Tet, notwithstanding the 
exhausted state of the British finances, and the depression 
wrought by the disasters in the Netherlands, these terms 
— especially the restitution of Cape Breton — were far 
from popular in England.* The Ministers, however, 
might well congratulate themselves on escaping so easily 
from the results of their own rashness. When the King 
found peace unavoidable on less advantageous conditions 
than he had lately shrunk from, he testily observed, 

• Tind^'e Hist. vol. ix. p. 361. 



^dbyGOOglC 



1748. KESENTHENT AT VIENNA AND TUlilN. 347 

" Chesterfield told me six months ago, that it would be 
" so ;" and the Earl himself could not refrain from boast- 
ing how his predictions were fulfilled. " I am heartily 
" glad," he writes, " that the peace is made. 1 was for 
" making it sooner, and consequently better. I foresaw 
« and foretold our weakness this campaign, and would have 
'•' prevented by a timely negotiation, last October, those 
" evident dangers to which it must necessarily expose us, 
" and which we have escaped more by our good fortune 
" than our wisdom. I may add, that my resignation 
" made this peace, as it opened people's eyes as to the 
" dangers of the war. The Republic is saved by it from 
" utter ruin, and England from bankruptcy." * 

At the same time, however, indignation aad resent- 
ment prevailed at the Courts of Turin and of Vienna. 
The King of Sardinia could ill brook the alienation of 
Placentia and Finale ; and tlie Empress Queen, in spite 
of every representation from Sir Thomas Robinson, not 
only refused to concur in the preliminaries f, but pub- 
licly protested against them. The whole summer was 
consumed before these obstacles could be surmounted; 
but the negotiations at Ais were still conducted by Lord 
Sandwich, and he received directions, partly from Mr. 
Pelham and the Government in London, and partly from 
the King and the Duke of Newcastle, who had repaired 
to Hanover. At length, after a tangled web of most 
wearisome discussions, a definitive treaty was signed ia 
October by all the belligerent powers. This peace con- 
firmed and established the terms of the preliminaries, — 
hut it contained no stipulation on the first cause of the 
i^ar, the commercial clmms of England upon Spain ; and 
it was clogged with a clause most unwelcome to the 
Britbh pride — that hostages should be given to France 
for the i-estitution of Cape Breton. Two noblemen of 
distinguished rank, the Earl of Susses and Lord Cath- 
eart, were accor^ngly selected for this purpose and sent 

* To Mc. DayroUas, May 13. 1748. 

-f Her Majesqr'a passionate exclamadons at the news — "I am 
" neither a child noc a tbol I . . . Good God 1 how liaye I been 
" used 1 . . . There is yavr King of Prosaa ! . . . . No, no, I wUl 
"rather lose my head;" &o. — maj be eeen ft-om Eobinaon's de- 
BpaWhes in Coxe's House of AuBtria, vol. iii. p. 353. 



idb,Googlc 



o4S HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP, -x-r-r, 

to Paris. At the news of their arrival, Prince Charles, 
it is said, displayed the highest indignation, and ex- 
claimed with more of patriotism than of prudence, "If 
" ever I mount the throne of my ancestors, Europe shall 
" see me use my utmost endeavours to force Franco in 
" her turn to send hostages to England ! " * 

The definitive treaty being thus concluded, it bceame 
necessary for France to fulfil its engagement with regard 
to the expulsion of the young Pretender. On his return 
from Scotland, Charles had been favourably received by 
Louis; a burst of applause had signalised his first ap- 
pearance at the Opera ; and he found that both by King 
and people his exploits were admired, and his sufferings 
deplored. For Bome of his most faithful followers, as 
Lochiel and Lord Ogilvie, he bad obtained commissions 
in the French service ; and a pension of 40,000 livres 
yeai-ly had been granted him for the relief of the rest ; 
but when he appUed for military succours — urging that 
a, new expedition should be fitted out and placed at his 
disposal — he found the Court of Versailles turn a deaf 
ear to his demands. Once, indeed, it was hinted to him 
by Cardinal Tencin, that the Ministers might not be dis- 
incliced to meet his views, provided, in case of his suc- 
cess, the kingdom of Ireland should be yielded as a, 
province to the crown of France. But the high spirit of 
Charles could ill hi-ook this degrading offer. Scarcely 
had Tencin concluded, when the Prince, starting from 
his seat and passionately pacing the room, cried out, non 

H0N8IECK LE C4RBINAI, ! TOUT OU EIEn! POINT DS TAK- 

TAGE ! The Cardinal, alarmed at his demeanour, has- 
tened to assure him that the idea was entirely his own, 
conceived from his great afiection to the Exiled Family, 
and not at all proceeding from, or known to, King Louis.f 
The applications of Cliai'les were not confined to 
France; early in 1747, he undertook an adventuroua 
journey to Madrid, and obtained an audience of the 
King and Queen, but found them so much in awe of the 
British Court, as to allow him only a fevir hours' stay.j 

• Locfelinrt Papers, vol. ii. p. 5VS. 
t Ibid., ToL ii. p. 668. 

} See a ve:y curioug account of tliis journey by Charles himself in 
his letter of March 12. 1747. Appendix. 



ib,Googlc 



1748. PRINCE CHARLES AGAIN AT PAEIS. 349 

He nest turned his hopes towards Frederick of Prussia. 
In April 1748 ho despatched Sir John Graham to Berliu 
with instructions, " To propose, in a modest manner, a 
" marriage with one of them. To declare that I never 
" intend to marry but a Protestant ; and, if the King re- 
" fuses an alhance with him, to ask advice whom to take, 
" as he ia known to be the wisest Prince in Europe."* 
This scheme, however, though promising success for & 
short time, ended like the rest in failure. 

Ere long, moreover, domestic discord arose to embitter 
the coldness or hostility of strangers. Charles's brother 
having secretly quitted Paris without any previous notice 
to him, had returned to Some and resolved to enter Holy 
Ordei'B. With the concurrence of the old Pretender, and 
by a negotiation with the Pope, be was suddenly named 
a Cardinal, on the 3rd of July, 1747, the design being 
concealed from Charles until a few days before, so as to 
guard against his expected opposition.f Itis difficult to 
describe with how much consternation the tidings struck 
the exiled Jacobites ; several did not hesitate to declare 
it of much worse consequence to them than even the battle 
of Culloden4 Charles himself, as ho was the most in- 
jured, appeared the most angry ; he broke off all corre- 
spondence whatever witli his brother, and his letters to 
his father from this time forward became brief, cold, and 
constrwned. 

At the peace of Aix-la-Chapelle, the Fi'ench Court, 
though willing to relinquish Charles's cause, and to sti- 
pulate his exclusion from their territories, were not 
wholly unmindful of his interests nor of their promises. 
They proposed to establish him at Friburg, ia Switzer- 
land, with the title of Prince of Wales, a company of 
guards, and a sufficient pension. In Charles's circum- 
stances there was certainly no better course to take than 

• Instmctions for Sir John Graliam in Charles's writing, and 
dated April 4. 1748. Stuart Tapers. It is remai-liable that the 
Dnke of Hawcastle writes to the Lord Chancallor, Sepl«mbec 21, 
1753; "The King of Prussia is now avowedly the principal, if not 
" the sole, eapport of the PyeWnder and of the Jacobite cause." 
Cose's Pelliam. 

t James to Prince Charles, June 13. 1747. See Appendut. 

J Mr. Hay to Mr. Edgiu-, Jdj 26. 1747. Stuart Papers. 



^dbyGOOglC 



350 HISTORr OP ENSLAKD. CHAP. ,xsx. 

to accept these terms. But the lower he sank in fortunes 
the higher he thought himself bound to rise in spirit. 
He placed a romantic point of honour in hraving the 
" orders from Hanover," as he called them, and positively 
refused to depart from Paris. Threats, entreaties, argu- 
ments were tried on him in vain. He withstood even a 
letter, obtained from his father at Kome, and commanding 
his departure. He still, perhaps, nourished some secret 
expectation that King Loais would not venture to use 
force against a kinsman ; but he found himself deceived. 
As he went to the Opera on the evening of the Ilth of 
December, his coach was stopped by a party of French 
guards, himself seized, bound hand and foot^ and con- 
veyed, with a single attendant, to the state-prison of 
A'incennes, where he was thrust into a dungeon, seven 
feet wide and eight long. After this public insult, and 
a few days' confinement, he was carried to Pont de Beau- 
voisin, on the frontier of Savoy, and there restored to his 
wandering and desolate freedom.* 

The first place to which Charles repaired upon his 
liberation was the Papal city of Avignon. But in a very 
few weeks he again set forth, attended only by Colonel 
Goring, and bearing a fictitious name. From this time 
forward his proceedings during many years are wrapped 
in mystery; all his correspondence passed through the 
hands of Mr. 'Waltera, his hanker at Paris: even his 
warmest partisans were seldom made acquainted with 
his place of abode ; and though he still continued to 
write to his father at intervals, his letters were never 
dated. Neither friends nor enemies at that time could 
obtain any certain information; of bis movements or de- 
signs. Now, however, it is known that he visited Venice 
and Glermany, that he resided secretly for some time at 
Paris, that he undertook a mysterious journey to England 
in 1750, and perhaps another in 1752, or 1753; but his 
principal residence was in the territory of his friend the 
Duke de Bouillon, where, surrounded by the wide and 
lonely forest of Ardennes, his active spirit sought in the 

* Charles wrote a, most minute aceonnt of this transactioD, in the 
thii'd person ; it was published !is " Lettre d'uii offidei' Fi-an^ais k son 
" ami a Loniires ;" anti llie MS. is still amongst the Struirt Papers. 



_iooj^le 



1748. MISS WALKfflSHAW. 331 

dangerous chase of boars and wolves an image of the 
■warlike enterprise wiiich ivaa denied him. It was not 
till the death of his father in 1766 that he returned to 
Eome, and became reconciled to his brother. But his 
character had darkened with hia fortunes. A long train 
of disappointments and humiliations working on a fiery 
mind, spurred it almost infti frenzy, and degraded it. 
The habit of drinking, which for some years he indulged 
without restraint, seems to have been first formed during 
Lis Highland adventures and escapes ; when a dram of 
whiskey might sometimes supply the want of food and of 
rest. Thus was the habit acquired, and, once acquired, 
it continued after the cause of it had ceased, and even 
grew amidst the encouragement of Ms exiled friends. 
The earliest hint I have found of this vice in Charles, is 
in a letter of April, 1 747, addressed to Lord Dunbar, but 
only signed by the initial of the writer.* It alleges that 
an Irish Cordelier, named Kelly, has of late been much 
in the Prince's society and confidence ; that Kelly loves 
good wine with all the fervoiir of a monk ; and that, by 
this means, " His Eoyal Highness's character in point of 
" sobriety has been a little blemished." A century be- 
fore. Lord Clarendon reproaches the banished loyalists 
with intemperanc* *, at all times the fatal resource of 
poverty and sorrow ; but the Prince, who could not re- 
lieve them by his bounty, should at least have forborne 
from degrading them by his example. 

Still more imprudent, perhaps, was his conduct with 
regard to Miss Walkinshaw. This lady, it is said, first 
became known to him in Scotland ; he sent for her some 
years after his return from that country, and soon al- 
lowed her such dominion over him that she became ac- 
quainted with all his schemes, and trusted with his most 
secret correspondence. As soon as this was known in 
England, his principal adherents tcok alarm, believing 
that she was in the pay of the English Ministers, and 
observing that her sister was housekeeper of the Dow- 
ager Princess of Wales. So much did they think their 
own safety endangered, that they despatched Mr. Mac- 



;, Google 



352 HISTORY c 



'. XXX. 



Namara, one of tlieir most trusty agents, with instruc- 
tions to lay their apprehensions hefore the Prince, and 
to insist that the lady should, for some time at least, be 
confined to a convent. In answer Charles declared that 
he had no violent passion for Miss Walkinshaw, and 
coold see her removed from him without concern, but 
that he would not receive directions in respect to his 
private conduct from any man alive. In vain did Mr. 
MacNamara try every method of persuasion, and fre- 
quent renewals of his argument. Charles thought it a 
point of honour, that none should presume on his ad- 
versity to treat him with disrespect, and determined to 
brave even the ruin of his interest (for such was the 
alternative held out to him) rather than hate one iota of 
his dignity. MacNamara at length took leave of him 
with much resentment, saying, as he passed out, "'WlLat 
" can your family have done, Sir, thus to draw down the 
" vengeance of Heaven on every branch of it through so 
" many ages ? " * — Upon his report, most of the remain- 
ing Jacobite leaders, irritated at their rrince'a pride, 
and soon afterwards won over hy the splendid successes 
of Lord Chatham, seized the opportunity to break off all 
connection with the exQes, and to rally in good earnest 
round the Reigning Family. 

In a former chapter I have described the person and 
manner of Charles as ho appeared in youth ; let me now 
add a portrait of him in his later years. An English 
lady, who was at Eome in 1770, observes, " The Pre- 
" tender is naturally ahovo the middle size, but stoops 
"excessively; he appears bloated and red in the face; 
" his countenance heavy and sleepy, which is attributed 
" to his having given into excess of drinking : but whea 
" a young man he must have been esteemed handsome. 
" His complexion is of the fair tint, his eyes blue, his 
'I hair light brown, and the contour of his face a long 
*■ oval ; he is by no means thin, has a noble person, and 
" a graceful manner. His dress was scarlet laced with 
" broad gold lace ; he wears the blue riband outside of 
" his coat, from which depends a cameo, antique, as lai^e 
" as the palm of my hand ; and he wears the same Garter 



* Dr. KiEg's Anecdotes, p. 307. 



..Google 



1748. THE COtNTESS OP ALEANT. 833 



" and motto rs those of the noble Order of St. George in 
" England. Upon the whole, he has a melancholy, mor- 
" tified appearance. Two gentlemen constantly attend 
" him ; tliey are of Irish extraction, and Eoman Catho- 

" lies you may be sure At Princess Palesti-ina's he 

" asked me if X understood the game of taeeochi, which 
" they were about to play at. I answered in the negative ; 
" upon which, taking the pack in his hands, he desired 
" to know if I had ever seen sueh odd cards. 1 replied, 
" that they were ¥ery odd indeed. He then displaying 
" them siud, here is everything in the world to he found 
" in these cards — the sun, moon, the stars ; and here, 
" says he (throwing me a card), is the Pope'; here is the 
" Devil; and, added he, there is but one of the trio 
" wanting, and you know who that should be ! I was so 
" amazed, so astonished, though he spoke tliis last in a 
" laughing, good-humoured manner, that I did not know 
" which way to look ; and as to a reply, I made none." * 
In his youth Charles, as we have seen, had formed the 
resolution (if marrying only a Protestant princess ; how- 
ever, he remained single during the greater part of his 
career, and when in 1754 he was urged by his father to 
take a wife, he replied, " The unworthy behaviour of 
" certain Ministers, the 10th of December, 1748, has put 
" It out of my power to settle any where without honour 
or interest being at stake : and were it even possible for 
me to find a plaee of abode, I think our family have had 
sufferings enough, which will always hinder me to marry, 
so long as in misfortune, for that would only conduce 
" to increase misery, or subject any of the family that 
" should have the spirit of their father to be tied neck and 
" heel, rather than yield to a vile Ministry." f Never- 
theless in 1772, at the age of fifty-two, Charles espoused 
a Roman Catholic, and a girl of twenty. Princess Louisa 
of Stolberg.| This union proved as unhappy as it was 

* LetterB from Italy ly an Englishwoman (Mrs. Miller), London, 
1776, vol. ii. p. 198. This description of Charles's eounienance well 
agrees with the portrait taken in 1776 hy Oaias Htmiphiy, of which 
an engraving is given in tlie Cnlloden Papers, p, 227. 

f Rince Charles to Mr. Edgar, March 24. 1754. StuHrt Papers. 

j Her mother. Princess Stolberg. survived tjll 1826. I was onca 
innodueed to hta' at Frnnkfort, and fonnd her in eKtreme old age, 

TOL. m. A A 



^dbyGOOglC 



854 HISTORY OF EKGLAKE. CHAP. XXX, 

ill assorted. Cliarles treateil iiis young wife with very 
little kindness. He appears, in fact, to ha^e contracted 
a disparaging opinion of her sex in general ; and I have 
found, in a paper of his writing about that period, " As 
" for men, I have studied them closely ; and were I to 
" live till fourscore, I could scarcely know them better 
" than now : but as for women, I have thought it useless. 
" they being so much more wicked and impenetrable." * 
Ungenerous and ungrateful words ! Surely, as he WTot« 
-them, the image of Flora Macdonald should have risen in 
Lis heart and restrained hb hand 1 

The Count and Countess of Albany (such was the 
title they bore) lived together during several years at 
Florence, a harsh husband and a faithless wife ; until at 
length, in 1780, weary of constraint, she eloped with her 
lover Alfleri. Thus left alone in his old age, Charles 
called to his house his daughter by Miss Walkinshaw, 
and created her Duchess of Albany, through the last 
exercise of an expiring prerogative. She was bom about 
1760, and survived her father only one year. Another 
consolation of his dotage was a silly regard, and a frequent 
reference, to the prophecies of Nostradamus, several of 
which I have found among his papers. Still clinging to 
a visionary hope of his restoration, he used always to 
keep under his bed a strong box with 12,000 sequins, 
ready for the expenses of his journey to England, when- 
ever he might suddenly be called thither-t In 1785. 
Charles returned to Rome with his daughter. His health 
Lad long been declining, and his life more than once 
despaired of; but in Januaiy, 1788, he was seized with 
a paralytic stroke, which deprived him of the use of one 
half of the body, and he expired on the 30th of the same 
montb.J His funeral rites were performed by his brother 

Btill lively and agreeable. It is Eingnlar that a man lionj eighty-fiye 
yeais alter the ChevaliBr should ha^e seen his mother-in-law. 

• StnHrt Papers, Orig. ia French. See Appendii:. 

J DespaMh of Sii" Horace MaQQ, Novembec SO. 1779. MS. 

i The iJate pnbhclT assigned was the 31st of January ; bnt I 
have heen informed that he really died on the SOth ; and ihat his 
attendauM, dislikuig the caaen, as the annivereaiy of King Charles's 
execntion, notwithstanding the difference of the Old and Few Stjle, 
concealed hk death during the night, and asserted that ho had died 



_7 00j^le 



1748. THE LAST STUAETS. 353 

the Cardinal, at Frascati *, but his coffin was afterwards, 
removed to St. Peter's at Rome. Beneath that unrivalled 
domeliemouldering the remains of what was once a brave, 
and gallant heart ; and a stately monument, from the 
chisel of Canova, but at the charge, as I believe, of the 
House of Hanover, has since arisen to the Memory of 
James the Third, Chables the Tturd, and Henet 
THE Ninth, Kings of Ehgiand — names which an Eng-, 
lishmaa can scarcely read without a smile or a sigh!. 
Often at the present day does the British traveller turn 
from the sunny height of the Pincian, or the carnival 
throngs of the Corso, to gaze in thoughtful silence oa 
that sad mockery of human greatness, and that last re-r 
cord of ruined hopes. The tomb before him is of a race 
justly expelled ; the magnificent temple that enshrines it 
is of a faith wisely reformed ; yet who at such a moment 
would harshly remember the errors of either, and might 
" )t join in the prayer even of that erring church for the 
"-aesiles: eequiescant in pace ! 



Thus ended a party, often respectable for generous 
motives, seldom for enlarged views or skilful designs. In 
their principles the Jacobites were certainly mistaken, 
They were wrong in shutting their eyes to the justice, 
necessity, and usefulness of the Revolution of 1688. They 
were wrong in struggling against the beneficent sway of 
the House of Hanover. They were wrong in seeking to 
impose a Eoman Catholic head upon the Protestant Church 
of England. But we, on our part^ should do well to re-: 
member that the Eevolution of 1^8 was not sought but 
forced upon us — that its merit consists partly in the re- 
luctance with which it was embraced — that it was only 
an exception, though fully justified by the emergency, 
from the best safeguard of liberty and order, the prin- 
ciple of HEHEDrrAKY EiSHT. Can there be a greater proof 

at nine o'clock the next morning. This was told me liy CarclinQl 
Caccia Hatti, at Home, who had heard it from soma of the Prince's 
honsehold. 
* Letter from Eome (Annusil Itcgisler, vol. xsx. p. 255.). 



;, Google 



356 HiSTORr OF England. chap. xxx. 

of the value of that principle, than the firmness which so 
many hundred thousands, under the name of Jaeohites, 
continued to cling to it for so many years after its infrac- 
tion? And what wise statesman would willingly neglect 
or foi-ego an instrument of Government so easily acquired, 
so cheaply retained, and so powerfully felt ? 

How soon, on the decay of the Stuart cause, other dis- 
contents and cahals arose, the eloquent Letters of Junius 
— embalming the petty in t — 1 e suf&cicnt to 

attest. In these no great p pi involved ; but 

ere long, the battle of part m t h f ught on Ame- 

rican ground ; and, under th d P tt the efforts of 

the Jacobites were succe 1 d by th fi cer and more 
deadly struggle of the Ja h I deed in the whole 

period since the Eevolut to h p nt hour, there 
has not been a single epo 1 j f m most angry par- 
tisajiship, unless it be the h rt adnu ■ition of Chat- 
ham. This unceasing din 1 1 m 1 f faotions — this 
eternal war that may ofte t mp g tier spirit, like 
Lord Falkland's, to sigh forth "Peace, peace, peace!" has 
also provoked attacks from the most opposite quarters 
against our admirable system of tempered freedom. The 
favourer of despotism points to the quiet and tranquillity 
which are sometimes enjoyed under unlimited Kings. 
" Endeavour," cries the Eepublican, " to allay the popular 
" restlessness by conceding a larger measure of popular 
" control." Between these two extremes there lies a 
more excellent way. May we never, on the plea that 
■conflagration 8 often rage amongst us, consent to part with 
that noble flame of liberty which warms and cherishes 
the nations, while — a still higher blessing — it enlightens 
them ! Let us, on the other hand, not be unmindful of 
the fact^ that the wider the sphere of popular dominion, 
the louder does the cry of faction inevitably grow; and 
that the unreasonableness of the demands rises in the 
same proportion as the power to arrest them fails. The 
truth is, that so long as ignorance is not allowed to 
trample down education and intellect — that is, so long 
as order and property are in any degree preserved, so 
long it is atill possible to make complaints against "the 
" privileged few." Any thing short of anarchy may be 
railed at as aristocracy. 



^dbyGOOglC 



1748. THE LAST STUARTS. 357 

For ourselves wto, turning awhile from the strife and 
contention of the liotir, seek to contemplate the deeds of 
the mighty dead, let us always endeavour to approach 
them reverentially and calmly, as judges, not as parti- 
sans. I know not indeed that it is needful, or even de- 
sirable — not at least for men engaged in active life — to 
divest themselves of all their feelings for the present, 
while reviewing the transactions of the past. He who 
docs not feel strongly, has no right to act strongly in 
state affairs ; and why should he who feels strongly, and 
who wishes to speak sincerely, suppress and glide over 
in his writings those principles which guide and direct 
him in his life? But with equal sincerity that those 
principles are avowed and professed whenever reference 
happens to occur to them — with the same spirit as that 
in which the venerable Head of our Law may revert 
from a debate in the Lords to a trial in the Court of 
Chancery — let us, when commenting on by-gone days — ■ 
when the public welfare can no longer call, as we con- 
ceive, for vehement expressions, or be served by decisive 
measures — earnestly resolve and strive to give every 
person and every party their due, and no more than their 
due. Thus alone can we attain the noble aim of History, 
" Philosophy teaching by examples ; " — thus alone can 
we hope to inform the minds of others, and to chasten 
and exalt our own; — thus alone, after party plaudits 
are stilled in death, may we yet aspire to the meed of 
honourable fame. 



^dbyGOOglC 



idb,Googlc 



APPENDIX. 



idb,Googlc 



idb,Googlc 



EXTRACTS 



THE STUART PAPEKS. 



E^RL MARISCHAl TO JAMES. 

Val de Avero, June 21. 1740. 

As I am in the country any news I eouid send would come 
a post later tlian what your Majesty will have from th9 
Duke of Ormond, He taa asked leave to retire, and I 
design to do the same when he docs, for since he could do 
nothing it is Tery sure I cannot ; neither can I Kve in 
Madrid, not being paid, but at a very considerable ex- 
pense, and though your Majesty should be pleased to offer 
me what might support me, I should think myself obliged 
to refuse it, when Iknew it would be money ill employed, 
and that you have more necessary uses for it. I propose, 
when I leave this country, to go iiye either in Switzer- 
land or in Venice, both cheap places for a retirement. la 
Venice, I have no need of any unnecessary equipage, and 
I shall he nearer to pay iny court from time to time to your 
Majesty and to the Princes, if, by misfortune, you should 
remain yet some time in Rome. If I could be of any real 
service to your Majesty with you in Eome I should solicit 
that honour, and I know you would grant my request. 
If I could be of any service as a negotiator in some other 
place, I would propose it to your Majesty, but I know I 
cannot, and that it is an employment for which I am no- 



;, Google 



ways fit, unless I couid go home fo negotiate, which I 
cannot. And therefore I hope your M^esty will he so 
good as to allow me to hve quietly with a great Plutarch, 
in the way I wish, until there comes an occasion, for real 
service, when you shaU find me always ready. I shall 
expect this indulgence from your Majesty, not for my ser- 
vices, but for my good will fo have served you, if I had 
had the occasion. 

Tbeoddness of the proceedings of Nicholas (the King 
of Spain) makes an odd notion come into my head, that 
he manages the Court of England in the manifesto he 
made public It is the pride of the people made the King 
make war. Every Protestant subject of Proby (Britain) 
has been treated with spite except two in Cadiz, and yet 
Mr. Keene was treated not only with civility at his going, 
hut with kindness. They have shunned to name you. 
Sir, so much as once ; what they have done might serve, 
or they might think so, to distress the people, but nothing 
has been intended against the English Government, which 
they know was forced into the wai, and which, I am per- 
suaded, they count on as ready to forward peace aa soon 
as they dare, and therefore manage that Government still. 
They think the people who occasioned the war will soon 
grow tired of it ; and therefore endeavour to distress 
them by all means, and manage the Engh-h Government 
The King of Spain refused to the Duke of Ormond an 
audience ; all which confirms me in this odd notion of 

What I say of my retiring is meant, when not being 
paid I cannot stay here : and when I ■jee I can be of no 
use to your Majesty here. 

I am, with the most respectful ^ttachm nt, & 



MK. THOMAS CARTE TO JAMES. 

Indorsed, Seed. April IT. 1741. 
The late attempt against Sir Robert Walpoic in the 
Houses of Lords and Commons in England seeins to have 
been very ill managed and concerted; at least in the 

H,::,-.:lh;,G00»^IC 



1741 STUART PAPERS. *V 

latter. It was set on foot by the Duke of Argyle and the 
parfj of old Whigs, without either concerting measures 
with the Tories, or acquainting them with the matter ; so 
that when it was moved in the Commons Sir John Hinde 
Cotton, and Sir Watkia Williams were forced to go about 
the House to solicit their friends to stay tKc debate, which 
they were vexed should be brought on without their con- 
currence: and all they could say could not keep Will 
Shippen and 23 others of the Tories from leaying the 
House in a body. All Prince Frederick's servants, and 
party also, except Lyttlcton, Pitt, and Greavillo, Lord 
Cobham's nephew, left the House ; so that though they 
were once above 500 members in the House, when the 
question came to be put, about four in the morning, there 
were not above 400 present. Had all Sir Robert's actual 
opposers staid, he would not have carried the question by 
above 60 votes ; but the retiring of so many, encouraged 
others te stay, and even vote for him, who durst not else 
have done it. Among those who so voted were Lord 
Cornbury, Lord Quarendon, the Earl of Lichfield's son, 
Mr. Bathurst, son of the Lord of that name, and Lord An- 
dovcr, son to the Earl of Berkshire ; though the fathers 
of the three last voted against Sir Robert WaJpole in the 
House of Lords ; which is an odd circumstance enough, 
Mr. Sandys moved for an Address to remove Sir Eobert 
from all his posts, &c. ; his speech was a very good one, 
and his accusation of Sir Robert was very strong, clear, 
and methodical He was seconded by Lord Limerick; 
and then Wortley Montagu got up, and moved, that Sir 
Robert might make his answer to the charge, and with- 
draw. Precedents were demanded, and searched; but 
none could befoimd, in the hurry, for the House's order- 
ing a member accused to withdraw whilst his case is de- 
lated : another proof of the affeir not being well concerted 
and considered ; for bodies of men always go by prece- 
dents ; and there are enough in the Journals of an accused 
member being ordered to withdraw. This weak attempt 
to ruin Sir Robert has established him more firmly in the 
Ministry; aJid he was never known to have so great a 
levee as the nest morning : though it is marking him out 
to the nation ; and Ministers once attacked in such a man- 
Jier, though the attack be defeated, seldom keep their 



^dbyGOOglC 



Vi APPENDIX. 1743. 

posts long, by reason of the general odium; andtheDiike 
of Buckingham had a worse fate in 1628. Sir Eobert, 
however, is as yet ahsolute master of the administration ; 
and as the squabbles and animosities between those left 
in it last year obstructed all business then, he will take 
care probably to have it so modelled, now that his master 
is going to Germany, for his purpose, that all the power 
will be in his own tands. I wish he may make a proper 
use of it. 



MR, THOMAS CARTE TO JAMES. 

Paris, May A. 1743. 

Upon my arrival ia England last year, I found the ma- 
jority in Parliament, which had been at first in favour of 
the OppositioD, turned to the advantage of the Court, by 
the defection of some of the chiefs of 3ie old Whigs, who 
Lad entered with the late Minister into several stipu- 
lations ; the three principal of which were, to screen him 
from public justice; to keep up a standing army; and to 
support Hanover at the expense of England : and, in con- 
sideration thereof, one of the ofiices of Secretary of State, 
and the two Boards of the Treasury and Admiralty, were 
to be at the disposal of Mr. Pulfeney and his friends. It 
was necessary to keep this transaction private, because 
there was such a spirit at that time in Parliament, as 
well as the nation, (all offers of places, of pensions, and of 
money, having been rejected by the meanest and most in- 
digent member of the House of Commons,) that, had their 
measures been known, they would, in all appearances, 
Lave been defeated. Thus Sandys, Kusbout, and Gibbon 
were put into tho Treasury, at the head of which Lord 
"Wihnington, an old, infirm, quiet, and inactive man, 
presided, till Mr. Pulteney could take the charge upon 
him, who, in the mean time, declaimed as much as ever 
against taking a place himself, and thereby preserved his 
credit with a great many of his party ; though his play 
was well enough seen into by the heads of the Tories, and 



^dbyGOOglC 



1743. STUART PAPERS. vii 

particularly by Sir John. St. Aubin, who ■was always one 
of those deputed by this last party to treat with Pulteney, 
Winchelsea, and other chiefs of the old Whigs, and who 
gave mo this account in the middle of March was twclvo 
month, the first time I waited upon him after my arrival 
in England, But, to break with them before this was 
generally known was not thought advisable, so that they 
found means to carry their point, to screen Sir Eobert 
from punishment, to procure greater supplies than he 
would have had assurance enough to ask, to keep up a 
standing army, and to sacrifice England to Hanover. 

Motwithstanding all this, your Majesty's cause seems 
to me to have derived several advantages from that Ses- 
sion. Among these I reckon the utter contempt into 
which Prince Frederick is fallen by his conduct at that 
time, so that nobody for the future will have any recourse 
to him, or dependence upon him ; buf^ in case of discon- 
tent, will naturally look out for redress from another 
quarter : and I think the events of that Session may na- 
turally enough keep people from ever expecting redress 
of their grievances in a Parliamentary way, or from any 
change of a Ministry, or indeed in any way, but by youi- 
Majesty's restoration. Another advantage was, the re- 
moval of Sii- Robert Walpole from all his posts ; for who- 
ever succeeds him will hardly succeed to that entire 
credit he had with his master, by which he kept him from 
several steps from which he will scarce be deterred by any 
other's advice. 

Another good effect of Sir Eobert Walpole's removal 
was, the bringing of the new set of Ministers into power, 
whose measures have done your Majesty so much service. 
There never was a bolder, more blustering and hot-headed 
Minister than Carteret ; and the consequence of all the 
steps which he inspires will be seen into and felt the first 
moment, whereas his predecessor proceeded with more 
art, and it was some time after his measures were talsen, 
that the ill consequences thereof were either apprehended 
or approved. The world sooner forgets an ill action in a 
man than an imprudent speech ; and in whatever method 
a man designs to govern, it was certainly no very politic 
declaration which Carteret made publicly as soon as he got 
into power, namely, that it was impossible to govern Eng- 



.;, Google 



land but by corruption ; had he said that it was iniposaibte 
for such men as himself, or for a Whiff Ministry, he had 
been right. 



1743. 

.— — -^.^jsaibte 
Ministry, he had 



JAMES TO CAEDDsTAL TENCIN. 

Album, ce27 Juin, 1743. 
BiEN n'est plus desirable en g4a4ral pour moi, qu'utt 
voyage du Prince, mon file, en France ; mais si vous 
medifea serieusement une entrepriae sur rAngleterre, ne 
serait-ilpas plus prudent de difigrer un tel voyage juaqu'a 
1 execution du grand proj et ? Car nne telle d-marche fera 
un grand ^lat, mettra le Gouvernement d'Angleferre mr 
sea gardes, et I'engagera h mettre tout en (euvre pour se 
premunir contre une invasion qu'il regardera alors comme 
certaiae et prochaine. J'ai cm devoir vous faire cette 
reflexion, mais si en attendant vous me mandez que le 
Koi de France souhaite que mon fils vient en France ie 
1 enverrai. 



EAKL JIAEISCHAE TO . 

Nov. 4. 1743. 

Jb vous envoie une estampe dont on d^ite grand 
nomhre parmi le peuple en Angleterre. Le Starve done 
Tient_ de ce qu'on dit que le pain manqaait deux jours 
parmi les Anglais pendant que les Hanoveriens en avaient 
abondamment. Bon pour Nicole eat une histoire qu'on 
fait d'un Fran^ais ^ Hanovre qui ne pouyait pas trouTer 
dans ee pays du pain mangeable, et en ayant fait apporter 
du meiUeur il dit Eon -pour Nicole son cheval, ^ qui il le 
donna. Toutes ces choses vraies on fausses font effet sur 
le peuple. 



^dbyGOOglC 



PEINCE CHARLES TO IHS FATHER* 
{Extract.} 

Parh, Nov. 30. 1744. 
The only thing ttat is good I have to say is, as long as 

there is life there is hope, that's the proverb S. Lit- 

tlefon (Sir Thomas Sheridan) found Wright (Cai-dinal 
Tencin) in extreme bad humour at the proceedings of 
Adam (King Louis), and his fellow lawyers (Ministers). 
On le serait a moim. Tou may imagine how I must be 
oilt of humour at all these proceedings, when, for comfort, 
I am plagued out of my life with tracasseries from our 
Qwn people ; who, as it would seem, would rather sacrifice 
me and my affairs than fail in any private view of their 
own. Dean (Lord Jolm Drommond) is one of those that 
has been plaguing me witK complaiuta, but I quieied him 
in the best manner I could, saying that whatever is said 
of our own people, though never so well grounded, was 
cutting OUT. own throats. 



PlflNCE CHARISS TO HIS FATHER. 
{Extract') 

Fans, Jan. 3. 1745. 
If Isham (hunself ) had not represented that it was im- 
possible for him to part without paying his debts, or some 
of them, I behove he would have got little or nothing. 
Now that he has got at least something, he intends to 
part to his imprisonment f, where I believe he will have 
full occasion to have the spleen, by seeing no appearance 

* The MS. lettere of Charles, !ite Eereral others in this work, 
display gross ignorance of spelling ; but to retain all these errors in 
printing ihem, could only serve to weaty antl perplex Sie reader. 

t He retired for some weeke lo Fita-James, the foisaec seat of the 
Duke of Berwick, near Clermont de I'Oise. 



^dbyGOOglC 



1745. 

of real business, and being entirely out of the way of 
company, and diversions tliat aecoropany any great town ; 
but all this Ishara (the Prince) docs not regret in the least, 
as long as lie thinks it of service for our great lawsuit : 
be would put himself in a tub, hke Diogenes, if necessary! 



PRINCE CHARLES TO HIS FATHER. 

Paris, February 28. 1745. 

I HAVE received yours of the Jst and 7th current. As 
I have been so much hurried between balls and business, 
I shall refer to my next. It would be a great comfort to 
me to Lave real business on my hands, but I sec little of 
that at present, as I shall explain in another. It is aome- 
tliing surprising to me not to have heard from. Litralcy 
(Lord Sempill) this two weeks ; and even be owes me an 
answer to one of mine of that standing : but I easily con- 
ceive the reason on't^ which is, that after making such a 
noise of his being able to do a great deal, he does nothing, 
or he does not care to lot me in the confidence of his ma- 
nagements, which, I believe, has happened before now to 
more than he, for I see here every body thinks himself to 
be the wisest man in the world ! 

I lay myself at your Majesty's feet, &c. 

Charles P. 



PRIECE CHARLES TO HIS FATHER. 

Paris, March 1. 1745. 

I HAVE read and considered the Duke of Perth's 
measi^e, which is, in the first place, to buy, if Jenkins 
(the Prince) can possibly, some broad-swords unmoitnted, 
for they do that in their own way. . . . He says, that he 
knew a place where there was a considerable sum of 
money that he eould lay hold on when he pleased, but 



..Gooj^le 



1745. 



that not tobe attempted til! the happy time of fiction 
cornea. It is a thing ahsolutely necessary, though I have 
little hopes myself of any thing being soon to be done 
anywhere for the cause, to make our friends think other- 
wise for to keep them in spirits, and not let them be cast 
down; for which reason the only thing that was in 
Howell a (the Prince's) power, Jenkins (the Prince) 
thought should not be let slip for that end at any cost 
whatsoever; for which 1 took upon me to borrow forty 
thousand hvres from young Waters, for to be able to dis- 
patch the messenger back, and buying of broad-swords, 
which is the only comfort the Prince can give them at 
present ; rather than to have wanted this sum, Isham (the 
Pnnce) would have pawned his ahirt. It is but for such 
uses that the Prince shall ever trouble Trig (the Kin") 
with askmg for money; it will never be for plate or fine 
clothes, but for arms and ammunition, or other thin"-s that 
tend to what I am come about to this country. I°there- 
fore wish that Hanmer (the King) would pawn aU 
^hams (the Prince's) jewels, for on this side the water 
Howell (the Prince) would wear them with a very sore 
heai-t, thinking that there might be made a bettei- use of 
them, so that, in an urgent necessity, Howell (the Prince) 
may have a sum which he can make use of for the cause- 
tor the Prince sees almost every thing at the French 
Court sticks at the money, as it did in this last enterprise, 
which was when the Prince insisted for an expedition in 
Scotland at the same time with England. They answered 
they would give me troops, but had not or would not give 
money or ai-ma; for which reason the having such a sum 
a.t command, would be of great use : but, at the same 
time, the Court of France must not suspect in the least 
that I have such a sum; for perhaps they may give it 
now, though tliey would not then. 



^dbyGOOglC 



PRINCE CHARLES TO HIS FATHER 

Paris, April 19. 1745. 
Sir, 
I ISAVH received yours of the 30th March, at my arrival 
here, where I intend to pass the week, for to see a fire- 
work and a ball masque, given by the Spanish, ambassador, 
I thank your Majesty for being so good as to order the 
payment of the 40,000 livrea, which I took upon me to 
borrow, and am very sensible at the goodness you have 
to speak your mind so freely to me, which I am sure is a 
great relief to me. My want of experience is what I too 
much know, and would fain get as soon as possible, for 
to be able to serve you and our countiy more effectually, 
and to purpose, which is aU that I am put in this world 
for. I really thought myself very sure of not erring when 
I took up this money, but finding I mistook, I shall he 
more rigorous and reserved in doing any thing that is my 
own thought or opinion for the future. It would be end- 
less for me to write, or for you to read, if I was to enter 
into the det^l of all the little malice and odd doings of 
Lumley (Lord Sempill), MaJoch (Bohaldie), and some 
others; it is also very disagreeable to me the writing 
such things. I shall only say at present, as to these 
matters, this, to conjure you to be on your guard from 
Kerry (Bohaldie), and Moi-rice (Lord Sempill), for really 
I cannot believe a word they say after the lies they told 
me, particularly that of the paper, which eannot be more 
demonstration. I think to diselmrge my conscience in 
saying this, being very sure of it. At the same time I 
recommend to you not in the least to seem to be knowing 
of this malice, for with their Regiros, if disgusted, they 
would certainly do a great deal of harm, to which there 
is no help. Both Morgan {Mr. O'Brien), and Lnmley 
(Lord Sempill), are doing all their endeavours for my 
making campaign, but I have too much reason to be 
afraid they won't succeed, which I own will be very 
mortifying and crueL It is very extraordinary Maloch's 
and Lumley's complaining I would not see them, which 
is not so, for I have on several occasions said to them, 



^dbyGOOglC 



■1745. STUART rAPEiw, xin 

over and over, that tlicy were always welcome wherever 
I was ; hiit it is certain that they botli never say to me 
any thing to the purpose ; I helieTe, because that they 
have nothing to say, which makes them both avoid seeing 
and writing to me as much as possible. Tou see by this 
what they are, and that their heads are filled with nothing 
but maUce and spite. Sir Hector has lost iiis prme, for 
which he 13 not a little angry, as you may believe, against 
LiOrd John, which makes me apprehensive it should end 
in a challenge. I am doing aO I can to hinder it. in 
which I hope to succeed ; at least it won't bo want of my 
pains, which I talte in this case to be charity for them 
both ; though as to Lord John, I cau't say what he de- 
serves, after such a proceeding. I lay myself at youv 
JMajest/s feet, most humbly asking blessing. 

Tour moat dutiful sou, 

CndKLEs P. 



PEINCE CHARLES TO IIIS PATHEE. 

Navarre, June 7. 1745. 
Sib, 
I liAVB received yours of the I8th May, there being in 
it also a note in your own hand. I cannot be too sensible 
at so much goodness you express towards me. If your 
Majesty was in this country I flatter myself you would 
be surprised to see with your own eyes how I blind 
several, and impose upon them at the same time they 
think to do it to me. If I was not able to do this, things 
here would go at a fine rate, considering what malice 
there is m this world, and very often only for mischief- 
sake alone, doing hurt at the same time to themselves. I 
have nothing more to say at present, bat to lay myself 
most humbly at youv Majesty's feet, most humbly askiug 
blessing, and remaining 

Tour most dutiful son, 

CaiRLEs P. 



^dbyGOOglC 



PEIlfCE CHARLES TO inS FATHER. 

Navarre, June 12. 1745. 
Sir, 

I BELIEVE your Majesty little expected a courier at this 
time, and much, less from me ; to tell you a thing that 
will be a great surprise to you. I have been, above six 
months ago, invited by our fi'ienda to go to Scotland, and 
to carry what money and arms I could conveniently get ; 
this being, they are fully persuaded, the only way of re- 
storing you to the Crown, and them to their liberties ; that 
they were well enough informed how scandalously the 
French Court bad treated me, which showed but too 
plainly how little they thought of me or my affairs ; that 
if nothing was done by them in the winter or at farthest 
in the beginning of the campaign, it would be a full proof 
the first attempt was not genuine, which they had already 
good reasons to suspect (the partioulars of which would 
be too long to explain by writing, and I must therefore 
defer it to our meeting, which I don't doubt will be soon, 
God willing). From lience they were sure the French 
Court would never do any thing in earnest, but might 
come in de mauvaise grace when the affairs would be 
ahnost over, and then brag they had done a great thing. 

In fine, our friends, without saying it directly, have 
■spoke in such a manner that I plainly saw if the wint«r 
and spring passed over without some attempt they would 
rise of themselves in spite of all I could say or do to pre- 
vent it, not doubting but they would succeed if in the least 
seconded ; and that the most that could happen to them 
would be to die in the field, which was preferable to living 
any longer in misery and oppression. To all this I 
answered, you may beheve, not backwardly ; I mean as to 
my own person, but told them that I esteemed my life no 
fiu^her than it could be of use to them ; that however I 
would never approve of any thing that was rash for their 
sakes ; that they ought not to be suspicious of the cold- 
ness of the French Court since I had reason to be per- 
suaded they would assist me as soon as it was in their 
power ; and therefore I required them to keep as quiet aa 
possible, and have patience at least for some time until we 



^dbyGOOglC 



1745. STUART PAPERS. XV 

saw bow matters ■would turn. To which I was answered 
that it would be very bard to convince my friends of the 
sincerity of the French Court, being entirely scandalised, 
if they had bo much good intentions as I believed, that 
I should not be so much as permitted to serve or show 
myself in any manner of way, 

I did all I could to soften this usage and mate them 
believe the French Court acted thus as really thinking it 
the best way to hide their good intentions, but that I 
would represent strongly that this manner of proceeding 
would discourage my fiiends entirely, and make them 
strike some stroke de dese&poir which might succeed, and 
would not at all be advantageous to the French Court. 
After representing all this I did not doubt removing this 
odd way of thinking, and if nothing was to be done for 
some time I should certainly get leave to make the next 
campaign, which would be a clear proof of their doing 
every thing in their power for my advantage and pleasing 
my friends. I then told them that if these representations 
did not succeed, I could not but believe as they did, and 
if 1 found for certain there was no hope of getting any 
resources to begin, but if begun they would be seconded, 
that in such a case I would approve of their rising ; and 
that if after due consideration before tney undertook this 
work they should be still determined rather to die than 
live longer in oppression, they might be well assured I 
would not let them do any thing without my presence, 
and that I would go even alone to head them, and so 
conquer or die with them. That rising by themselves 
might be their ruin ; and as I looked upon myself to be 
in this world for their good and preservation, that ray 
friends might be assiu-ed my resolution was already taken 
to do so if I could not do better ; but I desired they would 
let me know as often aa possible their dispositions, and of 
any change that might happen in their present way of 
thinking. 

I could not then think it possible the French Court 
Would give me the occasion of making loy word good. 
Jiiier such scandalous usage as I have received from the 
French Court, had I not given my word to do so, ov got 
so many encouragements from time to time as 1 have had, 
I should have \>iiaa obhged, in honour and for my own 



^dbyGOOglC 



^^^ , ATPESDIS. 1745 

reputation, to have flung myself into tlie arms of my 
Iriends, and die with them, rather than live longer in such 
a miserable way here, or be obliged to return to Rome, 
which would be just giving up all hopes. I cannot but 
mention a parable here, which ia ; a horse that is to be 
sold, if spurred does not skip, or show some sign of life, 
nobody would care to have him even for nothing ; iust so 
my friends would care very little to have me, if, after 
such usage, which all the world is sensible of, 1 should 
not show that I have life in me. Tour Majesty caunot 
disapprove a son's following the example of his father. 
Yon yourself did the like in the year 15 ; but the circum- 
stances now are indeed very different^ by being much 
more encouraging, there being a certainty of succeeding 
with the least help ; the particulars of which would be 
too long to explain, and even impossible to conyince vou 
ot by wntmg, wliich has been the reason that I have 
presumed to take upon me the managing all this, without 
even letting you suspect there was any such thing a 
brewing, for fear of my not being able to explain, ^d 
show you demonstratively how matters stood— which is 
not possible to be done by writing, or even without being 
npoa the pla<;e and seeing things with your own eyesl 
and had I failed to convince you, I was then afraid you 
might have thought what I had a mind to do, to be rash ; 
and so have absolutely forbid my proceedings ; thinking 
tha;t to acquire glory I was capable of doing a desperate 
action. But m that case I can't be sure but I might have 
followed the esample of Manlius, who disobeyed hia 
lathers orders on such a like occasion. 

Tour Majesty may remember Writ's (Card. Tencin's) 
proposal, and how I flew against it, and every thing of 
the land as I expressed to you. I did the same to every 
mortal here, for otherwise I could never have been abfe 
tb have helped myself or managed this to the best advan- 
tage as I flatter myself to have done. 

I have tried all possible means and stratagems to get 
access fo the King of France, or his Blinister, without 
the least effect, nor could I even get Littleton (Sir Thomas 
biieiidan) an audience, who I was sure would say neither 
more nor less than what I desired, and would faithfully 
report their answer. As for Wright (the Cardinal), he is 

fi,.vjiv,v.700j^le 



1745. STUAET PAPERS. xvii 

not much trusted or well looked upon fay Adam (the 
ICng of France), who is timorous, and has not resolution 
enough to displaco him. Now I have been obliged to 
steal off, without letting the King of France so much as 
suspect it, for which I make a proper excuse in my letter 
to him ; by saying it was a great mortification to me 
never to have been able to speak and open my heart to 
him ; that this thing was of such a nature that it could 
not be communicated by any of the Ministers or by 
writing, but to himself alone — in whom, after God Al- 
mighty, my resting lies, and that the least help would 
make my affair infSlible. If I had let the Fi-ench Court 
know this beforehand, it might have had all these bad 
effects: — 1st, It is possible they might have stopped me, 
having a mind to keep measures with the Elector, and 
then to cover it over, they would have made a merit of it 
to you, by sajring they had hindered me from doing a 
wild and desperate thing : 2dly, My being invited by my 
friends would not be believed ; or at least would have 
made little or no impression on the French Court. Had 
they been told of it beforehand, they would have thought 
to have done a great deal by giving a little money and 
some arms. Now the case is quite different, and I cannot 
help thinking but I shall at least get the Irish i-egiments, 
which will make the work sure. However favourable the 
dispositions are, I have taken all the necessary precautions 
by writing to different people to engage the French Court 
to give me without loss of time tlie succours I desire, 
which if they do immediately everj' himdred will be worth 
a thousand. 

I fear nobody's failing me but Lnmley (Sempill) and 
Malocb (Bohaldie), for I can now say for certain they will 
do all in their power to make people believe I have been 
led into a rash and desperate project, and by that means, 
in an indirect way, do ^ they can to destroy my character, 
and hinder me from getting such succours as would com- 
plete the work. I have some such example already. If 
you remember, Lumley pressed you some years ago to 
accept an expedition in Scotland alone, that was proposed 
by the Court of France, but Greville (the King) abso- 
lutely refused it. Of late he, Lumley, is quit© different, 
the reason of which I must now tell you. I have made 



ibyGoogIc 



Xriii APPENDIX. 1745. 



several attempts underliand to engage the French Court 
to make an expedition into Scotland, but always to no 
purpose. For, in the first place, Mr. Liimley aad Malocli 
have been doing all along every thing in their power to 
destroy my character and that of those about me, by re- 
presenting me as a child and guided by indiscreet and 
silly people, and at the same time running down all 
attempts on Scotland alone, or even othei-wise, as idle and 
useless. 

The reason of this is TCry plain. They have writ so 
many lies, and done so many odd things to our friends ia 
Scotland, that they are very well known to be what they 
are, which maies them dread above all things my going 
to that country. I have so weU blinded them that they 
have been always persuaded I swallowed every thing they 
eaid and did not know them. 

I have sent Stafford to Spain, and appointed Sir Thomas 
Geraldine to demand suceoura in my name, to complete 
the work, to whom I sent letters for the King and Queen, 
written in the most engaging terms, to the same purpose. 
liCt what will happen, tiie stroke is struck, and I have 
taken a firm resolution to conquer or to die, and stand 
my ground as long as 1 shall have a man remaining with 
me, I think it of the greatest importance your Majesty 
should come as soon aa possible to Avignon, but take the 
liberty to advise that you would not ask leave of the 
French Court; for if I be not immediately succoured, 
they will certainly refuse you. And this refusal will be 
chiefly occasioned by our own people, who will be afraid 
to have you so near, for their own private views, and so 
suggest things to the French Court to prevent you coming 
until alt be decided. I am certain if you were one« at 
Avignon you would never be obliged to remove but in 
order to onr happy meeting on the other side of the 

Your Majesty may be well assured I shall never be at 
rest or leave other people so, until I bring about the 
happy day of our meeting. It is most certain the gene- 
rality of people willjudge of this enterprise by the success, 
which if favourable, I shall get more honour than I de- 
serve. If otherwise, all flie blame will be put on the 
French Court for having pushed a young prince to show 



^dbyGOOglC 



1745. STUAUT TAPEKS. XiX 

his mettle, and rather die than live in a state unbecoming 
himself. 

Whatever happens unfortunate to me cannot but be 
the strongest engagement to the French Court to pursue 
your cause. Now if I were sure they were capable of 
any sensation of this Icind, if I did not succeed, I would 
perish, as Curtius did, to save my country, and make it 
happy ; it being an indispensable duty on me, as far as 
lies in my power. Tour Majesty may now see my i-eason 
for pressing so much to pawn my jewels, which I should, 
be glad to have done immediately ; for I never intend to 
come back, and money, next to troops, will be of the 
greatest help to me. I owe to old Waters about 60,000 
livres, and to the young one above 120,000 Evres. I and 
Sir Thomas win write more fully to Edgar about theso 
matters, both as to the sum I carry with me and arms, as 
also how I go, I write this from Navarre, but it won't 
be sent off till I am on shipboard. If I can possibly, I 
will write a note and send it from thence at the same 
time. I have wrote to Ijord Marischal, telling him to 
coma immediately, and giving him a credential to treat 
with the Minister for succours. To the Duke of Orraond 
I have writ a civil letter, showing a desire of his coming 
here immediately, but at the same time leaving it to his 
discretion so to do. 

I do not recollect any thing more essential to add here, 
but if I do you may be assured of my not letting any 
opportunity slip of letting you know it, and how matters 
go. In the mean time I entreat you not to be in any 
concern or fear for me, or the affair, for there is in 
reality all reason to believe and hope that every thing will 
go to our wish. This I had good grounds to believe, even 
before tlie favourable circumstances of the Elector's 
coming over, the losing of the battle, and the sending of 
so many more troops abroad, besides its being a stroke 
entii-ely unforeseen and not in the least suspected, 

I had sent for Strickland to come to me as soon as I 
heard he was to leave Rome, but without telling him for 
what, and before I knew what your Majesty thought of 
him, but he did not get the letter until he came to Avig- 
non, and upon the receipt of it he came to Paris, so that 
I could not possibly avoid carrying him with me. I hope 



..Gooj^lc 



1745; 



he may be of use to me where I am going, he having been 
there already, aad your Majesty need not feai- my puttinff 
too great confidence in Mm, but shall be oa my guard 
and remark his proceedings. 

I should think it proper (if your Majesty pleases), to 
be put at his HoUness's feet, asking his blessing on this 
occasion ; but what I chiefly ask is, your own, which I 
hope will procure me that of God Almighty upon mv 
endeavours to serve you, my family, and my country ; 
which will ever be the only view of 

Your Majesty's most dutiful son, 
Charles P. 



PBINCE CIIAKLES TO HIS FATnER. 
[Second Letter.] 

Navarre, June 12. 1745. 
Sm, 
I MADE my devotions on Pentecost day, recommending 
myself particularly to the Almighty on this occasion to 
guide and direct me, and to continue to me always the 
same sentiments, which are, rather to suffer anything 
than fad in any of my duties. I write to you this apart 
for to entreat your Majesty, in the most earnest manner, 
to desire Grevill (the King) for God's sake not to give t« 
Howell (himself) what he designed, that is a secret *j for 
It would be of the greatest hurt to his farm. Let not hia 
engagement with a certain person be any hindrance, for 
circumstances are changed, by which, if there was any 
question of that, one can find ways to come off on't I 
must repeat this, that Grevill and his family is ruined if 
he does that thing. GreviU thinks this is an absolute 
secret ; but he is mistaken, for I have heard it from 
several people, to whom I flatly denied it, and said I was 
Teiy sure it was not true, to which every one of these 
eaid, God be praised ; for if it were so, both father and 
son would be undone. Sovereigns upon the throne can 
do such things ; and even then it is not advisable ; but a 



rn^tGrious pnssage tefere t< 
nis prctendol Croivn in fa 



to abdicate iis pretended 



..Google 



1745, sTUAET rAPEKs. xxi 

private man ruing himself and his family ia doing on't, 
especially one that has great many enemies. 1 lay my- 
self again most humbly at your Majesty's feet ; and re- 
main your most dutiful sou, 

CnAKLES P. 



PBISCE CHARLES TO ME, EDGAK, 

I^avarre, June 12. 1745, 
I HEEE enclose you the King's and Duke's letters ; one 
for Xord Dunbar, and another for B. Tencin. If the 
bearer be one Pleve, 1 know him to be very honest, and a 
good servant, Macdonald is his master, whom I carry 
with me ; so the servant deserves to be taken care of. 
Having writ a long letter to the King, I chose to refer 
eome particulars to he added to yours, which are these : 
— I owe old Waters about 60,000 livres, part of wHch 
went to the payment of my debts last winter, which the 
French Court did not think fit to complete. Young 
Waters has advanced me 120,000 livi-es, and promised to 
pay several other things which I have refeiTcd to him. It 
will be absolutely necessary to remit these two sums 
immediately ; and young Waters desires that his money 
may be sent by Bclloni directly to himself, without letting 
the old man know he made any such advance ; and what- 
ever other money may be remitted for my use, the best 
way will be to send it to the young one — for the other, I 
believe, will be glad to be eased of that trouble. All this 
money I have employed in my present undertaking, 
having bought fifteen hundred fusees, eighteen hundred 
broad-swords mounted, a good quantify of powder, ball, 
flinfa, dirks, brandy, &c.; and some hundred more of fusees 
and broad-swords, of which I cannot at present tell the 
exact number. I have also got twenty small field-pieces, 
two of which a male may carry ; and my cassette will be 
near four thousand louis-d'ors ; all these things will go 
in the frigate which carries myself. She has twenty odd 
guns, and is an excellent sailer ; and will be escorted by 
one, and perhaps two men-of-war, of about seventy guns 
each. It will appear strange to you how I should get 



^dbyGOOglC 



tliese tliiiigs without the knowledge of tlie French Court. 
1 employed one Eutledge and one Walsh, who are sub- 
jects. The first got a grant of a man-of-war to cruise on 
the coast of Scotland, and is, luckily, obliged to go as far 
north as I do, so that she will escort me without appear- 
ing to do it. Walsh understands his business perfectly well, 
and is an excellent seaman. He has offered to go with 
me himself, the vessel being his own that I go on board of. 
He has also a man-of-war that will likewise go with me, 
if she can be got ready in time, and a frigate of forty- 
four guns, which he took lately from the English, and is 
manning, to be sent out with all expedition. He lives at 
Nantes ; and I expect a courier every moment fi-om hiin 
with an account that all is ready ; and then I must lose 
no time to get thercj and go directly on board. If there 
be no danger of being stopped or discovered, I shall write 
from thence. Adieu, friend. I hope it will not be long 
before you hear eonifortable news. In the meantime, ba 
assured of my constant friendship. 

Charles P. 

P.S. — I send you here 'also, enclosed, an authentic 
copy of what ia to he printed and dispersed at my land- 
ing. I have forgot also to mention, that I intend to land 
at or about the Isle of Mull, 1 enclose you here also five 
letters, and open, to yourself; all from Sir Thomas. 



PRINCE CHARLES TO HtS PATHEE. 

Navarre, June 20. 1T45. 

SlE, 

I HAVE just received yours of the 24th May. I do not 
at all doubt but that Canilliac's tongue would go post at 
the news of the battle in Flanders, as he will also do for 
this new victory gained by the King of Prussia. I am, 
thank God, in perfect good health ; but the time seems very 
long to me for to malte use of it to the purpose. I have 
nothing in the world new. I suppose Morgan (Mr. 
O'Brien) and Morrice (Lord Sempill) write distinctly 
what they have to say. As for the latter, it is long since 
I have quite given up believing in the least any thing he 



_7 00j^le 



1745. STUAKT PAPERS. Xsiii 

anya, which mates me never mention him. I lay myself 
at your Majesty's feet, moat humbly asking blessing. 
Your most dutiful son, 

Chaklks p. 

P.S. — As I finished this, I received yours of the 1st, 
and am heartily sorry for poor General Macdonalcl's 
death. I shall not fail to be attentive fo what you men- 
tion in your little note. 



PniFCE CHAKLES TO HIS TATHER. 

St. Nasaire, at the Mouth of the Loire, July2. 1745. 
Sir, 
The contrary winds that have been blowing hitherto, 
have deferred my embarking, which will be this after- 
noon, at seven, for to go to the rendezvous of the man-of- 
war of 67 guns, and 700 men aboard, as also a com- 
pajiy of sixty volunteers, all gentlemen, whom I shall 
probably get to land with me, I mean to stay ; which, 
though few, will niaie a show, they having a pretty uni- 
form. The number of arms are just as I mentioned in 
my last of the 12th, that goes with this, except the aug- 
mentation I was in hopes of is of a hundred or two less 
than I expected, which is no odds, I keep this open, 
and do not send it until I am fairly set off from Belle Isle 
• — jrf esi the rendezvous — so that 1 may add a note to it, 
if being sea-sidi does not hinder ; if it does. Sir Thomas 
wiU supply in mentioning what more may occur. It is 
a mortification to me to want so many of your packets 
which are lying at Paris, because of the daily expect- 
ation of parting. "We have nothing to do now but to hope 
in the Almighty favouring us and recompensing our 
troubles ; which, as you may see by the nature of the 
thing, were not small. I hope in God my next will bring 
comfortable news. In the mcivn time I remain, laying 
myself at your Majesty's feel, most humbly asking your 
blessing. 

Tour most dutiful son, 

Chaeles p. 



;, Google 



PEINCE CKARLES TO MK EDGAK. 

5';. Nazaire, July 2. 1745, 
This being the last note I shall wrice this side of the 
seas, J. would not faU to give you adieu i. it, makinff mv 
compliments to Lord Dunbar, and to as many of mv 
tricnds as you shall think convenient and proper I en- 
close herewith letters for the Ki«g aud the Duke. I hope 
m Uod we shall soon meet, which I am resolved shall 
not bo but at home. 

In the mean time I remain, &c. 

Charles P. 
P. S. ~~ Belle Ish a la Bade, the I2th July. After 
having waited a week hei'e, not without a little aaxiety, 
we have at last got the escort I expected, wliich is just 
now arrived, id est, a ship of 68 guns, and 700 ien 
aboard. I a« thank God, in perfect good health, but 
nave been a little sea-sick, and expect to be more so ; but 
Jt does not keep mo much a-hed, for I find the more 
i struggle against it the better. 



PRINCE CHAELES TO HIS FATHER. 

Morddu Vaisseau le Du BelUer, a VAncre dam 
la Bme de Longhaylort, U 2 Aout, V. S. 1745. 

SiBE, 

J'Ai regu dcs services si jmportans de M. Antoine 
Walsh, qu il n y a rien que je ne me croie obligi5 de faire 
pour liii en t^moigner mon agr^ment. Ainsi je lui ai 
promisd employer tout mon credit auprfes de Voire 
Majesty pour lui obtenir le titre de Comte d'Irlande U 
est issu d'une fort bonne famiUe, tsis en ^tat de soutenir 
la dignity de ce nonveau titre, et n'a pas besoin d'autra 
Chose. Cest la premiere grace que je vous demanda 
depuis moH an-ivfe dans ce pays. J-eapere biea que ce 
ne sera pas la derniSre, mais en tout cas, je tous suppHe 



^dbyGOOglC 



de me I'accorder. Jc la regarderal coriime «ne obligatio 
particulifere, accord^e a votre tres-obeissant fils, 

Chakles p. 



PRINCE CHAELES TO HIS. PATKEE. 

Longkayhrti Augmt 4. 0. S. 1745. 
Sir, 
I AM, thank God, arrived here ia perfect good health, 
but uot with little trouble and danger, as you will hear 
hy the bearer, who has been along with me all along, 
that makes it useless for me to give any accounts and 
particulars on that head. I am joined here hy brave 
people, as I expected. As I have not yet set up the 
Standard, I cannot tell the number, but that will be in a 
few days, as soon as the arms are distributed ; at which 
we are working with all speed. I have not as yet got 
the return of the message sent to the Lowlands, but ex- 
pect it vei-y soon. If they all join, or at least all those to 
whom I have sent commissions, at request, every thiug will 
go on to a wish. Sir Hector's * being taken up, is of no 
other consequence but of perhaps frightening some few ; 
for they can make nothing of him, nor of some papers 
that were found in his room, which he denies having any 
knowledge of. The commissions, along with the declara- 
tion, are arrived safe, and in a proper hand. The worst 
that can happen to me, if France does not succour me, is 
to die at the head of such brave people as I find here, if 
I should not be able to make my way ; and that I have 
promised to them, as you know to have been my resolu- 
tion, before parting. The French Court must now neces- 
sarily take off the mask, or have an eternal shame on 
them ; for at present there is no medium, and we, what- 
ever happens, shall gain an immortal honour by doing 
what we can to deliver our country, in restoring our 
master, or perish with sword in hand, Your Majesly 
may easily conceive the anxiety I am in to hear from 
you. Having nothing more particular at present to add 

* Sir Hector Madcnn, 



ib,Googlc 



^SVl Al'PENDlX. 1745. 

(not being able to keep the ship longer, for fear of men-of- 
war stopping lier paasage entirely), I sliall end, iaying 
myself with all respect and duty at your Majesty's feet 
most humbly asking a blessing. 

Your most dutiful son, 

CUAEI.ES P. 



PRINCE CliAELES TO MORAY OF AEKRCAIENEY. 
Kinlochiel, Avgttst22. 1745. 

This is to let you know that I have set up the Royal 
Standard, and expect the assistance of all my fi-icnds. 1 
want money in particular; and as I depend upon what I 
Itnow you have promised me, I desire you would pay it 
immediately into the hands of Arnprior, or send it by a 
sure hand to whatever place I shall be in. 

You must not doubt me but that I shall be always 
ready to acknowledge this and all other services, and to 



PRINCE CHARLES'S INSTRUCTIONS TO Blli. HICKSON. 
Sept. 22. 1745. 
Ton are hereby authorised and directed to repair forth- 
with to England, and there notify to my friends and 
particularly those in the north and nortii-west, the won- 
derful success with which it has hitherto pleased God to 
lavour my endeavours for their deliverance. You are to 
let them know, that it is my full intention, in a few days 
ia move towards them, and that they will be inexcusable 
before God and man, if they do not all in their power to 
assist and support me in such an undertaking. What I 
demand and expect is, that as many of them as can shall 
be ready to join me, and that they should take care to 

* This ietler is printed in the Jacobtto Memoira, p. 24. Several 
others, to tJie same purport, were iviitten on that day. 



^dbyGOOglC 



''^' STDART PArEKS. xxvii 

provide proviaiona and money, tlmfc the couatrj may 
suffer as littie as possible by the march of my troops. 
Let them know that tliere is no time for deliberation,-- 
now or never is the word : I am resolved to conquer or 
perish. If this last sliould happen, let them judge what 
they and tieir posterity have to expect* 

C.P.Ii. 



PKINCE CIURLES TO HIS FATtlER, 

Edinburgh, Oct. 7. O.S. 1745, 
It is impossible for me to give you a distinct journal 
ot my proceedings, because of my being so much hurried 
■with business, which aUows me no time ; but notwith- 
etanding, I cannot let slip this occasion of givine: a short 
account of the battle of Gladsmuir, fought on the 2Iet of 
September, which was one of the most surprising actions 
that ever was. We gained a complete victory over Gen- 
TJv^T^ "^^^ commanded 3000 foot, aad two regiments 
of the best dragoons in the isJaad, he being advantage- 
ously posted, with also batteries of cannon and moi-ters 
we having neither horse or artiUery with us, and bein? 
to attack them m their post, and obliged to pass before 
their noses m a defile and bog. Only our first line had 
occasion to engage ; for actually, in five minutes the field 
was cleared of the enemies ; aU the foot killed, wounded 
or taien prisoners ; and of the horse only 200 escaped, 
like rabbits, one hy one. On our side we only lost a 
hundred men, between killed and wounded ; and the 
army aiterwards had a fine plunder, 

*¥i- ™<^^^n proecediid us far as Newcastle, but was there 
arrested and put into prison, and these inslruolions found upon him. 
—(See Culloden Pupei's, p. 226.) 



^dbyGOOglC 



PHmCE CHARLES TO HIS FATEEB. 

Edinburgh, Oct. 15. O.S. 1745. 

I HATE at last had the comfort of receiving letters from 
you, the latest of which is of the 7th Sept. N. S. I am 
confounded and penetrated with so much goodness and 
tenderness your Majesfy expresses to me in all your 
letters. It is a grief to me that my keeping Strickland 
has given you one moment's concern, hut I shall send 
him away in all haate. I hope your Majesty is pei-suaded 
that this fault, or any others I may have committed, is 
no want of the respect and submission which you will 
always find in me. I remark your letter to the King of 
France, in which you do me more honour than I deserve. 
I wish to God I may find my brother landed in England 
by the time I enter it, which will be in a,bout ten days; 
having then with me near 8000 men, and 300 horse at 
least, with which, as matters stand, I shall have one de- 
cisive stroke for it, but if the French land, perhaps none. 
I cannot enlarge on this subject as on many others, for 
want of time, because of such a multiplicity of things 
which hourly occur for the service of the affair. Adam 
(IDng Louis) has sent me a gendeman, who brought me 
your letters, to stay with me, for to give notice of any 
thing that I may want, which, as he says, wiO be done 
immediately ; accordingly I am sending off immediately 
three or four expresses, all to the same purpose, so that 
some one may arrive. What is said is very shorty press- 
ing to have succour in all hast*, by a landing in Eng- 
land ; fop that, as matters stand, I must either conquer 
■or perish in a little while. Thank God, I am in perfect 
good health, but longing much for the happy day of 
meeting. 

Id tlie mean time, I remain, ha., 

Chaeles p. 

The ship being just ready to go off, I have only time 
to piclose here a scrawl of the account of the battle, 
which I in a hurry writ some days ago. 



^dbyGOOglC 



STUAET TAPEKS. 



PKINCB CHARLES TO HIS FATHER. 

Edinburgh, Oct. 22. O.S. 1745. 
Sir, 

I HATE charged Sir James Stewart to carry this as far 
as Paris, and to forward it immediately by a courier to 
yom- Majesty ; as ako to write you a distinct account of 
the situation of affairs. lie is an understanding capable 
man, and can be depended on, which has made me choose 
him to. send to the French Court, with proper compli- 
ments to the French King, and to hasten them for suc- 
cours. I hope your Majesty will be satisfied with his 
proceedings. As I have notliing particular to add, but 
■what he can say, makes it needless for me to say any 
more at present. I am, thank God, in perfect good 
health, but still in the usual anxiety for want of letters, 
to which there is no help hut patience. I lay myself at 
your Majesty's feet, most humhly asking blessing; and 
remaining, with the profoundest respect. 

Your most dutiful son, 

Charles P. 

P. 8.— As I writ to you in my last, I shall not fail to 
get rid of Strickland as soon as possible. Your Majesty, 
I hope, will forgive this scrawl, not having time to write 
it over, being so much hurried with business. 



THE TRENCH ENVOY TO THE DUKE OF PERTH. 
[From tlio Dnke of Pertb's Papers taken in Ihe Eetreat.] 

A Carlisle, ce Dimanche (Nbv. 1745). 
MiLOHD Due, 
Os vient dWr a mes gens un pauvre lit qu'ils avaient 
h, ti-ois ; _de sorte qu'il faut que je les eouehe dans le mien, 
ou que je les envoie passer la nuit a la rue, vu le beau 
temps qu'il fait I Enfln, milord Due, que ceux qui sont 
charges du detail des logemens prennent des mesures 
pour m'epai^ner la nfeessif^ de prendre un parti qui me 
mettra dans le eas de n'avnir plus ii mc plaindre apr6s 



;, Google 



XXX . ATPENDIS. 1745. 

m'etre plaint si souvent et si imitilement. Vous etes bon 
et avise ; tous avez mills bontea pour moi ; an nom de 
DicH faitea que les choses soient en regie une bonne foia, 
ct qu'enfin mcs gens aient a se coucher ce soil-. 

Jo suis avec respoct, Stc. &o. 

BOYEK. 



PROCLAMATION, 
TO THE INHABIT^YSTS OP MANCHESTER. 



d wh h b d 

1 h Boy Hghnf 



with Geneial T\ ad 
the benefit of it ! 



PEIKCE CHAELES TO ONE OP fflS OFPICERS. 
Je vous ordonne d'executei- mes ordrcs ou de ne plus 



TUB PKETENDEE TO PEINCE CHARLES. 

Alhano, June 6. 1746. 
God knows where or when this will find you, my 
dearest Carluccio, hut still I cannot but write to you in 
the great anxiety and pain I am in fop you, from what 



ibyGoogIc 



1746. STUART PArEES. SSKl 

the putiKc news mentions from Scotland. I knoiv no- 
thing else ; and I doubt not but those accounts are ex- 
aggerated, considering from whence they come. But 
still it is bub too plain to see tbat affairs with you don't 
go as I could wish. I am, though, still in hopes you may 
be able to keep your ground in Scotland till you can have 
assistance from France : but if yoa really cannot main- 
tain yourself in Scotland, do not, for God's sake, drive 
things too far ; but think of your own safety, on which 
so much depends. Though your enterprise should mis- 
carry, the honour you haye gained by it will always stick 
Ijy yon ; it will make you be respected, and considered 
abroad, and will, I think I may answer for it, always en- 
gage the EVench to protect and assist you, and to renew- 
in time another project in your favour } bo that you 
should really have no temptation to pursue rash or des- 
perate measures at this time, for should you do so, it 
would be the ruin of all, and even a drawback ii-om the 
honour you have already gained. In fine, my dear child, 
never separate prudence and courage. Providence has 
wonderfully assisted you hitherto, and will not abandon 
you for the time to come. This I firmly hope, while I 
shall not cease to beseech God to bless and direct you. 
Adieu, my dearest child, I tenderly embrace you, and am 
ail yours. Once more, God bless you, and protect you. 
James E. 



"A JOURNAL OF THE PRINCE'S TEANSACTIONS 

SINCE THE BATTLE OF CULLODEN TO THIS DAY, 

AS TAKEN FROM HIS OVVM" MOUTH." 

This narrative is short and Euraniaiy. The following is an account 
of Charles's disguise and esastaaoe from Flora Macdonald. : 

The Prince finding, as was proposed, that the best 
method was to disguise himself in woman's clothes, with 
a young lady that had a protection, he took his party to 
do so. The very night before he was to go ofi; landed 
General Campbell within a mile or two of him, which 
obliged the Prince to go a couple of milea southward to 
avoid the pressing danger, and wait the gloaming of the 



..Google 



1746. 

evening to get away ; and for liis comfort he had the 
men-of-war cruising before him, who luckily, towards 
night-fall, sailed off, which gave him the opportunity o£ 
making for Mungaster in Skye, — Lady Margaret Mac- 
donald's house. 12th July. The Prince left Mr. O'Neal 
at Benbecula, as also his own arma, aa the young lady 
refused to go if he or any other should carry any ; but 
he insisted he might safely caiTy his pistols under the 
petticoats, as in case of search all would he discovered : 
but he could not prevail. 

In the way to Mungaster, before mid-day, as he was 
crossing a point, a guard of the MacLeods challenged the 
boat; but he not minding to answer, they fired on the 

As soon as he landed, the young lady went to Lady 
Margaret's, and the Prince, at some distance, to wait a 
friend ; and that evening he walked eight miles to a 
gentleman's house, where he was to meet the young lady 
again ; but being unused to petticoats, he held them, in 
walking, up so high that some common people remarked 
an awkwardness in wearing them, which being told, he 
was obliged to change his liabit again next day ; and went, 
being advised that Eassay was the best place to go to. 
He walked that evening eight miles, it pouring rain all 

the while, to get to the shore at : there, being in 

men's clothes, he parted with the young lady, and em- 
barked in a little boat for Eassay; being told the enemy 
was still on the main land. 

(^Another Extract,') 

July 19. The Prince arrived at tliemain land in Glan- 
gary Morar, or North Morar, at the point of Loch Nevia, 
and having waited there three days to have intelligence, 
but to no effect, he resolved the eleventh day to try what 
intelligence he could get, and to cross a Loch within a 
mile of Scotus-house — (KotaBene : all that time that he 
waited, he was exposed to wind and weather, and was 
excessively straightened for any kind of provision — ) 
which he executed ; and just as he crossed a little point 
entering the Loch, he stumbles on a boat of the enemy's, 
whioh was hidden in the Loch, when those who were 



^dbyGOOglC 



1746. STCTAKT PAPERS. xxxiii 

ashore ran to tlieir boata, ivliicli startled them a little ; 
but the Pi-inoe, having along witli him Mackinnon and 
three Cainerons, consulted with him what best to &o ; 
and he saying, that there was no possibility to avoid them, 
the beat method was to put on a bold face, and make up 
to them, which accordingly was done — and proved to 
effect ; for, as luek would have it, they happened to be 
only five, and so only questioned them, and let them go 
on ; but, upon reflection, after we had passed them and 
gone down the Loch, fearing that more of them might 
have been at hand, amd joining the others, might como 
up to them, he thought proper to stop and to cljmb up to 
the top of a very high hill, the south side of the Loch -- 
which he did very quickly ; but, being there, he observed 
the boat steering off to that part of Skye, called Slate, 
wliich made him go down to the place whence he had 
gone; and afterwards went to Morar. But his house 
being in his way to Borradale — which was no small 
fatigue, being obliged to march the whole night— he met 
there with Angus of Borradaio ; and skulked with him 
in a cave near the side of Lochnonona, for eight or ten 
days. 



PRINCE CHARLES TO HTS BKOTHEE. 

Morlaix, October 10. S. S. 1746. 
Dear Eeothee, 
As I am certain of your great concern for me, I cannot 
express the joy I have, on your account, of my safe 
arrival in this country. I send here enclosed two lines 
to my master*, just f« show him I am alive and safe, 
being fatigued not a little, as you may imagine. It is 
my opinioD you should -write immediately to tie l>ench 
King, giving him notice of my safe amval, and at the 
same time excusing my not writing to him myself im- 
mediately, being so much fatigued, and hoping soon to 
have the pleasure of seeing him. I leave to your pru- 
dence the wording of this letter, and would be glad no 

• His father. 



^dbyGOOglC 



1746. 

time should be lost in writing and despatching it, as also 
that you should consult nobody without exception upon 
it, hut Sir John Graham and Sir ITiomas (Sheridan), 
tho reasons of which I will tell you on meeting. It is 
an absolute necessity I must see tlie Erench King as soon 
as possible, for to bring things to a right head. Warren, 
the bearer, will instruct you of the way I would wish 
yon should meet me at Paris, I embrace you with all 
my heart, and remain 

Your most loving brother, 

Charles P, 



PlilNCE HENRY TO HIS FATIIER, 

CUchy, October 17. 174G. 
The very morning after I writ you my last, I had the 
happiness of meeting with my dearest brother. He did 
not know me at first sight, but I am sure I knew him 
very well, for he is not in the least altered since I saw 
liim, except grown somewhat broader and fatter, which 
is incomprehensible after all the fatigues he has endured. 
Your Majesty may conceive bettei- than I can express in 
writing the fenderneas of our fii-st meeting. Tliosa 
that were present said they never saw the like in their 
lives ; and, indeed, I defy the whole world to show 
another brother so kind and loving as he is to me. For 
my pai-t, I can safely say that ali wj endeavours tend to 
ao otber end but that of deserving so much goodness as 
he has for me, . . . The Prince sees and will scarce see 
any body but myself for a few days, that he may have a 
Jittle time to rest before he is plagued by all the world, 
as to be sure he will, when once he sees company. I go 
«very day to dine with him. Yesterday I brought him 
privately to see my house ; and I perceive he has aa 
mucli gout for the chase aa ever he had. Most humbly 
asking your Majesty's blessing, I remain 

Your most dutiful son, 

Hknky. 



^dbyGOOglC 



STUAET PAPERS, 



riilNCE CIIARLES TO THE KING OF TRANCE. 

Fontainebleau, ce 22 Octohre, 1 746. 
MoMsiEUE MON Frere et Cousin, 
Je prends la libertiS d'ccrire il votre Mnjeste pour iui 
dire la raison que je ne parlais pas de mes affaires liier 
au soir ! c'eat parceque mon fi-fere 4tait pr&ent, et qu'en 
mSme temps je voudrais 4vit«r de Iui donner aucune 
jalousie, comme je I'aime teiidrement OseiMs-je sup- 
plier V. M., comme sa prudence est au nombre de sea 
grandes qualif^s, d'avoir la bonte la premiere foia qu'EUe 
voudrait que je Iui parle d'affaires qu'EUe soit en parti- 
culier et de faire en sorte ^vitcr cet inconvenient la. 
Je suis, &c. 

CHAIilES P. 



Le 10 JVovetnbre, 1746. 

La situation dana laquelle j'ai laissS I'Ecosse, a mon 
dispart, merite toute I'attention de votre Majeste ; ce roy- 
aume est h la veille de se voir aii^antir, et le gouveme- 
ment d'Angleterre est resolu de confondre les sujefs qui 
Iui sont restea fidfeles, avec ceux qui o»t pris lea armes 
pour moi ; d'oH il est ais6 de conclure que le mecontente- 
meat de cette nation est general, et que j'y trouvcrais 
aujourdliui trois partisans pour un que j'y ai trouv6 en 
d^barquant. 

Ce serait tromper votre Majesty que de la flatter qua 
je pourrais encore soulever I'Ecoase, si le Parlement a le 
temps cet hiver d'y mettre lea lois p&iales en execution. 
Votre Majeaf4 devrjut alors renoncer pour jamais au se- 
cours d'une revolution dans ce paya ^ et moi je o'aurais 
de ressource que dams les cosui-a des sujeta de mon pere, 
quand il plaira h la Providence de les rappeller. 

JJe nombre de snjeta aguerris ne m'a jamais manque en 



;, Google 



Ecosse. Jai iaanqu4 tout i la foia, d'argent, de vivres 
et d une poignee de troupes r^guliferes. Avec un seul de 
ces ti-ois secoura je serais encore aujourd'ltui maJtre de 
l-tcosse, et vraisemblaWement de toute I'Angleterre 

Avec trois miUe hommes de troupes reguUeres, j'aiirais 
ptaetr^ en Acgleterre imm^diatement apres avoir dgfait 
le sieur Cope ; et nen ne a'opposait alors ^ mon arriv^ k 
iHDadres, puisque lEIecteur ^tait absent, et que les trouoes 
Anglaises n'avaaent pas encore repass^. 

Ayeo des vivres, j'aurais €t4 m gtat do poursuivre le 
ti&ieral Hawley apres la bataiUe de Falldrk, et de de- 
aT Uis^'^ ^" ''™^' ^™ ^"^^ ^^ ^^'"" ^^' i'^°»pes 
Si j'eusae re9u plul^t la moifie seulement de rare-ent 
quevotre M^esfe m'a envoye, j'aurais combattu le Due 
de Cumberland avec un nombre egal, et je I'aurais sGre- 
ment battu, puisque avee quatre mille bommes contre 
donz^ J ai longtemps fait pencber la victoire, et que douze 
cent bommes de troupes r^gl^es I'auraient d^eidee en ma 
laveur, au vu et au su de toute mon armee. Ces contre- 
temps peuvent encore se r4parer si votre Majeste veut 
me confaer un corps de dix-huit ou vingt mille bommes. 
C est dims son sem seul que je dgposerail'nsage que j'en 
veus taire; je lemploierai utilement pour ses int^r^ts et 
Mur les miens. Ces int^r^ta sont inseparables, et doivent 
etre regardes comnie tels par tons ceux qui ont ITionneur 
dapproeher de votre Majesty et qui ont sa gloire et 
lavantage de son royaume k cceur. 

Charles P. B. 



PEIKCE CHARLES TO HIS FATHEH. 

Farts, December 19. 1746. 

am, 

I HAVE received yours of the 23tb, and have read it 

with tears in my eyes, not eo much for the loss of mv old 

acquaintance* as for the so many expressions of your 

Majesty s goodness to mc, wbicb I shall always be at 

paiQs to deserve, by doing what I can to serve and obe^r 

' Sir Thomas Sheridftn, ivlio iliert shortly aftci- his amvnl at Rome. 

H,.:,-.:llv,G00J^le 



1^46. STUAKT PAPERS. sxxvii 

you. It is my duty to say and represent to your Majesty 
what 1 in my conscience think, as to some people ; after 
wMch it is for you to judge, and I to obey wliat com- 
mands you think fit to give me. I cannot, without a 
new cipher (as I took the litierty already to say), put 
your Majesty into the light of several things, which, 
when I shall be able to do, I flatter myself you will ap- 
prove of my proceedings ; which I am very sensible at 
present must appear odd to you. It is my humble opinion 
it would be very wrong in me to disgrace G. K,*, unless 
your M^esty positively ordered me to do it. I must do 
him the justice to assure you I was surprised to find your 
Maiesty have a bad opinion of him ; and hitherto I have 
had no reason to be dissatisfied with him, for this was 
the first I heard of his honesty and probity to be in ques- 
tion. I shall take the liberty to represent, that if what 
he has been accused of to you, be wrote from hence, there 
is all reason to believe, id est, in my weak way of think- 
ing, that such that have writ so to you mistake, because 
of my never having heard any body accuse him to mo 
here of such things, and my having declared that my 
ears were open to every body, so as to be the better able 
to judge the characters of people. As Sir Thomas ia 
dead and gone, it ia useless to be troubling your Majesty 
for to justify him, but shall let it alone at present, until 
you to do it order me. I must own I am now entirely 
convinced F. S-t "was an ill man, by a circumstance your 
Majesty mentions to me of him I have never shown to 
anybody voui Majesty's letter';, but to the Duke, as I 
ought to hai e mentioned before , and foi this last I have 
not shown it to him, as al^o not this answer. I do 
nothing without consulting my dear brother ; and when 
I happen to do contrary to his opinion, it is entirely of 
my own head, and not by any body's el^e advice, for 1 can 
assure your Majesty I myself trust nobody more than I 
do him, as, with reason, I tell him every thing I can : but 
I am afraid some people have given him a bad opinion of 
me, for I suppose I must own he does not open his heart 
to me. I shall always love him, and be united with him. 



^dbyGOOglC 



xxxviii APPENDIX. 1746. 

Whatever he does to me, I will always tell him fa<;e to 
face what I think for his good, let Mm taie it weU or iU. 
1 knoiT him to he a little livelj, not much loving to be 
contradicted ; but I also know and am sensible of his 
love and tenderness for me in particular heyond expres- 
sion, and of his good heart in general. Your Miqesty 
cannot imagine what trouble I am at about trifles, which 
I cannot avoid withoat neglecting my duty — which I 
Lope will never be the case. I am in hopes I shall bo 
able soon to send to your Majesty a person of trust — and 
it would he of consequence nobody should know of it; 
so that he should carry my despatches, and I receive your 
orders without its being known he carried them. In 
the meantime I can say no more ; and so remain, with 
all respect^ asking blessing, your most dutiful son, 

Chaeles p. 

P.S. — I hope your Majesty will excuse the freedom 
with which I write this letter, as also the liberty I take 
to assure you that whatever I say to you will never pro- 
ceed from partiality or pique, but plainly what I think. 
I suppose O'Brien has already given an account to yoa 
of what pains I am at, and what has been done concern- 
ing the poor Scotch. I told Marquis d'Argenson t'other 
day how sensible I was at the King's goodness for what 
he has done for them, and that I would go, if necessary, 
upon my knees for them ; but that I would never ask 
any thing for myself; for T came only in this country to 
do what I could for my poor country, and not for myself. 
The said Marquis answered, that it was his Christian 
Majesty's intention to give to as many as came over, and 
that I should only give a list, and it would be continued; 
and I upon that most earnestly thanked his Most Chris- 
tian Majesty, when I had the pleasure of seeing him 
t'other day, and must do him the justice in saying, he 
was extremely civil to us, as also all his family. O'Sul- 
livan showed ma the letter your Majesty did him the 
honour to write to him. I cannot let slip this occasion 
to do him justice by saying I really tJiink he deserves 
your Majesty's favour. Townly is not the discreeteat 
man upon earth. He was making a rout, that lie, being 
the only Englishman, was neglected, when all the rest 



,V.700^ie 



1746. STUAET TAPERS. XKxix 

got something or another. I was plagued witli liim se- 
veral times on that str.iin. At last I stopped his mouth, 
having the good luck to get for him the Croix de St. 
Louis. I suppose you have heen already informed of 
it. I do not mention so many trifles of that kind, sup- 
posing others supply for me in that. I am in hopes poor 
Cardinal Acquaviva will escape this hout, for I beliovo 
him to be a good friend of ours. 



PRINCE CHARLES TO lilS FATHER. 



.Paris, January 16. 1747. 
In reality I do not doubt of the honesty of those about 
me, though they may not have all the capacity in the 
world. I find it now-a-days so rare to find an hoaest 
man, that any that has given me proofs of being so, (un- 
less your Majesty orders me, or I find I am deceived by 
any of them on any the least trifle,) I would part with 
them with a sore heart. Notwithstanding I offei-ed to my 
dear brother, that any one, or all about me, that ho had a 
disgust for, I would dismiss, to make him easy ; to which, 
he assured me he had no dislike for any body, and did 
not want any such thing. He does not open his heart to 
me, and yet I perceive he is grieved, which must proceed 
from malicious people putting things in his head, and 
preventing him jigainst me. Notwithstanding I am per- 
suaded he loves me tenderly, which is the occasion of my 
grief. God Almighty grant us better days. I lay myself 
at your Majesty's feet, most humbly asking blessing. 
Tour most dutiful son, 

Charlks p. 



^dbyGOOglC 



PEINCE CHARLES TO HIS BROTHER. 
{ExtTact.) 

Avignon, February 9. 1747. 

I TOST now tell yoH, dear brother, that even in Scot- 
land I formed a project of going myself to the Court of 
bpam. I left Pans with that intention, which I am re- 
solved to pmsue, and would not ask leave for fear of 
being refused; and propose to go and return, if neces- 
sa^, with ^ the privacy imaginable. I shaU despatch 
SuIhvaJi to mform the King of it, and of every step I 
Have taken since my coming to France. 

I now send to entreat you, by all the ties of brotherly 
affection, not to think of starting from Paris. 



PRINCE CHARLES TO HIS TATHER. 

(Extract.') 

Guadalaxara, March 12. 1747. 
am, 
I EELiEVB your Majesty will be as much surprised as 
1 am to find that no sooner arrived, I was burred away 
without so much as allowing me time to rest. I thought 
there were not such fools as the French Court, but I find 
It here far beyond it. Tour Majesty must forgive me if 
I speak here a Uttle ont-of humour, for an angel would 
take the spleen on this occasion. ISTotwithstanding you 
will find I behaved towards them with all the reapect 
and civihty imaginable, doing a la lettre, whatever they 
required of mc, to give them not the least reason of com- 
plaining of me, and by that putting them entii-ely dans lettr 
tort. I shall now begin my narration of all that has passed 
since my arrival in this country. 

For to arrive with the greater secrecy and diligence, 
so that this Court should not hear of me until I let them 
know It, 1 took post at Perpignan, with Vaughan and 
Cameron, the rest not being able to ride, and not to be so 



1747. STUAKT l-AI-EKS. xh 

mnny together. I arrived at Barcelona, and finding that, 
by the indiscretion of some of oui- own people (which the 
town happened theu to be full of) it was immediately 
spread I was there ; this hindered me to wait here for the 
rest of my people coming up, as I intended, and made me 
take the resolution to leave even those that had come there 
with me, for the greater blind and expedition, and to take 
along with me one Colonel Nagle, who had been with the 
Duke of Ormoud. 

I arrived at Madrid the 2d inst., and addressed myself 
Immediately to Geraldine, Sir Charles Wogan being at 
Lis government; and it happened better so, for I find 
they are not well together, and Geraldine is all in all 
with the Ministers, I gave him immediately a letter for 
Caravajai, which enclosed one for the King, of which I 
send here a copy; this was the channel he advised me to 
go by. ITpon that I got an appointment with the said 
Minister ; and he carried me to him in his coa«h, with a 
great many ridiculous precautions, for I find all here like 
the pheasants, that it is enough to hide their heads fo 
cover the rest of the body, as they think. After I made 
Caravajai many compliments, I asked him that I sup- 
posed he had delivered my letter to the King, and had 
received his orders what I should do? To which he said 
he had not, telling me it was better he should not give 
it, and that I should go back immediately; that he was 
■very sorry the situation of affairs was such, that he ad- 
vised me to do so. This he endeavoured to persuade me 
*> by several nonsensical reasons. I answered them all, 
so that he had nothing in the world to say. but that he 
would deliver my letter. I told him that my sudden 
resolution of coming here was upon one of my friends 
coming just before I parted from Paris to me, from the 
rest, assuring me that they were ready as much as ever, 
if they had the assistance necessary, to allow them time 
to coiiie to a head ; at the same time expressing what a 
conceit that nation had for the Spaniards' good inclina- 
tions, and how popular it would be for me to take a 
jaunt in that country, out of gratitude for all they had 
endeavoured to do for us ; that I could be back at any 
event for any expedition of effect, for that, with ivsason, 
fione could be undertook till the month of April or May, 



ih, Google 



3lii 



1747 



I added to that my per&onal inclinations, wliicli hit with 
theirs. I parted, after all compliments were over, and 
WS13 Beyer in the world more 6urprised than when Cara- 
Tajal himself came at the door of the auberge I was 
lodged in, at eleven at night and a half, to tell me that 
the King wanted to see me immediately. I went in- 
stantly, and saw the King and Queen together, who made 
me a great many civiHties, but, at the same, desiring 
me to go back as soon as possible ; that, unluckily circum- 
stances of affairs required so at present; that nothing in 
the -world they desired more than to have the occasion of 
showing me proofs of their friendship and regard. One 
finds in old histories, that the greatest proofs of showing 
such tilings are to help people in distress ; hut this, I 
find, is not now a la. mode, according to the French 
fashion. I asked the King leave, in the first place, to see 
the Queen Dowager, and the rest of the Koyal Family, 
to which he answered, there was no need to do it. Upon 
my repeating again how mortifying it would be for me, 
at least, not to make my respects to the old Queen, to 
thank her for her goodness towards us, he said I might 
speak of that to Caravajal. I found by that he had got 
his lesson, and was a weak man, just put in motion like 
a clock-work. At last, after many respectful compliments, 
and that the chief motive of my coming was to thank 
his Majesty for all the services his Eoyal Family had 
done for ours, at the same time to desire the continuation 
of them ; to which he said, if occasion offered, he would 
even do more ; after that, I asked him, for not to trouble 
him longer, which was the Minister he would have me 
speak to of my affairs, and of what I wanted? to which 
ho said, that he had an entire confidence in Caravajal, 
and that to him alone I might speak as to himself. I 
spoke then, that Caravajal might hear, that there was 
nobody that could he more acceptable to me than him- 
fiays T, in laughing, he is half an Englishman, being 
called Lancaster. I parted; and who does I make out at 
the door hut Farinelli « ; who took me by the hand with 

• The celeiirawa dnger and smrana. Aeoording Jo M. de Brosses, 
the King of Spain had granted him leltei-s-patent of nobility in tho 
usual form " S Ini et i touw ea posterity 1 » tfltalie, vol. I p. 251 > 



^dbyGOOglC 



l'^^^- STtlART PAPEES. sli;; 

rffronte,,. I fl,„ ,I,„„ht, „ with r<»o„, i, ™ „„, 
brmdee, OP C«pt.m of tho Omrfs, that had ,eeii me in 

hZ'.iT ™ "I" ■? T"' ™'P™rf «" "lie« he i,™ed 
tonielf, >«,,„,; that he had ,een mo formerly, whieh he 
was sure I could not remember. 

From thenoe I yeut ia the Mim.top's ap.rtmeot, aud 

fw rT ,,'•'5°,'""' ■""■ '»' ' f"""™^ unmediatelj 
that ho bm,d U ca^ras^e, ,„a ooneluded nothmi; to 
. If^j""' ! P"»™B mo ardenfl, to go out of the 
torn and a»ay immcdiatelj. I told him, thou.l I had 
S,™ " T™"^ ''H'T'- ~'"'l»l"dmg, being jSung and 
Tif' h , .w*-?1 ""■* *" S» >™j that ier, sane 
mght i but that, If he oared to aa.ist mo in the least, ho 
must allow mo a bttlo time to explain and settle things 
».th hiin, that if ho ploasid, I would bo noit day will 
him again. He agreed to that, hut that absolnloly it was 
newssary, to do a pleasure to tho Eng, I should part the 
day after. I went to hm as agreed upon, and brought a 
note of what I was to speak to him about, whioh, after 
explaining, I gave to him, a cop; of which I enclose here, 
along with tho answer ho made before me, in wrifinff 
which seems to me not to say much. Ho pressed me 
again to part tho next day. I repposentod it waa an im- 
possibility, in a manner, for me to go before any of my 
peojjle eommg up^ At last he agpced to send along with 
me Sir Ihomas Gera^dinc, as far as Guadalaxara, where 
1 might Walt for my family. 

We parted, loading one another with compliments. 



PRINCE CHARLES TO LORD CLANCARTY. 

Paris, March 26. 1747. 
I THOUOHT it proper to come back again in this country 
(but intend to keep myself absolutely in private), as the 
season is now favourable to make another attempt, and 
to bring those people here to reason if possible. On our 
side we must leave no stone unturned, and leave tho rest 
to Providence. If you have aay thing to lot mo know 
01, you have only to write t» me under cover to young 



:. Google 



Sliv APPENDIX. 1747. 

Waters, who ■will always know where to find me. At 
present I have nothing more particular to add, so remain, 
assuring you anew of my constant regard and friendship. 
Charles P. K. 



S TO ME, MURRAY (LORD DUNBAE). 

Paris, April 15. 1747. 
Mt Lord, 
An Irish cordelier, called Kelly, who gives himself out 
for the Prince's confessor, has distributed in this town 
an infamous paper, entitled a Sonnet on the Death of 
a Caledonian Bear, and has been indiscreet enough to 
publish that His Mtyesty has been of late troubled with 
vapours, which have affected his judgment, and that your 
Lordship governs ^im despotically ; in fine, he has said 
that the King is a fool, and that you aie a knave. As 
he is known to have access to his Royal Highness, his 
discourse has produced very bad effects ; people imagine 
that the Prince contemns his father, I am persuaded he 
does not deserve that censure. It were to be wished, 
however, that his Royal Highness would forbid that friar 
his apartment, because he passes for a notorious diunkard. 
The opinion prevaib here that the cordeliers ia general are 
great drinkers, yet even among them this Kelly is in- 
famous for his excesses ; ia fine, the wine of the Prince's 
table is termed friar Kelly's wine ; and the same person 
who governs his conscience is said to regulate his di- 
versions, and his Koyal Highness's character in point 
of sobriety has been a little blemished on this friar's 
account. 

I am your Lordship's, &e. 



THE PRETEHDBR TO PRINCE CHARLES. 

Album, J«reel3.1747. 

I KNOW not whether you will be surprised, my dearest 
Carluccio, when I teli you that your brother will bo made a 



..Gooj^le 



i!r4r.- 



STUART PAPERS. x\V 



But the case 
of the ainceri 
think il 



Cardinal the first day of next month. Naturally speakiag, 
yon should have been consulted about a resolutioa of that 
kind before it had heen executed ; but, as the Duke and !■ 
■were unalterably determined on the matter, and that we 
foresaw you might probably not approve of if, we thought 
It would be showing you more regard, and that it would- 
be even more agreeable to you, that the thing should be 
done before your answer could come here, and to have it 
in your power to say, it was done without your know^ 
ledge and approbation. It is very true I did not expect 
to see the Duke here so soon, and that his tenderness and 
affection for me prompted him to undertake that journey ; 
but after I had seen him, I soon found that his chief mo- 
tive for it was to discourse with me fully and freely on 
the vocation he had long had to embrace an ecclesiastical 
state, and which he had so long concealed from me and 
kept to himself, with a view, no doubt, of having it in his 
power of being of some use to you in the late conjunctures. 

"■ is now altered ; and, as I am fully convinced 

rity and solidity of his vocation, I should 
listing the will of Gcod, and acting directly 
agamst my conscience, if I should pretend to constrain 
him in a matter which so nearly concerns him. The 
maxims I have bred you up in and have always followed, 
of not constraining others in matters of religion, did not 
a little help to detenniiie me on tbe present occasion, 
since it would be a monstrous proposition that a King 
should be a father to his people and a tyrant to his 
children. After this, I will not conceal from you, my 
dearest Carluceio, that motives of conscience and equity 
have not alone determined me in this particular ; and 
that, when I seriously consider all that has passed in re- 
lation to the Duke for some years bygone, had he not 
had the vocation he has, I should have used my best en- 
deavours, and all arguments, to have induced him to em- 
brace that state. If Providence lias made you the elder 
brother, he is as much my son as you, and my paternal 
Care and affection are equally to be extended to you and 
him ; 30 that I should have thought I had greatly failed 
in both towards him, had I not endeavoured by all means 
to secure to him,-8s much as in me lay, that tranquillity 
and bappmess which I was sensible it was impossible for 



ibyGoogIc 



xlvi APPENDIX. 1747. 

liim to enjoy in any other state. Tou will understand all 
that I mean without my enlarging further on thia laat so 
disagreeable article ; and you cannot, I am sure, complaia 
that I deprive you of any service the Duke might have 
been to you, since you must be sensible that, all things 
considered, he would have been useless to you remaining 
in the world. But let us look forward, and not backward. 
The resolution is taken, and will be executed before your 
answer to this can come here. If you think proper to 
say you were ignorant of it, and do not approve it, I shall 
not take it amiss of you ; but, for God's sake, let not a step, 
which naturally should secure peace and union amongst 
us for the rest of our days, become a subject of scandal 
and eclat, which would faU heavier upon you than upon u3 
in our present situation, and which a filial and brotherly 
conduct in you will easily prevent. Tour silence towai'da 
your brother, and what you writ to me about him since 
he left Paris, would do you little honour if they were 
known, and are mortifications your brother did not de- 
serve, but which cannot alter his sentiments towards you. 
He now writes to you a few lines himself, but I forbid 
him entering into any particulars, ance it would be 
giving himself and you an useless trouble after all I have 
said about him here. 

You must be sensible that^ on many occasions, I have 
had reason to complain of you, and that I have acted for 
thia long while towards you more like a son than a father. 
But I can assure you, my dear child, nothing of all that 
sticks with me, and I forgive you the more sincerely and 
cordially all the trouble you have given me, that I am per- 
suaded it was not your intention to fail towards me, and 
that I shall have reason to be pleased with you for the time 
to come, since all I request of you hereafter is your per- 
sonal love and afi'ecfion for me and your brother. Those 
who may have had their own views in endeavouring to 
remove us from your affairs have compassed their end. 
We are satisfied, and you remain master ; so that I see 
no bone of contention remaining, nor any possible obstacle 
to a perfect peace and union amongst us for the future. 
God bless my dearest Carluccio, whom I tenderly embrace. 
I am all yours, 

Jahes B. 



ooj^le 



STUART rAPERS. 



PRINCE CHAKLES TO MB. EDGAE. 

St. Ouen, July 24. 1747. 
I HAVE received yoiira of the 4th current * and send 
you here inclosed the usual letter. Happy would I be 
to have happier orders and higher spirits, which, to my 
misfortune, my friends hinder as well as my enemies. 
God forgive the last ! Having not strength to say more, 
I remain yours, 

C.P. 



PRINCE CHAEMS TO THE MARQUIS DE PUISIEULX, 
ERENCH MINISTER EOE FOllEIGN AFFAIRS. 

Paris, le 27 Mars, 1748. 

Me_s amis en Angleterre m'ayant demand^, Monsieur, 
d'y faire passer un nombre de medailles, j'en ai fait graver 
line iei par le Sieur Nicolas Rotier. Apres m'en avoir 
donn4 I'empreinte, il m'a dit qu'il ne pourait les frapper 
sMis un_ ordre de voire part. J'ignoraia i la v^rite la 
nccessite d'une permission, et n'en pouvaia pr^voir ia con- 
sSfLuence politique. Cependant^ pour parer an plus petit 
inconvenient qui en eut pa resnlter, j'ai requis le Sieur 
Eotier de ne point mettre Paris sur la medaille, ni mgme 
son nom ; et pour remplir en meme temps I'objet de 
I'amour-propre naturel a un ouvrier pour son ouvrage, 
nous aommes convenua qu'il n'y mettrait que les iettres 
initiales N. K. F. Ne Mien Faire % comme S. P. Q. E. t se 
rend par Si Pen Que Rien ! 

II est facheux de n'avoir que des bagatelles ^ proposer 
a quelqu'un doat je connais le z^e et I'amitie pour moi 

• Written to annoimc« tho elevation of the Cardinal of York on ■ 
the preceding day. 

■f IVicholas Botier Fecit. The Ne Sim Faire of Charles is a 
soarioal tonch on the unwillitignesa of tho French Court to assieC Imn. 

{ Senatns Popuius Que Rume,nus. 



^dbyGOOglC 



dans des choses bien plus essentielles si I'oceasion y etait. 
La mesure de ma reconnoissance n'en est pas pour cela 
plus born^e, et je suis, Monsieur, &c. 



PRINCE CHASLES TO ME. BULIiXLEY- 

Paris, October 31. 1748. 

I HAVE juat seen jour letter to Kelly, and am truly 
sensible of your zeal, but bave nothing more to say on 
that subject, but that quod dixt, dixi, et quod sertpsi, 
scripsi. 

C.P. 



FROM SCRAPS, IN PRINCE CHARLES'S WRITING. 
Paris, 1748. 
Je suis en peine surtout pour Louis, comrae je ne peux 
que perdre la ^le, maia Louis I'bonneiir. 

Louis «e plaint que Charles veut lui donner des lois. 

Je ne veux pas, dit Charles, reeevoir des lois qui vien- 

Bent d'Hanovre Mais ne dites pas que c'est moi, n'4tant 

pas m§me Ministre 

Je ne tm& pas un Mmistre ; un mot doit vous sufBre 



IN CHARLES'S WRITING. 

Abowt 1760. 
Db vivre et pas Tiyre est beaucoup plus que de mourir. 



^dbyGOOglC 



IN CHAELES'S WRITING. 

] 773— 1780. 

EfoONSE qu'un homme fit a son ami qui lui conta que 
sa maltresse 4tait infidele par vengeance. Est-ce, dit-il, 
pour I'avoir trop aime, ou trop peu? En tout cas la 
vengeanco est douce. 

Pour les hommes, je les 4t«die, et h quatre-vingt ana 
J6 serais peut-gtre moms savant qu'a cette heure ; mais 
pour lea femmes, je i'ai toujours cru inutile, comme plus 
mdchant et impenetrable. 



^dbyGOOglC 



EXTRACTS 
THE HARDWICKE PAPEES. 

COXE'S COLLECTIONS, &e. 



The message yon bring could 



THE PRETENDER TO MK. T. CARTE. 

I„ ^s^'^^"!" fTf ?.^ ^°^^'l "^"P'"'' ■""'■ ^'- I' i^ 'hus endorsed 
II 8r Robert Walpole's own hand-writing. "This oriffinal letter 
wrtteu to Mr. Thomas Carte, when at Vic, ^d aVrto h^ 
" was delirered to me fay the said Mr. Thomas Carte, S^Dtem W Is! 
" 1739, together with the heads" (of a plan of goyJlSie^JJ 

Home, July 10. 1739. 
- - o not but appear pery sin- 

gular and extraordinary to me, because you deliver it 
only from second hand, and that I haYO no sort of proof 
of your being authorised by the person in question, who 
cannot but feel that it is uatural.for me to mistrust what 
may come from him. It may be, and I hope it is, the 
case, that he wishes me and my cause well, and I am 
sensible it may be greatly in his power to serve both. If 
he has really my interest at heart, let him send to me 
Some trusty friend and confidant of his, to explain to me 
his sentiments and views, and if he pursues measures 
which manifestly tend to my restoration, I shall be per- 
suaded of his sincerity, and shall consider and reward 
him after my restoration, in proportion to the share he 



^dbyGOOglC 



i'oy. HAKDWICKE PAPERS. H 

may have had in bringing it about. But whatever may 
or may not be in thia matter, I have no difficulty in 
putting It in your power to satisfy him authentically on 
the two articles about which he is solicitous, since, inde- 
pendent of his desires, I am fully resolved to protect and 
secure the Church of England according to the reiterated 
promises I have made to that efi'eot^ and shall be ready, 
after my restoration, to give all reasonable security which 
a fresh Parliament can ask of me for that end. As for 
the Princes of the House of Hanover, I thank God I 
have no resentment against them, nor against any one 
living. I shaU never repine at their Hying happily in 
their own country after I am in possession of my king- 
doms, and should they fall into my power upon any at- 
tempt for ray restoration, I shall certainly not touch a 
hair of their heads. I thought it proper to explain in 
this manner my sentiments on these heads, not absolutely 
to neglect an occurrence which may be of great import- 
ance, if well grounded, and if otherwise, no inconvenience 
can arise from what I have here said. 

James R. 



LORD DESKFORD TO MARQUIS VISCONTT. 

Hanover, December 26. 1740. 
Upon my arrival here last week, I had the pleasure to 
find yours of the 3d December, which had lain hero for 
some time, I having made my stay at Berlin longer than 
I at first intended, being willing to see as much as pos- 
sible, and to form as just a notion as I could of the cha- 
racter of that young ambitious Prince *, who is like to 
act a part of so much importance in Europe. He cer- 
tainly has many qualities worthy of praise. His activity 
and application to business is surprising; his secrecy 
commendable. He has a vivacity, too, and a liveliness 
of thought, with a justness of expression, that is un- 
common. But his thoughts seem rather of the brilliant, 



* Frederick the Second. 



idb,Googlc 



lii APPENDIX. 1740, 

thau of the solid, kind; and, even in common things, one 
sees him daily take a resolution, and execute it in a mo- 
ment. His fire appears too great to let him have time 
to weigh the difficulties that may attend it ; and the idea 
he has of the superiority of his own parts, creates in him 
a presumption which makes him contemn and act almost 
in every thing without counsel. The insinuations of 
M. Podweis, who is remarkable for his attachment to 
France, are said, sometimes, to have some effect. Field- 
Marshal Schwerin is the man in his service whom he 
esteems the most ; but if the King of Prussia's genius 
and parts would make him estimable if they were joined 
with common integrity, they make him more detestable 
and dangerous, when we consider what a villainous heart 
they are directed by. His falsehood and want of faith is 
well known to you at Vienna. I wish to God you had 
not trusted him so long : neither could I find that ho 
was possessed of any one qualite de cceur that was not 
detestable. He is avaricious to a great degree, but has 
an avarice subordinate to bis governing passion— ambi- 
tion. He seems incapable of friendship, and his ingrati- 
tude is surprising, I shall only give you two instances 
of it. Two young gentlemen. Captains in the Prussian 
service, after having dissuaded him from the attempt, 
were at last induced, by solicitations, to expose their 
lives and fortunes in endeavouring to assist him to make 
his escape when he was seized. Luckily for them they 
got off. The one went into the Dutch service, and, at 
the death of the late King of Prussia, had risen to be a 
Captain of Horse there. This King, upon his accession 
to the Crown, writ for him, and offered him a pension of 
1000 dollars, if he would come and settle at Berlin. The 
gentleman's answer was, that he had very near twice as 
much by his commission in Holland, and he flattered 
himself that his Majesty would not desire one, whose 
attachment to him had made him expose his life in his 
service, to make so disadvantageous a change. The King 
said he could do no more for him, and so let him go back 
into Holland, I believe, without paying his journey. The 
other gentleman retired into England, where, being a 
foreigner, he could not be employed ; but he there ob- 
tained letters of recommendation to the General who is 



_7 00J^le 



1741. GKANTIIAM PAPERS. liii 

at the head of the troopa in Portugal, arid who, as soon 
as he arrived at Lisbon, granted him the oommission of 
Major of Horse. The King of Prussia, likewise, upon 
his accession to the Crown, wrote to him, who did not 
l>alance a moment, but immediately laid down his com- 
mission, and set out for Berlin. Since his arrival there 
the King has given him the brevet of Lieutenant-Colonel, 
and made him Ecuyer, with 1300 erowna pension, which 
is not half so much as he had by his commission in tho 
Portuguese service. He had likewise a small estate, 
which the late King of Prussia confiscated, and gave tt> 
the recruiting cash. The King, instead of restoring to 
him the revenues of so many years, which, upon his ac- 
count, he had lost, still leaves it addicted to the recruiting 
cash, and retains it from him. Ease ingratitude ! When 
I join this with his unexampled falsehood and shocking 
breach of faith to your Queen, there is nothing so vil- 
lainous, nothing so bad, that this Prince docs not seem 
to me capable of doing. He has deceived you once at 
Vienna. I flatter myself your Court will not be weak 
enough to let Gotter deceive you again. 



ME. ROBINSON TO LOED HAKRINGTON. 
[Granthom Papers, and Coxe's Copies.] 

jPresburg, September 20. 1741. 
The inclosed is the speech the Queen made on the 
11th instant to her Hungarian Diet. They answered, 
vitam et sanguinem ! The Diet, it is thought, will break 
up this weok, after which the Queen, it is presumed, will 
remove for some time to Eaab, and afterwards to Pesth, 
over against Buda. There are as little conveniences in 
the one as the other place for the Court. I shall follow 
as close and as well as I can in this almost desert and 
unprovided country, till I am honoured with the King's 
orders. 

Mr. Dunant has orders to send, while Vienna is open. 



ibyGoogIc 



Et 



1741. 



all tlie particulars of the diapositlona making there for a 
good defence. The Archduke* ia still in Vienna. 

The Chancellor says that there is no safety left for 
Europe, J)ut an immediate and vigorous diversion in 



ME. ROBINSON TO ME. WESTON. 

Presburg, October 9. 1741. 
We have no place yet fixed for our winter residence. 
Vienna we cannot certainly return to, siege or not ; this 
place is not secure in case of a siege there ; Eaab is too 
little ; Buda too unwholesome. In the meanwhile I have 
neither house nor home. Unless you have some scheme 
on the anvil to save us, I do not see that you can long 
have occasion for a Minister to the Queen of Hungary, 
llie maladte du pays comes very fiist upon me. 



MR. ARTHUR VILLETTB TO THE DUKE OF 
NEWCASTLE. 

Camp of the Concordia, July 19. 1742. 
I AM informed on good authority, that when the news 
hrst caine to Versailles, by a gentleman of Don Pliilip 
that the Spanish galleys had been burnt. Cardinal Fleury 
clapped both his hands on his eyes, and kept them there 
for some^ttme without uttering any thing else but these 
words, M mea credtta trakunt me; which he repeated 
more than once; and he said, that all it Campo Florida 
said to incense him and excite him to resent such an in- 
dignity offered to the cannon of one of the French Kine's 
fortresses, produced no effect, and was received but verv 
coldly. ^ 

• The Avehdufce, son of Maria Theresa, waa then a child in arms ■ 
" fi« .1 ^.'"v^'K ""'^"f "^.^'y ,«" «rror of the tea^scriber for the 
Grand Doke, her husband, who had nndertaken the defence of her 



^dbyGOOglC 



ili-i- GEANTHAM PAPERS. !v 

SECRET ISTEIJJGENCE PEOM ROME 
[Granlham Papers, and Coxe'e Collections, toI. lii.] 

January 25, ] 744. 
On the 19th instant, in the afternoon, the Pretender 
sent his favourite Dunbar to the Pope, to let him know 
that his. eldest son set out from henco in the night of tlio 
9th of this month, in order to go to France as secretly as 
possible, excusing himself that he had not sooner ac- 
quainted hia Holiness with this, because he thought thus 
to prevent the umbrage of those who might have hoped 
to stop this motion. 

The Austrian Minister and the Ambassador of Venice 
were immediately informed of this notice ; and the for- 
mer, in particular, towards the evening of that same day, 
sent away an express by the way of Florence, that an 
information of this might be given, both at the camp of 
Eimini, and at the Court of Vienna. On the 20th, the 
Pretender being at dinner, he declared publicly this de- 
parture of his son to all his servants and others, adding, 
that at the time he was speaking, he thought that his son 
had reached the frontiers of France, upon which he re- 
ceived the congratulations of all that were present ; and 
at night he was also congratulated by the Ministers of 
France, of Spain, of the Court of Frankfort, and of all 
those that concern themselves for that family. 

As to the manner of this departure, the foUowing ac- 
count may be depended upoa. On the 7th instant was 
sent out of town publicly the hunting equipage and the 
haniess for the service of the two brothers. On the 8th 
notice was given to all those that were to be of their 
party, to set out at their ease in the coaveniences that 
were assigned them. Oa the 9th, in the morning, the 
eldest son sent one of his servants to the Cardinal, Seei«- 
tary of State, to beg of him to leave the keys of the gate 
of St John with the officer of the guard, that he might 
not be obliged to wait till the hour that this gate is com- 
monly opened at, he being desirous to go out that way 
or Cisterna, together with his brother, and that he 



^dbyGOOglC 



M 



1744. 



wanted to get thither time enough to prepare everytUng 
that was necessary for their hunting on the 1 Ith, which 
request was complied with, so that he set out in the night 
ot the 9th, a little after midnight, whilst his hrother was 
asleep. He got into his own chaise with Dunbar, having 
no other followers than one of his grooms, who is a Nor- 
man, and who led another horse well saddled. Mr. Fitz- 
maurice, who was privy to the seeref, was charged to tell the 
younger brother, when he should awake, that his brother 
being excessively fond of hunting, had gone before, but 
that he would meet him at Albano ; insomuch that the 
second son set out at the appointed hour, being 12 of the 
clock, according to the Italian way of reckoning, that ia 
to say, at 6 in the morning on the 10th, having all the 
retinue with him. After the eldest son had gone a few 
posts, he began to complain that he was cold, and said 
that to warm himself he would get on horseback. This 
was concerted with Dunbar, to deceive the postilion that 
drove tliem and the servant that attended. Dunbar at 
first opposed his desire, but at last agreed to it, so that 
the other, being got on horseback, was followed by his 
Norman groom, who accompanied him afterwards durinff 
his whole voyage (this groom is thought to be a man of 
consequence, though he has been for some time in the 
service of that house upon the footing of a servant be- 
longing to the stable); and thus being come with his 
servant to the turning of the road which goes to Frascati 
he stopped there and waited for Dunbar's chaise. When 
It was come, he feigned that he had had a fall from his 
horse, and that he had hurt his foot^ upon which Dunbar 
desired him to go into the chaise again, but he insisted 
nponhis getting on horseback to go quicker, and instead 
of going to Albano, there fo wait for his brother, he took 
the road of Mai-ino, to go straight to Ctsterna, saying 
that he should there take some hours of rest, and that 
Dunbar might go to Albano by himself, there to wait for 
his brother, and to tell him of his accident ; that the 
other should not stop but go on to Cisterna ; and thus 
staying with his faithful Norman alone at the turning 
after Dunbar was gone on in the chaise, he and his groom 
took the road to Frascati, and having coasted along the 



^dbyGOOglC 



1744. GEANTHAM PAPERS. Ivil 

Marana*, they entered into the Consular Way, and then 
into the Florence roajJ, from whence tliey went to Lerici 
and to Genoa, and then to Antibes, and that they did 
without any loss of time. In the meanwhile the Baiiif 
de Tencin had dispatched on the 6th, with great secrecy, 
his intendant, to Paris, not only to give notice to the 
Court there of the resolution that was taken here about 
this departure, but also to make proper dispositions both 
at Lerici, and at Genoa, for his embarkation under a 
feigned name. 

The second son being come to Albano, and finding 
Dunbar there, asked him where his brother was. Dun- 
bar told him at first of the pretended accident ; but it is 
said that in private he acquainted him with the truth of 
the thing, and desired him to go on to Cisterna, and to 
talk of his brother's fall, and to say that he would soon 
come to him. He also desired that nobody sliould pub- 
lish this accident, for fear it should come to the ears of 
his father. He ordered the company to begin their hunt, 
and to divert themselves in the best manner they could. 
Dunbar himself remained at Albano, and went on every 
day in giving to the Duke of Sennoiieta, to whom Cis- 
terna belongs, an account of the eldest brother's health, 
saying that he grew daily better and better, and desired 
the said Duke not to mention any thing of this in the 
letters he writ to his friends at Rome, for fear it .should 
come to the ears of the Pretender, but to say that the 
brothers had very good sport, and spent their time rery 
well. The better to cover all this, the younger Bon sent 
some wild boars to Rome, in his brother's name and his, 
some of which were given as presents to the Pope, to 
Cardinal Aequaviva, and to other people. This feint 
lasted till the l7th instant, when a letter was sent to 
Cisterna, in the elder brother's name, to let the company 
know that the weather being bad he did not care to go a 
hunting, and that he would go back to Eome, but that 
his brother might do what he pleased. Upon this Dun- 
bar returned to Eome that very OTenicg, with a young 
Englishman, son to one of the Pope's horse guards, who 
is about the same age with, and very like in the face to, 

* A Email streimi in (lie CLunpagnu of liome. 



idb,Googlc 






1744. 



the eldest son. Dunbar Lad had this young man dex- 
terously hrought to him at Albano : there were also come 
thither two servants of the second son, from Cisterna, 
who went back to Eome with Dunbai- ; so it was reported 
in town that the eldest son was come back. 

It is said in the beet companies here, that some days 
before the setting out of the eldest son. Cardinal Aequa- 
viva had desired Abbot Franchini, Minister of Tuscany, 
to grant him a pjBSport for a certain Marquis Spinelli, 
his kinsman, who wanl«d to go to Genoa for his own 
business, which passport was immediately given at his 
request. It is also said that M. de Thurm, at the desire 
of the fore-mentioned Abbot, had given some letters of 
reeommendafion to the supposed Marquis. I can't say 
whether this is true or no, but I much question that these 
gentlemen should lia^e been deceived by all the manage- 
ment of this affair. They seemed to believe that the 
Court of Paris had no thoughts of this young man, and 
gave out such reasons for it that appeared very natural j 
but perhaps they did this to disgust otiier people from 
hearkening to any accounts that should be given of this 
undertaking. 



SIR THOMAS ROBINSON TO ME. WESTON. 

Vien:ia, September 16. JV. S. 1744, 
Deab Sir, 
The last post brought no letters from England. We 
have Prince Charles * himself here ; a better testimony of 
ail that passed upon the banks of the Ehine than either 
Noailles's relation to his Court, or the Emperor's fourteen 
postilions at Frankfort, Don Kodrigue, of Colf^ne, has 
inserted the inclosed relation of it in the Brussels Ga- 
zette, and Konigseck Erps printed it, I hear, for the par- 
ticular edification of tJiose who had been surprised with 
the French a""" — •" 



I do not doubt but you will hear of many such victories 
from Bohemia, though perhaps preceded with the real 



* Prince Chfli'lcs Of Lorraine, 



^dbyGOOglC 



m4. 



ii± 



news of tlie loss of Prague. That loss will fall heavv 
upon the poor inhabitants, but it will be the triumph, per- 
haps the conflagration, of a day ; after which the Prus- 
sians must look to themselves. *He is supposed to have 
said, upon the news of Prince Charles's return, and the 
manner in which the French let his Highness pass the 
nver, Voitd. ce que c'esl que de /aire des traites avec des 
''-— ■ The French came to the Neckar, wondering the 
iJuke of WHrtemberg would not join. " Prince Charles 
IS 30 ruined he has not a grenadier left, and Bernclau is 
cut in the wood of Hagenau!" The Cuke answered, 
that he had seen the Prince in good health two days be- 
lore ; that he had seen the whole army pass column by 
column, in the best order ; that he had not perceived 
there was a grenadier wanting, and that, as for Bernclan, 
It they would be pleased to stay a little, they would find 
him returning back to teach them ti-nth. Upon this the 
J-rench retired, but not without threatening the Wurteni- 
bei^ei-s with corporal punishment, if they did not furnish 
the most exorbitant rations of all sorts. The Margrave 
rf Baden has had the like compliments. The Court of 
Frankfort seems to liave taken its iron sceptre into its 
hands. But I have the better opinion of things, as find- 
ing that they have never gone better for the good cause 
than at the very moment that the Court of Frankfort 
hegms to be in spirits. So many illusions wiU at last 
open their eyes. I think I can prove by the poetical 
number ter the several distinct times that the French, the 
Impenahsls, and the Prussians, have been for deceiving 
one another. Adieu, and believe me to he ever with 
more truth. 

Yours, &c. 

T. ROBIKSOK. 
* Tlie King of Prussia, 



idb,Googlc 



APPENDIX. 



ME. p. H. COBNABE TO SIR THOMAS ROUraSON. 
[Coxe's Collections, vol, cvi.] 

London, January 25. 1745, 

The day before yesterday Sir William Tonge mo^ed 
in the House of Common that the 28,000 English ia 
Flanders should be continued for the present year, and 
gave the principal reason for it in few words, esonsing 
himself upon his bad state of health. Mr. Wilmington 
seconded him pro forma, and hardly added any thing to 
what the Secretary at War had said ; then IMr. Powlett, 
Lord Hinton's brother, got up and proposed that the said 
troops should he continued for two months only, till the 
resolution of the Dutch should be known. Mr. Pelham, 
the Chancellor of the Exchequer, made a long discourse 
to show the necessity of carrying on the war with vigour, 
in order to attain to a good peace. Speaking of the 
Dutch, he said, he was afraid of saying too much or too 
little — too much for fear he should be thought to speak 
without foundation, too little because they had already 
given tlie most positive assurances of seconding the King i 
designs, and had given proofs of their sincerity by the 
remittances they had made to the Elector of Cologne and 
to the King of Poland : he showed the danger for Flanders 
in general, and for its maritime towns in particular ; he 
entered into a great detail relating to the Queen of Hun- 
gary's and the King of Sardinia's present situation ; in 
short, he spoke for abont an hour with an universal appro- 
bation, which was perceived in everybody's countenance. 

Sir Watkin Williama Wynn gave Mr. Pelham great 
praise as to his abilities and his hones^ : he said he was 
truly an English Minister, and that for that reason he 
would vote for this first time for the army, and that he 
did not doubt but all his friends would do the same, and 
that the whole nation would be unanimous in it, because 
we must all stand oi' fall together, there be\ng no medium. 
Sir Roger Newdigate spoke much in the same manner, 
and made great encomium of the Chancellor of the Ex- 
chequer. Lord Strange, Lord Derby's son, was for ad- 



_700J^le 



.1745. 



GRANTHAM PAPEItS. ixi 



journing the debate till Lord Chesterfield had finished Lis 
negotiations ; he talked strangely and was not minded. 

Mr. Pitt made strong declarations of approving tho 
measure proposed and supporting the new Ministry % he 
refiected on the late Secretary of State * in very severe 
terms ; he recalled all the transactions of the three last 
yeai-3, and made his remarks upon them, finding fault 
with most things that were done ; he made great compli- 
ments to Mr. Pdham and to Lord Chesterfield; insisted 
on the King's condescension in removing those that were 
grown obnoxious to his people; that out of gratitude, as 
well as for other reasons, the nation ought now to ac- 
quiesce in the desire of the Coui-t \ he took notice of the 
discredit in France, and of the good situation of the 
Queen of Hungary and our other Allies ; of the King of 
Sardinia, he said that he was as immoveable as the rocks 
he so bravely defends ; he spoke of himself as of a dying 
man, that came to the House purely tj> preserve the 
liealth of his country ; he said, that for a good while he 
thought we were under great danger, but that now he saw 
a dawn, and would follow itin hopes it might bring us 
to salvation ; he seemed extremely moved, used a good 
deal of gesture, employed all tlie figures of rhetoric, and 
made a great impression upon most that heard him. 

Sir John Barnard vindicated Lord Granville, saying, 
that the last three years were the most glorious which 
England had seen since 1710, that that Lord's conduct 
would bear the strictest inquiries, and that he wished it 
might be examined by the House to convince people at 
home who wei-e unjust to him that aU foreigners did him 
justice, and looked upon him as the ablest statesman we 
had ; he grew quite warm upon this subject, and, recol- 
lecting himself, desired the indulgence of his hearers if 
he had gone too far. 

Mr. Bowes of Durham, and Lord Barrington, took him 
up one after the other, desired he would move for an in- 
quiry, and they would second him ; they commended the 
new Ministry and their plan, which they called the Old 
Plan, supported by wise Englishmen, 

Mr. Cholmondeley, a young gentleman of Cheshire, atr 



• Enrl Granville. 



^dbyGOOglC 



ixii ArPENDix. 174J. 

tempted to put off tho debate, but nobody minded him : 
the question being put by the Chairman of the Com- 
mittee, Mr. Pane, there was no division ; Lord Strange 
was the only one that put a negative against it, so that 
thia may be looked upon like a perfect unanimity : the 
House was very full, there being above 400 Members, It 
is veiy observable, that not one word was said of Han- 
over m the whole debate ; but 1 must not dissemble to 
you, that some severe reflections were made against the 
Ministry at Vienna, that retained their old pride now 
they were a little elated, who insisted upon acquisitions, 
or at least equivalents, which could not be had but at the 
expense of the English nation, to whom they showed 
ingratitude, in not being more desirous of peace, and 
saving the treasures of the nation. It was a glorious 
day for Mr. Pelham, who had the praises of every body, 
and whose character was extolled beyond all those that 
ever were in his place. Mr. Pitt's eloquence was much 
commended, but it is thought he cannot live long ; it is 
said that if he recovers and outlives Sir W. Yonge, he is 
to have the place of Secretary at War, 



HON. PHILIP rORKE TO HORACE WALPOLE 
(THE ELDBli). 

London, May 4, 1745. 
Deak Sir, 

It is with the deepest concern I embrace so disagree- 
able an occasion of writing, as that of acquainting you 
that we have fought a battle to save Tournay, and 
lost it.* 

The news came early this morning, and was soon pub- 
lic ; for the detail of this bloody affair, we must wait the 
arrival of another messenger. What I have been able to 
learn is briefly thus : — Our army was in sight of the 
enemy by 5 of the clock on Tuesday morning last ; the 
attack of their entrenchments began about seven, and 



* Tiie batlle of nToulecoy. 

fl,..:lh;,G00glC 



1746, 



HARDWICKE PAPERS. Isiii 



lasted till half an hour after one. The right wing (com- 
posed of Enghsh and Hanoverians) hehaved most gal- 
lantly, and gained thrice ground upon the enemy, but 
were as often repulsed by the terrible Are of several 
entrenched batteries, which cannonaded them in front 
and flank without intermission during the whole lime. 
It is said the left^ where the Dutch were, did not show 
the same ardoni'. The retreat of our right was made in 
good order by Sir John Ligonier, the French not pur- 
suing a step, nor have we lost a pair of colours, but what 
is much worse, a great number of brave men. The brigade 
of Guards has sufiered prodigiously : CoL Conway's com- 
pany has but 24 men left ; Gen. Ponsonby is killed ; Sir 
J.Campbell haa lost an arm; the Colonels Douglas (of 
pur house). Gee, Kellet, Montague and Ross are amongst 
the slain: Lord Albemarle, Lord Ancram, and Lord 
Catheart are wounded. The Duke's behaviour is much 
commended ; he was in every part of the action, en- 
couraging the men and leading them on. My brother, 
who attended upon him, has, thank God! escaped with- 
out a hurt. Of particular corps, it is said, the High- 
landers, Guards, and Blues, distinguished themselves. 
What we know at present is very general and imperfect, 
both his Eoyal Highness's and Sir Everard's* letters 
being short ; but they promise a larger account in a few 
days. The army is now under the cannon of Ath. I 
dread the consequences of this disastrous opening of the 
campaign, and doubt the French were moi-o numerous 
and better fortified than we thought them. I should 
be content if Tournay may bo the single fruit of their 
success. 

It is said (but I do not know upon what grounds), that 
the coming up of a reinforcement, led by the Dauphin, 
turned the fortune of the day. Lord Dunmore and the 
officers who went with him had not joined the army. 
I am, &c. 

p. TOEKB. 

P. S. Lord Petersham is likewise wounded. 
* Siv Evoraril Faivkeuet, MiliUiry Secretaiy, 



^dbyGOOglC 



HON. PHILIP TORKE TO HORACE WALPOLE 
(THE ELDER).* 

London, May 16. 1745. 
Deab Sir, 
I suouLD not havo thought of replying upon you so 
soon, had you not invited me to it, by saying you ex- 
pected from me a. further account of the action ; and had 
1 done it sooner, it would not have heen easy to have 
added any thing material or explicit to the £rat advice,*, 
which resemble always the confusion of the battle itself. 
One must stay till the smoke ia a little cleared away, 
before one can talie a distinct view of any object. I 
think you very right in your judgment, that the French 
were onl^ not beat. Our repulse was owing, not to their 
hravery, but their advantageous situation and the number 
of their batteries, from which they had an hundred pieces 
of cannon or upwards playing Bpon us without intermis- 
sion. !Kay, even under these difficult circumstances, the 
opinion of the most intelligent is, tliat had Ingoldsby 
done his duty, and the Dutch infantry behaved as gal- 
lantly as ours, there was the greatest probability of our 
carrying the day. I wonder the former was not super- 
seded on the spot, and that Zastrow, wiio was sent to 
him with orders, did not take the command of his brigade, 
and march directly to the fort, which the enemy were 
beginning to desert. Wo might then havo turned their 
infernal engines of death upon the artificers themselves. 
The Duke'a behaviour was, by all accounts, the most 
heroic and gallant imaginable. He was the whole day 
in the thickest of the flre. When he saw the ranks 
breaking, he rode up and encouraged the soldiers in the 
most moving and expressive terms ; called them country- 
men ; that it was his highest glory to be at their head ; 
that he scorned to expose them to more danger than he 
would be in himself; put them in mind of Blenheim and 
Kamillies; in short, I am convinced his presence and 
intrepidity greatly contributed to our coming off so well. 
Nor must I omit doing justice to Ligonier, who, the 
;c already printud in. Coxe's Mc. 



^dbyGOOglC 



1745. HAEDWTCKE PiPERS. Ixv 

Duke ■writes, fought like a, grenadier, and commanded 
like a general. His Eoyal Highness seems determined 
to keep up strict discipline, and di-ew out a pistol upon 
an officer whom he saw running away. Konigscck was 
run over and bruised by the Dutch cavaby in their 
flight, insomuch that when the army marched to Les- 
sines, he was left at Ath. I have not heard, as yet, that 
the French plume themselves much upon their victory. 
Their accounts run in a modester straia than usual. It 
was certainly a dear-bought advantage. You see by the 
Gazette they have a great number of general ofiicers 
killed and wounded; their loss of private men is said t& 
be from 5000 to 10,000. Ligonier writes that they con- 
fess it to be the latter, but whether he means the reports 
of deserters, or intelligence from the French camp, I 
cannot tell. We may thank Count Saxe for our ill for- 
tune. It was he advised them to erect so many batteries, 
and to throw up entrenchments along part of their line, 
against the opinion of the rest of tlie council of war, who 
were for giving ns battle en rase campagne. Perhaps 
yon may not have heard that the French, who are gene- 
Tally reckoned a polite enemy, used the prisoners whom 
they took at Bruffoel with great brutality, stripping the 
wounded, driving away the surgeons, and taking from 
them their instruments and medical apparatus. Sir James 
Campbell died in their hands the next day. Doctor 
Wintringham was sent to visit him by the Duke, and 
found him lying in a cottage vrithin the enemy's quar- 
ters, who had not been humane enough to give him any 
assistance. This has occasioned a pretty warm expostu- 
lation between the Duke and Marshal Saxe, who denies 
knowing or authorising the behaviour of their irregular 
troops at Bruffoel; but,by way of recrimination, accuses us 
of having first violated the cartel, by detaining Belleisle, 
The orders which the States liavo dispatched for their 
corps de reserve to join the army, and for trying the de- 
linquents, alleviate the clamour which would otherwise 
be raised against them, on account of the bad behaviour 
of several regiments, both horse and foot, in their ser- 
vice. One Appius, Colonel-Commandant of the regiment 
of Hesse Homburg, rode off upon the spur to Ath, with 
the greatest part of his men, in the very beginning of 



Google 



ISTi APPENDIX. 1745. 



the iwition, and with an. impudent fully, equal to his 
cowardice, wrote from thence to his masters that the 
allied army had engaged the French, and been totally 
cut to pieces, except that part which he had prudently 
brought off safe. I hope after the loss of so much gallant 
blood, exemplary justice will be done upon the guilty. 

Lord Chesterfield returned last Saturday from Holland, 
and looks much better in his healtb than when he left 
us: eating, negotiating, and the fat air of the country, 
agree with him. He has concluded a treaty regulating 
the contingents of force and expense for this campaign. 
I wish it could have been for the whole war. The States 
agree to bring 52,000 men into the field (including their 
corps on the Lower Rhine) to our 40,000. In sieges 
they are to furnish one third, and we the rest. The ex- 
pense of the land carriage of artillery is to be borne by 
the government in Flanders. I take it for granted they 
could be brought to no more, though it is a most unac- 
countable thing that we should be at so mnch trouble to 
persuade them into what is absolutely requisite for their 
own security and independence. Have you seen my 
Lord's speech at taking leave? It is quite calculated for 
the language it is writ in, and makes but an indifferent 
figure in English. The thoughts are common, and yet 
he strains hard to give them an air of novelty ; and the 
qnaintness of the expression is quite & la Frangaise. 
Tou may observe it is intended to steer wide of the alert, 
and military, and invective turn which reigns through 
Lord's Stair's harangue ; and so far was prudent. 

Besides the three regiments of Mordaunf, Eice, and 
Handasyde, there is a draught of 540 men, 15 per com- 
pany, made out of the Guards, which embarked on Sun- 
day for Flanders. With these reinforcements, and what 
the Dutch are sending, we hope to look the enemy once 
more in the face ; and if Toumay does hut hold out, some 
attempt will be made, either by diversion or attack, to 
raise the siege. 

Maa'tin is returned as usual, re infecta. People ima- 
gined he was gone to the Leeward Islands, in search of 
Caylus, who threatens to invade Nevis and St. Kitt's, 
where I doubt we are wealt. There is an expectation 
that the Elector of Cologne will join his troops to D'Arpm- 



^dbyGOOglC 



1745. BAHBWICKE PAPERS. Ixvii 

berg. K he does, and Bathiany's come down to the Rhine, 
we trust Monsieur le Prince must leave the coast clear, 
and that Smessart'a corps, at least, may bo detaehed for 
Flanders. — You see, Sir, we follow the Roman ne cede 
malis sed contra audentior ito, and really people are leas 
dispirited with this than I expected, and full of enco- 
miums on the gallant spirit which has shown itself in our 
officers and private men. 

And now. Sir, I must heartily beg your pardon for 
this long letter — I should rather call it dispatcli. This 
I promise you, not to ti-ouble you with one so long in 
haste, for I am naturally a lazy correspondent; but when 
thescribbling fit is upon me, it is as difficult to leave oif 
as it was uneasy to begin. One question let me put to 
you, and then I have done. Why are you quite immersed 
in re rusticd? Put your papers in order; write some 
memoirs for the instruction of your friends, or, if you 
will, posterity, of your own negotiations and Lord Orford'a 
Ministry. Methinks, I should be loath to go down to 
future times either portrayed with all the features of de- 
formity which Lord Bolingbroke's pen can give, or what 
is as bad, daubed over with the sign-post eolonring of the 
Gazetteers. But I run on insensibly, and you wOl ex- 
cuse my freedom as the sti-ongest proof that I can give 
you of the regard wherewith I am, &c. 

P. TOKlfE. 



HON. PmLIP YOKKE TO HORACE WALPOLE 
(THE ELDER). 

London, May 21. 1745. 
Dear Sih, 
Befobe I leave the town, and consequently the fittest 
field for a correspondence which is not a mere idle one, I 
cannot help acquainting you with a very astonishing piece 
of treachery, which is but too true, and which has occa- 
sioned the so early aurtender of Tournay : — Mons. Hert- 
sell, a principal engineer in the Dutch service, and wlio 
was chiefly relied upon for the defence of the place, having 
been gained over by the iVench, made his escape to theit 



;,Goo»^lc 



liviii APPENDIX. 1743, 

camp the third day of the siege, and has assisted them 
with his advice and information in carrying on their ap- 
proaches. He took off with him two persons who had 
the care of the sluice, which they had so spoilt, before 
they deserted, that the Dutch had, in many places, no 
water at all in it. It is likewise thought that the blowing 
up a powder magazine, with good part of a Dutch regi- 
ment, was owing to the trains this traitor had laid before 
he went off. In order to disguise for some time the black 
contrivance. Van Hoey writ his master a Canterbury tale 
he had picked up at Paris, that some Frenchmen, fishing 
in the Scheldt, had found a dead body, which was taken 
up and judged for that of the above-mentioned engineer. 
Every body is much shocked and surprised at this per- 
fidy in a man at the top of his profession, and esteemed 
as well honest as able. Perhaps you may have heard of 
his name (if I do not mistake it), in the last war, for both 
Lords Cobhara and Stair say they remember him. Neither 
is the Governor's conduct approved in consenting to re- 
ceive the sick and wounded into the citadel, which must 
create a great and useless consumption of provision, and 
I am afraid the supplies in it are not near sufficient for the 
subsistence of so numerous a garrison. Oqv military men 
say Monsieur Dort should have retired into the citadel, and 
left the bouches inutiles to the French mercy, which God 
knows our poor countrymen have found to be that of the 
wicked, which David says is cruel. Toiirnay, if well de- 
fended and provided, would hold the enemy at bay a 
whole summer, hut I wish, in the present instance, it 
may find them work for three weeks longer. Upon re- 
ceiving the news of the town's being surrendered, the 
States sat extraordinarily from eight in the morning till 
night, and, I hear, sent the Governor orders to hold out 
to the last. Surely their old spirit has quite left them, 
as well as their old politics, or they could not see France 
making such large paces towards the conquest of Flanders, 
without exerting their whole force, and straining every 
nerve to oppose her progress. It was monstrous not to 
have even half the quota which they have agreed to bring 
into the field actually there; when the battle was fought, 
the whole confederate army, according to the beat ac- 
.counts I have seen, consisted of 46 battalions and 73 



_70l_H^le 



1745. CHESTUHFIELD PAPERS. !six 

squadrons, making in all 33,000 effective men ; the French, 
of 102 battalions and 149 squadrons, making 60,000, a 
terrible disproportion, considering, at the same time, how 
advantageously they were posted, and lined with so many 
batteries. We have had few particular accounts of the 
action : some of those first dbpatched were stopped on the 
other aide of the water, and the officers write with caution 
and reserve. It is whispered about, that Prince Waldeck 
pushed us into this desperate attempt : the best thing that 
can be said for it now it is over here is, that our Johns 
love fighting for their money, and that there was no other 
chance for raising the siege. 



EAEL OF CHESTERFIELD TO MB. DAVID MALLET. 
Dublin Castle, November 27. 1745. 

SlE, 

I HAVE just now received the favour of your letter of tlie 
20th, which adds to my shame, for not having sooner ac- 
knowledged your foi-mer. The truth is, that the business 
of this place, such as it is, is continual ; and as I am re- 
solved to do it while I am here, it leaves me little or no 
fjme to do things I should like much better. Assuring 
you of my regard and friendship is one of those things, 
but though one of the most agreeable, I believe the least 
necessary. 

I cannot comprehend the consternation which 8000 of 
your countrymen have, I find, tlirown seven millions of 
mine into. I, who at this distance, see things only in 
their plain natural light, am, I confess, under no appre- 
hensions. I consider a Highlander (with submission to 
you) as Rowe does a Lord, who, when opposed to a man, 
he af&rms to be but a man ; from which principle I make 
this inference, that 49,000 must beat 8000 ; not to men- 
tion our sixteen new regiments, which must go for some- 
thing, though in my opinion not for much. I have with 
much difficulty quieted the fears here, which were at first 
very strong, partly by contagion from England, and 
partly from old prejudices, which my good subjects are 
far from being yet above. They are in general still at 



^dbyGOOglC 



1745 



the year 1689, and have not shook off any religious or 
political prejudice that prevailed at that time. However 
1 am very gUd I am among them; for in this little 
sphere, a little may do a great deal of good, but in England 
they must he much stronger shoulders than mine that can 
do any good at that bulky machine. Pray let me hear 
from you as often and as minutely as you have leisure ■ 
most correspondents, like most very learned men, sup- 
pose that one knows more than one does, and therefore 
don t teU one half what they could, so one never knows 
so much as one should. 



Chesteefield. 



BUKE OF NEWCASTLE TO THE DUKE OF 
CUMBERLAND. 

[State Papei' Oflico.] 

Whitehall, December 1, 1745. 

TiiERE is a person whose real name is Broadstreet. 
He IS very conversant with the Jacobites, and has often 
given me in(«lligencea relating to them. He sets out to- 
morrow for the rebel army, and will send me constant 
accounts by the name of Oliver Williams. If your Eoyal 
Highness will send in a countryman's coat any person you 
can depend npon, and order him to go to the head-quarters 
of the rebels, and inquire for Mr.Broadstreet, &u Irish 
gentleman and when he sees him to speak to him by the 
name of Oliver Williams, he will then open himself fully 
to him, and acquaint him with all the discoveries he shidl 
reMs ^"^^^ *" "'^''^ °^^^^ motions and designs of the 
Though r am far from being sure that this will be of 
any service to your Eoyal Highness, yet at a time like 
this nothing ought to be omitted that has the lea.'^t ap- 
pearance of It. '^ 
I am, &c. 

Newcastle. 



^dbyGOOglC 



J/45. BTATE-PAPEK OFFICE. Ixxi 

MB. EEADKEN TO SIK E. FAWKENER. 

[Stale Paper OiBcc] 

Warrington, December 4. 1745. 
Sir, 

I HAVE been trying to pass by the rebel army ever 
since Friday last, in order to bring His Koyal Highness 
what accouats and intelligence I bad, aa well as my own 
observations on the force, &c. of it. 

As I live in Lancaster, and was there while the rebels 
passed whoUy through, I apprehend my account of them 
may be of use, and I hope it will contribute to their total 
overthrow. ... I knew all their goings on in the year 
1715, and have been used to see large armies abroad, so 
that I made my calculations without any hurry of spirits 
or surprise, and I am satisfied that their foot is not 
5000, one third of which are 60 yeai-sof age and upwards 
and under 17. 

As to their horse, they were counted by me in coming 
in aad going out with little variation, and I maiie them 
624, but scare* such as are fit to be called horse : they are 
so out of order and slender-shaped. 

The common soldiers are a most despicable crew, 
being in general low in stature, and of a wan and meagre 
countenance, stepping along under their arms with diffi- 
culty, and what they arc about seems more of force than 
inclination. 

I believe one might single out about one thousand 
fresh-looking fellows amongst their officers and soldiers : 
the first I find are of desperate fortunes in general, and 
might as well be shot or hanged as go back. There are 
several very old fellows who were at the battle of Sheriff- 
muir, in the last i-ebellion, and have brought their sons 
and grandsons along with them now ; so you will judge 
what kind of a show they must make, especially to a per- 
son used to the sight of troops fit for the field. 

While they were at Lancaster, I happened to sup with 
their Duke of Athol, whom I knew in France, after he 
went off with the Pretender. There were at supper two 
Scotchmen who I found were come over from France, 



;,Goo»^lc 



^^ APPENDIX. 1746. 

and kad been in tta serviee of that Crown meal jear>, 
andtteee other jonng gentlemen, some ot whose namei 
were Murraj.^ Wlat 1 observed by their di.conr.e was, 
that they designed to push for London with ail speed 
bnt did not themselves know the t»ute. The Maroiils of 
Xnllibardme went so far aa saying, it would be time for 
Don George to m„oli off »ery soon. I observed also 
that they magnified their numbers exceedingly, and told 
conlonndod lie, abonl their proceedings, but to repeat 
that part would be tedious. 

As I came from Lancaster hither, 1 secuj^id several of 
the stragghng rebels, disarmed and sent them to onr 
gaoJ, so that wo have about nine or ten of them safe. 
Upon on. of the fellows, dressed like an Euglishman, I 
BciMd fifg-two letter., all dated 27th November, the dky 
they left Prestoin a„d I designed to have cai-ried them t» 
lield-Marshal Wade, bnt finding he was on Thursday 
scvennight last only four miles rath of Darlington 1 
made a trid to p„s the rebel army at or near Maneh^s- 
ter, and finding I could not do it with safety, I went to 
Liyerdown, and, «, I am yet hindered by the bridges 
being pulled domi, I send this express by She post. 

1 he hitters were opened on my applying to Mr. Mag- 
nail, ajustico of peace in Lancashire, and those ft«mthe 
great ones mention their full expectations that their 
Jiang and Duke will be at London before this army 
which they say gives them uneasiness. 

Other letters tell their friends in Scotland that their 
army now consists of 24,000 men, and tliat neither dike, 
ditch, nor devil can turn thenii but I hope these ,a 
no true prophets. 

In general they are well armed, bnt I dare say most of 
them cannot charge quick, for their pistol, aii of the 
screw sort ; and as to the common men, very few of them 
ha,, any p,,tols, ,„d the target, it is plain, is more for 
•mgle combat than fidd fighting; so that when their 
army ,b fairly faced, it must bo borne down entirely it is 
so weak and light. ^ 

Their Chief is about S foot 11 inches high, pretty 
strong and well built, has a brown eompleiion, full 
cheeks, and thichish lips that stand out a little. He 
looks more of the Polish than the Scotch breed, for ho is 

fi,. iiV^iOOt^le 



1746. 

nothing like the King they call his gi'andfather. He 
looks very much dejected, not a smile being seen in all liis 
looks, for I walked a quarter of a mile with him. on the 
road, and afterwards saw him in hia lodgings amongst 
company. 

His guards were in a horrible pother at Lancaster in 
the night, thinking they had lost him, hut he was only 
gone for a little walk into the garden. 

As to the fifty-two letters which I took from the foot- 
post between the army and Edinburgh, tliey are gone to 
Lord Cholmondeley, who, I dare say, will forward tliem 
to the Duke of Newcastle's office. 

I am a practiser of physic in Lancaster, If you think 
proper to honour me with two lines of your receipt of 
this express, for which I intend to wait at Warrington, 
and for any orders from you that can be executed by. 



ABSTRACT 01' THE EXAMINATION or MR. MURRAY, 
OS BROUGIITON, BEFORE THE SECRET COMMITTEE, 
AUGUST 13. 174G. 

[]?rom tlie papers of Lord CbnnccUor Hardwieke.] 

Lord Traqisaie acquainted him in the beginning of 
1743, that in 1740 an association was signed by the 
seven following persons in favour of the Pretender, 
namely. Lord Traquair himself, tiie late Lord Perth, Lord 
John Dnimmond, uncle to the late Lord Perth, Sir James 
Campbell of Auchinhreck, Lord Iiovat, young Lochiel, 
and Mr. John Stuart, brother to Lord IVaquair. This 
paper was sent to Eome hy Drummond, alias Mac- 
gregor*, who carried at the same time a memorial to the 
Cardinal de Fleury, with a list of the Highland chiefs 
that were thought well-aifected to the Pretender. 
Amongst them were the names of Sir Alexander Mac- 

• OfBohaidle. 



^dbyGOOglC 






1746 



donald and tlie Laird of Macleod. Drummond on Lis 
i-etui-n to Scotland in 1741-2, acquainted Lord Ti-aquair 
and the rest, that the Cardinal had received him very 
gracionsly, and promised, on encouragement from Eng- 
land, to send troops into Scotland, in autumn 1742. 
liOrd IVaquMr was employed in London to get this eu- 
cour^emeut, and told the examinant afterwards, that 
the principal persons he had conversed with on the 
suhjectwere, Sir John Hinde Cotton, Sir Watkin Wynn, 
and Lord Barrymore ; that Dr. Barry, Colonel Cecil, and 
Colonel Brett were concerned as agents. 

In March or April, 1743, the examinant was prevailed 
with, by Lord IVaquatr and Lochiel, to undertake a 
journey to Paris, in order to see whether the French 
assurances were to bs depended on. During the short 
abode he made by the way in town, he talked with no 
Englishman whatever on the Pi-etender's affairs. When 
he arrived in France, he was introduced by Drummond 
and Sempill to Cardinal Tencin and Amelot, to whom he 
opened his commission, and the latter told him his master 
had the Pretender's interest much at heart, and would 
takethefirstopportunityofaasistinghim. The examinant 
came back to Edinburgh in the summer, and made a re- 
port of what had passed to tlie persons above mentioned. 
The scheme was, that 3000 Fi-eneh were to be sent to 
Scotland, 1500 to land at Invei-ness, and as many in the 
Western Highlands, and to be joined by the disaffected 
clans in those pai-ts. At the same time Marshal Sase 
was to make a descent with 12,000 men near London, 

About this time Drummond was a few days in London, 
and had meetings with Sir J. H. Cotton, W. Wynn, and 
Lord Barrymore, in relation to these matters, which, after 
the invasion was disappointed, slept awhile, till, in June, 
1744, the examinant was persuaded by Lord Traquair to 
make a second journey to France, which he agreed to, 
took our army in his way, and had fi-equent conversa- 
tions at Paris with the young Pi-etender, Sir Thomas 
Sheridan, Lord Elcho, Drummond, and SempilL The 
young Pretender made no doubt of being supported by 
the French Court, hut told him he would come thougli 
he brought but a single footman. 

The examinant, on his return to Edinburgh, recon- 



^dbyGOOglC 



1746. HAKDWICKE PAPERS. Ixxv 

sidered the whole matter with Lord Traquair, Lochiel 
and Lord Perth. The two former thought it a raah en- 
terprise; the latter had a better opinion of it. The 
Laird of Maeieod decla3;cd that, though he looked upon 
It aa a desperate scheme, he would join the Pretender if 
he came, and he informed MuiTay, in April, 1745, that 
the Jacohites in England were weU disposed, but against 
stirring, unless France would assist them. 

The first notice which the examinant received of the 
young Pretender's resolution to set out for Scotland, was 
in June, 1745, upon which he acquainted Lochiel and 
Macleod with it^ who both disapproved it, as rash and 
unseasonable, and encouraged the examinant to write 
dissuasive letters, which he did aecordingly, but thev 
came too late; the joung Pretender landed at Ai'isaig 
and Mr. iVIurray joined him, and acted as his Secretary! 
He knows of no letters being sent into England, but one 
to Lord Barrymore ft-om Perth, written with the voung 
Pretender's own hand. Sir Thomas Sheridan told him 
to had sent Hickson to talk with people in the north 
but named nobody. He knows of^no letters received 
Irom persons not in arms, except Lord Lovat. He waiS 
not acquainted with Sir James Stewart's negotiation at 
VersaiUes, nor with Lord Clancarty'a message to France 
la August last. He says Sheridan was the person in 
principal confidence with the young Pretender, who had 
toe correspondence with France entirely in his hands. 
To the best of his knowledge there was no money re- 
mitted from England to the young Pretender, and, during 
the whole tune of their being in England, lliey received 
no message nor application from any person in it, which 
vexed them extremely. He does not know that any 
body about the Pretender had any dependence on the 
late Provost, nor is he acquainted with the private cor- 
respondences they might have in Edinburgh. He recol- 
lects that during the siege of Stirling Castle, Sir John 
IJouglas came to Eannockbum, and was introduced pri- 
vately to him in his chamber, that is, he was obliged to 
go to Stirling. Sir John was carried to his audience of 
the young l^etender by Sheridan, and only told him 
(Murray) m general, at his return, that he had a message 
from the Pretender's friends in England, that 10,000/. was 
VOL. IIL s F ) »= 



ibyGoogIc 



Ixxvi APPENDIX. 1746. 

deposited ia London for hia use, and that a messenger 
■was setting out for France when he left it ; Sir John did 
not tell him by whom the message waa sent to France, 
but he concluded it was hy the persons above mentioned. 

At Derby, the young R'etender was singly of opinion 
for marching on to London, against the advice of the 
whole council of war ; but the examinant advised him to 
submit to the general sense of hia officers. He does not 
believe the rebels were above 5000 men at Derby. They 
had little or no intelligence from any quarter whilst they 
were in England. He has heard the Duke of Beaufort 
named by the Pretender's friends aa one that wished them 
well ; but he does not know of any person that corre- 
sponded with him. After the battle of Culloden, Mae- 
donald of Lochgarry offered to lie in wait for the Duke, 
between Fort Augustus and Fort William, and shoot 
him, hut the young Pretender absolutely forbade him to 
attempt any such thing. 

The declaration of the 10th of October, 1745, was 
drawn up by Sheridan, and Sir James Stewart. 

Being shown two letters, dated Paris, one aigned 
Drummond MaCgrcgor, and the other G. Kelly, he ac- 
knowledged both their hands, and recollected that the 
flrat had been read over to him by Sheridan. He alao 
said, to the best of his remembrance, the deciphering of 
the names over the figures was in Sheridan's hand, 

These two letters are most remarkahle ones, and were 
found amongst the papcra taken at Culloden ; but where, 
or in what manner, I can give no account. The first 
was written not long after the battle <rf Gladsmuir, and 
before the march into England. The writer speaks san- 
guinely of the French having a real intention to support 
the young Pretender's cause, and says he had takeo great 
pains to persuade hia friends in England to declare them- 
selves; that he had, from the beginning, corresponded 
with the principal of them, who were connected with and 
trusted by all the EoyaJists in the kingdom, such aa the 
Duke of Beaufort, Lord Orrery, Sir W. Wynn, Sir J. H. 
Cotton, and Lord Barrymore ; that the latter waa much 
i-elied on, and a great deal left to his management ; that 
he did not doubt but, aa soon as the young Pretender had 
made ikny advances in England, and shown his friends 



^dbyGOOglC 



1746. 






there an army able to pi-otect them, they would flock to 
Lis standard ft-om all quarters. He mentions his long 
and painful adherence to the Jacobite cause ; that he was 
now worn out with age and infirmities, but could have 
wished to have ended his life gloriously in the iield, 
fighting with the rest of his gallant countrymen in de- 
fence of his lawful prince and the liberties of Scotland. 
I think this letter is addressed to the young Pretender 
himselt 

The other is a despatch fn Sheridan frora Kelly, who 
was sent to France after the taking of Edinburgh, to re- 
present the state of the Pretender's affairs in Scotland, 
and solicit auecours. After mentioning the narrow escape 
he had from being seized at Camp Veer*, by the Consul 
there, he proceeds to give an account of the conferences 
he had with the French Ministry upon his arrival, and 
how strongly he had represented the necessity of their 
making a speedy diversion in favour of the Pretender, 
by a descent upon the south. He relates the particular 
answers he received from Marshal Noailles, the D'Argen- 
Bons, and Mons. Manrepas; but the most remai'kable 
passage is what fell from Cardinal Tencin, who expressed 
himself very hearty in the Pretender's interests, but com- 
plained of the backwardness of the Pretender's friends in 
England to appear in arms for him, and insisted that, 
fcefore the embarkation then in hand was completed, Sir 
J. H, Cotton should give up his place, and that when his 
resignation was published in the Gaaette, he (tlie Car- 
dinal) should consider it as a sufficient pledge for his 
master to send his troops upon. To which Kelly an- 
swered, that it was not reasonable to expect a rising of 
the Jacobites here, till they saw an army capable of pro- 
tecting tliem in the island ; and as to Sir J. H. Cotton, 
his Eminence should reflect how hazardous it would be 
for him to resign at this juncture, since the moment after 
he would be sent to the Tower. 

I can recollect nothing else material in the letter. Mr, 
Kelly flourishes a little on the esteem and affection pro- 
fessed by every body at Paris for the young Pretender ; 



* Camp Year, in Zea'smd. 



^dbyGOOglC 



idb,Googlc