Full text of "Memoirs of the Marquis of Rockingham and his contemporaries : with original letters and documents now first published / by George Thomas, earl of Ablemarle"

See other formats

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 marginalia 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 this resource, we have 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 from 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 attribution The Google "watermark" you see on each file is essential for informing 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 liability 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/

Digitize

Digitized by VjOOQIC

MEMOIRS

THE MARQUIS OF ROCKINGHAM

AND

HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

WITH ORIGINAL LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS
NOW FIRST PUBLISHED.

GEORGE THOMAS,^ EARL ;'0| ALBEMARC^-

IN TWO VOLUMES.
VOL. I.

LONDON:

RICHARD BENTLEY, NEW BURLINGTON STREET,
IPuftlbKtiet in ®t:lrtnats to Hn M&itatst,

M.DCCC.I.II.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

LONDON:

Printed by Samusl Bshtlst and Co.,

Bangor Houac, Shoe Lane.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

%
W TO

w CHARLES WILLIAM, EARL FITZWILLIAM, K.G.,

%- HEIR TO THE VIRTUES AND TALENTS

OP HIS UNCLE

THE MARQUIS OF ROCKINGHAM,

THESE MEMOIRS ARE DEDICATED

WWH EVERY SENTIMENT OF AFFECTION AND RESPECT,

BY THE AUTHOR.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

PREFACE.

Some years ago, while assisting my brother, Mr.
Thomas Keppel, in collecting materials for his " Life of
Viscount Keppel,'" I met with several of the letters
relating to Lord Eockingham's time, which I now send
forth to the world. It occurred to me that the publi-
cation of them would be a desirable contribution to
literature. The Bedford and Chatham Correspondence
have already displayed the opinions which guided two
sections of the Whig party : there remained a third,
which hitherto has had no exponent — that section,
namely, of which Lord Eockingham became, soon after
George the Third's accession, the acknowledged leader.
I have endeavoured to supply this defect in the present
Volumes. The Letters will speak for themselves. In
the Illustrations which connect them I have endea-
voured to restore a portion of their contemporary
interest. Whatever opinion may be formed of my
portion of the work; the value to the historian will
remain the same.

2230Jl9 Digitized by GoOglC

Vlll PREFACE.

The staple of the work consists of the Papers of
Lord Rockingham himself, now in the possession of his
nephew and successor, the present Earl Fitzwilliam.
My own family collection furnished its quota ; and I
have been further assisted by the kindness of the
Duke of Richmond, the Earl of Hardwicke, and the
Rev. Charles Lee, great nephew of Lord Rockingham's
friend, Attorney-General Lee, who have granted me
free access to their respective family documents.

To my friend. Sir Denis Le Marchant, my best
acknowledgments are due, for a sketch of the character
of the Right Honourable Henry Seymour Conway,
accompanied by several interesting letters, written
during the early period of the Field Marshal's life.

I avail myself, likewise, of this opportunity to ex-
press my sincere thanks to the officers of the British
Museum, Sir Henry Ellis, Sir Frederick Madden, Messrs.
Panizzi, Holmes, Watts, and Von Bach, for the readi-
ness and courtesy with which they have on all occasions
assisted me in my researches.

11, Grosvenor Square,
January 19, 1852.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

CONTENTS

THE FIRST VOLUME.

CHAPTER I.

PAG 9

George the Third's First Speech. — His Claim to the Character
of "Briton** considered — His Education. — The Leicester House
School of Politics.— The First Day of the King's Reign;— Cha-
racters of Newcastle, Chatham, Choiseul, and Hardwicke . 1

CHAPTER IL

Menaced Invasion of 1759. — France sues for Peace. — Hans
Stanley. — Abbe de Bussy. — Duke of Newcastle to Lord Hard-
wicke. — Negociations for Peace. — Lord Hardwicke to Viscount
Royston. — Character of the Duke of Bedford. — Duke of New-
castle to Lord Hardwicke. — Lord Hardwicke to Lord Royston.
— The Pacific Professions of France considered.— Duke of New-
castle to Lord Hardwicke. — Mr. Pitt resigns the Seals. — Letters
from Dr. Birch and Soame Jenyns . . . .20

CHAPTER IIL

Earl of Egremont appointed Pitt's Successor. — Duke of New-
castle to Lord Hardwicke. — Threatened Rupture with Spain. —
Lord Royston to Mr. Yorke. — Want of Union at Court. — Siun-

Digitized by VjOOQIC

CONTENTS. I

moning a New Parliament. — Rival Lists. — Characters of Lord
Temple and George Grenville. — Choice of a Speaker. — The
King's Visit to the City. — Pitt's Conduct on that Occasion.—
Mr. Milbanke to Lord Rockingham. — Character of Barr6. — Mr.
Milbanke to Lord Rockingham. — Effects of the Parliamentary
Debate . . . . .54

CHAPTER IV.

War with Spain declared. — Letter of Duke of Newcastle. —
Proposed Attack on the Havannah. — Earl of Albemarle. — Com-
modore Keppel. — Sir George Pocock. — Letter to Lord Albemarle.
— Character of Count de Viri. — Choiseul to Bailli de Solar. —
Letter to Lord Hardwicke. — Duke of Newcastle to Lord Hard-
wicke. — Lord Bute's secret Negociation with Vienna. — Letters
from the Duke of Newcastle to Lords Hardwicke and Rocking-
ham, on his Resignation of the Office of First Lord of the Trea>
sury, and to the Duke of Cumberland with his Answer . .85

CHAPTER v.

Duke of Newcastle's Resignation. — Character of Sir Francis
Dashwood. — Negociations for Peace. — Character of Due de
Niyemais. — Capture of the Havannah. — Henry Fox. — Court
Persecution of the Whig Party. — Duke of Devonshire's Dis-
missal. — Character of Lord Rockingham. — Characters of Lords
Kinnoull, Lincoln, and Ashbumham, and Duke of Rutland. —
Proposed Alliance among the Whigs. — Dismissal of Whig Lord
Lieutenants and Custom-House Officers. — Lord Mansfield . 117

CHAPTER VL

Resignation of Lord Bute. — Alleged Motives for it. — Grenville
Administration. — Imprisonment and Liberation of Wilkes. —
Leicester House Scheme. — Negociations between Lord Bute and
Mr. Pitt. — Mr. Pitt's Interviews with the King. — Bedford Ad-

Digitized by VjOOQIC

CONTENTS- XI

PAOB

inini8tration.-*-Death of Duke of Devonehire. — Proposed New
Ministerial Arrangements, — Correspondence between Lord Hard-
wicke and his Brother . . . . .165

CHAPTER VII.

Arbitrary Dismissal of General Conway and other Military
Officers. — Letters relating to the Regency Bill. — Duke of Cum-
berland's Statement of Negociation for Change of Ministers. —
Character of Lord Lyttelton. — Protectionist Riots. — Appoint-
ment of Commander of the Troops. — Correspondence with the
King and His Ministers on the Riots. — Prorogation of Parlia-
ment. — Ministerial Difficulties of the King. . • . 1 80

CHAPTER VIIL

Meeting of Whig Leaders. — Characters of the Duke of Graf-
ton, Gen. Conway, Dowdeswell, Lord John Cavendish, Thomas
Townshend, and Sir G. Savile. — Rockingham Administration. —
Character of, and Overtures to. Lord Shelbume. — Lord Dart-
mouth. — Lord Holland's Overtures. — Death of Duke of Cum-
berland. — The " General Warrant." — The King's Aversion to
the Rockingham Administration. — The Stamp Act. — Opening of
Parliament. — The King's Correspondence on Parliamentary De-
bates. — Proposed Change of Ministry. — Overtures to Pitt. —
Characters of Lords Talbot and Northington. — Right of Taxing
the Colonies. — Cabinet Resolutions on the Stamp Act. — Corre-
spondence and Debates on its Repeal. — Pamphlet on the Repeal.
— Character of Jeremiah Dyson. — Bill for Repeal passed. .218

j CHAPTER IX.

j Hume and Rousseau. — The Militia Bill. — Character of Mr.

\ Trecothick. — Dinner in Celebration of the Stamp Act Repeal. —

\ Mistrust of England in Continental States. — Resolutions on

Digitized by VjOOQIC

XII

CONTENTS.

General Warrants. — Resignation of Duke of Grafton. — Extracts
from Lord Hardwieke's " Memoriall.*' — Character of Duke of
Richmond. — Characters of Lords North and Egmont. — Duke of
Richmond's Journal — Inquiry into Lord Bute's suspected Inter-
ference in Public Affairs. — Pitt appointed Minister. — Dismissal
of the Rockingham Ministry . . . . .31.5

Field Marshal Ubnrt Seymour Conway

. 371

Digitized by VjOOQIC

I f

^'1

MEMOIRS

or THB

MARQUIS OF ROCKINGHAM AND HIS
CONTEMPORARIES.

CHAPTER I.

OJKOKGB THB THIBD's FIRST 8PBB0U. HIS CLAIM TO THE CHARACTER

• OF "BRITON " C0N8IDBBBD. HIS EDUCATION. THB LEICESTER

HOUSE SCHOOL OF POLITICS. THE FIBST DAY OF THB KING's

RBION. CHARACTERS OF NEWCASTLE— CHATHAM — CHOISEUL — AND

HARDWICKE.

" Born and educated in this country, I glory in the
name of Briton, and the peculiar happiness of my life will
ever consist in promoting the welfare of a people, whose
loyalty and warm aflfection I consider as the greatest
and most permanent security of my throne."

Such was one of the first sentences which Greorge
the Third addressed to Parliament, on his assumption
of the kingly office. By the words of the paragraph
here cited, he evidently intended to imply some pre-emi-
nence on his own part over his two immediate pre-
decessors, who were "born and educated" in another
land. That the sovereign should have first drawn

VOL. I. B

Digitized by VjOOQIC

2 GEORGE THE THIRD. [1760.

breath within his own sea-girt isle, that he should
speak its language, unalloyed by foreign accent or
idiom, were attractive novelties to Englishmen who,
for nearly half a century, had been governed by alien
princes. Equally new and pleasing was it to the people
to find in the new monarch, a youth of manly form,
of an open and ingenuous countenance, of affable and
prepossessing manners, and untainted with the usual
vices of his age and station. But, admitting these
moral and physical advantages, it may, I think, be
questioned whether he were really better qualified than
his royal progenitors to promote the welfare of the
people whose affection and loyalty he thus aspired to
possess. To any " education " befitting the consti-
tutional sovereign of Great Britain he had little or
no claim. In tastes and habits he was an English-
man ; so much the mother country had done for him :
but his youth had been passed almost exclusively in
the society of his mother, the Princess Dowager of
Wales, and of his governor, John Stuart, Earl of.
Bute. The former, a German Princess, derived her
notions of the rights and immunities of a sovereign
from the petty despotic court in which she had been
herself brought up. The latter, a Scotch nobleman,
arbitrary and inexperienced, mysterious and intriguing,
added to these disqualifications for a royal instructor,
that of having hitherto lived in such complete seclu-
sion, as to know as little as his youthful pupil him-
self of the character and feelings of the English
people. It had ever been the Princess's aim to instil

Digitized by VjOOQIC

I'
I

1760. J LEICESTER HOUSE POLITICS. 3

into her son's mind her own political prejudices. From
his boyhood she had whispered into his ear, " Greorge,
be King." Lord Bute had sedulously enforced this
maternal precept, and the joint tutelage of these two
instructors proved, during his protracted reign, that
the seed had fallen upon no ungenial ground.

Immediately on the accession of George the Third
to the throne, an artful system of party management
was organized so as to give eflfect to these precepts and
injunctions.

The system, indeed, was not altogether new. It
originated in the factious court of Frederick Prince
of Wales, George the Second's eldest son. From the
residence of the heir apparent, its centre and cradle,
it was denominated the Leicester House School of Poli-
tics. Its inventor was Bolingbroke, and its leading
features are shadowed forth in the " Craftsman *' and
the " Idea of a Patriot King." In the preceding reign
a somewhat similar experiment had been made by
Pulteney, Wyndham, and Carteret. But it was Lord
Bute, the favourite of the youthful sovereign, who
really rendered the machinery, for a time, effective.

The primary object of the Leicester House system
was to break up the powerful Whig confederacy which
had been, with little intermission, in power since the
Revolution, and without any interval since the acces-
sion of the House of Brunswick. Strong in family
connexion and popular sympathy, the Whigs had seated
and retained that dynasty on the throne, and their
motive in upholding a foreign rather than a native

B 2

Digitized by VjOOQIC

4 LEICESTER HOUSE POLITICS. [1760.

line of princes was, that they might the more eflFectually
protect the liberties of the people against the encroach-
ments of the crown.

But since the Whigs, collectively, were too power-
ful and too popular a body to be summarily dismissed,
the leading men were to be removed, one by one, from
the Cabinet and the Household. They would thus be
expelled from office without the benefit of popular
feeling in their behalf, and would enter opposition as
a corps distrustful of one another, and disunited among
themselves. Had the designs of the Court been con-
fined to the adoption of a less liberal school of policy,
the new scheme would not have differed from an ordi-
nary intrigue for the removal of opponents and the
acquisition of office. But the royal junto had a deeper
and more unconstitutional purpose in 'view. They
wished virtually to supersede both the old Whig and
Tory parties, and to create a third party, which might
form a permanent barrier against the attempt of any
future cabinet to act independently of the royal will.
The old method of ruling by favourites was to be
revived under a new form. In the place of an indivi-
dual minister, a Buckingham ' or a Strafford, whom
popular odium might easily displace, or an Abigail
Masham, whom a responsible minister might purchase or
disregard, a cabinet or household of favourites was to be
placed around the sovereign, in numbers sufficient to
divide and weaken popular hatred, and with influence
enough to command a certain measure of political sup-
jport. A confederacy of renegades from every political

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1760.] LORD HARDWICKE'S MEMORULL. 5

section of the state was accordingly formed, which was
afterwards known by the appellation of "King's Friends."
The members of this new association abjured all party
distinction, and professed to regard the pleasure of the
sovereign as the sole source and condition of power.
Although holding many of the offices under the crown,
they acted irrespectively of the King's constitutional
advisers, and voted with or against ministers according
to the expressed or supposed predilections of their royal
master.

In a " Memoriall of Family Occurrences," written by
the second Earl of Hardwicke,* in the year 1770, he
describes the treatment which the Whigs experienced at
the accession of George the Third. He refers, it is

♦ Philip Yorke succeeded to the earldom of Hardwicke, on the
death of his &ther, the celebrated Chancellor, in 1 764. He sat for
several years in the House of Commons as member for Cambridge-
shire, under the title of Viscount Royston, and was a frequent and
efifective speaker in Parliament He became subsequently Lord-lieu-
tenant of the county, and High Steward for the University of Cam-
bridge. In J 766 he was admitted into Lord Rockingham's cabinet.
He was indeed a warm friend of that statesman, but, unable from the
infirm state of his health- to take any very active part in politics,
he devoted the greater part of his time to literary pursuits. Lord
Hardwicke was a writer both in prose and verse. While an under-
graduate at Cambridge, he was a contributor to the ^ Athenian Letters."
He published also " State Papers," and the " Life of Sir Dudley Carie-
ton." Some of his poetical compositions may be met vrith in the
Cambridge Collection of Verses. He was the friend of Birch, Soame
Jenyns, and Dr. Young, all three of whom have dedicated some of
their works to him. He was also in correspondence with Robertson,
Hume, and GarricL His private letters, many of which appear in
these pages, convey a favourable impression of his abilities.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

6 FIRST DAY OF [l76a

true, only to his own relations, but the remarks apply
equally to the party of which the Yorke family were
leading members.

"In the beginning of the new reign," writes Lord
Hardwicke, " no apparent alteration happened in our
situation, — we were cajoled and courted for the first
weeks of it: in short, the exterior was fair and plausible;
but, in reality, Lord Bute- had the sole power and
influence ; and he was determined to work out the
old servants of the crown, as soon as he possibly could
bring it about, notwithstanding the many difficulties
which seemed to be in the way of it. How he accom-
plished this great task, which has made him, ever
since, so unhappy a man, is not within the compass of
this paper. It will suffice to mention, that he princi-
pally availed himself, with great art and finesse, of the
dissensions between the Duke of Newcastle and Mr.
Pitt ; that he played oflF one against the other occasion-
ally, till he had got rid of the popular minister; and
when that was compassed, he strengthened himself in
the cabinet, by bringing in Lord Egremont and Mr.
Grenville, and never left intriguing till he had rendered
it impracticable for the old Duke to continue in office
with credit or honour."

With the tenderness which characterized the Whig
of that period towards a prince of the dynasty of its
own adoption. Lord Hardwicke has omitted to mention
Lord Bute's most efiective coadjutor, in playing off
Newcastle against Pitt,— the sovereign himself; who, in
all the mysteries of king-craft, so far, at least, as they

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1760.] THE KING'S REIGN. 7

consisted in " art and finesse," was perhaps the more
accomplished adept of the two. To the truth of this
charge, the transactions of the very first day of his reign
bear evidence. ^

Early on the 26th of October, 1760, his grandfather,
Greorge the Second, had risen apparently in his usual
health. At half-past seven of the same morning he had
ceased to breathe. His death took the nation, but not
his successor, by surprise. " The Princess Amelia,"
says Walpole, " as soon as she was certain of her father's
death, sent an account of it to the Prince of Wales,
but he had already been apprized of it. He was riding,
and received a note from a German valet de chambre^
with a private mark agreed upon between them. With-
out surprise or emotion, without dropping a word that
indicated what had happened, he said his horse was
lame, and turned back to Kew. At dismounting, he
said to the groom, " I have said this horse was lame, I
forbid you to say to the contrary."

From Kew, the new king went to Carlton House,
which then belonged to the Princess Dowager. Here
he first met his ministers. The account of what passed
at that interview, and the manner in which he adroitly
" played oflF" one minister against the other, are given
in the following letter from his first Lord of the Treasury,
written the day after the demise of the Crown.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

8 DUKE OF NEWCASTLE [1760.

THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE TO THE EARL OF HARDWICKE.

" Cockpit,* October 26, 1760.
"I WILL give you a short account ^of what passed
since our ever to be lamented loss. Mr. Martin f had

* From the Cockpit at Whitehall, Philip Herbert, Earl of Pem-
broke and Montgomery saw Charles the First walk from St. James*s
to the scaffold. Here, in the Council Chambers, Guiscard stabbed
Harley, Earl of Oxford,

" And fixed disease in Harley's closing life.**

Thus far Cunningham's " London." What follows is from the pen of
that most excellent man and upright, intelligent judge, the late Lord
Chief Justice Tindal to his niece Mrs. Frederic West, who obligingly, at
my request, wrote to him for the information it contains. *' As to your
enquiry about the Cockpit, you will find frequent mention of it in the
time of Charles the Second and James the Second, both in Evelyn's
" Memoirs " and in Pepys's. At that time it was used for the purpose
its name denotes, frequent matches of cock -fighting being carried on
there by the Court, forming part, as it did, of the Palace of West-
minster, close behind the place where the Treasury now stands.
Queen Anne, of course, did not indulge in such unladylike amuse-
ments ; and the graver manners of the Court during the succeeding
reigns, soon put the site upon which it stood to a more useful destina-
tion ; for it was turned into a Court for the Committee of the Privy
Council to sit in, on the decision of all Prize causes, all appeals from
the courts in the colonies of Jersey and Guernsey, and the like.

" There is at this moment, nearly on the same spot, a new court
for the same purposes, forming part of the Treasury buildings. I my-
self have fought many matches there when I was at the bar, not with
warlike birds armed ¥dth steel spurs, but with the more peaceable
weapons of argument, and at this day I not unfirequently form one
of the judges there to decide the contests of the combatants."

f Samuel Martin, Member for Camelford, Secretary of the Trea-
sury. He owed this office to Mr. Legge, and was the earliest deser-
ter from Newcastle's standard. He earned for himself considerable
notoriety by his duel with Wilkes, whom he shot through the body.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1760.] TO LORD HARDWICKE, 9

orders to send to me yesterday upon the road, to come
immediately to the new King at Carlton House. I
first went to Kensington, and there put on my clothes,
and went to Cjrlton House, where I expected to meet
the council ; but, upon my arrival, found Mr. Martin.
He explained it, that I was to come alone. Imme-
diately my Lord Bute came to me, and told me that
the King would see me before anybody, or before he
went to council; that compliments from him, Lord Bute,
now were unnecessary ; that he had been, and should
be my friend, — I should see it. I made suitable returns,
and was called in to the King. He began by telling
me, that he desired to see me before he went to council;
that he had always a very good opinion of me; he knew
my constant zeal for his family, and my duty to his
grandfather, which he thought would be pledges or
proofs of my zeal for him. I said very truly, that no
one subject His Majesty had, wished him more ease,
honour, tranquillity, and success in the high station to
which Providence had now called him ; and I think I
cannot show my duty to my late royal master better,
than by contributing the little in my power, to the ease

He is said to have practised at a taiget six months before he uttered
the words which led to the hostile meeting. As mmisterial favours
quickly succeeded this affair, Churchill assumes that he took this step
as the readiest way to acquire or regain them. In his *' Duellist/'
the poet speaks of Martin, as,

" Placing his craft in confidence.
And making honour a pretence
To do a deed of deepest shame.
Whilst filthy lucre is his aim.'*

Digitized by VjOOQIC

10 LETTER TO LORD HARDWICKB. [1760.

and success of the reign of his grandson and successor.
His Majesty said these remarkable words, * My Lord
Bute is your goodfriefnd^ to which I replied, I thought
my Lord Bute was so. Mr. Pitt was not sent for to
Carlton House till some time after I had been there,
and suspects, and, indeed said, the declaration was
concerted with me, whereas I did not know one single
word of it till the King communicated it to my Lord
Halifax, Mr. Pitt and myself, and ordered me to read
it, which I did very clearly and distinctly. His
Majesty then said these words, * Is there anything
wrong in point of form ? ' We all bowed and went
out of the closet. Mr. Pitt afterwards said he did not
hear it distinctly, particularly the last words. I then,
from memory, repeated it to him.

" He wrote last night to Lord Bute. He had a con-
ference of two hours, and told me that, as far as related
to himself, Mr. Pitt, it was as satisfactory as he could
wish. In short, Pitt was extremely hurt with the
declaration projected, executed and entered in the
council books, of which he had no previous notice. It
was at first ^ engaged in a bloody %joar.^ ^ That,'
says Pitt, *is false in the English part of it, we are
sine clade victory'*' and that the last words about
* peace' certainly hurt him; he said the 'allies 'were
left out; and to be short, it is altered, and Mr. Pitt's
words were put in, but Lord Bute is not pleased."

* From front to rear the bloodless vict&r sped,

Mowed down the embattled field, and wide the Blau^ter spread.

Francis's Horace, B. iv., Od. 14.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1760.] DUKE OF NEWCASTLE. 11

Mr. Harris, who has given this letter in eMenso^ in
his Life of Chancellor Hardwicke, has made two errors,
one of omission, the other of commission, which mate-
rially weaken the point of Mr. Pitt's remarks. The
learned biographer has not given the Latin quotation,
and he has written " words " instead of " allies." The
last word of the following paragraph from the King's
Speech will point out the latter erratum, and the words
in italics will show the epithet which Pitt substituted
for " Uoody:'

" And as I mount the throne in the midst of an
expensive bui just and necessary war, I shall endeavour
to execute it in the manner likely to bring on an
honourable and lasting peace in concert with my

* ALLIES.' "

It is with much diffidence I venture to appear as an
apologist for the writer of the foregoing letter. Forty-
six years of public service have procured for the Duke
of Newcastle notoriety rather than reputation. Few
portraits, indeed, have been sketched by so many un-
friendly hands. Smollett, King, Glover, Chesterfield,
Walpole, Waldegrave, Codington, have each assailed
him in turn. He was, in factj the butt against which
contemporary ridicule levelled all its shafts. That he
was fretful, busy, intriguing, unmethodical, and self-
sufficient; that his demeanour lacked dignity, and that
he mistook expedients for principles, cannot be denied;
indeed his numerous unpublished letters, to which
I have had access, rather corroborate than weaken
the fidelity with which these traits have been deli-

Digitized by VjOOQIC

12 DUKE OF NEWCASTLE. [1760.

neated. Bat his contemporaries would see only the
superficial and ridiculous points of Newcastle's cha-
racter. They would not do justice to his many sterling
good qualities. He was courteous, aflFable, accessible,
humane, a warm friend, a placable enemy. His
talents were not suflSciently appreciated. They were
far above mediocrity. It was his want of method that
made them not more generally available. He both
spoke and wrote with ability and readiness. Upon his
private life rested no stain, and in an age of political
imngiorality he was one of the most personally disin-
terested men of his day. He understood clearly our
relations with the continental states. His views of
civil and religious freedom were in advance of his
age, and he acted on them whenever his fears, his
jealousies, or his ambition — a most comprehensive ex-
ception indeed — permitted his opinions to aflFect his
conduct. His faults were obvious; he clung indeco-
rously to place and power. But it does not appear
that either its emoluments or even honours were the
real attractions of office. Newcastle, like the Sergeant-
at-Law in Chaucer's tale, had a morbid appetite for
employment : —

'' No whar so besy a man as he thar n'as.
And yet he seemyd besier than he was.**

To this restless craving for occupation, may be
ascribed the Duke's officious intermeddling with the
departments of his colleagues, and his querulous jealousy
of the least interference with that over which he himself
presided. Like an enthusiastic chess-player, he would

Digitized by VjOOQIC

17C0.] EARL OF CHATHAM. 13

eagerly direct another's moves, while he would hardly
endure even a looker on at his own game.

In the following pages frequent mention will be made
of Newcastle's great contemporary, William Pitt, after-
wards Earl of Chatham. Original documents will be
produced illustrative of his character and his policy.
Should this eminent statesman appear in an unfa-
vourable light, the reader is requested to weigh well
the authorities before he rejects the verdict There
is no wish to derogate from Lord Chatham's real
merits. Yet the writer of these pages cannot overlook
the almost concurrent testimony of his contemporaries,
or conceal from himself that Pitt's reputation was more
specious than solid. His brilliancy as an orator, in
fact, obscured as " with excess of light " his errors as
a statesman. Much will remain to him when the
glare has been removed from his renown ; but the
public has been too prone to take Lord Chatham at his
own estimate of himself, and not to have distinguished
sufficiently between the dazzling surface and the sub-
stantial worth. Few public men, indeed, present a more
imposing aspect to posterity.

The efiect of his eloquence is unquestioned, but his
speeches themselves have been scantily recorded. He
was at once the Cicero and the Soscius of his age : a
great orator, and a consummate actor. As a member of
the cabinet, he was incredibly haughty, impracticable,
and even obstructive to his colleagues. As a leader of
opposition, he was more formidable as an assailant than
faithful to his adherents or consistent in his measures.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

14 EARL OF CHATHAM. [1760.

To his sovereign, he was alternately harsh and sub-
servient; to the nation he was an energetic, but a
costly and hazardous guide, never scrupling to arouse
passion, or to incur debt where glory was to be won
" in flood or field." Finally, as a statesman, he dis-
played rather the accomplishments of a Bolingbroke
than the solid prudence of a Burleigh. He shone
principally as a war minister. His talent for con-
ducting military operations blinded him to the disastrous
effects of war to his own country, and to mankind.
Of social improvements, or financial skill, he exhibited
no proofs.* He rendered his country glorious rather
than prosperous : and he bequeathed to his successors,
the dangerous rather than the salutary precedent of
preferring " arms to the gown."

These were his defects, and they were grievous; but
his virtues too were singular and illustrious, especially
if they be measured by the general standard of his age.
" His private life," as Lord Chesterfield justly remarks,
" was stained by no vice, and sullied by no meanness."
His habits were domestic, his sentiments lofby, his
knowledge was various, and his taste refined. His
letters to his nephew. Lord Camelford, breathe a noble
and generous spirit, and abound in weighty sense and
graceful diction. Throughout his correspondence with
his wife and his illustrious son, pervades a tenderness

* Junius's Letters, xi. : " I entirely agree with Macaroni, that this
country does owe more to Lord Chatham than it ever can repay, for
to him we owe the greatest part of our national debt, and that, I am
sure, we never can repay."

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1700.] DUG DE CHOISEUL. 15

which shows that his arrogance was part of his theatrical,
rather than of his natural temper. He was made up of
contrasts. It is much easier to eulogise or to condemn
him, than to draw a just portrait. He was a man to be
loved and to be feared equally. To him belongs the
merit of having been the first to raise the standard of
morality in public men. To him also, unfortunately,
clings the discredit of raising his voice at all seasons
for open war, from the moment when on first entering
parliament he promoted a rupture with Spain, in
order to overthrow an obnoxious minister, to the time
when, with his dying breath, he braved the enmity of
Europe, rather than forego the claims of England to
supremacy over emancipated America. The letters
which are interspersed in . this work will show the
strong and various inconsistenci^ of this powerful,
rather than great statesman.

The councils of France were, at this time, guided by
Etienne Francois Due de Choiseul, a man who rivalled
Pitt in the boldness of his measures and the energy of
his character, as he resembled him in his public and
private profusion. The common ancestor of the De
Choiseuls was Regnier, Comte de Choiseul, who flou-
rished in 1060.

The Duke has been described by a contemporary, as
being "of an excessive ugliness;" but this plainness
was redeemed by the brilliancy of his eyes and the
intelligent expression of his countenance. His man-
ners were gay, flippant and presumptuous. He was
thoroughly unguarded in his language, and careless

Digitized by VjOOQIC

16 DFC DE CnOISEUL. [l760.

whom he oflTended. The Dauphin having complained
to Louis the Fifteenth of his conduct, Choiseul replied,
— " That he might have the misfortune to become his
subject, but that he would never be his servant." His
wit clever, pointed, and satirical, vented itself in epi-
grams and bons mots^ and the bitter irony of his remarks
is said to have suggested to Gresset, the original of
Cleon, in the comedy of Le Mechant. He commenced
his career as a soldier, as Gomte de Stainville, and
acquired much distinction in his profession.

The favour of Madame de Pompadour turned him
from war to diplomacy. After obtaining, through her
influence, the embassies of Rome and Vienna, he suc-
ceeded, in 1757, Cardinal Bernis as minister of foreign
affairs. From this period Choiseul became virtually the
head of the French Cabinet, although he was never
formally invested with the title of Minister. It was in
vain that Pitt enfeebled the armies, and annihilated
the navies of France. Choiseul reinvigorated the one
and replaced the other, and by his famous " Family
Compact," in 1761, he united once more against Eng-
land, the sovereigns of the House of Bourbon. His
firmness long secured for him the confidence even of
an unstable and profligate master, while his expulsion
of the Jesuits in 1764, rendered him the darling of
the French nation. His name was in every mouth,
his portrait on every snuff-box. In the following
extract, from a letter of the Duke of Newcastle to
Lord Rockingham, 8th of July 1767, we have a con-
temporary glimpse of Choiseurs renown. "France,

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1761.] EARL OF HARpM^^ ^- J 5"

everybody knows, is master of ^aa in. and thos e
monarchies are as effectually ' Wt^i \^^^0^
under one head. The Due de Choiseul, the present
sole minister^ ahsduie, able^ bddy and enterprising^ and I
suppose no friend in heart to us. Their army complete
to a man, well officered, well appointed, and well paid.
Their trade flourishing everywhere, and encroaching
upon ours, and I am afraid, after what has passed, their
credit as stable as ours."

Choiseul had risen by the favour of one royal mis-
tress: he owed his fall to the displeasure of another.
Having by some biting sarcasm offended the notorious
Madame du Barri, he was, in 1770, driven by her
intrigues from the capital. His departure was an
ovation. His exile on his estate at Chantilly thinned
the halls of Versailles. For all great and good men
shunned the court of the sovereign, while a splendid
and select society flocked to the retreat of the banished
minister. Madame du Deffand has drawn an agreeable
picture of the retirement of the Due and Duchesse de
Choiseul; and the Abb^ Barth^lemi has introduced
them into his " Anacharsis," under the names of Arsane
and Phedame.

. If the suffices of contemporaries and posthumous
history may be accepted as proofs of extraordinary
merit, Philip Torke, first Earl of Hardwicke, may be
justly considered a great man. His greatness, indeed,
had not the glare of Pitt*s reputation; it was rather
forensic than parliamentary, and more judicial than
either. His gifts were both natural and acquired. He

yOL. I. c

Digitized by VjOOQIC

18 CHARACTER OF [1761.

had nearly all the qualities of a great orator, and nearly
every charm of personal demeanour. His manners per-
haps would have been more attractive if he could have
acquired a little more ease. But a certain degree of
stateliness was natural to him. He lived on terms of
intimate friendship with his sons, yet he would address
them as " Dear Lord Royston," and " Dear Mr. Yorke."
As a Judge, his demeanour was perfect. " When Lord
Hardwicke," said Lord Mansfield — an admirable critic
of eloquence and law — " pronounced his decrees. Wis-
dom herself might be supposed to speak.'' His appoint-
ment to the Great Seal forms an era in our juris-
prudence He resigned it, indeed, in 1756, but he was
still regarded as the ministerial leader in the House of
Lords. George the Second held Lord Hardwicke in
such esteem, that during his frequent absences from
England he six times appointed him one of the Lords
Justices for administering the affairs of Government.
In the cabinet and on the woolsack he was indeed " a
counsellor well fitted to advise."' To the strictest
integrity he added consummate knowledge of the law ;
to his professional experience he brought acquaintance
with men and manners, and his skill in foreign politics
and international jurisprudence equalled his learning in
the statute book. His eloquence was of the grave,
deliberative kind. It did not arouse the passions, but it
convinced the reason of hb audience. His arguments
were a chain of demonstrations; his illustrations were
enforced by expressive and handsome features, and by
dignified and graceful gestures. The moral character

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1761.] THE EARL OF HARDWICKE. 19

of Lord Hardwicke corresponded with his public career;
he was temperate and consistent. In the bosom of his
family he was as indulgent and estimable as Pitt him-
self, while to his friends and colleagues he was more
equable and trustworthy. His staunch Whig politics
did not render him a mere partisan. He gave reasons
for his faith, and indeed inclined rather more to the
side of Prerogative than was acceptable to some of his
political associates. A noble, serene, and deeply learned
man, Lord Hardwicke may be regarded as the most
able member of the administration which George the
Third inherited from his predecessor.

c 2

Digitized by VjOOQIC

20 FRENCH INVASION MENACF.D. [1701.

CHAPTER II.

VBNAOED INVASION OP 1759. FEANOE SUES »0E PEACE. — HANS

STANLEY. ABB^ DE BUSSY. DUKE OP NEWCASTLE TO LORD HARD-

WICKE. — NEOOCIATIONS FOR PEAOB. — LORD HARDWIOKE TO TI8C0UNT
ROTSTON. CHARACTER OF THE DUKE OP BEDFORD. ^DUKE OF NEW-

, CASTLE TO LORD HARDWICKE. LORD HARDWICKE TO LORD ROTSTON.

— THE PACIFIC PROFESSIONS OF FRANCE CONSIDERED. DUKE OF

NEWCASTLE TO LORD HARDWICKE. MR. PITT RESIGNS THE SEALS.

— LETTERS PROM DR. BIRCH AND SOAME JENTN8.

Early in 1759, France declared her intention of
making a descent upon the British coast. This was
but the repetition of a menace which, uttered three
years before, had caused consternation, disaster, and
disgrace throughout the land, and led to the judicial
murder of Admiral Byng. But in the interval between
the first and second threat, the helm of state passed
from the trembling hands of Newcastle into the firm
grasp of the elder Pitt. The change soon became
manifest; a few months after France had made the
boastful announcement, her troops had been beaten,
her fleets annihilated, her commerce destroyed, her
colonies rendered valueless, and her credit reduced
to so low an ebb that her government was obliged to
declare itself bankrupt in no less than eleven descrip-
tions of stock.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

176 I.J MR. STANLEY. 21

In this desperate state of affairs, Choiseul sued for
peace. But Pitt, who thought the prosperity of a
country depended upon conquests, rather than com-
merce, and who fully partook of the vulgar prejudice,
that "France is our natural enemy," turned a deaf
ear to every offer of accommodation. " Some time be-
fore, he would," he said, " have been content to bring
that country on her knees, now he would not rest till
he had laid her on her back." * All further attempts
at negociation were, in consequence, for a time aban-
doned; but, in the spring of 1761, Choiseul, encouraged
by the pacific declaration of George the Third, made
another effort to bring hostilities to a close. His over-
tures were favourably received by the pacific section of
the Cabinet, t who were all agreed as to the expediency
of closing a war which had outlived its original objects,
and who so far prevailed, as to appoint three commis-
sioners for a general congress, to arrange that ministers
should be sent from the respective Courts of London and
France, to settle the preliminaries of peace. Augsburgh
was the proposed place of meeting for the commissioners.

Hans Stanley, of Paul ton's Park, New Forest, J the
negociator on the part of England, was grandson of
Sir Hans Sloane, the founder of the British Museum.
He was a man of awkward appearance, ungracious

♦ Walpole.

t The Dukes of Newcastle, Bedford, and Devonshire, Lords Hard-
wicke, Mansfield, and Granville, &c,

i Mr. William Sloane Stanley, the present possessor of Paulton's
Park, is great nephew of Mr. Hans Stanley.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

22 ABB£ DE BUSSY. [1761.

manners, irascible temper, and eccentric habits. Yet he
possessed considerable talents and acquirements. Lady
Hervey describes him as "a very ingenious, sensible,
knowing, conversable person, and what is still better,
a worthy, honest, valuable man." In the Chatham
administration he was appointed Ambassador to St.
Petersburgh. He continued to hold some office or
other till 1780, when he was displaced. This treat-
ment so preyed upon his mind that he put a period
to his existence.

The French minister, the Abbe de Bussy, was one
of the senior clerks of the French Foreign Office. He
had, on a former occasion, been sent by his court on
a mission to George the Second, whom he greatly
disgusted by the impertinence of his manners. The
King once asking him " Is there anything new in
Paris?" Bussy flippantly replied, "Yes! Sire, there
is a frost." The Abb^ was adroit, persuasive, and
thoroughly conversant with business. He had formerly
been private secretary to the Due de Richelieu. He
was a short, thickset, deformed little man, and had the
nickname of Bussy Ragotin^ to distinguish him from
Dupleix's coadjutor in the Carnatic, who was called
Bussy Butiuj and from Madame de S^vigne's agree-
able cousin and correspondent, the Comte de Bussy
Rabutin.

Beyond the appointment of these negociators, the
peace party in the cabinet were unable to make any
udvance. Two days before the bearer of the French
olive-branch arrived in London, Pitt dispatched a large

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1761.] DUKE OF NEWCASTLE TO LORD HARDWICKE. 23

armament under the joint command of Major-General
Hodgson and Commodore Keppel, to Belleisle, in order
to eflfect the reduction of that island. " The plan,"
says Walpole, " was by many believed calculated solely
to provoke the Court of France, and to break off the
negociation.'** The language of the great war-minister
breathed the same spirit in the Cabinet and in the
royal closet, as in his public acts and demonstrations.'
In a letter to Lord Hardwicke, dated the 15th of
April, 1761, the Duke of Newcastle gives an ac-
count of a long audience of Mr. Pitt with the King.
After stating that his great rival's conduct was ^^as
bad, as unjust, as hostile, and as impracticable as
ever came even from him," the Duke thus pro-
ceeds: —

" When he (Pitt) came out he told me part of it,
and his Majesty told me the rest. Mr. Pitt said he
had laid his thoughts fully before the King; that he
had told his Majesty that he did by no means think
ill of the state of the war; that he was far from doing
it with regard to the war in Germany ; that he thought
the total destruction of the French in the East Indies,
the probability of taking Martinico, and the effect
this expedition to Belleisle might have; as weU as
the probable events of this campaign^ would enable us to
gel a peace which should secure to u^ all Canada^ Cape
Breton^ the islands^ the harbours^ the fisheries^ and par^
iictdarh/ the conclusive fisliery of Newfoundland; that if
he was even capable of signing a treaty without it,
* " Geo. in. i. 56."

Digitized by VjOOQIC

24 NEQOCIATIONS [1761,

he should be sorry he had ever got again the use of
his right hand, which use he had but just recovered;
and went on railing at the Commissariat as the occasion
of all our misfortune.

'^ The King said, he was sure I had done my part, and
when Mr. Pitt talked of an inquiry, the King said he
knew I had given strict orders for a strict inquiry to
be made. He then told the King his scheme of peace.
His Majesty understood him, as I did, to mean that
he should at first acquaint the French Minister, who is
expected here, that these are the terms from which we
will not depart His Majesty reasoned strongly with
him against making any such declaration ... I with-
drew fully satisfied with the King and myself, but more
sensible of the injustice and ingratitude of Mr. Pitt
than ever man was. I told the King, whenever any
measure of his own (Pitt's) miscarried he would fling
the blame upon anybody to get off himself — King of
Prussia, Elector of Hanover, or any other person what-
ever. Mr. Pitt talked strange stuff to me. Upon the
whole, I look upon all he said to me for a menace, in
which he will be greatly disappointed; but at the same
time I see what I am to expect from him and his blood-
hounds."

In the course of the negociations, France proposed to
guarantee Canada to England, and, in return for this
concession, desired a confirmation of the same privilege
of fishing on the coast of Newfoundland, that had been
enjoyed by her subjects under the treaty of Utrecht;
that Cape Breton should be restored as an ahri or point

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1761.] FOR PEACE. 25

of refuge for their fishermen. Upon this proposal the
Duke of Newcastle writes as follows to the Earl of
Hardwicke : —

"August 7th, 1761.
. ** The method I would propose to your consideration is
this, that after M. Bussy has received and executed his
orders, and Mr. Pitt has had Mr. Stanley's full account
and obsenrations which he has promised, we should
propose to state our real tdtimatum^ which we should
make as low and as near to that we may judge would
be accepted as possible. The great point is that of the
fisheries; the rest, I think, may be accommodated.

** Whether there is a right to fish in the Gulf of
St. Lawrence, or whether that part of the sea is pro-
perly called Mare Clatmcm or Mare Liberuniy^ I can't
pretend to say, but it is what Mr. Pitt has ever been
fencing against, and is, to be sure, in itself a consider-
able question in point of interest and navigation. The
next point is the giving some unfortified place, a port
in those seas as a place of refreshment or refuge for
their seamen.

'* But the great point to be thoroughly weighed and
considered is what will, what must be the consequence
of our breaking oflF this negociation for peace, and
continuing this dangerous and expensive war, and
whether after many more millions spent, and many
thousand more valuable lives lost, we may not be in
a condition to accept a much worse peace than we even

* This is in allusion to two celebrated treatises by Selden and
Grotius in the preceding century.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

26 LOKD HARDWICKE [1701.

now may have, and infinitely worse than we might have
had three years ago."

At the same time that M. de Bussy presented the
French tdtimaium to onr Grovernment, he wrote to Mr.
Pitt to beg for a conference upon its contents. The
British Minister drew up an answer to the application,
and laid it before the Cabinet Council on the 13th
of the month; " Not," writes the Duke of Devonshire,
^^ as a document to be deliberated upon, but as a
decision to be adopted."*

This statement is confirmed in the following letter,
which furnishes a forcible illustration of the haughty
tone which Pitt habitually adopted towards such of his
colleagues as happened to differ from him.

EARL OF HARDWICKE TO VISCOUNT ROYSTON.

"Grosvenor Square, August 15th, 1761.
*' Tired with the attendance of two very long dis-
agreeable days, I sit down to thank you for your kind
letter of the 11th. Our first meeting was on Thursday
(13th), when we sat from half-an-hour past one till
half-an-hour past seven; and yesterday (14th), from
two till half-an-hour after five. Very stormy they

were ; but we rid out the tempest. Mr. P had no

conference with Bussy, though the latter had asked
one by letter.^ The reasons assigned for declining it,

« Wifien's House of Russell, ii. 472.

t "M. de Bussy to Mr. Pitt. August 5th, 1761 : — If your

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1761.] to LORD ROYSTON. 27

were taken from some passages in the letter, relative to
the return of the French memorial concerning Spain, and
of the other concerning the King of Prussia's countries
and places conquered by the arms of France ;* but more
particularly by reason of a strong complaint made of
the * Ton imp6ratif et pen fait pour la negotiation,'
used in the letter, sending back those two memorials,
and in the paper of points. We know that the draught
of Bussy's letter was transmitted to him in heec verba by
the Due de Choiseul, with orders to send it as it was.
You guess who was much hurt by this ; though in my
conscience, I think the balaiK^e of words is still on our
side. After much altercation, and some thumps of the
fist on the table, it was at last carried (on my motion),
that the conference should be had ; but not without an
answer to Bussy's letter, by which the interview was
to be appointed. The meeting of yesterday was pro-
fessedly upon the draught of that answer. It was
produced : much too long and too irritating, f Several
objections were humbly made, and strongly supported ;
but not a word would be parted with. * We would not
suffer our draught to be cobbled!' Neither side
receded, but it will go as drawn. If, after this letter,

excellency is desirous of having a conference with me on the subject
of the ultimatum, I will attend your commands." — Par. Hist. xv.
1055.

* French Ultimatum. — " As to what concerns Wesel, Gueldres,
and other countries in Westphalia^ belonging to the King of Prussia,
which are actually in the possession of the Empress Queen, the King
(of France) cannot stipulate to surrender the conquests of his allies."
— Par. Hist. •<* See Parliamentary History, xv. 1069.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

28 CHARACTER OF [1761.

Bussy Agrees to the conference without fresh orders
from his Court, I shall think it a good sign, that
France has no mind to break off the negociation.
A long letter was read from your friend Stanley,* of
just half a quire of folio paper, in a close hand. It
is a very able one, though with a mixture of flights
and improprieties. But he says in so many words,
that he is absolutely convinced and sure, that the
French Court will as soon part with a province of
old France, as with the entire fishery^ and that he is
no more attended to when he talks upon that subject,
than if he talked of Japan. M. de Choiseul says he
should be pulled to pieces in the streets of Paris.
There are also some civil but strong observations upon
the style of his principal,! which you may be sure con-
tributed not a little to the ill-humour. I remember Sir
Robert Walpole used to say that two nations might be
writ into a war, and so I think they may into per-
petuating a war."

All the members of the Whig cabinet were opposed
to this warlike policy, with the exception of Pitt
himself, and his brother-in-law Lord Temple. But
the real, if not the acknowledged leader of the advocates
of peace, was John Russell, fourth Duke of Bedford.
Upon him alone the loud thunders and supercilious
bearing of the great commoner, made no impression.

♦ "Article IV. of the answer of the British Minister to the
ultimatum of France." — See Par. Hist. xv. 1065.
t Mr. Pitt.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1761.] THE DUKE OF BEDFORD. 29

" When they wanted to combat Pitt,'" says Horace
Walpole, "they always summoned the Duke of Bedford/'
The noble author of the Reform Bill, has, I think, suc-
cessfully rescued his great grandfather's reputation
from the virulence of Junius and other assailants.
For that yirulence, there were at the time many pre-
texts. The Duke's character presented several points
of attack to his adversaries. His abilities were rather
solid than brilliant. He was an inelegant speaker;
although, in tHe opinion of an admirable judge of par-
liamentary eloquence,* "he was not without some reason*
ing matter, and method." But neither by his oratory
nor by his pen was he qualified to demolish argulnent,
or to blunt and intimidate invective. He filled with
credit to himself, many of the highest offices in the state,
and while at the head of the Admiralty, contributed
greatly to improve the efficiency of the navy. His
feelings were naturally warm ; but neither in friendship
nor in enmity was he very discriminating. He was
more under the influence of domestic and social pre^
possessions, than was quite salutary for his public
character : for his relations were Tories, and his com-
panions profligates, and the prejudices and excesses of
his own circle reacted upon his own estimation with the
world. Hence the Duke of Bedford was often held re-
sponsible for errors of conduct from which he was him-
self really exempt. In his case, the proverb " noscitur
ex sociis,'' was applied in its full extent, and to his
general disadvantage. Partly through the vices im-
« Chesterfield.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

30 DUKE OF NEWCASTLE [1761.

puted to him, and partly from his facility in adopting
the tone of his companions, he became one of the most
unpopular men of his day. Prior to his departure
for his embassy, he was hooted by the mob, and as he
was getting into the boat at Brighton, that was to
convey him to the packet, some one in the crowd called
out, " It is not the first time he has turned his back
on Old England."

In two respects posterity will judge of the Duke more
impartially than his contemporaries couM do. He was
not, like them, dazzled by the glare of war, and he
held doctrines analogous to those of free trade. Thus
the very opinions which render his descendant and
namesake "so known, so honoured" by his country-
men in these our times, were the source of obloquy
and misrepresentation to the "John Russell" of the
eighteenth century.

Indignant at the dictation to which the Duke of
Bedford had been subjected in the two " long disagree-
able days " to which Lord Hardwicke refers, his grace
declared his determination of taking no Airther part
in deliberations upon which there was to be no exercise
of private judgment. A like assurance was made by
the Duke of Devonshire, and on the 17th of August
the Duke of Newcastle apprises Lord Hardwicke of his
resolution to desire the King's leave to retire from
business.

" The manner," continues the Duke, " and matter
used and agitated in all our late meetings, the deter-
mined resolution to carry on this dangerous and ex-

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1761.] TO LORD HARDWICRB. • 31

pensive war, without considering how or with whom;
the treatment that the greatest and most respectable
persons meet with, if they presume to diflTer with any
thing that has been done, or shall be proposed, and
the making personal points of what ought to be free,
cool, and deliberate debate and consideration amongst
those whom his Majesty has appointed for that purpose
— this conduct has, and will drive every person from the
Council who is at liberty to go. The Duke of Bedford
has already taken the resolution to come no more.
The Duke of Devonshire the same, after the present
consideration of the peace be over, which will now be
very soon at an end. Your lordship (my great and first
adviser and assistant there) will not, I conclude, come
oftener than shall be absolutely necessary. My Lord
Mansfield, I conclude the same. In what situation and
with whom alone should I then be» if I was weak enough
to remain in my present station.

^^ But that which has determined me is this. I doubt
the possibility of finding twenty millions (and less would
not be sufficient) for carrying on the war another year.
I see the dreadful consequences to the public, if it
could be done, for it must be at such an interest as
must afiect for ever the proprietors of above one hun-
dred millions in our Funds; and this, in my opinion,
with less chance of obtaining a good peace at the
end of the year 1762, than (if we had temper and
good disposition) there is even, at the present time;
and that, I think, is clearly Mr. Stanley's opinion."

Although the Court had not deviated from its in-

Digitized by VjOOQIC

32 PACIFIC PROFESSIONS OF FRANCE. [1761-

tention of getting rid of the Whig Administration, it
was most anxious to prevent their retirement at this
critical juncture. Lord Bute told Dodington, in the
early part of this year, he was not for pushing them
yet, for if the peace was a bad one, as it must be,
they would certainly proclaim that it was owing to
their dismission, because they were not suffered to bring
the great work to a happy conclusion, to whom the
glorious successes which had hitherto attended their
conducting it were entirely to be attributed.* In ac-
cordance with these views the King made it a personal
request to the Duke of Bedford that he would attend
the Cabinet Council in which the British vltimatum
was to be presented, and " the Duke was apprised that
after much discourse with Lord Bute, he would not
differ with them (the peace party) in the next dis-
cussion, but yield the opinion he had formerly ex-
pressed." f The Court was alarmed into this concession
by a dinner at Newcastle House, of which the Duke of
Bedford had partaken. J

Accordingly we shall find that at the next meeting
of the Cabinet there was a considerable abatement in
the tone previously adopted by the advocates for war.

♦ Diary, p. 433.

t Wiffen's House of Russell, iii. 474.

X^ Wiffen.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

westsr^ziismmmmmmmmmmgmmm^mmmm

1761.] LORD HARDWICKE TO LORD ROYSTON. 33

EARL OP HARDWICKE TO VISCOUNT ROYSTON.

" GroBvenor Square, August 22nd, 1761.

' Hi mot us animorum atque heec certamina tanta,
Temporis exigui spatio suspensa quiescunt'*

" We had two meetings this week ; the same persons
present. All was calm and decent. The great points
of liberty to fish in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and an
abri. Many speeches. At last, both agreed to by ali.
Those who had the most violently opposed, professing to
acquiesce in the opinions of others for the sake of
preserving unanimity in the King's council,

" For your clearer information, I enclose two papers :
one^ a short abstract, wherein you will see, in one view,
wherein we and France have hitherto agreed, and
wherein we differed. The other, not^Sy which I put
down to assist my own memory, and from which I
spoke. Tou need not trouble yourself to send them
back; but bring them with you when you come to
town. It is also agreed to speak clearly now about
Dunkirk being put on the foot of the Treaty of Aix,
and the liberty of fishing and drying fish on Newfound-
land, according to the thirteenth article of the Treaty

♦ It is hardly necessary to point out the little freedom which
Lord Hardwicke has taken with Virgil : —

Hi motus animorum atque haec certamina tanta^
Pidtferis exigm Jactu eampressa quiescunt.

Virg, Georg. iv. 86-7.

VOL. I. D

Digitized by VjOOQIC

34 PACIFIC PROFESSIONS [1701.

of Utrecht. It has also been agreed with the bonne
foi of the French king's declaration about Nieu-
port and Ostend; and that each side (after our par-
ticular Peace made) may assist their respective allies
in money only. Thus far is settled, and we meet on
Monday to fix the particular place for the ahri^ which
does require information and consideration. I suppose
the despatch to your friend may go on Wednesday.
Whether this will do now, I don't pretend to prophesy,
but I believe it would have done some time ago. Much
will now turn upon the boasted union with Spain,
which I fear has gone a great way. I should have told
you, the conference between Mr. P(itt) and B(ussy) was
had, but that did not advance the negociation much.
Mr. P.'s letter to Mons. B. was sent as drawn; to which
B., in his answer, only says, that he should make no
observation upon it, than to say, that, on consideration,
he judged it best to leave it to his Court to determine
whether any answer at all, and if so, what answer
should be given to it; insinuating that the letter
would have warranted him to write to his Court for
further orders before he took his conference. They
seem to endeavour to chicane about the limits of
Canada on the side of the Ohio. Here we stand at
present."

In the early stage of the negociations, France, not
content with sending in to the British government her
own memorial of propositions, forwarded also one from
the Court of Madrid. Adolphus infers from this step,

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1761.] OP FRANCE CONSIDERED. 35

that the French ministers were not " sincere '* in their
wish for peace. It is possible that the Court of Ver-
sailles, rather than submit to the terms which we have
seen Pitt was inclined to impose,* might have hoped
that another campaign would have rendered the British
cabinet more reasonable; but it is hardly to be supposed
that France, wholly exhausted in her resources, would,
even with the aid of an additional ally, have wished
for a continuance of hostilities, or that Spain, entirely
dependent on her distant colonies for her revenue, would
have been desirous to embroil herself with the " Mistress
of the Seas." The characters, indeed, of the persons
possessing the principal influence in those countries are
opposed to the historian's hypothesis.

The sensual Louis regarded, as is well known, all
business connected with the war as a disagreeable inter-
ruption to that course of licentiousness into which he
had plunged. Madame de Pompadour, the reigning
favourite, was a friend to peace and England. To
the Duke of Choiseul, " peace," as Mr. Wiflin properly
observes, " was almost as necessary as to Lord Bute ;
for, though he enjoyed the entire confidence of his
sovereign, he had potent enemies, and the rupture of
a treaty so necessary to the treasury, and the repose of
France, would have been fatal to his credit, and, indeed,
existence as a minister. Then as to Charles the Third,
though sovereign of Spain, and resenting the indignities
which England had heaped upon him as £ing of the
Two Sicilies; yet, being a wise, humane, and prudent

♦ See page 28, line 1 9.

D 2

Digitized by VjOOQIC

36 NEGOCIATIONS WITH FRANCE. [l76l.

prince, he would hardly have wished for a war that
must have put a stop to those plans of internal improve-
ment, which he had been so anxious to introduce into
his country ; while his minister, Don Ricardo Wall, had
created himself enemies for his supposed partiality
towards English interests.

The most natural conclusion appears to be, that
France, anxious to avoid the mortifying concessions
which would have sunk her in the scale of nations,
sought the Spanish alliance, in the hope that England,
from the fear of involving herself in a new war, might
be induced to relax the rigour of her conditions. These
expectations may have been strengthened by the pacific
professions of the King and Lord Bute. Unfortunately,
for all the countries concerned, the course adopted by
France was productive of exactly contrary effects —
although the memorial from Spain was immediately
withdrawn, and the Court of Versailles disclaimed all
intention of offence, Mr. Pitt's resentment, so far from
being appeased, turned into a fresh channel. He ap-
peared to be now determined to lay Spain " on her
back," as well as France, and instructed Lord Bristol
to make the strongest remonstrances against a memo-
rial which, as he termed it, " best spoke its own
enormity."

To Mr. Pitt's angry representations, the Spanish
minister replied with much temper and moderation;
declared that the King of Spain was " absolutely free
from the least offence to His Majesty, and, indeed,
appeared disposed to set aside every claim which the

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1761.] LETTER TO LORD HARDWICKE. 37

national pride of his master would allow him to con-
cede/'

These conciliatory advances were not, however, pro-
ductive of an amicable adjustment. On the 18th of
September, Mr, Pitt laid before the Cabinet intelligence
which he had received of a secret treaty recently
concluded between France and Spain. Conceiving the
articles of this treaty to be adverse to the interests of
Great Britain, he proposed to commence a series of
hostile operations against Spain, and submitted a plan
of them to the Council. These proposals bearing the
signatures of himself and Lord Temple, became the sub-
ject of anxious discussion in the secret conclaves of the
advocates for peace, and of stormy debate in the three
Cabinet Councils which assembled to consider them.

DUKE OP NEWCASTLE TO THE EARL OF HARDWICKE.

"September 21st, 1761.

" Mr. Pitt brought his paper, or rather protest, this
day to the King, and offered it to his Majesty, who
declined accepting it. My Lord Bute was present,
and said, *As you. Sir, have given your reasons, and
those of Lord Temple, for your opinion, it is but rea-
sonable that those who dissent from you should give
theirs also.' And I think it was agreed that Mr.
Pitt's paper should be inserted in the minute with
our dissent.

" The King said to Mr. Pitt that he would take no
resolution with regard to Spain till Mr. Stanley was

Digitized by VjOOQIC

38 DUKE OF NEWCASTLE [l7«l.

arrived, for he believed he might give some necessary
lights with regard to Spain. Mr. Pitt seemed sur-
prised, but said nothing.

" When he came to Council (my Lord Mansfield, who
had been very ill in the night, was there), Mr. Pitt
resumed the debate, so far as related to the paper, to
which he was determined to adhere.

" Lord Bute spoke, and mentioned with great respect
your Lordship's absence, and my Lord President's,
which, added to the use that might be had in seeing
Mr. Stanley, was a reason for putting off this con-
sideration. Mr. Pitt replied, that he had heard all
that the most able men could say. He had not de-
parted from his first opinion, and should not; neither
did he see any use that Mr. Stanley could be of. Lord
Bute named the King as wishing to have Stanley
here, before his Majesty came to any decision. The
Duke of Devonshire and myself spoke strongly in ad-
hering to our former opinions. The Duke of Devon-
shire proposed the orders to be sent to Lord Bristol,
to require an explanation what the intentions of Spain
were, and to enter into the expedient proposed about
the logwood; but, at all events, in case of an unsatis-
factory answer, my Lord Bristol should immediately
come away. Lord Mansfield spoke long, not veiy
dearly^ but rather on our side, laying it down that
it did not appear to him what operations could be un-
dertaken against Spain that would suffer by the delay.

" That gave Mr. Pitt a great advantage, to expatiate
upon his great schemes, and the almost certainty of the

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1761.] TO LORD HARDWICKE. 39

success against the united force of the House of Bour-
bon ; but then there was not an hour to be lost.

" Lord M — replied, that * if that was the case, it
would then appear in a very different light,' and plainly
made fair weather with Mr. Pitt.

" My Lord Bute mentioned his behaviour to me after-
wards, and said, * My lord^ thai is the man.^ * Mr. Pitt
adhered to his paper, said he would not execute any
other measure, and insinuated that the other Secretary
of State might do it. f Mr. Pitt lamented his situation,
repented of the difficulties he had been led into by the
French negociaiion, and was determined now to abide
by his own opinion. He spoke very long, very well,
and very determined, but with great politeness and
candour. His brother-in-law % was the very reverse ;
he spoke long, indeed, very pompously, very passionate,
very ill-bred, but very determined; and showed plainly
that their party was rather to quit, or at least to have
no share in any measure but their own.

" My Lord Temple was very abusive, and said he
thought ' some of the company had paid dear for their
whistle, rekupatmu^ I took this up, I hope, with
spirit, and I think, to the satisfaction of my friends.
The meeting ended ; adjourned, as it were, sine die^ for
Stanley ; and Mr. Pitt gave his papers in form to my
Lord Bute, to be delivered to the King. After all was
over, my Lord Bute, the Duke of Devonshire, and I had

• Note by second Lord Hardwicke : — " Yet Lord Bute made
great use of him afterwards."

t Lord Bute. it £arl Temple.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

40 DUKE OF NEWCASTLE [1761.

a most material conference, which they desired I would
communicate to your Lordship. The Duke of Devon-
shire and I declared that no consideration or threat
from Mr. Pitt should make us depart from our opinion.
My Lord Bute said we were right; that the thing was
over; that after what had passed, Mr. Pitt and my
Lord Temple would not stay. Besides, if Mr. Pitt
would execute nothing but his own paper, business
could not go on, and, therefore, he would concert with
us what was to be done.

** We both said that, without departing from our
opinion, we wished anything might be done to keep
Mr. Pitt; my Lord Bute said that was impossible."

DUKE OF NEWCASTLE TO THE EARL OF HARDWICKE.

" Newcastle House, September 23rd, 1761.
*' The King with great difficulty made Mr. Pitt leave
this letter * with his Majesty, and his Majesty was so
good as to show it to me and to the Duke of Devonshire.
The substance of it, to the best of my memory was, that
he Duke de Choiseul had sent his sister, Madame de
Grammontf to him, Stanley, to desire that the nego-

* From Mr. Stanley.

t Beatrix de Choiseul Stain ville married in 1759 the Due de
Grammont. The duchess was a portly Amazon, with a florid com-
plexion, small sparkling eyes, a rough voice, and haughty, overbearing
manners. " Wonderfully agreeable,'* says Walpole, " when she
pleased ; a vehement friend ; rude and insolent enemy." For thirty
years her salons were the resort of all that was witty and gay in
Paris. She had an almost unbounded influence over her brother.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1761.] TO LORD HARDWICKE, 41

elation might not be broken off; that he, Choiseul, was
sincere for peace ; that the affairs of Spain should not
prevent it, or should be dropped; and that if we, Eng-
land, meant sincerely peace, and not to justify ourselves
to the public upon the measures we had taken, he,
Choiseul, would sincerely concert with us the measures
to be taken jointly with regard to our respective allies
in Crermany. Stanley also says, * I have this not only
from the Duke de Choiseul's sister, but from M. Choi-
seul's enemies, and from some of the highest rank and
distinction^' whom the King very rightly observed to me
was from the Prince de Conti,* from whose house Mr.

Her memory stands charged with having availed herself of that in-
fluence to promote the unjust accusation against General Lally, and
to confirm the iniquitous and cruel sentence of death pronounced upon
that brave but unfortunate officer. The duchess became, in her turn,
the victim of a sentence equally iniquitous and cruel, as that which
she had instigated. In April, 1794, she was dragged with her friend,
la Duchesse du Chlltelet, before the bloody tribunal of Fouquier
Tinville. She was accused of harbouring aristocrats. She haughtily
replied, that she would not tell a lie to save her life. At length,
turning round on her judge, she said, — ** Que ma mort soit decidee,
9ela ne m*etonne pas, j*ai en quelque sort occupe Tattention du public,
quoique je ne me sois jamais m^le d*aucune afFaire depuis le com-
mencement de la revolution, mes principes et ma mani^re de penser
sent connus ; mais," continued she, pointing to Madame de Ch&telet,
*' pour cet ange, en quoi vous a-t-elle ofiens^ ? elle qui n'a jamais fait
tort k personne et dont la vie enti^ n*ofiTe qu'un tableau de vertu et
de bienfaisance." Both were led from the tribunal to the scaffold.

* Louis Fran9ois de Bourbon was bom in 1717, and succeeded his
&ther as Prince de Conti in 1725. At the age of eighteen he entered
the army, and made his first campaign with Marshal Belleisle. In
1 744 he was sent with twenty thousand French troops to co-operate
with the Spaniards in the conquest of Piedmont. At the battle of

Digitized by VjOOQIC

42 DUKE OF NEWCASTLE [1761.

Stanley dates his letter. I find by the King that these
letters have made no impression upon Mr. Pitt, though
they have made a great one upon his Majesty and Lord
Bute. The King seemed so provoked and so weary, that
his Majesty was inclined to put an end, at all events, to
the uncertainty about Mr. Pitt. I told my Lord Bute
of it, who admitted what I said to him, but observed
very rightly, that the King went too fast. He said,
Mr. Pitt had given in his opinion in writing to the
King, which the King showed me this day. It is signed

Temple (P.S.)
W. Pitt."

Coni he had his cuirass pierced in two places, and two horses shot
under him. He served subsequently in Germany and Flanders. He
returned to Paris at the time of the peace, devoted himself to litera-
ture, and associated with the most distinguished men of letters of his
day. Some of his poetry has been preserved. Siding with those who
were in opposition to the measures of the Court, the Prince incurred
the displeasure of Louis the Fifteenth, who nicknamed him " mon
cousin Tavocat." " The Prince of Conti," writes Lord Tavistock to
his father in 1 764, '* has gained great credit in the affairs of the par-
liament this winter, and continues very full of employment." * In
the following reign he supported the parliaments in their opposition to
the economical reforms of Turgot. It is said that shortly before his
death (which happened in 1776), he caused his coffin to be brought
to him, and caused himself to be placed in it to see how it would fit
'* He was,** says Walpole, *' handsome and royal in his figure, gracious
at times, but arrogant, overbearing, luxurious, and expensive.'*

* Bedford Correspondence, iii. 260.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

nei.j TO LORD HARDWIGKE. 43

DDKE OF NEWCASTLE TO THE EARL OF HAKDWICKE.

" Claremont, September 26th, 1761.

" The lords, without exception, that is, our friends,
have all been severally with the King, and have spoken
their opinions boldly to his Majesty. The King told me
nobody spoke stronger than my Lord Mansfield; and
his Majesty is much pleased with my Lord Halifax.
I am sorry to acquaint you, that yesterday a second
letter was received from Mr. Stanley (copies of which I
here enclose, and beg that you will return them to me) ;
that Stanley y contrary to his declaration in his last letter
of tjie 25<A, is coming away without either waiting for,
or putting M. Choiseul in mind of the memoricd he
promised us. I suppose he thought his orders were too
strong for him to dare to disobey them.

" Mr. Pitt saw the King yesterday, but said not one
word upon Stanley's letter. He triumphs much upon
Grimaldi^s letter ^"^ and I suppose mil do no more upon that
very remarkable compression in Stanley's, * when Spain
declares war, I suspect an attack upon PortugaV This,
my Lord Bute says, supposes a resolution in Spain to

* The Marquis Geronimo Grimaldi was at this time ambassador
from the King of Spain to the Court of Versailles. He was a member
of a noble Genoese fiEunily. He had been originally intended for the
church, and received his education at Rome. In the time of Philip
the Fifth, he was the representative of his native republic at the
Court of Madrid, where he was known as the handsome Abbe.
There he so wormed himself into the good graces of the King, as to
be retained in his service. Before he went to Paris^ he had been
sent bj the Court of Madrid in a diplomi^ic capacity to Sweden and

Digitized by VjOOQIC

44 LETTER TO LORD HARDWICKE. [l76l.

declare war. But, however unfortunate that may be,
it by no means justifies Mr. Pitt's advice, * To break
first with tliem.^ Tlie King seems every day more
offended with Mr. Pitt, and plainly wants to get rid of
him at aU events.''

On the 20th of September, Mr. Stanley demanded
his passports, and shortly afterwards arrived in Eng-
land. The Duke of Newcastle thus announces to Lord
Hardwicke his conference with the late envoy.

"October Ist, 1761. Thursday morning.

" I HAVE had a very long, dry, and fruitless conver-
sation with my friend Stanley, the whole tending to
war and not peace. Former facts abridged by him,
softened, and not quite verified, and supported; pre-
sent dispositions stated in a favourable light for the
views and measures of those who diifer with us.

" I send your lordship, for your consideration^ before
I see you, a note I took of what passed with my Lord
Mansfield, relating to what we should do at our
meeting to-morrow."'

Holland. On his return from his French embassy, he was, at the
nomination of Choiseul, appointed minister of foreign afiairs in
the place of Don Ricardo Wall. Grimaldi appears to have been a
man of very inferior capacity. Choiseul, who acquired a great
ascendancy over him, induced him to sacrifice the interests of Spain
to those of France. But for his mismanagement the Havannah
need not have been placed in jeopardy. The Duke of Bedford in
his correspondence speaks of Grimaldrs intrigues, and of his hostile
disposition towards England,

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1761.] RESIGNATION OF PITT. 45

- [The following note upon this letter is by the second
Lord Hardwicke.]

" After Mr. Pitt was out, Mr. Stanley did say clearly,
and to myself, that he thought his manner of negociat-
ing, spoilt the peace, and that France, though humbled
and weakened, was still a power which had an exist-
ence in the world. H.'^

The "meeting to-morrow,'^ alluded to in the fore-
going letter, was summoned for the purpose of giving
a final answer to Mr. Pitt's proposition. With the
exception of the great war-minister, and his brother-
in-law. Lord Temple, the cabinet was opposed to an
immediate declaration of hostilities with Spain. Mr.
Pitt, on this decision of his colleagues, declared " this
to be the last time he should sit in that council. He
thanked the ministers of the late King for their sup-
port; said he was himself called to the ministry by
the voice of the people, to whom he considered himself
as accountable for his conduct, and that he would
no longer remain in a situation which made him re-
sponsible for measures he was no longer allowed to
guide.''* On the 5th of October, accordingly, he re-
signed his office, and his example was followed two
days afterwards, by Lord Temple.

Mr. Pitf s secession, and his motives for it, appear

to have been foreseen by more than one person. " Your

lordship must remember," writes Bubb Dodington to

Lord Bute, "some months ago, I said I thought Mr.

♦ Annual Register, 1761, p. 43.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

46 RESIGNATION OF PITT. [l7«l.

Pitt would never make peace, because he could never
make such a peace, as he had taught the nation to
expect."* Soame Jenynsf makes a similar remark in

* Adolphus' History of England, App. vi. p, 481.

t Soame Jenyns, the poet, M.P. for Cambridge, a friend and neigh-
bour of Lord Hardwicke, whose children he frequently made the
subjects of his muse ; hence Walpole calls him " the poet laureate of
the Yorkes." This agreeable writer was bom in 1 703. During Sir
Robert Walpole's administration he was appointed a Lord of Trade,
but having a great dislike to party distinctions, was allowed to hold
his appointment under every succeeding minister, until the Board
itself was abolished. ' His writings in prose and poetry spread over
almost the wholfe^ field of literature, comprising, amongst many other
topics, Essays onj theology, metaphysics, politics, and dancing. In
private life, Jenyns was a man of much sweetness of temper.
He had a lively and pleasant turn of wit ; his conversation was
sparkling, " and," according to the Rev. Mr. Cole, " full of merry
conceits and agreeable drollery, which was heightened by his inarticu-
late mtoner of speaking through his broken teeth." ** He was," says
Richard jDumberland, '* the man who bore his part in all societies,
with the most even temper and undisturbed hilarity, of all the good
companions I ever knew. He came into your house at the very
moment you had put upon your card ; he dressed himself, to do your
party honour, in all the colours of the jay ; his lace, indeed, had long
since lost its lustre, but his coat had faithfully retained its cut ever
since the days when gentlemen wore embroidered figured velvets,
with short sleeves, boot cuffs, and buckram skirts. As Nature cast
him in the exact mould of an ill-made pair of stiff stays, he followed
her so close in the fashion of his coat, that it was doubted whether he
did not wear them ; because he had a protuberant wen just under his
pole, he wore a wig that did not cover above half his head. His eyes
were protruded like the eyes of the lobster, who wears them at the end
of his feelers ; and yet there was room between one of these and his
nose for another wen, that added nothing to his beauty. Yet I heard
this good man very innocently remark, when Gibbon published his
History, that he wondered anybody so ugly could write a book." —
Memoirs, 4to, 247-8.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1761.] ATTEMPT TO INJURE PITTAS CHARACTER. 47

the following extract from one of his letters to Lord
Royston : —

" I am not much surprised at the intended resigna-
tion, because I was always satisfied, that sooner or later,
it must happen. Your lordship must remember, that I
have often said Mr. P(itt) never would or could agree
to any peace, but that he must push things so despe-
rately, that no one could follow him, and then make
that an excuse for quitting, when he found it impossible
to go on ; every event since, has confirmed me in this
opinion, and I am certain that it is not in his power to
act now on any other plan.''

When Mr. Pitt quitted the government, the Court
resolved he should leave his character behind him.
Unconnected by birth with any of the old Whig families,
the source of his power lay in the affections of the
people. His haughty bearing towards the late sove-
reign, had long excluded him from that place in the
administration, which in public opinion he was en-
titled to fill. This proscription had obtained for him
a high reputation for independence, while his refusal
to appropriate, when paymaster of the forces, the emo-
luments of his office, bad produced an opinion highly
favourable to his disinterestedness. To destroy his cha-
racter for these two qualities, the Court persuaded
him to accept the barony of Chatham for his wife Lady
Hester Pitt, and an annuity of three thousand pounds
a-year for three lives for himself. In the first instance,
he appears to have been duped by these insidious boons,
for, in his interview with the King, to give ug the seals,

Digitized by VjOOQIC

48 ATTEMPT TO INJURE PITT'S CHARACTER. [l761.

he was so overcome by the apparent graciousness of
his reception, that he declared he did not come prepared
for such exceeding goodness, and burst into tears; and
in a letter to Lord Bute, in which he desires his lordship
"to lay him at the royal feet,'' he declares himself
" penetrated with the bounteous favour of a most benign
sovereign and master." But he cannot long have
doubted the design of the Court, for they inserted in
the same gazette, his resignation of the seals, and his
acceptance of the peerage and pension. Further to im-
pugn the aggressive policy on which he grounded his
resignation, they added an article from Spain, setting
forth the pacific intentions of that country.

The announcement was not without its effect at
the moment. " The city and the people,'' writes Rigby,
on the 12th of October, " are outrageous about Lady
Cheat em^ as they call her, and her husband's pension,"
and in a postscript he mentions, that Mr. Pitt was to be
burned that night in great pomp in the city.

With a view to repel these attacks on his popularity,
Pitt wrote to his friend, Mr. Alderman Beckford, to
justify his conduct. The letter afterwards made its
appearance in the Public Ledger. In this document he
alleges the same reasons for his retirement that he had
assigned to his colleague, that " he would not remain
responsible for measures which he was no longer allowed
to guide/^

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1761.] DR. BIRCH TO LORD ROYSTON. 49

THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE TO THE EARL OF HARDWICKE.

" Newcastle House, October 20th, 1761.
Tuesday, 7 o'clock.

** I ACQUAINTED Lord Bute with my city news, that all
was fire and flame there; that Mr. Pitt's letter had
brought back all his old friends to him ; that there was
to be a meeting of the Common Council this day to
instruct his Majesty in the most violent manner to sup-
port war and warlike measures; with some compliments
to Mr. Pitt. My Lord Bute seemed quite unconcerned,
and said bravely, that he did not trouble himself about
it, or inquire what Mr. Pitt did. I told his Lordship
that I knew, as I do, that an agent of Mr. Pitt's said,
'there was no union at Court;' and Lord B. made me
no answer to that."

DR. BIRCH* TO VISCOUNT ROTSTON.

"Oct. 1 7th, 1761.

" The St. James's Chronicle of this evening, will, in
all probability, furnish your Lordship with a copy of

* Thomas Birch was bom in 1 705. His parents were Quakers ;
his fiither was a coffee-mill maker. The son, by unremitted applica-
tion, and amidst numerous difficulties and disadvantages, became
qualified to take orders, though he had not received an university
education. In 1 732 he was reconmiended to Chancellor Hardwicke,
then attorney-general, to whom, and to whose son, the second earl,
he became indebted for his numerous church preferments. In 1752
he was elected one of the Secretaries of the Royal Society, and the
following year was created a doctor of divinity. Poor Birch used to
yOL. I. E

Digitized by VjOOQIC

50 DR. BIRCH [1761.

Mr. Pitt's letter to some eminent citizen, which appeared
this morning in the Public Ledger ^ and occasioned so
great a demand for that paper, that above three thousand
were sold before noon; before which time the Gazetteer
was reprinted with that letter, which came out early
in the morning, wanting that very remarkable piece.
Bristow, the publisher of the Ledger^ acknowledged to
me that he had seen the original, and that his copy was
given to the public with the writer's consent, but would
not inform me to whom it was addressed, whether Sir
James Hodges or Alderman Beckford,* though he in-
timated that my Lord Mayor had a copy of it, or another

pride himself on his riding. In 1766 he was killed by a fall from
his horse. Hudibras has spoken of

" An ancient sage philosopher

Who had read Alexander Ross over."

A reference to *< Watts' Bibliotheca Britannica" will show that
Birch's works are nearly as voluminous as those of Ross. His first
great work was a General Dictionary, historical and critical, including
a translation of Bayle» with several thousand new lives. He was
the author of twelve other pul)lications, chiefly historical or biogra-
phical ; and was an extensive contributor to many other works. Dr.
Heathcote, a brother author, and fellow member of a club of literati,
who met once a week to talk learnedly for three or four hours, says
'' Birch was an honest, humane man, warm and zealous in his attach-
ments to persons and principles, but of universal benevolence; that
he was cheerful, lively, and spirited, an early riser, and a man of
great general knowledge. He afiforded much literary information to
Johnson, who made him the subject of a Greek epigram.*! '' Tom
Birch,** said the great lexicographer, '' is as brisk as a bee in con-
versation, but no sooner does he take a pen in his hand, than it
becomes like a torpedo to him, and benumbs all his faculties.**
♦ William Beckford, M.P. for London, of whom more hereafter.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1761.] TO LORD ROYSTON. 51

letter to the same purpose sent to him. Your Lordship
needs no criticism upon the inaccuracy of the compo-
sition,* nor shall I animadvert upon his avowal that
his inducement to quit his post was because ?ie was no
longer allowed to guide tlis pttblic measures. His owning
the acceptance of the public marks of his Majesty's
favour will overset the representation made by Mr.
Beckford, who employed his agents to circulate on Thurs-
day, that though Mr. Pitt had received such oflfers from
Lord Bute, he had not yet accepted them. Mr. Dingley,t
the Sussian merchant, was in particular authorised by
Mr. Beckford to declare this; and an attempt was made
under the colour of such an assertion, to form a cabal in
the city in his favour. On Thursday it was asserted
that Mr. Pitt had written to his friend, Sir James

* Wilkes used to say that Chatham was the hest orator, and the
worst letter-writer of the age.

t Charles Duigley, the projector and proprietor of some saw-mills at
Lhnehouse, was a man of much eccentricity. He obtained consider-
able notoriety in 1769, by standing in opposition to Wilkes and not
obtaining a single TOte. " The hero of the meeting,** writes Lord
Temple, *' Master Dingley, struck Wilkes's attorney, who knocked
him down in return." His own version of the encounter is contained
in a letter to Lady Chatham : — << In 1745 I entered myself a com-
mon soldier in the foot-guards, and the same spirit of loyalty, and the
desire to do some noble act, induced me to offer my services to snatch
and destroy the danger and confusion, by representing the County of
Middlesex. I got into a scuffle. By a blow I gave Wilkes's attorney,
Reynolds, I got such a hurt from his teeth, as to make my hand very
lame and worthless.** Junius says that '* the miserable Dingley was
induced to oppose Wilkes by the Duke of Grafton, and that he died
of a broken heart in consequence of having been so contemptuously
treated.**

B 2

Digitized by VjOOQIC

62 DUKE OF NEWCASTLE [1761.

Hodges, to contradict the Gazette account from Madrid,
of Saturday last, with regard to the pacific disposition
of Spain; and yesterday there were alarming appear-
ances of a new popular ferment, tending to restore him
once more to power."

The " meeting of the Common Council," to which
the Duke of Newcastle alludes,* agreed upon a repre-
sentation to the four representatives of the City, urging
them " to oppose all attempts for giving up such places
as may tend to lessen our present security, or by re-
storing the naval power of France, render us subject
to fresh hostilities from that natural enemy;" and in
another part alludes to the nation's ability still to carry
on, and vigorously prosecute the present just and neces-
sary war.f

THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE TO THE EARL OF HARDWIOKE.

" Claremont, Oct. 18, 1761.
" Mr. Pitt's almost avowed opposition opens a new
scene, and his directing that opposition to the applica-
tion of the supplies, shows what I always foresaw, that
all his malice would be directed against the old Admi-
nistrcUionj notwithstanding his compliments at Council.
He will think by that to be less offensive to the King
by sparing his Minister and favourite, and may be
glad^not to be desperate with either. He will also

* See ante, page 49, line 4.

f Annual Register for 1761, p. [301.]

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1761.] TO LORD HARDWICKE. 53

lay the enormous expenses occasioned singly by his
own measures, on the corrupt, ignorant, or loose ad-
ministration of the Treasury, which ought to have pre-
vented it. I just touched yesterday, upon Mr. Pitt's
most astonishing letter ; nothing can be more offensive
to a King^ more insolent in itself, more mischievous
to Council, or show more marks of a hurt disappointed
heart. But it carries with it also, certain proofs of
hatred, revenge, and opposition. Against whom? the
principal object ought to be the principal actor in it.
But, in fact, he was the sole author of it.

' Resolved to ruin or to rule the state." '♦

* Diyden's Absalom and Achitophel, Part I. v. 1 74.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

54 EARL OF EGREMONT [l7«l.

CHAPTER III.

BABL OF BGBEMONT APPOINTED PITT*B 8U00B8SOB. DUKB OF NEW-
CASTLE TO LORD UABDWICKB. — THREATENED RUPTURE WITH SPAIN.

LORD BOYSTON TO MR. YOBKE. WANT OP UNION AT COURT.

SUMMONING A NEW PARLIAMENT. ~ BIYAL LISTS. 0HABA0TEB8 OF

LOBD TEMPLE AND GEOBOB GBBNTILLE. — CHOICE OF A SPEAKER.

THE king's visit TO THE CITY. — PITT'S TBEATMENT ON THAT OCCA-
SION. MB. MILBANKB TO LOBD BOCKINGHAM. CHABACTBB OF

BABB^. MB. MILBANKB TO LOBD BOCKINGHAM. — EFFECTS OF THE

PABLIAMBNTARY DEBATE.

Newcastle had hoped that the retirement of his
great. rival and colleague would lead to the restoration
of his own political pre-eminence. " I never," says Sir
George Colebrooke,* "saw the Duke in higher spirits
than after Mr. Pitt, thwarted by the Cabinet in his pro-
posal of declaring war against Spain, had given notice
of resignation;" but Lord Talbot, who as "a King's
friend,** probably knew what was likely to happen, ad-
vised his Grace " not to die for joy on the Monday, nor
for fear on the Tuesday." f The poor Duke was not left
long in doubt, for immediately upon the resignation, Ldrd
Bute assumed the entire management of public affairs.

* Manuscript Memoir, quoted by Sir Denis Le Marchant in
Walpole's Memoirs of George the Third,
t Walpole.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1761.] APPOINTED PITT'S SUCCESSOR. 56

The first act of the favourite was to bestow the
vacant Seals on Charles Wyndham, Earl of Egremont,
son of Sir William Wyndham, the celebrated Tory leader
in the two preceding reigns. Walpole, who speaks
disparagingly of him, admits that he had ^^a great
deal of humour." He was a thoroughly well-bred man,
but of a haughty, overbearing disposition. Junius says
^^ that, notwithstanding his pride and Tory principles,
he had some En^ish stuff about him." The principal
set of his short ministry, was his answer to the Spanish
memorial, which did him much credit. Like his father,
he died suddenly at the age of fifty-two. "If," says
Bishop Newton, "he had entered earlier into business,
he might have made as considerable a figure as his
father. He had seldom occasion to speak in parlia-
ment, but whenever he did speak, it was with great
clearness, force, and energy^ and he was thought very
much to resemble his father in manner as well as
good matter, having a little catch and impediment in
his voice as Sir William Wyndham."*

It is difficult to form a correct opinion of the first
official act of the new secretary ; for although he de-
clared that act to be his own, yet it is not quite clear
from the letter that follows whether the document to
which he was directed to put his name, expressed his
own opinions, or whether, in the spirit of the new
rSgimej he was the mere registrar of a royal edict.

♦ Bishop Newton's Life and Anecdotes, folio edition, p. 69-70.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

56 DUKE OF NEWCASTLE TO LORD -HARDWICKE. [l761.

THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE TO THE EARL OF HARDWICKE.

" October 20th, 1761.

" Lord Bute said, the King has given orders to my
Lord Egremont to prepare a letter for my Lord Bristol,*
expressing his Majesty's desire to correspond with their
{the Spaniards) assurance to heal and soften all the
depending disputes amicably with each other, */W'0-
vided they made it appear to the King that there was
nothing offensive contained in the last treaty with Paris.^
My Lord Bute said, 'this has been agreed at St

* Oeorge William, second Earl of Bristol, eldest of the three sons
of the celebrated Lord Hervey, and of the equally celebrated " Mary
Lepel,** a lady whose wit, beauty, and vivacity, inspired the pens of
Pope, Chesterfield, Pulteney, and Voltaire, of whom, the last-named
addressed her in English verse. Lord Bristol was at this time
ambassador at the Court of Spain. Throughout his difficult mission
he appears to have conducted himself with singular ability and
temper. Walpole says he was '' a very Spaniard in formality and
pride." From other accounts he appears to have inherited that
degree of effeminacy in person, manners, and dress, that led Pope to
dub his father '* Lord Fanny .** But this exterior by no means indi-
cated Lord Bristol's real character. He was a man of great personal
bravery. Sailing once in his brother Augustus Hervey^s ship during
the Seven Years' war, the vessel was menaced with an attack from a
French ship of greatly superior force. In spite of the entreaties of his
brother, Bristol insisted upon remaining on deck, sword in hand,
saying that as he had the honour to represent a Sovereign distin-
guished for personal courage, he ought to behave as his master would
have done on a like occasion. When Bristol was ordered to quit
Spain, in every Spanish village that he passed, he was pursued with
huzzas and acclamations deprecating the war. — (European Magazine,
xxix. 239.) Lord Bristol died in 177j. Both his brothers succeeded
in turn to the earldom.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1761.] THREATENED RUPTURE WITH SPAIN. 57

James's, I suppose, between my Lord Egreraont and
himself; for, notwithstanding the little council of us
four, I know nothing of the matter.^

" I found, by his brother,* that strong measures and
strong declarations are to do everything to prevent
the junction of France and Spain. Sure, we have
tried these measures long enough."

The oflScial despatch here ordered to be prepared,
whether emanating from the King himself, or the joint
production of the concUiabtdum^ had very important
results. The obvious policy of the Court was to pre-
serve peace with Spain, for thus alone could Ministers
hope to justify their rejection of Pitt's aggressive policy.
The object of the letter, therefore, was evidently to
"heal and soften all the depending disputes," while
the " strong declarations " it contained were to prove
to the Court of Madrid that the British Government
had lost none of its vigour and efficacy by the late
change of hands. The means did not answer the end.

The PROVISO mentioned in the Duke of Newcastle's
letter was more than Castilian pride could endure.
Don Ricardo Wall, the Spanish Minister, who had
hitherto proved himself a warm friend to England,
upon receiving Lord Egremont's communication, de-
clared with much vehemence of manner that he him-
self would be the man to advise the King of Spain,
since his dominions were to be overwhelmed, at least
to have them seized with arms in his subjects' hands,

* The Hon. James Stuart Mackenzie, Lord Bute's only brother.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

58 LORD ROYSTON [l761.

and not to continue the passive yictim he had hitherto
appeared in the eyes of the world. Lord Bristol, the
British Ambassador, was at the same time informed
that no answer would be given, and that his Excel-
lency might retire at the time and in the manner
most convenient to himself.

VISCOUNT ROTSTON TO THE HONOURABLE CHARLES TORRE.

" Dear Brother, " St. James's Square, Dec. 27, 1761.

" This aflfair of Spain gives me a good deal of con-
cem, and the more, as I cannot approve ihe conduct of
our friends in it. I think they have been weakly and
timidly submitting to others, whom they ought to have
led. They have been playing Mr. Pitt's game in the
nation, and that of France at the Court of Madrid. If
ever there was a quarrel founded on pwictilio and a
point of good breeding^ this seems to be the instance;
and then it becomes a little serious to engage two
nations in blood and enmity, on no stronger provoca-
tion. Lord Bristol has executed the King's orders in
a masterly manner, as appears by the copy of the note
he left in Wall's closet, and which I doubt not the
Duke of Newcastle will show you. Fuentes* will

* Count de Fuentes, Spanish Ambassador at the Court of St.
James's. " A dull, cold man," according to Walpole, ** and wedded
to all the forms of his religion." From his public despatches, from
his priyate letters in the Chatham C(Nrrespondence, and from Coxe*8
account of him in his Memoirs of the Kings of Spain, he spears to
have been a skilful diplomatist. " M. de Fuentes,** writes Walpole

to Lord Strafford, " is a halfpenny print of Lord H , His wife

homely, but seems good-natured and civil. The son does not dege-

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1701.] TO Mit YORKE. 69

impute to his Lordship's offensiye language the rough
answer of -his Court, and will declare that the. treaty
between France and Spain is a mere family compact^
on which the latter have given their guarantee to the
former^ with a view to what they, the French, shall
lose in the course of this war. What are we then going
to quanrel about? I must freely own, I think our Chief
has been too yssdre in this affair. I mean, when the
draught of Lord Egremont^i letter was considered in
Council, and that he should have obliged tbam to
weigh the consequences of extending and prolonging
(I wish I may not add perpetuating) the war, a little
more coolly and deliberately. Though Mr. Pitt would
not submit to have his draught cobbled,* the Earl of
Egremont surely had no such privilege to plead ; and
when his Lordship said that his head was concerned in
writing a proper letter to Spain on this occasion, I wish
he had been told that every Minister at the Board was
equally responsible to his country for the advice he
gave, and for the manner in which that advice was
directed to be carried into execution.

" Above all, it was most extraordinary, in those who
know Lord Bristol's connections with Mr, Pitt, to
entrust him with the execution of such orders, and

nerate from such high*born .uglineBs ; the daughter-in-law was sick,
and they say is not ugly, and has as good a set of teeth as one can
have when one has but two, and those black. They seem to have no
curiosity, sit where they are placed, and ask no questions about so
strange a country. Indeed, the Ambassadress could see nothing ; for
Dodington stood before, the whole time, sweating Spanish at her.'*
* See a»te, page 27, line 22.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

60 WANT OF UNION AT COURT. [l76l.

not lay him under all the guards and restrictions in
the manner which words can convey. The first person
who gave me any intimation of the style of the despatch
to Madrid, and the opposition which Lord Eg(remont)
had given to the softening it, was Mr. Jones,* about
three weeks ago; and I can safely declare, that I then
said to him everything that I now say, after the event.
This quarrel with Spain opens so wide a field of con-
troversy — to many old claims, new acquisitions, schemes
of private gain and public ambition, together with a
certain increase of expense in every quarter where an
attack is to be made or appre/iended — that I own I see
no end of the violent situation we are in, and which
I doubt will continue till public distress or absolute
inability compels us to wind up, not as we might, but
as we may — ^ liberavi animam meam.^

" Yours affectionately, " H."

In this same letter of Lord Egremont, which was
afterwards submitted to Parliament, the ambassador at
the Court of Spain was informed that " the most per-
fect harmony and mutual confidence now reign in his
Majesty's CJouncils." This was evidently to do away
with the report in the city that there was " no union
at Court." The concluding paragraph in the Duke of
Newcastle's letter of the 20th, already quoted, will
show how far the intimation was founded in fact.

* Hugh Valence JoneSi first cousin of Lord Royston, successively
Secretary to the Duke of Newcastle, Member for Dover, and a Com-
missioner of Revenue in Ireland.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1761.] SUMMONING A NEW PARLIAMENT. 61

" As for the matter (he, Mr. Stuart Mackenzie, said)
of there being no union amongst us, that was the lie
of the day, and would fall in twenty-four hours. I
wish there were not so good grounds for the report."

The summoning of a new Parliament afforded the
King an opportunity of violating the spirit of the Con-
stitution without openly departing from the letter. The
time was not wholly unfavourable for such attempts*
The country had lost its early zeal for the principles
of the Whigs. The Whigs were not cordially united
among themselves. The Tory party had begun to
resume their ascendancy in the counties, even some
of the old Jacobites had re-entered the precincts of the
court. The issue of writs was delayed purposely, in
order that Lord Bute might have the more time to
mature his plans, and secure seats for the personal
adherents of the Crown. From the following extracts
it would appear that his Majesty, if he did not claim,
at least appropriated to himself, as part of his personal
prerogative, a share in the nomination to the govern-
ment boroughs, and that both his ostensible minister,
and his real adviser, each produced rival lists of his
own friends and supporters. A century and a half had
elapsed since similar artifices had been resorted to by
the family, whose posterity the House of Hanover now
excluded from the British throne. It appeared a bad
omen, for the new reign to commence with a policy,
the results of which had formerly overturned the
monarchy. But neither the King nor his coterie were
capable of benefiting by the lessons of history.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

62 RIVAL LISTS. [I76I.

THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE TO THE EARL OF HARDWIOKE.

"January Idth, 1761.
" I AM to be with my Lord Bute to-morrow at St.
James's whilst the King is at the House. I told his
Lordship that I should come to talk to him about the
Parliament, and that I had but just got my papers
and lists. He said it was high time, and I think
(though in very good humour) talked in such a liian-
ner, that I expect more lists from him than I shall
carry to him. He said, Lord Falmouth had offered
the King three members, but he did not tell me the
King's answer."

This liberal offer came from one of the most unblush-
ing borough-mongers of the day. Hugh Boscawen,
second Viscount Falmouth. In eflfrontery of solicitation
he was equalled by Bubb Dodington alone, and he
lacked the mother-wit which made that effi^ntery en-
durable. In George the Second's reign, he told Pitt,
at that time minister, that if he had not the garter,
which was then vacant, his five members should vote
against the government. " As long," replied Pitt, " as
I remain in the Cabinet, your Lordship shall not re-
ceive that distinction:" then turning to some by-
standers, he added, " Optat ephippia Bos." — " Who
calls me Bosf^^ inquired Falmouth. — "The remark,"
replied Pitt, " is not mine, but Horace's." — " If Horace

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1761.] RIVAL LISTS. 68

Walpole," exclaimed his Lordship, " has taken this
liberty with my name I shall resent it." *

THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE TO THE EARL OF HARDWICKE.

" January 29th, 1761.
" I HAVE heard nothing but civil messages from Lord
Bute. Lord Anson told me yesterday, he complained
of having heard nothing from me about the election.
You know how I have been put oflf from time to time,
and I don't see that his Lordship is yet disposed to
fix a certain day. Lord Anson also said that Lord B.
told him, the King would have several members to put
in. His Majesty must find places for them ! "

FROM THE SAME TO THE SAME.

'' Newcastle House^ Monday, 5 o'clock.
" I HAVE received the enclosed list from Mr. Legge.
I beg you would communicate it to the Duke of Devon-
shire, and my Lord Kinnoul, who, I hope, have told
you what intelligence I had relating to Mr. Fox and his
list. I see Legge proposes to make a complete list at
present, and to alter it when he shall see the Court
list. I am promised that, as soon as it is settled ; but
Mr. Fox said this day, that they were to meet about it.
I doubt whether we shall have time to let our friends
know what to do."

Mr. Legge, alluded to in the forgoing letter, was at
♦ Wraxall.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

-»*iWiwr*(iSSFf|ffi^

64 RIVAL LISTS. [1761.

this time Chancellor of the Exchequer, and member
for Hampshire. He had, in 1759, offended George the
Third, then Prince of Wales, by declining to withdraw
his pretensions to the county representation, in favour
of Mr., afterwards Sir Simeon, Stuart, a cousin of
Lord Bute's. The following letter will show that this
refusal was neither forgiven nor forgotten.

THE DUEE OF NEWCASTLE TO THE MARQUIS OF ROCKING-
HAM.

" My Lord Anson has received orders from the King
himself, to declare to the Docks,* that they may vote
for whom they please in the Hajppshire election, even
though the Chancellor of the Exchequer is a candidate."

THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE TO THE EARL OF HARDWICKE.

" I WILL go through the elections as well as I can, and
endeavour to see what they (the Court) really intend.
I think it is too late for them to do any mischief.
They may be disagreeable, and defeat some of our
friends, and act directly contrary to what they pro-
mised; but they can't now alter the tone and com-
plexion of the new parliament That is all settled, and
so far, my staying in to this time has been of use."

On the above letter, the second Lord Hardwicke has
made the following remark : — '
" Notwithstanding the choice of the parliament, which
♦ Of Portamouth.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1761.] CHARACTER OF LORD TEMPLE. 65

the Duke of Newcastle piques himself upon, they forsook
him for Lord Bute, when his standard was set up."

No two monarchs were probably ever more pestered
by their advisers, than Greorge the Second and his suc-
cessor, by Lord Temple and George Grenville. Nor
were their Majesties the only victims. There was
scarcely a contemporary statesman who had not been
bullied or bored by this ruthless pair of brothers.
Both, indeed, were tormentors of the first order. Yet
their connections rendered them indispensable; their
talents, their knowledge of the world and of parlia-
mentary forms, made them serviceable ; and their pro-
fession of Whig principles gave them a kind of repu-
tation for liberal sentiments.

Richard, Earl Temple, the elder brother, had good
business-habits, and much industry, and was by no
means an inefficient speaker. His huge ungainly figure
procured for him the nickname of ** Squire Gawky."
The qualities of his mind were indeed as loosely put
together as his limbs. With much ambition, his own
wayward caprice, or masterless pride, constantly marred
his plans of self-aggrandisement. He was frequently
asking favours of George the Second. That monarch
accounted himself at least a Turenne in war; yet his
Privy Seal gracefully insinuated that his Majesty had
no more spirit than Admiral Byng, whose death-warrant
(unjustly however) he had just signed.

One of Temple's grand schemes was to establish a
triumvirate government, to be composed of himself, his

VOL. L F

Digitized by VjOOQIC

66 CHARACTERS OF [l761.

brother George, and his brother-in-law, Pitt, — three men
whose opinions were as opposite as the antipodes, and who
were almost always at personal variance with each other.

Temple appears to have had no fixed principles of
action. He adopted the cause of prerogative against
the Americans, and the side of Wilkes against the
prerogative. Mischief appears to have been the main
incentive of his actions; nevertheless, he preferred being
a backer rather than a principal. He was Wilkes's
prime instigator in his wicked pranks against the
King and the Court. He was likewise Chatham's evil
genius; and occasionally led his brother-in-law to com-
mit imprudences into which a school-boy would scarcely
have fallen. He was indeed the cause of half the errors
and inconsistencies committed by that statesman. The
result of his political life was, that Lord Temple, after
thirty years' factious meddling in public affairs, died, dis-
trusted and avoided by the associates of his earlier days.

George Grenville was greatly superior to his brother
in talents. Pitt considered him to be the best parlia-
ment man in the House. Formal, punctual, and exact,
he undoubtedly was. But his pride and pertinacity
were as obstructive, as his regularity was conducive, to
progress in affairs. Ingratitude was one of his besetting
sins. Whatever may have been Lord Bute's demerits,
he was at least Grenville's benefactor. Whatever may
have been Pitt's profusion in war, Grenville long supported
his martial measures. Yet he was among the first to turn
against Bute, and to upbraid Pitt for his extravagance.

Unlike as were the brothers in personal appearance.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1761.] LORD TEMPLE AND GEORGE GRENVILLE. 67

there was much similarity in the conformation of their
minds. Their common characteristics were pride, want
of tact, and jealousy of all around thenu Each lost
oflBce by the violence of his temper, and the haugh-
tiness of each rendered a return to power impractica-
ble. Each of them was revengeftil; each vented his feel-
ings in pamphlets. Each possessed a stream of words^
which, in all places, and on all occasions, flowed from
him "in omne volubilis cevum."* Like Temple, too,
George Grenville regarded the King as the proper butt
of his tedious harangues, and at times of his angry
invective. " When he has wearied me for two hours,"
said George the Third, exhausted after one of these
inflictions, "he looks at his watch to see if he may
not tire me for an hour more.'*

It was this last-named brother whom Lord Bute, at
the commencement of 1761, succeeded in gaining over to
the Court, having been, up to this period, the constant
supporter of his brother-in-law, Mr. Pitt. " Avarice,"
says Walpole, " which he (Grenville) possessed in no
less a proportion than his other passions, concurred to
lead him from a master who browbeat and treated
him superciliously, to worship the rising sun. Lord
Bute was in want of tools, and it was a double prize
to acquire them from his rival's shop."

* Grenville was one evening at a concert. In the midst of a
'' bravura " he addressed his neighbour in his usual loud monotonous
voice on the subject of some grand fiscal scheme. This auditor sought
a pretext to shift his place. Whereupon the financier, possessing him-
self of pen, ink, and paper, committed his thoughts to writing, making
the pianoforte, at which the singer presided, serve for a taWe.

P 2

Digitized by VjOOQIC

68 CHOICE OF A SPEAKER. [1761,

In the early part of the year, Mr. Grenville had
been admitted into the Cabinet; but on Pitt's resigna-
tion of the seals, he was appointed ministerial leader
of the House of Commons.

A meeting was held at the Cockpit, the night
before Parliament assembled, for the purpose of hearing
the King's speech read, and agreeing upon the choice of
a Speaker. Since the days of Queen Anne, the Whigs
only had attended on such occasions; but now that the
friends of the Government and the friends of the King
did not mean the same persons, the Tories uninvited made
a strong muster of their forces. On this party, as on
the sleeping courtiers in the fairy tale, time had wrought
no change of sentiment or opinion. The crown, not
the wearer of it, was the object of their idolatry. ♦ Cast-
ing aside as untenable their favorite dogma of indefea-
sible hereditary right, they complacently transferred
their allegiance from a Stuart to a Guelph, — from a
dejure to a de facto King.

EDWIN LASCELLES,* ESQ., M.P., TO THE MARQUIS OF
ROCKINGHAM.

'' PaU Midi, Star and Garter, Nov. 2, 1761.
" After a very pleasant journey, we arrived in town

♦ Edwin Lascelles, Esq., Member for Yorkshire, was elevated to
the peerage in 1790, by the title of Lord Harewood, of Harewood
Castle. Dying without issue in 1795, the barony became extinct,
but his estates passed to his heir-at-law, Edward Lascelles, created
successively Baron Harewood, Viscount Lascelles, Earl of Harewood.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1761.] CHOICE OF A SPEAKER. 69

this afternoon; I called upon Sir George's* at eight
o'clock, to go to the Cockpit, where we found such a
crowd, of all complexions, especially of the old Tories,
that with much difficulty we got up stairs. I made my
way into the room, and got up to the table where
G. G.f was placed at the head of it, and then re-
commending Sir J. Cust for Speaker, which everybody
seemed to approve. Sir John replied in the episcopal
style, and thus it ended. Half of those who were
present, I am sure never saw that room before —
Shuttleworth,J for one; he is coming to sup with

us."

** Sir John Cust is Speaker," writes Walpole, " and,
bating his nose, the chair seems to be well filled." § The
new Speaker was selected for the post by Lord Bute,
on account of his Tory politics. He was a country
gentleman, of good family and large estates, of an
amiable disposition and obliging manners. He was
well acquainted with the usages of Parliament, but

* Not Mr. Lascelles' colleague Sir George Savile, who was unable
to attend the meeting, but Sir George Armytage, Member for York.
The Armytages are a very ancient Yorkshire family. The present
Sir Geoige is the great grandson of the baronet alluded to in Mr.
Lascelles' letter.

f Geoige Grenville.

J James Shuttleworth, Member for Lancashire, a Tory follower of
Lord Bute. His great grandaughter, the heiress of G^nthype^ mar-
ried Mr.Kaye, the Commissioner of Education, now Sir James Phillips
Kaye Shuttleworth, Bart

§ The caricatures of the day point out the deficiency of the
feature here alluded to.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

70 THE KING'S VISIT TO THE CITY. [l76l.

was deficient in the energy necessary to restrain the
turbulence of an ttwreformed Parliament. The following
day he continued what Mr. Lascelles terms " the episco-
pal style," refusing to sit down in the chair till he was
forced into it by the douce violence of his proposer and
seconder.

On the 9th of November, (Jeorge the Third, who had
been married only two months, went in state with his
youthful Queen, to dine with the Lord Mayor. It was
their Majesties* first visit to the city. Mr. Pitt, yield-
ing to Lord Temple's persuasions, and as he afterwards
declared, "against his better judgment,''* went with
him in his carriage, and joined the procession. The
result of this procedure might partly have been an-
ticipated. The regal bride and bridegroom were re-
ceived by the people with indifference, and Pitt's late
colleague, with cries of " No Newcastle salmon.'' As
for Lord Bute, he was assailed everywhere with hisses
and execrations, and would probably have been torn
in pieces by the mob, but for the interference of a band
of butchers and prize-fighters, whom he had hired as
a body-guard. All the enthusiasm of the populace
was centred in Mr. Pitt, who was " honoured with the
most hearty acclamations of people of all ranks," f and so
great was the feeling in his favour, that the mob clung
about every part of the vehicle, hung upon the wheels,
hugged his footman, and even kissed his horses. |

Mr. Pitt's ''joining himself to a pomp dedicated to a

♦ Chatham Correspondence, ii. 165. f Gentleman's Magazine.
X Annual Register, 1761, p. 237.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1761. J PITT'S TREATMENT ON THAT OCCASION. 71

Court which he had just quitted was," as Walpole
observes, " not decent" The effect of his conduct upon
the King is alluded to in a letter from the Duke of
Newcastle to Lord Hardwicke, written a few days after
the banquet, in which he speaks of his Majesty's dis-
pleasure with Mr. Pitt, for " his abominable conduct on
my Lord Mayor's day." The day of retaliation was at
hand. On the 9th of December, the Bang's Ministers
were to move the renewal of the treaties with Prussia,
and on the same day, the King's friends were to propose
as an amendment, the recall of the troops from Ger-
many. " A knot of chicken orators," were to be let loose
on the ex-Secretary, to impugn his favourite war policy,
and to be as personally offensive to himself, as the forms
of the House would allow. Some idea of the interest
anticipated from this debate may be gathered from the
fact, that the house was so crowded with ladies, that
it became necessary afterwards, to enforce the stand-
ing orders against the admission of strangers. " The
House,'' writes Lord Koyston to Lord Hardwicke, " was
hot, and crowded as full of ladies, as the House of Lords
when the King goes to make a speech. The Members
were standing above half-way up the floor.''

JOHN MILBANKE,^ ESQ., TO THE MAItQUIS Of ROCKINGHAM.

"Dec. 9, 1761.

^' The grand debate on the troops in Germany has
been deferred a week, on account of Charles Bunbury,

* Mr. Milbanke married the sister of Lord RoddnghAm. In 1766
he was appointed Commissioner of the Revenue in Ireland*

Digitized by VjOOQIC

72 MR. MILBANKE [l761.

a son of Sir William's, just imported from Florence,
a pretty man, a beau, and very fond of his figure,* who
is to handle that slight and easy question of con-
tinental measures, the Russian Treaty, &c. ; to move to
have our troops immediately recalled. Mr. Dempster,t
a Scotchman, lately started up, of a promising genius,
and Mr. Glover, J are his seconds. I am told Mr.
Bunbury is under the banners of Mr. Fox. Whether
he means to patronize these popular points, and gain
a little credit, or means it in enmity to Mr. P ,

* Thomas Charles Bunbury, of MUdenhall, M.P, for Suffolk, for
which county he eat forty-three years. " Young Bunbury," writes
Walpole to Sir H. Mann, " whom I sent to you, and you have lately
sent us back, is enrolled in a club of chicken orators." In 1764, Mr.
Bunbury succeeded his father in the baronetcy. Sir Charles was
better known at Newmarket than St. Stephens, and was long the
" father of the turf." His brother was the celebrated caricaturist.
In 1 762, he became the husband of the beautiful Lady Sarah Lennox,
whom it is supposed George the Third would have made his Queen,
if he had not been prevented by the Princess Dowager. Afler the
dissolution of this marriage with Bunbury in 1 776, Lady Sarah took
for her second husband the Hon. George Napier, and by him, amongst
other children, had Charles, the late gallant Commander-in-Chief in
India. Lady Sarah was grandaughter of Charles first Duke of
Richmond, the illegitimate son of Charles the Second, by Louisa de
la Querouaille, Duchess of Portsmouth. Thus then there was till
very lately in the active service of his country, an officer who is only
fourth in descent from the " Merry Monarch."

f Geoige Dempster, Member for Forfarshire.

X Richard, or as he was familiarly called from his poem, '' Leo-
nidas*' Glover, had received his political education in Leicester
House. He at this time sat for Weymouth, and was one of the
Members of whom Bubb Dodington made a present to the King.
At the age of sixteen he wrote a much-admired poem in honour of
Sir Isaac Newton, and later in life the more celebrated political ballad

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1761.] TO LORD ROCKINGHAM. 73

(who is with the Ministry on this question), I know not.
I shall not close my letter till I try to glean something
from the debate of the day.*'

«* Dec. 10th 1761.
" As the foregoing part of my letter was the opinion
of the day, I let it stand, and now present you with
what I can collect from hearsay. After C. Town-
shend* had opened his military Budget very ably, and
declared the necessity of continuing the troops in 6er-

of ''Hosier's Ghost" His other poems were the "Athenaid" and
" Boadicea." His last political act was to support the claims of the
West India planters. " In his person and habits he was a finished
gentleman of the old school, slow and precise in his manner, grave
and serious in his deportment, and always in the highest degree
decorous. Before the year 1776, he wore a bag, his wig very accu-
rately dressed, and a small cocked hat under his arm. In this
costume he constantly walked from his house in St. James's Street,
Westminster, into the city." This minute description of his dress
was intended to identify him as the author of Junius, the " tall gen-
tleman'* who was seen to throw a letter of Junius' in Mr. Woodfall's
printing office in Ivy Lane.

♦ The Right Hon. Charles Townshend. Burke's character of this
"splendid orb" is too well known to be repeated here. Vanity
appears to have been his ruling passion. Among the few persons he
feared was George Selwyn. These two wits had once a trial of skill.
Selwyn prevailed in the war of words. Charles afterwards took
Selwyn in his carriage to White's. At parting, Selwyn said, " Re-
member this is the first set down you have given me to-day."

Townshend '^ had almost every great talent and every little quality.
His vanity exceeded even his abilities, and his suspicions seemed to
make him doubt if he had any. With such a capacity he must have
been the greatest man of his age^ and perhaps inferior to no man of
any age, had his &ults been only in moderate proportion. In short,
if he had had but common truth, common sincerity, common honesty,

Digitized by VjOOQIC

74 MR. MILBANKE [l761.

many, as we were in point of honour obliged to go
on with the plan we had engaged in, a plan that we
had hitherto succeeded so well in, that the employing
130,000 French in Germany, prevented them annoy-
ing our coasts, and recovering what we have conquered,
besides, the French might fall on Holland, who were
not in a condition to defend themselves, and that
the totality of the war had been the great means of
success.

"Rigby* spoke next; complained of the immense

oommon modesty, common steadiness, common courage, conmion
sense." — ^Walpole.

« The Right Hon. Ridiaid Rigby, of Mistkj Hall, Essex, Member
for Tavistock, Paymaster of the Forces, the lead^ of the Dnka oi
Bedford's party in the House of Commons, hence called ^ Bloomsbuiy
Dick." " His parts," says Walpole, " were strong and quick, but
totaUy uncultivated ; and so much had he trusted to unaffected good
sense, that he could never afterwards acquire the necessary tempera-
ment of art in public speaking; he placed his honour in a steady
addiction to whatever fiEu:tion he was united with ; and from the
gaiety of his temper, having indulged himself in profuse drinking,
he was often hurried beyond the bounds of that interest which he
meant should govern aU his actions, and which his generoxis extrava-
gance for ever combated." We may gather from a letter written by
Garrick to Burke what sort of a life Rigby led at Mistley. " If you
had a house on the swamps of Essex, where you were obliged to
drink brandy by way of small beer to keep the ague out of your
bones, I should long to be with you, but I have not a day to spare
till I set out for the Paymaster."

''When in his place in the House of Commons, Rigby," says
Wraxall, '' was invariably habited in a full suit of a dark colour,
without lace or embroidery, close buttoned, with his sword thrust
through the pocket. Corpulent in his person, he was not on that
account unwieldy or inactive. His countenance was very expressive,
but not of gfenius, still less did it indicate timidity or modesty."

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1761.] TO LORD ROCKINGHAM. 75

expense, and the vast effusion of blood; attacked the
Treaties, particularly that with tiie King of Prussia,
which confined us not to make a peace without his
consent; made a weak attack on Mr. Pitt with great
heat and impetuosity, and sat down.

"The next champion that stood up, was Sir F. R
Delaval,* who talked much, and said too little, for the
recalling the troops : said he recollected to have heard
a considerable person, lately retired from a great post,
aflSrm, that whoever, in this country, of what size or
stature soever, should venture to support Hanover
measures, he would find it hang about his neck like a
millstone, and sink him to the bottom of the sea;t but

* Sir Francis Blake Delaval, Bart. Member for Andover. He was
at this time a zealous disciple of Leicester House, but later he became
a member of the society styled " The Supporters of the Bill of Rights."
He was, however, looked upon with distrust by his associates, who
considered him as a spy from the Court. On one occasion he and his
famUy played * Othello" at Drury Lane, having hired the theatre for
the purpose. In 1754, being opposed to Beckford at Shaftesbury, he
thus addressed him : —

'' Art thou the man whom mm famed Beckford call f "

To which the other replied : —

" Art thou the much more femous Delaval ? "

Sir Francis was no finend to the statesman upon whose conduct he
now conmiented. When Pitt received the pension and the peerage,
Delaval said, ** The man is a fool ; if he had gone into the city, told
them he had a poor wife and children unprovided for, and opened a
subscription, he would have got 500,000/. instead of 3000/. a-year."

t In the debate on the treaties in 1755, Pitt, attacking Fox, said,
" He did not know what majorities would do, but this treaty (with
Prussia) would hang h1ce a millstone round his neck, and sink any
minister along with the nation." — Walpole's George the Second,
i. 413.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

76 MR. MILBANKE [l761.

he saw that person, though not very robust, sitting as
if it sat light on his shoulders.

"Stanley* spoke well and ably; said he should
speak to a point, that his late employment had given
him an opportunity of examining thoroughly, and
that if it was proved, all the rest was needless, namely
that the German war was highly detrimental to France;
he also attempted to show, that the Austrian alliance
with France was unnatural, and the French at this
time hated the Austrians worse than the English.

" George Grenville spoke against the German war
in general,! the Treaty, but thought it necessary, as
we were so far embarrassed, to continue, but thought
other plans might be proposed more effectual.^

"Mr. Pitt, with great serenity, congratulated the
House on the temper of the day; that gentlemen spoke
their opinions freely, without heat or animosity; gave
his reasons artfully, for coming into, and going on with
their plans, when he was entreated, pressed, and com-
pelled to take the seals, but declared, from his infancy,
he had ever inclined towards Continental measures;

* The British Minister in France during the late unsuccessful
negociation. See above, p. 43.

t Mr. Grenville " had, during the last reign, avowedly or silently
supported every one of Pitt's expensive German measures ; indeed, he
had held by Pitt's favour one of the most lucrative places under
Government, the Treasurer of the Navy. The scene was changed,
and Grenville with it" — Walpole's George the Third, i. 104.

X Grenville *' levelled several reflections indirectly at Mr. P[itt],
and was more the aggressor than was perhaps advisable in this de-
bate." — Lord Royston to the Earl of Hardwicke, Dec. 9, 1761.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1761. J TO LORD ROCKINGHAM. 77

complimented his friend Stanley, to the highest degree,
for his abilities in his late negociation; congratulated
his King, his country, &c., that they had a person of
so great capacity among them; sneered at Rigby and ^
Sir Francis Delaval ; said he would not disappoint the
gentlemen so far as to take no notice of them ; he con-
fessed he did see the person of the latter standing up,
and recollected to have heard him, — that was sufficient.

" Lord Barrington supported the German war, and
took an opportunity of defending Lord Ligonier, who
was absent, and had been attacked upon some trivial
military ftiatter, by Rigby. High words arose between
them, and Rigby said, though he confessed himself not
of abilities to face Mr. Pitt ; he was not a bit afraid of
that noble lord, upon any ground. Lord Barrington
assured him in return, that he was not in the least
afraid to meet that gentleman in any shape, on any
ground.

"Mr. Ongley* spoke next, for recalling the troops,
without prevailing much, and said nothing worthy of
notice.

" Mr. Nugent t spoke next, with the Ministry, but
indifferently.

* Robert Henley, M.P. for Bedfordshire, assumed the surname of
Ongley, on succeeding to the estates of his granduncle, Sir Richard
Ongley. In 1776 he was created Baron Ongley, in the peerage of
Ireland. '' Ongley spoke on the same side with Rigby, that he came
down to the House with an honest enmity to the German war." —
Viscount Royston to the Earl of Hardwicke, Dec. 9, 1761.

f Robert Nugent, a native of Ireland. He had lived on terms of
much intimacy with Frederick Prince of Wales, who, at the time of

Digitized by VjOOQIC

78 MR. MILBANKE TO LORD ROCKINGHAM. [l761.

^^ Mr. Legge said that it appeared to him that the
diflFerence rose upon whether of two modes were the
best, — ^the one that had succeeded, or one that might
succeed; was much inclined to a peace, — ^not a bad
one; and wished we had one.

" Tommy Townshend, Mr. Huett,* Rose Fuller,t —
all for continuing the troops.

" Rose Fuller declared that he believed, if we recalled

his death, owed him a considerable sum of money. The debt con-
tracted by the father was liquidated by the son, who paid him off in
the form of places, pensions^ and peerages. Nugent became succes-
sirely Baron Nugent, Viscount Clare, and Earl Nugent. Opinions
upon public matters he had none. He spoke and voted exactly as his
master bade him. His religious creed sat as loosely upon him as his
political He was brought up a Protestant, turned Roman Catholic,
wrote a satire on his original creed, and died in the bosom of the
Church he had so much ridiculed.

This " voluptuous Irishman," as Glover calls him, was indebted to
nature for an athletic form, a vigorous constitution, and a stentorian
voice, an inexhaustible flow of spirits, a rich fund of humour, and a
ready eloquence, in which bashfulness had no share. His coarse jokes
lie scattered over the pages of Walpole. Nugent was author of
several odes and epistles. He was a friend of Dr. Goldsmith, who
addressed to him his celebrated '' Haunch of Venison.'* On one
occasion he sent the Queen a bale of Irish manufisu^ure, accompanied
by a copy of bad verses from himself. The wags of the '' RoUiad **
make her Majesty thank him for both pieces of stuff.

* James Hewit, Member for Coventry, King*s Sergeant, brother-
in-law of Sir George Savile. He subsequently became Lord Chan-
cellor of Ireland. In 1768, he was created Viscount Lifford, in the
peerage of that kingdom. The Duke of Graftcm speaks of him in his
Journal '' as a true Whig, who bore a character to which all parties
bore their assent of respect.*'

t Rose Fuller, of Rose Hill, county of Sussex, M.P. for Maidstone,
and aflerwards for Rye, Chairman of Ways and Means in Lord Rock-

Digitized by VjOOQIC

176L] CHARACTER OF BARRE. 79

the troops, our whole conquests would fall back into
the hands of the French.

^*The whole closed at eight o^clock, for continuing
the troops^ nemine contradicente.^^

Before I give Mr. Milbanke's account of the second
night's debate, I would introduce the following sketch
of a new and subsequently conspicuous performer on
the parliamentary stage.

Isaac Barr6 was a native of Ireland. His parents
kept a small grocer's shop in Dublin. At an early age
he entered the army, and served with much distinction
in America, against the French. Dividing his time
between literature and the study of his profession,
he found a kindred spirit for both pursuits in General
Wolfe, who lived with him on the most intimate terms.
He was present on the heights of Abraham, where that
gallant young soldier, in the moment of victory, received
his mortal wound. He was himself wounded in the
same action. In West's celebrated picture of the death
of Wolfe, Barr^ forms one of the group of officers round
the dying General. Beturning to England, in 1760,

ingham*8 first Administration. He was for several years a zealous
Whig, but suddenly cooled towards the party. Among Lord Rock-
ingham's papers is a list of the House of Commons, showing the
political bias of each member ; his name there appears among the
" doubtfuls." Almon says, that after Fuller's death it was discovered
that he had for several years been in the receipt of a pension of 500/.
a-year. Burke, who knew nothing of the cause, but felt the effect of
his desertion, lamented to Lord Rockingham that ''his Lordship's
withered old rose, who, in his best, was no better than adog-rose, had,
within a few weeks, totally altered his hue." — Correspondence, ii. 8.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

80 MR. MILBANRE [l761.

he became the following year, through the agency of
Mr. Fox, Lord Shelburne's nominee for Wycombe. His
motive for attacking Pitt, in the manner described in
the following letter, was for having neglected, as he
supposed, his application for promotion. In a letter to
Pitt, written in April 1760, he says, " After the defeat
of his Majesty's enemies, the trophies I can boast only
indicate how much I suflFered, — my zealous and sole
•advocate killed, my left eye rendered useless, and the
ball still in my head."

His appearance on this his parliamentary dibut^ is
graphically described by Walpole. " My ear was struck
with sounds I had little been accustomed to of late —
virulent abuse on the last reign, — and from a voice
unknown to me. I turned and saw a face equally new;
a black, robust man, of a military figure, rather hard-
favoured than not, young, with a peculiar distortion on
one side of his face, which it seems was a bullet lodged
loosely in his cheek, and which gave a savage glare to
one eye. What I less expected, from his appearance,
was very classic and elegant diction, and as determined
boldness as if accustomed to harangue in that place."

MR. MILBANKE TO THE MARQUIS OF ROCKINGHAM.

'* Argyle Street, Dec. 28th, 1671.

" In my last I was rather hasty, as I concluded before

the sport was over. The next day produced some new

combatants. Mr. Bunbury (whom I described in my

last), with a flashy speech, and no small assurance,

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1701.] TO LORD ROCKINGHAM. 81

abused Continental, Hanoverian, and Russian measures;
called the King of Prussia * the petty elector of Branden-
bourgh/ and spoke disrespectfully of the late King; a
great deal of bombast and false action; a set speech
calculated for a reply to Mr. Pitt the day before, but
kept till it was stale.

" Mr. Glover gave a long history of treaties for
several years back, and aimed to prove the absurdity
of the Prussian Treaty, wherein we were bound not to
make peace without the King of Prussia's consent.
Mr. Pitt showed the obligation was reciprocal, as was
usual between parties engaged in a general treaty. I
pass over some stragglers, to hasten to the hero of the
piece. Colonel Barre, an Irishman of low birth, bred
an attorney, but taking to the sword, was in high
favour with General Wolfe, and good repute as a
soldier, with u most consummate assurance, good figure,
military countenance, and ready at his tongue, made
a most violent attack on our late measures, the late
K — ^g, and a personal one on Mr. Pitt. After abusing
our treaties, &c., he said the nation had been so biassed
in the late reign by the Court, that from the K — ^g to
the lowest of the people, we were all become Hanovers.
Then he attacked Mr. Pitt's political principles, and
said his life had been a series of change and contra-
diction, from the beginning to the end ; that after the
most violent protestations against Continental and
Hanoverian connections, when he had thrust himself
into the Ministry, cameleon-like, he took the colour
of the ground he stood on. He then ridiculed his
VOL. 1. Q

Digitized by VjOOQIC

82 MR. MILBANKE [l761.

figure and action, saying, he was amazed to see the
gentleman with solemn looks, with eyes uplift to heaven,
one hand beating on his breast, and formally contra-
dicting and disowning the principles he had maintained
the day before.

" Mr. Pitt was so mortified and hurried, that he said
once or twice to his friend Beckford, * What 's to be
done?' At last Beckford, all in a tremble, called him
to order for using the Eing*s name, when, he said, the
King had no confidence in him. A debate from thence
arose on the use of the King's name, when Mr. Fox
started up, and said the use of the King's name in that
sense was not irregular, and that the honourable gentle-
man had said nothing disorderly from the beginning to
the end, and so hallooed Barre on again, who got up
with the same intrepidity, and concluded without vary-
ing his style. I fancy the House would not have
suffered such scurrility on any other person, but they
sneered to see the great warrior worried. I find Mr.
Pitt was exceedingly mortified to find the House so
little inclined towards him. I fancy he expected to
shelter himself behind the Duke of New— e, and his
party in the House ; and out of doors, thought he stood
on good ground. In his speech, he had flattered the
Duke of New — e for his conduct at the head of the
Treasury; in the same style he flattered Lord Anson.
Barr6, in plain words, in one part of his speech, called
him ^the most infamous minister that ever England
produced.'

'* The Solicitor-General vindicated the late King very

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1761.] TO LORD ROCKINGHAM. 83

handsomely and ahly, thoroughly answered all the dis-
respectful hints that were thrown out against him, and
declared that, to his certain knowledge, so far from the
King's heaping up his Hanoverian treasures, and cut^
ting up the bowels of £ngUshmen, as Barr^ had expressed
himself, he never applied any money from hence to the
defence of his Hanoverian territories, till he had entirely
exhausted the whole of his Hanoverian coffers. This
is a circumstance but little known, and deserves to be
made public.

" I left Mr. Pitt's answers to Sir Francis Delaval
short in my first letter. He turned to Mr. Fox, and
looked him full in the face, and said, * if any gentleman
in this country would venture to take the lead, on any
other plan but the present, he would make his heart
ache ;' and now, I think, I have answered the mill-
stone."

The effect produced upon the House by this extra-
ordinary philippic may be judged of by the observation
to which it gave rise. Pitt made no manner of reply ;
only turning to Beckford, and asking pretty loud, '* How
far the scalping Indians cast their tomahawks ? " * When
Barr^ sat down, he was observed to eat a biscuit, upon
which some one cried out, " You should feed him upon
raw flesh." Another observed that he knew of nobody
fit to enter against him but an officer in America, who
was distinguished by the name of " Kill him and eat
him." Charles Townshend, being asked when the House

* Walpole'8 Geoi-ge III.

o 2

Digitized by VjOOQIC

84 EFFECTS OP THE PARLIAMENTARY DEBATE. [1761.

would rise for the holidays, replied, " I do not know,
but when it does the roads will be as dangerous as if
the army were disbanded." And Barr6, having said
that he would not answer for his head, but would for
his heart, "Yes," said George Selwyn, "if he could
not the former would have been broken long ago." *

♦ Walpole.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1762.] WAR WITH SPAIN DECLARED. 86

CHAPTER IV.

WAR WITH SPAIN DBOLABSD. LBTTEB OF DUKIB OF NBWGASTLB. —

PBOPOSBD ATTACK ON THB HAYANNAH. — BABL OF ALBBMABLB.-^

COMMODOBB KBPPEL. SIB GBOROB POOOGK. LBTTBB TO LORD

ALBBMARLB.— CHARAOTBR OF COUNT DB YIRI. — OHOISBUL TO BAILLI

DB SOLAR. LBTTBR TO LORD HARDWIGKB. DUKB OF NBWOASTLB

TO LORD HARDWIOKB. LORD B17TB*S SBORBT NBOOOIATION WITH

TIBNNA. LBTTBRS FROM THB DUKB OF NBWOASTLB TO LORDS

HARDWIGKB AND ROCKINGHAM, ON HIS RESIONATION OF THB OFFIGB
OF FIRST LORD OF THB TRBASURT, AND TO THB DUKB OF CUMBBR-
LAND WITH HIS ANSWBR.

On the first day of the new year, the Count de
Fuentes quitted England. On the fourth, war was
formally proclaimed against Spain. The immediate
occasion of these fresh hostilities, was Lord Egremont's
vapouring despatch. But the war might probably have
been altogether avoided, had Mr. Pitt, while Minister,
adopted a more conciliatory tone towards the Court
of Versailles. If that statesman would have granted
such terms to France as she could have accepted
without losing her position in the scale of nations, the
famous " Family Compact," the ostensible cause of the
rupture, would have been altogether unnecessary. Thus
when Pitt, at the meeting of Parliament, claimed credit
for his foresight and intelligence, in recommending im-
mediate hostilities, may not the prophet be accused of
having had some share in fulfilling his own prediction?

Digitized by VjOOQIC

86 LETTER OF DUKE OF NEWCASTLE. [17^2.

It is due to the Duke of Newcastle, whose memory
stands charged with political delinquencies enough, to
show that from almost the greatest crime of which a
public man can be guilty, that of unnecessarily involv-
ing his country in war, he was, in this instance, exempt.
His correspondence throughout shows, that he was
opposed to the aggressive policy adopted towards Spain.
Writing to Lord Hardwicke, on the 10th of January,
he says : —

" Every friend I have dings in my ear, that the
whole load of our miserable situation will be laid upon
me. My Lord Bute complains that I am laying it all
upon him; as long as he is the sole dictator^ there it
ought to lie. But I never withdraw from what I have
advised and think right. To be sure I did, and do,
think the Spanish affairs might have been treated in a
manner that would have given us a chance to have
avoided the war. But that was mere matter of
opinion, in which, to be sure, others might, and indeed
did, differ without any unkindness or disrespect to me.
I have (shown), and shall show, as much desire to carry
on this terrible war against Spain with success, as any-
body ; perhaps having tried a Spanish war with as much
zeal, I am sure, as any man, even Mr. Pitt himself can
do, and having found little success in it, I may per-
haps not be quite so sanguine as others are.**

Two days after the declaration of war, the Cabinet
assembled, to concert measures for the approaching
conflict.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

l')62.] PROPOSED ATTACK ON THE HAVANNAH. 87

" At the meeting on Wednesday," writes the Duke
of Newcastle, "where there were none but the two
Secretaries, the Duke of Devonshire, Lord Anson,
Lord Ligonier,* Mr. Grenville, and myself, we began
with my Lord Anson's project, of attacking the Havan-
nah, and after hearing the facilities, which his Lordship
and Lord Ligonier apprehended there were in doing
it, we all unanimously advised the undertaking it
as certainly a measure of the greatest importance to
Spain; and the method proposed by them for it, will
cause as little additional expense as a measure of that
magnitude and consequence would do."

In selecting the Havannah, the centre of the whole
trade of the Spanish West Indies, as the point of
attack, Ministers sought to avoid a repetition of the
errors committed by their predecessors, in the former
war with Spain, when operations were directed against
so inferior a place as Porto Bello, instead of proceeding
at once to Carthagena.

The choice of the chief officers of this expedition
was assigned to William, Duke of Cumberland. For

♦ Field-Marshal Viscount Ligonier, of Enniskillen, created in 1 766
an English Earl. He was a Frenchman by birth, but entered the
English service at an early age. ''This honest old General,'' as
Chesterfield calls him, served with much distinction under the Duke
of Marlborough, and afterwards in the wars of Germany. So bril-
liant was his conduct at Dettingen, that George the Second invested
him with the order of the Bath on the field of battle. Ligonier was
a thoroughly amiable man, and was both a favourite in the camp and
the Court. He died in 1770, at the advanced age of ninety- two,
retaining the gaiety of his nation to the last.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

88 EARL OF ALBEMARLE. [l762.

although the Whig predilections of the hero of Culloden
prevented much intimacy between him and George the
Third, yet the young King appears to have looked up
to his uncle as a great military authority, and to have
consulted him on all matters connected with his pro-
fession. On this occasion, the Duke nominated to the
chief command of the army. Lord Albemarle. Asso-
ciated with Lord Albemarle, were his two brothers.
To Augustus Keppel, the elder, who bore the distin-
guishing pendant of commodore, were assigned the
active naval operations of the siege, while upon
William, devolved the storming of the Moro, the fort
upon which the city of the Havannah mainly depended
for its defence.

George Keppel, third Earl of Albemarle, was at this
time a Lieutenant-Greneral, a Privy Councillor, Governor
of Jersey, and Colonel of the King's Own Dragoon
Guards. From the age of sixteen he had been in the
household of the Duke of Cumberland; and up to the
period of his nomination, his Royal Highnesses inse-
parable companion, whether in peace or war. After
the battle of Culloden, Lord Albemarle, or, as he then
was, Lord Bury, brought the intelligence of the victory
to George the Second, who made him a present of a
sword and five hundred guineas, and appointed him his
aide-de-camp. He was very near, however, being dis-
qualified for ever as a messenger of triumph, for on the
morning of the action, " a poor mountaineer approached
the lines of the English, demanded quarter, and was
sent to the rear. As he lounged backwards and for-

Digitized by VjOOQIC

170a.] COMMODORE KEPPEL. 89

wards through the lines, apparently very indifferent
to what was going on, and even paying no attention
to the ridicule with which the soldiers greeted his
uncouth appearance. Lord Bury, aide-de-camp to the
Duke, happened to pass, in the discharge of his duties,
when all at once the Highlander seized one of the
soldiers' muskets, and discharged it at that officer;
receiving next moment, with perfect indifference, and
as a matter of course, the shot with which another
soldier immediately terminated his existence. He had
intended to shoot the Duke of Cumberland, but fired
prematurely, and without effect, at an inferior officer,
whose gaudy apparel seemed, in his simple eyes, to
indicate the highest rank." *

Augustus Eeppel, the next brother, entered the navy
at ten years of age, " went foreign " immediately, and
continued afloat, with little intermission, until he hoisted
his flag. After three years' cruise in the Mediter-
ranean, as a midshipman, he returned home, in time
to accompany Anson on his famous voyage round the
world. He had the peak of his cap shot off at Payta,
and was promoted to his lieutenancy for his gallantry
in the capture of the Acapulco galleon.

"On the'SOth of November (1743), I went," writes
Augustus Keppel, "up in the cutter to Wampo, and
so to Canton, to attend the Commodore to the Vice-
King of Canton." f

On the 30th of November, 1843, being, to a day, one

• Chambers's Hist, of the Rebellion, ii. 90-1.
t Keppel's Life of Viscount Keppel, i. 68.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

90 COMMODORE KEPPEL. [iWi.

hundred years later, Augustus Keppel's great nephew,
Henry Eeppel, also a sailor, succeeded for the first time
in getting within the walls of Canton.*

At the age of twenty, Augustus Keppel, having now
attained the rank of Captain, was appointed to the
command of the " Maidstone," a fine fifty-gun frigate,
in which he was the most successful cruiser of his time,
until he ran her to pieces on the coast of Britany,
while in hot pursuit of a large privateer, amidst rocks
and shoals, and under the fire of the enemies' batteries.
In the year 1749, Keppel was sent with a squadron of
ships, to demand from the Dey of Algiers compensation
for injuries inflicted upon English vessels by the Bar-
bary pirates. The youthful Commodore and Envoy
was of fair complexion and diminutive stature, and
looked younger than his actual age — twenty-five years.

" On his arrival at the palace," says Northcote, ** he
demanded an audience, and, on his admission to the
divan, laid open his embassy, requiring at the same
time, in the name of the Sovereign, ample satisfaction
for the injuries done to the British flag. Surprised
at the boldness of his remonstrances, and enraged at
his demand for justice, the Dey, despising his apparent
youth, exclaimed that he wondered at the insolence of
the King of Qreat Britain, in sending him an insigni-
ficant beardless boy..

" On this the youthful hot-spirited Commodore re-
plied, *Had my master supposed that wisdom was

* My brother^ Captain Keppel^ was then in command of H.M.S-
** Dido.**

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1702.] COMMODORE KEPPEL. 91

measured by the length of beard, he would have sent
your Deyship a he-goat/ The tyrant, unused to such
language from the sycophants of his court, ordered his
mutes to advance with the bowstring. The Commo-
dore, being very near a window which looked out upon
the bay, directed the attention of the African chief to
the squadron then at anchor, telling him that if it was
bis pleasure to put him to death, there were Englishmen
enough on board to make him a glorious funeral pile.
The Dey cooled at this hint, and was wise enough to
let him depart in safety." *

Keppel was the junior Member of the Court Martial
that condemned B3mg to death. His efforts to save
that unfortunate Admiral are too well known to be
repeated here.

In the year 1758, Keppel captured the Island of
Goree, and, the following year, commanded one of the
eight ships which, under Lord Hawke, in a heavy gale
of wind, a high sea, a strange and rocky coast, and
a lee shore, completely annihilated the French fleet.
In this action Keppel sank the Th^s^, an eighty-gun
ship, with a crew of fifteen hundred men. "Keppel's
ship," says Walpole, " was full of water, and he thought
he was sinking; a sudden squall emptied his ship, but he
was informed all his powder was wet. ' Then,' said he,
' I am sorry I am safe.' They came and told him a
small quantity was undamaged. * Very well,' said he,
* then attack again.' "f The next year he was appointed,

♦ Northcote's Life of Sir Joshua Reynolds, L 32-3.
t Walpole's Life of George IL ii. 395.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

92 SIR GEORGE POCOCK. [l762.

with General Hodgson, to the joint command of the
expedition to Belleisle.

Lord Albemarle's naval coadjutor, in the expedition
against the Havannah, was Admiral Sir (Jeorge Pocock.
This officer commenced his career under Sir George
Byng. In 1748, as chief officer on the leeward station,
he captured nearly forty vessels belonging to a French
convoy. At the attack on Chandemagore, in 1757, he
would not quit the deck, although he had received
seven wounds. His principal services were in the East
Indies. His competitor was poor Admiral Lally, who
was so brutally executed in 1761. Lally was for some
time a prisoner in England. On being introduced to
Pocock, he thus addressed him : — " Dear Sir (Jeorge,
as the first man in your profession, I cannot but respect
and esteem you, though you have been the greatest
enemy I ever had. But for you I should have triumphed
in India, instead of being made a captive. When we
first sailed out to give you battle, I had provided a
number of musicians on board the *Zodiaque' (the French
flag-ship), intending to give the ladies a ball on our
victory ; but you left me only three fiddlers alive, and
treated us all so roughly, that you quite spoiled us for
dancing."

To those who may wish to see a favourable portrai-
ture of William, surnamed " The Butcher," from his
severities in the Highlands, after the rebellion in
1745-6, the following letter, and others of similar
tenor, may prove interesting.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

176a.] LETTER TO LORD ALBEMARLE. 93

H. R. H. THE DUKE OF CUMBERLAND TO THE EARL OF
ALBEMARLE.

" My dear Lord, *' Windsor, Great Lodge, Feb. 24, 1 762.

" A THOUSAND thanks for your letter of the 22nd.
I have felt the bad weather, that has lasted ever since
we parted, both in body and mind, for I have had a
sharp fit of the gout (which, by the by, is going oflf) ;
but the contrary winds were still more unpleasant, as
I dread the loss of one single day at present, and that
not the less for Knowles's* company, who is here
croaking every day at dinner. Any bystander would
think me the projector and fitter-out of the expedition ;
but the truth is, the subject is so tender, that I cannot
even allow suppositions, which, perhaps, are not quite
groundless.

" I must not omit saying, that I gave your brotherf
false intelligence about the Moro fort, for he asked me
whether ships could anchor before that fort, and I
answered in the negative; but on further inquiry of
Knowles, he says, the men-of-war may anchor as near
as they please, in from four to six fathoms water;

* To Admiral Sir Charles Knowles is due the merit of the original
project for the reduction of the Havannah. Returning from Jamaica
in 1 756f he obtained leave to view the fortifications of that city, and
on the appearance of a rupture with Spain, submitted to Mr. Pitt a
plan — probably the same which he laid before the Cabinet at the
time of his resignation. Sir Charles afterwards showed his papers to
the Duke of Cumberland, who forwarded them to the Government

t Commodore Keppel.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

94 CHARACTER OF COUNT DE VIRI. [l762.

though, he assured me, he had told your brother, yet
I thought it best to write myself.

** I have a million of compliments and good wishes
from my sister Mary ;* and you know too well how much
she loves me, not to think her sincere on the subject.

" Dear Albemarle, get away as fast as I wish, and judge
whether I don't love my easterly wind more than ever.
Nobody can tell better what you have felt on this
occasion, for our feelings have truly sympathized, as
I am in hopes they ever will.

" Yours for ever,

" William."

Scarcely had the war with Spain been proclaimed,
than the Government, or rather Lord Bute, re-opened
the negociation with France. " The first great outlines
of the peace,*' writes Lord Chesterfield, "were arranged,
under the sole direction of Viri, for Lord Bute was
wholly ignorant of negociations and foreign policy.^

The Count de Viri was a native of Savoy ; he had
been originally a monk. In the reign of Greorge the
Second, he was appointed Minister to the English Court
Yiri had the sagacity to foresee the position Lord Bute

* Princess Mary, fourth daughter of George the Second^ married
in 1740 Frederick, Landgrave of Hesse CasseL ''He was a brutal
German, obstinate, of no genius, and afler long treating Princess
Mary, who was the gentlest and mildest of her race, with great in-
humanity, had for some time liyed upon no terms with her." — Wal-
pole's Memoirs, i. 351.

Queen Caroline, on her death-bed, spoke of " the meek and mild
disposition of the Princess Mary." — Hervey, il 513.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

im%] , CHARACTER OF COUNT DE VIRI. 95

would eventually bold, and paid his court to him so
effectually, as to gain a complete ascendancy over him ;
indeed, the love of intrigue and mystery of the wily
Savoyard, found a responsive feeling in the breast of
the favourite. The conduct of the Peace was not the
only commission with which Lord Bute charged Viri.
It appears by the Hardwicke papers, that he had
assigned to him the scarcely less difficult task of re-
conciling the Duke of Newcastle to part with the
power, while he retained the title of Minister. His
services were amply rewarded. The King granted him
a pension of a thousand a*year, on the Irish Pension
list, under the name of Charles, and allowed his son
to succeed him at the Court of London. On his return
to Sardinia, Viri retired to his States in Savoy, on
the plea of ill health, but in reality, to avoid the
Marquis de St. Germain, the Sardinian Minister of
Foreign Affairs, who he knew could not endure him.
But hearing that the Marquis was ill, he so timed his
visit to Turin, as to arrive when his enemy was at the
point of death. Viri knew that he was in no good
odour at Court. He had reason to suspect that the
King of Sardinia was aware of the intrigues that he
had set on foot, to prolong his stay in England.

The day after the death of M. de Saint Germain, he
appeared before the King and made his peace with his
Majesty, by presenting him with a magnificent suite of
Gobelin tapestry, which had been given him by Louis
the Fifteenth.

M. Dutens, the author of " Memoirs of a Traveller in

Digitized by VjOOQIC

96 CHARACTER OF COUNT DE VIRI. [ 176*2.

Retirement," was at this time Charge d' Affaires at the
Court of Turin, and went frequently to see Viri. He
was treated with much apparent confidence bj the
Count, who seemed anxious to know who was spoken of
as the new Foreign Secretary ; Dutens telling him that
the Count himself was considered the successful candi-
date: he replied, ^^I am tired of business, I have
already, one foot in the grave, and how could any one
be so simple as to imagine that / would now go to
mix in the bustle of courts and politics." This assur-
ance he repeated several times. He was actually at the
time the Foreign Secretary.

Dutens, on another occasion, applied to Viri on behalf
of a friend. Some time after, the Minister sent for him
as early as eight o'clock in the morning ; spoke in high
terms of his friend, and satisfied him that his request
would be granted. Dutens had scarcely got home, when
he saw his friend, who laughing, told him he knew all
that happened. " Count de Viri,** said he, *' sent for
me at seven o'clock; he wished me to witness how much
he had my affairs at heart, and made me conceal myself
behind a screen, while he was talking to you.''

This love of concealment manifested itself in the
most trifling concerns. He had once a slight wound on
one of his legs, and sent for a surgeon to examine it.
A similar accident happening to the other leg, he put
that under the care of another surgeon, so that it might
not be known he had hurts on both legs at the same time.

When Viri died, his secretary said in answer to an
inquirer, " He is dead, but he does not wish it to be

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1762.] CHOISEUL TO THE BAILLI DE SOLAR. 97

known;'" and the King of Sardinia, when he heard of
his death said, " That he would have made a mystery of
it, if he could."

The negociations with France were carried on by
Count de Viri through the medium of his country-
man the Bailli de Solar, the Sardinian Ambassador
at Paris. The Bailli had been previously Ambassador
from his own Court, to that of Rome, at the satne time
that Choiseul was Ambassador from France. A warm
friendship had, since that period, subsisted between
them.

M. Dutens makes a favourable mention of the Bailli
in his Memoirs.

The allusion in the following letter, to the " dissen-
sion int^rieure," sufficiently accounts for the tone
adopted by the writer.

LE DUO DE CHOISEUL A M. LE BAILLI SOLAB DE BBIELLE.

« Le 28 Janvier, 1762,
" Nous nous parlerons Lundi, mon cher Ambassadeur,
sur les lettres de M. le Comte de Viry. Elles ont un
tour entortill^, qui nous jette dans la m^fiance. II
nous parait que, dans la situation actuelle, si les Anglais
veulent de bonne foy la paix, il faut qu'ils agissent avec
la m^me franchise que nous avons en vis-k-vis d'eux
quand nous la voulions au printemps pass^. Cette
franchise consiste k nous faire dire nettement, * Nous
voulons la paix et nous vous offi'ons ainsi qu'^ I'Espagne
telles conditions.' Sur cela on n^gocie, on se rapproche,

VOL. I. H

Digitized by VjOOQIC

98 CHOISEUL^ TO BAILLI DE SOLAR. [1762.

et on conclue; si au contraire, Ton imagine k Lon-
dres que sur des insinuations que peuvent 6tre d63-
avoufes, nous ferons des propositions, on les y attendera
long temps. Voil^ mon avis, et ce que je vous con-
seille de mander a Monsieur de Viry. Je pense qull
faut beaucoup refl^chir avant que de prendre un parti ;
mais, quand on Ta pris, il ne faut pas t'^tonner pour
Tex^cuter sur tout lorsqu'on a k faire as d'honnetes
gens, qui sont bien ^loign^s de vouloir compromettre
meme leurs ennemis.

Le Ministfere Anglais ne pent avoir que trois vues, ou
de semer, par des insinuations faciles, de la jalousie
entre nos alli^, ou d'avoir int^r^t de faire actuellement
la paix pour r^m^dier k la dissension interieure, qui se
trouve dans le Conseil Britannique; ou parcequ'il sent
que le fardeau de la guerre devient trop p^ant pour la
monarchie. Si c'est la premiere vue qui la dirige, vous
pouvez avertir M. de Viry qu'il ne reussira pas ; si ce
sont les deux autres, il doit croire que nous desirous tr^
sinc^rement la paix; que nous nous piquons d'une pro-
bite exacte, et que par consequent il n'y a nul incon-
venient de nous faire des propositions. Vous observerez
que nous ne sommes pas les mattres de parler les
premiers, car nous avons des allies, dont il faudroit
avoir Tagr^ment, ce qui seroit tr^ longue et dijficile;
mais ces m^mes alli^ adopteraient par notre canal, les
propositions d^ntes, que nous pouvions leur faire. Au
reste ne croyez pas que la prise ou la non prise de la
Martinique puisse nous d&"anger de notre syst^me
politique. Je ne s^ais pas ce qui arrivera de cette

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1763.] NEWCASTLE TO HARDWICKE. 99

operation, mais je me suis arrange, eomme si les
Anglais en avaient fait la conqu^te. Adieu, mon cher
Ambassadeur ; je doute que j'aie rien k vous ajouter
Lundi k tout ce que je vous mande, je vous aime, et je
vous embrasse de tout mon cqeur."

The copy of M. de Choiseul's despatch was sent to the
Earl of Hardwicke by the Duke of Newcastle, with the
following note f5pom himself.

" Newcastle House, Wednesday, four o'clock.
" I AM sure you were as much concerned and disap-
pointed as myself, at the answer to Comte Viry. To
be sure, they are provoking, especially some passages in
M. de Choiseurs letter, that *la dissension dans le
Minist^re,' or ' notre impuissance de faire la guerre,'
may make us wish for peace. I find they have puzzled

my Lord B extremely. I could not, however,

avoid giving it as my opinion, both to his Lordship
and to the King afterwards, that we should not put a
final stop to this channel^ for that I was concerned that
the German war was totally abandoned. This nation
was not in a condition to carry on the remaining war
one more year, and I think I can prove it. H(is)

M(ajesty) made no reply. Lord B was high; that

we must not lie down and submit, pointing out the
going on no longer in this channel or way, but the
Duke of Devonshire tells me since, that Lord Bute
told him that Lord Egremont should write an office
letter to Comte Viry, complaining,^ I suppose, of the

H %

Digitized by VjOOQIC

100 LORD BUTE'S SECRET NEQOCIATION [l702.

answer, and possibly sending to put a stop to the nego-
ciations, and his Lordship, would also write a letter
himself to Comte Viry. That may be to qiudify the
other ^ but as he did not do me the honour to mention
this to me, I can say nothing certain upon it. I wish
to know your Lordship's thoughts upon the whole."

Lord Bute's conduct, at this time, is an enigma.
While he was half inclined to put a stop to negocia-
tions in one quarter, he appears to have been equally
zealous to promote them in . another. " He had or-
dered Sir Joseph Torke," says Walpole, " to treat pri-
vately with the Court of Vienna, without the know-
ledge of the King of Prussia. To the confusion of the
favourite, the first news he had of any answer to
come, was from the Baron de Enyphausen, the King
of Prussia's minister here." *

This step, which Lord Bute took without the know-
ledge of his colleagues, was, in the belief that the
Court of Vienna would be more disposed to pacificatory
arrangements than any other powers,— a most egre-
gious blunder, considering the close relationship that
existed between Austria and France, and the bad
construction that would inevitably be put upon the
proceeding by Frederick of Prussia. Nor does this
message to Sir Joseph Yorke appear to have been
the sole imprudence that Lord Bute committed in the
matter; for it appears by the following letter, that

* Walpole's Oeoiige the Third, i. 157.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1762.] WITH VIENNA. 101

he wrote also to M. Alt, the minister of Hesse Cassel at
the Court of St. James's.

THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE TO THE EARL OF HARDWICKE.

« Newcastle House, Feb. 17, 1762.
" I SEND your Lordship, the very extraordinary letter
which I mentioned, from M. Alt, though perhaps you
may have had it in circulation. I think there never
was so imprudent a communication from a Secretary
of State, and sole minister, to a minister of a very
suspected ally, and who will not fail to acquaint both
the Courts of France and Vienna, that we are unable
to go on with the war."

On the 5th of February, the Duke of Bedford moved
a resolution in the House of Lords against carrying on
the war in (Germany. His motion was rejected.

The nature of Lord Bute's communication to M.
Alt on this subject may be infei^^ed from the next
paragraph in the Duke's letter.

**I think, also, with regard to his (Lord Bute's)
colleagues, myself in particular, there never was so
presumptuous, fidse^ and offensive one. To assume to
himself the sole direction of the House of Lords. To
assert, contrary to fact, that that majority would reject
the Duke of Bedford's motion, no other way than by
a previous question, and as contrary to fact, to assert
afterwards that it was his Lordship that had induced the

Digitized by VjOOQIC

102 DUKE OF NEWCASTLE [l761.

majority to do it by the previous question. Is it possible
for me to go on with this man? "

The letters of the Duke of Newcastle, which have
appeared in the preceding pages, will have pointed out
some of the expedients by which the favourite sought to
drive his veteran rival from that office which he aspired
himself to fill. To show, by his correspondence, all the
affronts that, with this object, were put upon the poor
old Duke, would weary the reader's patience. One
more letter will suffice. It was written five days prior
to the declaration of war with Spain.

THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE TO THE EARL OF HARDWICKE.

*' Claremont, Dec. S0» 1761.

" I HAVE not heard one word from my Lord Bute,
in answer to my letter last Sunday; — and, to my greater
surprise, I received this morning, at eight o'clock, the
enclosed extraordinary uninforming note from my Lord
Egremont, inclosing the draught of his answer to Count
Fuentes, which I immediately returned with the en-
closed letter.

" I have also, this morning, from my porter, a sum-
mons for a council, I think this day, upon what I know
not. Was ever any man in my station, or infinitely
less, treated with so much slight and contempt? When
I had wrote to the Minister^ particularly to be informed
when there was a council for the declaration of war,
when that letter was showed to the Secretary of State,

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1761.] TO LORD HARDWICKE. 103

and when that Secretary sent me a note this moment,
and mentioned the declaration of war not being settled,
to have (if this should be the case) a Council fixed for
this very declaration of war, and to have no notice of
it from either Secretary's office, is an indignity, I
believe, which never before was put upon a minister of
my rank, station, age, and experience ; add to all this,
promises to Portugal of six thousand men, and even
of money, and not one word said to me upon either,
except that His Majesty was graciously pleased to tell
me of the first {viz. the troops) but particularly said,
that there was no promise of money. Though your
Ivordship will find, by my Lord Bute's letter to General
Yorke,* that even that was resolved also. I men-
tioned the six thousand men to my Lord Bute; his Lord-
ship said, that they would not promise money without
speaking to me ; I answered, * My Lord, Troops are
Mmey^ to which he replied, * That is true.' Besides,
even Mr. Pitt, till towards the last, always had that
attention to me (and, I believe, to your Lordship) as
constantly to send me his draughts, with copies for
my own use, desiring me to make such alterations as I
should think proper, before he produced them at the
meeting of the King's Servants. These Ministers act
in a very different way. When the great and fatal
news came of the rupture with Spain, I was summoned
the next day but one to the meeting of the Lords;
when I came to St. James's, the two Secretaries were

♦ The Hon. Sir Joseph Yorke, K.B. third son of Lord Chancellor
Hardwicke, from the year 1751 to 1780 Minister at the Hague.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

104 DUKB OF NEWCASTLE [1761.

in with the King : when they came out, neither of them
6aid one word to me, by way of conversation,— every-
thing had been settled before; and at Council, your
Lordship saw how little passed, and since that, you
know all that has happened.

" Whether it was a presumption in me to write to
the Minister in the manner I did on Sunday, I don't
know; I am apt to think that that which was wrote
with quite a different view has displeased. The whole
proves to me what I have mentioned to your Lordship
before, that my Lord Bute's design is, that the first
concoction of business shall be settled only between his
Lordship, my Lord Egremont, and Mr. G. Grenville,
which is in fact by my Lord Bute only. Li this situa-
tion I cannot, I will not, go on to execute the most
burthensome, the most difficult, the most responsible
office in the whole kingdom, without rightful concert,
confidence, and communication; and that I desire my
Lord Bute may be told. I have my doubts whether
any the best instead of the worst behaviour towards
me, could or should induce me to expose myself any
longer in the station I am now in. I wish your Lord-
ship would say what you think proper, at least upon
that point which relates to the Council."

Unable, by personal slights, to drive his adversary
from his post. Lord Bute, as will appear from the
letters which follow, now assailed him in his adminis-
trative capacity. The Duke of Newcastle had always
maintained that this nation was bound by every prin-

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1762.] TO LORD HARDWICKE. 105

ciple of honour, to continue subsidies to Prussia.
Hitherto the favourite had supported him in this
sentiment. When, on the 5th of February, the Duke
of Bedford moved in the House of Lords the discontinu-
ance of the war in Germany, Lord Bute opposed the
motion, on the ground that " the calling away the
troops now would be attended with disgrace, infamy,
and destruction." The following letter is characteristic
both of the public policy and the individual vacillation
of the veteran Minister.

THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE TO THE EARL OF HARDWICKE.

« April 10, 1762.

"Though I have many observations to make, upon
what passed at our last meeting, chiefly upon Mr.
Grenville's treatment of the Treasury, his arraigning
the Grerman war, and his urging even the most absurd
impracticable method for reducing, or rather not pay-
ing, the money now actually due thereupon; and on
my Lord Bute's almost declaring that the Prussian
subsidy should not be given, — I should scarce have
troubled your Lordship with a letter upon them, if an
incident had not happened since, in which, I think, we
are all concerned, and myself very materially : nothing
less than the inserting in the minute some material
words, viz. * in a proper and parliamentary method^'
which were never so much as mentioned ; but the view
is plain, to answer Mr. Grenville's view of not raising
the second million upon the vote of credit or sinking

Digitized by VjOOQIC

106 DUKE OF NEWCASTLE [l762.

fund, upon which your Lordship must remember no
resolution was taken, but left to future consideration;
as there was more than time sufficient for that purpose,
the minute was read over correctly by my Lord Egremont
woi'd for wordi and approved by everybody. If, after
that, such a material alteration is to be made, and our
names to be put to it without knowing one word of it,
I for one will attend no more of these meetings. This
is particularly hampering upon us in the Treasury, for I
don't understand what is meant by it; though it must
have some meaning, or it would not have been inserted
— * a proper and parliamentary method /' The raising it
upon the vote of credit is as proper and parliamentary
method as any, if the vote of credit is extensive
enough to enable you to do it. Does Mr. Grenville
mean to come to Parliament for this measure? I sup-
pose he does; but then he should consider where to
raise the money by some new loan this year. For my
part, / wotdd not attempt it. I have promised to raise
no new money this year, and I will not break my word
for Mr. Grenville. But what is remarkable, no one man
has been so strong with me against raising more money
this year than this very Mr. Grenville. But, my dear
Lord, the whole is plain; Mr. Grenville, and perhaps
others, are determined to get rid of the German war

immediately [and of the D. of N tie too].* He

therefore loads it with all the imputations he can find
out, in order to render it so odious that nobody should

* The words within the brackets inserted by the second Lord
Hardwicke.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1762.] TO LORD HARDWICKE. 107

be for it; he sees that he cannot carry his point with
me, and therefore he tries to overrule me in my own
department; that, as to eiVecutiont he shall not do.
I am not sure that his view may not be to force
me out, and to set himself at the head of the Treasury. *
That, with all my heart; for if there is not a peace
(of which I don't see the least appearance this summer),
I am determined not to engage another year; let Mr.
Grenville carry on his maritime war as he pleases, and
much good may it do him.

" But to return to the question in the minute. I
must have it set right; I cannot consent to have my
name put to a thing I don't understand, much less
when I am to have no interpretation of it, and the
execution in consequence. When I see my Lord Bute
I shall tell him my thoughts. I don't care to write
about it to his Lordship, much less to Lord Egre-
mont, to have it scanned by Mr. Grenville.

" If your Lordship agrees with me as to the fact, of
which I am certain, and as to the consequences which
I apprehend, you will be so good as to let me have
your thoughts ; or if accidentally you should see Lord
Bute, I wish you would talk to him upon it. • . .

** I hear a messenger from Petersburgh arrived yes-
terday. I know not one word of what he brought. I
perceive Sir Josephf knew nothing of his passing by.
Indeed that mystery between Ministers obstructs busi-
ness extremely, and never was practised before. But

* Note by second Lord Hardwicke. *^ It certainly was the view."
t Yorke.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

108 DUKE OP NEWCASTLE [1762.

we deal too much in mystery throughout I will add
only one thought upon our foreign business. It should
be determined forthwith whether we are to give the
Prussian subsidy or not. The King of Prussia has
been promised it. He ought to know in time whether
that promise is to be fulfilled or not. I spoke two words
to my Lord Bute upon it. I conjured him to think
seriously before he refused it. All the answer I could
get was, that the affair was still open."

THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE TO THE EARL OF HARDWICKE.

" Newcastle House, May S, 1762.

^^ I AM under the greatest uneasiness and distress.
The affair, I think, is over. I talked it fully with my
Lord Harrington, who wrote a paper to prove that it
was impossible for the Treasury to go on without a
million in addition to that of the vote of credit; not
to be put in the vote of credit, but to be voted in the
Committee of Supply.

" I went to Court at one o'clock, but my Lord Bute
was gone. They said he was not well. When I went
into the closet, I told the King I came to know his
Majesty's command about the message. His Majesty
seemed not to understand me. The King then went
immediately, of his own accord, to the vote of credit.
* Ton will have but a million, my Lord.' * Sir, that
will not do.' I have discoursed with my Lord Bar-
rington, who says we must shut up the Exchequer,
if we have not more granted. His Majesty persevered,

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1762.] TO LORD HARDWICRE. 109

and I told him, since that was so, his Majesty must put
it in a way that hb pleasure should be carried into
execution, meaning that myself and my Lord B(arring-
ton) could not.

^* This being the case, it is most probable that I shall
be obliged to resign on Wednesday next."

FROM THE SAME TO THE SAME.

" Newcastle House, Monday, May 10, 1762.
" This day has produced some extraordinary discove-
ries, all tending to prove the resolution taken by my
Lord Bute to force me out immediately. The King^
who was very gracious the other day^ said not one word
to me upon my own subfectj — a proof the party is taken.
His Majesty talked very oddly about the borough
Tiverton ; that it was a Court borough ; but, thank
God, that is over, and I hope Mr. Gore chose.* Lord
Bute went early away from Court to avoid the Duke of
Devonshire and me. But, what is the more extraor-
dinary, I send your Lordship direct proof, under Mar-
tin's own hand, of such a behaviour in my Lord Bute to
me in my office as hardly any gentleman acted towards
another, let him be ever so insignificant. For a first
Minister to give queries in writing to a Secretary of
the Treasury, relating to facts to be known only in
the Treasury, which facts were to determine his Lord-
ship as to measures to be taken by the Government,
without the participation or knowledge of the first
* Mr. Gore was elected for Tiverton.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

110 DUKE OF NEWCASTLE [l762.

Lord of the Treasury, Minister in rank equal to him-
self, and perhaps equal in responsibility, is an indignity
never heard of before, or ever to be acquiesced in
by me. The guilt of that pitiful secretary needs no
explanation; the point now remaining to be considered
is the time where, and the manner how, I should quit ;
as to the time, I should think about the rising of the
Parliament As to the manner, I would put it upon
the last oflTensive act of overruling, or rather in med-
dling with the business of my office, and engaging my
colleagues and my secretary in open opposition to me.
This the Duke of Cumberland approves. I have great
reason to be satisfied with his Royal Highness; I have
asked one favour of him, I ask of all my friends, and
that is this, not to quit their employments, but to let
everybody know, that what I do is with their approba-
tion, and with some, by their advice, and that they shall
continue to act with me^ in the same conduct as when I
was in business^ or otherwise I am to be the scape-goat
f(yr the whole. The Duke says the Duke of Devonshire
will go no more to Council. I should think my friends
should cease doing that when I resign."

Upon the above letter the second Lord Hardwicke
observes, ^' It is immaterial to ruminate on such old
stories now, but the Duke of Newcastle when he quitted
should either have got his friends to resign too, or
retired absolutely, like L(ord) T(ownshen)d."

Burke, in his " Thoughts on the Present Discontents,"

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1762.] TO LORD ROCKINGHAM. Ill

offers the following defence of their continuing in office
after the retirement of their chief: —

" To the great Whig families it was extremely dis-
agreeable, and seemed almost unnatural to oppose the
administration of a Prince of the House of Brunswick.
Day after day they hesitated and doubted and lingered,
expecting that other counsels would take place, and
were slow to be persuaded that all which had been
done by the cabal was the effect, not of humour, but of
system." *

DUKE OF NEWCASTLE TO THE MARQUESS OF ROCKINGHAM.

« May 19, 1762.
" .... I WAS this day at Court. His Majesty was
barely civil ; would not do a very right thing in the
post-office at the recommendation of my Lord Bess-
boro' f and Mr. Hampden. I desired the King's leave
to attend his Majesty some day next week to settle my
private account, and that I hoped his Majesty would
allow me to retire from my employment a day or two
after the Parliament rose. His Majesty asked me,
whether I should go to Claremont. I said, *Tes; I
might afterwards go to other places.' The Bong did

* Burke's Works, ii. 238.

t William Ponsonby, second Earl of Bessborough, married in 1 739
Lady Caroline Cavendish, eldest daughter of William, third Duke of
Devonshire. He was at tlus time one of the Postmasters General; an
office which he resigned five months later.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

112 DUKE OF NEWCASTLE [l762,

not drop one word of concern at my leaving him, nor
even made me a polite compliment, after near fifty
years' service, and devotion to the interest of his Royal
family. I will say nothing more of myself, but that I
believe never any man was so dismissed. Bat all this

puts me the more in the right. C * told the Duke

of Devonshire that the resolution was taken not to ask
me to stay."

Writing on the 21st to Lord Hardwicke, the Duke of
Newcastle says :

" The Duke of Devonshire told n^ie this day as the
greatest secret, that the King told him he would have
a chapter of the Garter, and that he would give his
brother Prince William one, and my Lord Bute the
other.f They time it well, and I am glad of it The
chapter is to be held on Thursday next, the day after
my resignation. This lays me under the greatest
difficulty. I am absolutely determined to go that day
to Glaremont, to avoid all speculations about the day
after. / am afraid this mil be thought want of respect
in an old knight, to be absent at the election of a Kin^s
brother. If that should be your Lordship's opinion, I
must come to town again on Thursday morning, and
return immediately after the election to Claremont.

* Probably Mr. Calcraft> the army agent.

t When this disposal of the vacant garters became known to Prince
Henry, the liveliest of the King's brothers, he said, '' I suppose Mr.
Mackenzie (Lord Bute's brother) and I shall have the green ribands."

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1762.] TO LORD HARDWICKE. 113

I don't like the appearance of assisting so soon after
my resignation at Lord Bute's election, but that is of
no great moment."

There is no evidence to show that the Duke of New-
castle attended the investiture of the new knights.
But he was present at their installation, which took
place at Windsor, on the 22nd of September. " The
pomp was great; the King, Queen, and all the Royal
family were there, except Princess Amelia."

" His Grace (of Newcastle), 'Lord Temple and Lord
Bute," writes Walpole, "met last Wednesday at the
installation of the last. The first, when he performed
the ceremony, embraced Lord Bute ; Lord Temple sat
next him at dinner, but they did not exchange a
syllable; and yet I do not esteem habitual virulence
more than habitual dissimulation."* This incident
appears to have furnished a subject for the pencil of
the caricaturists of the day. In a letter of the 28th
of September the Duke of Newcastle observes to Lord
Hardwicke : ^^ As to my kissing my Lord Bute at the
ceremony^ it is a necessary part of it, and, determined
as I am to have nothing to do with his Lordship as
Minister, I am the more disposed to show all sorts of
civilities as a gentleman. I own I don't understand
any of these prints and burlesques ; I am too dull to
taste them, and if they are not decyphered for me, I
could not in the least guess, very often, what they
mean. I don't yet know what part I have in them, and

♦ To Sir H. Mann, Sept. 26, 1762.
VOL. I. I

Digitized by VjOOQIC

114 * DUKE OF NEWCASTLE L^^^^.

as little what is designed for your Lordship. / detest
the whole thingJ^

Shortly after the decease of Frederick, Prince of
Wales, "The Duke," as he was called, par ea?ceUence^
had been on distant terms with the Duke of Newcastle,
who had espoused the interests of the Princess Dowager,
on the Regency question, to the prejudice of His Royal
Highnesses pretensions. But shortly prior to the date
of the previous letter, the Duke of Cumberland was
reconciled to the Duke of Newcastle, and became more
immediately identified ,with that section of the Whigs,
of which his Grace was the recognized leader.

THE DUKE OP NEWCASTLE TO H.R.H. THE DUKE OF
CUMBERLAND.

"May 26, 1762.

" His Majesty was pleased yesterday to express him-
self more graciously to me than he had done for some
time past.

" The King was afterwards pleased to. speak more
directly to the Duke of Devonshire, and said that he
knew what I had done for the service of his family —
that I had prejudiced my fortune by it; and therefore
he wished the Duke of Devonshire would sound me,
whether I would take a pension in any shape, privately
or publicly, in any manner I should like.

" His Majesty was this day very gracious also. I
told the King I came to resign my employment, and
return his Majesty my thanks for his gracious ofier to

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1702.] TO DUKE OF CUMBERLAND. 115

me yesterday, and more particularly far what he had
said to the Duke of Devonshire. That as I never served
his Majesty nor his Royal predecessors with any view
to the emolument of my employments, I was determined
when I was out of his service, not to be any charge
to him. That if my fortune had suffered by my zeal
for his Majesty's Royal Family, it was my honour,
my glory, and my pride ; and the gracious sense his
Majesty had expressed of it was all the reward I desired.
The King seemed to receive it very graciously; pressed
me again to accept his offer, which his Majesty said he
looked upon as a debt owing to me. To which I made
the answer I have mentioned above. The King was
pleased, at parting, to say that, he could depend on my
support, to which I made a bow, and said nothing. I
have been so much misunderstood on both sides of that
question, that I thought it was best to be absolutely
silent; as I had twice declared to the King, that I could
make no promises, nor enter into any engagements
upon that head."

H.R.H. THE DUKE OF CUMBERLAND TO THE DUKE OF
NEWCASTLE.

« Windsor, Great Lodge, May «6, 1762.

" My Lord Duke of Newcastle,—

" I return you many thanks for the early communica-
tion of this great event, concerned as I and every honest
man must be at it. Yet I have some pleasure to see
the King has been pleased to show the sense he and

I 2

Digitized by VjOOQIC

116 LETTER TO DUKE OF NEWCASTLE. [l762.

all his family ought to have of your long, expensive,

and most useful services. But I must take the freedom

to add, that I most heartily rejoice at the manner in

which you received the King's good intentions. Your

friends must like it, your enemies will not dare to blame

it. We shall meet at the Chapter to-morrow. If court

should be over in time, perhaps you may like to call

upon me afterwards, if not, the Lodge is not so far from

Claremont, but that I may flatter myself with your

company sometimes, for we have become spectators not

actors, and have leisure to talk over past transactions,

if precluded from the knowledge of fresh events. I hope

you have no doubt but that I shall have the same regard

for your services to the public, whether you are in place

or out; and I must add that the manner of your going

out has more decency and dignity than I have seen in

my period.

" I remain,

" Tour very affectionate friend,

" William."

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1762 ] DUKE OF NEWCASTLE'S RESIGNATION. 117

CHAPTER V.

DUKE OF NBWOASTLB's BBSIGNATION. — OHAKAOTEB OF SIR FBANOIS
DASHWOOD. — NEGOCIATIONS FOB PBAOB. — CHABAOTBB OF DUO DB

NIYEBNAIS.— OAPTUBB OF THE HATANNAH. HBNBT FOX. — OOUET

PBBSBOUTION OF THB WHIG PABTT. — DUKB OF DETONSHIBB's DIS-
MISSAL. — OHABAOTBBS OF LOBDS BOOKINGHAM^ KINNOUL, LINOOLN,
AKD ASHBUBKHAM, AND DUKB OF BUTLAND. — PBOPOSBD ALLIANCE
AMONG THB WHIGS. — DISMISSAL OF WHIG LOED LIEUTENANTS AND
CUSTOM-HOUSE OFFICEBS. — LOBD MANSFIELD.

On the Duke of Newcastle's resignation, Lord Bute
became first Lord of the Treasury, Mr. Grenville, Se-
cretary of State, and Sir Francis Dashwood, Chancellor
of the Exchequer. This last appointment was not a
happy one. Sir Francis was highly eccentric and
grossly immoral. In his youth he went to Russia
dressed in the costume of Charles the Twelfth of Sweden,
in the hopes of captivating the heart of the Czarina.
After leading a life free even for Italy, he returned to
England, when he openly set at defiance every principle
of decency and decorum. It has been urged that the
public service would suffer if the private character of
its servants were too narrowly examined. But no plea of
state expediency could be pleaded for such an appoint-
ment as that of Dashwood. His capacity was on a par
with his propriety. His knowledge of accounts, if we

Digitized by VjOOQIC

118 DUKE OF NEWCASTLE'S RESIGNATION. [1702.

may believe his contemporaries, was confined to the
reckoning of tavern bills, while to him " a sum of five
figures wa3 an impenetrable secret." He had a coarse
style of speaking, which had hitherto passed current
for unadunied good sense; but no sooner did the new
Ciianccllor of the Exchequer make his financial state-
ment than the illusion was dispelled, and his budget was
received ^vith loud shouts of contemptuous laughter.

Scarcely had the favourite been two months installed
in his new office than he invited the old Duke to return
to the administration from which he had so lately driven
him. In an interview with Lord Hardwicke, on the
28th of Jnly, Lord Bute said, "He was glad to see
the Bnke of Newcastle look so well, and in such good
spirits ; that he had been sorry to hear reports that he
was uneasy-" Lord Hardwicke replied, that " He knew
no grounds for such reports. He (the Duke) might
possildy nut be easy respecting the public, but that he
never kne\^ him in better health and cheerfulness per-
sonally in his life." Lord Bute said it had given him
a great deal of uneasiness that his Grace had thought it
necessary for him to leave the administration as he did;
that he thtmght he could have gone on with his Grace
longer and better than with anybody else ; for there was
always a good humour about him, and he had not the
starts and emotions that some others were liable to;
that if he (the Duke) should think any office proper
for his rank and age the King would most readily *
confer it/' f

The next conciliatory overtures were made through ^

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1762.] CHARACTER OF DUC DE NIVERNAIS. 119

the medium of Lord Lyttletpn, — first, in a conference
with Lord Hardwicke, ^d after in two direct communi-
cations with the Duke of Newcastle himself. In these
interviews with the ex-minister, Lord Lyttleton offered
the Duke the post of Lord President of the Council.

" The conference ended," said the Duke, ** with my
resolution to accept no employment, nor to return to
the Council. To come," said his Grace, " to support
my Lord Bute and his measures, to have the odium
thrown upon me, would not be a part much approved
in the nation, and very improper for myself."

Tbd foreign negociations of the preceding year were
resumed in August 1762, and as a pledge of reciprocal
sincerity it was agreed on both sides that envoys of the
first distinction should be exchanged by the French and
English Courts. Accordingly in September, the Duke
of Bedford went to Paris, and the Due de Nivernais
repaired to London, furnished respectively with full
powers to adjust the preliminaries of peace.

Louis Jules Barbon, Due de Nivernais, or Duke
Nevemewj as the London mob soon learned to call him,
was remarkable for his high birth, his poetical talents,
his social accomplishments, and his personal ugliness.
He was the French representative of the ancient and
illustrious house of Mancini, was a Peer of France, a
Grandee of Spain, a Eoman Baron, and a Prince of the
Empire. The fastidious Chesterfield held him up as a
model of politeness. He spoke several languages fluently,
and was the author of many trifles both in verse and
prose, which were popular enough at the time to excite

Digitized by VjOOQIC

120 CHARACTER OF DUC DE NIVERNAIS. [1762

the raptures of the Chevalier D'Eon,* and the spleen of
Madame G^offrin.f By his efforts to be universally agree-
able, " la coquetterie de plaire k tout le monde," Niver-
nais laboured to indemnify himself for the unkindliness
of Nature in giving him a most unpromising exterior 4
He was the meagre Frenchman of Hogarth's pictures
and Smollett's novels. On his landing at Dover, a
sailor, who having been a prisoner in France was fami-
liar with the Duke's person, pointed him out to the
crowd as the fattest Frenchman he had ever seen. And
this nautical pleasantry was relished by no one more
than the Duke himself. With all his advantages of birth
and manners, the Duke was by no means a fortunate
man. His health obliged him to quit his original
profession of arms. His legation at Berlin, in 1756,
was a failure—" It was thought," said Voltaire, " that
an Ambassador who was at once Peer, Duke, and poet,

* '* Le Seigneur dans toutes ses ambassades a toujours para comme
Anacr6on couronne de myrthe et de roses, et chantant les plaisirs au
sein de ses infirmit^s, et des plus p^nibles travaux.** May there not
be a touch of satire in this compliment : —

" Oft I'm by the women told,
Poor Anacreon thou grow'st old."

t Madame G^ofifrin, who belonged to a rival coterie, calls the
Duke, '* Guerrier numque, politique manqu6, enfin manqu6 partout."
But this lady's epigrams never want point, however they may lack
truth.

X " If," said St. Simon to a Spanish sentry, who had been repri-
manded by the Duke de Medina C61i for not presenting arms to his
Grace '^ If, friend, you see any one exactly like a monkey at
Court, in future, present arms to him, for you may be sure he is a
nobleman of the highest order."

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1762.] CAPTURE OF THE HAVANNAH. 121

would flatter the vanity and the tastes of Frederic."
But the philosophic monarch of Prussia was at that
time in no very gracious mood with France, and vented
his spleen by ridiculing its representative. Under
Louis the Sixteenth, the Duke forfeited the favour which
he had enjoyed under that monarch's grandfather.

His domestic joys were as transient as his court fa-
vours. His second wife, the Comtesse de Rochefort, whom
he tenderly loved, died a few days after their marriage.
Of his sons-in-law, one, the Comte de Gisors, fell at Cre-
veldt, the other, the Due de Brisac, was torn in pieces
by a revolutionary mob. He himself was stripped of
his hereditary distinctions and his fortune, and thrown
into prison. The Abb6 Barth^lemi, on that occasion of
titles being abolished, said, "M. de Nivernais n'est plus
Due k la Cour, mais il Pest encore au Parnasse."

But even in the dungeon his desire to please did not
forsake him. The ex-Duke, now "Citizen Mancini,"
wrote verses, even when momentarily expecting to be
summoned to the scaffold. His good fortune — if to
survive wealth, honours, and friends, can be so called —
prevailed to the end. He survived the "Reign of
Terror," and died in 1798, at the advanced age of
eighty-two, writing on the day of his decease a humor-
ous epistle to his friend and doctor M. Caille.

On the 29th of September, intelligence reached Eng-
land of the fall of the Havannah. The siege had been
obstinate and protracted, but on the 12th of August, the
era of the succession of the House of Brunswick to the
throne, and the day on which the Prince of. Wales,

Digitized by VjOOQIC

122 DUKE OF NEWCASTLE [l762.

afterwards George the Fourth, was bom, that important
city surrendered to the British arms,

" We have dwelt,'' says Burke, in his " Annual Re-
gister," " on this memorable siege, a longer time than
we have on our plan allowed to such transactions;
because it was, without question, in itself the most
considerable, and in its consequences the most decisive
conquest we have made since the beginning of the war;
and because in no operation 'were the courage, steadi-
ness, and perseverance of the British troops, and the
conduct of tiieir leaders more conspicuous. The acqui-
sition was a military advantage of the highest class; it
was equal to the greatest naval victory, by its eflfects
on the enemy's marine, and in the plunder it equalled
the produce of a national subsidy."

THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE TO THE EAEL OF HARDWICKE.

"Sept 30, 1762.

" I MUST begin by first most sincerely congratulating
your Lordship that our fears for the Havannah are now
over, by the surrender of that place with eleven men
of war of the line, three more sunk, and one million and
a half sterling in money,* of which I had the first
account last night, from the postmaster at Cobham, upon
Captain Hervey'sf going through there with the news,

* The plunder exceeded three millions sterling.

t The Hod. Augustus John Kerrey, afterwards Earl of Bristol^
third son of the celebrated Lord Hervey. He was bom in 1724;
entered the navy at an early age, formed part of Commodore KeppeFs
squadron in 1759, and was under his immediate command at the

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1762.] TO LORD HARDWICKE. 123

«nd in a moment after, by a very obliging letter from
the Duke, enclosing my Lord Albemarle's to him, of
both which I send your Lordship copies; as also of a
letter which I had iM& morning from my Lord Albe-
marle. This event is of such real importance to the
public, especially at this time, as you will see by the
request of this letter, and does so much horumr to the
memory of those who projected and directed it, in which
nobody can take a greater share than myself and also to
those who have had the execution of it, that I must own
I have never known any one public success which has
given me more real joy and satisfaction. I enclose also
my Lord Egremont's dry note, and my dry answer."

VISCOUNT ROYSTON TO DR. BIRCH.

" Dear Birch, " Wimple, Sept. so, i762.

"Lord Hardwicke received, this morning, by a

Havannah. He was commanded by Keppel to camionade the Moro
Castle. In the heat of the action, while his ship was strewed with
dead and dying, he wrote as follows to the Commodore. The letter,
which is in my possession, is unsealed and written in pencil upon the
back of the private signals.

•* I have the misfortune to be aground. Pray send a frigate to
drop a bower off, and send the end of the cable on board here. We
are luckily in a good line for our fire on the fort ; but the smoke is so
great that it makes it impossible to see the effect we have had, or are
likely to have ; nor can tell when the army will advance. Often
duller, and ever yours, " A. Hbrvey."

A portrait of Captam Hervey by Sir Joshua Reynolds is in the
possession of the Corporation of Bury St. Edmunds, and is placed by
them in the public library. The background of the portrait represents
the attack on the Moro Castle.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

124 DUKE OF CUMBERLAND [l762.

flying packet from Mr. Cleveland, the great news of
our success at the Havannah, upon which I most heartily
congratulate you. I agree with you, that the impres-
sion of such a blow must render the Court of Spain more
tractable in the negociation, but how far, on the other
hand, it may increase the dislike at home to a pacific
system, I cannot pretend to determine. The nation in
general will expect something very advantageous in the
future treaty with Spain, in exchange for such a con.
quest; and it is well, if the old cry of Take and Hold^
is not revived on the occasion. The uninterrupted
course of prosperity which has attended our arms, in
enterprises the most difficult and important, is scarce
to be paralleled in history, and will make this era in
our annals a most splendid one."

The following congratulatory letter must be read
with all due allowance for the writer's partiality.

H.R.H. THE DUKE OF CUMBERLAND TO THE EARL OF
ALBEMARLE.

" Windsor, Great Lodge, Oct 2, 1762.

" My dear Albemarle,

" You have made me the happiest man existing; nay,
you have almost repaid me for the severe anxieties I
have gone through for these last three months, besides
the disagreeable and tedious time your absence gave,
without reflection of what you were to go through.
Upon the whole, no joy can equal mine, and I strut

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1762.] TO LORD ALBEMARLE. 125

and plume myself as if it was I that had taken the
Havannah. In short, you have done your king and
country the most material service that any military
man has ever done since we were a nation, and you
have shown yourself an excellent officer; all this, I
knew, was in you, but now the world sees it, and
owns it.

" Militarily speaking, I take your siege to have been
the most difficult that has been since the invention of
artillery. Sixty-eight days in that climate is alone
prodigious; without any partiality to you, 'tis a great
action in itself, setting aside the immense service you
have done your country. I am so wrapped up still in
your share of honour and glory, that I don't yet quite
feel that pleasure I have to come to, as an Englishman,
and an dd soldier.

" Pray make my most sincere compliments to both
your brothers. I hope, before you receive this, they
will both be recovered. The storm of the Moro does
William's heart and head great honour.*

" I must thank you for your kind and informing
lettersr Tour'Ifcifficulties my heart shared with you;
but, I must say, I grudged even myself the trouble
you were at, in the middle of all your business and
ill-health, to give me that satisfaction. I am sorry to
say, the Minister f is not quite so much obliged to

* Major-General the Hon. William Keppel took the Moro Castle,
upon which the town depended, by storm, but did all in his power to
stop the further effusion of blood.

t Lord Bute.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

126 LETTER TO LORD ALBEMARLE. [l762.

you, for you have removed the peace. By this time,
you know the change of hands, and great as you and
the army have made us appear abroad, as little are
we at home, by unavoidable divisions that increase
daily. You may judge the part I take when I tell
you that ^Permis,^^ is, once a fortnight, for two
hours at least, in the library here; you will see too
much of all this at your return, and it is an improper
subject for a letter. The King was very gracious
to me yesterday, and seemed to allow you and family
the merit you and they deserve ; — I won't answer for
the reward.-f

" We make you as rich as Croesus, J I hope it is so ;
if not, it is the least matter ; health and owned merit
are sufficient ingredients for happiness, so much the
better if you add wealth to it. Brighton illuminated
his thatched church, and all Egham was on fire, and
even Bishopsgate had its bum-fires and illuminations. I
hew London, the City especially, were nobly lighted up.

* " Permis" the name given at Court to the Duke of Newcastle,
who always prefaced his visits to the apartment o^he Princesses with
'' Est il permis t** In his correspondence he spJRs of himself under
this iotibriquet.

t " My nephew, Mr. Keppell," says Walpole, *' is made Bishop
of Exeter. How reverently ancient this makes me sound. Lady
Albemarle ! there is a happy mother ! Honours^ military and eccle-
siastic, raining upon her children. She owns she has felt intoxicated.
The moment the King had complimented the Duke of Cumberland on
Lord Albemarle's success, the Duke stepped across to Lady Albemarle
and said, ' If it was not in the drawing-room, I would kiss you.' He
is full as transported as she is.** — To Sir H. Mann, i. 119.

J So spelt in the original.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1762.] MINISTERIAL DIFFICULTIES. 127

" Keep yourself well, and return to us soon. It has
been a long absence for two friends like us ; may it be
the last.

" Ever your hearty and sincerely affectionate friend,

" WiLLUM."

The hint thrown out by the Duke of Cumberland,
in the preceding letter, that Lord Bute did not feel
obliged to Lord Albemarle for the conquest of the
Havannah, will receive elucidation from a letter that
will shortly appear, but which itself requires a few
preliminary observations.

Short as had been Lord Bute's tenure of the ministe-
rial throne, it had not proved quite the bed of roses
he anticipated. The peace, unpopular in itself, be-
came doubly so from his being considered its author.
The meeting of Parliament was at hand. The Treaty
was to be carried through the House of Commons. A
purchased majority was the only mode in which this
object could be effected. To whom was the task of
bribing members to be entrusted? Dash wood was not
fit for the business, and Grenville would not under-
take it unless the recipients of the bribes were to look
up to him as their patron. In this dilemma Lord Bute
tried to gain over Henry Fox, the pupil of the Whig
minister Sir Robert Walpole, the private friend and
political adherent of the Whig Duke of Cumberland,
and the avowed opponent of the Leicester House faction.
The favourite's efforts were successful. Grenville was
sent back to the Admiralty very much against his will.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

128 HENRY FOX [1762.

Fox, in consideration of a peerage in perspective, con-
sented to take the management of the Commons, and to
secure their assent to the peace, by any means, fair or
foul. •

So eager had Fox been to accept Lord Bute's invi-
tation, that he closed the bargain before he had given
any intimation of his intentions to the Duke of Cum-
berland, or any other of his political associates.

The following letter appears to have been put forth
as a feeler.

THE RIGHT HONOURABLE HENRY FOX TO H.R.H. THE DUKE
OF CUMBERLAND.

<« Sir, " Wednesday night, Sept. 29, 1762.

" I most cordially wish your Koyal Highness joy of
Lord Albemarle's success, to hear the particulars of
which letter, after I shall have seen Lord Bute to-
morrow, I stay in town to-night.

" Yesterday, peace was thought desperate, at which
time Rigby saw Lord Bute, and found him to appear-
ance firm and not at all frightened. At noon a mes-
senger came to Nivernais, and to the Ministers, and
some letters from the Duke of Bedford, which brought
all that had been asked, or could be expected, and
peace was thought certain, and so declared by Niver-
nais and Lord Bute. I went to dinner with the
Duchess of Bed£)rd in this opinion, and had my chaise
at the door to carry me out of town as soon as dinner
should be over. I found Lord Bute with the Duchess.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1762.] TO DUKE OF CUMBERLAND. 129

He was excessively glad to hear I was there, and sent
to me. He began with telling me how much he had
wished, and how glad he was, to have half an hour's
conversation with me, hoping he should learn your
Soyal Highness's sentiments on this peace, which he
had heard were changed. * If the K — were now to ask
you, what did I think would be your opinion?' For
it imported his Majesty to know merls opinion, and no
person's more than your Royal Highness's. But first
he would show me the Peace, and tell me the state of
the present case with regard to it. Had he seen me
yesterday morning, he should have told me our enemies
would not make peace; he must now, he was afraid,
say, that our friends could not. He then showed me
the Peace, with its Articles relating to Spain and
Portugal, as well as France, and the strongest assu-
rances from France of Spain's consent in a week. Tn
all these I think there were no amendments to be
wished, but such as were merely verbal, and such as
it cannot but be supposed the French would make
as soon as asked. But, besides some immaterial ob-
jections made by G. Grenville, which he had been to
tire Lord Bute with this morning, he at last declared
that he could not bring himself to sign any Peace,
without stipulating some equivalent for the Havannah,
which, by the way, he at that time thought we should
not take; and he talked of sending for everybody that
could be got to the Cabinet Council, nomnUment^ the
Duke of Newcastle, Lord Hardwicke, and the Duke of

VOL. L K

Digitized by VjOOQIC

130 HENRY FOX [1702.

Devonshire. * You have no right to send to the two
first/ says Lord Bute, * and neither of the three would
come/ In short, Grenville, frightened out of his wits,
without knowing what compensation to ask, still in-
sisted that he would sign no Peace without one. Lord
Egremont, I hear, is as bad, or worse. * What do you
think of this, Mr. Fox?' *I think, my Lord, that you
have been very unlucky in your choice.' He asked
Grenville whether he had any plan to lay before the
King for carrying on a war, when he should tell his
Majesty that he would not sign the Peace; for he,
Lord Bute, assured him "he had none. G. Grenville
had none, but said, he was sure France would agree
to this if asked (which your Royal Highness sees was
the business of Spain, not France). My Lord Bute
desired him not to tell the King that; for if it came to
speculation, he had a right to declare his, and should
tell the King that he was as fully persuaded that France
would not, as Mr. Grenville was that she would agree
to it. Lord Bute then returned to his question about
your Royal Highness. I told him that your Royal
Highness always was and would be very sensible of the
King's civilities, for you loved him ; and that I believed
your Royal Highness had rather any Minister made a
good peace than his Lordship; but I was persuaded
you had rather even his Lordship made it than that
it should not be made at all.

" I was all this time so intent on finding out, if
possible, what your Royal Highness wished to know,
that I cannot be mistaken when I say, that he either

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1702.] TO DUKE OF CUMBERLAND. 131

disguised his sentiments admirably, or has, as yet, no
thoughts of treating.* I brought the Duke of New-
castle's name in often; and, when I could do it very
naturally, I directly asked him, if there was any
tendency on either side to unite. He answered, * None
in the world; and if there had been such a report,
there was not the least ground for it.' I asked the
same as to Pitt and him. He answered, ^ None;' and
added) that the rancour and aversion of Pitt and Lord
Temple was as great as possible.

^^ I observed with astonishmrat, and so had Lord

Gower and Kigby, who had talked with him before I

came, that he seemed cool, and really at his ease, and,

BOW and then, even jocose in talking of his own

'precious Cabinet Council.

" Upon reflection, sir, though I believe he has no
thought of treating, yet I believe that he must, and
will be driven to it. If that should be the case, and
that the King tries to make your Boyal Highness the
mediator, it will be much more worthy of you, than the
character of the head of an opposition. Give me leave
to add to what I said yesterday, these two considera-
tions : — If his Majesty must have a sole Minister made
in the room of his favourite, no share of administra-
tion left with that favourite, his Majesty is lost, for as
long as he sits upon the throne; and however it might
please people now, on reflection the usage would be

* The word ** treating ** might mean for peace^ but the context
and letters which foUoW, will show that it related to inviting some of
the late Mioiaters to return to office.

K 2

Digitized by VjOOQIC

132 HENRY FOX. [1762.

thought hard, and your Royal Highness not to have
acted a very friendly part to the Crown.

" The next consideration is this : — may not Lord
Bute (who being to continue in administration might
prefer the Duke of Newcastle to Mr. Pitt for a col-
league), if he is to leave administration quite, choose to
give it up to Mr. Pitt, who would bring such a popu-
larity with him to the King as has never yet been
seen. Drove to go quite out, I think this would be
the case. But at present he has, I verily believe, no
thoughts of treating with anybody ; and perhaps may
intend to give up to Grenville the point, so far as
to ask a compensation for the Havannah. This indeed
is delaying, not curing the evil ; and yet it may per-
haps cure it by unforeseen accidents. But if he is
drove to treat, your Royal Highness will, I dare say,
excuse my having offered, in conversation and in this
letter, some things to your consideration, which I can-
not forbear thinking have great weight.

" I am. Sir,
Your Royal Highness' ever obliged, ever obedient^
and ever devoted, humble servant,

" H. Fox.

" Thursday morning.

^* P. S. I am come from Lord Bute more than ever
convinced that he never has had, or now has, a thought
of retiring or treating. He says the French have been
always told that if peace was not signed till the
Havannah should be taken, some compensation should

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1762.] TO DUKE OF CUMBERLAND. 133

be asked. He could wish this peace signed as it is, but
nobody would join with him in that opinion ; so a com-
pensation will be asked, and I guess it will be Florida.
This puts off the difiiculty arising from his secretaries,
till aa answer shall come from Spain. He shewed me
Lord Albemarle's letter to him, commending him and
his letter very justly, and very highly. In conversation
he spoke of the setting out this expedition ; in which
he hoped he had some merit towards your Royal High-
ness, and what had been his demerits since^ he was at a
loss to imagine. Indeed, sir, I could not tell him."

In giving in his adhesion to the Court, without con-
sulting his Royal Highness, or any of his friends, Fox
had trusted to his own powers of persuasion to bring
them over to his views. But in this expectation he
was disappointed. When he made the avowal to the
Duke, his Royal Highness bitterly reproached Fox with
lending himself to the support of a tottering adminis-
tration, and never again admitted him to his presence
except at public levees, where he was treated with the
utmost coldness and indignity, nor, as I shall have
occasion to show, could any submission on his part ever
restore him to the favour of that Prince. Failing with
the Duke of Cumberland, Fox tried in turn to bring
over the Duke of Devonshire and Lord Waldegrave to the
Court, but in vain. **He even," says Walpole, " made
applications to Newcastle, but the Duke of Cumberland
had inspired even Newcastle and Devonshire with reso-
lution." In a letter to Lord Hardwicke, dated the 21st

Digitized by VjOOQIC

134 DURE OF DBV0N8HIRE. [l76t.

of October, the Duke of Cumberland thus expresses
himself : " Instead of advancing too fast, your Lord-
ship will see that I have given a peremptory refusal
to the overtures that have been made to me. Those
by my Lord Halifax^ I am sensible^ as far as relates to
himself J were meant with all the friemlship, affection^
and respect imaginable. Those fttmg out by Mr. Fos
you wiU all haoe in your turns. His view is to create
jealousies amongst us^ and to divide us. I thank God
he has failed in his great attempt, and that unU sufficiently
mortify him.^^

Foiled in this attempt to weaken if not to sever the
ties of the Whig party, the Court now adopted another
course. The King, it was given out, would be King,
— would not be dictated to by his Ministers. The
prerogative was to shine out — great lords must be hum-
bled. The first victim to the new tactics was William
Cavendish fifth Duke of Devonshire. In the preceding
reign he had held the high posts of Lord Lieutenant
of Ireland and First Lord of the Treasury, and Lord
Waldegrave says, that " In the ordinary business of his
office he showed great punctuality and diligence, and
no want of capacity." He now held the office of Lord
Chamberlain. He was a man of unsullied purity of
conduct in every relation of life, but cautious and timid
in his disposition, and not disinclined to a court. He
had a great aversion to Lord Bute, and had been ill-
used by George the Third when Prince of Wales, as
well as by the Princess Dowager, who ironically styled
him " the Prince of the Whigs."

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1762.] LETTER TO LORD ROCKINGHAM. 136

Shortly after Newcastle's retirement, the Duke of
Devonshire had intimated to the King that out of
respect to his Majesty's person he would, if it was
the royal pleasure, continue Chamberlain, as he did
not consider that office of a political nature. He re-
peated, however, that it was his determination to assist
no longer at Councils which were conducted upon prin-
ciples he could not approve. Notwithstanding this
declaration he reo^ved early in October an official
summons to form one of the Cabinet to decide on the
final orders of the peace. This, agreeably to what he
had declared to the King, he declined doing in the most
respectful manner. " I am amazed," writes the Duke of
Newcastle, on the 12th of October, " that after what
' had passed, the King should expose himself to a refusal,
or to lay the Duke of Devonshire under so great a diffi-
culty as the King's commands on such an occasion must
put upon him." The result of this refusal is shown in
the next letter.

THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE TO MARQUIS OF ROCKINGHAM.
^ Newcastle House, Oct. 28, 1762^ Thursday at night.

" My dear Lord,

" This express- brings your Lordship an account of
the most extraordinary event that has happened in any
court of Europe. The Duke of Devonshire went to
St. Jameses (I believe, between you and me) with a
design to resign the staff; but that, neither I nor any
mortal knew, and I am sure was not suspected by the

Digitized by VjOOQIC

136 LETTER TO LORD ROCKINGHAM, [1762.

King or Lord Bute. The Duke of Devonshire desired
to speak to the King. The page came out and told the
Duke of Devonshire that his Majesty had commanded
him to tell his Grace he would not see him. The Duke
then desired to know to whom His Majesty would have
him deliver his staff? His Majesty sent him word by
the same page that he would send his orders to the
Duke of Devonshire. My Lord Duke has since been
with my Lord Egremont, and has delivered to him his
key and staff. I believe there never was such a beha-
viour to the first and best subject the King has. It
must affect all the nobility, and all those who can ap-
proach His Majesty. Had I any call to it I know what
I should do to-morrow.

"Indeed, my dear Lord, these violences are very
alarming, and the more as in this instance they are exer-
cised upon one who the last time the King saw him at
the installation was treated by His Majesty with the
greatest seeming confidence and regard, and I know the
Duke of Devonshire went to the Bath under the delu-
sion that he was personally particularly well with the
King, and never heard otherwise ^om the Court till he
met with this treatment at St. James's."

On the same day that the Duke of Devonshire re-
signed, his brother. Lord George Cavendish, rendered up
his wand of Comptroller of the Household. " He was,"
continues the Duke of Newcastle, " as ill-used in the
closet as his brother, who was not permitted to come
there. All the King said to Lord George was, * K a per-

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1702.] CHARACTER OF LORD ROCKINGHAM. 137

son wants to resign his staff I don't desire he should
keep it.' His Majesty gave his head a toss back and
retired towards the window to set the staff down, and
this is all that passed."

This stretch of power called forth another opponent
to the measures of the Court, — Charles Watson Went-
worth, second Marquis of Rockingham, at this time a
Lord of the Bedchamber, but soon to become the leader
of the Whigs. This nobleman, born 19th March, 1730,
was the youngest of five sons, who all, except himself,
died in childhood. His father, Thomas Wentworth,
was a direct descendant from the celebrated Eail of
Strafford, whose fate is so intimately interwoven with
that of his unfortunate master Charles the First.* Mr.
Wentworth became, in the course of nineteen years,
a Knight of the Bath, member for the West Eiding
of Yorkshire, Lord Lieutenant of the same county,
Baron Haith, Viscount Higham, Earl of Malton, Baron
Bockingham, Marquis of Rockingham. So rapidly had
some of these honours descended upon him, that Sir

* The following hitherto unpublished letter of Lord Strafford is
addressed to his daughter^ Lady Anne Wentworth^ who afterwards
married Edward Watson^ second Baron Rockingham. It was written
three weeks before his execution. Either he was imconscious of his
impending fate, or he was anxious to delay for a time the affliction
which its announcement would but too soon occasion : —

'^ My DBABB8T NaN»

" The time, I trust, drawes on wherein I may hope to see you,
which will be one of the best sightes I can look upon in this world.
Your &ther, as you desired, hath been hearde speake for himself, now
thes three weekes together, and within a few days we shall see the
conclusion. Ther is, I think, little fear of my life, soe I hope for a

Digitized by VjOOQIC

138 CHARACTER OF LORD ROCKINGHAM. [1762.

Eobert Walpole said jokingly, soon after his being
created an earl, ^^ I suppose we shall soon see our friend
Malton in opposition, for he has had no promotion
in the peerage for the last fortnight."

His son Charles, the more immediate subject of our
consideration, was educated at Eton. But little is
known of him till ;the winter of 1745, when, at the age
of fifteen, he went to Wentworth to pass the Christmas
holidays. One morning he went out hunting, attended
by a confidential groom, named Stephen Lobb. Nigh*
came on, and neither master nor groom made their
appearance. The next day it was reported tiiat JjOtA
Higham and Stephen were seen riding in a northerly
direction. A short time afterwards a letter arrived
from the truant himself, dated Carlisle, the head-quar-
ters of the Duke of Cumberland, who had just taken the
field against the Pretender. Zeal for the Whig cause
had impelled him to join the royal army. His family
were, or professed to be, much displeased with him for

meanes to be left me, to let you see how deare and much esteemed
you are and ever shall be to me.

** Look that you leame to play the good housewife^ for now, per-
chance^ ther may be need of it ; yet however fortune befall me,
I shall willingly give you the first good of it, and content myself with
the second.

" My dear hartte, plie your book and other learnings, which will
be of use unto you hereafter, and you shall see we will live happily
and contentedly, and live to see all thes stormes blowen over, that so
at leisure and in ftdrer weather, I may tell you that which I am, and
must in&llibly be, in all the conditions of life. Your loving father,

*' Strapfordb.

« Tower, this 19th April, 1641."

Digitized by VjOOQIC

nm.] CHARACTER OF LORD ROCKINGHAM. 139

tiie anxiety his escapade had occasioned them. One
only stood np for the yonthiul volunteer. This was
Us annt, Lady Bel Finch, who being of a kindred mind,
iqoked that ^^ the monkey Charles had shown such a
spirit^ The letter which obtained his father^s pardon,
has not been preserrid. Bat amongst his papers is the
following to the Countess <rf Malton. It is without
date, and written in a large schoolboy

" Dear Madam,

" When I think of the concern I have given you by
my wild expedition, and how my whole life, quite from
my infancy, has afforded you only a continued series of
afflictions, it grieves me excessively that I did not
think of the concern I was going to give you and my
father before such an undertaking; but the desire I
had of serving my King and country as much as lay in
my po^^er, did not give me time to think of the unduti*
fulness of the action. As my father has been so kind
as entirely to forgive my breach of duty, I hope I may,
and shall have your forgiveness, which will render me
quite happy.

^^ I am, Madam,

" Your very dutiful Son,

"Higham;'

In 1750, Lord Higham, or, as he had since become,
the Earl of Malton, succeeded his father as Marquis of
Rockingham. Soon after he came of age he was ap-
pmnted Lord Lieutenant of the North and West

Digitized by VjOOQIC

140 CHARACTER OP LORD ROCKINGHAM. [17611.

Ridings of Yorkshire, and, in 1760, was made a Knight
of the Grarter. He had formerly been a Lord of the
Bedchamber to George the Second, and held the same
post under his successor, till the Duke of Devonshire
resigned the Chamberlain's wand*

Eighteen years the leader of a party, and twice sum-
moned to the councils of his reluctant sovereign, Lord
Rockingham holds a prominent station in the reign of
George the Third. Nor can it be objected to him that
the fidelity of his adherence was secured by the ordi-
nary ties of faction or interest Faith to their leader
was, to the Whigs, a virtual renunciation of all those
rewards which a chief magistrate has it in his power to
bestow. Their adherence was the loyalty of respect and
affection, not the casual allegiance of a cabal. It stood
the test of long discouragement. It survived the
severer trial of a brief official prosperity. The causes
of the attachment of his followers must be sought in
the character of the leader himself. Lord Rockingham
possessed by nature a calm mind and a clear intellect, a
warm benevolent heart, of which amiable and conci-
liatory manners were the index. He was imbued with
sound views of the principles of the Constitution, and
with a firm resolution to make those principles the
guide of his actions. If eloquence were the sole crite-
rion of a great leader or a great minister, Rockingham
would have but small claims to such a title. The
malady which consigned him to the tomb, when he was
little more than fifty years of age, had Imparted to his
frame a sensibility of nerve which only extraordinary

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1762.J CHARACTER OF LORD ROCKINGHAM. 141

occasions enabled him to overcome. He was a hesi-
tating and an inelegant debater. His speeches, like
those of the late Lord Althorp, commanded attention,
not from the enthusiasm aroused by the persuasive
arguments of the orator, but from the confidence placed
in the thorough integrity and practical good sense of
the man. He stood in a similar relation to a great
minister — to a Fox, a Grey, or a Russell — which an
able chamber-counsel bears to an Erskine. He lacked
the outward graces. He possessed the inward power.
If success in public measures be a test of ability. Rock*-
ingham stood pre-eminent. In no one year between the
Revolution and the Reform Bill were so many immuni*
ties gained for the people, or, more properly speaking,
so many breaches in the Constitution repaired, as in
what was contemptuously called his ^^ Lutestring Admi-
nistration;" * and all too in the face of one of the ablest
and most unscrupulous Oppositions, of which the King
himself was the head.

In his relations to George the Third, Rockingham
was " impar congressus Achilli." He was thoroughly
in earnest, but his earnestness was for his country.
The King was likewise in earnest, but his earnestness
was for his prerogative. The one was all honesty, the
other all insincerity. As the reader proceeds, he will
find the royal letters most gracious, the royal conduct
most disingenuous. He will perceive that the King
authorized his Ministers to contradict rumours which

* Charles Townshend said^ the Rockingham ** was a lutestring
administration, fit only for summer wear."

Digitized by VjOOQIC

142 LORD ROCKINGHAM [1762.

himself had circulated, and that the ^^ Eing^a friends "
were busily employed in. refuting the official state^
ments of the Cabinet. Had George the Third possessed
common sincerity. Lord Kockingham's efforts to preserve
the American colonies would probably have been effec-
tual. But between the Minister, whose " virtues were
his arts,"* and the Monarch, who, like Lysander, pieced
the lion's hide with the fox's skin, the struggle was
unequal, and Bockingham was arrested in his career
of usefulness, and added one more ministerial victim
to royal duplicity.

The attention of the reader should now be called to
Lord Eockingham's conduct on receiving the intimation
of the Duke of Devonshire's dismissal. It will be seen
in the letter which follows.

THE MARQUIS OF ROCKINGHAM TO THE DUKE OF
CUMBERLAND.

"Sir, ''Nov. 3, 1762.

" After the repeated instances of your Royal High-
ness's condescension towards me, I hope it will not
appear presumption in me to take the liberty to inform
your Royal Highness of the motives and manner of
my conduct.

" The late treatment of the Duke of Devonshire
seemed to me, in the strongest light, fully to explain

* A quotation from Burke's inscription on the mausoleum at
Wentworthy erected by the late Lord Fitzwilliam^ in honour of his
unde. Lord Rockingham.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1762.] TO DUKE OF CUMBERLAND. 143

the intention and the tendency of all the domestic
arrai^gements. I, therefore, had the honour of an au-
dience of his Majesty on Wednesday morning, wherein
I humbly informed his Majesty, that it was with great
concern that I saw the tendency of the counsels, which
now had weight with him : that this event fully showed
the determination that those persons who had hitherto
been always the most steadily attached to his Eoyal
predecessors, and who had hitherto deservedly had the
greatest weight in this country, were now driven out
of any share in the government in this country, and
marked out rather as objects of his Majesty's displea-
sure than of his favour: that the alarm was general
among his Majesty's most affectionate subjects, and
that it appeared to me in this light; — it might be
thought, if I continued in office, that I either had not
the sentiments which I declared, or that I disguised
them, and acted a part which I disclaimed.

" His Majesty's answer was short ; saying that he did
not desire any person should continue in his service
any longer than it was agreeable to him."

THE DUKE OF CUMBERLAND'S ANSWER.

" WindflOT Great Lodge, Not. 5, 1762.

"My Lord Rockingham,

" I am very much obliged to you for the letting me
know anything that relates to you, but much more for
your information on so interesting an occasion as that
of leaving the King's personal service at present.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

144 RESIGNATION OF LORD ROCKINGHAM. [ 176-2.

"I am most sincerely sorry that we live in such
times, that a man of your rank and steady attachment
to the King and his family, should find himself neces-
sitated to take the step you have taken.

"You have one satisfaction, that all the kingdom
will be convinced your views are meant entirely for his
Majesty's service, however they may be received at
present ; and no one is more so than I am.

" I hope we shall soon see these clouds — nay storms
— well over, and you, and others of your principles, at
Court again. You'll be so good to make my sincere
compliments at Chatsworth, and I hope we shall soon
see you quite well in town.

" I remain your very afiectionate friend,

" William."

To the Marquis of Granby, Lord Bockingham, in
announcing the same event, says —

" Seeing the affair in this light, I had the honour
yesterday of an audience of the King, wherein I de-
clared to his Majesty most fully, that, with the greatest
concern, I saw that those whose counsels now weighed
with his Majesty had, by this base step, fully explained
the tendency of all their proceedings : that this, added
to all that was gone before, would increase the alarm
which I believed was very general among his Majesty's
most affectionate subjects, and that, as my continuing
in office might look as if I either did not feel these
sentiments, or, if I did, that I disguised them, I

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1762.] TREATMENT OF THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE. 145

begged his Majesty's permission to resign, that I might
not appear to act a deceitful part, which I disdained ;
that I acted upon the dictates of my own judgment,
and that his Majesty was the first man whom I had
acquainted with my determination. His Majesty's an-
swer was short, only saying that he desired no person
to continue in his service any longer than was agreeable
to him.'"

On the 4th November, the day on which Lord Rock-
ingham resigned, the Duke of Manchester was nomi-
nated to the Bedchamber. The King then in council,
called for the book, and, with his own hand, struck out
the Duke of Devonshire's n^me from the list of Privy
Councillors.

The only two precedents for such a course in the
preceding reign, were those of Lord Bath, and Lord
George Sackville; the one for open and virulent op-
position, the other for his conduct at the battle of
Minden.

From this exercise of the prerogative may be dated
the first attempt since the Revolution to organize an
opposition on constitutional grounds. Thus, after the
crown had passed to another family, and the controversy
had shifted itself to other grounds, we find the Whigs
were once more banded together to resist the encroach-
ments of prerogative upon privilege.

" The shocking event," writes the Duke of Newcastle,
" in striking the Duke of Devonshire out of the Privy
Council, enrages^ frightens, and alarms everybody ; and

VOL. I. L

Digitized by VjOOQIC

146 EARLS OF KINNOULL AND LINCOLN. [17«2.

particularly my friend my Lord Kinnoull, who is come
up a very different man from what I expected ; full of
wrath and resentment, without management or disguise,
determined to quit the Chancellor of the Duchy im-
mediately ; * that * the Ministers (Lord Bute and Mr.
Fox) have begun their acts of violence and they must
take the consequence of it.' This, I dare say, we^hall
find the general language, except some few Rats^ who
will do their own business. Lord Lincoln,! and I dare

* A few days aflerwards, Thomas Hay, eighth Earl of Kinnoull,
resigned the Chancellorship of the Duchy of Lancaster, which he had
held since 1758. During the life-time of his father, he sat as
Viscount Dupplin, for the town of Cambridge, in three Parliaments.
He was at different times a Lord j)f the Bedchamber and Paymaster
of the Forces. In 1759 he was appointed Ambassador to the Court
of Portugal, a mission rendered memorable by the line —

" Kinnoull's lewd cargo, and Tyrawley's crew."

After his resignation of his office, Lord Kinnoull retired to Scotland
and passed the remainder of his life in improving his country-seat.

Mrs. Montague, who paid him a visit in 1 770, writes, "I was delighted
to find an old friend enjoying that heartfelt happiness which attends a
life of virtue. He is continually employed in encouraging'agriculture
and manufacture, protecting the weak from injury, assisting the dis-
tressed, and animating the young to whatever is most fit and proper.
He appears more happy than when he was whirled about in the vortex
of the Duke of Newcastle."

t Henry Clinton, ninth Earl of Lincoln, married Catherine, eldest
daughter of the Right Hon. Thomas Pelham, and succeeded to the
Dukedom of Newcastle on the death of his uncle. In January 1762),
he was made *' Auditor of the Exchequer for life, the amplest sinecure
in England," says Walpole, "except the Archbishopric of Canterbury."
The following is the same writer's account of the expected resignation
alluded to in the text : —

" Lord Lincoln, Newcastle's favourite nephew and heir, displayed

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1762.] EARL OP ASHBURNHAM. 147

say my Lord Ashburnham,* will resign next week,
according to what we settled the other night."

Amidst the many obstacles that presented themselves
to the formation of this confederacy, was the dislike
of the Duke of Cumberland to Mr, Pitt. So strong
had been this feeling in 1759, that the Duke had sti-
pulated the dismissal of Mr, Pitt as the sine qua non
of his acceptance of the command in Germany. But
this difficulty was now overcome. Some weeks before,
the Duke of Newcastle declared his Royal Highness to
be " in a very good way, and much softened towards
Mr. Pitt ;f and in the letter just quoted, he says —

more open ingratitude. He asked an audience of the King, called his
uncle a factious old fool, and said he could not forget a message which
himself had brought from his uncle to his Majesty in the year 1757,
in which the Duke had signified to his then Royal Highness, that if
he would not disturb the tranquillity of the rest of his father's reign,
the Duke, in or out of place, though he hoped the latter, would sup-
port his measures to the utmost. It was justice to recollect this
promise ; but Lincoln's subsequent conduct, at the same time that it
was inconsistent, was honourable neither to the King nor his uncle.
He had a second audience, in which he told the King that the Duke
insisted on his resigning ; * but if I must,' said he, * I will show but
the more warmly the next day that I remember the message, of which
I have kept a copy in writing.' The third time when he went to
resign, he said he must oppose. The King told him his tone was
much changed since his first audience. But the Court never had
much reason to complain of Lord Lincoln's hostilities."

* John Ashbumham, second Earl of Ashbumham. Walpole
speaks of him as ''the chief &vourite of the Duke of Newcastle,
whom he afterwards abandoned, being a very prudent and interested
man." He resigned at this time his offices of Lord of the Bed-
chamber and Ranger of St. James's and Hyde Parks, and was made
Keeper of the Great Wardrobe in Lord Rockingham's first adminis-
tration, t Letter to Lord Hardwicke, September 30, 17C2.

L 2

Digitized by VjOOQIC

148 DUKE OF RUTLAND. [i762.

" I had yesterday a long conference with the Duke.
I am every day more satisfied and convinced that his
Koyal Highness will act in concert with us in every-
thing; and is in the Tightest disposition imaginable;
firm and determined —not rash or passionate. I think
the following resolution is a thorough proof of it, for
his Royal Highness would never desire to see Mr. Pitt,
and that (if possible), since the conclusion of the peace,
if he intended to keep any measures with Mr. Fox.

" The Duke lays vast stress upon the Duke of Rut-
land's* quitting. That devilish Fox and Caleraft f
get in everywhere. The Duke apprehends Caleraft will
do great hurt with Granby. The Duke extremely ap-
proves our resolution, not to let our friends in the
House of Commons resign, till we can communicate to

* John Manners, third Duke of Rutland, father of the celebrated
Marquis of Granby. His Grace was appointed Master of the Horse
in 1761, but did not quit his office until five years afterwards, and
then in order to facilitate some Ministerial arrangement of the King
and Lord Chatham. In a letter, dated August 22, 1 766, George the
Third desires Lord Chatham to " convey his approbation to the Duke
of Rutland for his very meritorious conduct."

f John Caleraft, a cousin, and formerly Private Secretary of
the first Lord Holland, by whom he was introduced into public
notice. He subsequently acquired a very large fortune as army
agent. He afterwards abandoned his patron, and became in turn
the confidential friend of the Duke of Bedford and Lord Chatham.
It is probably to his desertion of Lord Holland that he is so severely
handled by Junius, who always evinced a great partiality for that
nobleman. The Duke of Cumberland's apprehension that Caleraft
would "do great hurt with Granby," was probably that knowing
Granby to be embarrassed in his circumstances, he thought he might
be under pecuniary obligations to Caleraft.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1702.] PITT'S CONFERENCE WITH MR. T. WALPOLE. 149

them our plan of measures. Both his Royal Highness
as well as myself wish that plan would be set about."

Another impediment which lay in the way of a poli-
tical alliance of the various sections of the Whigs, was
the dislike which Pitt entertained for the Duke of New-
castle. To soften this feeling, Thomas Walpole * had
an interview with the great Commoner. The result of
the conference is stated in the paper which follows.
As the Duke of Newcastle observed in another letter :
"/< is the many

" Mr. Pitt entered into a long discourse of his con-
duct, at the latter end of his late Majesty's reign, and
duimg his pre^int Majesty's, to the time of his resig-
nation, when he was reduced to such a situation,
that, out-toried by Lord B., and out-whigged by the
D. of N., he had nobody to converse with but the
Clerk of the House of Commons.

" That lately he had been applied to by persons of
high rank to concur with Lord B. for the public good,
with offers much above his deserts, and therefore he
was ashamed to mention them. He told those persons
Lord B. could not expect he would abet the tran-
scendancy of power his Lordship had arrived at, after
what had passed between them upon that subject, on
the day of his Majesty's accession to the throne; when

* Hon. Thomas Walpole, second son of Horatio Lord Walpole of
Wolverton, a partner of Sir Joshua Vanneck, a banker, whose daugh-
ter he married. He sat in many Parliaments. He was for some time
President of the Constitutional Society. Mr. Walpole died in 1 803.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

150 PROPOSED OPPOSITION [1762.

in a private conversation with his Lordship, Mr. Pitt
told him his advancement to the management of the
affairs of the country would not be for his Majesty's
service,

" Upon Lord B. taking the seals, Mr. Pitt having
never seen Lord B. in private since the day above-
-mentioned, his Lordship came to acquaint Mr. Pitt
with his promotion, and received the same opinions
as before: that Mr. Pitt did not think it for his
Majesty's service. And that now his Lordship was
arrived at fulness of power, he could not bear with
the Duke of Devonshire, but insulted the nobility,
intimidated the gentry, and trampled on the people,
— he, Mr. Pitt, would never contribu^ to that yoke
Lord B. was laying on the neck of the people.

*' He said, if others had been as firm as himself,
things would not have been brought to their present
crisis; that he did not well see what was to be done;
that the D. of N., D. of D., and Lord Hardwicke had
been so much disposed to a peace ; the peace was now
come, and seemed to be final.

" After passing some strictures upon the late treaty
of peace,

'* Mr. Pitt then returned to the domestic part,—
expressing his apprehension that the distinction of
Whig and Tory was rising as high as ever; that he lay
under great obligations to many gentlemen who had
been of the denomination of Tories, but who, during
his share of the administration, had supported govern-
ment upon the principles of Whiggism and of the Revo-

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1762.] OF THE WHIGS. 151

lution ; that he would die a Whig, and support invari-
ably those principles ; yet he would concur in no
prescriptive measures; and though it was necessary
Lord B. should be removed from the office he now
held, he might not think it quite for his Majesty's
service to have the Duke of N. succeed there : begging
that this might not be thought to proceed from any
resentment to the Duke of N., for whose person he had
real regard, and who perhaps might have as much
cause to complain of Mr. Pitt, as Mr. Pitt of his Grace.
"With regard to himself, he had felt inexpresaiMe
anxieties at holding office against the goodwill of the
Crown ; that he would never put himself again in that
situation, nor accept of any employment whilst liis
Majesty had that opinion of him which he was ac-
quainted with."

Upon this document the Duke of Newcastle remarks,
" The Duke (of Cumberland) does not dislike the ac-
count Tommy Walpole gives of Mr. Pitt's conversation •
It is the man, and, as such, we must take him, if wc
would have him. . . The Duke apprehends he (the
Duke of Cumberland) is to be closeted by the King,
who will put him the short question, * Will you be
for me or the Duke of Devonshire?' His Royal
Highness does not intend to go to St. James's till the
day before the Parliament, that they may know as late
as possible his resolution and determination. He will
take special care that none of his servants shall attend
Mr. Fox's meeting before the Parliament."

Digitized by VjOOQIC

152 COURT PERSECUTION [1762.

Every Whig of note had by this time been driven
from office, or been absorbed by the King's friends.
The deserters, indeed, formed a very numerous section.
" It is but too true," writes Newcastle to Hardwicke, on
the 19th December; "what Mr. Fox said at first, my
Lord Bute has got over all the Duke of Newcastle's
friends. Never was man who had it in his power to
serve, to make, to choose, so great a part of the mem-
bers of both Houses, so abandoned as I am at present."

The Court now pointed their batteries against the
subalterns of the liberal party. Every relative, friend,
or dependent of the Duke of Newcastle was, one after
the. other, turned out of his office, and their proscrip-
tion extended even to the offices of Customs and Ex-
cise. Lord Bute disclaimed these violent proceedings,
and in some instances recompensed the aggrieved
parties, the object being that he might have all the
merit and Fox all the odium. Upon this conduct the
Duke of Devonshire thus comments, in a letter of
the 26th of December, 1762, to the Marquis of Rock-
ingham.

" The turning out inferior officers, persons that are
not in Parliament, and can have given no offence, is
a cruel, unjust, and unheard of proceeding, and will
most undoubtedly do the ministers no good, but on
the contrary, create a general odium against them.
As to one set of men endeavouring to throw it upon
the other, I look upon it as mere artifice, for measures
of this kind cannot be done but in concert, and there-

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1762.] OF THE WHIG PARTY. 153

fore I pay no regard to what they say on the subject,
and only wish the time was come to retaliate upon
them, and that they may have ample justice done
them.

" I have wrote my mind fully to the Duke of New-
castle, that we should if possible keep our people quiet
for some time; wait for events, and see what steps the
Ministers take : if they propose anything that is wrong,
oppose it; if not^ let them alone, by which means we
shall gain time to collect our strength, and see whom
we can depend upon; if we can get leaders and a
tolerable corps of troops, I am for battle; but I am
against appearing in a weak opposition, as we shall
make an insignificant figure, prejudice our friends, and
do no good."

While one Duke was preparing, with his natural
caution, temper, and dignity, for the approaching party
struggle, another Duke — Newcastle — with an equally
characteristic absence of these qualities, was venting
his complaints to all who would listen to him. The
Duke of Devonshire, to whom, among others, he had
sent a detailed account of his grievances, wrote in
reply : —

" I am not surprised that these things affect you
nearly, but the more you feel, the less you ought to
show it, and therefore keep up your spirits, and con-
sider that by talking of it and complaining, you afford
matter of triumph to your enemies, and give them

Digitized by VjOOQIC

154 DISMISSAL OF NEWCASTLE FROM [1762.

encouragement to proceed to further acts of violence
against your particular friends, in order either to in-
timidate you or to oppress you quite." . . .

" I agree entirely with the Duke of Cumberland,
that it is much better we should be quiet for the pre-
sent, and wait till some facts arise, that we can with
weight and propriety lay hold of. When the Ministry
come to lay open their plan of force and the different
regulations for this country in time of peace, I am
persuaded there will be matter for animadversion.
Another advantage will be, th'at it will give time to
collect our strength, and find out whom we can really
depend upon: for acting in the uncertain manner we
did before Christmas, will expose us and make us
weaker."

In the letter from the Duke of Devonshire to Lord
Rockingham, of the 26th of December, already quoted,
his Grace says,

" I question much whether they will remove the
Lord Lieutenants. I have told the Duke of Newcastle
that the resigning deserves serious consideration, as
our friends in the country may think we give them
up. However, I shall be ready to do as my friends
do ; I should be^ glad to know your opinion in case his
Grace (Newcastle) is removed, if you think it right
to resign, whether you could stay till I came to town,
that we might go together."

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1762-1 HIS LORD-LIEUTENANCIES. 155

Three days prior to the date of this letter, the Dukjs
of Newcastle received an official notification from Lord
Halifax, of his being deprived of the Lieutenancies of
Middlesex, Nottinghamshire, and Sussex, and of the
Stewardship of Sherwood Forest.

The Duke of Devonshire, in a letter of condolence*
upon this event, writes — '' 1 am pleased with a bon-moi
that I am told is in one of the public papers (for 1
never read them), viz. that the Ministers have turned
out everybody your Grace helped to bring in, except
the King."

To the Marquis of Rockingham the Duke of New-
castle also enclosed a copy of Lord Halifax's letter,
" I send your Lordship," he writes, " a biUet-doiuv I
received this morning from my good friend and rela-
tive, the Earl of Halifax. I dare say it is the only
one of the sort, for I have heard of no other: pray
let me know if you have had one. Your Lordship
knows that my opinion has always been that I am
to be run at and singled out from all the rest."

But on this occasion the poor Duke was not singled
out, for the same official circular had been sent to
the Duke of Grafton and Lord Rockingham, their re-
spective Lieutenancies only being specified.

In answer to Lord Halifax's letter. Lord Rocking-
ham replied on the 24th of December.

" I had the honour to receive your Lordship's letter,
by his Majesty's command, to acquaint me that his

♦ Dated Bath, December 29, 1762.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

156 DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE RESIGNS. [l762.

Majesty had no further occasion for my services as
Lord Lieutenant, &c. I have one satisfaction which
no person can deprive me of; which is, that during
the time my father and I have held these offices, no
opportunity has been omitted by either of showing
our zeal for his Majesty's royal family, or for the
service of our country."

Walpole says that the same affi-ont, the dismissal
from the Lieutenancy, being designed for the Duke of
Devonshire, Fox affected to make a point of saving him,
but the Duke, with proper spirit, scorned to be obliged
to him, and resigned to accompany his friends. This
assertion is confirmed by the following letter.

THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE TO THE EARL OF HALIFAX.

"Dec. 30, 1762.
" The removal of the Duke of Newcastle and Lord
Rockingham from the Lieutenancies of their respective
counties, appearing to me a clear indication that his
Majesty does not think fit that those who have in-
curred his displeasure should continue his Lord Lieu-
tenants, and, as I have the misfortune to come within
that description, his Majesty having been advised to
show me the strongest marks of his displeasure that
could possibly be shown to any subject, I look upon
it as a respect due to my sovereign, and I owe it to
myself, not to continue any longer in such an office.
I must therefore beg the favour of your Lordship to
carry to the King my resignation of the Lord Lieu-

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1762.] THE LORD-LIEUTENANCY OF DERBY. 167

tenancy and Gustos Rotulorum of the County of
Derby.

" I am, &c.

" Devonshire."

THE MARQUIS OF ROCKINGHAM TO THE EARL OF
HARDWICKE.

" I AM glad the Duke of Devonshire has resigned ;
I wish his Grace's letter had been turned more seriously
to the Ministers, but the effect in the world will tell
the same as if it had been so expressed in his letter,
for certainly the resignation is defeating the artifice,
and declaring that his Grace cannot bear the surtnise
that either of the present Ministers prevented his being
turned out along with the other Lord Lieutenants."

Lord Hardwicke says in answer — " The observa-
tion which your Lordship makes, is, I think, in a
great measure met by the words, * His Majesty having
been advised,' &c., which plainly point at the Minis-
ters; but if these words should be thought to fall short,
they are amply supplied by his spirited letter to the
Duke of Newcastle, which his Grace judged very rightly
in sending by the common post and trusting to their
curiosity."

The dismissals were not long confined to persons of
high rank; a bitter persecution raged in eveiy depurt-
ment. Men holding such humble situations as door-

Digitized by VjOOQIC

158 DISMISSAL OF [l763.

keepers were thrust out of them, solely because they
had originally owed them to the opponents of the
peace. In reference to this savage proscription, the
Duke of Newcastle thus writes, on the 24th of January,
to the Earl of Hardwicke : —

" I SEND your Lordship the most cruel and inhuman
list that was ever seen, not only in a free country, nor
even in any civilized nation. This list, as I under-
stand, was sent to the Custom House on Saturday last,
and yet, cruel as it is, we are told it is only their first
fircy and that we are to have a second; and what
favours that opinion is, that they seem hitherto to have
gone through only the Port of London, and the poor
imhappy County of Sussex. Their brutality and inhu-
manity may have satisfied, in some measure, their
revenge. But if they meant by it to promote their
interests in our county, I can assure them it will have
a quite diflferent effect.

" The Duke of Devonshire was so kind as to come
hither on Saturday, and indeed his conversation was a
great relief and comfort to me. The repeated proofs
he gave me of his friendship, his manly way of talking
and acting upon these cruelties committed upon me
and my friends, and his resolution to let all the world
know his detestation of them, will and must have an
effect upon all honest men.

" My Lord Cornwallis,* and Lord Thomas Cavendish,

* Charles Comwallis, second Earl of Comwallis, at this time a
Lieutenant- Colonel in the army» became a General Officer, was

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1763.] CUSTOM-HOUSE OFFICERS. 159

Lord Middleton,* and Mr. Onslow, whom I have seen
since, are determined, as well, as my Lord Villiersf
and Tom Pelham, * To ciy aloud and spare not;^ and
indeed, after such a behaviour, measures or management
with the authors are only marks of fear and weakness,
and will encourage these men in the continuance of
their barbarous proceedings. There is not one single
man turned out, against whom the slightest complaint
can be made, in the execution of their oflSce. Most of
them were excellent oflScers. I find several of my
friends are determined to mention these cruelties in
their speeches in the House of Commons.

"I hope they will be supported by men of more
weight and experience than themselves. They don't
propose to make any motion or formal complaint. I
hear the late Speaker J (who is provoked beyond mea-
sure) says that may be regularly done ; and I am told

created Marquis Com walliB in 1 792, filled the office of Commander-
in-Chief, was appointed Lord- Lieutenant of Ireland in 1799, was
twice Governor-General of India, in which country he died in 1805.

* George Broderick, third Viscount Middleton, married, in 1752,
Albinia Townshend, great niece of the Duke of Newcastle, and sister
of Thomas Townshend, first Viscount Sydney.

t Gkorge Bussy Villiers, Viscount ViUiers, afterwards fourth Earl
of Jersey, Member for Tam worthy a Lord of Admiralty in 1761,
which office he resigned in 1763. In Lord Rockingham's first admi-
nistration he was Vice-Chamberlain, but did not quit office with his
friend. General Keppel, in anticipation of the united parties of Bed-
ford and Rockingham coming into office in 1767, proposes to his
brother to make " examples of the Onslows, Townshends, Shelleys,
not forgetting the little Lord Villiers." — (Life of Lord Keppel, vol. i.
p. 392).

X The Right Hon. Arthur Onslow, for upwards of three and thirty

Digitized by VjOOQIC

160 EARL OF MANSFIELD. [l7«3.

that there are many instances in the old Journals of
such speeches, or part ^ them, being inserted in these
Journals."

The allusions in the next paragraph will be more
intelligible, if we recall to mind that the name of Mur-
ray had been a few years earlier than the date of this
letter intimately connected with Jacobitism, and that
the odium of such an imputation was by no means
obsolete. In a poem entitled the " Processionade,"
published in 1746, William Murray, Earl of Mansfield,
and Chief Justice of England, is thus celebrated : —

years Speaker of the House of Commons. He retired on the 1 8th of
March, 1761.

" He was elected Speaker," says Brown Willis, "by as unanimous
a concurrence of all the Members in general, as any of them had been
by their constituents in particular ; and as he enjoyed this eminent
station a longer time than any of his predecessors, so he executed this
important trust with equal, if not superior, abilities to any of those
who have gone before him.**

" No man,*' Walpole says of him, " ever supported with more firm-
ness the privileges of the House, nor sustained the dignity of his office
with more authority. His knowledge of the Constitution equalled
his attachment. To the Crown he behaved with all the decorum
of respect, without sacrificing his freedom of speech. Against the
encroachments of the House of Peers he was an inflexible champion.
His disinterested virtue supported him through all his pretensions ;
and though to conciliate popular favour he affected an impartiality that
by turns led him to the borders of insincerity and contradiction, and
though he was minutely attached to forms, and that it oflen made
him troublesome in affairs of higher moment, it will be difficult to
find a subject whom gravity will so well become, whose knowledge
will be so useful and accurate, and whose fidelity to his trust will
prove so unshaken.*'

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1703.] MURRAY OF BROUGHTON. 1(51

" This new fengled Scot, who was brought up at home,
In the very same school as his brother at Rome,
Kneeled conscious, as though his comrades might urge,
Heiiad formerly drunk to the King before George."

This charge was reiterated a few years afterwards by
Lord Ravensworth, who brought the subject before the
XJ^ Privy Council and a Committee of the House of Lords.
The nephew and brother of the Chief Justice had also
both committed overt acts of treason. The former,
David Murray, seventh Viscount Stormont, and one of
the sixteen Representative Peers of Scotland, had been
" out in the '45," and been pardoned : the latter, James
Murray, of Broughton, titular Earl of Dunbar, had been
the Pretender's Private Secretary, and recompensed the
confidence of his unfortunate patron, by betraying his aS'
sociates and directing the pursuers of the fugitive Stuart.

How hateful to all honest Scotchmen — even to those
who adhered to the House of Hanover in the Rebellion
— the name of James Murray had become, will appear
by the following anecdote, taken from Lockhart*s " Life
of Sir Walter Scott " (vol. i. p. 244, 2nd edition). The
Mr. and Mrs. Scott here mentioned were the father and
mother of the great novelist.

" Mrs. Scott's curiosity was strongly excited one
autumn by the regular appearance, at a certain hour
every evening, of a sedan-chair, to deposit a person
carefully muffled up in a mantle, who was immediately
ushered into her husband's private room, and commonly
remained with him there until long after the usual bed-
time of this orderly family. Mr. Scott answered her

VOL. I. M

Digitized by VjOOQIC

162 LORD MANSFIELD. [l763.

repeated inquiries with a vagueness which irritated the
lady's feelings more and more, until at last she could
bear the thing no longer ; but one evening, just as she
heard the bell ring, as for the stranger*s chair to carry
him off, she made her appearance into the forbidden
parlour, with a salver in her hand, observing that she
thought the gentlemen had sat so long, they would be
better for a dish of tea, and had ventured to bring
some for their acceptance. The stranger, a person of
distinguished appearance and richly dressed, bowed to
the lady and accepted the cup; but her husband knit
his brows, and refused very coldly to partake of the
refreshment. A moment afterwards the stranger with-
drew, and Mr. Scott, lifting up the window-sash, took
the cup, which he had left empty on the table, and
tossed it out on the pavement. The lady exclaimed
for her china ; but was put to silence by her husband's
saying, * 1 can forgive you your little curiosity, madam,
but you must pay the penalty. I admit* into my house,
on a piece of business, persons wholly unworthy to be
treated as guests by my wife. Neither lip of me or
of mine comes after Mr. Murray of Broughton."

With this preamble, I introduce the next paragraph
in the Duke of Newcastle's letter.

" I wish when my Lord Mansfield mentioned my
name, your Lordship had given him your thoughts upon
these cruel measures. I should have been curious to
know what my Lord Mansfield would have said, in
justification of his friends the ministers, who are the

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1763.] DUKE OF NEWCASTLE. 163

authors of them; or his own silence, inactivity, and
indifference upon the occasion.

** Had I been a Scotch rebels and pardoned, I might
have had a good chance, in those times, to be one of the
sixteen ; but, in all times, common humanity would, as
it did most remarkably in the two late glorious and
compassionate reigns, have prevented the families of
the rebels from starving, and, in some instances, have
even put them upon a better foot than they were before.
Most of the successors are Mr. Fox's creatures, but
that makes no alteration. My Lord Bute is the man
that does it, and must support it, and Mr. Fox the
servile interested agent"

Lord Waldegrave, in his "Character of the Duke
of Newcastle," says, " His mind can never be com-
posed; his spirits are always agitated. Yet this con-
stant ferment, which would wear out and destroy any
other man, is perfectly agreeable to his constitution;
he is at the very perfection of health when his fever
is at the greatest height."*

According to Waldegrave's hypothesis, Newcastle
could not have had a better physician than Lord Bute ;
for his' treatment of him certainly kept his Grace in
that constant ferment which the noble memoir-writer
considers so salutary for him. But the best remedies
may be abused; and the dismissal of his friends so
acted upon the Duke's excitable temperament, that he
was thrown into a fever. Upon his recovery, he wrote
to the Earl of Hardwicke as follows : —

* Memoirs, pp. 11, 12.

M ti

Digitized by VjOOQIC

164 DUKE OF NEWCASTLE. [1768.

'* My dearest Lord, "Claremont, Jan. 6, 1763.

"I flatter myself that your Lordship will not be
displeased to have an account, under my oum handj
that by the blessing of God, I am, I hope, perfectly
recovered, and that I have reason to hope that the
very severe discipline which I have undergone, having
lost so great a quantity of bad, fiery, Bute blood, will
greatly contribute to strengthen and amend my con-
stitution. The goodness and affection of my friends,
and most particularly your Lordship's, has, I am per-
suaded, greatly contributed to my cure. . . •

" The courage, resolution, and cool behaviour of the
Duke of Devonshire, upon the late occasion, have made
such an impression upon my Lord Lincoln, that he
is at once become an altered man both in his public
and private situation towards me. He is highly
pleased with the conduct of my great friends, and
will join most heartily in it. In my private affairs,
he is the first to settle everything to my satisfaction,
and to make me perfectly easy, as he has done: you
can't imagine how happy I am,

** Nor enyy Bute his sunshine and his skies."*

♦ " Nor envied Jove his sunshine and his skies."
Last line of the third act of Addison's tragedy of " Cato.'*

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1763.] ABDICATION OF LORD BUTE. 165

CHAPTER VI.

RESIGN ATIOlf OP LOED BUTE, — ALLEGED MOTIVES FOE IT. — GRBNTILLE

ADJnNISTBATION. IMPEI80NMENT AND LIBEEATION OF WILKES. —

LEIOESTEE HOUSE SOHEME. — ^BGOCIATIONS BETWEEN LOED BUTE AN£»

ME. PITT. ME. Pitt's INTBBVIEWS with the king. — BBDFOED

ADMINISTEATION. DEATH OF DUKE OF DBVONSHIEE. PROPOSETi

NEW MINISTEEIAL AEEANGEMENTS. — COEEESPONDENCE BETWEEN LOBI>
HAEDWIGKE AND HIS BEOTHEE.

Lord Bute had bome his blushing honours ten
months, when he abandoned the post which he had
incurred so much obloquy to attain. His motives for
resignation still remain a mystery. The following is
the motive assigned by Viscount Royston, in a letter to
the Earl of Hardwicke.

"Bath, April 11, 1768,
" The alarms of Lord Bute's family about his personal
safety, are reported here to be the immediate cause of
this sudden and unexpected abdication.* I shall make
no reflections on this strange scene; your Lordship
has already reflected much better for yourself. The
nil admirari of Horace seems in our days to be as
applicable to politics as it is to ethics and philosophy.'

• This is the view taken by Mr. Macaulay in his 2nd article on
Chatham.

Digitized by

Google

166 IMPRISONMENT OF WILKES. [1763.

Three days prior to the date of this letter, Mr.
Grenville was declared First Lord of the Treasury,
and Lords Egremont and Halifax Secretaries of State.
" Of the three," says Walpole, " Lord Halifax was by
far the weakest, at the same time, most amiable man.
His pride, like Lord Egremont's, taught him much
civility. He spoke readily and agreeably, and only
wanted matter and argument. He aimed at virtues
he could not support, or rather was carried away by
his vices than sensible of them." From other sources
we learn that he possessed a handsome person, elegant
manners, and a cultivated mind.

Mr. Macaulay considers ^' that the worst administra-
tion which has governed England since the Revolution,
was that of George Grenville."* It was certainly a
very important one, for it had scarcely been installed
in oflSce, than it found itself involved in the ever
memorable squabble with the notorious John Wilkes,
at that time Member for Aylesbury. On the 23rd of
the month, being a fortnight after the formation of the
Grenville Ministry, appeared the famous "Number
Forty-five of the North Briton." In this paper, severe
strictures were passed on the conduct of ministers
in general, and on Lord Bute in particular. After
a week's deliberation, Wilkes was seized on a general
warranty and brought before Lords Halifax and Egre-
mont, by whom he was committed to the Tower. His
demeanour on the occasion would have served as a
warning to wiser men, against meddling with such a
♦ Macaulay *8 " Essays/ in one volume, p. 747.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1J763.] LIBERATION OF WILKES. 167

firebrand. On arriving at the place of his imprison-
ment, he wounded the stately pride of Lord Egremont,
by desiring to be confined in the same apartment where
his father, Sir William Windham, had been kept on a
charge of Jacobitism ; and the national vanity of Lord
Bute, by hoping that, if possible, he might not be
lodged where any Scotchman had been prisoner.

On the very day of his commitment to prison, his
friends procured a writ of habeas-corpus from the Court
of Common Pleas; and on the 3rd of May he was brought
before Lord Chief Justice Pratt In a speech, which
lasted an hour, Wilkes complained ^^ that he had been
worse treated than any rebel Scot," — a remark that
was hailed with loud acclamations by the crowd in
Westminster Hall. Three days afterwards, Pratt de-
livered his judgment, in which he declared that Wilkes
was " entitled to his privilege as a Member of Parliament,
because, although that privilege does not hold against
a breach of the peace, it does against what only tends
to a breach of the peace." Wilkes was in consequence
set at liberty. Immediately after the enlargement of
Wilkes, letters from the Honourable Charles Yorke and
Sir Fletcher Norton, the Attorney and Solicitor-Greneral,
were presented to the Court, demanding to be admitted,
as the case concerned the King's interest. The Chief
Justice^s answer to both was, that they had come too
late. Upon these proceedings, the Attorney-General's
brother. Viscount Royston, wrote to his friend Dr. Birch
as follows : —

Digitized by VjOOQIC

168 IMPRISONMENT OF WILKES. [1703.

" Dear Birch, " Bath, May the loth, i res.

" Shall I congratulate you on the discharge of your
old acquaintance? or shall I condole with you on the
licentious spirit, repugnant to all decorum and order,
which has appeared amongst the populace on this occa-
sion? or shall I lament that the proceedings of govern-
ment have not been conducted with all the propriety
and judgment one could wish? As a good Englishman
and a dutiful subject, I shall concur in the two last
particulars. The House of Commons is much obliged
to Lord C(hief) J(ustice) P(ratt), for I do not know,
that we ever claimed the privilege for ourselves, which
he has been pleased to allow us. Has our old Speaker
been consulted on the occasion? Did Pratt take any
notice of the warrant of apprehension^ which has the
word treasonabley and leaves the messengers at large ?
Is it thought that any art or management was used to
bring down such great crowds to W— r H — 11. I
question whether the other Chief Justice will choose (if
he can help it) to have the affair brought into his
court. I presume it will be fought through all the
weapons, from the courts of justice to St. Stephen's
Chapel. We have a story here^ which I cannot give
credit to, * that Lord H(alifa)x asked W— kes if he
was at the dinners,* and that the latter replied, that
he did not sit down to table, but only blew the coals.' "

* Note by Lord Hardwicke to his own letter. — " The dinners were
amongst the opposition."

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1763.] LETTER TO LORD HARDWICKE. 169

It was a favourite scheme of the Leicester House
faction, the moment an Administration was formed, to
open a negociation with the chiefs of the different
sections of Opposition, the object being to ensure a
greater degree of subserviency from the Ministers to the
wishes of the Crown. A plan of this nature was set
in operation shortly after Grenville entered upon his
functions of Premier, but, true to the principle of
" ruling by divisions," the Court treated with each
leader, to the exclusion of the other. Some of the
letters which follow will show the working of this
system.

THE DUKE Of NEWCASTLE TO THE EAEL OF HARDWICKE.

" Claremont, June 30th, 1763.

" Mr. Pitt mentioned the proposals made to him
hy my Lcyrd Bvie^ much in the same way that he had
done to the Attorney General, and that his answer was,
that he never would have anything to do with my Lord
Bute ; that he is now thoroughly connected with us ;
was determined to remain so, and to take all oppor-
tunities to do everything to bring us together , . .

"... Lord Granby is just come in, so I must finish
my letter sooner than I intended. I can't, however,
forbear repeating to your Lordship my thanks for your
kind and able conversation with my Lord Egremont,
and particularly in what your Lordship said of your
humble servant, and the supposed declaration I had
made, though I am still of the same opinion upon that
head that I ever was."

Digitized by VjOOQIC

170 NEGOCIATION BETWEEN BUTE AND PITT. [1763.

Note by second Lord Hardwicke : —

" N.B. It was in this conversation with Lord Egre-
mont that my father had a direct oflFer from the King
of President of the Council, then vacant, which he
very properly declined, but did not mention to the
Duke of Newcastle, to avoid jealousies, and to which his
Grace was liable."

" On this behaviour," says Walpole, referring to the
offers to Newcastle and Hardwicke — of that to Pitt
he was not aware — '* the three ministers had deter-
mined to bring his Majesty to an explanation." As to
one of the three. Lord Egremont, he must have been
in error, seeing that he was the actual negociator of the
King with the ex-Chancellor. But there appears to be
no doubt that the other two made a strong remon-
strance to the King, that Grenville in* particular " re-
proached his Majesty with violating the assurances he
had given them (the Ministers) that Lord Bute should
meddle no more, and with abandoning the Ministers he
had himself chosen."

The death of Lord Egrenv>nt, which occurred on the
21st of August, hastened a negociation that had long
been on the tapis, between Lord Bute and Mr. Pitt,
which ended in the latter statesman being summoned to
attend the King at Buckingham House, The interview
lasted three hours, and Mr. Pitt considering himself
authorized to form an administration, wrote an urgent
summons to the Marquis of Rockingham.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

• \

1763.] LETTER TO LORD ROCKINGHAM. 171

RIGHT HON. W. PITT TO THE MARQUIS OF ROCKINGHAM.

" Jermyn Street, August 28th, 1763.
" A MATTER has opened which must make me very
impatient to learn your Lordship's sentiments. I will
in this critical situation venture to request of you to
be so good as to come immediately to town. May I
add that I shall esteem it a great favour if your Lord-
ship could engage Sir George Savile to take the same
journey, to whom I would write if I knew that my
letter would be sure to find him. Be assured, I shall
think any plan highly defective, in which a person of
such honour and ability does not take a share. I saw
the Duke of Newcastle at Claremont this morning, who
joins in wishing extremely that your Lordship would
come directly to town, as his Grace's desires on this
subject will best stand for my apology for the liberty
I am taking. I will add no more to your trouble than
to assure you of the great truth and respect with which
I am, &c., " W. Pitt."

Lord Rockingham forwarded a copy of this letter to
Sir George Savile, together with the following note
from himself: —

" I will only now say in general, it is my earnest
and steady opinion, that it is neither the conduct of an
honest or of a wise man, to abet the skimming over
the present confused system, but is the duty of us both
to give what help we can towards a perfect and pro-

Digitized by VjOOQIC

172 MR. PITT'S INTERVIEW WITH THE KING. 1768.]

bably permanent cure. Whether the time is yet come,
is a matter difficult to judge upon; but I hope and
trust that nothing will be entered upon without the
fullest and clearest prospect of stability."

The above letter is dated " Birom, Monday night,
half-past twelve, August 29th, 1763." On the morn-
ing of that day, Mr. Pitt had a second interview with
the King, when his Majesty suddenly broke up the
conference, by saying, "Well, Mr. Pitt (I see, or I
fear), this will not do; my honour is concerned, and I
must support it." The following day, the 30th, Lord
Shelburne, who had been the channel of communication
with Mr. Pitt, wrote to that statesman, felicitating him
personally on a negociation being at an end, which
carried through the whole of it such shocking marks
of insincerity, and three days afterwards resigned his
post as President of the Board of Trade.

VISCOUNT ROTSTON TO DR. BIRCH.

"Oct. 4, 1768.

" It were endless to attempt detecting the falsities
which are inserted in all the relations of the late very
extraordinary negociation; but I cannot help contra-
dicting one fact, which is positively inserted in the
narrative you refer to in your last of the 1st instant,
viz., that the K(ing) saw none of his ministers between
the Saturday and the Monday. Now I have the best
authority for saying that Mr. Grenville was in the

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1764.] LETTER TO LORD HARDWICKE. 173

closet on Friday, and was introduced again on Saturday
after the other gentleman* left it. N.B. This is true;
he told my brother so. It seems remarkable, and tends
to confirm the public opinion of the present jumble at
Court, that the papers published in defence of the

A n, throw out pretty strong insinuations against

Lord B., and t\i$t» his Lordship's advocates are as free

in reflecting on the M rs. With me,

" ' Tros Tyriusve mihi nullo discrimine.' "

The following extract of a letter from the Honourable
Charles Torke to his brother, second Earl of Hardwicke,
written shortly after the decease of their father,t has
reference to some attack upon the Memoirs of the ex*
Chancellor by Lord Northington, who succeeded him
on the Woolsack in 1756.

** Ml DEAR Lord, "Saturday evening, Mar. 25 (1764).

" What you mention of the Lord Chancellor I never
heard till this evening, from Dr. Plumptre, who had it
from my brother John. It is very gross and unde-
served.

" I am not aware of the custom to which another
paragraph in the same letter appears to refer.

" But allow me to say, that if your Lordship sends
rings to the Judges^ I hope you will send one to the
Lord Chancellor, that such a trifle may not be marked.
I take it for granted that you called at his door upon

♦ Mr. Pitt,
t Lord Hardwicke died on Tuesday the 6th of March, 1 764.

Digitized by VjOOQ IC

174 LETTER TO CHARLES YORKE. [l764.

taking your seat in the House of Lords. If any acci-
dent prevented it, I know that he is capable of being
moved by such trifles. It is the temper of many. But
I can only add, as to myself, that in truth, a situation
between enemies and friends, I know that (without
management and temper) it will be impossible for me
to do anything, but retire at once into •the country, out
of a profession which is independent of everything but
that impertinence which may be created by those whom
the King places in the great oflBces of it."

Note by second Lord Hardwicke : — " After Northing-
ton's language in the House of Lords, I did not wait
upon him, nor (I think) send him a ring. My brother
was too delicate and nice. He was above being hurt
by the impertinence of any Chancellor.

" H."

THE EARL OP HARDWICKE TO THE HON. CHARLES YORKE.

" Dear Brother, • " St. James's Square, July 26, 1 764.

" I wish you would find a quarter of an hour to let
me know in three lines, whether you saw the D. of
Devon again, and what language he held. I ask
because Jones told me he had made some thundering
declaration to Mr. Pitt, about acting more vigorotisly
next session, with an intimation that his friends would
do so, whatever part he (Mr. P.) thought proper to
take.

" I do not find that this made the Great Commoner
more explicit. Jones says, the affair of the interview

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1764.] DUKE OP BEDFORD PRESIDENT OF COUNCIL. 175

with Ld. B. is less believed than it was a fortnight
ago.

" Jones picks up nothing material ; yet messengers
come and go between us. What is now talked of is,
that the Parliament may now meet before Christmas,
on account of the supply.

" Lord Bute makes many hugger-mugger visits at
Bichmond, in a way neither creditable to his master
nor himself"

In a letter to Dr. Birch, written at about this time,
Lord Hardwicke asks,

"Is it true that Mrs. Pritchard was greatly ap-
plauded the other night, upon speaking a line against
favourites, in the ' Careless Husband?' If the audiences
begin to be so much on the catch, Mr. G(arric)k must
be cautious what plays he acts. If it would not appear
pedantic, I might remind you that Tully often mentions
such circumstances which passed at the theatres, as
indications of the temper of the people."

Soon after the failure of the negociation with Mr.
Pitt in 1763, the Duke of Bedford became President of
the Council, and the ostensible head of the Government.

The Bedford Administration experienced no better
treatment than its predecessors. Like Grenville, the
Duke stipulated for that which the King himself pro-
posed, namely, the exclusion of Lord Bute from his
presence, and from any participation in public affairs.*

* The Duke of Bedford to the Duke of Marlborough, May 19,
1765.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

176 DEATH OF DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE. [1764.

And the favourite himself wrote to the King, stating
that for his Majesty's service, as well as for his own
ease, he was resolved to remain at his house the ensuing
winter.

" He kept the word of promise to the ear,
But broke it to the hope."

He passed, it is true, the winter at Luton Hoo,
returned to town early in the spring, and went publicly
to Court and to the House of Lords. " His return,''
says Wiffen, " was regarded by the Duke of Bedford
as an entire infraction of the bond on which he had
consented to take oflBce."

Since the retirement of the Duke of Newcastle from
the Ministry, the Duke of Devonshire became the ac-
knowledged leader of the Whigs, but his health ren-
dered him unequal to the task which the partiality
of his friends assigned him. He was obliged to be
frequently absent from town, and at length retired
to Spa, where he died on the 2nd of October this year,
in the forty-fifth year of his age.

The rumours of disagreement between Lord Bute
and the Ministers seeming to offer an opening for some
new ministerial arrangement. Lord Hardwicke thus
wrote to his brother, Mr. Charles Torke, on the 11th of
April, 1764:—

'' Dear Brother,

"I had my confab with his Grace of Devon this
morning, whom I find quite without plan or system^
much dissatisfied with Mr. Pitt, wliom he knows nothing

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1764.] LETTER TO CHARLES YORKE. 177

about, and finds he can make nothing of. He lays little
weight on Charles Townshend's information about ac-
commodations at Court. I told his Grace, points must
be waited for — that I saw none at present of magnitude
suflBcient to declare upon ....

" The Duke of Devonshire goes to Newmarket at the
end of next week. I only mention this in case you had
thoughts of waiting upon him. I think if you saw the
Duke of Bedford, you might find out whether he would
undertake any conciliatory scheme. My idea is, that
Lord Bute, if pressed, would prefer Pitt and Temple,
because they have fewest followers and carry the greater
popularity.

" His Grace of Bedford has taken antipathy to Lord
Bute, on account of the transaction of last summer. I
think all this Paddy Noddy to little purpose. Ii^ losing
Lord H(ardwicke) we are at sea without pilot or
rudder.

" P.S. — The Duke of Devonshire said he thought
Pitt would be more tractable, if we showed that we
could go on without him. My opinion of Pitt is, that
he will neither lead nor be driven. He is animal sui
generis — un unique. The Duke admitted his health
made him less to be depended upon.""

The first paragraph in the following letter evidently
has reference to the removal of one of the Duke of
Newcastle's protigis from the Palace Gardens ; the
second, to the dismissal of Greneral Conway from the
colonelcy of a regiment and the post of Groom of the

VOL. L N

Digitized by VjOOQIC

178 DUKE OF NEWCASTLE [1764.

Bedchamber, for voting against Ministers in the ques-
tion of " General Warrants^" — a subject which, as Lord
Hardwicke surmised, became the cheval de bakUHe of
the opposition in the next session.

THE EARL OP HAEDWICKE TO THE HON. CHARLES YORKE.

'^ Dear Brother, '*St. James's Square, Aug. S, 1764.

" I send back his Grace's letter, and think much does
not arise out of it The turning out of Greening was
an ill-natured act; but there is no making that a con-
stitutional point, and the Duke chooses to forget that he
stands ill with the King as well as the Minister, and
that a domestic gardener to a Boyal Palace is one of
those places which kings think they may make free
with the disposal of

" His Grace's declaration to Mr. Pitt was premature,
unless he knew better how to conduct, to increase, and
strengthen his opposition ; but the great cheval de
baiaiUe will be, I apprehend, Conway's affair ; and
ihai^ to use a phrase of Sir William Temple's, *will
make a meal's meat, but will not keep the house.' "

THE DUKE OP NEWCASTLE TO THE EARL OF HARDWICKE.

"Sept. 8, 1764.

*' The great reports of the Duke of Bedford's uneasi-
ness with my Lord Bute are, I believe, true. But it is
very uncertain what, if any, material consequence will
arise from it. I hear the language of Wobum is, that

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1764.] TO LORD HARDWICRE. 179

the Duke of Bedford knows nothing of my Lord Bute,
has seen him but once, and does not know when he
shall see him again; that the Duke of Bedford is
Minister; that Lord Bute, the favourite, may obtain
favours for hi^ particular friends, as was the case of
the regiment given to Colonel Fletcher.* That may be
wrong, but that was a small object. That the Duke
was coming up to town the 22nd of this month, and
would then go to Bath.t If this be true, it does not
look as if his Grace thought himself the Minister, or
troubled himself much about administration."

* ♦ " The affair of Turk's Island, and the promotion of Colonel
Fletcher over thirty-seven older officers, are the chief causes which
have ripened our heats to such a height" — Walpole.

t " The Duke of Bedford has crossed the country from Bath to
Wobum without coming to town."— Walpole to Hertford, Nov. 9^
1764.

N 2

Digitized by VjOOQIC

180 DISMISSAL OF GENERAL CONWAY. [1766.

CHAPTER VIL

ARBITBART DISMISSAL OF QENBRAL OONWAT AND OTUBB HILITABT
OFFIOHBS. — ^LBTTEBS RELATIKa TO THB BBOBNOT BILL. — ^DUKB OF
CUMBBBLAND's 8TATBMENT OF NBGOOIATION FOB CHANQB OF MINIS-

TBB8. — OHABACTBB OF JiOBD LTTTLBTOM. PBOTB0TIONI8T BIOTS.

APPOnrTMBNT OF OOMMANDBB OF THB TB00P8. OOBBESPOND-

BMGB ON THB BIOTS. PBOBOOATION OF PABLIAMBNT. — MINI8TBBIAL

DIFFIOULTIBB OF THB KINO.

The violent ministerial measures of the preceding
session, naturally aroused a determined resistance on
the part of the Whigs. The dismissal of General Con-
way and other military oflBcers from their employments,
as a royal penalty for their votes in Parliament, was no
ordinary cause of provocation, and was regarded as a
dangerous example, as well as a most unjust and arbi-
trary proceeding. With the view of inducing Mr. Pitt
to co-operate with them in their opposition to the Court,
Lord Rockingham was prevailed upon by the leading
Whigs to pay the retired and refractory old statesman
a visit at Hayes. His errand, indeed, proved fruitless.
The Great Commoner condemned the dismissal of Con-
way; but "the question," he said, "touched too near
upon prerogative; it ought to have been brought on
earlier in the session. He had never urged the subject
being mooted at all." In short, he produced doubts in

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1705.] LETTER TO LORD ROCKINGHAM. 181

Lord Bockingham's mind whether the cause he had at
heart might not be more prejudiced than benefited by
Mr. Pitt's presence in the House of Commons; and he
returned to town, "less satisfied than ever with Mr.
Pitt"*

THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE TO THE MARQUIS OF
ROCKINQHAM.

« Bath, March 26, 1765.

" I AM more sorry than surprised, that your Lord-
ship found Mr. Pitt in the disposition you did, with
an appearance, and, I am afraid, with a real deter-
mination to remain inactive. It is agreeable to. all
his declarations for this last year, and to what he so
positively declared in his letter to me. I doubt he is
searching for reasons to justify that resolution, — one,
I am sure, has not the least foundation. That we had
given up his war (and in that he means me only), for
he does me the honour always to fling aU the blame upon
me, as I am persuaded your Lordship plainly perceived
by his discourse; and greater injustice cannot be done
a man. Could I be such a fool as to give up his war,
as he called it? Who provided for it? Who raised
such immense sums for the support of it? Was it
Mr. Pitt or myself? I will be bold to say, Mr. Pitt
could not have done it; and am I to have all the re-
proach from Mr. Grenville and the enemies to the war,
for the load of debt which I had brought upon the
* Walpole'8 Geoi^e the Third, ii. 87.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

182 LETTERS RELATING TO [l765.

nation, for the support of it, and am to be told by
Mr. Pitt that I had given up his vow? In short,
I have seen so much of this cruel part towards me,
that I am determined not to mind it, but to go on
with Mr. Pitt as I have done, wishing and doing every-
thing in my power that the public may have his assis-
tance. For I see how much it is wanted. The oppo-
sition is dwindled down to nothing, and Mr. Grenville^
for he is the man of consequence, and that does the
business. Let them say what they will, Mr. Grenville, I
say, will have champ libre^ and nobody to oppose him."

The session of 1765 had been opened by the King
in person, but towards the end of March, his Majesty
was attacked by so serious an illness, that it became
necessary to make some provision for the contingency
of a long minority. Accordingly, on the 24th of April,
the subject of a Eegenoy was brought before Parliament,
in a speech from the Throne.

THE EARL OF HARDWICKE TO THE HONOURABLE CHARLES

TORKE.

" Dear Brother, "St. James's Square, April 25, 1765.

" We [the Duke of Newcastle and himself] had no
eonversation about the Kegepcy Bill, except that I was
able to acquaint him that Lord Halifax had moved
to-day to take the King's speech into consideration on
Monday. I suppose the Bill will then be brought in.

^^Iwas at the lev^e this morning; the King avait

Digitized by VjOOQIC

17660 THE REGENCY BILL. 183

fort hen visage. I walk in and out of St. James's like
a country lord, whom nobody that knows anything has
anything to say to. . . .

^^ Lord Lyttleton (whom I saw this morning) appre-
hended the debate would be on your second reading,
A notion prevails that Mr. Pitt will attend in the
House. D. of Cumb. wwcA hurt that the Princes of the
blood are not to be named in Council of Eegency.
All laid to the door of Lord Bute; a scheme of his to
keep Queen, brothers, &c., dependent on his good word
with the K— .^

The ^^Memoriall" of the same writer a£fords some
additional observations upon the same subject. ^^ While
the £egency Bill/' says his Lordship, ^^ was in the House
of Lords, the clause naming the King's brothers was
concerted, with the Duke of Cumberland, unknown to
the Ministry till the King sent it to them. They, to
return the compliment, framed the clause for omitting
the Princess Dowager, [and] procured the King's con-
sent to it. This raised a storm in the interior of the
palaces; and the result of it, after many intrigues and
jarrings, was the overthrow of that administration."

An address was moved in the House of Lords by
Lord Lyttleton, to give the King the power to name
the person he would recommend. This was rejected by
eighty-nine to thirty-one. The Duke of Bichmond then
moved that the Eegency should consist of the Queen,
the Princess Dowager, and all the descendants of the late
King usually in England. On the following day. Lord

Digitized by VjOOQIC

184 THE REGENCY BILL. [1766.

Halifax moved the Duke of Richmond's words, with the
single omission of the Princess Dowager. The amend-
ment was agreed to.

The Regency Bill was read a second time on the
7th of May. On the 9th, Mr. Morton, Member for
Abingdon, Chief Justice of Chester, and well known to
be in the Princess Dowager's confidence, moved, with
the King's approval, and at Lord Northington^s sugges-
tion, the insertion of her Royal Highness's name.

To Mr. Yorke, who had taken an active part in the
debate, his brother, Lord Hardwicke, wrote as follows.

'hope you are well, after all your House of Com-
mons fatigue, where I think there have been sti^ange
doings. Curiosity would engage me to attend the
House of Lords on Monday, when you send up the
Bill with your amendments; but as indisposition pre-
vented my being in the beginning of the fray, I think
it more prudent not to come in at the latter end. It
is impossible not to concur with your mention of the
P(rincess) of Wales's name, now the point has been
started; but surely the Court and the Ministry have
contrived to bring the House of Lords into a very
awkward situation, first inducing them to leap over
the stick one way, and then bringing them to jump
over it the other "

In consequence of the difficulties attendant upon these
" intrigues and jarrings," the King solicited his uncle to
form a government for him. The Duke accepted the

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1706.] DUKE OF CUMBERLAND'S STATEMENT, 186

office, and, after sundry messages to Hayes, at last paid
Mr. Pitt a visit in person. No slight sensation was pro-
duced on the public mind by this condescension of the
proudest of Princes towards the proudest of Commoners.

Mr. Wright, in his " House of Hanover," has re-
produced a caricature of the day, illustrative of the
event. It is entitled " The Courier." From the door
of a hedge alehouse, protrudes a gouty foot. The sign
is an inflated bladder, on which is inscribed " Popu-
larity.*" Underneath is the further inscription, " W.P.'^
On a cantering horse appears a figure intended to repre-
sent the very portly person of the Duke of Cumberland,
and not unlike the statue of his Boyal Highness in Ca-
vendish Square. He wears a large pair of Dettingen
boots and has a horn at his mouth.

" Yesterday," says Walpole, " the hero of Culloden
went down in person to the conqueror of America, and,
though tendering almost ca^te Uanche^ Uanchissime^ for
the constitution, and little short of it for Red Book
of places, brought back nothing but a flat refusal."

That this version was not the correct one, will appear
from the account given by the Royal Ambassador himself.

THE DUKE OF CUMBERLAND'S STATEMENT.*

" An account of the Negociation for the intended
change of Ministers, in April and May, 1765; recol-
lected some days after the whole was over, by help of

* To the best of my belief^ the only two copies extant of this
*' Statement "are in Lord Fitz William's papers and my own family
collection of MSS.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

186 DURE OP CUMBERLAND'S STATEMENT* [l766.

Lord Albemarle^ whom I had entrusted in the whole
transaction, and who had his part also to act.

" On Easter Day, the 7th of April, 1765, I received
his Majesty's orders to attend him at the Queen's House,
before I set out for Newmarket. Accordingly, I at-
tended there at ten o'clock that same morning, when
his Majesty was pleased to inquire particularly after
my health (I having been all the winter extremely ill),
and said he had sent to me to meet him there, that
I might save myself the fatigue of going up the stairs
at St. James's, and of long standing in the drawing*
room.* To which gracious words I returned my most
dutiful thanks ; and rejoiced in seeing his Majesty also
thoroughly recovered. He said he was ; but that yet
his late illness had been an additional reason for him
to desire to speak to me; for that though he was now
well, yet God alone knew how soon an accident might
befall him. Therefore, he acquainted me that the
Thursday before, he had given to his four Ministers

* The Duke of Cumberland was at this time considered in a very
precarious state. In 1764^ the wound he had received at Dettingen
broke out at Newmarket. It became " necessary to make an incision
of many inches in his knee. Ranby" (the sergeant-surgeon to the
King) << did not dare to propose that a hero should be tied, but was
frightened out of his senses when the hero would hold the candle
himself, which none of his generals could bear to do. In the middle
of the operation the Duke said^ ' Hold I' Ranby said, 'For Gknl's sake,
sir, let me proceed now ; it will be worse to renew it.' The Duke
repeated, ' I say, hold,' and then calmly bade them give Ranby a
clean waistcoat and cap, '^for/ said he, 'the poor man has sweat
through these.' It was true, but the Duke did not utter a groan." —
Walpole^s Letters to Lord Hertford, p. 154.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1766.] DUKE OP CUMBBRLiiND'S STATEMENT. 187

an order for preparing a Bill of Eegenoy, in case any
accident happened to him : that, heat being a good deal
allayed, was an additional reason to him for haying it
done at a time when men's passions were abated.

" I returned his Majesty my most dutiful thanks for
this his gracious information: that I should give my
thoughts fully and openly, when I should see the draft
of the bill : that, as I rejoiced to see, then, no pressing
necessity for any precautions against such an unfor-
tunate event: therefore, I must own, I feared that
the importance of the subject-matter would, especially
at the end of a session, cause jealousies, which might
frustrate his Majesty's most gracious and generous in-
tentions on this occasion : that, as to our heais^ which
his Majesty thought were allayed, I was sorry to be
obliged to say, that far from it; that though the first
people did not express their opinions and their feelings
with as much ivarmth and as repeatedly as last year,
it proceeded not fipom their being over; but that they
were already communicated and spread out into the
lower class of mankind, from whence it would be more
difficult to eradicate them, and set their minds at
ease.

" I did perceive, or at least thought I did, that his
Majesty had still more on his mind to communicate, but
I did not think it respectful to endeavour to know more
fully what was in the King's mind. Thus ended the first
conversation I had had with the King in his closet or in
private since the peace.

" The first or second day at Newmarket my Lord

Digitized by VjOOQIC

188 DUKE OF CUMBERLAND'S STATEMENT. [l765.

Northumberland ^ took occasion to call upon me, singh/^
one morning, under the pretence of going with me
to the stables to see my horses. Whilst in the stables
he much lamented both the Eang's situation and that of
his affairs; that with such an administration nothing
great could be done; that they lived from day to day,
whilst France was restoring their finances, paying off
their debt, and putting their naval force again in
condition. That, therefore, if ever it pleased France to
begin with us, they would find us in the same exhausted
state that had obliged us to grant them the favourable
terms of peace they had obtained from us. I entirely
agreed with his Lordship in the state in which he
represented his Majesty's affairs were, and that I was
fully sensible of the diboires and indignities which these
gentlemen in power insulted his Majesty with each day;
instead of applying themselves to the good of the public
in general, or to restoring to his Majesty the affections
of his people. He said he rejoiced much in hearing me

* Sir Hugh Smithson, Bart, married Lady Elizabeth Seymour, only
daughter of Algernon Duke of Somerset, at whose death in 1 749 he
succeeded to the Earldom of Northumberland. He was created Duke
of Northumberland under the Chatham administration. Though pro-
fuse and ostentatious, he was a kind and amiable man, a patron of the
arts and of men of letters. He ** had an advantageous figure, and
much courtesy in his address, which being s^ported by most expen-
sive magnificence, made him exceedingly popular with the meaner
sort" — Walpole. Lord Northumberland's son. Lord Wark worth,
having married Lord Bute's daughter, was admitted to the King's
private junto, which met dtuly at this time at Mr. Stow's, It
consisted of Lord Bute, Lord Northumberland, Lord Mansfield, Sir
Fletcher Norton, Mr. Stow, and Mr. Stow's brother, the Primate of
Ireland.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1766.] DUKE OP CUMBERLAND'S STATEMENT. 189

express these sentiments, which he had never doubted
to find in my breast, and which the King was convinced
were implanted there ; and that, if I had understood
his Majesty, the King was intentioned to talk more
fully himself over the state of his affairs, and that
nothing had prevented that total confidence of his
Majesty but fearing that he saw a coldness on my side
to endeavour to extricate him out of the troubles he
was engaged in. Whether the Lord Northumberland
sent a messenger to town to acquaint his Majesty with
this conversation, or no, I know not ; but I am certain
that a messenger was sent to him from London, upon
the receipt of whom I had a second visit during the
week, which seemed to me more explicit, and to be
warmer in the King's desire for assistance.

" On the 16th of April, in the evening, I received
in town another visit from Lord Northumberland,
acquainting me it was by the King^s pleasure and his
order that he had had those conversations with me at
Newmarket. I assured him of my readiness; but that
this Regency Bill, which was again upon the tapis^ was
of such importance, and of which I had not had the
least communication; that therefore I must humbly
deprecate the having any hand in whatever negocia-
tions might be, during this Bill's hanging over all our
heads, without any person among those who were con-
cerned being able to obtain two similar answers from
any two of his Majesty's servants in the law, or other-
ways ; that, even as to myself, I had reason to fear
and believe that my name was quite omitted, as well as

Digitized by VjOOQIC

190 DUKE OF CUMBERLAND'S STATEMENT. [l766.

those of my nephews. The Lord Northumberland, in
an awkward manner, denied his having at least any
knowledge of such a design ; but must stop the nego-
ciation till things were riper for it. On Wednesday, the
next day, we (Lord Albemarle and I) went into the
country; but at night I heard from the House of
Lords, that not only my nephews and myself were
totally left out, and that there were disputes whether or
no it should be the Queen, by name, or the Queen or
any of the Royal Family. On which Lord Albemarle
went to town and expostulated roundly and warmly
with the Earl of Northumberland. The consequence of
which was, the Eing was pleased to signify to the
House his pleasure that my nephews and I should stand
fixed members of the Council of Regency.

" The 30th of April I set out for Newmarket,
leaving Lord Albemarle, and most of the lords indeed,
to attend the finishing of the Bill. During this week
the Bill was sent to the Commons, after several amend-
ments and several extraordinary divisions in the House
of Lords, wherein the Duke of Bedford had been so
extremely masterly, that bad his Grace stuck to his own
opinion, he would have stood in a far different light
than he had ever stood in, or ever will stand in again.
For, after having amended and settled that part of the
Bill touching the Queen's Regency upon a clear» honour-
able, popular plan, he allowed these his amendments
to be totally overset by the House of Commons, and
passed this Bill contrary to his former just amend-
ments.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1766.] DUKE OP CUMBERLAND'S STATEMENT. 191

" That day (Monday, May the 6th), very late in the
evening, my Lord Northumberland sent in to desire
to speak to me, acquainting me that he came to me
by his Majestjr's orders, that I should endeavour to see
whether Mr. Pitt and Lord Temple, with the other
great Whig families, could not be brought to form him
a strong and a lasting Administration, which might
empower him to form systems at home and abroad, such
as the dangers of the times might require ; desiring
withal that this negociation might be carried on with
the utmost secrecy and celerity, as its magnitude would
allow of.

" In answer to all this, I desired the Earl of North-
umberland would lay me at the King's feet, and assure
him that I would endeavour all that lay in my power to
execute the important commission I was charged with.
That I feared his Majesty was convinced by the event,
that the Begency Bill, with its different changes, had
superadded many difficulties; that, for to quit the
King's work in hand, I must be allowed to open myself
to Lord Temple and Mr. Pitt, as well as to the Duke of
Newcastle and the Marquis of Bockingham.

" On Tuesday, the 7th of May, I spoke to the Duke
of Newcastle and the Marquis of Rockingham, acquaint-
ing them with the orders I was charged with from his
Majesty, and that the King had been pleased to chalk
out for all our joint considerations the following out-
lines of Adminbtration, viz. Mr. Pitt to be Secretary of
State with Mr. Charles Townshend, Secretary of State
also; Lord Northumberland, First Lord of the Trea-

Digitized by VjOOQIC

192 DUKE OF CUMBERLAND'S STATEMENT. [l766.

sury; the Duke of Newcastle and Earl Temple, one or
the other President, the other Privy Seal; and Lord
Egmont First Lord of the Admiralty; and that the
other noblemen, and others who were to come in, should
be, as much as possible, considered in the new arrange-
ment to be formed.

" I should dp injustice to both these Lords, if I did
not remark their zeal for the execution of his Majesty's
great and just views; only the Marquis objected to any
employment for himself, believing he might be of more
use as an independent man, than personally engaged in
the service; and we agreed that whilst those two Lords
were sounding our friends in town, the Earl of Albe-
marle should repair to Hayes, to communicate, in my
name J to Mr, Pitt (who was unable to come to town) ;
that as his health did not allow of my seeing him, and
secrecy prevented my going to Hayes, I charged him
(the Earl of Albemarle) to acquaint Mr. Pitt with his
Majesty's most gracious thoughts with regard to him
and the public; to assure him that the King had
pitched upon him as the man whose abilities made
him the most desirable to be employed at these times;
that his Majesty had chalked out the above-mentioned
arrangement, thinking Mr. Charles Townshend might
be the properest person to execute, whenever Mr. Pitt's
health should incapacitate him from either Court or
Parliament- attendance; that he (Mr. Pitt) was sen-
sible that the eyes of the whole nation were now all
looking up towards him, and that should he not come
to the relief of his King and country, at this time

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1766.] DUKB OF CUMBERLAND'S STATEMENT. 198

both in danger, I greatly feared that he would no
longer preserve that weight in this country which he
80 justly bore* Lord Albemarle acquainted him also,
that the King's Ministers had taken such possession of
the Closet, that they scarcely acted with decency to
their master.

^^ In return to this, and much more that passed, in a
conversation of four hours, it concluded on Mr. Pitt's
part, without a negative: but insisting, Jirst^ on the
restoration of all the officers of the army, as well as
many others, as had been displaced for their opposi-
tion; — secondfyj on ample justice and favour being
shown to Chief Justice Pratt; — thirdly, on a necessity
of making men's minds easy about the warrants^ as
well as the amending the unpopular clauses in the
Cyder Bill; — fourthly^ a necessity of restoring the re-
laxations got into both the navy and the army, and
preferring the officera for their services, and not for
dancing attendance; — a£ also, fifthly, on a foreign sys-
tem of aflfairs, which he feared had been greatly
neglected, avowing himself still in Prussian sentiments,
which, he feared, would not render the closet more
favourable to him.

" On that same evening, I wrote to Lord Temple, at
Stowe, to desire I might see him upon very urgent
business, that I durst not communicate in writing ; and
ordered the same servant to leave another letter from
me, at Wakefield, for the Duke of Grafton.

" On Wednesday, May the 8th, before I was got out
pf bed, the Duke of Grafton arrived, having set out

VOL. I.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

194 DUKE OF CUMBERLAND'S STATEMENT. [ 17(15*

immediately on the receipt of my letter. I iirformed
him with his Majesty's general ideas, and pressed him
most sincerely to take a part on this occasion, which
no man was more capable, both by parts and judgment,
to maintain ; that, though I knew the dislike he had
to public employments, yet that he himself would regret,
ten years hence, having given up this opportunity of
serving the King most essentially, and serving the
public also. I proposed to him, if Secretary of State
should stagger him, that he would be First Lord of
Trade with the Cabinet -Council, as that would be
reckoned in the world to be short of what he had shown
himself fit for.

^^It did not avail me, as he was equally sanguine
that the affair in general must succeed; and that there
was no present need for him to engage in business;
yet that a place at Court was what he eould not endure,
from the attendance requisite. .Therefore, fearing his
stay in town might add to the other sw^icicms the
ministers would have, he would return directly into the
country, most heartily wishing us success.

^^ The Duke of Newcastle and the Marquis of Bock-
ingham both repeated their assurances, that our friends
were warm; and that, if Mr. Pitt took the lead, our
numbers would be very considerable.

" While I was at dinner, the Lord Temple sent to
inform me of his arrival in town. I desired him to
meet me at my house at six that evening. At six
we accordingly met, and I cannot help saying that I
think he was more verbose and pompous than Mr. Pitt;

Digitized by VjOOQIC

I765,] DUKE OF CUMBERLAND'S STATEMENT. 195

nor do I think so near concluding. I again stated to
him his Majesty's situation, displeased with his present
ministers, both for their behaviour in the Closet, and
that the King found them extremely dilatory in public
affairs. Wherefore his Majesty had chalked out for the
beginning of an arrangement, Mr. Pitt and Mr. Charles
Townshend, Secretaries of State; the Earl of Northum-
berland, First Lord of the Treasury ; the Duke of New-
castle and Lord Temple, — one President, the other
Privy Seal; and Lord Egremont, First Lord of the
Admiralty ; and had been pleased to order me to treat
with him and Mr. Pitt, as well as with those Lords
that formed the head of the Whig party, whom the
King looked upon as his best friends, and who had
always supported his Soyal Family. He made great
expressions of duty, deprecating any public situation
whatever; but at the end of a very long and tedious
conversation he desired to ask diree questions. The
first was, whether it was his Majesty's intention to
restore the officers of the army and others. The second^
that satisfaction must be made to the public for the
warrants^ favour shown to Lord Chief Justice Pratt,
and the system of affairs at home must be entirely
changed. The thirds that they might know the situa-
tion of foreign affairs, to see whether there was still a
possibUity of touowing what they thought the only
true system for this country. But^ even then, sup-
posing the answers from his Majesty should be both
favourable and gracious, they gave me no latitude
whatever to assure his Majesty of their readiness to

o 2

Digitized by VjOOQIC

196 DUKE OF CUMBERLAND'S STATEMENT. [l765.

come into his service. I strongly represented to them
the impropriety, in any negociation whatsoever, but
much more so when it was with the King; that as
to the first question, I need not ask it, as I had his
Majesty's most gracious promise on that^ without my
having asked it. That as ta the second proposition, I
could assure him it was the King's intention to do
handsomely by Lord Chief Justice Pratt, which was the
strongest proof his Majesty could give to his people,
when he supported by favours those judges who should
dare to stand up for the defence of the liberties of his
subjects; and that, therefore, I should hope less or
nothing need be said in parliament relative to this
affair; as it was never the duty of any well-wisher to
King or Constitution, to venture to trace exactly the
law-boundaries of the King's prerogative, or the pri-
vilege of his people.

"All I said on this occasion was extremely fruit-
less, and I was sorry to see it would be necessary that
something should be done parliamentary to ease the
minds of these gentlemen. As to the third question,
relating to Foreign Affairs, after much disputing, and
stating pro and con the impossibility of there being
time or means of stating the present view of foreign
affairs clear enough to enable them, as yet, to say
anything on that point, they desired that the question
might be: — Whether his Majesty was pleased to in-
tend a counter-system to be formed t^ the House of
Bourbon.

" This conversation, though here stated as that of the

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1766.] DUKE OF CUMBERLAND'S STATEMENT. 197

Wednesday ahney includes the purport of that of the
Thursday also, when he returned from Hayes ; and on
my understanding him to speak for Mr. Pitt as well
as for himself, he objected, and desired Lord Albemarle
would make one jaunt more to Hayes, to know whether
Mr. Pitt's final answer would be of the same nature ;
and such as it proved I will again now recapitulate
as nearly as I can, which was: — That he (Mr. Pitt) was
ready to assist his Majesty's aflfairs, as a private person,
as far as they should agree with the general idea of
measures that had been laid down; but that neither
Lord Temple nor he could engage themselves any fur-
ther, until his Majesty should deign to answer their
doubts, stated in the three questions ; that they were
highly sensible of his Majesty's grace and favour, in
having condescended thus far towards them.

" Thus far, I have accounted to the Friday evening,
May the 10th, for all that passed in the negociation
with these two persons chiefly ; as I had no difficulties
with our friends, but a little too much caution, not
caring to engage without Mr. Pitt. Of this number I
must except the Marquis of Kockingham, who from pri-
vate reasons and inclination, prefers a private life, and
really thinks he might be equally useful to his King and
country ; yet when he saw the shyness of our friends he
shook off his natural dislike and was ready to kiss the
King's hand in whatever shape was most for the service
in general. To this resolution I flatter myself his
personal friendship for me had some share, seeing
the distressed situation my friends had left me in, from

Digitized by VjOOQIC

198 DUKE OP CUMBERIiAND'S STATEMENT. [1766.

their fears of stirring hand or foot without Mr. Pitt at
their head.

" Late this Friday evening, Lord Northumberland
desired to see Lord Albemarle, when he expressed the
King's impatience for a determination, and agreed to
call on me the next morning at eight o'clock. Accord-
ingly, on Saturday morning he came. I desired he
would acquaint his Majesty that it was with the utmost
concern I was obliged to inform him that, in answer to
his gracious oflfers, I had nothing to return but compli-
ments and doubts; that he (Lord Northumberland)
might inform his Majesty of their three questions^
though I had told them that I did not think it decent
to propose them, when the King's answer should noways
bind them; and his Majesty would be at liberty, either
to order them to be answered, or leave the negociation
there; that I had done my utmost, and that though I
had failed, yet it was not my fault, nor that of my
friends, any further than the timidity and fear of acting
without Mr. Pitt — ^that the negociation being now at an
end, I humbly hoped for his Majesty's leave to return
into the country, there to lament over my inutility in
the King's service. He stopped me and desired I would
not leave London that day, as perhaps he might have
some fresh message from his Majesty.

" It will be necessary here to give an account of a
trifling event in itself, but which was artfully worked
up, and did his Majesty's negociations the utmost harm,
as it represented the King's desire of amending his
Administration, and, therefore, parting with the Duke

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1765.] DUKE OF CUMBERLAND'S STATEMENT. 199

of Bedford would look like the giving him up to the
incensed mob.

•* The whole winter there had been heavy complaints
that so many French silk stu£& were introduced, that
our looms stood still, and numbers of families were
starving for want of work in Spitalfields, Moorfields, &c.
Mr. George GrenviUe countenanced a Bill in the House
of Commons, intended for their relief; but, as I have
been informed, it would noways have turned out either
to their advantage or to trade in general. This Bill,
after much canvassing in the House of Commons, was
transmitted to the Lords. Here, unluckily, though
perhaps not unjustly, the Duke of Bedford takes up the
Bill and throws it out, without a second reading or com-
mitting of it. This haughty treatment was on the
Monday the 15th of May, the same day that the House
of Lords went through the Regency Bill. Several of
the master-weavers*- who attended at the bar of the
House, resented this treatment as they called it, threat-
ening that they and their people should endeavour to
petition the King for redress. On Tuesday they came
down in great numbers, but insulted no one, and the
King being gone to Richmond that day, they returned
home. On Wednesday they came and beset the House
of Parliament ; but piqued themselves on behaving
respectfully to his Majesty, who came to the house that
day. But then, they declared they would have satis-
faction of the Duke of Bedford, attempted to insult him,
and broke his coach-glass as he drove through them.
Hereupon the mob resolved to go to Bedford House to

Digitized by VjOOQIC

200 DUKE OF CUMBERLAND'S STATEMENT. [J766.

pull it dowD and murder the Duke. All the Guards,
horse and foot, that were in or about the town, were
ordered up, and some mischief was done, especially in
Bloomsbury Square, where the proclamation was obliged
to be read before they dispersed. This was the last
and only weak eflfort of a deluded but half-starved people.
But though they were quiet and submitted, yet it was
taken up with such warmth, and such ungenerous
innuendoes that it raised a flame in the House, which
served them very usefully on this occasion ; but which
zeal died instantly on His Majesty's reinstating them
into his service again; and on letters from the Earl
of Halifax to Lord Hillsborough, wrote to communicate
to the master weavers, assuring them the Bill should
pass both Houses.

" On Saturday afternoon, May 11, about five o'clock,
being just sat down to dinner with my sister at her
house, the Marquis of Sockingham and the Earl of Al-
bemarle came to me from the Earl of Northumberland,
acquainting me that I was hardly gone from my house
before the Earl of Northumberland arrived there; and
finding them there he desired them to inform me that
he was that moment arrived from Bichmond, and that
Lord Northumberland believed his Majesty would desire
me to go in person to Hayes; that I might take Guards
with me, if I pleased, as the King no longer intended
the negociation should be carried on in secret. I set
out for the Lodge as soon as my set of horses could be
put to, and I arrived a little after six, and staid till past
ten. I found the King much agitated, and after the

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1765.] DUKE OF CUMBERLAND'S STATEMENT. 201

most gracious reception, expressed his desire to know
what had passed with Lord Temple and Mr. Pitt; which
I did in the most ample manner, agreeable to all that
has been related before. The King said, that notwith-
standing all that had passed, he would still have me
trj what I could do personally at Hayes, and the better
to put me au fait of the true state of his affairs be
went through, in a masterly and exact manner, all that
had passed since Lord Bute's resigning the Treasury.
He also went through Mr. Pitt's two audience^ of Au-
gust, 1763; particularizing, with great justness, the cha-
racters of several persons who are now upon the stage,
or who are but just dropped off. In short, it was a
conversation too important (I hope) to forget; but
improper for pen and ink.

'^ Sunday, May the 12th, Lord Albemarle and I set
out for Hayes, between nine and ten in the morning;
and just before we set out I desired Lord Temple might
have a note to meet us at eleven. I got to Hayes,
and kept Mr. Pitt Ute-drtite for an hour and a half,
before Lord Temple joined us and Lord Albemarle. I
repeated to Mr. Pitt the King's most sincere desire of
seeing affairs both at home and abroad carried on with
more spirit and activity than he was able to do with
this present Administration. That his Majesty had
looked round, and found none so proper to assist him in
reinstating affairs as he (Mr. Pitt); that, therefore, as
great marks as the King could give of his sincere desire
for his assistance, he had ordered me personally to go
down and bring him to Court, where his Majesty desired

Digitized by VjOOQIC

202 DUKE OP CUMBERLAND'S STATEMENT. [l7«&.

he would take an active part. I represented to him
the manner in which this Administration used his Ma-
jesty, and that no time was to be lost, as the Parlia-
ment must be soon up; that this country looked up
to him as the man who had been the author of the great
successes during the war; that they almost universally
wished him at the head of public aflfairs; the public
affairs requiring as much spirit in their present situa-
tion as they might have done during the war.

" He began his answer by desiring that he might be
laid at the King's feet; that he was confounded at the
honour which it pleased his Majesty to think of him at
all; but much more so for that distinguished mark of
his grace and fiivour, which he received by my personal
visit; that he was almost rendered an invalid by the
gout ; but that he had still vigour and strength of mind
to undertake business, if he saw a probability of success;
tiiat, as to foreign affitirs (which he began with) he was
afraid that his personal ideas were so much disliked at
Court; he would even own, that perhaps nine men in
ten in the kingdom were against him in opinion, but
timt yet it was his opinion, and therefore it rendered
him, if not totally improper to enter into his Majesty's
Council, at least it would incapacitate him from acting
in the intended sphere of Secretary of State, as, in
honour, he never could set his hand to what was dia-
metrically opposite to his opinion. That in any other
situation, he would give his negative or single voice in
Council without any further consequence attending
thereon ; that, without foreign affairs were altered, he

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1765.] DUKE OF CUMBERLAND'S STATEMENT. 203

could see bat little hopes that other things, equally
necessary, would follow; and then repeated the iJtree
questions which have already been mentioned. First,
that a counter-alliance be formed to the House of
Bourbon; secondly, that the officers particularly, as
well as others, who had been turned out for their opinions
in Parliament^ should be restored ; thirdly, that some-
thing must be done to put people's minds at ease with
regard to the illegality of the warrants."

Here ends the Duke of Cumberland's narrative. He
infers, rather than states, rtiiat his mission was unsuc-
cessful. If Pitt had been guided by his political prin-
ciples, he would at once have coalesced with Lord Rock^
ingham and his friends. But, influenced by Temple
(who wished the " brothers," as they were called, should
form a government of tiiemselves), he declined the
overtures of the Court, and it is said, that at parting
he mournfully addressed his brother-in-law with Virgil's
lines : —

" Exstinxti me teque, Boror, popdumque patresque
Sidonios^ urbemque tuam." *

On the 18th of May, Mr. Grenville wailed upon the
King, with the speech which was to close the session.
" There is no hurry," said the King; "I will have the
Parliament adjourned, not prorogued." — "Has your
Majesty any thoughts of making a change in your
Administration?" inquired Grenville.— "Certainly," was
the reply, " I cannot bear it as it is."—" I hope your

* Yirg. Mn. iv. 682.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

204 CHARACTER OF LORD LYTTLETON. [l766-

Majesty will not order me to cut my own throat?" —
" Then," said the King, "who must adjourn the Parlia-
ment?" — "Whoever," replied the Minister, "your
Majesty shall appoint my successor."

This significant hint was followed by an intimation
from the four Ministers, that they should resign the
following Tuesday, if no administration was formed in
the meanwhile.

The Duke of Cumberland's services were again
placed in requisition, and the government was next
offered to George, Lord Lyttleton.

This noble poet, historian, and statesman, was the
eldest son of Sir Thomas Lyttleton, of Hagley, Worces-
tershire, to whose estates he succeeded in 1751. He
was one year older than his cousin, William Pitt, Earl
of Chatham. The two kinsmen were contemporaries
at Eton, entered Parliament the same year, made their
parliamentary d&njA on the same day, and for a long
period occupied the same bench in the House of Com-
mons. Lyttleton, Ayscough, whose sister he had mar-
ried, Bichard, George, James, and Thomas Grenville,
and William Pitt, formed that political faction which
first went by the name of the " Cobham Squadron," and
was afterwards spoken of as the " Grenville connection."

When Pitt, " that terrible cornet of horse," was
stripped of his commission in the Blues by Walpole,
Frederick, Prince of Wales, indemnified him with the
post of Groom of the Bedchamber, and his poetical
cousin, Lyttleton, was at the same time appointed private
secretary to his Royal Highness. George the Second,

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1766.] CHARACTER OF LORD LYTTLETON. 205

who could never understand, " what Boetry was good
for," showed but little favour to the gentis irritoMle.
His son Frederick, on the contrary, took them under
his especial protection, and they repaid his patronage
with the incense of their muse. His Royal Highness's
secretary, who, though not yet known as an historian?
was already celebrated for his pastorals, and other
light pieces, came in for his full share of these flattering
effiisions. Thomson, Shenstone, Hammond, Capel LoflFt
are among his warm eulogists, and though last, not
least, Pope says of him,

*' Free as young Ly ttleton her cause pursue.
Still true to virtue, and as wann as true."

But our business is rather with Lyttleton as a poli-
tician than as a poet He filled, at different times, the
offices of Lord of the Treasury, Cofferer of the House-
hold, and Chancellor of the Exchequer. For the last of
these employments, he appears to have been but little
qualified, seeing that, '^ he never could comprehend the
commonest rules of arithmetic."

In 1751, Sir George was advanced to the dignity of
a Baron.

Lyttleton was born at seven months, and thrown
away by the nurse as a dead child, but upon closer
inspection was found to be alive. Though he lived to
the age of sixty-four, his appearance bespoke this in-
auspicious entry into the world. He was a pale, thin
man, with a very plain face, and with a frame so loosely
put together, that " every limb was an incumbrance."

Digitized by VjOOQIC

206 CHARACTER OP LORD LYTTLETON. [1766.

In one of the caricatures of the times, his tall, spare

form is portrayed, and attached to it is the following

doggrel : —

*' Bat who be dat bestride a pony,
So long, 80 lean^ so lank, so bony ?
Dat be de great orator Littletony."

Horace Walpole, with his usual love of antithesis,
thus describes his character.

^' No man so propense to art was less artful ; no man
staked his honestj to less purpose, for he was so awk-
ward that honesty was the only quality that seemed
natural to him. His cunning was so often in default
that he was a kind of beacon that warned men not to
approach the shallows on which he founded his attach-
ments always at a wrong season."

Lyttleton was a constant speaker in parliament. Of
his merits in that capacity there are different opinions.
His speech on the "Jew Bill," has been cited as a
model of oratory. He is said to have spoken well when
he studied his part. " With the figure of a spectre,"
says Walpole, " and the gesticulations of a puppet, he
talked heroics through his nose." Lord Hervey's de-
scription of his mode of speaking is not more flattering :
" He had a great flow of words, that were uttered in
a lulling monotony, and the little meaning they had
to boast of, was generally borrowed from common-place
maxims of moralists, philosophers, patriots, and poets,
crudely imbibed, half digested, ill put together, and
confusedly refunded."

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1766.] PROTECTIONIST RIOTS. 207

As Lord Lyttleton would give no answer to the Duke
of Cumberland, unless he were allowed to consult his
kinsmen, Pitt and Temple, his Royal Highness recom-
mended the King to recall his ministers.

While the affairs of the kingdom were in this un-
settled state, the riots alluded to in the Duke of
Cumberland's narrative assumed a more alarming as-
pect. On Wednesday, the 15th of May, large bodies
of weavers, with black flags, went down to the Houses
of Parliament, and implored the King, who went in
person to give his assent to the Regency Bill, to inter-
pose in behalf of themselves and their families. The
Duke of Bedford, who was better versed in the science
of political economy than his contemporaries, defeated
this impolitic attempt to obtain what would now be
termed "protection to native industry." He, conse-
quently, became the principal object of the attack of
the rioters. One of the mob taking up a large paving-
stone, dashed it into his chariot. The Duke broke the
force of the blow by holding up his arm, but the stone
cut his hand and bruised his temple. Two days after-
wards, Bedford House was completely besieged by the
rioters, who could only be repelled by a body of cavalry.
Hence, it was deemed expedient to employ a larger
military force.

As the Ministers were now at open war with the
King, they made their arrangements necessary for the
suppression of the disturbances subservient to the as-
sertion of their authority. Aware that the King would
wish to appoint the Duke of Cumberland on the occa-

Digitized by VjOOQIC

208 APPOINTMENT OF COMMANDER OF TROOPS. [1766.

sion, they not only resolved to nominate another officer
to the chief command, but to insinuate very broadly
to the King that his uncle was no " favourite of the
people."

THE EARL OF HALIFAX TO THE KING.

May 20 (1765).

** His Majesty will determine whether it may not be
proper to appoint the Marquis of Granby to the chief
command of the troops to-morrow, with the Earl of
Waldegrave (who offers himself, as well as the Duke
of Richmond, for the service), or any other general
officers his Majesty shall please to appoint. Lord
Granby is a very popular man, and might save the
lives of these deluded wretches, which may be exposed
and sacrificed by another commander, equally well-
intentioned, but less a favourite of the people."

the king, in reply, writes, —

" Lord Halifax,

" I will be at St. James's by twelve to-morrow, when
I will receive the address of the Lords, through the
white staves.

^' As to the directions I shall think necessary to give,
for appointing any generals, I will also talk of that
when I shall see you at that hour at St. James's.

" A council must be ordered as for that hour.

" The regiment at Chatham must be instantly or-

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1766.] CORREa^NDENCE ON THE RIOTS. 209

dered to advance. You will, therefore, intimate this,
in my name, to the Secretary at War."*

The King sent copies of Lord Halifax's memorandum
and of his own answer, to the Duke of Cumberland, witli
the following letter from himself: —

"Dear Uncle,

" The very friendly and warm part you have taken
has given me real satisfaction; but I little thought 1
should be so troublesome to you, as the conduct of the
men I have employed forces me. I, in the whole course
of the transaction, had proposed consulting you in all
military aflFairs. But now, I must desire you to take
the command to-morrow morning, sis Captain-General.
I should think. Lord Albemarle very proper to put your
orders in execution. I have sent this by one who has
my orders not to deliver it to any one but yourself, and
to bring an immediate answer, and also your opinion
where and how soon we can meet ; for if any disturbance
arises in^^the night, I should think the hour proposed for
to-morrow too late. I beg you will show the enclosed
abstract of their very extraordinary paper to those
whom you think it may force to act a right part.
" I remain, dear Uncle,
*' Tour most affectionate nephew,

"George R."

* Lord Frederick Cavendish, who forwarded a transcript of these
letters to Lord Rockingham writes, " Here is the copy (Lord Albe-
inarle^s writing at the time) of the King's letter to Lord Halifax. I
think that the word instantly, in ordering the regiment to march from
Chatham rather shows he was not quite at ease about the riots."

VOL. L P

Digitized by VjOOQIC

210 CORRESPONDENCE ON TH^ RIOTS. [l766.

The Duke of Cumberland's answex —
" Sir, « Richmond.

" I shall ever obey your orders with obedience and
readiness. All I hope is, I am only ordered, and ex-
pected on this occasion.

^^ I don't imagine this report ought to break a moment
of your Majesty's rest. I wish to God you had no more
formidable enemies than these poor wretches.

^^ I shall attend at eleven at St. James's with that zeal
and affection,

" Your most humble and dutiful attached Uncle,
" Servant, and subject,

" William."

Copies of the foregoing correspondence were forwarded
to Lord Rockingham by Lord Frederick Cavendish,*
with the following letter from himself: —

"May 21, 1765.
" Enclosed are the papers your Lordship saw last
night. His Royal Highness desires you would not

* Lord Frederick Cavendish, third son of William, third Duke of
Devonshire, godson of Frederick, Prince of Wales. He was, at this
time. Lord of the Bedchamher to the Duke of Cumberland, a Major-
Genend, and became eventually a Field-marshal. He was a good
cavalry officer, and distinguished himself on several occasions in the
Seven Years* War.

" Lord Frederick,* says Walpole, " was lively, and having lived in
courts and camps, a favourite of the Duke of Cumberland, was by far
the most agreeable, and possessed the most usefiil sense of the whole
family."

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1766] PROROGATION OF PARLIAMENT. 211

show any of them, except Lord Halifax's letter to the
King, and his Majesty's answer, and of those two you
may make sach use as yon think proper.

^^ Mr. Pitt said he thought, on such an information as
the Secretary of State had, it was his duty^ though he
should happen to be under hb Majesty's displeasure, to
suggest to him such measures as the exigency of the
time might require, but owned he should not have wrote
in such a style — thought his Majesty would do perfectly
right in appointing his Hoyal Highness Commander-in-
Chief, and he should say he approved of it. He was
sorry to find there was so much confusion, but did not
see a possibility of his being able to be of any service,
for as yet he had heard nothing that gave him room to
hope the Closet would be propitious to him. On the
contrary, my Lord Bute, whose influence was as strong
as ever, and whose notions of government were widely
different from his, would disincline the King to his
system; but expressed a wish that his Koyal Highness
would persuade his friends to undertake the King's
affairs.

" He drew a conclusion from the situation of the pre-
sent Ministers, that if they were turned out for no other
reason than supporting the measures they advised, it
augured ill for him, and therefore he must know why
they were turned out."

The Duke of Bedford and his colleagues, once more
in the ascendant, prorogued tiie Parliament on the 25th
of May. The King, thwarted in his attempts to get rid

p 2

Digitized by VjOOQIC

212 MINISTERIAL DIFFICULTIES OF THE KING. [1765.

of them, took every occasion of marking his resentment
against them. The Ministers proposed to make Lord
Waldegrave Master of the Horse to the Queen. Her
Majesty said, no Minister should interfere in her family,
and appointed the Duke of Ancaster. The first regiment
that fell vacant was bestowed on Lord Albemarle's bro-
ther. General Keppel, The young Duke of Devonshire
was, by the desire of George the Third, carried to Court
and greatly caressed by his Majesty, and it was inti-
mated to his uncles that the King regretted the manner
in which the Duke, his father, had been treated.

On the other hand, the Ministers were not passive
under these marks of the royal displeasure. On the
12th of June, the Duke of Bedford, Lords Sandwich and
Halifax, and Mr. Grenville, brought the King a remon-
strance, which took an hour in reading. When they
were gone, the King said, that, " If he had not broken
out into the most profuse sweat, he should have been
sufibcated with indignation." *

Again was the Duke of Cumberland called upon to
extricate his royal nephew out of his difficulties. Over-
tures were renewed to Mr. Pitt, who after two audiences
of the King, undertook the direction of affairs, and even
nominated to several offices. Thus Lord Temple was
named for the Treasury, the Duke of Grafton for Secre-
tary of State with himself. Sir George Savile for Secre-
tary at War, and Saunders and Keppel for seats at the
Admiralty Board. The last interview with the King
was on the 22nd, on the following day the Duke of
* Walpole*8 George the Third.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

n06.] LORD. TEMPLE REFUSES OFFICE. 213

Newcastle wrote to Lord Albemarle. " I had the
honour this morning of your Lordship's letter, wherein
you acquaint me, by His Royal Highnesses order, with
Mr. Pitt's acceptance :" an intimation which does away
with Adolphus's statement that Mr. Pitt " required time
to deliberate." *

But scarcely had these arrangements been concluded,
when Temple declined to accept the Treasury. The
effect which this refusal had upon his brother-in-law will
be seen in the following letter from his Royal Highness
the Duke of Cumberland : —

H.E.H. THE DUKE OP CUMBERLAND TO THE EARL OF
ALBEMARLE.

" Windsor Great Lodge, June 26, 1765.
" I FEAR, by what I understood last night from his
Majesty, that we are all afloat again, Lord Temple
having most peremptorily and determinately refused
bearing a part in any shape, great or small, in the
Administration to be formed. This declaration of Lord
Temple's prevents Pitt from taking a share, which in-
deed most tiioroughly and most heartily he had done.
He, Pitt, is to be this morning with the King again,
with whom he intended to part with the utmost respect
and thankfulness, declaring with what great satisfaction
he would have undertaken affairs, if my Lord Temple
would have come in with him. He is also to declare
that he would not have displaced either the Earl of

♦ Adolphus's History of Geoige the Third, i, 180, 2nd edition.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

214 LETTER TO LORD ALBEMARLE. [l765.

Huntingdon,* Lord Pomfret,t Lord Denbigh,| Lord
Litchfield, J Lord Despenser or Mr. Elliott, || or Mr. Os-
wald.^ Moreover, Mr. M*Kenzie to be restored to the
sine-cuTG of Privy Seal of Scotland, though not to
power.

" These circumstances, so different from what I
hoped and really thought were in a manner settled,
must, I suppose, bring me to town again. In the mean
time, either before you leave London, or else, if you
don't propose coming fix)m thence to-day, I should beg a
line from you by the return of the messenger, after
you have seen the Marquis and the Duke of Grafton,
informing them with the purport of this letter, and
observing to them, that I found the King already
intrenching himself with Pitt's promises of mercy in so
many particulars. By what I can pick up, Pitt is
completely mortified, and I am heartily sorry for it, as
he had entered more sincerely and cordially into the
King's service, nay, and went farther almost than the
King's views.

** I am your very affectionate friend,

" WiLLLiM."

* Francis Hastings, Earl of Huntingdon, Groom of the Stole.

t George Fermor, second Earl of Pomfret, a Lord of the Bed-
chamber, Ranger of the Little Park at Windsor.

J Basil Fielding, sixth Earl of Denbigh, Master of the Harriers.

§ George Henry Lee, Earl of Lichfield, a Lord of the Bedchamber.

II Mr., afterwards Sir Gilbert, Elliot, Treasurer of the Chambers,
«* a chief confidant of the fevourite.**

IT James Oswald of Brumikier, joint Vice- Treasurer of Ireland.

All the persons here named were either Tories or " King's friends.**

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1765.] LETTER TO LORD HARDWICKE. 215

The unpleafiant position of the King firom so many
abortive attempts to fonn an administration, particu-
larly the last, which had failed through the refusal of
Lord Temple, is thus adverted to in a letter from

ME. CAMBRIDGE* TO THE EARL OF HARDWICEE.

" June 29th, 1765.
^' Templa quam dilecta." f

" If your curiosity leads you to question me in that
way, I answer, that all the Politicos leave me to my

* Richard Owen Cambridge, author of the ^' Scribbleriad," and
several mmor poems, also a contributor to the " World." Although
his works are now almost forgotten^ he was one of the most popular
writers of his day.

He was an agreeable companion, and possessed a most extensive
acquaintance amongst men of all ranks, parties, and professions. He
lived almost entirely at his villa at Twickenham, in a house still
occupied by his family. Cambridge was a great toxophilite, the head
of a duck swimming in the Thames was a favourite mark which
he seldom missed. One singularity he had^ which has ceased to be
one now, he was a " teetotaller." His friend. Lord Chesterfield, thus
describes him : — " Cantabrigius drinks nothing but water, and rides
more miles in a year than the keenest sportsman ; the former keeps
his head clear, the latter his body in health : it is not from himself
that he runs, but to his acquaintance, a synonymous term for his
friends. Internally safe, he seeks no sanctuary frx)m himself. No
intoxication for his mind. His penetration makes him discover and
divert himself with the follies of mankind, which hb wit makes him
to expose with the truest ridicule, but always without personal
ofTence. Cheerful abroad, because happy at home, and thus happy
because virtuous." — (A paper written to expose the folly and ill
effects of hard drinking).

t The family motto of Earl Temple, a punning paraphrase of a
verse of the 84th Psalm.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

216 MR. CAMBRIDGE [1765.

own conjectures. The late interludes have ended like
the tragedy of Tom Thumb, for all the dramatis persorue
are dead ; and if Dr. Young was alive, he might truly
begin a new piece : —

" ' Like Death a solitary king I reign.*

" One authentic piece of news I will tell you, and
you may make the most of it. With my own eyes I
have just seen the Duke of Cumberland cross the ferry
to Richmond, otherwise I should begin my drama,
* Enter a King and Mr. Brown * solus J There are
who report that they have seen a ministry in manu-
script at Windsor, but I do not hear that it is yet
ordered to be printed at Strawberry Hill,t — not

* Lancelot Brown, the famous landscape gardener, called from the
constant use of the words, ** This spot has great capabilities," " Capa-
bility Brown." The grounds of Richmond, Luton, Stowe, Nuneham,
and Wimbleton bespeak the high cultivation of his taste. To some
places, however, he would not allow any "capabilities." When
desired by the King to improve the grounds at Hampton Court, he
declined the hopeless task, " out of respect to himself and his profes-
sion." To a nobleman whose territory was very dreary. Brown said,
" My lord, there is nothing to be done here, unless you plant one-
half of your estate, and lay the other half under water." After lay-
ing out the fine piece of water at Blenheim, Brown is said to have
exclaimed, " Thames 1 thou wilt never forgive me." The King was
living at this time in such complete seclusion, that Cambridge's idea
of " a King and Mr. Brown solusy*' was very natural. By the
Chatham Correspondence, it appears that his Majesty occasionally
employed Mr. Brown on political errands. Mason says, that when
Brown's death reached the royal ear, his Majesty went over to Rich-
mond Gardens, and, in a tone of great satisfaction, said to the under
gardener, " Brown is dead. Now, Mellicant, you and I can do what
we please."

t Horace Walpole's printing press at Strawberry Hill.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1765.] TO LORD HARDWICKE. 217

un-apropos^ as Conway is there to correct the press.
Errata : — For * Ellis' read ' Conway/ for ' Stanley ' read
' Ellis; for ' Clive' read ' Young/

" G. Selwyn wants to make wit out of gold and
pewter, but does not bring them together, nor yet in
opposition, with any tolerable success. I wish it had
been witty, for your sake, for I send you nothing but a
melancholy account of our miscarriages in wit and poli-
tics, and conclude very seriously, in praying for some
happy end to the present very unhappy state of a great
nation, and its greater dependencies, being at present
without government. We laughed at the perplexity the
foreigners were in the other day; I am afraid now wc
may be ashamed to think they see too plainly the con-
temptible figure we make."

Digitized by VjOOQIC

218 MEETING OF WHIG LEADERS. [1765.

CHAPTER VIII.

MESTINO OF WHIG LBADRB8. — OHASAOTEBS OF DUKB OF OKAFTOH,
OBN. OONWATy DOWPSSWBLL, LORD JOHN CAVENDISH, THOMAS TOWNS-
HEND, AND SIB O. 8AYILB. — BOCKINOHAM ADMINISTRATION. — OHA-
RACTBB OF, AND OYEBTUSBS TO, LORD SHBLBITBNE. — LOBD DART-
MOUTH. — LORD Holland's overtures. — death of duke of Cum-
berland. — THE ''GENERAL WARRANT." — THE KINO'S AVERSION TO
THE ROOKmaHAM ADMINISTRATION. — THE STAMP ACT. — OPENING OF
PARLLOIENT. — THE KING'S CORRESPONDENCE ON PARLIAMENTARY

DEBATES. ^PROPOSED CHANGE OF MINISTRY. — OVERTURES TO PITT.

CHARACTERS OF LORDS TALBOT AND NORTHINGTON. — RIGHT OF

TAXING THE COLONIES. — CABINET RESOLUTIONS ON THE STAMP ACT.
— CORRESPONDENCE AND DEBATES ON ITS REPEAL. — PAMPHLET ON
THE REPEAL. — CHARACTER OF JEREMIAH DYSON. — BILL FOR REPEAL
PASSED.

On the 30th of June, a meeting of the Whig leaders

was held at the Duke of Newcastle's. The following

paper, drawn up by his Grace, makes us acquainted with

the result of their deliberations : —

•
" This day, the Lords and Gentlemen hereunder

mentioned, viz.,

"1. Duke of Portland,
2. Marquis of Rockingham^
S. Earl of Albemarle,

4. Earl of Ashbumham,

5, Earl of Besborough,

Digitized by VjOOQIC

17G5.] MEETING OF WHIG LEADERS. 219

6. Lord George '\

7. Lord Frederick > Cavendish^

8. Lord John )

9. Lord Viscount Villiers,

10. Lord Grantham,

11. General Con way>

12. Hon. Colonel Fitzroy,

13. Hon. T. Walpole,

14. Captain Wa1singham>

15. Mr. George Onslow,

16. Mr. Charles Townshend of HomiBgham,

17. Mr. Charles Townshend, junior,

18. Duke of Newcastle,

were unanimously of opinion that they could not venture
to come into any new Administration, except it was
agreed that the thought of replacing Mr. Mackenzie
should be laid aside; and also, that some of the par-
ticular friends of the Earl of Bute should be removed,
as a proof to the world that the Earl of Bute should
not, either publicly or privately, directly or indirectly,
have any concern or influence in public affairs, or in
the management or disposition of public employments.

"It was then considered whether these conditions,
being previously agreed to (as his Majesty had been
pleased to signify his intention to have a new Adminis-
tration) any of the persons here would, upon the con-
ditions above mentioned, advise and assist the forming
a new administration. Upon which there was a diffe-
rence of opinion.

*'l. nuke of Portland,

2. Idarquis of Rockingham^

3. Earl of Albemarle,

4. Earl of Besborough,

Digitized by VjOOQIC

220 CHARACTER 0# DUKE OF GRAFTON. [l765.

5. Lord George Cavendish,

6. Lord Frederick Cavendish,

7. Lord John Cavendish,
8* Lord Grantham,

9. General Conway,

10. Colonel Fitzroy,

11. Captain Walsingham,
\2. Duke of Newcastle,

declared strongly of opinion that they should advise and
assist the forming a new administration, to be composed
of proper persons, upon the conditions above-mentioned.

" 1 . Earl of Ashbumham,

2. Lord Viscount Villiers,

3. Mr. George Onslow,

4. Mr. T. Walpole,

5. Mr. Charles Townshend of Homingham,

6. Mr. Charles Townshend, junior,

were of opinion that, in the present circumstances, no
new administration should be undertaken."

In accordance with the opinion of the majority of
this meeting, a new Ministry was formed, at the head
of which was the Marquis of Rockingham.

Augustus Henry Fitzroy, third Duke of Grafton,
obtained the seal of Secretary of State for the Southern
Department. He was at this time in his thirty-second
year, and possessed considerable graces, both of mind
and person. But these advantages were marred by an
infirmity of purpose or principle, which coloured, if it
did not justify, the assaults of Junius. We are not
bound to believe, on the assertion of that terrible

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1766.] CHARACTER OP DUKB OF GRAFTON. 221

shadow,* that "the Duke of Grafton's heart was the
blackest in the kingdom." But we can hardly avoid
the conclusion, with his whole career before us, that^
the period of his ministerial life, during which he held
ofl5ce under a Tory Government, was calamitous for his
country and disreputable to himself. He abandoned
the principles in which he had been reared, and the
patron by whom he had been initiated into statesman-
ship. He quitted Chatham for Bute, and the doctrines
of the Whigs for those of the "King's Friends;" nor
was his inconstancy more venial, because he occasionally
allied himself with the Bedford party, and with the other
political connections, at the suggestions of a selfish
prudence, or a yet more selfiish ambition. The incon-
gruity of. the Duke of Grafton's conduct was the more
striking, because the commencement and the close of
his political life were both of them in strict accordance
with the principles of the Constitution » Could his
intermediate career be blotted out from the annals of
his country, he would have transmitted a respectable,
if not a distinguished, name to posterity. But his
memory must ever be exposed to the censure which
history pronounces upon those who sanction measures
which they cannot approve; and who, by the distrust
they thereby inspire, weaken the bonds of the more
consistent sections of parties.

" The Duke of Grafton," writes an anonymous con-
temporary, "is "one of the most persuasive, or rather
pathetic, speakers in the House. His speeches are

♦ " Norninis umbra," the motto to the Letters of Junius.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

222 CHARACTER OP nUKE OF GRAFTON. [W66.

delivered in the style of a gentleman and a seholar.
His language is chosen, chaste, and correct. His judg-
ment in arranging his matta* is not equalled by either
side of the House." Walpole has made the following
contrast between this Duke and the one who succeeded
him in his office : — " Richmond and Grafton were much
of an age; each regarded himself as a prince of the
blood; and emulation soon created a sort of rivalship
between them. The Duke of Richmond's figure was
noble and his person singularly handsome. The Duke
of Grafton was low, but manly, with much grace in his
address. The passions of both were strong, but of the
first, ardent; of the latter, slow and inflexible. The
Duke of Grafton had a grace and dignity in his utter-
ance, that commanded attention in lieu of matter; and
his temper being shy and reserved, he was supposed to
be endued with more steadiness than his subsequent
conduct displayed."

Greorge Bloomfidd, the elder brother of Robert, the
" Farmer's Boy," thought that, in the books published
by his brother, " the great and truly good man, the
late Duke of Grafton, ought to have been more
particularly mentioned. Surely," continues George
Bloomfield, "after near thirty years, the good sense
and benevolence of that real noMemsxi may he men-
tioned. When in my boyhood he held the highest
office in the state that a subject can fill, and, like all
that attain such pre-eminence, had his enemies; yet
the more Junius and others railed at him, the more
I revered him. He was our ' Lord of the Manor,' and

Digitized by VjOOQ IC

1765.] CHARACTER OF DUKE OF GRAFTON. 223

as I knew well his private character, I have no doubt
that he was * all of a piece.' I have on foot joined the
fox^shace, and followed the Duke many an hour, and
witnessed his endearing condescension to all who could
run and shout."

There was, however, a portion of society not of an
age and size to participate in the Duke of Grafton's
favourite amusement, and these were not so honoured
as George Bloomfield; and it is to that portion I then
belonged. His Grace was not fond of children; they
came in for no share of his " endearing condescension."
I have a lively recollection of the awe with which he
inspired me. As the Duke's and my father's country
houses in Suffolk were only four miles distant, and the
families were on intimate terms, I had frequent oppor-
tunities of seeing him during the first twelve years of
my life. On some occasions I saw him in the luncheon
room at Euston Hall, but this was a rare occurrence, for
I was generally hurried out of the room whenever he
was expected. I used mostly to meet him riding. He
was usually mounted on a fiery thorough-bred horse, on
which he sat with much ease and dignity. I know not
how far local traditions may have mixed with personal
recollections, but the "mind's eye" presents the picture
of an elderly gentleman, of spare form, middle stature,
straight silver hair, a prominent nose, and a countenance
of much severity ; and dressed in a light-coloured tight-
fitting coat, long black boots, and a small three-cornered
hat But it was not to us little people only that the
" Junius Duke of Grafton" was formidable. From the

Digitized by VjOOQIC

224 CHARAOTER OF GENERAL CONWAY. [l766.

accounts I have heard his nephew, the late General
William Fitzroy, give of him, he was evidently an object
of terror to

" Children of a larger growth."

The leadership in the House of Commons was assigned
to Lieut.-Greneral Henry Seymour Conway, who had
served with distinction at CuUoden, Fontenoy, and Laf-
feldt, and in 1761 had commanded the British division
under Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick. Conway was a
better soldier than he was an oflScer, and more of an
officer than a statesman. His features were singularly
handsome, and he was dignified in his person and de-
meanour. Although his disposition was courteous, his
constitutional timidity made him reserved, and he had
the semblance of pride without the advantage of firm-
ness. In the field he would march with imperturbable
coolness up to the cannon's mouth.* On the Treasury
Bench he faltered and wavered; and although by no
means deficient in eloquence, irresolution rendered his
speeches tedious and obscure. This infirmity of purpose
often laid him open to the sneers of his contemporaries.
It was said of him that if two doors opened to one
apartment, Conway would be tortured to decide through
which of them he should finally pass. He thus became
exposed to the influence of any one who would advise
him. Lord Eockingham urged upon him the claims of

♦ " I don't pretend," said George Stanhope, a brother of Lord
Chesterfield's, " to be like Harry Conway, who walks up to the mouth
of a cannon with as much coolness and grace as if he was going to
dance a minuet." — Walpole.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1705.] CHARACTER OF DOWDESWELL. 225

political virtue and independence, but into the other
ear Horace Walpole whispered the duty of self-interest ;
and Conway too generally preferred the worse to the
better reason.*

The virtues of William Dowdeswell, the Chancellor of
the Exchequer in the new Administration, have been
recorded in the epitaph which Burke has inscribed upon
his tomb — " An epitaph so perfectly true," says its
author, " that every word of it may be deposed upon
oath." Dowdeswell was fortunate in his chronicler,
but still more fortunate in having authenticated by
his life the portrait which friendship, both political
and personal, has drawn of him in the following
words : —

*^ His understanding was comprehensive, steady, vigor-
ous, made for the practical business of the State. In
debate he was clear, natural, and convincing. His
knowledge on all things which concerned his duty pro-
found : he understood, beyond any man of his time, the
revenue of his country, which he preferred to every
thing except its liberties; he was perfect master of the
law of Parliament, and attached to its privileges, until
they were set up against the rights of the people.''

Lord John Cavendish, a younger son of the third
Duke of Devonshire, was one of the new Lords of the
Treasury. His tutor at Cambridge was Mason the poet,

* Since the above remarks on Conway were in type, my friend Sir
Denis Le Marchant has sent me some of the Field-Marshal's early
letters to Walpole; which, as they are both characteristic and
amusing, I have placed in the Appendix to this volume.
VOL. I. Q

Digitized by VjOOQIC

226 CHARACTER OF LORD JOHN CAVENDISH. [l766.

who on his leaving the University addressed to him the
beautiful lines beginning —

*' Ere yet, ingenuous youth, thy steps retire."

Like Dowdeswell's, Lord John's character was irre-
proachable; his conduct was uniformly marked by gene-
rosity, sincerity, openness, and integrity. His manners,
like Dowdeswell's, were thoroughly simple and unassum-
ing. Throughout life he was the warm friend of Lord
Rockingham, under whose second Administration he
filled the office of Chancellor of the Exchequer. Wal-
pole, whom Lord John used to thwart in his schemes to
render the Whig party subservient to his friend Con-
way's interests, has given the following sarcastic sketch
of him : —

^^ He had read a good deal, and his eyes saw not
faster than hts memory retained. He was accurate in
repeating words, sentences, nay, volumes if he pleased :
nor was he defective in quickness or reasoning. Under
the appearance of virgin modesty, he had a confidence
in himself that nothing could equal, and a thirst of
dominion still more extraordinary. It consisted solely
in governing those with whom he was connected without
views either of interest or power. His plan seemed to
be the tyranny of a moral philosopher; he was a kind of
heresiarch that sought to be adored by his enthusiastic
disciples without a view of extending his sect beyond
that circle. His fair little person, and the quaintness
with which he untreasured as by rote the stores of his
memory, occasioned George Selwyn to call him the
learned Cana/rtf-birdy

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1766.] CHARACTER OF THOMAS TOWNSHEND. 227

One of Lord John's colleagues at the Treasury Board
was Thomas Townshend, a grandson of the second
Viscount Townshend. His name must be familiar to
every one, from Goldsmith's lines, wherein he represents
Burke —

" Though fraught with all learning, yet straining his throat.
To persuade Tommy Townshend to lend him a vote.**

" He always,'" says Wraxall, " spoke with facility —
sometimes with energy — and was never embarrassed by
any degree of timidity.'' When Lord Rockingham re-
turned to power in 1782, Townshend was appointed one
of the Secretaries of State. He continued to act with
the Whigs until the coalition, when he ranged himself
under the banners of the younger Pitt, at whose nomina-
tion he was successively created Baron and Viscount
Sydney. Replacing Lord Fitzwilliam in the chair of
the newly formed India Board, he is thus noticed in the
'^Rolliad"—

" Sydney, whom all the powers of rhetoric grace.
Consistent Sydney fills Fitzwilliam's place.
had, by Nature, but proportioned been
His strength of genius to his length of chin^
His mighty mind, in some prodigious plan,
At once, with ease, had reached to Hindustan.'*

The Premier's friend. Sir George Savile, was invited
to take part in the Rockingham Administration. But
witii his habitual delicacy and candour he declined the
offer, alleging that, as an independent Member of Par*
liament, he could better assert his privileges and serve
his friends. Faction has spared the name of Savile:

Digitized by VjOOQIC

228 CHARACTER OF [1765.

contemporaries are unanimous in representing him
as in the highest degree generous, benevolent, disinte-
rested, and unostentatious — a high commendation in an
age where mere negative virtues were rare, and states-
men imitated the maxims rather than the practice of Sir
Robert Walpole. In person Savile was somewhat above
the middle size ; his figure was slender, his complexion
adust, his constitution delicate; his address was easy, and
almost bordering upon negligence. As an orator he pos-
sessed great facility of utterance, and was simple even
to austerity in the choice of his words. In debate he
was clear, sensible, and persuasive. A peculiar radiance
spread over his features whenever philanthropy was the
theme of his discourse. Indeed, the general belief in
the honesty and benevolence of his intentions pro-
duced such an impression in favour of his arguments,
that " Truth came mended from his tongue." His
habits of thinking were very original. " He had a head,*^
Walpole remarks, " as acutely argumentative as if it
had been made by a German logician for a model.'' He
was a shrewd observer of contemporary statesmen. He
predicted early the future greatness of Charles Fox.
When that statesman was scarcely a man, he praised him
for his readiness in finding out blots— h\3 celerity in
hitting the bird's-eye of an argument, and his general
talents for opposition. " Hence," said Savile, " others
may have more stock, but Fox has more ready money
about him than any of his party."

Toleration in matters of religion is a doctrine of
comparatively recent growth. It was imperfectly un-

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1766.] SIR GEORGE SAVILE. 229

derstood by the Whigs of the last century, who com-
bined the ideas of Protestantism and the Hanoverian
succession. It was utterly unknown to their political
opponents, who recognized the Church of England as
the sole Church of Christ ; but Savile was an honour-
able exception to both these extremes. He advocated
the claims of the Roman Catholics, and his advocacy
exposed him to the fury of the Church and King mobs
of the year '80 ; and yet, even while his house was
assailed, and frequent attempts were made to set it on
fire, he spoke of the incendiaries with compassion, and
ascribed the zeal of the multitude rather to their
ignorance than to their evil passions, rather to their
being led by blind guides than to the spontaneous aber-
ration of their own feelings.

Savile's conduct on this occasion was highly charac-
teristic. Several of his friends agreed to sit up with
him during the night for the protection of his family.
It was arranged amongst them that parties from time to
time should sally forth in search of intelligence re-
specting the riots, but, as their accounts varied from
each other, Savile said, with great composure, "Here,
gentlemen, is a fine lesson for an historian. We have a
fact of the day before us, reported by men of integrity
and ability, anxious to search for truth, and willing to
record it with as much circumstance and minuteness
as possible. Yet, such is the nature of the human
mind, that with all its inclinations to do right, it is
under that operation which in some degree pre-
vents it.''

Digitized by VjOOQIC

230 ROCKINGHAM ADMINISTRATION. [l766.

Such was this wise and virtuous citizen, who indeed
exhibited in his character many of the qualities which
the Roman satirist ascribes to the senator Crispus : —

" Cujus erant mores, qualis facundia^ mite
Ingenium : maria ac terras populosque regenti
Quis comes utilior 1 " ♦

In forming his ministry, Lord Rockingham was natu-
rally anxious to secure the co-operation, or at least the
neutrality, of Mr. Pitt. With this view he appointed
his friends the Duke of Grafton and General Conway
Secretaries of State; his brother-in-law, James Gren-
ville. Vice- Treasurer of Ireland, and raised Chief-Justice
Pratt to the Peerage, with the title of Baron Camden.
But the advancement of friends, relations, or recent
colleagues did not conciliate the impracticable Minister.
He not only would not assist the Government, but by
the disparaging tone that he adopted, he discouraged
many of his followers from joining them. Thus, for
example, when Sir Fletcher Norton was dismissed by
Lord Rockingham from the Attorney-Generalship, be-
cause he was a bitter and uncompromising foe, Pitt sent
word to Sir Fletcher, that " he was not turned out by
hi^ advice, and that, were he Minister, he should be
glad of the assistance of such abilities."

The failure of Lord Rockingham to win over Lord
Chatham and his adherents is the more to be lamented,
because, had the co-operation been effected, much of the
misrule and misunderstanding which at this period

* Juv. Sat. iv. 82.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

17G6.]\ ^J. CHARACTER OF LORD SHELBURNE. 231

sulltdsj "Ejiglish annals, might probably have been
avQiM. I

i^ln^ those whom Pitt's example and demeanour
deterred was John Fitzmaurice, Earl of Shelburne. He
was* flow" !n the twenty-ninth year of his age. The
army was at that period the general school of men of
high birth ; and, as Viscount Fitzmaurice, he had greatly
distinguished himself in the battles of Camper and
Minden. At the commencement of the new reign he
had been appointed one of the royal aides-de-camp, and
in 1762 he represented High Wycombe in Parliament.
In the year following he succeeded to the Earldom of
Shelburne and a seat in the House of Lords. In 1763
he was for a few months President of the Board of
Trade, but resigned that post on Mr. Pitt's failure to
form an Administration. For public life. Lord Shel-
burne possessed many eminent qualifications. His coun-
tenance was handsome and expressive; his demeanour
dignified; his insight into character was shrewd and
generally accurate. His wit was general, and his
eloquence graceful and persuasive. His knowledge of
business, especially that which related to foreign affairs,
was extensive ; and at times he was capable of steady
application to official duties. Perhaps, however. Lord
Shelburne was better adapted to second a political
leader, than himself to conduct a leading department in
the Cabinet. There were, indeed, grave errors in his
political career. In the first place, he was carried
away by what we must consider an undue admiration of
Lord Chatham. " Regis ad exemplar," he was often

Digitized by VjOOQIC

282 CHARACTER OF

sullen and impracticable in intercourse with
political allies. At an earlier period, inded
been a staunch opponent of the "Great CJ
and he prompted the celebrated attack up^^^Hby
Colonel Barr6, of which mention has already i^^Wade
in these pages. But Lord Shelburne seems to have
thought with Mrs. Malaprop, that in unions it was " as
well to begin with a little aversion." But his opposition
became warm partisanship, and he even acted in concert
with one who was nearly as formidable to friends as
to foes, and on Lord Chatham's decease he became the
leader of that section of Whigs which thenceforward
was denominated " the Shelburne party."

Lord Shelburne's standing aloof from the Kockingham
Ministry in 1765, and from Charles Fox's Cabinet in
1783, were favourable neither to his own reputation
nor to the interests of the country at large. Himself
it placed in the false position of heading and perpetu-
ating a schism, which had no just or even plausible
ground to rest upon. The Whig party it enfeebled,
while it enabled the Court to carry on its machi-
nations against constitutional principles and the liber-
ties of the people. The " King's friends " indeed, when
they contemplated the severance of their opponents,
might be excused if they applauded their own suc-
cess dividing and crippling adversaries who, if united
among themselves, would have presented an impene-
trable phalanx^ against both the sovereign and his
favourites.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1765.] LORD SHELBURNE. 233

Division among the Whigs was, at this juncture, the
one thing needful for the Court.

These errors were the more regretted, because, in
many respects, he was an enlightened and consistent
statesman. In the affair of Wilkes, and in the case
of the printers, he took the side of reason and liberty.
He condemned the equally foolish and wicked measures
in their dealings with the American Colonies; he uni-
formly resbted the encroachments of the Crown, while
he advocated inquiry into the public expenditure, and
the abolition of sinecure and superfluous places. On
the appointment of the younger Pitt, in 1783, as First
Lord of the Treasury, Lord Shelburne, who had then
become Marquis of Lansdowne, retired into private life.
The French Revolution once again recalled him to a
public career, and he strenuously co-operated with the
party which would have avoided the equally unjust
and unfortunate interference with France — Diis aliter
vuum — but a strong union of the Whigs in 1793 would
have saved ourselves and our neighbours from many
crimes and much repentance.

In his retirement at Bowood, Lord Shelburne became
the host of the eccentric and philanthropic Jeremy
Bentham. Lord Mansfield has spoken with encomium
of the "Fragment on Government," but he took no
notice of its author. Lord Shelburne, although he had
introduced Blackstone to the King, both commended
the " Fragment " and aflForded a temporary home and
much hearty encouragement to poor Bentham — at that

Digitized by VjOOQIC

234 LETTER TO LORD 8HELBURNE. [l765.

time smarting under poverty, and suflFering from all
kinds of despondency.

Bentham describes himself as coming to Bowood,
"cowed by past humiliations; feeling like an outcast
in the world." " Lord Shelburne," he addSj " raised
me from^the bottomless pit of humiliation, and made
me feel I was something."

It comes not within the scope of this work to de-
scribe this intimacy further. So far as Lord Shelburne
is concerned, however, his intercourse with the codify-
ing philosopher was honourable to his heart and his
understanding.

THE MARQUIS OF ROCKINGHAM TO THE EARL OF
SHELBURNE.

"My Lord, "July ii, i765.

" I did myself the honour to wait upon your Lord-
ship on last, but had not the good
fortune to find you at home ; and I should have desired
the honour of a conversation with you, if I had had
any expectation of succeeding with you in what I was
empowered to propose.

^* I must, nevertheless, in order not to appear want-
ing in respect to your Lordship, desire to know from
your Lordship, whether it would be agreeable to you to
return to preside at the Board of Trade.

" The conversation I have had with Mr. Dempster
has given me the utmost satisfaction, as it permits me
to flatter myself, that your Lordship is not disinclined

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1765.] LETTER TO LORD ROCKINGHAM. 236

to give your countenance and assistance in support of
his Majesty's present servants; as well as that your
Lordship is far from objecting to any applications being
made to Col. Barre."*

THE EARL OF SHELBURNE TO THE MARQUIS OF
ROCKINGHAM.

"My Lord, "July ii, ires.

" It is impossible for me, except I could convey to
your Lordship, at the same time, how desirous I have
ever been, by unalterable duty and respect, to preserve
his Majesty's good opinion, to express to you the satisfac-
tion and happiness it would give me to serve him in
any situation, much more in the considerable one your
Lordship does me the honour to point out to me. I
am, therefore, extremely concerned, that besides the
total ignorance I am under in regard to the measures
you propose to pursue, a real consciouness of my own
inability in so active an office, to which the domestic
habits I have lately fallen into add not a little, makes
it absolutely incumbent on me to decline the honour
done me, through a conviction that more evil might
come to his Majesty's affia.irs, than the little aid I could
ever hope to give, could compensate.

" As to my future conduct, your Lordship will pardon
me if I say, ' Measures and not men ' will be the rule
of it; especially as I can add, that besides the sincere

* Colonel Barr6 sat in Parliament, through Lord Shelbume*8 in-
terest, for the Borough of Calne.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

236 OVERTURES TO SHELBURNE. [l766.

aflFection I shall ever bear his Majesty's person, my
opinion of the present state of this country, in many
respects, is such as will make it matter of very serious
concern to me, not to concur in whatever shall be
proposed by his Majesty's Ministers.

" This, as I recollect, contains the substance of my
conversation to Mr. Dempster, when he did me the
favour to call on me some time ago, and in the course
of his visit took occasion to speak to me of myself.

"I am sorry it is impossible for me to give your
Lordship any light in regard to Colonel Barr6. So
many public events have happened since he has been
at a distance, that I cannot even conjecture what his
sentiments may be in the present situation. Tour
Lordship may be assured, if he approves the public
plan of government proposed, I shall hear with the
greatest pleasure of his obeying the King's commands,
and yielding to your Lordship's wishes.

*' I have the honour to be, with great consideration
and regard,

" My Lord,
" Tour most obedient and most humble servant,

" Shelburne."

These overtures to Lord Shelburne were renewed in
the month of December of this year; and Mr. Pitt, in
answer to his Lordship's announcement, certainly gave
him no encouragement to alter his determination.

" The openings," writes Mr. Pitt, " from Lord Rock-
ingham to your Lordship and Colonel Barre, you will

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1766.J EARL OF DARTMOUTH. 237

easily believe do not surprize me; nothing being so
natural as for Ministers, under the double pressure of
affairs all in confusion, and doubtful internal situation,
to recur to distinguished abilities for assistance."*

On the failure of Lord Kockingham's negociation
with Lord Shelburne, the Chairmanship of the Board
of Trade was bestowed on William Legge, second Earl
of Dartmouth. He went out with the Whigs in 1766,
but in 1772 was appointed Secretary of State for the
Colonies, and in 1776 became Keeper of the Privy
Seal. He resigned his situation when Lord Rocking-
ham became a second time Minister; and, in April,
1783, he was appointed Lord Steward of the Household,
but resigned with his friends, and continued ever after
in private life. Lord Dartmouth was always remark-
able for his strict attention to his religious duties.
Hervey, the author of " Meditations," ranks him among
his friends. He bore an excellent character in all the
domestic relations of life.

The GrenviUe Ministry had annexed, among other
conditions to their continuance in office, the exclusion
of their late friend and ally, Loi^d Holland, from the
Pay Office. This point was, perhaps, the only one
which had been yielded without a murmur. Lord
Holland had not been forgiven by the Princess Dowager
for advising Mr. Pelham, on the death of her husband,
to take her son (afterwards the King) from her, that
she might not get an ascendant over him. Abandoned
by the Court, Lord Holland tried to be reconciled to
^ Chatham Correspondence, ii. 359.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

238 tORD HOLLAND [l765.

the friends whom he had deserted, particularly to tiie
Duke of Cumberland. Eight days after the new
Administration was formed, he addressed Lord Albe-
marle, whose cousin. Lady Caroline Lennox, he had
married, in the following terms : —

'' I NEVEE wrote with so much anxiety as I write this
letter, and you can't wonder at it, since on it depends
the only view I have, or ever shall have, of content
and pleasure the remainder of my days.

" Whilst the new administration was forming, I
thought my writing might be construed as an attempt
to have a hand in forming it, which no man in England
desired I should, and I as little as any. But it is now
made, and, unless it does as the Duke of Bolton did,
will live long, or I am mistaken. Lord Bute must be
content with the revenge he has had of his Calcraft;
the King, with having got rid of G. Grenville, &c., and
being treated for the future with good breeding; whilst
his Eoyal Highness will meddle with public affairs
only from the highest (his proper) sphere, unmolested
with the little intrigues or under-plots of court politi-
cians. I wish that I might again kiss his hand at
Windsor, as I used to do; I say, though it is a bold
word, as I wish to do^ because 1 can, with the strictest
truth, affirm solemnly, that my affection was never
alienated one moment from his Koyal Highness, my
gratitude never lessened. His Majesty (with whom his
Eoyal Highness has had lately much discourse, I hear)
could, if he pleased, give ample testimony of this. But,

Digitized by VjOOQIC

I76a.] TO LORD ALBEMARLE. 239

it may be said, why should the Duke forgive and see me?
Not, certainly, with hope of my being of any use what-
ever, more than if I was dead and buried. But, my
dear Lord, he will see a devoted servant so obliged, that
in his whole life he cannot make another man, with
so much reason, or so much, or so aflFectionately, liis,
as I am.

''If he would forget everything but how he has
obliged me, I could, and do think of nothing but how
much I have been obliged ; and, my dear Lord, you 'J
act like what you have always been, a generous and
sincere friend, if you give me your best assistance on
this occasion.

"Whatever lies you may have heard, and I doubt
not many have been told, indeed, my dear Lord Albe-
marle, I am not unworthy of your friendship for me
with the Duke. I presume to hope an answer soon.
When it does come, it *s the whole difference between
a cheerful and a discontented life to,

" My dear Lord, yours ever,

" Holland.

" Nobody knows, or will know, that I have had the
courage to write this letter."

The bad success which attended Lord Holland's over-
tures, will be seen by the following letter from Lord
Rockingham to the Duke of Cumberland, and from his
Royal Highness's answer.

Digitized by

Google

240 LORD ROCKINGHAM [l765.

THE MARQUIS OF ROCKINGHAM TO THE DUKE OF
CUMBERLAND.
"Sir, "October 20, 1765.

"It is necessary for me to begin by apprising your
Royal Highness of the origin of the affair which I now
lay before you, and shall hope for your excuse if I am
rather prolix.

" Lord Holland, through various channels, for some
time has been labouring to persuade me to restore one
Mr. Earle, of Wiltshire, who was Receiver of the Land-
Tax, and who was turned out by G. Grenville, just
before he left the Treasury, in order to give the place
to a Mr. Wilkins, a friend and apothecary to Lord
Suffolk. Lord Suffolk is a competitor with Lord Hol-
land for the Borough of Malmsbury, in Wiltshire.

" I inquired some time ago, at the Treasury, into the
circumstances of Mr. Earle's dismission, and found that
Mr. Earle was rather behindhand with his remittances,
and indeed that many other receivers were so too;
but that he only was dismissed. I am quite persuaded
that Mr. Earless dismission proceeded from no other
cause but the intention of Mr. Grenville to oblige and
assist Lord Suffolk and to offend Lord Holland. I have
again renewed an inquiry into what has been the
general custom at the Treasury, when receivers have
been dilatory in their remittances, and rather think
that the usual process is, first by suspension, and that
dismission only follows, if they do not quickly pay up
the deficiencies, and cannot give good security for their

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1766.] TO DUKE OF CUMBERLAND. 241

future better conduct. In general, the dismission of a
receiver is very unusual. The language I have held to
those (who have, as I imagine, been employed by Lord
Holland) has been, that I should not have the least
diflSculty in my own mind to do justice to a friend of
Lord Holland, but that maMer of favour was what I
thought could not be expected. That I had restored
many, who had been unjustly dismissed from low offices,
but that I had not dealt in retaliation of injuries, even
though pressed by friends to gratify their resentments.

" I was surprised on Thursday last at receiving a
letter from Lord Holland, but much more so this morn-
ing at being told by Ranhy^* as mere chit chatj that
Lord Holland had inquired of him, on what day and
at what hour my levee was, as * hcj Lord Holland^ in^
tended to come! I treated this hint as very improba-
ble, and then it was again renewed with a question:
* Why^ you would not surely shut your doors to Lord
Holland?^ I. continued the same sort of reply, by
treating it as improbable.

" Though I fear I tire your Royal Highness with this
long narration, I must still beg to state to your Royal
Highness my thoughts on this matter. If no hint is
conveyed through Ranby, I do imagine that probably
next Thursday Lord Holland will make his appearance
at my levee.

" This phenomenon will, of course, ^occasion much
speculation and much discourse, and, I think, will have
two effects ; the one is, that all parliamentary lookers-

* Surgeon-general to the King.
VOL. I. R

Digitized by VjOOQIC

242 DUKE OF CUMBERLAND [1765.

out will immediately conceive that it is a great addition
of strength and support to the present administration,
and many a wavering man will fix with us.

" The other effect is, that Lord Holland's appea,rance
will not tend to the general credit with the public, on
which this administration founded their reliance of
support.

" Tour Royal Highness will not wonder that, seeing
the afiair in the light I do, I should request your Royal
Highness for your directions.

" I scarce believe, howsoever anxious Lord Holland
may be on this point, relative to Mr. Earle, that his
visit in Grosvenor-square is merely confined to that
object Perhaps not' having succeeded in other at-
tempts he has made, he may think a public mark of
his intentions to support the present administration,
formed under your Royal Highnesses protection, may
operate so far as to give him a chance of regaining,
in some small degree, that favour which he now so
much regrets.

" I sent to the Duke of Grafton this evening, and he
has been with me; and after having stated the two
points of view in which this afiair strikes me, his Grace
was as much perplexed to determine as I was. I must
say. Sir, that to hesitate is laudable, and that it is the
first time any administration ever hesitated, whether
the acceptance of a declaration of Lord Holland's in
their favour, was matter of doubt. I own it is to me
much matter of doubt, and I would not take upon me to
determine, on my own judgment alone, what may be of

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1706.] TO LORD ROCKINGHAM. 243

80 much general importance; and especially as I may
think that it is the first step to a consequential intention.
'^ In all consideration, I submit it to your Royal
Highness's directions."

The next morning, the Duke of Cumberland thus
replied to Lord Rockingham : —

" My Lord Rockingham, " Newmarket, October 2 let, 1765.

" I have this evening received yours, with the en-
closure from Lord Holland.

*^ I am highly sensible of your delicacy towards me,
in not deciding on the propriety of this measure with
the Duke of Grafton without my opinion on the subject;
but, as you both seem to want to know my thoughts, I
shall fully give them, having nothing more at heart than
the honour and success that ought to attend the prin-
ciples on which you undertook the administration.

^^ As little as the appearance of sedcing Lord Holland
would do honour to the Administration, as much hurt
might come on the throwing of him into the enemy's
scale. It were to be wished, he would have contented
himself with letting his friends assist Government with-
out appearing himself; but as that will not do, and
that he will show himself personally at the Minister's,
it is much better it should be publicly, and at a levee,
than in any other way, because the whole world will see
how far that goes, and is all on his side only.

^^ If the granting his request be just and proper,
grant it, and acc^t his visit as a return of thanks for

Digitized by CjOOQIC

244 DEATH OF DUKE OF CUMBERLAND. [1766.

justice done to his friend. Upon the whole, I do not
see how you can shut your door upon him; and there-
fore, let the measure be his, and only acceptance on
your side.

" Excuse the hurry of this letter, and assure yourself
that I am as zealous of your honour as you yourselves
can be.

" I am, &c.,

" WiLUAM."

Ten days from the date of this letter, the writer had
ceased to breathe. His Eoyal Highness had long been
in a precarious state of health; he had grown enor-
mously fat, had completely lost the use of one eye, and
saw but imperfectly with the other. He was asthmatic,
had had a paralytic stroke, and the wound in the leg that
he had received at Dettingen never completely healed.

On the 30th of October, the Duke was playing at
piquet with General Hodgson; he grew confused and
mistook the cards. The next day he was suflBciently
recovered to appear at CJourt, and dined in the after-
noon with Lord Albemarle. A Cabinet Council was
held the same evening, at eight. Being then at his
house in Upper Grosvenor-street, just as the Duke of
Newcastle and Lord Northington came into the room, he
was seized with a suffocation. One of his valets, who was
accustomed to. bleed him, was called, and prepared to tie
up his arm, but the Duke exclaimed, " It is all over,"
and immediately expired in Lord Albemarle's arms.

The Duke dying intestate. Lord Albemarle, under the

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1766.] PRINCESS AMELIA TO LORD ALBEMARLE. 245

King's sign manual, took out letters of administration
to his estate. With the exception of a few letters in
my possession, all the Duke's papers were burned, as
will be seen by the following letter from his Eoyal High-
ness's favourite sister: —

H. B. H. THE PRINCESS AMELU TO THE EARL OF
ALBEMARLE.

« Gunnersbury, Nov. 2, 1765.
" Ton are always attentive and obliging, my good
Lord Albemarle. I thank you for the letters, and I
have burnt them. I need not tell you, I hope, how sen-
sibly I am pleased with the message the King hath sent
you.* It would be a great pleasure to ovoc friend if
he could know it, and I think will do infinite honour to
the King.

*' I am, and ever shall be,
" My good Lord Albemarle, your sincere friend,

" Amelia.

" The King hath done me the honour to write to me
a very gracious, affectionate, and feeling letter upon
my great loss.'*

At the Duke of Cumberland's request the King had
promised Lord Albemarle the first vacant garter, and
his Majesty now with much propriety bestowed upon
him that recently vacated by his deceased master.

^ Through Lord Rockingham. The King's letter is published in
my brother's Life of Lord Keppel, L iJ84.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

246 MR. CHARLES YORKE [l766.

Soon after Wilkes had been discharged by the Court of
Common Pleas, actions were brought, at the suggestion
of Lord Temple, against Lords Halifax and Egremont,
against the under Secretary of State, the Solicitor of the
Treasury, and the King's messengers. Lord Chief Jus-
tice Pratt, before whom some of these actions were tried,
declared it as his opinion that the warrant was illegal,
that it was illegally executed, that the Secretaries of
State were not within the Acts of Parliament of James
the First and George the Second, and consequently that
the action would be against the messengers.

Accordingly the juries in all the cases of the parties
attached under the warrant, found verdicts in favour of
the plaintiffs, and awarded heavy damages. In the
action against Mr. Wood, the Under-Secretary, Wilkes
obtained damages to the amount of one thousand pounds.

HON. CHARLES TORKE TO THE MARQUIS OF ROCKINGHAM.

" Sunday morning, 9 o'clock, Nov. S, 1 765.

" My dear Lord,

^^ The state of the materis^ actions depending in the
affair of the messengers is this. One was argued by the
Solicitor-General in the Court of King's Bench last Term.
Two others, in the Court of Common Pleas. That de-
pending in the King's Bench stands now to be argued
by me, as Attorney-General. Lord Mansfield and the
other Judges have determined on the generai tjocarrantj
and laid it out of the case. So that the points remain-
ing are, Whether the Secretaries of State and their ser-

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1765.] TO LORD ROCKINGHAM. 247

vants are within the statute laws, which favour Justices
of Peace; and whether the messenger apprehending a
man who was not printer and publisher of ' North Bri-
ton,* No. 45, can justify under any warrant directing
him to take up those who tvere so. Now, I am clearly of
opinion that even supposing the Secretaries of State are
within the statutes, and supposing the warrant had been
proper, still the mistake cannot, in strictness, be justi-
fied by the officer. In short, my Lord, the true com-
plaint of all these verdicts is the ea^ess of damages^
which cannot be set right; and from what has passed in
both Courts, I know that it is impossible to avoid the
payment of them . • • • As to the other actions in the
Common Pleas they turn mostly on the same points,
except that, in one of them, the indefensible clause in
that old warrant, directing the general seizure of a libd^
ler's paperSj comes to be considered.

" Upon the whole, the favour I must beg of your
Lordship is to inform his Majesty, with my humble
duty, that, in my opinion it is for his Majesty's service
and honour to make an end of all those proceedings.
Though the King may think, as the impartial world
does, the damages too great, yet his servants must sub-
mit to the course of law and justice.

^^ Your Lordship knows that (in allusion to a Spanish
phrase) I was for clearing the inkhorn in Westminster
Hall, long since. But the time is now come, if it ought
ever to be. And I trust, that his Majesty will have
the goodness (in the countenance and protection which
he is pleased to grant me) to leave this matter to me;

Digitized by VjOOQIC

248 THE king's aversion [1766.

unless any particular objections yet unexplained occur
to his own royal mind.

" The misfortune of the Duke of Cumberland's death
has prevented the King from coming to St. James's to
day ; otherwise I would have presumed to trouble him
with one word upon this subject myself.

" Tour Lordship will do it better for me. In the
meantime, let me beg, that nothing be mentioned of this
letter but to the person of the King himself.

" I am, my dear Lord, with the truest respect,
" Your affectionate and faithful humble servant,

'' C. YORKE.

" P. S. Let me hear from you to-morrow morning.
Wednesday is the first day of Term."

It wa^ not to be supposed that the King would regard
with a more favourable eye Ministers to whom his em-
barrassments alone had compelled him to consign the
Grovernment than those whom he had appointed of his
own free will. Indeed, of the various political sects not
one was so distasteful to the sovereign as that of which
Lord Rockingham was the acknowledged head. They
were at once too wealthy, too indifferent to office, too
much actuated by public principles, too closely bound to-
gether by party ties, to yield to the King, or to suit the
views of a Court, that required Ministers to be not the
public, servants of the State but the private domestics
of the sovereign. Two years previously his Majesty
had declared, in allusion to the Eockingham party, he
would never suffer those Ministers of the late reign, " who

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1765.] TO THE ROCKINGHAM ADMINISTRATION. 249

had attempted to enslave him, to come into his service
while he held the sceptre,'* ^ and although his neces-
sities compelled him to depart from the strict letter of
his vow, he appears to have contemplated the conti-
nuance of his Ministers in office only until he could
supply their places by a more subservient corps. The
King's disinclination to his new servants was further
strengthened by a circumstance not contemplated at the
time of their coming into office.

On the 9th of March 1764, Mr. Grenville introduced
his famous project of drawing a revenue from America
by means of a duty upon stamps.

Up to this period the Colonies appear to have excited
but little attention, either in or out of Parliament.
Sir Robert Walpole, true to his principle of " quieta
non movere," left the department entirely to the Duke
of Newcastle, who had not opened a dispatch for a
series of years. The late Lord Essex informed Sir
Denis le Marchant that one of the under-secretaries of
that day said to him, " Mr. Grenville lost America
because he read the American dispatches, which his
predecessors had never done;" and so complete a sine-
cure was the Board of Trade then considered, that a
Colonel Bladen, one of the commissioners, happening to
apply himself to the duties of his office, the colonel went
by the name of " Trade," while his colleagues were
called " The Board."

The Ministers had been called to the government a
very short time, when they received intelligence of the
* Bedford Correspondence.

Digitized by VjOOQ IC

250 THE STAMP ACT. [l705.

general resistance of the Americans to the enforcement
of the Act. The King would fain have brought the
refractory colonists to obedience by measures of coer-
cion^ but the Bockingham Administration, desirous oi re-
storing the loyalty of the Americans by the r^noval of the
cause of their disaffection, early announced their inten-
tion to stand or fall by the repeal of t^ie obnoxious law.

The second Lord Hardwicke, after assigning, in his
" Memoriall," his own reasons for assenting to the
repeal, adds : " But, from a personal indinatian of the
King, and influenced by Lord Bute and the Princess
Dowager, the followers of Court favour went the ether
way, and half the Court at least voted in opposition to
Administration."

" Lord Bockingham," says Nicholb, " repealed the
Stamp Act^ and from that hour the King determined to
remove him."

Amidst many iUs which the Stamp Act caused to
America, one advantage accrued to the new Ministry ;
it brought them in contact with men of business, and
they became possessed of a knowledge of commercial
matters, which their predecessors had never attained.

In the following letter, from a Mr. Sparhawk to
Lord Bockinghiun, tiie practical working of the Act is
pointed out.

" My Lord,

" I have just hinted at the Act of Parliament com-
monly called the Stamp Act, and, without stirring the
question, how far this Government has an exclusive

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1765] THE STAMP ACT.. 251

right of taxing its own inhabitants, will your Lordship
allow me to say, that there has never happened among
us anything that has thrown the people (^this province,
and indeed the whole continent^ into such a conster-
nation as this Act has occasioned. And besides its
being universally disliked, it is thought by the best
judges here to be whdly impracticable, from the nature
of the Act and the peculiar circumstances of the colo-
nies relative to it. It is much doubted whether all the
circulating cash among us (which is no more than ia
absolutely necessary for the carrying on our* trade and
business, and answering the common occasions of life),
supposing the Act should be carried into execution,
would be sufficient to answer its demands.

^^ It is very plain, then, that the consequence thereof
would be the ruin of the trade and commerce of the
country; and your Lordship need not be told how
detrimental that must be to the trade of our motiier
country, from whence we have imported annually such
an imm^ise, I may say, an amazing quantity of her ma-
nufactures, to her great utility and emolument. But it
is to be hoped, my Lord, that the humble petition of the
inhabitants (not less, perhaps, than two (X three mil-
lions) of a whole continent, which are to be presented to
his Majesty and the great Parliament of the nation, wiU
be graciously heard; and that in their great wisdom
and goodness they will remove our fears, and vouchsafe
us deliverance.

'^ The high station Providence has placed you in, my
Lord, will give your Lordship an opportunity of patro-

Digitized by VjOOQIC

252 SIR GEORGE SAVILE [l765.

nizing the distressed state of these American colonies,
and of doing much towards the rendering of them
happy. Will your Lordship, then, pardon my freedom
in requesting the favour of your interposition on our
behalf, which, besides the satisfaction that must result
to your Lordship from the reflection, will secure to your
Lordship (so far as it shall be known) the esteem and
affections of this whole people; and your Lordship^s
memory will be transmitted to their latest posterity
with every mark of honour, gratitude and respect
" I have the honour to be, &c.

" N. Sparhawk."*

Sir George Savile, inclosing an extract of a letter
from Boston, relating to the distress of trade, accom-
panied it with the following letter from himself.

" My Lord, "Rufford, November 1, 1765.

" Captain Grame writes, that I must be surprised at
receiving a * naked Memorial, without a single line of
explanation, and void of mercantile terms, &c.' The
nakedness he means is, that it does not state the causes
of the decline of trade; the taxes; and the Spanish
matters. The last he says he can account for, as being
a matter not to be talked of aloud ; the first he blames
much.

" I could not help observing this circumstance; and
yet I am not sure but it might do as well. Pointing
out the grievance might have looked concerted, or at
least the effect of party spirit ; and the cause does not

Digitized by VJOOQIC

1765.] TO LORD ROCKINGHAM. 253

want pointing out. Their Saying they are hurt, and
drawing no consequences, has really, I think, more the
air of sincerity. You can find out what hurts them.
They speak as ignorant men* Our trade is hurtj whai
the devil have you been a doing ? For our party we don^t
pretend to understand your politics and American mat^
terSj but our trade is hurt ; pray remedy it, and a plague .
of you if you wont.

" To say, Doctor^ thai medicine has made me worse^
may be pique or prejudice against the doctor ; but to
tell the doctor simply, one is worse, is the natural com-
plaining of a man who really is worse. You may say,
Gentlemen, you see these people had no acrimony
against any man, but the effect breaks out. The testi-
mony is sincere. I have no answer from Leeds or
Wakefield. I wont say this is singular, because it is so
from Leeds and Wakefield, but if grammar was out of
my way, I should say so.

"Hartley has told your Lordship that I have no
hobby-horse to ride to town upon. That is a very civil
phrase. I do not mean to affect any modesty, and
therefore will preface by saying, I find my talents in
some ways better than I thought. I find them worse in
the questions of finance. I can only say, I have the
strongest faith in his opinions about them, and the
critical and decisive moment of doing things whole. If
he be right, I do beg most earnestly you will not refine,
and mince, and do pretty well. Do it. Do itl and
' nowy nowy now ! ' You flattered me much by observ-
ing the phrase, so you will know it again. It did not

Digitized by VjOOQIC

254 LORD HARDWICKE [1765.

come from the head. He is disheartened. One thing I
am sure of. You advertise that 6. 6. should have
continued Minister if you ride the heat as he did. He
waited, and lay in a good place till he came to the ending
post. I beseech you, make the play, if you are stout.

" Captain Grame, to supply the baldness of the
Memorial, sends me the enclosed extract.
" I am, witii my best compliments to the Marchioness,

*^ My Lord,
" Your UKMrt obedient, most humble servant,

" G. Savilk.''
""(LordRoddngham)."

Prior to the meeting of Parliament, Lord Hardwicke
was invited to attend the ministerial meetings, but it was
not till the following year that he became a member of
the Cabinet He had been previously invited to accept
office, but he declined on the plea of his health.

THE EAEL OF HARDWICKE TO THE HON. CHARLES TORRE.
<' St James's Square, December 9th, 1 765,

" Dear Brother, " n at night.

" I had not an opportunity of acquainting you last
night, that when I waited on the Duke of Newcastle
be asked me, without my having said anything which
led to it, whether I should like to attend their meetings,
viz., of the Ministers? I gave no direct answer, but
rather of the declining kind. His Grace bid me con-
sider of it, and talk with you upon it, and seemed to
make no doubt <tf its being acceptable to his colleagues.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1766.] TO CHARLES YORKE. 255

This may be only a morning cajoleries in whidi our old
friend is a great adept, and I shall certainly not revive
the subject; but if he says anything more upon it, shall
leave it to his Grace and the other Ministers to do as
they think proper. We shall see a little clearer after
Tuesday, how the world is like to go, for I cannot help
thinking that if the opposition are in spirits, and in
numbers, they will kick up a riot the very first day.
I presume his Grace meant, by attending their meetings,
that I should be of the Cabinet Council. It would
flatty my ambition (that is certain), and I hope I do
not overrate my abilities in thinking tiiat I should
make as good a figure in it as many we have known
called to that sanctum sanctorum. I am clear in opinion,
not to ask for it; but if it should be cffered^ I see no
reason for declining it, most sincerely wishing, for the
sake of the kingdom, that it was filled with persons of
the best abilities and experience, who could agree to
act together. I do not expect an wiswer to this, but
if anything occurs, shall be glad to hear from you on
the subject"

Although Ministers had, soon after their coming into
office, become aware of the dark cloud of discontent
that lowered in America, it was not till near the meet-
ing of Pariiament that they heard the storm had burst
One general feeling of indignation appears to have per-
vaded the colonies, on hearing that the Stamp Act had
received the Royal Assent. At New York the towns-
people reprinted the Act, and hawked it about the

Digitized by VjOOQIC

Ill ijl

256 THE KING TO GENERAL S.CONWAY. [1766.

streets as " England's folly and America's ruin." At
Philadelphia the guns were spiked. At Boston the
flags of the vessels in harbour were hoisted half-mast
high, while muffled bells tolled a funeral knell. In
Virginia, Patrick Henry, one of the Members of Con-
gress, he whom Byron designates

" the forest-born Demosthenes,

Whose thunder shook the Philip of the seas,"

exclaimed, "Caesar had his Brutus, Charles the First
his Oliver Cromwell, and George the Third may — " here
cries of " Treason " drowned for a while the speaker's
words. When the tumult subsided, he adroitly added —
" profit by their example."

It was the news of these proceedings which led to
the following letter from

the king to the eight hon. henry seymour conway.

" Lieut.-General Conway,

" The enclosed is the memorial from Mr. Pitt. It is
the copy of the one delivered by me to Lord Halifax,
but I received this a day or two before that one. I am
more and more grieved at the accounts of America.
Where this spirit will end is not to be said. It is,
undoubtedly, the most serious matter that ever came
before Parliament; it requires more deliberation, can-
dour, and temper than I fear it will meet with.

" 53 m. past five, p.m.

" When the Memorial is copied, I desire to have the
original returned/'

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1766,] OPENING OF PARLIAMENT. 257

Endorsed by General Conway, " His Majesty, Dec. 6,
1765, opinion on America."

On the 17 th of December, the following letter was
written by

THE KING TO THE MARQUIS OF ROCKINGHAM.

" I RETURN you the list of Peers that attended the
reading of the Speech last night. I am glad to see
names among them that I thought doubtfully of before.
In the evening, you will not forget to send me word
whether there has been a debate.

** Past eleven, a. m."

On the same day, the King opened the Session in
person. In his Speech from the Throne, he stated
that he had called the Two Houses together sooner
than usual, in consequence " of matters of importance
which had lately occurred in some of his Colonies in
America."*

Lord George Cavendish f moved, and Lord Palmer-
ston I seconded the Address. No debate was expected,

* Parliamentary History, xvi. 88.

t Lord George Cavendish, second son of William, fourth Duke of
Devonshire^ — Member for Derbyshire, which county he represented in
seven Parliaments. He was Comptroller of the Household in 1761 ;
a Privy Councillor, and, in 1766, Lord Lieutenant of Derbyshire.

i Henry Temple, second Viscount Palmerston. He had been a
Lord of Trade, and was now appointed to the Admiralty Board. He
was member for East Loo. He was a man of considerable accomplish-
ments. Lord Palmerston was, in the male line, the representative of

VOL. l. S

Digitized by VjOOQIC

258 OPENING OF PARLIAMENT. [1766.

as the Members who had vacated their seats, by accept-
ing office, were absent on their canvass. But Mr.
Grenville, perceiving that his Colonial policy would be
called in question, proposed, as an amendment, to " ex-
press the indignation of the House at the * outrageous
tumults ' in North America." " He spoke," says Mr.
Cooke,* " en prince^ and told us he should ask why the
Parliament was not called together sooner, why his
Majesty was advised to speak with so much lenity, and
many other whys." *

On the 19th, the Duke of Bedford, who was at this
time acting with his late official colleague, Mr. Grenville,
moved for all papers that had been sent to America
relating to the Stamp Act, and since the passing of it.
The Duke of Grafton quashed that proposal, by pro-
mising all the papers should be produced.

the Temple family, as the Duke of Buckingham was of the female line.
He was succeeded in his title and estates in 1 802, by the recent Secre-
tary of State for Foreign Affairs.

♦ George Cooke, Member for Middlesex, Prothonotary of the Court
of Common Pleas ; " a pompous Jacobite," according to Walpole. In
Lord Chatham's motley administration, Cooke was joint Paymaster-
General with Lord North. It was in reference to the discordant
politics of these two colleagues, that Burke said, ** Persons had a
single office divided between them, who had never spoke to each other
in their lives, until they found themselves, they knew not how,
pigging together heads and points in the same truckle bed."

t Chatham Correspondence,

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1765.] THE KING TO LORD ROCKINGHAM. 259

TH£ KING TO THE MARQUIS OF ROCKINGHAM.

« (Dec 19th, 1765), 13 min. past 8, p. m.

" Lord Rockingham,

" The few squibs on the address would have appeared
to me as planned by a late Secretary of State,* even if
he had not been a speaker this day. From that quarter
I make no doubt but every art will be used to hamper
Administration during every debate; but that is so
poor a conduct that it must turn against its own
author.

" The Duke of Bedford's motion seems to be most
extraordinary, for one would think it were necessary to
weigh every paper carefully before they either them-
selves or by any committee, direct any of them to be
printed/'

To the Ministerial Leader of the House of Commons,
the King wrote as follows : —

" Lieut.-General Conway,

" I thank you for your attention in sending me the
account of the very ungentlemanlike conduct of Mr.
Grenville on this day, for others of the Opposition, un-
doubtedly, act in the House of Commons by his advice.

" I hope people will be on their guard to-morrow, if
he should again try to give some pain."t

* Mr. Grenville proposed the House should adjourn, hut to the
9th instead of the 14th (Jan.), as Ministers intended. The motion
was rejected hy 77 to 35.

t Egerton MSS. 984. — British Museum.

s 2

Digitized by VjOOQIC

260 THE KING TO LORD ROCKINGHAM. [l766.

A reference to the "Bedford Correspondence"* will
show, that on the 31st of the following month the Duke
of Bedford and Mr. Grenville, whose conduct the King
here arraigns, received secret invitations from the Court
to return to administration.

The parliamentary records of this period of history
are so scanty, that I have difficulty in assigning dates
to the two letters which follow.

It appears that on the 27th of December, 1765,
" Lord Temple declared that there was no truth in the
reports spread of diflferences between himself and Mr.
Pitt," " and, disheartened at so unpromising an outset of
the session, he had the confidence and meanness to hurry
to Mr. Pitt at Bath, but that Mr. Pitt was inflexible/'

THE KING TO THE MARQUIS OF ROCKINGHAM.

" I AM obliged to you for your summary account of
this day's debate, and shall be curious to-morrow to
hear the grounds of Lord Temple's so total a change of
opinion.

"10 min. past 10, p. m."

THE KING TO THE MARQUIS OF ROCKINGHAM.

" If Lord Rockingham has nothing particular, except
Lord Temple's language yesterday, I will not give him
the trouble of coming till a little after two to-morrow,
at St. James's, as I shall go to church at twelve.

" 20 past 9, A. M."

♦ Vol. iii. pp. 325-9.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1766.] CHARACTER OF LORD DENBIGH. 261

The Ministers had now become aware of the preca-
riousness of their position. Lord Bute affected to hold
the balance between the late and the present admi-
nistrations; and "the Crown itself,'" says Walpole,
" seemed inclined to consign its members to turn against
its own measures. Lest mankind should mistake the
part the Favourite intended to take on the Stamp Act,
Lord Denbigh, ♦ his Standard-bearer, and Augustus
Hervey, asked leave to resign their places, as they pur-
posed to vote against the repeal. The farce was carried
on by the King; and to prevent any panic in the minds
of those who might have a mind to act the same part,
his Majesty told them that they were at liberty to vote
against him and keep their placesJ^

* Basil Fielding, sixth Earl of Denbigh^ bom 171 9, a creature of Lord
Bute> and Master of the Harriers. In his youth he resided abroad nine
years with Lord Bolingbroke. Cradock thinks he acquired much of
his subtilty in debate from his long intimacy with that nobleman.
If by the epithet " Standard-bearer," Walpole meant that Denbigh
was the point round which the ** King's Friends " were in the habit
of rallying, we find him, eighteen years later, serving the same
purpose. ** The RoUiad," speaking of the Peers of Scotland, who
assisted in throwing out Fox's fiuuous <' India Bill," says, —

<< With every change prepared to change their note.
With every government prepared to vote ;
Save when, perhaps, on some important bill.
They know, by second sight, the royal will^
With loyal Denbigh heading birds that sing.
Oppose the Minister to please the King.''

In 1770, when the Peers drove the Commons from their House^
almost by main force, Colonel Bairi drew a severe picture of the
Court Lords, particularly of the Earls of Marchmont and Denbigh.
—See Walpole's George the Third, iv. «28.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

262 CORaESPONDENCE ON [1766.

The above remarks are corroborated by the letter
which follows.

THE EARL OF HARDWIOKE TO THE HON. CHARLES TORKE.

" Dear Brother, ''St. James's Square, Jan. 3rd, 1766.

" The Ministry are much alarmed, and apprehend a
strong division in our House, if any question should
arise. They are making out lists of Lords, Pro^ Con.y
and Douhtful. Lord Eockingham shows an inclination
to insert a few stronger words in the third Resolution.
Lord Temple pronounces them gone, and is in high
spirits. The King's family and household are divided.
I wish his Majesty himself is not neuter ; and this I
collect from what Lord Rockingham told me, that the
King professes to know nothing of what Lord Bute is
doing, and yet will not speak to his servants, nor send
to Lord Bute. The Prince of Brunswick (I think)
told Lord R. the last particular, for I do not believe
the Marquis ventured to suggest so strong a measure.
I know not what will come of all this embroglio. The
Ministry should in prudence leave their adversaries as
weak ground to attack them upon as possible. Lord
B. will overturn every Ministry who do not court him,
and yet they mc»t all disclaim him by turns. The
King should banish him.

" P.S. This intelligence is material, or I should not
send it."

The general belief at this period appears to have

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1766.] PROPOSED CHANGE OF MINISTRY. ' 263

been that Pitt, in refusing his assistance to the Rock-
ingham Administration, hoped to form a govemment
composed of his two brothers-in-law and his kinsman,
Lord Lyttleton. Lord Hardwicke, writing to his bro-
ther, Charles Torke, on the 18th of July 1765, when
the Attorney-Generalship was offered him, says,

" I cannot conclude without taking up some points in
your letter relative to the general state of affairs* Tou
seem to think from such hints as you have received
that Mr. Pitt, the Grenvilles, and Lord Lyttleton mean to
come back, and put themselves at the head of the new
system. I can understand Mr. Pitt's becoming, before
it is long and when these new Ministers are at a plunge,
a part, or rather the head, of this Administration, in
some shape or other; but in tdie present moment, I
cannot combine the Grenvilles (G. G. especially) and
Lord L. with the great Commoner, unless all this dif'*
ference between Mr. P. and his brother-in-law is a
political bam^^*

The writer of the following letter, it will be seen,
entertained a similar opinion.

THE EAKL OF ALBEMARLE TO THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE.

« Tuesday (Jan. 7th, 1766), past 4 o'clock.
*^ In hopes of seeing your Grace I have called twice
upon you to-day, and will wait upon yott as early to-
morrow morning as you please. If I had the honour
of the King's ear, I would advice his Majesty not to
remove so faithful and so attached a servant to his

Digitized by VjOOQIC

264 * DUKE OF NEWCASTLE [l766.

family as the Duke of Newcastle from council, though
Mr. Pitt desired itj or rather expected he should. I
should likewise advise his Majesty to refuse the remov-
ing of the Marquis of Eockingham from tdie head of the
Treasury in favour of Lord Temple, or even making the
offer^ ifswre of his refusing it.

" I remain, &c.

" P.S. I have not been very partial to Mr. Pitt for
some time past. I dread and abhor the thoughts of a
GrenviUe Administration."

LORD JOHN CAVENDISH TO THE MABQUIS OF ROCKINGHAM.

[With Lord Albemarle's copy enclosed.]

" I WENT to Court in hopes of meeting with you, to
show tlie enclosed letter from Lord Albemarle, which
some people at Newcastle House thought might as well
be shown to the King. I wish nothing may be done to
confirm him (the King) in his aversion to sending for
Pitt, for as he must, sooner or later, swallow the pill,
the fewer wry faces he makes the better/'

THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE TO THE MARQUIS OF
ROCKINGHAM.

"Newcastle House, Jan. 9th, 1766.

*^ I CANNOT avoid taking the first opportunity to

thank your Lordship for the noble and honourable part

which you took last night upon the consideration of

Mr. Pitt's discourse with Mr. T. Townshend, jun., and

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1766.] TO LORD ROCKINGHAM. 265

for your extreme goodness to me, which will make the
continuance of my affection and attachment to your
Lordship a debt of gratitude, as well as an act of judg-
ment and inclination. I should, however, ill deserve it,
if I omitted to suggest anything that I thought for
your Lordship's service. K the Duke of Grafton and
Mr. Conway should resign their oflBce, I do not know
how you will be able to fill them. The strength of the
Administration will be much lessened by the loss of
those two very able and material men in both Houses,
and the weight of opposition so much increased by
Mr. Pitt's setting himself at the head of it, that I really
do not know how you will be able to go on, and there-
fore I would humbly submit it to your Lordship, how
far you would resist the Duke of Grafton and Mr. Con-
way if tdiey should persist in advising the King, this
day, to send for Mr. Pitt, to hear what he has to say,
and particularly to know his tdioughts about the Ame-
rican affairs. The cordial and affectionate manner in
which you acted towards me on this occasion yesterday,
and ever since you have been informed of Mr. Pitt" s
exclusion of me, has given me a sufficient proof of your
goodness; and I must desire that you will have no
further thoughts of me, or suffer me to be in any degree
an obstacle to what, in other respects, it may be right
for your Lordship to do, with respect to the King, the
public, and yourself. I shall desire nothing but your
confidence and friendship, and that I shall hope for in
its full extent, whether in or out of employment.'^

Digitized by VjOOQIC

266 THE KING [1766.

THE KINO TO TH£ MAEQUIS OF BOGKINGHAM.

" Lord Rockingham, "January 9th, i766.

" I return you the speech and address of the Lords,
which I think will do perfectly well. I am not sur-
prised that, at so very serious a moment, they should
have escaped your memory this morning.

"I have revolved, most coolly and attentivdy, the
business now before me, and am of opinion, tdiat so
loose a conversation as that of Mr. Pitt and Mr. Towns-
hend is not sufficient to risk either my dignity or the
continuance of my administration, by a fresh treaty
with that gentleman; for if it should miscarry, all
public opinion of this ministry would be destroyed by
such an attempt. I shall therefore, undoubtedly, to«
morrow, decline authorizing tiie Duke of Grafton to
say anything to Mr. Pitt, and don't doubt that, when
I set the example of steadiness, most of you will see the
propriety of that conduct, and will follow it also. I
wish, therefore, you would be at St. James's by one
to-morrow, that I may talk this aflfair over with you,
previous to my seeing the two Secretaries of State.
The Duke of Newcastle's conduct this day was very
handsome and dignified.

" Georqe B."

" The fact was," says Walpole, " the King, not de-
sirous of the junction of Pitt and the actual Ministers,
and choosing that Pitt should solely to him owe his

Digitized by

Gocwle

1766.] TO LORD ROCKINGHAM. 267

admission, pleaded that he had sent so ofben for Mr. Pitt
in vain, that he would condescend no more, — a resolu-
tion his Majesty was at that very time in the intention
not to keep."*

The above statement explains the following letter
from

the king to the marquis of rockingham.

"Lord Rockingham,

" You have very properly put an end to the idea of

writing to Mr. Pitt. I don't doubt of success, but if

you in the least seem to hesitate, inferiors will fly off.
«
'^ Queen's Housei 30 min. past 10.''

" The King," writes Lord Hardwicke at this time to
his brother, "is extremely unwilling to let in the
Trojan HorseP

On the 11th of January, Lord Rockingham wrote to
Mr. Charles Torke : —

" The continual hurry, from the late occasion,
occupies my mind so much, that I can hardly remem-
ber anything, or else I should not have forgot the
memorandum in your letter, of sending you the speech
and address

"No message or note will be sent to Bath,t but
whether — if the person comes to town — ^it may not be

* Geoige the Third, ii. 320.
t Mr. Pitt was then residing at Bath.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

268 THE KING TO LORD ROCKINGHAM. [1766.

pressed that he should have an audience, is still matter
of doubt to me." . . .

Parliament, which had adjourned for the Christmas
holidays, re-assembled on the 14th of January.

THE KING TO THE MARQUIS OP ROCKINGHAM.

" Lord Rockingham, "(Jan. 17, 1766.)

" I return you the list of the Peers that were at the
meeting last night. Upon the whole I think it a full
meeting, considering the numbers in town; yet am
surprised at not seeing the names therein of some
persons that are in my service. I desire you will
send me, when the House is up this evening, the names
of the speakers, with P and C at the end of their
names, according to the sides they take ; and also to state
the amendments proposed. I entirely agree with you in
opinion, that if Government fluctuate [in] their mea-
sures, to oblige every person that finds fault, that it
would be both endless and weak. Coolness, and the
attempting to pursue prudent measures, and tliat with
firmness, is the only way to obtain either credit or the
approbation of wise men.

" George R."

"Eleven, A.M."

In the debate on the address, Mr. Pitt, after stating
that he wfCs " unconnected and unconsulted," declared
that he could not give his confidence to Ministers.

** Confidence,^' said Mr. Pitt, " is a plant of slow

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1760.] DISINGENUOUSNESS OF PITT. 269

growth in an aged bosom; youth is the season of cre-
dulity ; by comparing events with each other, methinks
I plainly discover the traces of an overruling influence.
I had the honour to serve the Crown, and if I could
have submitted to influence, I might still have con-
tinued to serve.**

The speech from which the above is an extract, is
equally remarkable for its beautiful language and its
disingenuous insinuations.

Mr. Pitt states that he was " unconsulted." In a
letter of the 3rd January, from the Duke of Newcastle
to Lord Eockingham, his Grace remarks, ^'I am ex-
tremely glad to find that the King and the Ministers
have thought proper to learn Mr. Pitt's sentiments upon
this great question, the repeal of the Stamp Act; and
I hope regard will be had to them."'

Again, as regards the charge of submitting to an
" overruling influence," it is only necessary to refer the
reader to the Duke of Cumberland's letter of the 25th
of June, 1765, showing that Mr. Pitt was ready to
acquiesce in so large a measure of this " influence," that
his Royal Highness found " the King already intrench-
ing himself within Pitt's promises of mercy to so many
particulars."*

Lord Rockingham's next letter to the King shows the
injurious effect of this unfriendly speech upon the Go-
vernment. It affords evidence of the coldness that was
beginning to spring up between Pitt and the brother-in-
law, on whose account he had so lately refused to accept

* See ante, p. 214, line 14.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

270 LORD ROCKINGHAM TO THE KING. [l766.

oflBice. The fact is, Pitt was displeased with Temple
for his opposition to the repeal of the Stamp Act, and
Temple with Pitt for not consenting to form a ** Gren-
ville connection.'^

THE MARQUIS OF ROCKINGHAM TO GEORGE THE THIRD.

"SlI^ « Jan. 15, 1766.

" It is great presumption in me to venture to intrude
upon your Majesty the thoughts which occur to me on
so critical a situation as the present. But the con-
sciousness of that unfeigned zeal, duty, and gratitude
which I shall ever feel for your Majesty's Royal person,
emboldens me to transmit in writing, the opinion which
my judgment has directed.

" That your Majesty's present Administration will be
shook to the greatest degree, if no ftirther attempt is
made to get Mr. Pitt to take a cordial part, is much too
apparent to be disguised. That the chance of Mr. Pitt's
cordiality to Administration appears very doubtful after
what passed with Mr. Townshend, is also very true.
That the events of yesterday in the House of Commons
have shown the amazing powers and influence which
Mr. Pitt has, whenever he takes part in debate.

^^ His declaration in the debate, roundly and posi-
tively against all the measures of the late Administra-
tion, has given him great credit, and gratified the
animosity of many who now form the firm support of
the present Administration.

" His personal altercations with Mr. 6. Grenville,

Digitized by VjOOQIC

17«6.] THE KING TO LORD ROCKINGHAM. 271

and the conduct of Lord Temple in the House of Lords,
who was peevish, and who dissented to every assertion
of Mr. Pitt's, has made very many now believe that
Mr. Pitt is more separated from G. Grenville and Lord
Temple, than could have been relied on some days ago;
and in that light strengthened the Duke of Grafton's
and General Conwa/s ideas, that Mr. Pitt might be
separated from them."

THE KING TO THE MARQUIS OF ROCKINGHAM.

" I THINK your sending a written answer to Mr. Pitt,
extremely dangerous, and, therefore, am clearly of opi-
nion that your even seeing him alone is preferable. I,
at the same time, confess that I think the Duke of
Grafton has more delicacy than tdiere appears cause
for, in declining accompanying you. I recommend it
strongly to you, to avoid a long conversation, by saying
your business only permits you to call for a few minutes.
Be extremely civil, but firm in what you say; and as
the Duke of Grafton will not accompany you, I think
the showing him the impracticability of his answer to
my first question is necessary. Pray, as soon as you
have seen him, send me a line how things have passed.
As to the full explanation, that may wait till I see jou
to-morrow. I am much pleased that Opposition has
forced you to hear your own voice, which I hope will
encourage you to stand forth in other debates.

" Talbot is as right as I can desire, in the Stamp Act
— strong for our declaring our right, but willing to

Digitized by VjOOQIC

272 CHARACTER OF LORD TALBOT. [l70e.

repeal; and has handsomely oflFered to attend the House
daily, and answer the very indecent conduct of those
who oppose with so little manners or candour.
"lOmin. past 9, a.m."

The words, " Talbot is as right as I can desire," must
have been read by the Minister with a smile. The
King, disingenuous on system to all around him, was
here practising a kind of fraud upon himself. He
affected to take pride in the support of a servant whom
he would have dismissed on the first symptom of oppo-
sition to his will. But there was no cause for appre-
hension. Independence was no part of Lord Talbot's
character, as twenty-one years' subserviency fully
proved. "He had," says Walpole, "some wit, and a
little tincture of a disordered understanding, but was
better known as a boxer and a man of pleasure, than
in the light of a statesman." In the less formal age
of Charles or Henry Tudor, Lord Talbot might have
rivalled Archy or Will Somers. As it was, the Lord
Steward of the Household greatly enlivened, when he
did not seriously irritate, those with whom his oflBce
brought him in contact.

He was the son of William, Earl Talbot, Lord Hard-
wicke's immediate predecessor on the Woolsack. His
features were comely ; his form was symmetrical. But
neither dress nor demeanour improved these advan-
tages. It naturally excited surprise, that an avowed
profligate should be the regulator of a decorous
Court, and the apparent confidant of a pious Prince.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1766.] CHARACTER OF LORD TALBOT. 273

Hardly was he appointed to the Stewardship, when
he set up for a reformer of the Household expenses.
The Royal cooks fell suddenly on evil times ; the smoke
curled sparingly from kitchen chimneys; a voice of
lamentation, over scanty breakfasts, was heard among
the maids of honour and pages; and gentlemen in
waiting groaned over their daily bill of fare. When
a batch of Peers was spoken of, it was asked if any
Dukes were to be made? **0h yes," replied Lord
Chesterfield, "there is one. It is Lord Talbot; he is
to be created Duke Humphrey, and no table is to be
kept at Court but his."

Success begat confidence. At the Coronation ban-
quet, Earl Talbot abolished the table of the Knights of
the Bath, nor did he yield to the sarcasm of Sir William
Stanhope, who significantly remarked that ^ some of
them were gentlemen.'^ On the same occasion, however,
the reformer nearly pushed his parsimony too far. He
threatened to deal with the Corporation of London as
he had dealt with the Knights of the Bath and the
Barons of the Cinque Ports. But Alderman Beckford
stood up for the immemorial privileges of his order to
fare sumptuously, and intimated to the Lord Steward,
that it was hard if the Citizens should have no dinner
when they must give the King one, which would cost
them ten thousand pounds.* The menace prevailed,
and the municipal board was at least decently furnished.

Lord Talbot, however, Amused as well as mortified
the guests at the coronation. He was bound, as cham*

• Walpole's George the Third, i. 74.
VOL. I. T

Digitized by VjOOQIC

274 ^ CHARACTER OF LORD TALBOT. [l766.

pion, to appear on horseback before their Majesties,
and, with a proper sense of decorum, he sedulously
trained his charger to move backward as well as for-
ward, so that on leaving the Royal presence, both the
horse and the rider might retire, as Ajax retired from
the Trojans,

'' Undaunted, and presenting still liis face.**

But, alas ! the overtoward brute had learned his lesson
"not wisely, but too well." Like an inexperienced
actor, he overdid his part, and backed into the Hall
of Rufus, thereby exposing the " stout Earl Talbot "
to the inextinguishable laughter of the crowd, and par-
ticularly of those whose " sizes he had scanted.''

The Lord Steward's misadventure was not lost upon
John Wilkes, soon after at open war with the Court.

In No of the " North Briton,** he gives a narrative

of Earl Talbot's " false presentation/' from which a few
extracts are here selected.

" A politeness equal to Lord Talbot's horse ought not
to pass unnoticed. Caligula's horse had not half the
merit. We remember how nobly lie was provided for.
What proportion of merit between his lordship and his
horse, and how far the pension* should be divided
between them, I will not take upon me to determine.
The impartial and inimitable pen of Cervantes has
made Rosinante immortal as well as Don Quixote.
Lord Talbot's horse, like the great planet in Milton,

' Danced about in various rounds his wandering course.*
At different times he was progressive, retrograde, or

• " His Lordship has a pension." — Note by Wilkes.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1766.] CHARACTER OP LORD TALBOT. 275

standing still. The progressive motion, I should rather
think to be the merit of the horse, the retrograde motion
the merit of the noble lord/'

When the squib met Lord Talbot's eye, he wrote to
Wilkes to ask if he was its author, and a long corre-
spondence ensued. Wilkes at length proposed, and
Colonel Berkeley, on the part of Lord Talbot, consented,
that the principals, attended by their seconds, should
sup together at the Red Lion at Bagshot, on the Tues-
day evening, and fight on the Wednesday. The parties
met at the time appointed. Lord Talbot wished to
finish the business immediately. Wilkes replied, that,
as an idle man of pleasure, he had put off some
important business; and added, that he had just left
the jovial monks of St. Francis, and the world would
conclude he was drunk, and form no favourable opinion
of his Lordship. Talbot persisted, and they repaired
to the garden of the inn. " It was near seven o'clock,"
says Wilkes. " The moon shone very bright. We
stood about eight yards distant. Both our pistols were
in very exact time, but neither took effect. Lord Talbot
then desired we might drink a bottle of claret together;
which," adds Wilkes, " we did with great good humour
and much laughter."

On the 21st of January the great question of the
repeal of the Stamp Act was brought before the House
of Commons by General Conway, and leave was given
to bring in the Bill. Mr. Grenville endeavoured to
substitute the words " explain and amend " instead of
" repeal," but his motion was rejected by 275 to 167.

T 2

Digitized by VjOOQIC

276 DEBATES ON THE STAMP ACT. [l766.

THE KING TO THE MARQUIS OF KOCKINGHAM.

" I JUST take up my pen to thank you for your atten-
tion in sending me a few particulars of this day's
debate in the House of Commons, which, by the great
majority, must be reckoned a very favourable appear-
ance for the repeal of the Stamp Act in that House.

"13 mil), past 12, a.m.**

In reference to this division, the Duke of Bedford
states, that Sir Lawrence Dundas informed him that a
person, " whom," writes his Grace, " he did not name,
but I suppose to be Colonel Graeme, had told him that
he never saw the King so affected as he was at the
result of the last great majority in the House of Com-
mons, and that he believed he wished for nothing more
than to be able to change his Administration." *

And yet the next letter from the King is in the
following strain.

" Lord Rockingham,

^' I am much pleased that the appearance was so good
yesterday. I hope you will be, if possible, by twelve at
St. James's, as my levee will be half an hour past
twelve, that I may hear some further particulars of the
debate.

" 50 min. past 10, a. m."

♦ Bedford Correspondence, iii. 327.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

176C.] CHARACTER OF LORD NORTHINGTON. 277

The following letter, though bearing no specific date,
appears to have been written by his Majesty on the
same occasion.

** Lieut.-Geneeal Conway,

" Nothing can in my eyes be more advantageous
than the debate in the House of Commons this day. I
shall not fail when I see you this day [to ask you for
a list of speakers],* that I may more fully hear the
colour of the language of those that spoke : it will give
some kind of rule to judge of their future conduct this
session.

"13min.pa8t 10."

While the private letters of George the' Third ex-
pressed nothing but cordiality towards the Ministers,
and approbation of their plan of repealing the Stamp
Act, and while Lord Talbot and a detachment of King's
friends were making a show of support, a strenuous
opposition was organized against the measure by the
main body of the same corps, under the leadership of
Lord Chancellor Northington.

Robert Henley, the scion of an ancient Somersetshire
family, was born in 1708. He received his education
at Westminster School, having for a contemporary,
William Murray, afterwards the celebrated Earl of
Mansfield. Murray was a King's scholar; Henley a

* The words within brackets are not in the original, but they
comprise the usual requirement of the King from hia Ministers.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

278 CHARACTER OF LORD NORTHINGTON. [l7(J6.

town boy. After graduating at Oxford, the two school-
fellows were called to the bar at nearly the same time.
It was said of Murray, that " he drank champaign
with the wits." Port wine, and the company of a few
choice spirits satisfied Henley's less refined but more
jovial tastes. His practice at this time consisted in
taking notes, cracking forensic jokes, and in arranging
oyster suppers. From his family connections he made
choice of the Western Circuit, of which, in process of
time, he became the leader.

It was the fashion in those days for young barristers
to spend their vacations at Bath. Thither Henley sped,
and passed his time very much to his satisfaction, in
dancing with the young ladies in the Pump-room, and
in tippling with the old gentlemen in the taverns.
There happened at this period to be at Bath, for the
benefit of the waters, a Miss Husband. This young
lady was of exquisite beauty, but so much of an invalid
as to be unable to stir out of doors, unless wheeled about
in a chair. Powerless as she seemed to be, she made a
conquest of our lawyer's heart. He pleaded and gained
his cause. Miss Husband made a wonderful recovery,
consigned over her votive crutches to the nymph of the
spring, danced a minuet with her handsome lover, and
in due time became Mrs. Henley. The happy, but not
very wealthy pair, did not indeed retire to " love in a
cottage," but to a small house near Bedford Square,
and to such economical dinners as briefless barristers
can best afford. After a few years, Henley, by the
death of his elder brother, came into the family pro-

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1766.] CttASACTEK OF LORD NORTHINGTON. 279

perty; but his tastes were now formed, and he con-
tinued in his profession.

Bath had already helped Henley to an agreeable
helpmate. The next favours were of a different descrip-
tion. The good stories of the convivial counsellor
made an impression on the snug corporation of Bladud,
and they first elected him their representative in Par-
liament, and then made him their Recorder. Like
other political adventurers, particularly of his pro-
fession, Henley became an adherent of Leicester House,
and when, in 1751, a partial dispersion of that party
was occasioned by the death of Frederick, the wily
lawyer, preferring the worship of the rising to the
setting sun, attached himself to the new heir apparent,
upon the formation of whose establishment as Prince
of Wales, Henley became his Solicitor-General From
this time forth a series of unforeseen circumstances
caused his rapid rise. In 1756, his schoolfellow,
Murray, unable any longer to endure the badgering of
Pitt, sought refuge in the House of Lords, and Henley
stepped into his place as Attorney-Greneral. The next
year. Lord Hardwicke ceased to be Chancellor, and
Henley was at hand to receive the Great Seal from the
hands of Pitt. But it was stipulated that the Lord
Keeper should have the office without the peerage.
A third accident procured for him this dignity also.
Lord Ferrers shot his steward. Some one was required
to try him. No qualified person coveted the office. Sir
Robert Henley, now created Baron Henley of the Grange,
presided at the trial. The new Lord, whose inclinations

Digitized by VjOOQIC

280 CHARACTER OF LORD NORTHINGTON. [1766.

had ever leaned to low buffoonery, boisterous merriment,
and coarse jokes, was a little out of his element in an
office where a certain degree of decorum seemed re-
quisite. " For the Lord High Steward," said Walpole,
" he neither had any dignity nor affected any. He
said at his own table t'other day, * I will not send for
Garrick and learn to act a part." "

The trial of Lord Ferrers took place in the spring of
1760. In the autumn of the same year, Henley's royal
patron had ascended the throne, and when a few months
later the Lord Keeper resigned the Great Seal into the
hands of George the Third, he received it back as Lord
Chancellor, Earl of Northington, and Lord Lieutenant
of Hampshire. The first advantage Lord Northington
took of the partiality which his new Sovereign soon
evinced towards him, was to ask permission for the
discontinuance of the evening sittings of the Court of
Chancery, because, said he, " I wish to be allowed com-
fortably to finish my bottle of port after dinner," or
according to another version, " because at that hour I
am apt to be drunk" Whichever was the plea assigned,
the latter appears to have been the true one. **The
Chancellor," writes Walpole, in 1763, "is chosen Gro-
vernor of St. Bartholomews. A smart gentleman, who
was sent with the white staff, carried it in the
evening, when the Chancellor happened to be drunk.
* Well, Mr. Bartlemy,' said his Lordship, snuffling, * what
have you to say?' The man, who had prepared a
formal harangue, was transported to have so fair an
opportunity of uttering it, and, with much dapper

Digitized by VjOOSI-^

Ilea.] CHARACTER OF LORD NORTHINGTON. 281

gesticulation, congratulated his Lordship on his health,
and the nation in enjoying so great abilities. The
Chancellor stopped him short, crying, * It is a lie !
I have neither health nor abilities. My bad health
has destroyed my abilities/ "

To Bath, the scene of his former gaieties. Lord
Northington continued to resort, but health, not plea-
sure, was the cause of his visits.

" Time had played his usual tricks."
The handsome, briefless young barrister, who, with light
heart and light step, once enlivened the ball-rooms of
the city, was transformed into a wealthy, old, cynical
valetudinarian. It is in the latter capacity Anstey
has introduced him into his "Bath Guide." He there
figures as

" Lord Ringbone, who lay in the parlour below.
On account of the gout he had got in his toe.'*

Northington had now attained the highest dignity of
his profession, but the complaint above mentioned
greatly diminished its enjoyment, and marred the
pleasure he would otherwise have derived from those
profitable walks which the greatest of law functionaries
is in the habit of making, from the woolsack to the bar.
It was in one of these painful promenades that he was
overheard to say, " If I had known that these legs were
one day to carry a Lord Chancellor, I would have taken *
more care of them when I was a lad."

Lord Northington was a good-looking man, of a florid
complexion. Though the expression of his countenance
was agreeable, his temper was haughty and imperious.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

282 CHARACTER OF LORD NORTHINGTON. [l76«.

and his manners were morose and overbearing. Yet

the surly deportment is supposed to have been rather

assumed than natural ; and he was considered a fdBem

^ WIk^ liaviug boon poind ftr liliiutimB, ^Bd affect
A naey rouglmeBs ; and constrain the garb,
Quite from his nature. — **

One day he was obstructed on his way to the House
of Lords by a carman. "Did not your Lordship,**
inquired some one, " show him the mace and strike him
with terror?*' " No," swore the Chancellor, for an oath
was the usual preface to every sentence, " but 1 told
the rascal that if I had been in my private coach I
would have beaten him to a jelly."

r To the Bill for repealing the Stamp Act was annexed
a declaration of the right of Parliament to lay imposts
on the Colonies of the British Empire. Mr. Pitt and
his adherents denied the competency of the legislature
to tax the Colonies at all, and Lofd Campbell, in hii
Life of Lord Camden, has recently re-aflirmed the
opinion of Mr. Pitt " Nothing," says the noble and
learned biographer of the Chancellors of England, N
" could exceed the folly of accompanying the repeal of n
the Stamp Act with the statutable declaration of the \

abstract right to tax." Against so distinguished an )

authority upon a question of jurisprudence and consti-

• tutional history I should enter the lists with equal
diffidence and reluctance. But the laws of tourney in
certain cases permitted the weaker party to nominate
his champion, and I am fortunately enabled to shelter
my own opinion on the celebrated declaration, behind

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1706.] RTOHT OF TAXING THE COLONIES. 283

the broad buckler of the mcuA bnlliant and learned of
recent historical writers. Upon the rig^t of Paiiiament
Mr. Macaulay has thus forcibly delivered his ju^
ment : —

" The opinion of the most judicious and temperate
statesmen of those times was, that the British Consti-
tution had set no limit whatever to the legislative
power of the British King, Lords, and Commons over
the whole British empire. Parliament they held was
legally competent to tax America, as Parliament was
legally competent to commit any other act of folly or
wickedness, to confiscate the property of all the mer-
chants in Lombard Street, or to attaint any man of
high treason, without examining witnesses against him,
or hearing him in his own defence. The most atrocious
act of confiscation or attainder is just as valid an act as
the Toleration Act or the Habeas Corpus Act. But
from acts of attainder and acts of confiscation lawgivers
are bound by every obligation of morality, systemati-
cally to refrain. In the same manner ought the British
Legislature to refrain from taxing the American colo-
nies. The Stamp Act was indefensible, not because it
was beyond the constitutional competence of Parliament,
but because it was unjust and impolitic, sterile of
revenue, and fertile of discontents." *

But there is another reason, which will at least

redeem Lord Rockingham and his friends from the

charge of folly and inconsistency in accompanying the

abolition of a law with the affirmation of its principle.

* Macaulay'fi Review of the Life of Chatham.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

284 DIFFERENCES OF OPINION [1766.

On the one hand, without such declaratory clause neither
the legislature nor the Sovereign would have passed
or ratified the Act. On the other, the Rockingham
party itself was by no means unanimous in its view
of the question at issue. Lord Hardwicke — and there
were many in the Upper House who coincided with
him — thought the concessions to America had gone
^too far.

His Lordship, after stating that the Duke of Cum-
berland had offered him the Chairmanship of the Board
of Trade in July 1765, and assigning some of the
reasons for declining, adds : " Neither had I any
intimation given me what plan they (the Ministers)
intended to pursue, or whether, as we had differed on
opposition points, it was not equally probable that we
might disagree when we met together in Administra-
tion; and this would, in fact, have happened, for I
never should have concurred in the tame despatches
which were sent to America from hence on the first
accounts of the Resolutions of the assemblies and the
tumults at New York and Boston."

In another part of his narrative Lord Hardwicke
says, " I was rather disgusted with the half confidences
which were made me during the course of the winter,
and with the little weight which was given to my
opinion, when it interfered with the plan which Lord
Rockingham and friends were previously determined to
follow in America and in mercantile affairs. I did not
take an active part in Parliament, though, from the
necessity of the times, and the universal clamour which

Digitized by

Google

1766.] ON THE STAMP ACT. 285

the merchants and manufacturers had raised about the
Stamp Act, I concurred in the repeal of it."

With respect to the declaratory Act itself, his Lord-
ship remarks: — "It was principally owing to my
brother that the dignity and authority of the legislature
were kept up by the Bill for asserting the dependence
of the Colonies."

In the House of Commons, too, the Ministry would
have been deprived of a very able coadjutor had they
persisted in repealing the Act without asserting the abs-
tract right of the Legislature to enforce it. I allude
to Charles Torke, Lord Hardwicke's brother, at this
time Attorney-General.

The Eesolutions passed in the Cabinet on the subject
of the Declaratory Clause, and the subsequent corre-
spondence between Lord Rockingham and Mr. Charles
Yorke on the subject, will show, that, if the suggestion^
of the latter had been adopted, the Act itself would
have been still more irritating to the feelings of the
colonists. The words in the text are the Resolutions
themselves, those within brackets the corrections of
Mr. Yorke.

" Resolved, That it appears to this Committee that
the most dangerous tumults and insurrections have
been raised and carried on in several of the North
American colonies, in open defiance of the powers and
dignity of his Majesty's government there, and in mani*
fest violation of the laws and legislative authority of
this kingdom.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

286 RESOLUTIONS [1766.

II.

" Resolved, That the said tumults have been greatly
[ unwarrantably ] encouraged and inflamed by suftdty
[leave out] votes and resolutions passed in several
assemblies of the said provinces [directly contrary to law,
highly injurious to the honour of his Majesty and this House],
greatly derogat(yry to the honour and dignity of his
Majesty's Government, destructive of the legal and con-
stitutional dependency of the said Colonies on the Impe-
rial Crown and Parliament of Great Britain.

III.

" Resolved, That an humble address be presented to
his Majesty, to desire that his Majesty would be pleased
to give directions to the Governors of the aforesaid
North American provinces [ ... C His Governors in N.
America,] to take the most effectual methods for disco-
vering and bringing to deserved punishment the au-
thors, abettors, and perpetrators [ and principal actors in]
of the said riots and insurrections.

IV.

" Resolved, That a humble address be presented to
his Majesty to desire that his Majesty would be
[graciously] pleased to give orders to the Governors of
the several provinces where the above-mentioned [said]
riots and insurrections have happened, that they should
apply and recommend to the assemblies of the said
provinces to make proper recompense to those who have
suffered in their persons or properties in consequence
thereof.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1766.] ON THE STAMP. ACT. 287

" Resolved, That the Parliament of Great Britain
had, hath, and of a right ought to have, full power and
authority to make laws and statutes of sufficient force
and validity to bind the Colonies and people of America
in all cases whatsoever [as well in cases of Taxation, as in all
other cases whatsoever.]

THE MARQUIS OF ROCKINGHAM TO THE HON. CHARLES

YORKE.

'^ Jan. fi5, 1766» Saturday evening.

" General Conway having sent to me the proposed
Resolutions with some alterations which you have made,
I cannot help troubling you with my dovJbU upon some
of them. The Resolutions in general exceed in spirit
what the generalhy of our friends wish, but, in expecta-
tion that coming into them will pave the way for the
actual repeal of tiie Stamp Act^ I think they will be
agreed to. In one of your alterations I dislike the
earpressioTt of undoubted rights, and am sure, upon con-
sideration how goading that word would be to a great
person in the House of Commons, it cannot be advisable
to put it in.

" The other alteration which I particularly object to,
is the insertion of * taa^ationy and I think I may say
that it is our firm resolution in the House of Lords (I
mean among ourselves) that that word must not be
inserted. I see more and more the difficulties that
surround us, and therefore feel the necessity of not
temporizing. Convinced as I am that the confusion at

Digitized by VjOOQIC

288 RESOLUTIONS [1766.

home will be much too great (if the repeal is not
obtained) for us to have withstood, either as private or
public men, my opinion being entirely for repeal, I shall
certainly persist in that measure ; and though many in
the House of Commons may be against us, and particu-
larly some who have lately called themselves under the
denomination of Lord B.'s friends; yet I am persuaded
that the House will repeal the Stamp Act by a great
majority. If it doesj we shall then show how we stand
as Administration. If it does not, I wish no man so
great a curse as to desire him to be the person to take
Administration, and be obliged to enforce the Act . . .
On all occasions ever your most affectionate friend,

" Rockingham."

In a letter of the same date as the foregoing, Mr.
Torke writes —

" Since this letter was sealed up, your servant has
brought a letter from your Lordship. If Mr. Conway
and you have a mind in the third resolution to leave
out the word undoubted ; or even in the second resolu-
tion, the words directly contrary to law; and think
that it will be a means of conciliating and softening
in this wild time, I am not tenacious of such correc-
tions, provided there is enough to express my real
meaning.

" To * maintain the authority with dignity will assist
the repeal^ "

A petition was presented on the 27th of January, by

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1766.] , ON THE STAMP ACT. 289

Mr. Cooke, Member for Middlesex, from some of the
American provinces assembled in Congress, against the
Stamp Act The " Parliamentary History " makes no
mention of the proceedings of this evening, yet the
debate was lively and the war of words fierce. It was,
moreover, on this evening that Edmund Burke made
his first speech in Parliament. Messrs. Jenkinson and
Dyson, both holding oflBice under Lord Rockingh&m,
as did Nugent and Ellis, belonged to the Court party,
who called thfe Congress a " dangerous federal union."
High words passed in the course of the evening be-
tween Pitt and Norton. The latter having said
that his blood was chilled by the gentleman's sound-
ing the trumpet of rebellion; the Great Commoner
replied, that " he would be glad to meet him in any
place, with the same opinions, when his blood was
warmer."

The following are a few of the remarks that called
forth Norton's declaration.

Mr. Pitt aflSrmed the petition to be innocent, dutiful,
and respectful. He painted the Americans as people
who, in an ill-fated hour, had left this country to fly
from the Star Chamber and High Commission Courts.
The desert smiled upon them in comparison of this
country. It was the evil genius of this country that
had riveted among them this union, now called
dangerous and federal. He would emphatically hear
the Colonies upon this their petition. " You have
broken the original compact if you have not a right
of taxation. The repeal of the Stamp Act was

VOL. I. D

Digitized by VjOOQIC

290 LORD HARDWICKE [l766.

an inferior consideration to the receiving this peti-
tion/'*

The following comment upon Mr. Pitt's speech, from
. a member of Lord Rockingham's Cabinet, is an answer
to those who condemn that statesman for introducing
the Declaratory Act.

THE EARL OF HARDWICKE TO THE HON. CHARLES YORKE.

" Dear Brother, "St. James's Square, 28th Jan., 1766.

" I am very sorry you was not at the House yester-
day. The Great Commoner never laid himself so open,
nfever asserted such absurd and pernicious doctrines,
and richly deserved to have been called to the bar, or
sent to the Tower. The petition was from an illegal
congress, calling the right of Parliament in question;
and on that account I could have wished you had been
there to bear your testimony against it.

" I presume you have seen the resolutions which are
intended for our House. Who is to be the mover I know
not. I proposed some words to the third resolution
about strengthening the King's hands, to preserve good
order, &c., in the Colony — very measured ones, in my
poor opinion — but which I think absolutely necessary.
Some are substituted, which I do not like so well, and
I flatter myself, you will approve mine. I heard such
stuff' thrown out at the meeting by the Duke of New-
castle, and such a tame acquiescence from most of the
Lords, that I was obliged, in duty to the Crown, to tell
♦ Walpole's George the Third, li. 270-1.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1766.] TO THE HON. CHARLES YORKE. 291

them what I thought of the proceedings and principles
which prevail in North America.

" The question about the right is in general terms —
all cases whatsoever. I presume it is the same in your
House. Tell me what you will doj if taxation is pro-
posed to be inserted. The Ministers desire to flatter
North America, not to make it subordinate to this
country. They dread the idea of sending more force
there, which I think necessary to protect Government
from tumult, and to enable the Governor to execute
these resolutions.

" What will come out of all this, the Lord above
knows. I do not desire to trouble you with corre-
spondence; but if it was the last time I ever heard from
you, I beg to know your opinion : — ^first, about being for
or against making particular mention of the power of
iaanng; secondly, about inserting some words in rela-
tion to strengthening the King's hands; and thirdly,
how we shall get rid of, or modify, the late Acts, which
impose duties on North America.

" Reading the papers will take up a day more, and
I suppose we shall not sit on the 30th of January. I
do not like Mr. Conway's letters to the Governors, but
those I shall not meddle with.*'

The marked intention of a large portion of the King's
household to avail themselves of his Majesty's permission
to vote against his Ministers, doubtless produced the
two letters which follow.

u 2

Digitized by VjOOQIC

292 DUKE OF NEWCASTLE [l766.

THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE TO TOE MARQUIS OF ROCKINGHAM.

"Newcastle House, Jan. 31, 1766.

" My zeal for his Majesty's service, and for the
success of his administration, makes me take the liberty
to acquaint your Lordship that my Lord Albemarle, my
Lord Besborough, my Lord Grantham (who are now
here), as well as myself, are so much convinced of the
necessity of carrying the repeal of the Stamp Act, that
we fear, if that is not done, his Majesty's service in
Parliament may greatly suffer by it.

For that reason, we presume to give it as our opinion,
that your Lordship should lay the present state of this
question before the King, and humbly represent to his
Majesty, that if his Majesty will be graciously pleased
to signify to his Lords of the Bedchamber and his ser-
vants, at the time of his dressing, or after his levee,
that his Majesty wishes the repeal, and thinks it for
his service that it should be done, it will certainly be
carried without difficulty. But if such a declaration
be not made of his Majesty's own inclination, we are
very apprehensive that the many different kinds of
opposition will join to defeat it. The three Lords were
very earnest with me to send your Lordship this opinion,
which I said I was very ready to do, if I might write in
their name as well as my own; and this letter was
wrote in their presence, and approved by them. If
your Lordship should think that our humble opinion
should have any weight with his Majesty, we are very
willing that it should be submitted, with the utmost

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1766.] TO LORD ROCKINGHAM. 293

deference, to his Majesty's consideration. I myself, or
any of these Lords, have not the least doubt of his
Majesty's inclinations, but there is at present so much
industry in propagating everything that makes against
us, that his Majesty's own inclinations upon such an
occasion cannot be too well known. Your Lordship
will, I am sure, excuse this letter, which proceeds per-
haps from an over zeal, which his Majesty's goodness
will pardon.''

And in a second letter, of the same date, the Duke
writes,

" I SHOULD not have troubled your Lordship upon this
occasion, if ray Lord Albemarle had not been under the
greatest apprehensions for the loss of the repeal, and
thought as the others did, that there then was an end
of this Administration. This arises from the notion
which now prevails, that Lord B. and all his friends
(and they are very numerous at the House of Lords)
will be all against us. Indeed, my Lord, nothing should
be omitted. I have done and will do everything in my
power. Pray send and talk to the Archbishop of York.
You may show the other letter to the King if you think
it necessary ; but that is left entirely to your Lordship.
You may acquaint the King you have such a letter; but
don't let the King be angry with us for our zeal."

Lord Rockingham, acting upon the suggestions con-
tained in the two last-quoted letters, represented to
the King that a Ministry undermined by the Household

Digitized by VjOOQIC

294 GEN. CONWAY TO LORD ROCKINGHAM. [1766.

could not much longer drag on a precarious existence ;
with how little effect his remonstrance was attended,
may be inferred from the fact that, on the same evening
the Grovernment '* carried a question by so small a
majority, that, according to Parliamentary divination,
it amounted to an overthrow.*' A Scotch petition had
been presented by Mr. Wedderburn, the consideration
of which the Ministers proposed to defer for six weeks.
They carried their point, but only by 148 to 139;
Lord Mountstuart, Lord Bute's eldest son, Mr. Dyson, a
Lord of Trade, Lord George Sackville, lately appointed
by Lord Rockingham to the lucrative post of Vice-Trea-
surer of Ireland, Lord Strange, Chancellor of the Duchy
of Lancaster, and several Grooms of the Bedchamber,
voted with the minority.

General Conway, who reported the result of this
division to the King, forwarded his Majesty's answer
to Lord Rockingham, with the following note from
himself.

" My Lord, " B. House, Saturday (Feb. Ist, 1766).

" I wrote a short account of what passed yesterday,
and sent a list of the voters^ which you saw, and just
said I thought the buzz of some plan of a separation
from his Majesty's servants made it more remarked.
Does the enclosed answer give you any light or opinion?
This for yourself and the Duke of Grafton.
" Your Lordship's,

" Most sincerely,

" H. S. C.^'

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1766] THE KING TO GENERAL CONWAY. 295

Sir John Anstruther, one of the gentlemen alluded

to in the first paragraph of the following letter, sat in

Parliament for Crail, and was hereditary carver to the

King in Scotland.

" Necessity and Anstruther are like one another;
Necessity has no law, no more has Anstruther."

I know not for what place Mr. Alexander was a
member.

the king to the right hon. henet seymour conway.

" Lieut.-General Conway,

" I have received your account of yesterday's division
on the Scotch petition of an undue election. By what
Lord Rockingham dropped to me, that both were good
men, I did not know that Administration meant, as
such, to be active on this occasion.

" I am sorry any of the 15th Regiment of Dragoons
have taken to robbing on the highway, and when
brought to conviction, shall be firmly of opinion that
the law must take its course ; for soldiers have a main-
tenance, and therefore have no plea of distress.

" 26 p. M."

" The situation of Ministers," says Walpole, " became
every day more irksome and precarious."

" Perhaps," writes Lord Chesterfield, on the 10th of
Febraary, " you expect from me a particular account of
the present state of affairs. It varies, not only daily,
but hourly. Most people think, and I among the rest,

Digitized by VjOOQIC

296 THE KING Lnee.

that the date of the present Ministers is pretty nearly
out; but how soon we are to have a new style, God
knows. This, however, is certain, that the Ministers
had a contested election in the House of Commons, and
got it but by eleven votes; too small a minority to
carry anything."

It appears to be in reference to this election that
the following letter was written.

the king to the marquis of rockingham.

*' Lord Rockingham,

"Your attention in sending me this evening the
account of the success of the Rochester election, is very
commendable. A steady perseverance, unattended by
heat, will overturn all oppositions, even in Parlia-
ment.

" 5 min, past 9, p. m. (2nd of February.)"

"The next day,** writes Chesterfield, "they (the
Ministers) lost a question in the House of Lords, by
three. The question in the House of Lords was, to
enforce the execution of the Stamp Act vi et armis.
The opposition carried the question against the Crovern-
ment by sixty-three to sixty."

The nature of the Minister's remonstrance to the
King, on this last act of hostility, may be inferred by
his Majesty's reply.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

17w.j to lord rockingham. 297

" Lord Rockingham,

" I have received your resolution, of standing iBu-mly
by the fate of the American question, which will cer-
tainly direct my language to the Chancellor,

"10 min. past II, p.m."

The following day. Lord Hardwicke writes to Mr.
Yorke : —

" Dear Brother, " St. James's Square, Feb. 3, 1766.

"There is certainly a micmac at Court. What it
will end in, Crod knows. Lord Rockingham was with
the King two hours last night. Lord Chancellor has
gone to the Queen's Palace, as his Majesty does not
appear in public. The talk is of a new Administra-
tion."

One of the modes which the Court adopted to bring
Ministers into a state of subjection, was to enter into a
pretended negociation with the leaders of opposition.
Mr. Grenville, while at the helm of affairs, was fre-
quently a victim of these " make believes." Walpole
mentions that a like system was set in operation against
Lord Rockingham. This assertion derives some colour
from the following letter, for it is hardly supposed that
two such political time-servers as the lawyers therein
mentioned would have acted against the King's public
servants, without his sanction.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

298 LORD ALBEMARLE TO LORD ROCKINGHAM. [l766.

THE EARL OF ALBEMARLE TO THE MARQUIS OF
ROCKINGHAM.*

" The King should be informed that Mr. Norton and
Mr. Wedderburn are treating with Mr. Grenville; that
the plan of opposition is to wait the docision of the
repeal, to endeavour in the meantime to lessen the
strength of the Administration by frequent divisions,
depending upon Lord Bute and many of his Majesty's
servants ; that if the Repeal is not carried, they know
the Ministers must resign, and that the King must call
upon them, having no others to go to, when they will
make their own terms, harder than any that have ever
yet been made ; and his Majesty has already had a
specimen of tlieir mercy; if there was any public mark
of his Majesty's resolution to support his Ministers on
the Repeal, I am sure it would have a very surprising
effect, from conversations that I have had.
" I have the honour to be, &c.,

" Albemarle."

" Friday, past 1 o'clock."

The 7th of February was the day on which the oppo-
nents of the Stamp Act resolved to try their strength.
General Conway having called the attention of the
House of Commons to the calamitous condition of
America, Mr. Grenville moved an address to the King
to enforce the laws. After a stormy debate, Grenville's

• Endorsed "February, 1766. Lord Albemarle relating to the
Opposition."

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1766] LORD ROCKINGHAM TO THE KING. 299

motion was rejected by 274 to 134; the minority com-
prising Lord Bute's friends, all the Scotch, all the
Tories, and nearly a dozen of the King's household.

" The Ministers,'' says Walpole, " however triumph
ant, were, with reason, disgusted at the notorious
treachery of the Court, and remonstrated to the King
on the behaviour of his servants."*

Lord Rockingham's letter to the King was as fol-
lows : —

'' Sib,

" I humbly presume to trouble your Majesty on the
event of last night in the Commons.

" The appearances there fully justify what I have
presumed to mention to your Majesty in some late con-
versations, and make it necessary for me, both as a
faithful and in truth most affectionate servant, to hope
that your Majesty will be graciously pleased to allow
me to attend your Majesty at any time in the course of
this day, that I may open to your Majesty the senti-
ments and opinions of a heart, which I will assert has
no motive but its affection and duty to your Majesty,
and its anxiety for the welfare of this country in the
present critical situation.''

For the result of this interview we must again look
to Walpole : " Evasions and professions were all the
replies; but no alteration in consequence.f

♦ Walpole's George the Third, ii. 288.
t Ibid.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

300 CORRESPONDENCE ON [1766.

On the 10th of February, " Lord Strange, one of the
placemen who opposed the repeal of the Stamp Act, hav-
ing occasion to go in to the King, on some aflfair of his
oflSce, the Duchy of Lancaster, the King said he heard
it was reported in the world that he (the King) was for
the repeal of that Act. Lord Strange replied, that idea
did not only prevail, but that his Majesty's Ministers
did all that lay in their power to encourage that belief;
and that their great majority had been entirely owing
to their having made use of his Majesty's name. Lord
Strange no sooner left the closet than he made full
use of the authority he had received, and trumpeted
all over the town the conversation he had had with
the King." ♦

JOHN OFFLET,t ESQ., TO THE MARQUIS OF ROCKINGHAM.

" Mr Lord, " Tuesday, February 1 1th, 1 766.

" I beg your pardon for troubling you with this note.
I did design to have waited upon you this morning, to
have told you of the report that was spread last night
as a certain truth, and gave great uneasiness to all the
well-wishers of the present Administration. It was,
that Lord Strange had yesterday morning an audience
of the King, who assured him he did not wish for the
repeal of the Stamp Act, only wished that it might

* Walpole's George the Third, ii. 288-9, — Bee also BeUham's His-
tory of Great Britain^ v. 177. Both writers have given different ver-
sions of this occurrence, but neither of them is quite correct in all
the details.

f Member for Oxford.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1706.] THE REPEAL OF THE STAMP ACT. 301

be altered. My reason for giving you this trouble is
that, if it is not true, it may be contradicted, as it
gives great uneasiness to your friends and great spirits
to your enemies/^

Among Lord Rockingham's papers are the three fol-
lowing distinct disavowals, in the Royal handwriting, of
the language attributed. It may, I think, be inferred,
that they were obtained at three several audiences.
That marked No. III. is on a small piece of paper,
apparently part of the cover of a letter, and would
seem as if the Minister had determined not to quit
the Royal presence until he had secured " the word of
a King."

THEEE PAPERS IN THE KING'S HANDWRITING.
I.

"That Lord Rockingham was, on Friday, allowed
by his Majesty to say, that his Majesty was for the
repeal. The conversation having only been for that
or enforcing."*'

II.
" Lord Rockingham's question was, whether he was
for enforcing the Stamp Act, or for the repeal The
King was clear, that repeal was preferable to enforcing,
and permitted Lord Rockingham to declare that as his
opinion."

Digitized by VjOOQIC

302 CORRESPONDENCE ON [1766.

III.

*' Lord Rockingham,

" 1 desire you would tell Lord Strange, that I am
now, and have been heretofore, for modification ; but
that when many were for enforcing, I was then for
a repeal of the Stamp Act."

THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE TO THE MARQUIS OF ROCKINGHAM.

"Claremont, February 11th, 1766.

" I AM very much obliged to you for your kind letter.
Nothing could be properer than what you represented
to the King, and / hope it will have its effect. This
day and to-morrow, at the levee, will be the trial.

" From what your Lordship says, as well as from
some circumstances I learnt yesterday, I am convinced
that the pressing the repeal ought to be the sole object
at present, and for that purpose I hope nothing will be
neglected. I firmly believe the House of Commons will
go on well, but we must not discourage them by losing
any more questions in the House of Lords, and, there-
fore, we must pick up all we can get.* I think the
first division of sixty to sixty-three, is the rule we
should go by, though your Lordship made very good
use of the last with the King."

Lord Rockingham appears to have been so thoroughly
disgusted with the treacherous conduct of the Court, as
to contemplate an immediate resignation.

* The Stamp Repeal Bill was read for the first time on the follow-
ing day.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1766.] THE REPEAL ON THE STAMP ACT. 303

THE EAKL OF DARTMOUTH * TO THE MARQUIS OF
ROCKINGHAM.

« Sunday Evening (Feb. 12, 1766).
" I HATE thought of nothing but what you told me
last night, since I saw you, and am fully persuaded
that you ought, by all means, to stand it out to the
last moment, and, for the sake of yoMC^country, to cling
(to oflBice) with the same tenacity that o^.ers would use
for the sake of themselves. The case is not yet des-
perate, and while there is the least shadow of hope of
doing good, I would on no account give up the game
to those who will, undoubtedly, do mischief. The Act
once repealed, I shall heartily congratulate your Lord-
ship upon a release from your fatigues. Your successors
may then be left to enjoy the sweets of an honourable
coalition, and hug themselves in the possession of em-
ployment, which nothing but concern for the public
good could make it worth your while to hold. It will
be some time before they can contrive to get us into
such another scrape; when they do, it will be time
enough to call upon Yourself and Co. to deliver us
from it."

In addition to the numerous obstacles that lay in the
path of Ministers, in their endeavours to restore tran*
quillity to America, was the turbulent spirit of the
American Colonists themselves. The following paper
on this subject, entitled " Considerations on the Repeal

* See ante page 2H7*

Digitized by VjOOQIC

304 PAPER ON STAMP ACT. [1766.

of the Stamp, and recommending a suitable behaviour
to the Americans on that occasion," was drawn up by
Sir George Savile.

^^The constant argument against the Repeal has
been that, in case it should take place, the vote of
Right will be waste paper; we shall ^ strut in mock
majesty/ and the Colonies will understand very well
that what is pretended to be adopted, on mere com-
mercial principles of expedience, is really yielded
through fear, and amounts to a tacit but effectual
surrender of our right, or, at least, a tacit compact
that We will never use it.

^^ It has struck me long since, that this would be the
line of argument, and every debate and every question
from opposition, as to this point, confirms me in this
opinion, and in a persuasion how very material it is,
that the event should not support, or even seem to
support, their arguments.

" The event will justify those arguments in the
strongest manner, if the Colonies should triumph on the
Repeal, and afTect to seize the yielding of Parliament as
a point gained over parliamentary authority. The
Opposition would immediately throw in your teeth : —
^ See 1/our work : it is as we said; it is but too weU
proved what tise the Colonies make of your weak and
timid measures.^

" On the contrary, if duty, submission, and gratitude
be the return made by the Colonies, then, * We are
in the right,^ we may say. * Is it not as we said ? See

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1766.] PAPER ON STAMP ACT. 305

the Colonies regained to this country by our modem'
tian ; regained with their loyalty, their affection, and their
trade.^

" I need not say how extremely preferable the latter
supposition is to the first. How much more desirable
for this country and for the Colonies ! Might they not
be reasoned with thus :—

" Tou must be sensible what friends you have had in
the present Ministry, and what pains they have taken
to serve you. It is justice likewise to them to inform
you what difficulties they have encountered in your
cause, and from whence those difficulties have mainly
arisen. You should know, that the great obstacle in
this way has been unhappily thrown in by yourselves.
I mean the intemperate proceedings of various ranks of
people on your side the water, and that the difficulties
of the repeal would have been nothing, if you had not
by your violence in word and action awakened the
honour of Parliament, and thereby involved every
friend of the repeal in the imputation of betraying the
dignity of Parliament. This is so true, that the Act
would certainly not have been repealed if men's minds
had not been in some measure satisfied with the Decla-
ration of £ight. If, therefore, you would make the
proper return to your country, if you have a mind to
do credit to your friends, and strengthen the hands of
your advocates, hasten to express your filial duty and
gratitude to your parent country. Then will those who
have been (and while they have the power will be)
your friends have reason to plume themselves on the

VOL. I. X

Digitized by VjOOQIC

306 CHARACTER OF JEREMIAH DYSON. [1766.

restoration of peace to the colonies, union, trade, and
reciprocal advantages to them and to us.

" But continue your violent measures, triumph in
the point you have gained ; talk of it as a victory ;
say the Parliament have yielded up the right, if you
have a mind to give your enemies here a complete
triumph. K you have a mind your friends should
lose the power to serve you, and if you have a mind
your two masters should be restored, you have your
choice.

" This is the idea which I think might be instilled
and cultivated in the colonies by merchants to their
correspondents ; and I think, in our present situation, a
very great deal depends on its being done universally
and immediately."

Among the most active opponents of the repeal of
the Stamp Act was Mr. Jeremiah Dyson, member for
Great Yarmouth, and one of the Lords of Trade. He
was one of those parasitical persons who serve govern-
ments a little, and disgrace them much. He was by
birth a tailor, by education a Dissenter, and, from
interest or vanity, in his earlier years a Republican.
But he was not a person whose conscience at any time
stood in the way of his preferment, and his republi-
canism speedily yielded to more profitable investments
in politics. He was a quick, shrewd man, with a cool
head and a prompt tongue, and an atrabilious tempera-
ment, that made him impatient of repose and obscurity.
He entered Parliament with a character for holding

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1760.] CHARACTER OF JEREMIAH DYSON. 307

anti-monarchical opinions, although he was at the time
" secretly sold to Lord Bute." For some time he was
supposed to be a staunch supporter of Geoi^e Gren-
ville, but when the Grenvillian horizon became over-
cast, Jeremiah tacked to windward. Shortly after this
desertion, having assumed a bag instead of a tye-vf\g^
Lord Gower aptly remarked, " It was because no tie
would hold him."

Whatever party he espoused, Dyson's habits of
business, skill in parliamentary forms, specious demean-
our and general courtesy, rendered him a serviceable
adjunct ; nor, though he possessed neither fancy nor
eloquence, was he by any means contemptible as a
speaker and pamphleteer. But the best of his good
gifts was his accommodating conscience. He was a
ready-made " King's friend," even before he attracted
the royal notice.

George the Third was not a King John, nor was
Dyson a Hubert. But he was not the less an apt
instrument in the hands of a Sovereign who sought to
govern a kingdom as an attorney manages an election,
by the influence of partisans and the division of oppo-
nents. He had risen rapidly in the favour of Lord
Bute. For several years he was principal clerk in the
House of Commons. He became afterwards joint Secre-
tary of the Treasury, and eventually Cofferer of the
Household.

In 1766 Lord Bute's royal pupil became political
sponsor for Jeremiah's good behaviour as a member of
the Rockingham Ministry. Reluctantly did the Pre-

X 2

Digitized by VjOOQIC

308 CHARACTER OF JEREMIAH DYSON. [17CM5.

mier accept his services ; much he laboured to cashier
him. But the King knew his worth too well. His
Majesty preferred getting rid of Lord Rockingham to
dismissing Jeremiah.

Such accomplishments could not fail to attracts notice
both from friends and enemies, and while the former
rewarded, the latter satirized the compliances of Dyson.
In the farce of the "Padlock" Don Lorenzo asks his
black servant, Mungo^ whether "he can be honest?*'
Mungo rejoins, "What you give me, massa?" This
bustling and unscrupulous actor of all work on the
political stage of this period was nicknamed Mungo by
Colonel Barr6. The appellation stuck to him ; and
many of the pamphlets which were called forth by the
question of Wilkes's claim to sit in Parliament bore
such titles as the following : " Muugo on the Use of
Quotations;" "Mungo's Case Considered," &c. It is
scarcely necessary to add that in this controversy Dyson
advocated with his pen the views of the Court.

" Who," said Flood, in the Irish House of Commons
in November 1771, "does not know Jeremiah Dyson,
Esq.? We know little of him, indeed, otherwise than
by his name on the Pension List. There are others
who know him by his actions. This is he who is endued
with those happy talents that he has served every admi-
nistration, and served every one with equal success — ^a
civil, pliable, good-natured gentleman who will do what
you will, and say what you please — ^for payment."

The letter which follows has reference to the second
of seven resolutions which General Conway laid before

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1766.] MR. COOPER TO LORD ROCKINGHAM. 309

the House of Commons on the 24th of February, rela-
tive to the Bill to repeal the Stamp Act.

MR. GREY COOPER * TO LORD ROCKINGHAM.

" Mr Lord, " 6 o'clock.

*' Upon the second resolution being moved by Mr. Se-
cretary Conway, Mr. Dyson made a motion for amend-
ment of it, by adding the words, whereby the ea?ecution of
the Stamp Act has been defeated. Mr. Pitt getting up to
oppose this amendment he said, he was for the general
words moved by the Right Hon. Gentleman (Conway)
because he thought them wise, judicious, temperate, ami
firm; and he wished the prudence which dictated the
resolution might find the approbation it deserved from
the nation, and that it might find the way into the heart
of the King. He could not be more explicit in his good-
will to administration, and his resolution to support
them through this great measure. Mr. Grenville pas
been obliged to advise Mr. Dyson to withdraw his motiuii
just as Ijpis upon my legs to oppose it; but we cannot
be upon better ground. Mr. Burke has spoke very well

* Mr., afterwards Sir Grey, Cooper, was Secretary of the Treasury*
In 1 796, he was made a Privy Councillor. Cooper was a dull Lut
useful speaker. He was also the author of several pamphlets. Lloyd,
a private Secretary of Mr. Grenville, having, in 1 765, written a email
tract, entitled ^* An Honest Man's Reasons for declining to take any
part in the New Administration," Cooper wrote in answer, " A Paii*
of Spectacles for Short-sighted Politicians," also, '' The Merits of the
New Administration iairly stated." In this last, he argues the pet'-
maneneif of the Rockingham Ministry, which did not live a year
but he continued in office till 1782.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

310 LORD HARDWICKE TO HON. C. YORKE. [1766.

in answer to Mr. Grenville. I never was in better
spirits. If this night be well managed everything yet
may be more solid than it was before the mine of yester-
day was sprung.* Mr. Pitt has taken the alarm, both
he and Colonel Barr^ have declared their most unre-
served concurrence with your Lordship and your friends.
" I am, with the utmost respect,
" Your Lordship's most devoted servant,

" Grey Cooper/'

the earl of hardwicke to the hon. charles yorke.

'* Dear Brother, "February «4th, uee.

" I send you a very sensible letter of Sir Joseph's;
you will see the opinion which foreigners entertain of
the Great Commoner, and of our conduct at home, not
that it alters my opinion about the repeal of the Stamp
Act, as aflfairs are circumstanced here, the pressure of
which foreigners cannot feel. I have writ Sir Joseph
an account of the strange way in which the last Ministry
had conducted their own scheme by leaving it to shift
for itself with all the notices they had of the ill-humour
rising in North America. It is neither to be answered,
nor vindicated. Pray consider, if the repeal of this ill-
fated Bill should not be attended with addresses from
Parliament to the Crown to require of the assemblies to
raise the money for paying the troops kept there for
their security. I am sure it ought to be done, whenever

* I know not ^vhat new mine was sprung on the 23rd of Fe-
bruary.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1766.] OVERTURES TO PITT. 311

we have the good fortune to have a settled Administra-
tion, else I would recall the troops^ which yet I think a
very unwise measure in other respects. After all tlmt
passed in the summer, the intercourse with you, tlie
offer to me, I think it strange the King has never
wished to know at least your opinion^ when he has had
that of half the blockheads in and out of his service.
Surely it is the low craft of Leicester House to keep alt
who have sense and integrity from the purlieus of tlie
Palace."

The fall of the Ministry was now daily elxpected. It
was said of them — " They were dead, and only lying in
state; and that Charles Townshend (who never spoke
for them) was one of the mutes." As the repeal of the
Stamp Act, although it had passed the Commons, liad
yet to run the gauntlet in the Lords, Lord Rockingham,
regardless of all personal considerations, made one mtire
attempt to gain the support of Mr, Pitt, and accord-
ingly he wrote as follows towards the end of February
to that statesman's legal adviser and personal frienil^
Mr. Thomas Nuthall : *

" By taking the liberty to trouble you, I may have
ventured beyond prudence, but not beyond the dictates

* On the fonnation of his Government, Lord Rockingham, with a
view of conciliating Mr. Pitt, made Mr. Nuthall Solicitor to the
Treasury. In announcing the appointment to Mr. Pitt, Nutlmll
declares himself very sensible that the friendship with which the Great
Commoner had honoured him, procured to him the promotion^ and
adds, '' therefore I look up to you as I have always done, and always

Digitized by VjOOQIC

312 OVERTURES TO PITT. [l706.

of my own mind^ whose only object ought to be, and I
will say is, the most effectual means of obtaining such
solidity in government as may lead to the advantage of
my country, and the happiness of the King.

" The time is critical. Might I wish to know whether
Mr. Pitt sees the possibility of his coming and putting
himself at the head of the present Administration? I
can say with very sufficient grounds that Mr. Pitt has
only to signify his idea."

On the 28th of February, Mr. Nuthall writes in reply
— " Ml'. Pitt is under an impossibility of conferring
upon the matter of administration without his Majesty's
commands."

It would seem, from Mr. Pitt's letter to Lord Shel-
burne, as if there was already some understanding be-
tween him and the King.

" There is one man who will very shortly set out for
Bath after the American affair is over.

" In one word, my dear Lord, I shall never set my

will do, as ray great benefactor and patron.** In March, 1775, Mr.
NuthaU, on returning from Bath, was attacked on Hounslow Heath
by a highwayman, who, on his demands not being complied with,
fired into the carriage. Mr. Nuthall returned the highwayman's fire
and, it was supposed, wounded him severely. When the carriage
arrived at the inn at Hounslow, Nuthall wrote a description of the
man to Sir John Fielding, but he had scarcely closed his letter when
he expired. This was not his first encounter with robbers; some
years before, he wounded some one who attacked him, so severely that
the fellow died of his wounds before he could be brought to triaL An
amusing account, by Nuthall, of Mr. Pitt's reception in the City, in
1761, will be found in the Chatham Correspondence, ii. 166.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1766.] LORD HARDWICKE TO HON. C. YORKB. 313

foot in the closet, but in the hope of rendering the
King's personal situation not unhappy, as well as his
business not unprosperous." *

The bill for the repeal of the Stamp Act .was carried
up to the Lords, on the 4th of March, bj a large body
of the House of Commons, and met, says George Onslow,
" with not quite so civil a reception as such a bill, so
carried in our House, and so conveyed as it was, by a
hundred and fifty members to the other House, did, in
my opinion, deserve."

Scanty as is the allusion in the following letter to the
debate which ensued upon the introduction of the Repeal
Bill in the Upper House, it contains all that is at
present known of the proceedings of that day.

THE EARL OF HARDWICKE TO THE HON. CHARLES TORKE.

" Dear Brother, '* St. James's Square, March 8, 1766.

** I presume you have had an accoimt of what passed
yesterday at the HouseVf Lords. Shall we amend or
not amend? Your neighbourf spoke very well; Lord
Camden rather better than before, and pleased the
lovers of American liberty. Tom Tilbury J said nothing,
because, as Lord C — d§ said this morning, he could not
find out a third opinion.

* Chatham Correspondence, iii. 12.

t Lord Hardwicke probably meant Lord Mansfield, whose seat of
Kenwood is in that inmiediate neighbourhood of Highgate^ where Mr.
Yorke resided.

X The nick-name of Lord Northington.

§ Probably Lord Chesterfield.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

314 THE KING TO LORD ROCKINGHAM. [1766.

"We are rather exercising our wits than really
serving the public. Our friend. Lord Egmont, was
recondite, but beyond me. Parliament had the riyit,
but if we exercised it, we deprived the Colonies of a
privilege against abuse.

"P.S. — Have you seen the New York Gazette Extra-
ordinary? Lord Mansfield says it is Justice Living-
ston's. It is very strong for independency."

The Bill encountered two divisions in its progress
through the Lords. On the first, 105 voted for the
repeal and 71 against it; on the second, the numbers
were, 275 to 167; 33 Lords entering their protest
against it on the last of these occasions. The King
writes to the Ministers the following letter.

"Lord Rockingham,

" I am glad the American afiair has ended this day
without any great altercation. If the Opposition have
made a protest, I desire I may directly receive a copy
of it."

On the 18th of March, the Bepeal of the Stamp Act,
the subject of warm and acrimonious debates, both in
the Lords and Commons, "received the royal assent;
an event,'' says Burke, " that caused more universal joy
throughout the British dominions than perhaps any other
that can be remembered."

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1760.] HUME AND ROUSSEAU. 315

CHAPTER IX.

HUMB AND B0US8BAU. — THB MILITIA BILL. CHABAOTBB OF WB, TRi^

OOTHICK. — DIKKBB IN GBLBBEATION OF 8TAMP ACT BBPEAL.^M[3-

TRUST OF GOVEENMBNT IN CONTINENTAL STATES. RESOLUTIONS OH

GENERAL WARRANTS. — RESIGNATION OF DUKE OF GRAFTON. — EX-
TRACTS FROM LORD HARDWICKB*S '< MBMORIALL." — CHARAOTEH OF
DUKE OF RICHMOND, AND OF LORDS NORTH AND BGMONT. — DUKE

OF Richmond's journal. — lord bute's suspected iNTEErKUEXCB

IN PUBLIC AFFAIBS. — PITT APPOINTED MINISTER. DISMISSAL OF

THE ROCKINGHAM MINISTRY.

After three years' residence in Paris, David Hume,
the historian, arrived in England. He went to France a
plain, unaffected Scotchman. He came back wit}i the
airs and feelings of a Frenchman. The incense he re-
ceived had been too much for his philosophy. Passing
his time in courts and coteries, he mistook adulation for
affection, and on his return home used to launch out in
encomiums on '^the gallant nation so famous for its
loyalty," contrasting their peaceable demeanour with
the turbulence of his own countrymen.

This Gallo-mania induced him to bring with him
Jean Jacques Kousseau. They arrived in England in
January 1766. Perhaps the characters of no two per-
sons ever formed so strong a contrast as Rousseau and
Hume. They were the Jean qui pleure and the Jean qui
Ht. The Frenchman being the crying, the Englishman,

Digitized by VjOOQIC

316 HUME AND ROUSSEAU. [l766.

the laughing philosopher. The one violent, extrava-
gant, melancholy, unsociable— the other calm, moderate,
cheerful, and fond of society. The motive of importing
this very troublesome guest was doubtless a natural kind-
ness of disposition, moved perhaps with a little national
vanity. In the month of March, Rousseau was, by the
exertions of Hume, settled at Wooton, in Derbyshire, the
seat of Mr. Davenport of Davenport. The historian
was unremitting in his attentions to " the great profes-
sor and founder of the philosophy of vanity in Eng-
land," as Burke calls him.* " I and my friends," said
Hume, " gave way to all his caprices, excused all his
singularities, and indulged him in all his humours."
While Eousseau was thus the recipient of so much real
kindness, his ill-regulated mind made him believe that
Hume had only enticed him to England to injure his
reputation, and to degrade him by his favours : but the
historian's exertions did not stop there. Through the
medium of General Conway and General Graeme, the
Queen's Treasurer, he procured him a pension of a hun-
dred pounds a-year.

The following letter, the original of which is in Lord
Fitzwilliam's possession, refers to this transaction.

«* April 5 (1766).

" Mr. Hume presents his respects to General Conway.
He cannot forbear thanking him, in the name of all
that is ingenious in Europe, for the favours he has con-
ferred on Monsieur Eousseau. He will keep it a secret,

• See Burke On the Trench Revolution.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1706.] HUME AND ROUSSEAU. 317

though one of the most laudable actions of the world.
He has informed Monsieur Rousseau, who, as he has the
greatest sensibility imaginable, must feel the proper
gratitude for the obliging manner in which he is treated.

" Mr. Hume desires to know how that pension is to
be paid; whether it is to pass through the Treasury, or
is to be paid secretly from the Privy Purse. If the
former is the case, he apprehends that M. Eousseau
must write to the Secretary of the Treasury, desiring
him to pay the money to some banker whom he shall
appoint. If the latter, he must choose some friend
into whose hands it must be secretly paid.

"5th of April."

Unfortunately at this very moment appeared Wal-
pole's famous letter, which, purporting to be from the
King of Prussia, quizzed most unmercifully Eousseau's
mania of fancying himself persecuted by the whole
world. " If," the philosopher King is made to say, " K
you persist in perplexing your brains to find out new
misfortunes, choose such as you like best; I am a King
and can make you as miserable as you can wish ; at the
same time, I will engage to do what your enemies never
will, I will cease to persecute you, when you are no
longer vain of persecution."*

The subject of the letter believing his host to be the

* Walpole*8 letter was an imitation of an anonymous epistle to
Rousseau, in which the foibles of the Genevese were handled with
caustic pleasantry. Neither the object of the satire, nor any one
else, could doubt that its author was Voltaire.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

318 LORD ROCKINGHAM TO HON. C YORKE. [1766.

author, a violent quarrel ensued, and the Englishman
and Frenchman became henceforth bitter enemies.

Walpole, writing of the events of the month April,
says, "Mr. Pitt was grown impatient for power; and
having discouraged Lord Rockingham from seeking his
aid or protection, began to wonder that he was not
courted to domineer; and he betrayed his ambition so
far as to complain that the Administration had had his
support and now neglected him."

When the subject of the Militia came before Parlia-
ment Mr. Onslow proposed some trifling saving. Lord
Strange opposed; and the Government not caring to
risk a division, gave way: whereupon Pitt declared,
" that he would go to the farthest corner of the island
to overturn any Ministers that were enemies to the
Militia." " This," adds Walpole, " was all grimace ;
he di^ not care a jot about the Militia."
^ This proceeding of Ministers, which was agreed to
at a meeting of their supporters, does not appear to
have been agreeable to Mr. Charles Yorke, to whom
Lord Rockingham wrote as follows: —

"Dear Sir, "April 15, 1 766.

" I have just had an account from the meeting at
Sir George Savile's, where I find that the general senti-
ments amongst them were for adhering to that mode
which I showed you, and which had been settled and
agreed on amongst them for some days. As I under-
stand, very little was said upon it, but, having once
agreed, they did not care to alter. Your name was not

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1766.] CHARACTER OF MR. TRECOTHICK. 319

used to inforce the alteration, which was what I parti-
cularly desired might be avoided. I am not pleased
(neither do I think you will), as indeed for many
reasons I was anxious that it should have been con-
ducted in the manner which you most approved. I
wish Thursday * well over, and am sure nothing can
procure a good end to this matter, but from your
making use, not only of your abilities but also of your
temper.

" Grosvenor Square^ Tuesday night."

Among the most efficient agents in carrying out the
repeal of the Stamp Act was Barlow Trecothick, member
for London, and one of the aldermen of the City. He
was a merchant in the American trade. On the back
of a copy of a " General letter sent to the out-ports and
manufacturing towns on the 6th of December 1765,"
Burke has written in pencil, " N.B. This letter con-
certed between the Marquis of K. and Mr. Trecothick,
the principal instrument in the happy repeal of the
Stamp Act, which, without giving up the British au-
thority, quieted the Empire."

He was an attached friend of Lord Eockingham, a
good speaker in Parliament, and the most sensible of
the City patriots. Burke says, in one of his letters :
" Trecothick is certainly a man of strong principle and
good natural sense, but his experience of the world is

* By the Journal of the House of Commons, it appears that on
Thursday, the 17th of April, the House ordered that it would, on the
Monday following, resolve itself into a committee on the expenses of
the Militia. /

Digitized by VjOOQIC

320 DUKE OF NEWCASTLE TO LORD ROCKINGHAM. [ 1766.

but moderate." He died in 1775, and his homely
epitaph records, that " he was much esteemed by the
merchants for his integrity and knowledge of commerce,
truly beloved by his fellow-citizens, who chose him
as their representative in Parliament, and sincerely
lamented by his friends and relations, who looked up to
and admired his virtues."

On the 23rd of April a grand dinner was given at
Drapers' Hall in celebration of the repeal of the Stamp
Act. It was among the most brilliant ever seen in the
City, and the chronicles duly record that nine dukes
were amongst the company. Mr. Trecothick presided.

THE DUKE OP NEWCASTLE TO THE MARQUIS OF ROCKINGHAM.

"April 22, 1766.

" Alderman Trecothick was here this morning,
and I endeavoured to be excused dining in the City
to-morrow, for indeed I am too old for such entertain-
ments and such crowds, but he will not excuse me, and
said there were endeavours used to prevent their friends
from coming; and upon that, and the particular circum-
stance of this timey I promised him to come. The
Duke of Portland* goes with me. I hope all our
friends will go, and particularly the Duke of Grafton.
Trecothick said, they did not see his Grace, but he
hoped he would come. As I see this may be attended

* William Henry Cayendish Bentinck, third Duke of Portland, at
this time Lord Chamherlain. In 1 782 he was appointed Lord Lieu-
tenant of Ireland. He became, twice. Prime Minister.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1766.] ANTICIPATED CHANGE OF MINISTRY. 321

with bad consequences if our first friends do not go, I
hope your Lordship will speak to as many as you meet
in the course of this day. My Lord Chancellor, I con-
clude, was not invited, as he voted against the repeal."

The next paragraph in the Duke's letter has a
significance from the events which immediately followed.

" It was observed," continues his Grace, " yesterday
in the House of Lords, that there were very long con-
ferences: first, my Lord Camden and the Chancellor
(Northington) for half an hour; afterwards my Lord
Camden and the Duke of Grafton retired into a private
room, and were together a full hour. The Duke of
Grafton then went to the Chancellor, and whispered
him for half an hour — that your Lordship saw. What
this was I know not, but something to be sure.''

The Ministers had been frequently informed by the
King, that those members holding places, who voted
against the repeal, were actuated by conscientious
scruples, and that when once that question was settled,
they would regularly vote with the Government. But
the carrying of that measure produced no change in
their conduct, and their opposition continued as sys-
tematic and violent as before.

One of the evils arising from his Majesty's thus *' act-
ing in opposition to himself," was the mistrust of the
Government that it engendered in the Continental States.
Walpole mentions that the Ministers showed the King

VOL. I. Y

Digitized by VjOOQIC

322 THE KING TO LORD ROCKINGHAM. [l76«.

" an intercepted letter of the Russian Minister to his
Court, in which he wished his mistress not to conclude too
hastily with the present Ministers, who could not main-
tain their ground ; and he pointed out the damage the
King brought on his own affairs by having a Ministry
who did not enjoy his confidence. This the King
denied, and said they had his confidence."* This con-
duct was the more impolitic, because it placed in jeo-
pardy a new treaty of commerce between England and
Russia, then in preparation, which proved highly bene-
ficial to the interests of both countries.

The transaction here alluded to took place in the
month of June; but we shall show, on the authority of
the King himself, that the Prussian Minister had also
made a similar representation to his Sovereign, and that
his Majesty attributes the " coyness" of Frederick to
those reports. The "Baudouin" mentioned in the
King's letter was M. de Boduin, Secretary of Legation
to the Prussian Legation. Count de Malzahn had been
appointed Minister, but had not then arrived.

THE KING TO THE MARQUIS OF ROCKINGHAM.

** Lord Rockingham, " (April )^5), uee.

" What you mention to have been the inclination of
Sir Richard Aston,f by his charge to the Jury, is very

♦ Walpole's Geoi^e the Third, ii. 332.

t Richard Aston, Esq., Sergeant-at-Law, was knighted, and sworn
in one of the Judges of the Court of King's Bench on the 25th of
April, 1765, which office he resigned in 1778, and died shortly after.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1766.] THE KING TO GENERAL OONWAY. 823

material; and as Lord Mansfield (whose opinion on these
subjects I would more confide in than on that of any
man) does think favourably of the convict, I with plea-
sure direct you to send to Lieutenant-General Conway
that the sentence may be changed from death to trans-
portation.* Tou will laugh when you read the decy-
phered letter I have just seen of Baudouin, wherein he
talks of a fresh change in the Ministry ; I should rather
hope it is [more] from want of sense than ill intention
that he writes such gross falsehoods to his Court.

^'George B.

*i Richmond Lodge, 2m. past 5, p.u.*'

the king to the right hon. henry seymour conway-f

" Lieut.-General Conway,

" I have just received your packet, but cannot help
expressing some surprise at the great coyness of the
King of Prussia. I should have expected a different
answer to the very friendly and, I may say, indulgent
part I have on this occasion acted towards him ; but I
would fain hope this is owing to the fallacious accounts
he has received from Baudouin. If he expects that I
am to go all the way, and that he is only to receive me

* In the Lent Assizes of 1766, Sir Richard Aston went the
Western Circuit. The sentences of more than one convict on that
circuit were commuted from death to transportation.

t It is right to state that General Conway has dated this letter^
April 25, 1765 ; but there is evidently a mistake in the date of the
year, for in April 1765, Lord Rockingham was not minister; Qeneral
Conway was not leader of the House of Commons^ and Sir Richard
Aston had not then gone circuit as a Judge.

Y 2

Digitized by VjOOQIC

324 RESOLUTIONS ON GENERAL WARRANTS. [l766.

if he pleases, he is much mistaken; for I think the
Crown of Great Britain a more useful ally to the King
of Prussia, than he ever can be in return ; and I here
repeat, what you heard me express to the Duke of
Grafton at the opening of this affair, that if the King
of Prussia means anew to live well with me, I shall have
no objection to do so with him; but if he expects that I
am to express any sorrow for what has passed betwixt
us, that is impossible, for I could not act otherwise than
I have done, if my sole object was the interest of my
country, which I should not be an honest man if I at
any time neglected for other concerns.
«*30in. past 1, p.m."

Lord Rockingham and his friends, fully aware of Ae
precariousness of their situation, determined to devote
the remainder of their brief political existence to repair
the breaches in the Constitution that had been made by
their predecessors. With this view, on Tuesday the
22nd of April, they moved in the House of Commons a
series of resolutions declaring the illegality of general
warrants. No detailed account has yet been given of
the debate on this constitutional question ; but a few
remarks from Walpole will render the following letter
intelligible.

" The Ministers, thinking themselves bound to give
the last blow to general warrants, which had now been
decided in Westminster Hall to be illegal, moved a
resolution of their being illegal and a breach of privi-
lege. Grenville, hoping to squeeze out a little popularity

Digitized by

Google

1766.] SIR GREY COOPER TO LORD ROCKINGHAM. 326

from the same measure, moved to bring in a bill for
taking them entirely away. This happening when Mr.
Pitt was in his hostile mood, he seconded Grenville's
motion; but his lending himself thus to the cham-
pion of these warrants, highly offended the Ministerial
Whigs."*

SIR GREY COOPER TO THE MARQUIS OF ROCKINGHAM.

"My Lord, "April 26, 1766.

"I have the honour to inform your Lordship, that
late in the night of Tuesday last, after Sir George Savile
and Sir W. Meredith's motion had been agreed to, Mr.
Pitt, in order, as he said, to make the question in Par-
liament co-extensive with the decision in the Courts of
Law, moved that aU general warrants were illegal, and
that, being executed on the person of a Member of Par-
liament is a breach of privilege. After some debate and
hesitation that night, it was thought proper to define a
general warrant by its want of attributes, namely, not
describing both the offender and the offence. The
Master of the Rolls having recommended it to the House
(though a friend to the proposition) not to come too
hastily into a resolution of so much extent and impor-
tance, it was postponed for that time, but not till after
Mr. Grenville, in a wonderful springtide of liberty, had
pledged himself to record the motion of the very honour-
able gentleman.

" The further consideration of this matter came on

♦ Walpoles George the Third., ii. 317.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

326 SIR GREY COOPER [1766.

yesterday. Mr. Pitt moved his resolution with apparent
and, as / think^ with real diffidence of carrying his
point. It received a very affectionate adoption from
Mr. Torke, who defended the generality of the proposi-
tion with great talents and great firmness. Sir Fletcher
shook it by his first speech to its foundations. It was
again set upon its legs, and whilst it was tottering, Mr.
Pitt, in what is called a very Parliamentary manner,
shifted his ground, and put his question, not upon a
declaration, but an assumption of law, in this manner :
A general warrant to apprehend any person or persona
being illegal (except in cases provided by Act of Parlia-
ment), if executed on the person of a Member of this
House, is a breach of the privilege of this House. Mr.
Solicitor-General opposed this proposition with great
warmth, as being too large and too assuming, and upon
the general ground of the impropriety and want of
dignity in the House of Commons to declare that to be
law, which no Court of Westminster Hall would regard
as law; and that though the resolution upon a matter
incident to privilege, and brought before the House,
might be excusable, it could not be so to declare a
general resolution upon a special case.

" Mr. Attomey-Greneral spoke in favour of the ques-
tion with great weight, and, I think, superiority of
argument. Sir Fletcher took the opposite opinion, and
bore very hard both upon the Attorney and Mr. Gren-
ville, who had half-seconded Mr. Pitt's motion upon a
subtle distinction (which he loves better than any of
his brothers), that he seconded the motion merely as •

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1766] TO LORD ROCKINGHAM. 327

the foundation of a Bill to be brought in, for the better
securing the liberty of the subject. Sir Fletcher said
Mr. GrenviUe's distinction had neither solidity, common
lawy nor common sense. He argued that the resolution
moved by Sir W. Meredith, was co-extensive both with
the question before the House and the determination of
Westminster Hall. He Afl(/-asserted that there were
general warrants good and warranted by the common
law, besides those provided for by Act of Parliament.
Mr. Yorke took up the reply with great ability and
advantage, and after much altercation on both sides,
and much suppression of truth on one side, Mr. Yorke
kept the field with great acclamation of the House.
Sir George Savile did, as he always does, masterly and
greatly. His character, his spirit, his prowess, his
sagacity, and his power of expression never carried
more weight or ran better. Great men were rebutted
in his presence. I never heard, I never shall hear, a
more truly eloquent speech (according to all the rules
of the art) that [than?] Mr. Pitt's reply. No man
ever rode upotfi> better-dressed horse, or brought him
up to the object which made him snort, with more
address than that rider did upon that occasion.

" After this lesson in the great political m^nagcj the
* altercation rose again between Mr. Attorney and Sir
Fletcher, but still to the honour and victory of the
Attorney. Sir Fletcher was groaned down for nisi-
prius misrepresentations of what his opponent said.
Lord George Sackville spoke with spirit against the
question. At last, Mr. Yorke, being pressed by Mr.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

328 SIR GREY COOPER [l766.

Wilbraham, Mr. Forrester, Mr. Harvey, and all the
other lawyers, to declare whether any respect was due
to a determination of Parliament in the Court of Judi-
cation, and whether the honourable gentleman would
venture to pledge himself, that in no case a general
taaiTant was good by the common latVj he got up,
and, to the satisfaction and with the cry of the House,
declared, that it was his firm opinion that, at this day,
after the declarations in the Third of Charles the First
and the Eevolution, no general warrant, that is, no
warrant not describing the offender and the offence,
was good at the common law ; and he said, with great
warmth, that if he were a Judge in Westminster Hall,
he would always treat a determination of either House
of Parliament, upon a matter incident to and growing
out of their privileges (in which matter they had judi-
cial authority), with great respect and reverence, though
he should not think himself obliged to determine the
law according to such declaration; and that if any
Judge should treat the declarations of Parliament with
contempt or irreverence, it might be said to him with
great propriety —

' Rode, caper^ vitem — tamen huic cum stabis ad aras
In tua quod fundi cornua possit, erit.' *

" At the close of the debate, Mr. Dowdeswell got up,
and, with great weight, accused the man who had de-
fended the oflScers who had executed such warrant at
the great expense of the public, after the legality of
them had been disavowed by all the lawyers in West-
♦ Ovid, Fast. I 357.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1766.] TO LORD ROCKINGHAM. 329

minster Hall, and whose opinions must have been
communicated to the Ministers immediately after the
question arose.

" Mr. Grenville got up in great wrath and vehemence,
and desired to know of the honourable gentleman,
whether, if he had been in the Treasury at the time
of such prosecutions, he would have suffered the mes-
sengers to rot in gaol and not have defended them.
Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer got up in reply, with
bis own temper and firmness, and said, ^ If I had been
in that gentleman's situation, I would have taken the
best advice as soon as possible, whether these warrants
were defensible, and if I had found they were not, I
should have recommended an early submission.'

"This reply was received, as all such declarations
are, with great applause from the House, and great noti-
fication by the few who wish well to the man who asked
the question. Mr. Serjeant Hewitt, upon motives of
delicacy, and I dare say honour, declared he could not
vote for the question ; and to avoid it, moved the pre-
vious question. There was no division, and the question
was carried as I have stated it before.

" I have the honour to be,
" With the utmost affection and gratitude,
" Your Lordship's faithful servant,

"Grey Cooper.

" In very great haste and hurry."

The reader will, doubtless, remember that the Duke
of Newcastle, in his letter of the 22nd of April alludes

Digitized by VjOOQIC

330 ^ LORD HARDWICKE TO HON. C. YORKE. [1766.

to certain ominous conferences between' the King's con-
fidential friend, Lord Northington, and Mr. Pitt's confi-
dential friends, Lord Camden and the Duke of Grafton.
A few days afterwards, the Duke of Grafton paid a visit
to Mr. Pitt at Hayes, and on his return took an early
opportunity of saying in the House of Lords that the
Government wanted ** authority, dignity, and exten-
sion," but added, that " if Mr. Pitt would give his assist-
ance he should with pleasure take up the spade and dig
in the trenches." On the 14th of May the Duke re-
signed the seals of Secretary of State.

The vacant office was oflfered to Lord Hardwicke who
notices his refusal of it in the following letter : —

" Dear Brother, " St James's Square, May 14th, 1766.

"Lord Eockingham called upon me to-day before
dinner, with an ofier of the Seals, which he said he
now made me with the King's knowledge and approba-
tion, the Duke of Grafton having resigned this morn-
ing. I will not trouble you by a repetition of my
disabling excuses, or of the dutiful sense which I en-
deavoured to express of his Majesty's grace and good-
ness towards me on this occasion. The more coolly and
seriously I think of undertaking this important office,
the less inclined I feel myself to accept it. I am sure
it would be too much for me, and, as a confinement in
and about Town all the summer, extremely inconvenient
too, if not prejudicial to my health.

" I repeated to Lord Rockingham what I had said
before about the Cabinet Council with the communica-

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1766.] LORD HARDWICKE TO HON. C. YORKE. 331

tion of the papers; and that if it was thought I could
be of service iu that situation, I was at his Majesty's
disposal.

'* Lord Rockingham seemed to think there could be
no diflSculty in granting me that mark of distinction,
but intimated that it would be proper to make my own
excuses for declining the Seals, and take that oppor-
tunity to mention the other. I said I should be ready
to attend his Majesty whenever it was most convenient*
Lord Rockingham promised to let me know in the
course of to-morrow, and, I presume, I shall be ap-
pointed for Friday after the levee.

" There is another promotion which I am sure would
be of more use to the King's affairs, which I am sorry to
see postponed, and which, if things were on a right
footing, would not be delayed a week, and which was
indeed promised you in a very extraordinary manner
by the end of the session. Would you have me drop
anything on your subject when I go into the Closet?
I mean, if any handle is given and it falls naturally in
my way."

THE EARL OF HARDWICKE TO THE HON. CHARLES YORKE,

" Dear Brother, "Richmond, May 17th, 1766.

" I made my disabling speeches yesterday in the
Closet, and was very favourably heard. His Majesty
was pleased to say, he knew of nobody so fit for the
office; but, after what I said to him of my health, and
the effect which a constant weight of business might

Digitized by VjOOQIC

332 LORD HARDWICKE TO HON. C. YORKE. [1766.

have upon it, he would not blame me for declining,
and graciously let me oflf. I plainly saw he was much
embarrassed and perplexed. He said two things about
yourself (which is the chief occasion of my troubling
you with a letter) ; the first, that he had been informed
(by the Duke of N., I think) that you had sometimes
talked of quitting your profession ; if that was agree-
able to you, he wished you would take the Seals, and
that, in his opinion, the Great Seal would with equal
propriety be transferred to you afterwards, whenever
there was an opening.

" I told his Majesty, I believed if you had ever
talked of quitting your profession, it had been in case
circumstances should make it absolutely impossible for
you to continue in it, and then it would be for an
absolute retreat, and not to go upon another line. The
King said, he only threw it out to convince me how
much he wished to have one of your family in his inti-
mate service.

" The other point relating to you was, that the King
desired I would let you know how he was concerned
and hurt at the part which his servants took the other
day in dividing from you in the House of Commons;
that he had talked to them about it, and was greatly
surprised at their conduct. On this head we both
lamented the want of concert, faction, &c. of the times;
all which chapter may well be spared, as I see no
remedy to the evil. I cannot help adding, and then
shall conclude, that his Majesty seemed very unwilling
to make the Duke of Richmond [Secretary], and to

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1760.] LORD HARDWICKE'S " MEMORIAL L." 333

entertain a very favourable opinion of Lord Holder-
nesse, whose samir faire in that department he com-
mended, particularly his accuracy and exactness. I
threw out a word of Lord Egmont, and his Majesty
said shortly, and as if he did not choose to be asked
any questions about it, * Oh, he will not think of it!"

" Upon the whole, I left the King much agitated,
and I could not help heartily pitying his situation, and
that of the public. However, I have thrown oflf a
great burden from my own mind, and I am not con-
scious that it would have been in my power to have
mended matters.

" I am, dear brother, yours sincerely,

"H.

" P. S. The King seemed to taste the Duke of
Grafton, and commended his parts; neither did he
express any resentment against him for quitting so
abruptly and (I think) unhandsomely."

In his " Memoriall " Lord Hardwicke says in relation
to these transactions, —

" Towards the close of the session in April 1766, and
when most of the material business was over, the Duke
of Grafton (upon whom the labouring oar had lain in
the House of Lords) declared his resolution of resign-
ing. The only reason he assigned (as far as I could
learn) that, as he had declared from the beginning,
and even to the Duke of Cumberland, that he would
not go on without Mr. Pitt, whose accession to that

Digitized by VjOOQIC

334 LORD HARDWICKE'S "MEMORIALL." [1766.

Ministry he looked upon as a sine qua non^ and, as
there was no prospect of taking him in, several fruitless
attempts having been made for that purpose, he must
adhere to his original declaration; that, however, he
would support the measures they were embarked in to
the end of the session out of office ; and his Grace so
far made his words good, that he spoke for the new
Window tax bill in the House of Lords, which was
strongly opposed by the Duke of Bedford and others.

^^ Lord Bockingham's bottom was now much weak-
ened; by his want of management for Lord Bute, he
had lost all interest at Court. Mr. Pitt, who was
possessed of real abilities, and at that time of great
popularity, had refused his assistance without having
carte blanche^ and would open himself to no ear but the
Royal. The Opposition in Parliament were strong and
numerous, and in the House of Lords much inferior in
the weight of speakers.

" Thus circumstanced, and having resolved not to
unite with any of the sets which composed the Oppo-
sition, his (Lord Rockingham's) choice of a new Secre-
tary was confined to a very narrow circle. The Duke
of Richmond and myself were the only persons under
consideration. The former had been more active in
Parliament, and was of an ambitious, enterprising turn.
I have been told that Lord Rockingham (but will not
answer for the truth of it) was more inclined to his
Grace from the beginning, but that the Duke of New-
castle's opinion, and the King's inclination, turned the
scale in my favour. However that may be, the offer

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1760.] LORD HARDWICKE'S " MEMORIALL." 335

of the Seals was made me in form by the Marquis of
Rockingham not long before theWhitsun holidays in
May 1766. There was great temptation in the offer;
the dignity and figure the employment gave were self-
evident; the opportunities it afforded of serving one's
friends, were considerable; the business was of a nature
for which I had always had a predilection, and in which
I had been conversant, so far as theory and study would
carry me. I was tolerably well acquainted with the
modem state of Europe, and, by the confidence which
my father had for some years reposed in me, had been
kept well informed of the most important anecdotes of a
very long period. But, on the other side, there were
strong and cogent objections to my undertaking so great
a branch. I could not flatter myself that my expe-
rience in the practice of the world (having never con-
versed largely in it, and lived a good deal amongst
my books), was suflScient to steer me through the
rocks and quicksands of a Court and public life, and I
thought myself rather too much on the other side of
forty, and had lived too much in my own way, to begin
acting a new part in it."

After mentioning the state of his health, Lord Hard-
wicke continues : —

" On weighing the whole matter as well as I could,
and talking it over with some of my friends (amongst
whom none but the Dvke of NewccLsiie and Lord
Gh^ardham strongly encouraged me to accept), I soon

Digitized by VjOOQIC

336 LORD HARDWICKE'S "MEMORIALL." [1766.

determined to decline this great oflfer as I had done
the former.

" When I communicated this resolution to Lord
Rockingham, he received it with much candour, ad-
mitted that I was best able to judge for myself, though
he could have wished my determination had been other-
wise; but expressed his hopes that I would consent to
be called to the Cabinet Council, where, he was pleased
to say, I should be of use, and might take no greater
share of the business upon me than was agreeable. It
was then, if I mistake not, that he assigned the nego-
ciation with Mr. Pitt, mentioned in one of the preced-
ing pages, as the reason for this mark of confidence not
having been shown me sooner. I readily consented to
this last proposal, which was to me very flattering, and
had as many of the agr^mens of the greater oflFer as I
wished to enjoy, and none of the supposed difficulties;
and I was in hopes that my being of the Cabinet might
tend to facilitate my brother's promotion to the Great
Seal; and the confidential informations which I should
receive from it, woidd be of service in the station he
then filled^* at the same time that his knowledge and
abilities would be of use to me.

"So much being settled between the Marquis and
myself, it was necessary that I should take an audience
of the King, to thank his Majesty for the great honour
he had done me; and to give my reasons for declining.
His Majesty received my apology very graciously, and
was pleased to say that, however agreeable my accept-
• That of Attorney-General.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

noeO LORD HARDWICKE'S " MBMORIALL." 337

ance would have been to him, he could not ask it after
what I had said to him of my health and disinclination ;
that he hoped I should not have the same objection to
the attending at his Cabinet Council; to which I replied
with the duty that became me.

" There were some remarkable passages in the con-
versation, in which the King talked with seeming frank-
ness and sincerity. He appeared thoroughly sensible
of the weakness of his Administration, and of the dif-
ficulty he found himself under to fill up this vacancy in
it. He commended the Duke of Grafton's parts and
manner of speaking in public (which, I believe, had
been much cried up by those about him). He did not
seem to taste the successor who was intended (viz., the
Duke of Richmond), and said it was replacing a young
man by one who was younger; and I thought he meant
I should understand, not so proper in other respects.
He asked, in this part of the conference, if my brother,
Mr. G., would not come into the Secretary's office; and
upon my observing that I did not pretend to know his
mind on that head, but that it lay out of the line of a
profession which those engaged in had always kept to,
he replied readily enough, * Why should his accepting
those seals be in the way of his having the other f ' I
bowed and made no answer, but wished at the time
that his Majesty had spoken more explicitly on the point
of the Great Seal. I endeavoured to sound the King's
disposition towards Mr. Pitt; but he appeared not
at all favourable to him at that moment; called his
popularity an Ignis fcduus^ and took some merit in

VOL. I. z

Digitized by VjOOQIC

338 LORD HARDWICKB'S "MEMORIALL." [1766.

not having admitted him to state his own terms, which
he knew were levelled against his present Administra-
tion. I said something of Lord Egmont's fitness to
be Secretary of State; but the King answered shortly,
* No; he could by no means think of it, and would not
own further on that topic' Upon the whole, I was so
far struck with — (I wish I may not add) was so far
the dupe of his Majesty's gracious and condescending
reception of me, and thought he appeared so much dis-
tressed with his situation, that I verily believe had he
pressed me to take the Seals with any earnestness before
I left the Closet, I should have accepted out of pure
duty and zeal-r-* Sic me servavit Apollo.''

"After I had given the Marquis of Rockingham a
short account of my audience, I went to Richmond for
the Whitsun holidays, where for a week or ten days I
heard no more of political arrangements, but that the
Ihike of Richmond was come to town, and had accepted
the Seals;'

George the Third, to borrow the expressive phrase of
Lord Hardwicke, " did not taste the successor to the
vacant seals." Among other reasons for the Royal dis-
relish of the appointment, Walpole assigns the following :

" Early in this reign. Lord Fitzmaurice, afterwards
Earl of Shelburne, being at the time in high favour with
Lord Bute, was made Equerry to the King, over the
head of his superior officer. Lord (Jeorge Lennox, The
Duke of Richmond, irritated by this slight to his rela-
tive, carried a memorial to his Majesty, and commented

Digitized bv VjOOQIC

1766.] CHARACTER OF DUKE OF RICHMOND. 339

upon the appointment in a manner that was neither
' forgiven nor forgotten/ by a Prince equally remarkable
for his keen resentments and his retentive memory. The
following pages will indeed afford more than one proof
that the King for several years to come continued to re-
gard the Duke of Richmond with no favourable eye."

Charles Lennox, second Duke of Richmond, succeeded
to his title at the early age of sixteen, and soon after-
wards entered the army. He was present at the battle
of Minden, and his gallantry on that occasion attracted
the special notice of the Commander-in-Chief. On the
formation of the Rockingham Ministry, the Duke was
appointed to the Court of Versailles, and performed the
duties of his embassy with great ability. He was ever
a devoted adherent of Lord Rockingham, under whose
second Administration, in 1782, he held the office of
Master-Greneral of the Ordnance.

On the death of that Minister, in the summer of the
same year, the Whigs consulted who was to be the
future head of the party. The Duke of Richmond
claimed the post, but the Cavendishes and the other
great families objected to his Grace, on account of his
being so deeply pledged to Universal Suffi*age and
Annual Parliaments. He was highly offended at this,
more especially as the Duke of Portland was proposed
by the majority of the Whig party. Charles Fox tried
to pacify the Duke of Richmond by saying that, per-
haps, he himself, as leader of the House of Commons,
might have as good pretensions as his Grace, but that
he thought it right to waive those pretensions, as he

z 2

Digitized by VjOOQIC

340 CHARACTER OF DUKE OF RICHMOND. [1766.

too, although to a much less degree, was pledged to
Parliamentary Reform. Moreover, as the Cavendishes
and their friends were not disposed to support even the
moderate views which he entertained on that subject,
it was clear that neither the Duke of Richmond nor
himself could succeed to Lord Rockingham's place,
without risking a fatal breach in the party. In con-
sequence of this declaration, the Duke, on the formation
of the Coalition, broke off from his former friends, and
joined a combination still more heterogeneous in its
elements than that which he quitted.*

The Duke of Richmond was remarkable for the
beauty of his person and the grace and courtesy of
his manners. In every relation of private life his cha-
racter was unexceptionable. He was a zealous friend,
an affectionate brother, an attached relative. As a
public man, he was very ambitious and somewhat vio-
lent and impracticable. As an orator, he was rather
effective than agreeable. His speeches abounded in
information; his language was characterized by bold-
ness and warmth of expression, and he excelled in
reply. On the other hand, his memory often failed
him; he made frequent pauses, and his delivery was
unnecessarily slow. Yet with all these defects, he was,
perhaps, the most formidable antagonist that the great-
est orator of that day had ever encountered.

When the Indemnity of 1766 was brought up to the
House of Peers, Pitt, who had just been created Earl

♦ My authority for this statement is the Right Hon. Sir Robert
Adair, G.C.B., to whom it was made by his uiicle^ Lord KeppeL

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1766] DUKE OF RICHMOND TO LORD ROCKINGHAM. 341

of Chatham, and appointed first minister of the Crown,
wound up a fierce diatribe against the House of Peers,
by declaring that he would set his face against the
proudest connexion in the country. The Duke of Rich-
mond took this up, and said, " he hoped the "nobility
would not be browbeaten by so insolent a minister."
Lord Chatham is said to have been " stunned by this
rough attack," and it was observed that from that day,
during the whole remainder of his Administration, he ^^ /
appeared no more in the House of Lords. ^*'*'^

When Chatham again took part in debate, it was as
a political associate of the Duke of Richmond. The
alliance lasted several years. In their next diflFerence
of opinion, Richmond uttered that speech which was
considered to be Chatham's death-blow.

Walpole mentions that the Duke, in answer to the
notification he received from Lord Rockingham, on the
subject of his appointment, marked his being sensible
how little he had been his Majesty's choice. The letter
alluded to is as follows :

" Goodwood, Monday Evening, 19th May, 1766.

" The King's thinking of appointing me his Secretary
of State for the Southern Department, must ever fill
my mind with the highest sense of duty and gratitude.
At the same time I feel it is an honour I had no right
to expect, from any use I can possibly be of, and must
proceed from the partiality with which your Lordship
and General Conway have represented me to his Ma-
jesty. This is even more pleasing to me, than to have

Digitized by VjOOQIC

342 DURE OF RICHMOND TO LORD ROCKINGHAM. [1766.

been thought equal to 80 great an undertaking; for the
esteem of my friends far outweighs my vanity.

" But, however unable I fear I am to fill so important
a post in the manner I could wish, I think it my duty
to the King to undertake it, since his Majesty has been
pleased to name me; and the entire confidence I repose
in your Lordship an4 the rest of his Majesty's servants,
ensures me that, though my part may fail in the execu-
tion, I can never be embarked in any measures, but
such as are directly tending to his Majesty's honour
and the good of the public. If perseverance in these
can make my services acceptable to the King, I shall
esteem myself happy.

** As to opposition, I foresee a great deal of very
troublesome work, but am no way dismayed at it, for
I have no doubt but that good measures, supported by
honest men and protected by his Majesty, will ever
meet with the approbation of 4lie nation in general.
The discontents of interested and disappointed men
need only be despised to be ineffectual.

" Lord Dartmouth's being either Secretary of State
for the Plantations, or First Lord of Trade, with fuller
powers, is, I imagine, very proper, having often heard
that the American affairs load the Southern Department
with so much business, as to make it almost impossible
to go through with it. For my part, I shall be happy
to leave that branch in so much abler hands."

A few days after the Duke of Richmond was ap-
pointed Secretary of State, Lord Rockingham received

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1766.] LORD NORTHINGTON TO LOED ROCKINGHAM. 343

the following characteristic letter, from the captious and
grumbling Chancellor.

The first paragraph appears to refer to the Bill for
Quebec, which Northington made the pretext for over-
throwing his colleagues.

THE EARL OF NORTHINGTON TO THE MARQUIS OF
ROCKINGHAM.
" My Lord, " Grange, May 22, 1766.

^^ Tour messenger came here last night as I was
going to bed, (so) that I could not return him with
this and the copj of the Bill till this morning. I have
perused the Bill, according to your Lordship's dcSlre,
and my thoughts of it are, that should it pass into a
law, it would be the most oppressive to the subject that
ever was enacted; and that it erects into an Inquisi-
tion every inferior magistrate; and, in a summary way,
vests the supr^ne power of tormenting in the Court of
King's Bench. These are my private thoughts, perhaps
shallow ones, for I own I cannot fathom the depth of
modem politics.

^^ I am glad to find your Lordship hath supplied the
vacant Seids, as the state it was in was not creditable
to Government; and the like satisfaction I receive in
the accession of Lord North.

^^ I am acquainted with no particulars of the state of
Ireland; bad enough I suppose it must be, from the
nature of that people and of our government of it; and
I presume its disorder too rank to be remedied; but I
shall be in London on Sunday ev^ng to attend my duty.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

344 LORD NORTH'S ANTICIPATED RISE. [1766.

^' The weather is so fine, the country so pleasant, and
the birds so melodious, I shall regret to leave them
even for the harmony I shall meet in London.

^^ I wish your Lordship health and happiness, and
have the honour to be, with great respect,

" My Lord, Tour Lordship's most obedient

'^ And most humble servant,

" S o'clock, A. M." « NORTHINGTON."

" See," said Charles Townshend, when Chancellor of
the Exchequer, " see that great, heavy, booby-looking,
seeming changeling ; you may believe me when I assure
you as a fact, that if anything should happen to me,
he will succeed to my place, and very shortly after
come to be First Commissioner of the Treasury."

The person here alluded to was Frederick Lord North,
and the prediction was exactly fulfilled, immediately on
poor Charles's death. Nor was Townshend the only
person who foretold his rise. George GrenviUe, walk-
ing with another gentleman in the Park, met the future
Minister, apparently rehearsing a speech. " Here comes
blubbery North," said the latter to GrenviUe. "I
wonder what he is getting by heart, for I am sure it
can be nothing of his own." " You are mistaken,"
replied GrenviUe; "North is a man of great promise
and high qualifications, and if he does not relax in his
political pursuits, he is very likely to be Prime
Minister."*

To Lord North, Rockingham now offered the post of

* European Magazine, xxx. 82.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1766.] LORD NORTH TO LORD ROCKINGHAM. 345

Vice- Treasurer of Ireland ; but the conduct of the Court
discouraged him, as well as many others, from accept-
ing office under the Grovernment. " It cost him,'' says
Walpole, "many bitter pangs, not to preserve his
virtue, but his vicious connexions. He goggled his
eyes, and groped in his money pocket, more than half
consented ; nay, so much more, that when he got home,
he wrote an excuse to Lord Rockingham, which made
it plain that he thought he had accepted."
The letter here spoken of is as follows.

LORD NORTH TO THE MARQUIS OF ROCKINGHAM.

" My Lord, " May 24th, iree.

" As this is your Lordship's levee day, I am in hopes
this letter will find you before you see the King. I am
much obliged to your Lordship and Mr. Conway for the
message you sent to me this morning by my friend Mr.
Townshend, and can never be an ill-wisher to an ad-
ministration from whom I have received such marks of
kindness. But not to enter at large into my motives, I
shall rest more self-satisfied, if I continue as I am, than
if I accept the office you have been so good as to pro-
pose to me. I beg pardon for all my difficulties, which
must have embarrassed you and my other friends, and,
particularly, for this last change of opinion. I shall be
always constant in regard to your Lordship, and grate-
ful remembrance of your kind intentions.

" I am, my Lord, with the greatest respect,
" Your most faithful humble servant,

" North."

Digitized by VjOOQIC

346 LORD ROCKINGHAM AND DYSON. [176G.

The expression used by Lord Hardwicke in the last
quoted extract from his " Memoriall/'* that Lord
Rockingham had " lost all interest at Court," did but
convey the almost universal belief of the tottering con-
dition of the latter nobleman, as a Minister. Tet, from
the King*s demeanour, he might have been led to an
opposite conclusion. " Lord Rockingham and Dowdes-
well,'' writes Lord Temple, on the 4th of May, " are
caressed by the King at Court beyond expression."
"Lord Rockingham himself told me," says Nicholls,
" that the King never showed him such distinguished
marks of kindness as after he had secretly determined
to get rid of him."

A message from the Crown was brought down to the
Commons on the 3rd of June, by the Chancellor of the
Exchequer, respecting a settlement for the Princess
Caroline Matilda, about to be married to the King of
Denmark. Mr. Dyson offered a precedent against the
consideration of the message on that day. The Govern-
ment divided, and rejected Dyson's motion by 118 to
35. The following day, Lord Rockingham begged the
King would dismiss Dyson. His Majesty hesitated,
but desired Lord Rockingham to talk to him. Lord
Rockingham had an hour's interview with Dyson, who
disclaimed opposition, but professed to dislike measures,
taking care, however, to take exception against every
act of the Government.

Lord Rockingham, thereupon asked the King to dis-
miss Dyson; and it may be inferred from the King's

* See page 334, line 12.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1766.] THE KING TO LORD ROCKINGHAM. 347

answer, requested also that some Peers might be created,
as a proof that he had the royal confidence. The fol-
lowing answer will show with what success.

the kino to the marquis op rockingham.

"Lord Rockingham,

" I have just received your letter, and shall to-mor-
row talk over the affair of Mr. Dyson with you. As
to the Peerages, I thought I had yesterday, as well as
on many former occasions, expressed an intention of
not, at least for the present, increasing the Peerage,
and remain entirely now of that opinion.

"George R.

" Richmond Lodge^ d5 m. past 6 p.m."

Writing, towards the latter end of May, to Sir George
Savile, Lord Rockingham says, " Politics are much as
they were when you went away. We shall have a rough
ocean to sail through; but as I hope our bottom is
sound, we may weather all storms, or, at least if we
should be wrecked, we shall not suffer in honour, or as
private men." It was not, however, by storms, but by
hidden shoals and false beacons, that the Whig vessel
was doomed to founder. Secret negociations for its
destruction were set on foot almost immediately after
the prorogation. The first agent for this service was
John Percival, Earl of Egmont. Ever since the for-
mation of the Leicester House faction, this nobleman
had been amongst its most able and active partisans.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

348 CHARACTER OF LORD EGMONT. [1766.

He was a fluent and plausible debater, and the author
of several political tracts, which had considei'able popu-
larity in their day. When his ambition was not con-
cerned, he was, if Walpole may be trusted, " humane,
friendly, and good-humoured as it was possible for a
man to be, who was never known to smil6 or laugh ; he
was once, indeed, seen to smile, and that was at chess.
With considerable talents, he combined numerous eccen-
tricities. When scarce a man, he had a scheme for
assembling the Jews, and making himself their king.
Another whim was such an affection for the olden
times, as to wish to establish a feudal government in
the Island of St. John ; and when he rebuilt his house
at Enmore, in Somersetshire, he made it in the guise
of a castle, moated it round, and prepared it to defend
.itself jyith cross-bows and arrows, against the time in
which the fabric and use of gunpowder should be for-
gotten/' A journal which the Duke of Richmond kept
of the last days of the Rockingham Administration, has
reference to Lord Egmont; and when it is borne in
mind that his Lordship was a Cabinet Minister, and
first Lord of the Admiralty, in the Government of
which he speaks so freely, it renders intelligible what
Burke says of the " parade of superiority'* which the
Court faction were wont to assume over the exterior
Ministers.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1766.] DUKE OF RICHMOND'S JOURNAL. 349

EXTRACT FROM THE DUKE OF RICHMOND'S JOURNAL.

" Tuesday, June 17th, 1766.
** Heard that Lord Egmont was, on Thursday the
12th, at Mr. Rigby's, who said, that Lord Egmont
had talked of the present Administration as everybody
else does; meaning that he held them very cheap.
Mr. Rigby, after this, went out of town to Moore Park,
for some days, in his way to Woburn. If anything
had been concluded at this meeting, he would probably
have gone direct to Woburn. This agrees very well
with Lord Talbot's having been with the King on
Thursday the 12th and Friday the 13th for above an
hour each day, and particularly on Friday, the King's
looking flustered when we went in, which was directly
after Lord Talbot, for it is probable that he was dis-
pleased at the negociation not having succeeded. The
point, in all likelihood, was to engage the Bedfords,
without the Grenvilles, to join the Butes. This Lord
Egmont would wish, as his great dread is Pitt, and a
combination of Grenvilles.

" Upon giving a hint to Lord Rockingham and Mr.
Conway, that some such negociations had been on foot.
Lord Rockingham was for trying to get the Bedfords,
without the Grenvilles, to join us, and said that Pitt,
Grenvilles, and Butes together, even in administration,
could not stand such an union. Mr. Conway was for
getting more light into this transaction, and if it proved
true, to come to an explanation with the King, for to

Digitized by VjOOQIC

350 LORD HARDWICKE*S " MEMORIALL." [1766.

let things go on so was ridiculous. I was for oifering
handsomely to take in several of Lord Bute's friends,
to make the King easy, for I do not fear letting them
have any places, in order to their assistance and the
King's countenance, provided they are not places of
Ministers, and that we keep them out of the Cabinet."

" Towards the end of this month of June," says Lord
Hardwicke's ^Memoriall,' "a matter came before us
which was of great importance, and the rock upon
which we split, or rather served as the match with
which the Chancellor was permitted to fire the mine
laid for the demolition of our weak Ministerial fabric.

" The Proclamation which issued in 1764, when the
Duke of Bedford was President, and Lord Hillsborough
at the Head of the Board of Trade, by which all the
laws of Great Britain were introduced at once into the
new acquisitions, had thrown the affairs of the Province
of Canada into a good deal of confusion. The natives
complained that their laws of property were overturned,
and new ones established, to the principles of which they
were as much strangers as the language in which the
decisions of the Judge were to be pronounced. (Gover-
nor Murray had framed local ordonnances upon this
Proclamation, which the Board of Trade had reported
against, and things were in such a state that it was
evident some new regulations were necessary. The
papers relative to these disputes had, according to
custom, in the course of the winter been transmitted
from the Council Office to the Attorney and Solicitor

Digitized by VjOOQIC

[1766. DUKE OF RICHMOND'S JOURNAL. 351

General. They had (from the best 'information they
could collect) prepared a report which, before it went
in form to the Council, was to be considered by the
Cabinet. It is not necessary to enter further here into
the report, than by saying it was a plan for the Civil
Government of Quebec, the principal line of which was
to leave the natives to their old rights of property or
civil laws, and to temper the rigour of their criminal
code by the more equitable and generous meaning of
the English law. At our first meeting on this report,
Lord Chancellor declared his absolute dislike to it,
made several frivolous objections to particulars, and
was absolutely for doing nothing till we had a com-
plete code of the laws of Canada sent over, which was
postponing the whole business for a twelvemonth. His
Lordship took this opportunity to complain of some
trifling ill usage he had met with from the Secretaries
of State in the transmitting of papers; and, in short,
the meeting, which was at his house, broke up re infectdy
and before another could be summoned, the Lord Chan-
cellor declared he would attend no more."

The next quotation from the Duke of Kichmond's
Journal, refers to the same Cabinet meeting.

"June 27, 1766.

*^ At a meeting at the Lord Chancellor's, to consider
further on the instructions to be sent to the Governor
of Canada, his Lordship was in a very ill humour
indeed. He said he disapproved entirely of the foun-
dation upon which they were planned, and, therefore.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

352 DUKE OF RICHMOND'S JOURNAL. [l766.

would have nothing to do with them ; that -he had,

besides, never seen the papers which came from Canada,

and could give no information upon this matter ; that he

doubted if it was legal for the King to empower the

Governor, with or without his Council, to establish

Courts of Judicature; that it was necessary to bring

matters of such weight before Parliament. To all this

Lord Dartmouth answered, that he imagined the powers

given by the King could not be disputed, as it was

founded on a similar practice in almost all the other

Colonies; and that it could not be illegal, since this

very commission to the Governor, under which he had

these powers, was under the Great Seal, which my Lord

Chancellor himself had affixed to it ; that what we were

now doing was only acting under that commission. Mr.

Murray* had executed his former instructions for ap-

pointing Courts of Judicature, and other matters, in a

way that was much disapproved of; we did not now

pretend to give fresh powers, but instructions how to

execute the former ones in a manner less exceptionable.

My Lord Chancellor could make no other reply to this,

than that he did not pretend to be answerable for all

* Lieut -General Murray, Governor of Canada, uncle to the Duke
of Athol. In the " Church and King " riots of 1 780, when there
was danger of the mob forcing their way into the House of Commons,
Murray thus addressed Lord George Gordon, who was sitting next him :
" If any one of your lawless followers enters, I shall consider rebel-
lion as begun, and will plunge my sword into your bosom as its pro-
moter.** — Hughes* Hist, of England, vol. iii. p. 24. — "He was a brave
and adventurous officer. When in command at Quebec, disdaining
to await a regular siege, he marched out with an inferior force, attack-
ed the French, and was defeated." — Walpole.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1766.] DUKE OF RICHMOND'S JOURNAL. 353

he had set the Great Seal to; that these things came
to him of course, and that he did not so much as read
or inquire about them; and that he had at first, when
the Duke of Bedford sent the first instructions to Go-
vernor Murray, disapproved of the whole plan. It
being however agreed to read the instructions, the
Chancellor objected to several parts, — first, to the ap-
pointing Canadians being Eoman Catholics, to act as
Justices of the Peace, or as Judges. He doubted
whether the Crown could give that power to Roman
Catholics, and whether penal laws did not extend to
Canada.

" 2ndly. He objected to appeals from the superior
Courts of Judicature to the Governor and Council.
He said they should be to the King in Council in
England.

**His Lordship also said that he thought the old
Canadian laws were to subsist till, by the authority of
Parliament, they were altered. To this it was objected
to him that the King had issued a proclamation, the
day of in which he promised all his

new subjects the benefits and advantages of the English
law; to which his Lordship replied, *I know that, and
a very silly proclamation it was.'

"After much talk upon this affair, the Chancellor
concluded with saying, that he disapproved of the prin-
ciple upon which the plan was formed ; that he had
always done so, and, therefore, could and would give
no advice about it.

" I represented to his Lordship, the difficulties we

VOL. I. A A

Digitized by VjOOQIC

354 DUKE OF RICHMOND'S JOURNAL. [1766.

laboured under ; that the method in which Murray had
executed his instructions was disapproved by everybody
(to which he agreed) ; that if we did nothing, we, in
fact, confirmed everything Murray had done, and those
very courts which he had established; that in altering,
we wished much to receive his Lordship's advice and
assistance, and to do what was really for the best; that if
his Lordship would point out what was wrong or illegal,
and advise us what was better, we would certainly pay
the utmost attention to it; that I had, in particular,
refused to sign the instructions — ^first, without having
his approbation of them, and, afterwards, when I heard
he disapproved; that every attention had been showed
in appointing councils at the times that might be most
convenient to him, and that Lord Dartmouth had
waited upon him with all the papers, now material,
and the instructions previous to this meeting, in order
to give him time to consider of them, and to make such
alterations as he thought proper ; that it was, therefore,
very hard to object so far, as to say that parts were,
perhaps, not strictly legal, and thereby render it im-
possible for us to venture to do anything against such
an opinion ; and, at the same time, to refuse telling us
what was wrong, or advise us how to proceed; that if
further information was necessary, his Lordship should
have every paper he could wish, and that if any neglect
of that sort had happened, it was certainly not de-
signed, and, therefore, I hoped he would not, for a
reason of that kind, refuse his assistance and prevent
our doing some real service to that Colony.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

17C6.] LORD HARDWICKE TO LORD ROCKINGHAM. 355

"His Lordship's answer was very short. That he
disapproved of the whole, and would give no advice;
that it was true, Lord Dartmouth had lately been with
him and explained the whole, and that he would dg him
the justice to say, that the instructions upon this plan,
such as it is, were very well drawn up, but that he
could not assent to the principle upon which they were
founded; that, though he had now had information, he
had never seen the first letters which were circulated in
September or November- last, and that now papers came
to him so irregularly and so late, that he could not read
them in time, to consider matters before they came to
Council; that it was ridiculous to expect him to give
his opinion upon matters he was not prepared upon,
and, therefore, he declared he would attend Councils
no more.

" Other matters being taken into consideration, they
were determined on, as appears by the minute of that
day."

LOKD HARDWICKE TO 4,0RD ROCKINGHAM.

** St. James Square^ June dOth^ 1766.
" I PROFESS myself to be, in many respects, a very
incompetent judge of what is proper to be done in
Canada, but as far as I am master of my brother's
report, I think he struck out, or pretty nearly sOy the
true medium ; and I understand from . him, that the
Canadians liked our free and impartial forms of judica-
ture, and only desired to be left to their old laws and

A A 2

Digitized by VjOOQIC

356 LORD HARDWICKE TO LORD ROCKINGHAM. [1766.

customs for private property. I doubt our great
lawyer * will not agree in our ideas, and perhaps the
matter may now be postponed till Governor Murray's
arrival, who can give further lights.

" Your Lordship will doubtless do well to talk to my
brother upon it, though, having made the report, he is
functtis officio. Lord Winchilsea and Lord Dartmouth
should likewise be taken along in the affair.

" We are packed up and ready to set out for Bed-
fordshire, but as the weather is so bad, we shall not
move till Thursday, which will give me an opportunity
of paying my duty at the levee on Wednesday, and of
receiving any commands which your Lordship and the
rest of the King's servants may have for me.

" I thank your Lordship for the Boston intelligence.
I hope, besides rejoicings and healths (the latter of
which are mostly to the Great Commoner), we shall
have the more substantial returns of duty and acknow-
ledgment from the Colony Assemblies. Our friend
Tom* was very cross indeed, and would neither lead
nor drive."

♦ " Tom Tilbury," t. e, the Chancellor, Lord Northington. In
several letters to and from my grandfather, I find this nickname
applied to Lord Northington. The Hon. John Yorke, writing to his
brother Lord Hardwicke, on the 19th of July, 1770, " I see by the
papers that old Tilbury has hobbled up to town again ; I suppose he
has been sent for to help forward some unsatisfactory change, and
endeavour to divide the opposition. I always expect some mischief
when I hear of the interposition of that sorry fellow."

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1766.] LORD ROCKINGHAM TO HON. C YORKE. 367

THE MARQUIS OF ROCKINGHAM TO THE HON. C. YORKE.

" Dear Sir, " Grosvenor Square, July y® Ist.

" I should be glad to know if we could contrive to
meet to-morrow. I think I could most conveniently to
myself call at your house after Court, which would
be about three o'clock. One business I have with you
is relative to the Quebec affair."

THE MARQUIS OF ROCKINGHAM TO THE HON. C. YORKE.
" Grosvenor Square, Friday, 12 o'clock,

" Dear Sir, " July y* 4th, iree.

" I intended to have wrote to you yesterday, to ex-
plain to you the note you would receive from the Duke
of Richmond, desiring to see you at his house this
evening.

" At the Cabinet Meeting on Wednesday night (where
the Chancellor was noi)^ it seemed to be the desire and
intention of all those present, that if you and the So-
licitor-General would come to a private meeting at the
Duke of Richmond's to-night, we might settle the mat-
ter, as well as the circumstances will allow; and that
your assistance, both in law and in the prudential con-
sideration of the Chancellor's differing, would be of the
utmost service, and that, probably, we may then do
some good in this matter.

" I hope to hear that you will come, and am ever,
" Dear Sir, &c.,

" Rockingham."

Digitized by VjOOQIC

358 LORD BUTE'S SUSPECTED [l766.

The next entry in the Duke of Richmond's Journal is
on July 6th, 1766.

" When I came to the Court, after the drawing-
poom, I found the Chancellor had just mentioned to
Lord Winchilsea, before he went into the King's
closet, his dissatisfaction, and that he would attend
Councils no longer. Mr. Conway and Mr. Dowdeswell
had also begun to talk with the Chancellor, but were
interrupted. When he came out, he went away with-
out speaking scarce a word to anybody. Lord Kock-
ingham went in best."

THE MARQUIS OF ROCKINGHAM TO THE HON. CHARLES

YORKE,

" Grosyenor Square, Sunday Evening, 9 o'clock,

** Dear Sir, July y« 6th, uee.

" I called at your house this evening, as I am anxious
to communicate to you a political event of importance
which happened this morning. I will delay mentioning
what it is till I see you, which I beg may be to-morrow
morning."

There was, perhaps, no subject in the last century
on which a greater unanimity of opinion prevailed, than
that Lord Bute continued to act as the King's secret
adviser several years after he had ostensibly withdrawn
from all participation in public affairs ; on the other
hand, the disbelief of the existence of any such secret in-
terference is equally as strong and universal in the pre-

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1766.] INTERFERENCE IN PUBLIC AFFAIRS. 359

sent times. Writers differing upon almost every other
subject agree upon this point, and have backed their
opinions by various anecdotes. Lord Brougham says,
"the King had never any kind of communication with
him (Lord Bute) directly or indirectly; nor did he ever
see him but once ; and the history of that occurrence sud-
denly puts the greater part of the stories to flight which
are current upon this subject. His aunt, the Princess
Amelia, had some plan of again bringing the two
parties together; and on a day when George the Third
was to pay her a visit at her villa at Gunnersbury,
near Brentford, she invited Lord Bute, whom she pro-
bably had never informed of her foolish intentions.
He was walking in the garden when she took her
nephew down stairs to view it, saying there was no
one there but an old friend of his, whom he had not
seen for some years. He had not time to ask who
it might be, when on entering the garden he saw his
former minister walking up an alley. The King in-
stantly turned back to avoid him, reproved the silly
old woman sharply, and declared that, if ever she re-
peated such experiments, she had seen him for the last
time in her house."*

In a letter addressed to the newspapers in October,
1778, Lord Mountstuart said, " He, Lord Bute, does

* Lord Brougham's Historical Sketches of Statesmen who flourish-
ed in the reign of George the Thirds vol. i. page 48-9. In support of
Lord Brougham's hypothesis^ see Adolphus* History of England, i.
108-9. Hughes' History of England, i. 137. Edinburgh Review,
cxli. 94. Quarterly Review, cxxxi.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

360 LORD BUTE'S SUSPECTED [1766.

authorize me to say, that he declares upon his solemn
word of honour that he has not had the honour of
waiting upon His Majesty but at his levee or draw-
ing-room; nor has he presumed to offer an advice or
opinion concerning the disposition of offices, or the
conduct of measures either directly or indirectly, by
himself or any other, from the time when the late
Duke of Cumberland was consulted in the arrangement
of a ministry, 1765, to the present hour."

In addition to the evidence already published is
the following extract of a letter written soon after the
formation of the Chatham ministry.

THE EARL OF BUTE TO THE EARL OP HARDWICKE.

" London, July 26th, 1766.
" I KNOW as little, save from newspapers, of the pre-
sent busy scene, as I do of transactions in Persia, and
yet am destined for ever to be a double uneasiness,
that of incapacity to serve those I love, and yet to
be continually censured for every public transaction,
though totally retired from courts and public business.
In this private station, however, I cease not to be with
the greatest regard,

** Your Lordship's most humble obedient servant,

"Bute."

Without offering any opinion of my own either on
the belief of the last or the present century, I will
content myself with calling the attention of the reader

Digitized by VjOOQIC

17(W.] INTERFERENCE IN PUBLIC AFFAIRS. 361

to the following extract from the Duke of Richmond's
Journal, and that which will occur a few pages further
on under date of the 12th of July.

« 1766, Monday, July 7th.
"I WAS told that Lord Bute went this day about
noon to his own house at Kew. He did not go to the
common road over the bridge, but came by the river
side in his coach; from his own garden he crossed
alone to that of the Princess of Wales's at Kew. The
King also about the same time went to the Princess of
Wales's at Kew, and. stayed there two hours. 'Tis
remarkable, that 'tis said that the Princess was not
herself then at Kew, so that this was not accidental,
but evidently a meeting of the King's with Lord Bute,
settled so before-hand. The Duke of York, who had
been the preceding evening for two hours with Mr.
Stone, was this day at Richmond with the King."

On this same day likewise Walpole records that
"His Majesty, with the most frank indiflTerence, and
without even thanking them (the Ministers) for their
services, and for having undertaken the administra-
tion at his own earnest solicitation, acquainted them
severally that he had sent for Mr. Pitt."*

Under date of Tuesday the 8th of July, the Duke of
Kichmond writes : "No material occurrence;" but on the
same day he says in a letter to Lord Rockingham : —

♦ Walpole'8 George the Third, ii. S37.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

362 DUKE OF RICHMOND'S JOURNAL. [l766.

" I have intelligence that Pitt has been sent to. It
comes to me in a very extraordinary way, and from
one I should give no credit to, if he had not told all
that the Chancellor had said to the King, and almost
in the same words His Majesty used to me, and this
on Sunday evening. As he is so right in one instance,
'tis possible he may be so in the other, and he speaks
to it with equal certainty.

" If this is so, is it not possible that the Duke of
York in his late journey to Bath and Bristol, and Lord
Egmont in his into Somersetshire, may have had some
interview with Mr. Pitt?

" I confess I think my information to be true, but
think you had better not communicate to any one but
Mr. Conway, for if it is known, and that Mr. Con-
way's sentiments get among our friends, it will be a
race among them who shall go first to Mr. Pitt."

THE DUKE OF RICHMOND'S JOURNAL.

*' 1766. Wednesday, July 9.

" The Duke of Newcastle, Lord Rockingham, General
Conway, and I, met at Richmond House.

" Thursday, July 10.
" We were all at the drawing-room. The King and
the Queen were both exceedingly civil, even aflfectedly
so."

In a letter of the same date, Horace Walpole in-
forms George Montague that the outlines of a new

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1766.] LORD HARDWICKE TO LORD ROCKINGHAM. 363

administration are formed, and thus prophetically speaks
of Lord Kockingham's successor and his government.

" The plan will probably be to pick and cull from
all quarters, and break all parties as much as possible.
From this moment I date the wane of Mr. Pitt's glory :
he will want the thorough bass of drums and trumpets
and is not made for peace. The dismission of a most
popular administration, a leaven of Bute, whom too he
can never trust, and the numbers he will discontent
will be considerable objects against him."

THE EAEL OF HARDWICKE TO LORD ROCKINGHAM.

"July 11, 1766.

** I HAVE learned from the various resolutions of these
times nil admirari ; but I cannot say I expected this
Uow-up quite so soon. It is indifferent to me whether
Lord Chancellor acted in his representation to the King
entirely from himself or as an instrument for others,
but I am sure his Lordship's very wrong understand-
ing and perverse temper are one main weakness of the
Administration. My poor opinion. If the King has
sent for Mr. Pitt it is to put his affairs for the present
entirely in his hands — as he must be sensible that the
Great Commoner always expects implicit acquiescence
in his hands. He will save everybody the trouble of
thinking^ which is a great convenience, and I shall have
my full share of it.

" I suppose you know by this time whence the source
of this sudden resolution to send for Mr. Pitt has
arisen. I presume from that quarter, which has and

Digitized by VjOOQIC

364 DUKE OP RICHMOND'S JOURNAL. [1766.

will have the real interior influence and weight which

hurried out the last Ministers, and will the present, let

the outward instruments and actors change ever so

often.

. " P.S. I presume the Lord Chancellor was resolved

to shake off this Ministry when he showed so much ill

humour at his own house."

THE DUKE OF RICHMOND'S JOURNAL.

« 1766, Friday, July 11.

" The report at the levee was that Mr. Pitt had been
an hour with the King in the morning, but that was
not so. He did not come to town till near one o'clock,
and had come that morning from Maidenhead or Slough.
The King continued exceedingly civil in the closet.

" In the evening Mr. Pitt went to the Chancellor,
and was several hours with him."

THE EARL OF HAKDWICKE TO THE HON. C. TORKE.

" Dear Brother, *' Wrest, July the loth, i766.

" I received a letter this morning by express from
Lord Rockingham, with an account of what has lately
passed in the closet, and the King's having sent for Mr.
Pitt, desiring me at the same time to come immediately
to town. I presume Lord Chancellor has taken his
part in concert with Leicester House

" I have professed to Lord Rockingham my willingness
to come up when matters are ripe; but as his Lordship
seems to think we should wait a little, I do not see the

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1760.] LORD HARDWICKE TO HON. C. YORKE. 365

necessity of setting out immediately^ but will be ready
to move at the next summons from him or you.

" The King surely intends to put himself entirely
into Mr. Pitt's hands, and he as swrely means to break
up the present Administration. If he makes a better,
I for one shall not be sorry for it. . . .

" Let me have a line by the return of the messenger,
and keep me from being sent for, unless it is absolutely
necessary.

" I am very willing to make my bow, and to be eased
the trouble of thinking by the Great Commoner, but
will certainly bark at him, and show my teeth, if he
means to use you ill. . . .

"P.S. — I presume Lord Chancellor had taken his
resolution at our first meeting, and the report is only
a pretence."

FROM THE SAME TO THE SAME.

" Dear Brother, " Wrest, July the loth, iree.

" I shall postpone my resolution of coming up to
town till I receive Lord Rockingham's answer and yours
to my letters of this morning, and the rather as I find
you agree with me in opinion, that there is no occasion
to be in such a hurry. Indeed, the afiair will soon be
over, if the Great Commoner has carte blanche^ and we
shall none of us have any counsel to take but what we
may give ourselves, without stirring out of our elbow
chairs. If the affair draws into negociation, I shall be
in time by coming up on Monday or Tuesday, and I

Digitized by VjOOQIC

^66 LORD HARDWICKE TO HON. G. TORRE. [l766.

would willingly have you at leisure to consult with,
and not called off by the aliena negotia.

" I am such a bit of a Minister^ as to have no stake
worth contending for in the game; but I shall interest
myself for my friends, as if it was propria causa. At
aU eventSj I shall beg to be excused from sitting at
council again with the Noble Lord who has brought
this charge against his colleagues, and who would not
say a word when it was res Integra on the Duke of
Grafton's resignation. That the bottom wants widen-
ing and strengthening is certain^ and I have told Lord
Rockingham so from the beginning, as well as that I
thought the King had no personal confidence in his
Ministers. I wish he does not make it impracticable
for anybody to serve him: court intrigue will throw
the ablest Minister off his bias and embarrass his
operations, when he thinks himself the most secure.
" I am, dear Brother, yours sincerely, &c.,

" Hardwicke.

" P.S. The Ministers may certainly find out how far
Leicester House is at the bottom of this. Lord Bute
resides as little at Luton, and is always hovering be-
tween town and country. He was not at his Terre on
Monday last, but expected soon. Lord Egmont has
behaved vrey civilly at our meetings ; but do you re-
member what I wrote you word of his discourse to me
at Court?"

In a letter of the same date Lord Hardwicke says to
Lord Rockingham : —

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1766.] LORD HARDWICKE TO LORD ROCKINGHAM. 367

" I could have wished His Majesty had been a little
pressed upon the reasons which determined him to send
for Mr. Pitt just noWy after letting slip so many much
more proper occasions, particularly that of the Duke
of Grafton's resignation; and declaring so often, that
he thought such a step would be personally disgraceful
to himself, and that he had twice before acted below his
dignity, in seeing Mr. Pitt without knowing what he
would propose.

" I am surprised your Lordship has not more Court
intelligence about the motions and intrigues of Carlton
House, and the constant undermining practices of the
Scotch Thane, who resides as little in the country this
summer as he has done for the two last, and continues
to divide his time between Luton and South Audley
Street

" Whoever His Majesty thinks proper to employ, it is
highly necessary he should give them his confidence and
his authority too, or they will never be able to serve him
eflFectually. If they are unworthy of the one or aiuse
the other, the sooner he parts with them the better.
We have been told that annual parliaments would make
annual ministries ; but we see the latter can be brought
about, though we have not the inconvenience of the
former.^^

Walpole writes also on the same day to Sir Horace
Mann : —

" The late Ministers — I talk of those who were in
office three days ago — stuck to their text; that is,

Digitized by VjOOQIC

368 DUKE OF RICHMOND'S JOURNAL. [l766.

would not bow the knee to the idol that lurks behind
the veil of the sanctuary. On Sunday last without
any communication to the Ministers, the Chancellor,
who began to smell a storm, and has probably bargained
for beginning it, told the King that he would resign."

THE DUKE OF RICHMOND'S JOURNAL.

" 1766, Saturday, July 12th.

" Mr. Pitt went at eleven from Captain Hood's in
Harley Street* to Richmond; he arrived at noon and
stayed till twenty minutes past four. The King at
about eleven went to the Princess at Kew, although she
was not there. At about one, Lord Bute was seen
coming from Ealing by a by-road, so that 'tis probable
he had again been to meet His Majesty at Kew. Lord
Bute had been at Luton between the Monday and the
Saturday ; and Martin, who came to London from thence
on Thursday or Friday, knew nothing of Mr. Pitt's
being sent for; but that proves only, that Lord Bute
did not tell it him; it seems clear, though, that he knew
it by these two meetings with the King, and doubtless
he advised it."

♦ MB. PITT TO LADY CHATHAM.

"July 12, 1766.
" I WBiTE this hasty Ime to my dearest life from the house of the
Hoods^ where I am perfectly well lodged. I *m, upon honour^ much
better to-day ; have been at Richmond, and returned to a five o'clock
chicken, which, had you been with me, would have been a happy
banquet." — Chatham Correspondence, ii. 4^9.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1766.] DUKE OF RICHMOND'S JOURNAL. 369

The following paragraph is upon a detached slip of
paper: it is not written by the Duke, and is ap-
parently in the hand-writing of an uneducated person.

" Saturday, July 12th.

" General Carpenter came at half-past seven o'clock
to ride with His Majesty. A little before eight a
person came, on horseback in great haste, which I took
to be some servant out of livery, and since believe to
be one of Mr. Pitt's servants. A little after eight His
Majesty rode out, and returned about nine. About
eleven His Majesty went to Kew ; I followed ; he re-
turned at twelve ; two gentlemen came (one an officer)
to represent to His Majesty the suflFering of persons in
North America, with a plan of an instrument which
they make use of to torment them when in prison. At
one o'clock Mr. Pitt came, and returned at twenty
minutes past four. At six their Majesties went out
in an open chaise to take the air, and returned at
half-past eight. This morning waited till nine o'clock,
when the light horseman came. Nothing material."

•« Sunday, July ISth.
" The King was very civil to everybody at his draw-
ing-room. The Queen was not there. I went afterwards
into the closet to ask when Monsieur Durand* might
have an audience to deliver letters from the French
Queen, in answer to His Majesty when he recalled me
from the French Embassy. The King appointed the

* The French Ambasaador,
VOL. I. B B

Digitized by VjOOQIC

370 DISMISSAL OF THE ROCKINGHAM MINISTRY. [1766.

Wednesday following, and then entered into a long con-
versation with me on several indiflFerent points."

A few days after the last entry in the Duke of
Sichmond's journal, the Rockingham Ministry had
ceased to exist, and I cannot resist inserting Burke's
masterly summary of their conduct during their short
tenure of office.

" They treated their Sovereign with decency, with
reverence. They discountenanced, and it is hoped for
ever abolished, the dangerous and unconstitutional
practice of removing military officers for their votes
in Parliament. They firmly adhered to those friends
of liberty, who had run all hazards in its cause, and
provided for them in preference to every other claim.

" With the Earl of Bute they had no personal con-
nexion, no correspondence of councils. They neither
courted him nor persecuted him. They practised no
corruption, nor were they even suspected of it. They
sold no offices. They obtained no reversions or pen-
sions, either coming in or going out, for themselves,
their families, or their dependents.

" In the prosecution of their measures they were
traversed by an opposition of a new and lingular
character; an opposition of placemen and pensioners.
They were supported by the confidence of the nation.
And having held their offices under many difficulties
and discouragements, they left them at the express
command, as they had accepted them at the earnest
request of their Royal master."

Digitized by VjOOQIC

FIELD MARSHAL
HENRY SEYMOUR CONWAY.

Since this Work went to the press, I have been favoured
by a friend with some copious extracts from a manuscript
collection of Letters addressed by Marshal Conway to Horace
Walpole, originally made with a view to publication in a
Memoir of the Marshal, then in contemplation, but which was
subsequently abandoned. As a distinguished contemporary,
and a friend of Lord Rockingham, Conway is entitled to a
more frill notice than I had been able to bestow in my text ;
and my silence was only caused by the scarcity of the mate-
rials respecting his private life, that are to be found either in
contemporary works, or in the manuscript repositories to which
I had access. I am glad therefore to supply this deficiency,
especially as the letters are not without value, illustrating, as
they do, the manners of the period at which they were
written.

May, 1740.

" We went yesterday into mourning for his Majesty the
King of Prussia. The present King has written a letter to
M. Algarotti to this effect: * Venez, mon cher Algarotti :
mon sort est change. Je puis ^ pres^^nt jouer de mes amis —
me ne fait long temps perdre ce plaisir. J'^ai de Timportance
a vous revoir — Frederick Roi.' All this is mighty pretty

B B 2

Digitized by VjOOQIC

372 FIELD MARSHAL H. S. CONWAY. [lT40.

and romantic, and one would think that they had been friends
from the cradle, for Kings do not condescend to these fami-
liarities with subjects but upon extraordinary occasions ; but
behold all this friendship is the growth of one week that
Algarotti staid with him on his road to Petersburg with Lord
Baltimore.

^^ I must send you Admiral * Hosier's Ghost/ though it
should stand you in half-arcrown, because all the world is cry-
ing out about it in some way or other. The patriots cry it up,
and the courtiers cry it down, and the hawkers cry it up and
down till they make one deaf. For my part I had rather hear
your opinion about it than tell my own ; but I have not the
patience to wait ; so must tell you that I like it extremely, and
think it mighty solemn and mighty poetical. Several men of
sense that I have seen are of the same opinion ; judges, but
not party-mad. Now, as I take you for a very indifferent
politician (you understand me, I mean, indifferent in party
matters), and think you far from an indifferent judge, I hope
you will join with us. You know the history of his lying a
long time before Porto Bello and losing almost all his crew.*^

Walpole acknowledges this in a letter of 9th of July, 1740.

" Dear Hobry, " Thursday, Aug. 6, 1740.

^^ You cannot imagine how happy you make me with that
charming old stock of friendship that you say you have kept In
lavender for me. It is a treasure that I value more than I can
express, and without any unreasonable doubts of your grati-
tude or constancy, I would have given the world to have
insured it when we parted ; but affection would be no longer
affection, if it was not attended with some anxiety — if it ceased
to be that res solliciti plena timoris. How did I know but that
in these cursed piratical times I might have been robbed of
it ? and what redress could I have had ? To think of making

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1740.] FIELD MARSHAL H. S. CONWAY. 373

new ones instead of it, would be like that old Roman logger-
head whom Velleius makes honourable mention of, who threat-
ened the people, if thej lost the old Corinthian statues, that
they should find new ones in their stead. Indeed, I must have
recourse to better times than these, if I would find another
friendship worthy to succeed it. I won'^t make you anj com-
pliments : it is none, Ood knows, to tell you that I love you,
if possible, more than ever, and can forgive you anything but
doubting of it.

So you see, my dear Horry, I am ready for your coming.
You shall find your old apartment in my heart in the
best order in the world to receive you. It has no need
of dusting or brushing up, I assure you ; I hope you meant
no such thing by saying you wrote your last only to an-
nounce yourself! But you require a history of the present
times of me ; indeed, you apply to the very worst person
in the world. I know nothing of politics^ imprimis^ which is
a great article in modem history. As to scandal and common
news, to be sure I hear it as others do now and then, but then
I am plenus rtmarum ; it comes in at one ear literally, and out
at the other. I have no sort of retention, and but very
moderate intelligence of late, for I see nobody. Would you
believe it, Horry, I have been hitherto in this dreary city all
this live-long summer ? But I canH bear summer people, and
so I live a good deal alone. I now and then go to Chelsea,
as you may suppose, once a week or so ; then I have a meta-
morphosed quondam country sister whom you have heard of;
this, with two or three dropping-in acquaintance, makes my^
world. So if you have a mind to hear the history of that, I
can give it you, but for the great one I know nothing of it.
As to myself I have a thousand idle hours, which, with
some small study and a thousand idle amusements, pass as
fast at least as I wish them to do. And, dear Horry, I have

Digitized by VjOOQIC

374 FIELD MARSHAL H- S. CONWAY. [UiO.

at last begun to draw ; you will not be sorry to hear that I
shall confine myself chiefly or rather entirely to perspective,
views of buildings, landscapes, &c. I feel as if I should take
to it mightily, and only regret having begun so late. I have
a notion Lens is dead, so I have taken a good old German,
who was recommended to me by my master of mathematics
(for you must know I am in the midst of that and fortifications).
He seems to be good at that kind of drawing, and has done
some views of parts of London, which I really think pretty.
' It must be owned he smells a good deal of tobacco, but time
will get the better of that I hope. He diverts me by talking
like my Lord Grantham, and is as solemn as he can be for
his life. I almost wish I had staid for your advice, but
now the affair is done I hope for your approbation. As
to my performances, which are as yet only two small land-
scapes, if you will take my opinion, they are moderate for
the first, neither very bad nor good, but nothing tending
towards a genius ; so I must depend upon time and my old
German^s instructions, and yours when you come over, which
I beg you will do instantly. What should you do there?
You hate France, and England loves you. As for your loving
it, I want to know how that stands, but I am sure it will
divert you when you come, it is a pleasant animal ; one may
laugh at it as much as one will, but if one grows grave there
is no living here.

" Your ballad is extremely pretty, and I think you have
done it great injury to put it up in that halfpenny form,
with such a tiiie and a frontispiece that I could have done
myself. But it is hard to plague you with so tedious a letter,
and not relieve you with one paragraph of news. Here is a
paper just come in, I shall read it, and if I can find anything
for you, you shall have it. Nothing but foreign news. Letters
from the Hague and Paris d la maitiy but they say that you

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1740.] FIELD MARSHAL H. S. CONWAY. 375

French are going to declare war against ns immediately, and
are marching yonr troops towards our Electoral dominion.
It does not signify ; I am sure the war must be general. The
Body Politic of Europe is in strange disorder, and a great
deal of bad blood must be let out before it can possibly come
to itself again, so the sooner the better.

^* There has been an earthquake at Naples, and a storm of
hail at Geneva, according to custom ; and the Turkish
Ambassador at Petersburgh made a good figure on horseback,
though he is but a short, slender man, about sixty years of
age. This, with the marriage of a great silk-dyer to Miss — — ,
a young lady of great beauty, merit, and fortune, and the
death of an eminent distiller in Comhill, is all that I find worth
your notice. Upon Lord Augustuses death there has been a
sort of negociation about my coming in for Thetford, but I
doTCt know what will come of it. I am very easy about the
event of it, thanks to Jupiter, and can leave it to him without
the least pain. Adieu, dear Horry. Service to Gray.''

" Monday, Oct. 26, 1740.
^^ Look here, Horry, here is just such a bit of paper as you
wrote to me upon, and if I can help it I won't write a word
more upon it. I have just written to Selwyn, and told him
that I had received your note and would answer it soon ; but
it is now come into my head to do it this minute, that I may
scold you for the shortness of your last, before my resentment
is cooled, for you know I am soon appeased. Lideed, Horry,
if one did not love you better than anybody, and you did not
write better than other people, one could never forgive you ;
but I forgot, those are the very reasons why I should be the
most angry with you. So, know that nothing but a vehement
long letter can ever make it up betwixt us. I must tell you,
too, that you must write it soon, for we have fixed our journey

Digitized by VjOOQIC

376 FIELD MARSHAL H. S. CONWAY. [1740.

for this day fortnight, and I feel as if I should like to meet
npon the best terms imaginable with yon. For, to say the truth,
(don'*t tell Horry Walpole of it) I long to see you ; indeed, I
heartily wish I had been at the unpacking of your viri^ for I
love to see pretty things, though I don^t understand them ; and
for your Tiberius, Vespasian, and Octavia, I honour them ;
and most obsequiously kiss their hands, if they have any.
What closet have you fitted up P Are you in your old apart-
ment ; or is it the other charming green closet P Pray tell
Mrs. Le Neve I like her bouts rimis much, and should be glad
to hear from her the true history of ^Quoties, Domine P' Have
you heard anything of the duel between Winnington and
Augustus Townshend P It is charming ! but donH say anything
of it from me if you have not done so, because Selwyn told
me of it, and bid me not to let it go out of the family, of
which family I reckon you are.

^' I hear his Majesty is come over full of his Highnesses
treaty, and that he expects great applause for it from the
Parliament. It is whispered too that he is like to be disap-
pointed. Have you seen Lord Bolingbroke'*s pamphlet P
What do you think of it ? You are or ought to be a politi-
cian ; but for me I trouble myself with no such thing. Have
you seen or heard anything about the Opera P I believe it is
too late for you to subscribe now, but I hope you intend
to go there very often. You must know I am a Director.
A Director ! well, I give ycu leave to make what reflexions
you please upon me ; but don't say a word, for I am now
trying to get my name out. Was there ever such an oaf
in the world ? Do scold me, I beseech you, Horry, for that
will be really some punishment to me. I may be ruined too,
for what I know, and forced to elope some fair evening.
You will hear nothing of me till you see my name in the paper
for a bankrupt, and a description of my person. What

Digitized by Google ^

1741.J FIELD MARSHAL H. 8. CONWAY. 377

do you think we do with ourselves here ? We breakfast to-
gether, then part commonly and remain in our respective
apartments till dinner, unless the day serves for walking ; but
of those we have very few, and those few we make fewer by
our little inclination to walk ; the country is so dirty and so
dismal. At four we dine, and after dinner read some stupid
book till supper, for we have a tolerably learned library
here, but the worst for entertainment that ever was. All
this is melancholy enough ; but we shall see you in a fort-
night, my dear Horry, aud that makes everything support-
able. Adieu ! my compliments to all your house. So you
cannot bear Mrs. WoflBngton ; yet all the town is in love with
her. To say the truth, I am glad to find somebody to keep
me in countenance, for I think she is an impudent, Irish-
faced girl.

« Jan. 19th, 1741.
" Shall we never see you, dear Horry ? Sure Florence
must have some strange enchanting power, some hidden
charms that we are not acquainted with ! Are you in love
there, or what is it ? If I don't hear you are removed before
this gets to you, I shall despair of seeing you. If our spring
cannot invite you here, and your flaming summer drive you
from Italy, I shall give you over. But now is the time that
young Englishmen come like herrings in shoals from all parts
of the world. A new scene is opening, where everybody will
crowd either as actors or spectators. What swarms to see
the new play ! or rather the old farce acted by a new set of
players. Whichever I am, it would not be worth my while
to come five miles for it ; I shall be so indifferent a spectator,
or, if you will, so indifferent an actor, or rather no actor at all.
I shall, in all probability, play no other part than that of a
mute, and only help to crowd the stage, and keep those warm
who play greater roles. I want much to know what you

Digitized by VjOOQIC

378 FIELD MARSHAL H. S. CONWAY. [1741.

think of all this, and If you feel a fear, or how ? I own I feel
as if I had rather be out of the scrape, and yet it is mj own
fiinlt if I am in it. But I am like those people who run into
a quarrel out of curiosity, and often get a black eye or a
broken head for their pains. Poor Sir Robert is to lose his
head immediately as they say, about which he seems to trou-
ble his head very little ; but I must tell you a good thing of
Lady Thanet^s before I go any further. Lord Bateman told
her at the Bath that he had Sir Robertas head in his pocket.
' Are you sure of it ? ** says she. — ' Nothing surer.' — ^ Why,
then,' says she, ' you cannot possibly do so well as to put it on
your shoulders.' On Wednesday I think they bring on a
motion to remove him into the House of Lords ; then there
comes the Place Bill, and God knows what besides, that will
quite ruin him. This is the whole extent of my politics. I
have no more time, or else I should talk to you a little more.
Service to Gray. The Conwayhood salute you."

" Dear Horst, « London, Feb. 16, 1741.

" It is with great pleasure, you will believe, that I fulfil
my promise of letting you know if there were the least fflgn of
amendment in poor Selwyn,* of whom I gave you so melan-
choly an account last post. I wish I could make this more sa-
tisfactory to you and myself, by telling you he was quite out of
danger, but as his distemper seemed to be at such a crisis
that I believe nobody thought he would live four-and-twenty
hours, the least change for the better gives us room to hope.
He has had some rest : they have given him the bark, and
yesterday, they tell me, he was pretty free from his delirium.
These are good signs, but yet I am not so sanguine as to
flatter myself that he is by any means free from danger.
You are so much his friend and so much mine, that I am

♦ John Selwyn, elder brother of (George Selwyn. He died in 1760.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

ini.] FIELD MARSHAL H. S. CONWAY. 379

sure you will be glad of this acconnt, and will add some
to the numberless wishes that are sent up every day for his
recovery, which nobody can fail to form that knows him or
knows his merit. I designed to have contented myself with .
giving you this account, but when I am conversing with you
I am tempted, nescio qud dulcedtne^ always to exceed the
bounds, which, for your sake, I prescribe myself at setting
out. But I should really be to blame, if I did not give you
some account of your father's victory on Friday in both
Houses, that seemed to resemble Cimon's triumphs over land
and wave. They made a motion to address his Majesty,
desiring that he would be graciously pleased to remove the
Right Hon. Sir Robert Walpole from his Council ; but after
schemmg the whole winter, holding Council upon Council, and
junto upon junto, rallying the dSbris of last winter's seces-
sion, and raking together the whole hotch-potch— that mingled
mass of Jacobites, Tories, Whigs, Republicans, &c., men of
all principles and of no principles — in order to give a total
overthrow before next winter, calling out of their graves a
dozen or two of veteresy victim veternosi senesy who have been
buried for ages in the country, drowned all party feuds in
October and tobacco, and even forget there was such a thing
as politics ; — after all this you may well imagine they were
no wiser than ever, and nothing less than Sir Robert's head
(which you know Lord Bathurst has kept in his pocket some
time) was to pay for it. Nay, they had calculated to a man
by how many votes he was to lose it. What would you
think was Sir Robert's majority after this ? Two hundred
and ninety to one hundred and six in the House of Commons,
and I think ninety odd to forty odd amongst the Peers! The
first who opposed the motion in the House of Commons was
Lord Combury ; then Mr. Southwell and Mr. Harley. Above
seventy of their sure men left the house before the question ;

Digitized by VjOOQIC

380 FIELD MARSHAL H, S. CONWAY. [l741.

in short, yoa never saw people so totally discomfited. But
observe the conduct of their leader : he sits still, waiting till
Sir Robert should make his speech and withdraw, that he
might attack him when he was gone with a new charge. But
the whole House called upon him by name, and made him get
up, which he did at last in a furious passion, and spoke very
ill they say ; for Mr. Pulteney attacked him almost en-
tirely upon a thing which, unluckily, was transacted during
the seven years that Sir Robert was out of all employment,
relating to the army debentures ; but Sir Robert declared to
me the day after that his speech,) which was of an hour and
a half,) was entirely made in answer to what Pulteney said,
and that he did not make the least use of any notes which he
had taken, or of the plan he had laid down before. I did not
hear the debate, but am told they never were driven to such
shifts. Some said it was sufficient reason that he had been
Minister almost twenty years.*

" Num tamen inveniet tarn longa potentia finem 1

^^ This was their chief complaint, and indeed they are to be
pitied, not because he has been in power so long, but because
they have been out. Poor Lord Carteret was dragged into
it head and shoulders ; he has been distracted between shame
on one side, and fear on the other this great while. His
enmity to the Duke of Argyle drives him one way, and his
hatred of Sir Robert another. Two minutes after he had
made the motion he rubbed his periwig o£P, and has not
ceased biting his nails and scratching his head ever since. If
you want to know their situation at present, read Milton^s
description of Satan and his crew of fallen Angels ; some are
threatening, some silent and gloomy, some reasoning apart,
but all overwhelmed with flames and disappointment ; and all
in the dark as to everything but their own unhappiness.

• For an interesting account of this debate, see Walpole, vol. i. 641.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1T41.] FIELD MARSHAL H. S. CONWAY. 381

" So much for politics. If I go on any farther yon '11 think
I have canght the contagion, and am grown as politically mad
as any of my countrymen ; bat you must know for all this
that nobody is so indifferent in party matters. I seldom think
about them ; and when I do, I sometimes think one in the
wrong, and sometimes the other, but commonly both. When
I am angry at either side I rail, and for that moment am
courtier or patriot, just as it happens ; but in the generality
of my conversation I am a perfect Atticus — I converse with
people on both sides, and as I donH love to trouble my head
about affairs that I have nothing to do in, politics are the
last subject I choose to talk of.

^^ I hear we are to see you soon, and so I have heard thid
great while, and yet one does not see you ; but you have sent
away your clothes, and so cannot stay ; probatum est. Be-
sides, here will be a seat in Parliament warmed by some fat
Courtier, that will grow cold before you come. Be sure, do
not play the Lot, nor the Orpheus, nor the fool so much as to
cast a look back on Florence when yon are set out ; nor once
think of your gallery, or the Amo, or your beauties de ct
pays-liy nor any such thing ; for if you do, you are gone — you
relapse infallibly for two or three years at least. Shut your
eyes all the way through Oermany, and proceed straight
hither, without turning either to the right or to the left.
Yon cannot imagine how I long to give yon a dish of tea in
my snug lodgings, and to talk to you of a thousand things.
Adieu !

^* Since I began this, I hear that the doctors think Selwyn
much better, and that there are great hopes of him. How
often do I mutter, ' When shall we three meet again ? '
Pray come soon, that I may enjoy that wish, and then depart
in peace upon my third pilgrimage to that unholy land, that
land of bulls. Besides, I may be drowned, you know, in

Digitized by VjOOQIC

382 FIELD MARSHAL H. S. CONWAY. [174S.

going ; and then there is such fighting and such warring over
the face of the earth, that one cannot call one's life one'^s
own. What a madman peaceable people would think me,
for bartering such an inestimable property for the valae of
200/. j)er annum and the ridiculous title of Captain of Dra^
goons ! Good bye ! captain or no captain, alive or dead, I
shall always be sincerely yours. Service to Gray, and to my
Persian friend and likeness. The family make their com-
pliments.'*'

Colonel Conway left England in the spring of 1742 to join
the army. " We crept over the sea," he says, "in four tedious
days, and from thence stepped immediately into a bilander ;
which bilander is a certain vast fresh-water machine, an-
swering one's idea of the Ark, and filled with just such a
motley complement — Dutch, English, German, Flemish, civil,
military, male, female, dogs, cats, &c., but all, in appearance,
of the unclean kind. In this agreeable conveyance we were
dragged by two lean Flanders mares up a narrow canal, and
then a melancholy flat, to Bruges, a clean old-fashioned town,
that has nothing to be said either for or against it but the
neatness of the streets, and puts me in mind of a cleanly
old woman, smug and insipid. Here we saw nothing that
I care to remember, but Sir Harry Englefield's sister in
a convent of English nuns. She is vastly handsome, and we
were all that day violently in love with her. The next, we
changed our amphibious vehicle for its counterpart upon
wheels, very improperly called a * Diligence,' which brought
us five or six leagues in twice as many hours, to Ghent,
where we arrived plus ennuySs que fatigu6s^ and tired of
nothing so much as the great tranquiUity and ease of our
journey."

Colonel Conway had anticipated much pleasure from enter-

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1742.] FIELD MARSHAL H. S. CONWAY. 383

ing on the active duties of his profession. To a young officer
tired of balls and masquerades, and with a head full of Vau-
ban and Folard, nothing could be so delightful in prospect as
Flanders and a campaign. Instead of this, he found himself
confined to head-quarters in Ghent, a dull town, where the
presence of an army wholly inactive was equally unproduc-
tive of instruction or interest. The society of his brother
officers afforded him no compensation for this disappoint-
ment.

" When I shall be reduced," he writes, ^^ to do as they do
here, which is, in the most literal sense of the word, doing
nothing, is a thing that I have no imagination of. You
wouH believe me when I tell you, that they saunter about
the streets, or lounge at a coffee-house or tavern all the day
long."*^ He certainly employed himself less discreditably ^^ in
sitting at home in his dimity night-gown, reading, both morn-
ing and evening ; '''' though a more fitting occupation might
have suggested itself to a Field Officer, now for the first time
on service ; and still more censurable was Lord Stair, in suf-
fering such raw and inexperienced troops to lose so favourable
an opportunity of improving themselves in military discipline.
It is not surprising that, as we read in a contemporary his-
torian, ^^ the men were idle, unemployed, and quarrelling with
the inhabitants.*"*

It was no s%ht relief to Colonel Conway, who had soon
become heartily tired of this new mode of life, to accompany
his friends, Lord and Lady Ancram, in an excursion to
Brussels and Antwerp ; and his spirits were so far raised by

♦ Walpole says, in his lively style, " our troops are as peaceable there
(Flanders) as on Hounslow Heathy except some bickerings and blows about
beef with butchers, and about sacraments with friars. You know the
English can eat no meat, and be civil to no god, but their own.'' — Letter to
Sir Horace Mann, 20th Aug. 1742. Collected Letters, vol. i. 221.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

384 FIELD MARSHAL H. S. CONWAY. [174«.

it, that he addressed, on his return, a lively letter to Walpole,
which is inserted here from its reference to one of the very
few love-passages in Walpole's life.

"Dear Hobby, «Ghent,8ept. 26, 1742.

" delight in your disowning your amourette twelve miles
out of London. Do you forget all that passed in Chelsea
summer-house on that head, and in Chelsea parlour too ?
but if you do I am sure Mrs. Le Neve does not, nor Lady
Mary neither, who were both as tired of the subject as you
were delighted with it. Yes, twelve miles out of London,
Horry ; and yet you are in the right to commend London
too. I know your beauty was little out of it at that time,
gone to i^ine and do mischief in some country village : but
its satellites accompanied it too, for I remember you made
frequent excursions about that time, spite of all the dust
and heat in the world. I am not simple; I know that
people like London, as Dr. Bentley said of apple-pie, but
nobody loves London for London^s sake, but green girls and
quadrille matrons. So donH think to get off by a vile quibble
about residency and inheritance like a vile election witness.
You have in short an amourette in the forms, and a sighing,
and a walking in the Park, and a galloping about in chaises.
All this I am sure of, and you have a great deal of confix
deuce to deny it. Have you not made tongs and read
romances ? Can you deny this too ? However, to show my
generosity, 1 11 tell you how far I 'U go. Of constancy I
will acquit you, and that is the last word with you.

*^ I like your gross refusal of Dick Hammond^s* party, as
you call it. Had he reidly the face to ask you to go a-shoot-
ing with him ? — 1 believe you would hardly go a shooting

* Mr. Hammond was Walpole's first cousin, being the son of Sir Robert's
sister, Mrs. Hammond.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

174«.] FIELD MARSHAL H. S. CONWAY. 385

with our twelve mile friend ! 'Tis as if Sir Thomas Robin-
son* had asked me to go to Barbadoes with him. You sur-
prise me with what you say about winter, I have certainly
made some strange blunder in my letter, for I never dreamt
of wintering here. I should have hanged myself if I had
long ago. I suppose I call this winter, because of the bad-
ness of the weather, or if I reckon by the length of time
I have passed here, Christmas would have come long
ago.

^' Majesty swears he will come over and make us encamp
and use us to fatigue. Then Prague-|- is not taken, and they
say it grows more and more uncertain whether it will or not.
The French say it will not, and thereupon little Bossu grows
as pert as a pearmonger, and pretends to demand categorical
answers to his foolish questions. The Haguers are asleep
still, though Lord Stair is come over to jog them again ; yet
they dream something of campaigns and preparations, and
stretch a little, as if they might wake some time or other ;
there 's the conversation of this place and the everything of it,
for we really have no other news here.

^* I like your idea of St. Austin and his paradise, and I
have a notion that Ohent would make a very good paradise,
for if four gates and four rivers make a place delightful, i
plus forte ratsotij twenty-four gates and twenty-four rivers,
which this place'has at least.

*^ I am just where I was when I wrote last, same life, same
ennuis ; I have formed no sort of alliance or connexion. I
donH know how it is, some people are made so that they
form friendships in a moment, and stick 'like burrs to the

♦ Sir Thomas Robinson had l»een recently appointed Governor of Bar-
badoes. He was the elder brother of Primate Robinson.

t Marsha] Belleisle was at this time besieged in Prague by Prince
Charles of Lorraine.

VOL. L C C

Digitized by VjOOQIC

386 FIELD MARSHAL H. S. CONWAY. [lT4S.

first person they meet, and I believe they are the happiest,
for they never feel for the loss or absence of friends. Theirs
grow like hydra's heads. They have a continual supply:
John or Thomas is the same thing to them, and nature has
excused them from the constant desidertum of absent friends,
or the worst sufferings from bad ones. Adieu, dear Horry !
Je nCen tiens i mea anciensy and never was more sincerely
or with greater affection,

" Yours,
"Compliments." « H. C.

The inactivity to wliich the British were condemned must
have been rendered more distasteful to them, by the contrast
it presented to the brilliant success of the Austrians. Count
Kevenhaller defeated the French and Bavarians united, at
Lintz, and forced a large body of the former to capitulate.
Encouraged by this victory the Count entered Bavaria, and
forced his way to Munich, which surrendered without a
struggle. At the same time. Prince Charles Lorraine, after
maintaining a gallant fight against the King of Prussia' in
Silesia, turned suddenly on the French, and drove them into
Prague, where the capture of Marshal Belleisle, and a corps
of 26,000 mfeu seemed likely to reward his enterprise. Lord
Carteret passed over to the Hague in September, and in vain
urged the States to allow their troops to march with the British
towards the Rhine, before the enemy had recovered from the
consternation caused by these reverses. Their High Mighti-
nesses were as deaf to his representations as they had been to
those of Lord Stair in the spring. It was, therefore, deter-
mined that the troops should remain in garrison till March,
and an intimation was given to all officers who were Members
of Parliament, that, if they asked leave to .go home on their
private affairs, and return, not all together, they would be

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1743.] FIELD MARSHAL H. S. CONWAY. 387

very well received. Ccmway was one of those who profited
by this indalgence.

The Session opened early in November. The first day of
its proceedings was of so warlike a complexion, as to remove
all doubt of the policy of the Government. Carteret and his
colleagues embraced the cause of Maria Theresa with chivalrous
zeal. Conway had the satisfaction of forming one of a large
majority against a motion for disbanding the army in Flanders,
and what was equally important to his prospects as a soldier,
the army was placed on a' footing equal to offensive operations
by a liberal grant of money, as well as the accession of an
auxiliary corps in British pay, of 16,000 Hanoverians. Ches-
terfield in the Lords, and Pitt in the Commons, eloquently
protested against measures so dishonourable to the Ministerial
leaders, whose main topic in opposition had been the evils of
a German war ; but the tide had now turned irresistibly in
that direction. At the end of January came the welcome news
of the co-operation of the Dutch, and in February, Lord Stair
marched with the Anglo-German army towards the Rhine.

The early operations of the British did not betoken any con-
siderable alacrity in their commander. It was said, with some
show of reason, that Lord Stair had run into Berg and Juliers
to seek battles where he was sure of not finding them. Months
were consumed in fruitless marches and countermarches, so
that Conway, whom the early prorogation of Parliament had
released on the 24th of April, found the army at the end of
May lingering in the neighbourhood of Frankfort, without
having even seen the enemy. On the 9th of June he writes to
Walpole : —

'' I am glad to get a moment to write to you, for we are

now upon that violent military footing, and so much in earnest,

that they never let me rest. The night before last, between

c c 2

Digitized by VjOOQIC

388 FIELD MARSHAL H. S. CONWAY. [l743.

ten and eleven o^cIock, we received orders to strike our tents
at midnight, and march at break of day, which accordingly
we did ; and after marching backward and forward all day,
came to take possession of the ground where we now are with
the three battalions of Guards, and two regiments of foot. It
is an advantageous post, situated upon a hill, and surrounded
by woods. The French had their head-quarters at Darmstadt
last night, which is about three leagues from us. Twenty
battalions, which had repassed the Rhine, are now come over
again, and are marching towards us. Our Generals imagine
they will attack us immediately, and are in a great fluster.
The troops are moving up here, both English and Hano-
verian— some are already encamped. We have abundance of
parties posted in the woods and about : our piquet guard lies
out upon the ground, and, in short, we are as much on the
gut vive as can be. I know you are ignorant what a piquet-
guard is, so rU tell you; because in these warlike days, it is
necessary to know a little of terms, in order to read ^ Ga-
zettes ' and correspond with one^s friends. The piquet-
guard is a certain number of men in every regiment who lie all
night under arms, — in short, are always ready, in case of a
sudden alarm, but commonly in their tents.

^* The spirit of our men is surprising : they desire nothing
so much as to fight, and never appear so elated as when they
think they are going to it. Yesterday morning, as we were
drawn up to march, I saw a man of my company, who has
been ill a great while, looking like all the ghosts and skeletons
you can imagine. He said he was ill the day before, but the
news of this march had cured him, and given him new spirits.
You must know the suddenness of this movement and the
circumstances of break-of-day and drums beating, made all
us young soldiers fancy we were to fight immediately. By
this time, I suppose, I have heartily surfeited you with mili-

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1T43.] FIELD MARSHAL H. S. CONWAY. 389

tary nonsense. I must add, however, that the Prince of
Conti has certainly been beat in Bavaria with the loss pf
two thousand n\en. The progress of Prince Charles of Lor-
raine in that country is prodigious. He was polite enough to
send the Prince of Conti his own baggage, which had been
taken. They look upon their affairs as very desperate, and
that is what drives them i^ the thoughts of attacking us.
We have been told, that they have positive orders for it, and
that the whole army has taken the sacrament thereupon*
This is the creed at present amongst our great people ; but
for mjrself I am infidel enough to think they are in no such
hurry, and that our armies may meet and look at one another
without offence.

'^ You cannot think how sorry I am for poor Moustache
and for Dolly and Neddy Townshend. The first not on my
own account, but on yours and poor Pat^s ; and the others for
their own. I agree with you entirely in everything about
Lord Combury : in everything but the similitude that your
partiality for me has traced between ottr characters. Indeed,
Horry, I am as sensible of the amiableness of his as I am
ashamed of the nothingness of my own : however, I am not
less happy in your partiality than I should be vain of your
judgment in my favour, if I thought it unbiassed. You bid
me in your last to think of the comfort of knowing there are
those who will hear my complaints and pity them. To think
that I am remembered by my friends with some sympathy
for all my ennuis and my cares, and perhaps with some littje
regret for my absence, is, indeed, the only thing that can
make it supportable, and by most the greatest happiness I am
capable of in my present situation. Adieu, dear Horry, you
cannot think how sensible I am of all your kindness, and
what comfort I shall always have in hearing from you. I
wonH begin to pity you till I know you are at Houghton,

Digitized by VjOOQIC

390 FIELD MARSHAL H. S. CONWAY. [1743.

and then only because I know you expect it. However, I
think myself obliged in gratitude to answer any sum of com-
pasedon you shall draw for ; my demands are large upon you.
" Compliments to Lord Orford and Lady Mary. Oh ! and
Mrs. Le Neve, &c.'"

The conflict between the two armies, wfaidi from Conway's
letter seems to have been considered imminent, did not take
place. Marshal de Noailles understood the advantages better.
He contented himself with harassing the British, and cutting
off their supplies, until Lord Stair and the Due d'^Arenberg
out-manoeuvred at every point, and unable to move without
encountering a very superior force, were driven to quit a dis-
trict where they could no longer find the means of subsistence.
An army of near forty thousand men, wiUi the King, the
Duke of Cumberland, who, with Lord Carteret, and the
members of the Royal Household, had arrived on the 19th,
seemed, to use the words of Lord Mahon, almost within the
enemy^s grasp. Their destruction seemed inevitable, but it
was averted by the victory which the rashness of the young
Due de Grammont threw into their hands at Dettmgen,
on the S7th, a day Long celebrated in England with enthu-
siasm, because the King bad shared its dangers, and was
supposed to have contributed to its issue.

Colonel Conway was present in the engagement, but to his
deep mortification the brigade of Guards, in which he served,
were hindered by Baron Ilton, the Hanoverian General, from
coming into the fire, a precaution for which the Baron was
afterwards much blamed.*

The troops effected their retreat to Hanau without moles-
tation ; and this was the only fruit of the victory. For a
time the King cherished dreams of an invasion of France in
* Walpole's Collected Letters, vol. i. 293.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1743.] FIELD MARSHAL H. S. CONWAY. 391

concert with the Austrian generrls. The latter had come to
Hanau to discuss the scheme of operations ; but the discus-
sions proved very unsatisfactory, and ended in the resignation
of Lord Stair, the Duke of Marlborough, and many other
English officers, who complained of the King^s confidence
being given exclusively to the Hanoverians. Conway re-
turned to England in the autumn to attend Parliament. The
following letters, addressed by him to Walpole subsequently
to the battle, refer to these transactions : —

" Dbab Hobrt, "Cwnp at Hanau, July 27, N.S. 1743.

^^ I Bxxx ashamed to-day I am now to thank you for two
letters; yet the first, of the S5th of June, I did not receive till
about three days ago. It was vastly kind, and deserves a
thousand thanks ; but if you would not be angry I would tell
you it was horrid to be so congratulated for one'^s escape from
dangers one had not been in. I see by your last you won^t
let one feel anything of the kind, so I shall say no more upon
that subject, and even repent of what I said in my last, you
will think me such a fool ! But, dear Horry, by-the-by,
how can you try to spoil one so ? I am vastly inelined to
think well of myself already, but that I meet with 'so many
rubs every day, so many mementos of my own pauvretSy and
if you donH abate a little of your goodness for me you will
really make me as vain as I am foolish. To say I am too
good for a soldier ! I remember a man, Horry, who was
bom a footman, and to whom nature had given extraordinary
talents for that station. He might even have made a tolerable
vaUt-^-chambre^ but that his friends persuaded him he had
parts suited to the stage. He applied to Mr. Rich, obtained
a diadem for his first appearance : had the misfortune not to
fJease, fell down all the ranks of the theatre from a king to a
snufi^-candle, and — starved.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

392 FIELD MARSHAL H. S. CONWAY. [1743.

*'*' I should never have done if I told you all tbe sights I
have seen to-day. Prince Charles, Keyenhaller, a Croat, a
Pandour, &c. The first is about thirty years old, of good
soldier-liks appearance, and in the countenance not unlike
Lord James Cavendish ; neither short nor tall, and fattisb.
Kevenhaller is a little, ordinary-looking man, with a sharp
face, and something of Justice Deveil upon tbe whole. A
Pandour is something like a Houssard; but a Croat the like-
ness of no earthly creature ; savage beyond all descripUon,
and then a perfect magazine of all sorts of implements, mili-
tary and civil ; so they are both ; guns, and swords, and dag-
gers, and pistols, and arrows, and knives and forks, and
spoons, and belts, and pouches, and cartridges, to the end of
the chapter. They came the day before yesterday, and go away
to-morrow. What they have concerted, or whether anything,
I know not. I begin to grow impatient to know, whether we
shall have anything more to do or not : tell me what you
think in England. I am for forcing the French to excellent
terms; but, then, dear Horry, how I long to be with you,
and how I despair of it for ages. I would even now with this
prospect of peace compound for three months. I cannot bear
to think of it!

" Make my compliments to all your family. I would write
to assure Lord Orford of my duty, but that I could not hope
to give him any amusement, and am afraid of .being trouble*
some. Adieu.^

** Deab Hobry, '< Oct. 25, 1743, N.S.

^^ You will wonder how I can be arrived at the Hague
without having let you hear a word of my journey, and com-
municating to you the vast joy I feel upon my escape, and the
great part you bear in it. But the hurry of my journey, to-
gether with the hurry of my spirits, was so prodigious that

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1743] FIELD MARSHAL H, S. CONWAY. 393

either I have forgot or neglected half the things necetBairy to
be done upon the occasion. I am now at the Hague as I
told you, where I am under promise to stay some days with
Lord Holdemesse, by whose means I obtained mj congS.
Lord Holdemesse, they say, is going to be married here : for
me, remember I say nothing of it. The lady^s name is
Doublet. I saw her all day yesterday. Dinner at Mr. Tre-
vor^s, and cards and supper at Lord Stair^s ; and I assure you
I think her both pretty and agreeabfe to a degree. Lord Stair
has not yet taken his leave here, but does not interfere
with any sort of business or politics whatever : he talks of
going the beginning of next week. He entertains, too, with
his usual magnificence, and, in short, may very probably be
prevailed upon by his amusements and his indolence to stay
something longer than he intends. I mention this, because if
he holds his resolution, I think it just possible I may come
over with him. I hear he stays in London this winter, but on
peril of his regiment, and Government is not to make any stir
in the political world, but play at whist, tout de bon^ all winter
long.

" I hear the Duke of Argyle is succeeded in his honours
and estate by his worthy brother, from whom they fall to
Jack Campbell, when he shall have fuddled away his days
amongst toads, spiders, and projectors.

** The Hague looks like a capital, and is very pretty ; but
the society savours more of a large country-town ; consisting
of one general circle, where all know one another, from
whence the communication of news is so regular, that you
have not made water five minutes before the whole town is
acquainted with it. With this incessant eating, drinking, and
cards, and a French comedy, votli la Hague ! You will say
I form my opinion very soon, and so I do, but in short this

Digitized by VjOOQIC

394 FIELD MARSHAL H. S. CONWAY. [l744.

ris mj opinion, and whether it is right or wrong, signifies not
three halfpence either to jon or me.

" We fell down the Rhine from Mentz to Cologne, which
took up almost three days, during which time we were
amused with many of the finest prospects, but particularly
the most rude and romantic, the most Salvator Roaa that
eyer you saw, even passing the Grande Chartreuse by Oiam-
berri and the Savoy Mountains. Such noble horrors of rocks
and woods, and ancient tastles perched upon the sunmiits of
pointed rocks, with all the fury of the Rhine finding its way,
or rather forcing a passage through a ridge of moimtains ! I
longed to loll over an Ariosto, or be buried in some end*
less romance of your acqucdntance, Clelia, or Cleopatra, or
Amadis de Gaul.

^^ Adieu, dear Horry, I hope I shall find you in town. I
hope so for your sake and my own, and it is really an inde-
cent time to be starting oh those bleak plains. I am very
scarry to hear Lord Orford has had a fidl, but hope it has had
no consequence. Pray give my duty to him, and my best
compliments to Lady Mary, Mrs. Le Neve, and all friends.

" Adieu,

«H. C.^

Whilst Conway was attending Parliament his merit or in-
terest procured him the appointment of aide-de-camp to Mar-
shal Wade, who had succeeded Lord Stair in the conmiand
of the British army in Germany. This promotion necessarily
brought with it increased opportunities of fiiture advance-
ment, and Conway at first rejoiced warmly in his good
fortune. He joined the Marshal at Ghent towards the end of
May, 1744. A very short time sufficed to show him the va-
nity of his hopes. Instead of gaining victories, the only object
of the Marshal seemed to be to avert defeats. He was an

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1744.] FIELD MARSHAL H. S. CONWAY. 3d5

elderly man, whose reputation had been gained in subordinate
commands, particularly as a disciplinarian. The overwhelm-
ing force with which the French overran Flanders, and perhaps
the great name of Marshal Saxe, alarmed him for the safety
of his army, and he remained an inactive spectator of the
surrender of Gourtray, Meniu, and Ypres. His cauti(m or
timidity found a striking contrast in the rashness of the Due
d^Aremberg, the commander of the Austrian counterparty
and their disputes not only created parties in the camp, but
divided public opinion in England. Under su^ circum-
stances, the campaign of 1744 reflected no lustre on the
British arms. Conway returned home, disheartened and
disgusted, in the autumn. The following letters were written
by him during the campaign.

** Dbar Horry, " Lessines, May 21, N.8. 1744.

" I THANK you for your kind little letter, which, indeed,
had so much goodness in it that it easily covered all the fault
of its extreme conciseness ; the only fault that yours can ever
have with me. As to your joy upon the occasion, I should be
ungrateful to find lault with that after you have told me I had
some share in it ; and I assure you, you do me too much
honour to think me so stiff a patriot as not to be s^isible to
such feelings. I felt them here in the safety of some that are
with us, and I own I find myself capable of carrying them so
far, that I am afraid I could see the balance of Europe i^ke
with tolerable philosophy if the quiet possessions of my friends
and attachments were secured to me. I wish all the world
happy with all my heart, but Uiey will give me leave to wish
myself so too. I would even sacrifice a great deal to make
them really so, but not to nourish the pride of any system or
any faction, great or little, in the universe. I am not even
ashamed to say to a friend, in the midst of a camp, that I

Digitized by VnOOQlC

396 FIELD MARSHAL H. S. CONWAY. [l744.

look upon peace as the summum bonutn, I ouly wish them
all of one mind in politics and religion, and I believe the
world would be much happier and much better if they were
all good Mussulmen, or good Frenchmen, than in this collision
of systems and religions, kingdoms, republics, states, parties,
sects, and factions.

" I hear your prediction about our friend and, as you call
her, my disciple, is accomplished ; and that things are almost
to her present satisfaction, only he is to undergo the ordeal
trial of one campaign before he can approve himself worthy.
But this I dare say is of his own seeking, and I will do her
the justice to think she would take him as he is, without any
such chimerical probation. As to the Earl, I fancy he will
wear his willow with a Christian resignation, for he seems to
have been growing cool for some time as fast as the other grew
hot. However it be, I really wish her very happy, and should
be glad to hear he was like to make her so. I don^t know
him at all.

** As to our military affairs, I shall not trouble you much
with them. By all accounts the actual loss of the enemy in the
late engagement was greater than ours, and for further conso-
lation we hear the French, and even their King himself, extol
the English bravery to the skies. We are promised recruits
immediately, and are by no means dispirited by our disap-
pointment. Toumai has capitulated, and eight days are given
to the Gt>vernor to consider whether he will give up the
citadel. I hear you have been at Houghton ; what could tempt
you to such an extravagance ? Give my compliments to all
friends, particularly Mrs. Townshend, if you see her. Does
she talk of retiring ? Adieu.

" Yours, dear Horry, sincerely,

"H C."

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1744.] FIELD MARSHAL H. S. CONWAY. 397

" Deab Horry, « Lessines, June 21, N.8. 1744.

" I would fain fancy I deserve all the compliments you
make me ; but notwithstanding my opinion of your excellent
judgment and great lore of truth, I cannot find in myself all
those good qualities that you attribute to me, especially that
unreasonable reasonableness that you are so good as to give
me. I own I feel myself so divested of it, that I have no
idea what I have done or said to impose upon you so grossly.
If you knew all the ridiculous weaknesses I feel, even you
would allow me to be unreasonable enough o^ conscience; nay,
I dare not confess them all to you, for fear you should think
me too much so. I know you are no great friend to reason,
so am the less vain of your compliment ; yet in return for it
I am willing to give up my reason to merit your good opinion,
and fairly disclaim all title to it; only just keep so much of it
as is sufficient to show me the insignificancy of it, and to
make me wish for less, unless it be the reason of stoics that
teaches us to be indifierent to everything. This world is not
made for reason, and a man who follows it strictly is snre to
be disappointed; whereas, he that forsakes it, has perhaps not
above ten or twenty to one against him. For me, I am very
unreasonable I own, and very whimsical in my desires, and
therefore I think it is barely possible I may be happy one
time or other ; but if I am not to be so in the way I desire, I
assure you neither honour, nor interest, nor regiments, nor
generalships, nor kingdoms can give it me. You told me
before I was unreasonably reasonable, now tell me if I don't
appear reasonably unreasonable. In the first place, I heartily
wish the campaign over; and yet, when it is, may possibly be
as far from my happiness as I am at present ; if so, why I
shall wish it begun again. Snch uncertain creatures are we ;
almost every season and every circumstance of our life makes

Digitized by VjOOQIC

]

398 FIELD MARSHAL H. S. CONWAY. [1744.

a Dew man of us ; so I fancy others are because so I feel my-
self. Happy to-day, because I flatter myself with some pro-
spect of success — as unhappy to-morrow, becaulse some trivial
accident has damped those hopes, and both perhaps with
equal or with the least reason imaginable. All mankind,
without they are very reasonable or stoical indeed, have some
point in view, some wish, to the accomplishment of which all
their views and all their endeavours tend. Whatever you oflFer
them that is foreign to that, may perhaps console them a
little, but cannot satisfy them.

'* That cruel somethiDg, uDposscst,
Corrodes and levens all the rest.

*^ I wonH enter too far into this discussion ; but from this I
fancy many men draw a great deal of merit they have little
or no real title to. It is with our passions as with our sight,
fix it firmly upon one object and you will find you hardly
perceive any other. It is not that one wants sensibility, but one
wants attention to them. Thus much for myself: I don^t insist
upon your understanding nor believing me, if you have not a
mind; it will serve as a matter of speculation at least, and so
serves very well for the purpose of correspondence. However,
I am glad to hear our friend Artemisia wants neither sensi-
bility nor attention: of the firet I should never suspect her;
and for the other, provided die chooses her time well, it is
no great matter, you 'U say. Attentions to the absent are
like those to the dead, mere pageant and ceremony, and more
becoming a Mogul lady than an European Princess. I was
very vain of the cutting of the hair, but that bleeding party
I own is very grand and quite puts my vanity out of counte-
nance ; notwithstanding which, I assure you, my rival and I
are very well together. I hear he knows all about me, and
in return I assure you, whatever I hear about him will not
now give me a moments uneasiness. I sincerely wish her

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1744.] FIELD MARSHAL H. S. CONWAY. 399

well and happy, and only hope we may be no more so sepa-
rately than we could hare been together. As for the other
person you mention, if I know who it is, I am not ashamed
to say I loye her yery sincerely, but in such a way as to wish
her very happy, while I am in Flanders, I assure you. So pray
make my comfdiments, if you see her ; tell her I am vastly
obliged to her for thinking of me sometimes; that it cannot be
oftener than I think of her, and that by this time all schemes
of retirement are quite laid aside.

'^ I am afraid the citadel of Tounud is taken, or upon the
point of being so. What changes this will cause with us, I
donH yet know.

" Adieu, dear Horry, yours affectionately,

"H. C.

" Compliments to Lady Mary and Mrs. Le Neve.

** P.S. Since I wrote this the citadel of Toumai is given
up, on condition that the garrison shall not serve anywhere till
the Ist of January, n4>l.'^

" Mt dear Hobby, '< Elsighem, Aug. 5, 1744.

^^ I am quite at a loss where to begin or how to thank you
for all the vast goodness and friendship of your last ; I know
it is out of my power to do even that as I ought. Judge,
then, how unhappy I must be in seeing it so impossible for
me to do anything, that can deserve the name of the smallest
return for such an abundance of kindness. I know the little
value set upon words on such occasions, and therefore shall
endeavour to trouble you with as few as possible. I know
they are common to art and honesty, yet I flatter myself there
is a simplicity in the genuine overflowings of a heart full of
real gratitude that is not to be counterfeited. If there is, that
I am sure will speak for me on this occasion ; besides, I know
amongst all your goodness to me you have had some opinion

Digitized by VjOOQIC

400 FIELD MARSHAL H. S. CONWAY. [1744

of my Bincerity, and if you have the least opinion of the good-
ness of my heart yon cannot donbt of my feeling eyeiything that
gratitude and friendship can make one feel for a real obligation.
Nor is my joy inferior to either — a joy, my dear Horry, not
arising from any thought of advantage that I intend to draw
from it, but from the knowledge of having such a friend, and
seeing a proof of such goodness as I thought had no longer
existence, but in romances — a mere creature of the brain, and
that had long been banished from the hearts of men.

I have no alloy to my satisfaction on this occasion, but the
difficulty I have in refusing an offer pressed in so kind a manner,
and from one whom I know not only sincere in his intention,
but from an excess of goodness even desirous of putting himself
to inconvenience on my account. But, dear Horry, how very
unworthy should I think myself of that goodness, if I were
capable of accepting it ? I see the art you use to lessen the
value of the obligation, by saying you have no use for it, and
setting in a ridiculous light the manner in which you dispose
of it ; but, as to the first, I know your income is by no means
such a one as can bear an incumbrance of that kind. True, it
is vastly more than is necessary for your sustenance; so is mine,
and so is Tom Barry ^s, but the inconvenience is, retrenching ;
leaving the routine in which one sets out, or living below one^s
rank, and the expenses of the company one lives with. If
you or I had been bom a ditcher, we should have thought it
no sort of hardship to live upon bread and cheese, and bacon,
and a plum pudding once a week ; but as it is, our ideas, our
appetites, and our train of life are otherwise formed, and what
would be luxury in one station is penance in another. But as
to the other article, my dear Horry, look round the world. See
of what kind the expenses of others are, and then see if yours
deserve the name you give them. Half the money in Eng-
land is sacrificed to the vices of the first owners, and the

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1744.] FIELD MARSHAL H. S. CONWAY. 401

encouragement of it in others, to French vintners, French
cooks, and French whores, without enumerating all the train
of follies that almost absorbed the other ; while yours is dis-
posed of in a manner equally usefiil to society and honourable
to yourself, by encouraging in your sphere thos^ arts that hu-
manize mankind, or by supporting those with your charity
who are real objects of compassion.

*^ I am too sensible of my own incapacity to make half so
good a use of it, and I should both rob them of the effects
of your generosity, and you of the pleasure of exercising it.
I could use many other arguments. May not you think one
time or other of changing your situation ? may not you have
a family to provide for? As to my own part, the thought
of dependence is, I assure you, by much the lightest argument
with me against it ; because I know you well enough to know
you would take care I should forget it. Besides, my mind
begins to be formed a little to dependence. I find it is my
lot, and I must endeavour to bear it with as little reluctance
as possible ; and as this would be only a change of dependence,
I could certainly place it nowhere so well, as upon one whom
I even feel a pleasure in being obliged to, as I would be bound
to him by all possible ties. I hope, then, my dear Horry, you
will forgive me refusing you now, perhaps, the only request I
shall refuse you in my life ; and as I know the steadiness of
your desire to serve me, I cannot help making it mine to you
-—that you will not think of pressing me any more on this
head, as my resolution is absolutely fixed, and as that is the
only sort of acknowledgment I cannot make on this occasion.

"As to the other afiair about which I wrote to you, I
thank you a thousand times for the interest you take in it ;
but am sorry to find any consideration should make you think
it necessary to use the least reserve on that subject which, as
my situation at present is not such as makes it necessary, I beg

VOL. I. D D

Digitized by VjOOQIC

402 FIELD MARSHAL H. S. CONWAY, [1744.

you will avoid for the ftitore. As to engagements, I really
have none with her, but sueh as may be construed to arise
from the circumstances you mention ; and as her honour is by
no means hurt by our intercourse, I don't look upon mine as
absolutely bound, especially considering the light in which we
stand at present, the difficulties that oppose themselres to our
marriage, and the inconvenience arising to her from it at best ;
and as to the matches reftised, it .must be owned that they
were such as indeed were advantageous in regard to fortune,
but such as in every other light she ought in prudence to
refuse. Thus mach on this side of the question ; on the other,
an acquaintance carried on like our own, with a knowledge of
each other^s inclinations, may strictly be looked upon as a
sort of agreement.

" I find you have no great opinion of my resolution ; and,
indeed, my behaviour on some occasions relating to this affair,
(which I fancy you may have known something of,) has not
been such as would give you a very great one. But at present
with regard to that I really think, at least at present, that I
am capable of keeping one, if I thought it absolutely necessary;
and as to bearing what may be said, I do assure you, my dear
Horry, it is impossible for you to say anything upon it that I
should either imagine proceeded from any motive bat that of
serving (I have too good proofs of your love !) or remember
afterwards to the prejudice of our friendship in any degree.
What you mention, our happiness afterwards, is certainly the
grand point, and as it is one of such infinite consequence, I
expect from your friendship that you will say everything to
me that you think or know may relate to it witliont conceal-
ing the least tittle that you think it better for me to hear.
You kuow, I believe, the doubts I have formerly had on that
head, and though I cannot accuse her of anything lately that
could revive them, you know it is easier to revive them.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1744.] FIELD MARSHAL H. S. CONWAY. 403

than to fonii sach ; and it is impossible to promise oneself
that they would not grow again, and even more strongly in
another situation. I shall say no more : you see I speak very
freely to you, and beg, above all things, you will use no sort
of reserve to me. By what you said, I should imagine she
was concerned in the affair that passed lately between you and —
which I assure you is the first I have lieard of it ; if it was so.
We have at length passed the Scheld, which is looked upon as
our Rubicon, and are now advanced within about three leagues
of the enemy^s camp. To-morrow's march will bring us
pretty near them, but with the hjs between us, so that I
fancy no consequences will immediately follow from it.
Adieu ! another time I will write to you more fully of these
things.

"H. C.^'

" Dear Horry, « Chateau d'Anstam, Sept. 2, 1744.

^^ Nothing is so true as what you prophesy about us ; I did
not quite think so when I received yours, but I assure you I
am now almost convinced that we neither can nor shall do
anything. Thanks to the King of Prussia, Prince Charles
has repassed the l^hine, the French are coming back again, and
we shall shortly be just where we were some months ago. I
am in such a rage at that anointed highwayman, that filthy
King of Prussia, that I could tear him to pieces. I want to
have him poisoned, massacred, racked ; nothing could satisfy
me about him — don't you feel just the same ? Is there any
bearing it ? I hate politics of all things — they are now upon
that abominable footing — to see all the affairs of Europe take
a new face just as the phlegm or gall of one foolish fellow is
jippermost. It sets the world in so ridiculous a light, and so
depreciates the dignity of human nature, that there is no see-
ing it with patience. And yet I think it ought to give one

D D 2

Digitized by VjOOQIC

404 FIELD MARSHAL H. S. CONWAY. [l744.

patience too, for it teaches one that there is nothing in this
great world that deserves a moment^s care, or a momenf^s
dependence. Kings, empires, states, ministries, and armies,
all appear to me now in the light of fine raree-shows, that one
may divert oneself a little with, provided one has no interest
in them; but from the moment you have that, the scene changes
and they become a grotip of tyrants, fools, pickpockets, and
butchers. Yet through this crowd of villany one must be
content to bustle, and the best way to get through it is to think
as little as possible.

" I speak now of the great world, I mean the public, for my
ideas of private life are very different. I think it is imposdble
to make the first a foundation for one solid satisfaction, and
I think the other, well managed, affords a thousand. And i
propos to that, — I thank you a thousand times for all your
goodness in your last ; but you shock me when you talk of
determining to live so as to have it in your power to do things
for me which your goodness inclines to do, but which I have
already told you I could never think of accepting. No, my
dear Horry, don^t think of it, I beseech you ; and as the
benefit is intended for me, oblige me more by resolving to live
in all respects in the way that is most agreeable to yourself;
for I do assure you I never should be easy a moment, if I
thought you changed the least tittle in your way or your
schemes of life on my account. My fortune is certainly
small — is nothing at alt, so is that of a thousand people
that I see every day of «qual rank with myself; and I shall
make it my business to adapt my views and my desires to it.
As to one certain point, you know that was not the only diffi-
culty I had upon it ; and in the end who knows but I may be as
happy as I am, as if things had taken quite another turn.
You know I was always a sort of philosopher, for which you
laugh at me, but it really has its use, and I really hope to be

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1745.] FIELD MARSHAL H. S. CONWAY. 405

one time or other the better for it. By this time yon are at
Houghton. I want to know how you amuse yourself there ;
do yon think it possible one should wish to be with you there ?
I assure you I do extremely. I wish it for itself very much,
and for your company, and I wish it too by way of not being
here,— this is really dreadful! For diversion — would you
think it — we do no earthly thing but play at whist with the

M quite en famille every evening ! He is vastly good,

but. you feel what that is.

** Adieu, dear Horry; we can do nothing, I doubt, and
Heaven knows how I long to have this farce over.

^^ My compliments to Lord Orford and Lady Mary, to
Mrs. Le Neve, &c.'^

The year 1745 opened with improved prospects to Conway,
Marshal Wade, whose want of enterprise, if not of military
talent, had made him unpopular at home, was replaced in
the command of the army by the young Duke of Cumberland,
then in high reputation from the spirit he had shown at Det-
tingen. His Royal Highness immediately appointed Colonel
Yorke, afterwards Lord Dover, a son of the Lord Chancellor
Hardwicke, and Colonel Conway as his aides-de-camp.

The British army in Flanders had, during the winter,
been placed on an efficient footing. It took the field early
in April. Colonel Conway had hurried from London to
join it as soon as he CQuld be spared from Parliament. To
his extreme mortification he found, on reaching Dover, that
the wind had changed the very day of his arrival, and after
continuing two months successively in the west had veered
to the east, where most of the sailors predicted it was likely
to continue for the next fortnight or three weeks. To at-
tempt the passage would be useless, and yet the idea was
dreadful that there might be a battle in his absence, an oc-

Digitized by VjOOQIC

406 FIELD MARSHAL H. S. CONWAY. [1745.

currence far from improbable, since he had been informed that
the Duke was marching to the relief of Mons, which had been
for some time invested by the enemy. As it was, he joined
the Duke just in time to take part in the battle of Fontenoy.

"Dear Horry, " Dover, AprillS, 1743.

*' I don't know whether you will thank me for writing from
this cursed place, where I find no earthly thing to tell yon,
and can write nothing but complaints ; but if I have nothing
to say on one hand I have so little to do on the other, that I
don't know how I could answer passing so many idle hours
without letting my friends hear something of me ; and if I
have no hopes of amusing you, I know you will excuse my
trying to amuse myself by writing to you, though it be a
little at your expense. I was so fortunate as to arrive here
the very day that the wind changed to the east, after con-
tinuing in the west for two months successively, and have
the comfort of hearing from most of the sailors here, that it
is likely to continue in this quarter a fortnight or three
weeks. To add to the agreeableness of this situation, the
army is now actually in the field, and in all probability
marched to the relief of Mons, which they say has been some
time invested by the French, and consequently it is not very
unlikely that there may be some action before we get up to
it. I am not fonder of broken bones than my neighbours,
but yet really am very uneasy in this situation, and wish
a thousand times I had never heard of Mr. Pelbam, the
Parliament, and the no business that kept me so long in
London ; though I must have the gratitude to own, I was as
much obliged to them then as I am angry at them now, and at
myself for being so. DonH you pity me excessively, with
all my distresses and ennuis about me, and no sort of amuse-
ment or occupation to divert me from them ? I have been

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1745.] FIELD MARSHAL H. S. CONWAY. 407

vaaily obliged to yoar Abelard, and with that melancholy
companion have visited all the cliffs npon the coast, till I
was ready to take a lover's leap from some of them in errant
despair. But they are rather too high, and without one
could be taken up by some kind shepherdess at the bottom
and recovered, there would be no joke in it. Besides, it
would be shameful, just at the opening of a campaign, to have
so very little patience as not to live, at least, till one crossed
the water, that it might be said one died abroad. That sounds
tolerably even in these unheroic days ; but I don't think we
have any taste for the romantic, and I &ncy I should make
just the same figure in a newspaper as some poor love-sick
house-maid that drowns herself in Rosamond's Pond. And
you. Lord how you despise one ! I really believe, instead
of lamenting your coudn, you would laugh at me for being
such a fool; for it is a long time since you were romantic.
I remember you buried in romances and novels; I really
believe you could have said all the '* Grand Cyrus's," the
** Cleopatra's,'' and " Amadis's" in the world by heart, nay,
you carried your taste for it so far that not a Fairy Tale
escaped you. Quantum mutatus ! But one thing I comfort
myself with ; you have laid up a vast stock of romance, and
one day or other, when you fall in love, it will all break
out ; and then. Lord have mercy upon you ! I would not
have you come within ten miles of Dover.

^^ I desire you will write to me and tell me all the news
you know, that I may have something to say to you if
I am destined to stay here. We he^r of great news from
Bav{g*ia, but only by the papers, so that is not to be depended
upon. Tell Lady Mary I hope she has received the books
for our library : I left them with Mr. Smith, and a book
of plays that I borrowed of you.

" Do you know Mr. Hardenberg ? 1 live with him and

Digitized by VjOOQIC

408 FIELD MARSHAL H. S. CONWAY. [1745.

Lord Charles Hay ; they are very civil and good-natured, and
if we donH amuse one another much, I attribute it quite
to the dulness of the place and the uneasiness of our situa-
tion. Adieu !

" Yours ever, H. C.""

<* Dear Hobry, « Ash, May 14, N.8. 1746.

" After all my delays and distresses at Dover, I was cer-
tainly in the greatest luck imaginable to come up time enough
for the battle. I don^t doubt, too, but you will think that of
escaping from it, and escaping without the least accident, was
at least equal to it ; and to say the truth, notwithstanding all
the dignity of distress that you talk of, and the ambition of
making a romantic corpse, it is a piece of fortune I am far
from despising. To another, now, I should strike up inmie-
diately, and relate in a high^ historical style, all the exploits
of the day, but as I know you as unheroical as you own your-
self unsentimental, I shall content myself with very few words
on that head. We marched out of our camp at day-break,
and began to form on the plain, which was the field of battle,
before five o'clock ; from which time their cannon began play-
ing upon us, and did not cease till half an hour after one,
though we were engaged several hours with small arms. This
plain rose gradually towards a fortified village* of the enemy,
in the centre of it, and had a wood on the right, &om both
which their chief batteries played. Some of our battalions
advanced beyond the village, and over the top of the rising,
but were so miserably galled by the cannon, at the same time
that they were engaged with their line, that our troops, after
rallying several times, were forced to retire; but they not
caring to pursue us, we lost not a single man in our retreat, and
that night brought off all our baggage. As to the behaviour of
* The village of Fontenoy, which gave its name to the battle.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

17i^.] FIELD MARSHAL H. S. CONWAY. 409

the Duke, of which I was witness the whole time, I can say I
never saw more coolness, nor greater intrepidity than he
showed throughout the whole, exposing himself wherever the
fire was hottest, and flying wherever he saw our troops fail, to
lead them himself, and encourage them by his example. His
horse received three wounds, and he one spent-ball on his
arm, which only made a slight bruise, but did him no hurt. Of
us, poor Ancram and Lord Cathcart are both wounded, but
they are in a very good way. For myself the balls had the
same complaisance for me as for the Duke: one only hit my leg
after all its force was gone ; and my horse, which I rid all
day, received only a slight wound in the leg. Lieut.-General
Campbell and General Ponsodby are killed; and in general we
have a vast number of officers of the company that came over
with me, too. Colonel Douglas and young Ross were killed.
Lord George Sackville* and Lord Charles Hay wounded, but
both, I hope, are in a good way. There-»I did not think I
should have said so much, and I am sure you are vastly tired
of it. Our loss in the right wing amounts, I think, to 58^^
killed and wounded, and in the left, who, I doubt, did not do
quite so well, between 1500 and £000. Poor Berkeley is
killed ; whom I lament excessively. Colonel Montague, too,
is killed, and was very lucky in it, for his thigh was first
broke, and the moment they took him up to carry him ofl^, a
cannon-ball took ofl^ his head. The Major, too, is wounded.
*'*' The Duke has just sent for me, so I must conclude,
** Your's, dear Horry, most sincerely,

*< What poor Parapan !''

The progress of the Rebellion in Scotland having thrown
the country into consternation, and raised a general cry for

♦ Lord Gkorge Sackville was woanded severely, fighting with great cou-
rage at the head of his grenadiers. His laurels withered at Mlnden.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

410 FIELD MARSHAL H. 8. CONWAY. [1745.

more vigorous military operations, the Duke of Cmnberland
was removed from Flanders, to the command of the troops,
and to the North Conway accompanied His Royal Highness,
and continued his correspondence with Walpole as usual*

" Dbar Hoebt, « Licbfidd, Nov. 30th, 1745.

^' I have hardly had a moment to write yet, and only
pretend now to tell you in three words that we are hitherto
safe and sound. Our troops are almost all come up ; one
battalion of guards came in here this morning, another is
expected to-day, and the last to-morrow. The rebels are
come to Warrington, which is about forty-four or five miles,
I think, from this place; yet I hardly think they will venture
an engagement, because they seem to have lost time and been
irresolute in their motions. As soon as we are assembled, I
fency to-«K>rrow or next day, we shall advance. If they
should do the same, the affair will soon be decided betwixt us,
and I hope entirely determined. If not, we are in some hopes
Marshal Wade may be able to oppose their retreat, which they
seem to think of; if the accounts are true that we have heard
of their having left one hundred men in the Castle of Carlisle,
and since sent twenty waggons of cheese and biscuit thither
under a guard. We had some idea they might think of
trjring to slip us and march towards London, through Derby-
shire, but they are now quite out of that road. They can^t
think of Chester, while we are so near. I cannot think them
mad enough to go into Wales, where both the armies must
block them up, and therefore they must, in my opinion,
either engage us or retire immediately. All this makes me
happy in a prospect of seeing the affair soon ended, which, of
all things I most wish, having very little apprehension of
their success.

" We Jay a night at Lord Strafford^s on the road, and past

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1745.] FIELD MARSHAL H. S. CONWAY. 411

almost a whole day there. They were vastly polite, and
would hare us come though we had sent an excose at night,
because it was so late. In answer to it he sent us his coadi,
and said he should stay supper, so there was no revising,
though it was twelve o**clock before we got there. There
was Lady Lucy, a Miss Cockbum, and Mr. Vernon, who set
out e^rly the next morning for town. It is a bad house, and
I think a disagreeable place. Make my compliments to
Lady Mary and Mrs. Le Neve ; let me hear from you, and
believe me,

** Ever yours, H. C.
"Direct to me at the Duke**s quarters at Lichfield, or
elsewhere."

Dear Horrt, « Wigan, Dec. 13, 1746.

I am extremely obliged to you for the anxiety you
express in your last on our account, and think I cannot at
present make a better return for it than by taking the first
opportunity to let you know that your friends are all well,
and for some time at least I think out of the way of danger.
It is true we are at present in pursuit of the rebels, with a
strong body of cavalry of both armies, and some infantry ; but
they are got so much a-head of us, that it is very doubtftil
whether we shall be able to overtake them. However, I think
the step we have taken is very right, and though we should
not be able to attack them, it seems incumbent upon us to
wait on them out of the kingdom, and at least make their re-
treat as little commodious to them as possible. They marched
from Preston this morning, and are at Lancaster to-night.
This place is about ten miles from the former, and our ad-
vanced parties, I fancy, will be to-night beyond Preston. I
have a strong idea that as soon as we appear, it will put them
in a good deal of consternation, and pei^haps occasion a deser-

Digitized by VjOOQIC

412 FIELD MARSHAL H. S. CONWAY. [l745.

tion amoDgst them; for they are in great apprehensions of our
cayalry, and are besides low in spirits, and much harassed.
They talk of halting at Carlisle to receive their reinforce-
ments from the North ; but I believe our march will puzzle
them excessively, and very likely make them stagger in that
resolution; as it will be impossible, I should imagine, for those
reinforcements to join them before we reach Carlisle, and, of
course, have it in our power to intercept them. Marshal
Wade is marched back with the main body of his army ; and
if they stay at Carlisle will join us there. Our men are in
very good health and spirits, and horses in excellent order,
so that if they should stand before us, I should have no
doubt of success, as they cannot defend themselves against
the force of our cavalry.

I thank you for your reproof about my reflexion on the
slowness of the MarshaPs proceeding ; and though I don^t re-
member what, or to whom it was, I must own it could not
be right, as the fact on which it was grounded was not true—
at least in the light I put it, which, however, was as we had
been informed, and so far, I think, my reflexion was excus-
able. The horse who had been advanced did halt at or near
Richmond about the time I mentioned, while the foot were,
continuing their route. I must still say very deliberately,
towards Ferry Bridge, where they halted three entire days.
I must own I think there is a great fault in their proceedings,
and I am the readier to say it, because I know that the fault
is far from being all or even the chief part of it in the Marshal.
I know that he is obstructed and hampered in every step he
stakes by a dead weight of Dutch troops and their generals,
whom he must drag after him, and therefore he cannot act
with that expedition and spirit that he ought, and that the
times and our present circumstances require.

^'As to what regards the reflexion coming from me, I

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1746.] FIELD MARSHAL H. S. CONWAY. 413

have reaUy a great esteem for the Marshal, and am fkr from
forgetting that he behaved with great civility to me while I
was under him ; but yet I cannot think those obligations of a
nature to prevent my giving my (Opinion to my friends upon
his conduct in an affair so interesting as that of his present
command; and I assure you, I should do the same of any per*
son in the world in that situation ; I mean with that decency
that is due from one of my rank to his ; and in confidence to
my friends only, where one accustoms oneself to speak with
freedom one*s sentiments upon most things without imagining
they are ever to be called in question ; and as for opening of
letters, I don't suspect that in the number that pass through
the offices mine are like to make anqr impression, or even to
incite a curiosity of knowing to whom they belong. How-
ever, dear Horry, I take your reproof as I am sure it was
meant : it is a liberty I love my friends should use with me.
I think it is a proof of friendship, and therefore could not
dislike it from any, but least of all from one of whose good*
ness I have had so many marks.

^* We march again to-morrow morning, and I fancy shall
hardly make a halt till we come up with them^ or see them at
least to our nc plus ultra.

Adieu ; give my best compliments to Lady Mary, Mrs.
Le Neve, and all friends. Ned Comwallis has just joined us
with his, and is of our expedition.

" Yours, sincerely,

" H, C.''
*

** Dear Horry, « Aberdeen, Wednesday, March 19, 1746.

^* I hear of nothing but gaieties and gallantries amongst
you, which is shocking, considering that I have now for
some time given up all hopes of seeing you for ages, indeed I
doubt not till next winter ; for, if I get the regiment I know it

Digitized by VjOOQIC

414 FIELD MARSHAL H. 8. CONWAY. [l746.

will be here, and conseqneiitly I am fixed here till that
time at least, and perhaps longer, at least so my fears tell
me. And I am so imprudent as to have been uttering
those fears in all my letters till my brother has actually
chid me, and I must own he is in the right, for it may
have a bad construction pot upon it, as if I was indifferent
to the service and not sufficiently sensible of the obliga-
tion I have to the Duke on that account; but perhaps
the thing may not be so near as we thought. I imagined it
was actually done, and that blowing oyer perhaps it may now
be some time before it is determined ; so I shall in the mean
time suspend both my joys and my fears on that head. But,
exclusive of that, I doubt our stay is likely to be long here,
considering the obstinacy of the rebels and the resolution of
the Duke to see the rebellion entirely finished, which, with
all the disagrSmena that attend it, I cannot help entirely
applauding, and I am in hopes that the motions we shall soon
make, will contribute greatly towards it. Our van-guard is
now advanced within twelve miles of the Spey where they are,
and as soon as the wind, which is more obstinate than the
rebels, will let our supplies come up, we shall all move on
there. The party that I told you I had been upon was to
take a post called Strathbogie, where there had lain for some
days past a body of the rebels, that called themselves loOO
or 2000, but were, I believe, about 800. General Bland,
who commands the van-guard, consisting at present of
four battalions of foot, two of cavalry, and the Campbells,
marched on Monday morning early thither, in hopes to have
surprised that post, and had like to have succeeded, for the
rebels did not know of our approach, nor begin to move out
of the town till our advanced party was within sight. They
had been out in the morning attempting to surprise a post of
ours, and were returned in about an hour, when they saw us

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1746.] FIELD MARSHAL H. S. CONWAY. 415

advancing, and then marched off with great precipitation ; so
we got the post rery cheap at least, which is an important
one, thongh we acquired no great honour. We pnrsned
them about two miles beyond the town with some of King-
ston's light horse, a few dragoons, and some of the Camp-
bells ; but Oeneral Bland, fearing we should engage too far in
a country we did not know, especially as night was coming
on, and our troops were fatigued with a long march,
ordered us to return. One of Kingston's thought he wounded
Roy Stewart by a shot in his arm, and a fellow who came to
Strathbogie since, says he is dead of the wound, which at
least seems to confirm a little the b^ef of his being wounded.
He staid in the rear, I believe, chiefly to reconnoitre our
party. This is all the mischief we pretend to have done.
However, the men found a good hot dinner in most of the
quarters, which the rebels were just sitting down to, and
perhaps were very well contented to get without fighting for
it. Adieu ! dear Horry, I have no more news to tell you.
Is Mrs. Le Neve with you ? my service to her. i

** Yours affectionately, H. C"

" Dear Horry, " Aberdeen, Sunday, March 20, 1746.

** You are very good to pity us, and aa far as pity can go
in cases so desperate as ours, I can give your good patron
the SBtisfitction of knowing it does console us ; but as you say,
to combat so many demons under all the various forms of
High and Low landers, friends and enemies, to combat at the
same time with all that climate, country, and air can afford
of disagreeable, and with it the worst of all devils, a thorough
ennui and inquietude, in twenty different shapes of regret,
mortification, and desire, is more than I believe my patience
is well able to sustain. However, one must make the best of
it, and having little or no matter for it, we here draw all our

Digitized by VjOOQIC

416 FIELD MARSHAL H. 8. CONWAY. [1746

consolation from the charity and good nature of onr friends,
who, I hope, too can afford us a thought now and then with-
out interrupting too much the scene of gaiety, that I hear
flourishes so in London, and which I assure you I am &r
from envying you, though I canH help regretting it, I assure
you I hear eyen with pleasure how your divisions go on, and
that you have sent all your discontentment and fear to Scot-
land, the proper seat of them. This I would have, and pro-
vided you think of us sometimes, it is all we expect. Poor
Lady Chapman. I am sorry to hear her gaiety has had so
unfortunate a catastrophe; and poor Sir John, I pity him
more, for I hear he is like to have his impotence made as public
as his wife^s lewdness has long been. How could he be such a
fool as to meddle with her ! I hear M. Vane Hope. Queer.
Is it possible ? But indeed I am convinced there is nothing
a girl won't run away with : it is the great joy they have. I
hear there have been fifty quarrels between Lady T— d and
Lady Car. : between the lattter and his grace a dismal one,
and an irreparable breach between Lady T— d and Mr. W.
These things are all very diverting, and I am vastly glad to
hear the town has so much spirit. Plays, operas, and mas-
querades, and balls are vulgar diversions ; but quarrels, scandal,
and gallantries^ charming — don't you think so ? As for us, we
grow duller and duller ; the rebels have crossed the Firth of
Cromarty in boats, favoured by a fog, in consequence of
which Lord Loudon's fine army is, I doubt, entirely dispersed.
The last accounts from Port William look as if they were
giving over their design upon that place, and everything looks
as if they were going north towards Sutherland, &c., where
it will be happy if we can pen them up. Adieu ! dear Horry.
You see how stupid I am, how little I have to tell you.

" Yours ever, H. C.
'* You don't say a word of Lady Mary. Pray give my

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1746.] FIELD MARSHAL H. S. CONWAY. 417

compIimeDts ; and to Churchill. I intended to have written
and wished him joy, bat I think it is too late now.**"

** Dear HoRRy, " Aberdeen, Saturday, April 6, 1746.

" I do not know what you mean by glory and triumph.
I am conscious of no title to anything of the kind, not even
as they are often bestowed, without being acquired ; and I
assure you, I have less taste for them since I have been sent
here to hunt after them, where we have little chance to find
them, and where, I must own between friends, I doubt the
fairest sprig of laurel would hardly have tempted me to come,
upon condition of remaining in this exile so long as I have
done, and, much less, so long as I am afraid I am condemned
to stay.

** I hear now of another regiment vacant, yet my fate in
regard to that still remains in suspense. I do not know
whether my friends, and even I myself (for which I have had
some reason too), have not been too sanguine in our expecta-
tions. You know I have a sort of jumble of hopes and fears
on that head, which are all at their full height at present, and
so will continue until the affair is decided ; and, I must own,
neither my love of money, nor desire of being recorded by
the Parson of Ragley, nor hardly by yourself, have weight
enough to overbalance my desire of seeing and living a little
with my friends.

*' Pray, since when have you set yourself the task of
becoming our historiographer ? I am mighty glad to h^r it,
because in less able or less partial hands I could not hope to
make any figure at all. As to my picture at Echardfs (and
which I suppose is now to be copied, en taille douce^ for my
frontispiece), I can say now, what I never could before, that I
wish ten times more than you can, to sit again and have it
finished. However, for the print it may do very well as it is,

VOL. L E E

Digitized by VjOOQIC

418 FIELD MARSHAL H. S. CONWAY. [l746.

the armour being much more to the purpose than the face of
the hero, and it being a pretty indifferent thing to posterity,
whether my eyebrow is more or less arched, the hollow over
my eye more or less conspicuous : and i propos to posterity,
&c. To talk in the style of my now country, if I find that
I am to live here long, I assure you I shall die very soon ; so
yOu may be preparing your history for the press. Besides, I
should be curious to see it before I die, and should be glad to
know what shape it is to appear in ; whether memoirs, con-
taining the adventures of my private life, or a grand history
of my public one only; or whether military, civil, or both ;
because on all these heads I could give you many useful hints,
being acquainted with sundry curious particulars of nay own
story, that nobody in the world knows but myself, nor ever
would, but for the fair opportunity you promise me of seeing
them make a figure in the world. And indeed, I believe the
principal part of my achievements are of this kind, so that it
is absolutely necessary I should be consulted, especially as the
' Gazettes ^ will furnish you but very sp^uringly ; so great is
the negligence and inattention of those people.

" As to a certain lady (whose connexion with my history I
do not insist upon your inserting, unless you have a mind to
do it for the instruction of your children, by an episode, as the

* Island of Calypso,** for instance, or rather, I should say, the

* Story of Antiope') — as to her, I do not know how it will sound
if you mention it in my history, but nothing was ever greater
than my tranquillity^ on hearing what you tell me confirmed :
and as I really wish her well, I should be glad she is married,
but I think I have seen better prospects of harmony and
happiness.

" Adieu, dear Horry ! We march to-morrow, that is
something ; but as it is yet a long way to John o^ Groat^s
House, I do not know when we shall turn our faces to

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1746.] FIELD MARSHAL H. S, CONWAY. 419

Loudon ; so coutinue to pity me as much as you please, and
I know of course you will try to comfort me. Yours. Ned
is here.

** Pray tell Mrs. Townshend I am vastly glad to hear of
her recovery, and advise her against that quantity of scream-
ing relations, for fear of a relapse.

" P.S. Since I wrote, the * Sheemess ' has come in with
the ' Hazard ' sloop, formerly in our service, and now a pri-
vateer in the French. He chased her a vast while, and at last
drove her on the northern shore, after a sort of running 6ght
of three or four hours. The crew and troops aboard all
landed — in all near two hundred, with four or five-and-twenty
officers, French and Spanish, — ^but meeting about seventy of
Lord Loudon'*8 regiment, under the Captains Sir Harry
Monro and Macery, with twenty militia, they were attacked
by them, and after losing six, I think killed, the rest were
taken, and are now brought here by the * Sheemess.' They
had at least 8000/. in specie with them, which they had
landed, and was taken by Lord Loudon's men, who were so
vastly rich by it they did not know what to do with it ; but
they made a division, and sent five hundred as a present to
the captain of the ^ Sheemess,^ and gave some more to some
volunteers that were with them ; but on arriving here they
offered to lend it to the Duke, for the use of the army, who
has accepted it. It was by the oddest accident in the world
that all this happened, for this party were some of Major
Mackenzie'*s, who surrendered himself at Dornoch, on the
rebels passing over the Firth, but having then made their
escape, they tried to join Lord Loudon, who was marched for
the Isle of Skye but found themselves intercepted, and were
saving themselves by marching northward when they met
with these people ; so that by the same accident they got so

Digitized by VjOOQIC

420 FIELD MARSHAL H. S. CONWAY. [l746.

much money and honour, and secured themselves by goiog
aboard the man-of-war.

'^ Besides this, the ' Sheemess '* took another small armed
vessel with military stores, at the Orkneys, in her way round.
This capture will distress the rebels greatly, as they are in
prodigious want of money.

" We have at last accounts that they have raised the siege
of Blair, upon the approach of the Hessians, and that many
of the Athol men have left them thereupon. I hear of no
damage done on either side at this siege, but one man, I think,
killed ; for the rebels kept at due distance, only firing their
cannon against the walls, which are immensely thick. I
write this on Monday, our march being deferred to-day, bat
to-morrow I fancy we shall move.

*' Dear Horry, " Inverhess, April 18, 1746.

" You accuse me of not telling you news : I am going to
make up my omissions by such news as I hope will content
you. We have beat the rebels — beat them in a set battle,
and, I assure you, de la bonne manierey losing very few of our
own and destroying a good number of those vermin. Yon
have heard how they ran away from us at the Spey ; they
did the same at Nairn, the place we encamped at before our
last march : we were almost out of breath with running after
them, and had lost all hopes of meeting with them. The
truth was their people were not come in ; the young Pretender
still lay at this place waiting for the junction of the Clans,
who were dispersed all over the country. At Nairn we
halted one day to refresh our troops as well as to inform
ourselves of the posture and countenance of those gentlemen,
and heard that they were assembled, had marched out of this
place, and drawn themselves up in order of battle in a moor
on our side of Inverness, expecting we should march that

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1746.] FIELD MARSHAL H. S. CONWAY. 421

day; from all which it was pretty clear they intended to
give us battle. The night before we marched they sent a strong
detachment to surprise our camp, who marched back without
attempting anything. On the 16th we marched and found,
by deserters and other intelligence on the march, that they
were posted on a great moor near Lord President's house,
called Cullodeu House, and on our left as we marched to
Inverness. This moor lies in a high mountainous country,
and we imagined their design was to come down and attack
our flank on the march, whereupon we bore up upon the hills
to the left, and our advanced guard soon discovering them
drawn up in order of battle, our march was ordered so as to
come just upon their front, which was so well executed Ihat
we came up exactly over against them in the best order
imaginable. They began the cannonading, but were so well
answered by our artillery, which was divided between the
intervals of the front line, that in about ten minutes we saw
that their centre began to be in some confusion. At the
same time we perceived that the Highlanders, who were* drawn
up very deep on each flank, began to move forward in columns
to attack us, and on our left they actually made some im-
pression on Barrel's regiment, attacking them sword in hand,
and mixing with them. But that regiment, as well as
MonroX plying them well with their bayonets, and the
second line keeping its order and advancing to sustain them,
they were soon repulsed with great loss. At the same time
a party of the Campbells with our cavalry on the left coming
up almost unperceived upon their flank, put their right in
entire confusion and made vast slaughter. On our right,
perceiving that the Clans were coming down in columns, the
Duke ordered Pulteney'*s regiment and Kingston'*s horse up
from the reserve to strengthen that flank; whereupon, seeing
that we rather out-flanked them, and that our men kept up

Digitized by VjOOQIC

422 FIELD MARSHAL H. S. CONWAY. [l74«.

their fire, they never ventured to come amongst but sheered
off, and soon joined in the dSroute that was begnn on the
left and in the centre, and which now became quite general.
From this time it was nothing but pursuit. " They left all
their cannon, and our cavalry did their duty very well in the
pursuit, sparing very few that came in their reach. I believe
they have lost between two and three thousand men, of which
the major part are left on the field. All the French piquets
surrendered prisoners, and some of the horse are come in
since. Lord Kilmarnock and Lord Lewis Drummond with
Home more of their chiefs are taken, and I believe a good
many killed. Brigadier Stapleton is wounded and taken.
On our side the loss is very inconsiderable, not amounting to
above two hundred killed and wounded; amongst whom
are very few officers, and nobody of distinction but Lord
Robert Kerr killed, and Colonel Rich wounded. Bury will
be with you perhaps before this reaches you, and tell you all
these things much better than I can. Adieu ! Dear Horry,
in vast haste.

" Yours ever,

" H. C.
*' Ned and all friends are well."

*' Dear Horry, " Inverness, Wednesday, May 7th, 1746.

^' I wish I was at London, and you at Inverness, that I
might find something to say to you, but in such places and
such a life as ours, what can one have to talk of but swords
and firelocks, marches and dispositions ; and is not it better
to say nothing ? When we have a battle, or the smallest skir-
mish to treat you with, you are sure to have it ; but I know
you too well, and have too much consideration for you, to
torment you with all the fiddle-faddle stuff that makes the
body of our news and conversation. In short, it is unreason-

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1746.] FIELD MARSHAL H. S. CONWAY. 423

able of you, most unreasonable, indeed, to complain of a
soldier, in the heart of a dismal northern campaign, for not
writing news or being entertaining. It is a mercy we can
write at all, and if we don^t tell you bad news, I think you
ought to be mighty well contented. However, to stop your
mouth for some little time at least, I wrote you not only an
account of our victory, but I assure you a much longer
account than I wrote anybody ; and if I continue in the same
style, I have a notion should soon tire you out of your com-
plaints, and make you own that it is in writing as in other
things, // vautmieux rien icrire qu'icrire dea riens; unless one
had Madame SevigneX yo^ir favourite, or your own turn to
say them agreeably; besides they must be an agreeable kind
of nothings that are capable of such a turn ; but to think of the
dry transactions of our camp turned by such a clumsy hand as
mine! — ^it would really make you sick, and I say again I have
too much consideration for you. %

Yet the history of our female captives I know would have
flourished in your hands, and made a very good romance,
serious or comic, as you happened to be disposed. Lady
Macintosh, as they call her, because she is wife to the Laird
of that name, is very young, and they say very handsome. I
have not seen her yet. She left her husband, who is in
Lord Loudon's regiment, and led out her men, or rather his.
I believe she was in the battle. Since her being taken,
she has suffered no farther confinement than that of being
obliged to live with her Laird, which, I believe, with the
addition of two lovers that visit her constantly, the poor
woman finds grievous enough — these are the old President
whom you remember at your father^ and is now as old again,
and Colonel Cockayne, whom perhaps you have seen, both
seriously enamoured. She was said to be the first in the good
graces of the Young Gentleman, but I believe had only the

Digitized by VjOOQIC

424 FIELD MARSHAL H. S. CONWAY. [1746.

uame of it ; for he is generally reckoned quite indifferent to
women, and I believe a true Italian in all respects. Her
favoured lover seems.to have been one Macgillivray, whom she
laments much (he was killed at the battle), and asks if he
did not make a fine corpse ? Lady Ogilvie, I believe I told
you of, is very young, too, and rather handsome, but so
foolish and so insensible of her condition, that my pity for her
was soon worn out ; yet she really is much of a heroine, and
might make a very fine figure in romance. Amidst all her
misfortunes, and such as one would think should affect a
woman most, as the loss of a young husband, not dead, but
in great danger at least, and the fears' of imprisonment or
death, she seems to feel only for the loss of the battle and
the ruin of their cause ; though she has told me in confidence
that she was yet sure the Prince would come to the throne.
In short, she has been so very indiscreet, and talked treason to
everybody so outrageously, that the Duke now lets her see
nobody which she took so to heart, that yesterday I was told
she wsLQ fallen very ill.

*' Lady Kinloch and Lady Gordon are at liberty, and in
their room we hear that Sir James, husband to the first, is
taken, as is Lord Tullibardioe ; I think he surrendered him-
self. The young Pretender is gone towards the west coast,
where he landed, and yesterday we had an account of two
French men-of-war going into Loch Moidart, we suppose in
order to take him off. A twenty gun ship, and I think a
small sloop or two, followed them in, and engaged them some
time, but finding them too strong for them, were obliged to
stand out again. Orders are sent to larger ships to sail imme-
diately, and endeavour to intercept them. One they say is a
good deal disabled, and even our small ones intend to lie by
and wait for their coming out. We have another piece of
ship news, which, if it proves true, is very great, and the

Digitized by VjOOQIC

1 746. J FIELD MARSHAL H. S. CONWAY. 426

authority is very good, too, for the ship that brings the
account from the West Indies to the Duke of Newcastle,
spoke to one of ours off the Orkneys; who sent the report to
the Commodore here. It is, that a twenty gun ship of ours, in
company with a privateer, has taken the fourth galleon, the
richest of them all, and worth a million in bullion. We hear
of no rebels together anywhere, so that I fancy our remaining
work will be pretty easy. The day before yesterday one hun-
dred M*Phersons, I have a notion they were, surrendered
themselves with their arms, and were brought in here by the
Grants. We are preparing for our march, which I fancy will
be in a few days. A shocking journey into the heart of the
Highlands ; but it is all one. I mind much more the time
than the conditions of my pilgrimage, and nothing shocks me
now, but that I am not to see you till November, that is the
term I set myself, and* it is a dreadful one — ^adieu ! Compli-
ments to Lady Mary, to Churchill, Mrs. Le Neve, &c.

'* Yours ever,

" H. C.
' " P. S. I am glad the Duchess of Q.'^s windows were broken
with all my heart, and think she deserved more for her foolish
obstinacy. I am only sorry a certain house in Lincoln'^s Inn
Fields* did not suffer as I bear it deserved.

"I had forgot Mr. Mann, nothing but the D^s desiring
it shall make me employ any other, but as I think he em-
ploys him himself, there is no likelihood of that.*"

♦ The Duke of Newcastle's.

BND OF THE FIRST VOLUME.

F F

Digitized by VjOOQ IC

LONDON :

Printed by Samuel Bihtlit and Co.

Bangor Honae, Sboe Lane.

Digitized by VjOOQIC

THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN

DATE DUE

FEB i^f^

SEP 2 5

1998

Digitized by

Google

"fgiVs '0U72 6_^;^^,^

UIHfV. Of MiOrt*

Internet Archive Audio

Featured

Top

Images

Featured

Top

Software

Featured

Top

Books

Featured

Top

Video

Featured

Top

Mobile Apps

Browser Extensions

Archive-It Subscription

Save Page Now

Full text of "Memoirs of the Marquis of Rockingham and his contemporaries : with original letters and documents now first published / by George Thomas, earl of Ablemarle"

See other formats