Lordship in town about the 4th of November. I am ever, with the truest esteem and respect, my dear Lord,

Your Lordship's

most faithfully devoted

CHATHAM.

THE EARL OF HERTFORD TO THE RIGHT HON. HENRY SEYMOUR CONWAY.

MY DEAR HARRY,

Paris, October 20, 1766.

I THINK it right to give you some account of a conversation I had yesterday with the Duke of Choiseul at Versailles. I can do it with safety, as Colonel Burgoyne is returning to England, and you will make any or no use of it as you think proper.

I was sitting with my old acquaintance, the Comte de Fuentes, the Spanish ambassador at this court. The Duke came in and sat between us, and began the conversation with that ease and freedom with which we have often talked of the affairs of Europe: he asked me if the system of my court, as a friend who must have some knowledge of it, was that of peace? I told him, though I was in no political secret or ministerial office, I could venture to answer positively and affirmatively to that question, as long as his court and the powers in alliance with France meant to preserve that system upon a reasonable and just footing.

The Duke said, I must have no doubt of the disposition of his court, who knew the King and its present ministers so well as I did; but that it required all the confidence that could be given to the mind of man to believe that my court was equally sincere. I asked him what had appeared in Europe, or upon what transactions his suspicions had arisen? He told me our alliances in the North, which we were strengthening by every possible means, were becoming formidable; that we had made a treaty with Russia, had the friendship of Denmark, had gained the court of Sweden, that unhappy insignificant power which they now resigned to its present system, and seemed to propose, with the assistance of the King of Prussia, whom we were courting, to arm the North against the South. My answer was very natural, that I was in the secret of no cabinet, and could only talk the language of a reader of a common newspaper; but that I had understood that the treaty with Russia was no other than a commercial one; that I did not suppose the alliances to which he alluded, even supposing them to subsist, were of an offensive nature, and that it was perfectly agreeable to every principle of reason and policy to preserve a balance of power in the North, where I must conclude they had their negotiations likewise, without giving any just cause to suspect that our views were of such a nature as he had supposed; especially when it was said, that France, Spain, and the court of Vienna were so closely united in their political plans.

M. de Choiseul then said, that he had taken that opportunity of talking to me, because he wished that my friend, the Comte de Fuentes, should be privy to what he said upon the establishment we were going to make in the Isles Maloüines ('), and the just jealousy that Spain entertained upon our expedition into the South Sea. He said this matter was of so serious a nature, that he had already, by his own influence with the Spanish ministers employed at Paris and London, prevented a memorial being presented at the court of London, which was little less than a declaration of war, and that he had sent a messenger to Comte Guerchy (2) relative to this matter, till time could be given for the two courts to know better upon what foundation these expeditions were made. He then told me, in the presence of M. de Fuentes, that when M. de Bougainville had made an establishment there for the court of France, it had given such offence to the Spanish court, that they were immediately obliged to desist from any further attempts upon it, without interrupting the harmony which at present subsisted between them; though there was not the same reason for jealousy whilst that intimate connection lasted, as there would naturally be with a power so formidable at sea as England was. To this matter I could properly make no other answer, than that

(') The islands of Falkland; at this time improperly and affectedly called by the French, les Isles Maloüines.

(2) French ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary at

the court of London.

commercial nations were desirous of trading and knowing the coasts of all parts of the world, and that if peace was to be preserved, the continuation of it was more likely to be obtained by confidence than by unreasonable suspicion; and that if the matter was thought of so serious a nature to the court of Spain, I took it for granted M. de Masserano would talk to the English ministers upon it. He then told me, from his private judgment, that he thought it essential that the English minister intended for that court should be named, and sent as soon as he could with convenience to Madrid. I saw in this he likewise insinuated some jealously of our designs, and I thought myself empowered to remove it by saying, it was the choice of the fittest person that had hitherto retarded it. The world at Paris is, Ifind, in possession of the uneasiness of the court of Spain, and with their usual quickness have determined that we shall soon have a war.

I have been received at the court of Versailles by the King and and his family in a most distinguished manner; of which I desire you will express my sentiments in the most grateful and respectful manner to the Comte de Guerchy. I propose leaving Paris the 3rd or 4th of next month for England.

Believe me at all times,

my dear Harry,

most truly and affectionately yours,

HERTFORD.

THE EARL OF SHELBURNE TO THE EARL OF

MY LORD,

СНАТНАМ.

Whitehall, Tuesday, two o'clock. [October 28, 1766.]

I AM extremely glad Sir James Gray has taken a resolution to wait upon your Lordship himself, as he will be better able to explain his feelings and situation than I can undertake to do. General Conway made not the least hesitation to give up all thoughts of the offer to Lord Hillsborough, the moment I told him your Lordship's opinion: the King likewise, upon being told the consequence your lordship thought Lord Hillsborough might be of to his service at home, was pleased immediately to order me to apply to Sir James Gray; who, I make no doubt, will inform your Lordship very punctually of all that has passed. I can only say upon it, that it is not without a regret of conscience, that I have taken advantage of his irresolution, arising from conscientiousness on his part, to persuade him to undertake an embassy of fatigue and some responsibility. I took care to mention Lord Cardross to him, and to fix it early.

I have nothing further to add upon this matter, except that Captain Hervey last night asked me whether it was fixed, that he had heard a peer was wished for, and that he would not scruple to tell me, in very great confidence, it was his opinion Lord Sandwich might be brought to take it; that,