"that any treaty with the court of Berlin would throw them into that closer connexion with France, to which they have been invited,"- whether, on these accounts, the step taken with the court of Berlin should not be as private as possible, till some prospect of success there, and more particularly at the court of Petersbourg, should make it proper to declare ourselves. I also submit, whether there may not be some little delicacy, as to the point of a public commission, in regard to Sir Andrew Mitchell. And lastly, Sir, in regard to myself; as in my particular department I have lately given assurances to M. de Seilern, that no negotiation was on foot, or immediately thought on with the court of Berlin, whether I can, even before any reply is come to my own answer to the overtures above mentioned, now in the instant hold with M. de Seilern in my situation a language and conduct so different as will now be necessary, if this public step is taken ? As I had but a moment's conversation with you on this head, mixed with a great variety of other matters, and had no other means or opportunity of knowing what was resolved, I beg to suggest to you, Sir, whether some few days given to digest this matter, which to me appears of great importance, and particularly so to myself, might not be allowed, and Mr. Stanley's kissing hands deferred for so long. I should suppose also, that if Mr. Stanley does kiss hands to-morrow, it would be proper not to let either Sir George Macartney (1) or Sir Andrew Mitchell be unacquainted with it, by this night's post; and with regard to the former particularly, I feel a little awkward in acknowledging the receipt of the treaty of commerce concluded, and communicating the intention of his recall in the same letter. (2) (1) Sir George Macartney was born in Ireland in 1737, and educated at Trinity college, Dublin, where he took the degree of M.A.; after which he came to London, and entered himself a student of the Middle Temple, where he formed an intimacy with the Burkes, and many other characters then rising into eminence; having, however, no intention of practising at the bar, he proceeded to the continent. through the recommendation of Lord Holland, he was appointed envoy extraordinary to the court of Russia; in 1768, he married Lady Jane Stuart, daughter of the Earl of Bute; in 1769, was appointed chief secretary of Ireland; in 1775, captain-general and governor of the Caribbee islands of Grenada, the Grenadines, and Tobago; in 1776, he was raised to the Irish peerage; in 1780, appointed to the presidency of Madras; in 1792, sent ambassador to China; in 1794, raised to the dignity of a British earl; and in 1797, sent out as governor and captain-general of the Cape of Good Hope; whence, in 1798, he returned, on account of ill health. He died in 1806. (2) Immediately on receiving the notification of Mr. Stanley's appointment, Sir George Macartney wrote home to Mr. Conway, to request that his successor might be furnished with very pointed instructions to inform himself of his conduct. "Conscious," he says, "of having acted in all things entrusted to my care, with the utmost integrity, vigilance, and activity; having exerted every talent which nature and education have given me for the service of my sovereign and the interest of the public; ambitious only of honest fame, I present myself to every scrutiny, convinced of being able to prove, that no man in my situation could have obtained what I have done." In a letter also to his friend, Mr.William Burke, he says, "To be sure the proceeding is extraordinary to turn a man out, (if I am turned VOL. III. C I am not sure, too, whether some kind of previous communication may not be expected, both in Russia and to her minister here. Excuse, Sir, this trouble, from the variety of difficulties I have stated, the resolution being so sudden in regard to this; as I was not apprized till yesterday, in the moment I had the honour to see you, of Mr. Stanley's appointment to Petersburg, nor till this morning of the other circumstance I have mentioned, I could not possibly avoid it. I would have waited upon you, but, as you were still at Hampstead, found my business here absolutely prevented it. The other notices have, I believe, out,) immediately after he had finished a treaty which had been the object of nine years' negotiation. But some people tell me I am not turned out; no matter: I cannot in honour continue here, whilst Stanley is in Russia, because, in the language of a great minister, 'I should not wish to be responsible for measures which I am not permitted to guide;' or, supposing I met with success in conjunction with him, I should certainly get no thanks for it; for, to borrow the expression of a minister of the Gospel, as I have just now done that of a minister of state, 'when we have done all that we can, we are unprofitable servants;' and what is worse, unprofited too, I assure you. I know at least I have found it so; for, not to speak of the expense of living here, which is very great, I have spent above a thousand pounds of my own money for secret service. This I never mentioned before, nor do I intend to speak of it to the office, though, upon my honour, it is true; but I am above it, and though I have got no thanks for my service, yet, since it has been of use to the public, I do not regret it. I have made very ample collection of every thing relative to this country, and shall, with infinite pleasure, impart to you and Ned all my stores."-See Barrow's Life of the Earl of Macartney, vol. i. pp. 32. 412. all been punctually sent. punctually sent. I am, Sir, with the greatest truth and respect, Your most humble and obedient servant, H. S. CONWAY. THE RIGHT HON. HANS STANLEY TO MR. PITT. DEAR SIR, Admiralty, at 11 o'clock, July 30, 1766. I HAD this morning the honour of a conversation with Mr. Secretary Conway, upon the subject of my commission, and upon the present posture of affairs between our court and those of Petersburg and Berlin. I was extremely concerned to find that we stood upon much colder and worse terms at the latter, than I had conceived upon what passed between yourself and me. Upon my sending him a letter in very general terms, which I thought it would be right to dispatch by to night's post to Sir Andrew Mitchell, I received a note from him, in conjunction with the Duke of Grafton, which gave me a good deal of uneasiness; upon my answer to that note, they did me the honour of coming here. The result of what passed, in which Mr. Conway entirely agrees with me, is that there is a great risk in compromising the King's honour, by sending an ambassador accredited (though not directly commissioned to that court) through Berlin, without first knowing from Sir Andrew Mitchell how that step would be there received and approved. As to myself, I confess I should be sorry to take that road, with credentials to be produced, or concealed, according to the humour and temper which I found prevailed there after my arrival, and to meet, with (what, in such circumstances, would be far otherwise essential) the same treatment there which Lord Buckingham did on his return, because I am persuaded that such an incident at my first outset would be attended with disgrace to me, and future very ill consequences to my mission. I conclude, therefore, with Mr. Conway, that if the answer returned from Sir Andrew Mitchell was unfavourable, it would be much wiser, and more expedient, to go directly to Petersburg by sea, and to begin my negotiation there. When you confer with him, I believe you will find very solid foundations for these doubts; and I humbly entreat that they may be considered between you, and the plan of my future proceedings adjusted, before the final step of my having the honour to kiss his Majesty's hands. A short note shall bring me to Harley Street, as early as you think proper to command me. I am, with the highest respect, dear Sir, Your very obliged and most obedient humble servant, |