on the meaning of their former paper, which by the direction of the King's servants I had delivered to them. I know not how satisfactory they may appear to the other lords of the cabinet; but I profess that I thought I could guess better at the meaning of their propositions than now after their explanation. In short, my Lord, it seems now that our thoughts must be turned to the most advisable steps to be taken upon this great affair by the King's servants in parliament, where the decision of the right must, I think, be in the first place determined. Resolutions to be moved on this business must be well weighed, and worded so as to carry the effect that administration aims at.

When you are free from pain, I am confident you are turning this thoroughly in your thoughts; as I am certain that your plan is much desired by a. the ministers in general, many of whom, among which I am, would not willingly give into any othe

the sales of freights, demorage, commission to supra-cargoes, and government duties) are the prime cost of the Company's investments to India, and a provision for payment of such bills of exchange as shall be drawn from thence for moneys paid into the Company's treasuries there, which will be returned in investments. These two last-mentioned particulars, the committee apprehend, cannot be ascertained, as they depend on the increase of trade and other contingencies, and therefore must be adjusted by annual accounts to be delivered in.

"5thly. The sum thought necessary to be borrowed beyond the five bundred thousand pounds mentioned in the proposition, is what will be sufficient to pay off the simple contract creditors of the company, who are pressing for their money, which, it is supposed may be nearly one million."

until they knew your sentiments. If your Lordship acquaints me that you are likely to be detained still at Marlborough, I am ready to run down there to talk this whole matter over with your Lordship, and to receive and communicate your wishes upon it. If you would have me come, let me know the time of the day that I shall arrive there to be the least inconvenient for you to see me, who have the honour to be, with the truest esteem and respect, my dear Lord,

Your most obedient

and faithful servant,

GRAFTON.

THE EARL OF CHATHAM TO THE DUKE OF GRAFTON.

Marlborough, Monday, February 23, 1767.

LORD CHATHAM's best respects attend the Duke of Grafton, with many acknowledgments for the honour of his Grace's very obliging letter. Nothing can be more kind than the offer the Duke of Grafton has the great goodness to make, of which Lord Chatham desires to express the humblest and warmest sense. At the same time, his Grace will give him leave to suggest that, until he is able to move towards London, it is by no means practicable for him to enter into discussions of business.

He desires further to add, that, with regard to East India regulations, his fixed purpose has always been,

and is, not to be a proposer of plans, but, as far as a seat in one House enables, an unbiassed judge of them. Friday se'nnight, the day mentioned in the Duke of Grafton's letter, as fixed for the inquiry in the House of Commons, being the 6th of March, leaves room to hope the gout may, before that time, be enough abated to admit of getting to London.

As to the proposal from the East India House, with their explanation, Lord Chatham only begs leave to refer to his former clear opinion, transmitted to his Grace by Cleverley, with regard to the full information which parliament indispensably ought to have concerning this transaction.

THE EARL OF SHELBURNE TO THE EARL OF

MY LORD,

СНАТНАМ.

Hill Street, Wednesday night. [February 25, 1767.]

I SHALL, in as few words as I possibly can, relate to your Lordship what passed to-day at court with Lord Bathurst ('), a strenuous advocate of the

(1) Allen, first Earl Bathurst. His Lordship was born in 1684, and died in 1775, at the great age of ninety-one. He was intimately acquainted with Congreve, Swift, Prior, Rowe, Addison, Pope, Gay, and all the other great characters who adorned the beginning of the eighteenth century. His character is thus drawn by Sir E. Brydges:-"To his other virtues, he added all the good breeding, politeness, and elegance of social intercourse: no person of rank, perhaps, ever knew better how to unite olium cum dignitate. The improvements

right of the public, since the affairs of India have come under consideration. On this account he applied first to me and afterwards to the Duke of Grafton to say, that he thought it would be of the greatest consequence if the House of Commons came to a resolution regarding the right, which he earnestly hoped would be the case; that one of like import should pass the House of Lords, and if possible at the same time; and that as he remembered perfectly what passed at the time of the South Sea affairs, when all papers were alike called for in both Houses, he was ready on this occasion, and with this view, to move for the necessary papers in the House of Lords, if the King's ministers approved it. I told him, that it was impossible for me to answer for the rest of the King's servants, further than that they could not but be highly obliged by his Lordship's communication, but that I would certainly acquaint them of it; which is the occasion of my troubling your Lordship at present.

he made round his seat at Cirencester were worthy of his fortune, and showed the grandeur of his taste. In this respect Pope paid him a just and fine compliment

Who then shall grace, or who improve the soil?

Who plants like Bathurst, or who builds like Boyle.'

How completely he understood the right application of a large fortune is well expressed by the same great poet, in his epistle to him on the right use of riches. His Lordship preserved to the close of his life his natural cheerfulness and vivacity. He delighted latterly in rural amusements, and enjoyed with a philosophical calmness the shade of the lofty trees he had planted. Till within a month of his death, he constantly rode out two hours every morning, and drank his bottle of wine after dinner."

There being barely a week between this and the day which the House of Commons have peremptorily fixed to enter upon this matter, it appears scarcely possible for the House of Lords, if the papers are laid before them by that day, to be so soon ripe to decide upon them. If your Lordship should think it a proper way of proceeding, a more distant one may be fixed, when your Lordship may not only be in town, but, I hope, well enough to attend such a decision; which cannot but be agreeable to every friend of the public, as well as administration.

I forbear, for many reasons, troubling your Lordship with any particulars relative to the King's servants. You must have foreseen, I am confident, that leaving this matter pretty largely to parliament must naturally startle such of the King's servants whose minds went to a composition. However, the council appears decided, and I am persuaded following your Lordship's judgment is so; our proceedings likewise have public ground to stand upon, and will, I hope, speak for themselves. I am, with truest respect and esteem,

Your Lordship's faithful

and obliged servant,

SHELBURNE.