Such ends to be obtained would almost awaken the great men of this country of former ages, therefore must oblige you to cast aside any remains of your late indisposition.

GEORGE R.

THE EARL OF CHATHAM TO THE KING.

[From an imperfect draught in his own hand-writing.]

SIR,

June 25, 1767.

UNDER health so broken, as renders at present application of mind totally impossible, may I prostrate myself at your Majesty's feet, and most humbly implore your Majesty's indulgence and compassion not to require of a most devoted unfortunate servant, what, in his state of weakness, he has not the power to trace with the least propriety for your Majesty's consideration ?

The very little my state of nerves enables me to offer is, that if the Duke of Grafton can be prevailed upon to remain at the head of the treasury with such a chancellor of the exchequer as is agreeable to his Grace, success to your Majesty's affairs would not be doubtful; this being, in my poor opinion, the vital part, and indispensable.

Would to Heaven I was able to offer any further thoughts for your Majesty's attention, other than

that the two great offices (') might be arranged in a manner the best to strengthen the Duke of Grafton, The recovery of my health, of which I have the strongest assurances with time, remote perhaps, is however as yet so little advanced as to render any activity in the present hour, most unhappily for me, an impossibility.

If it pleases God to restore health to me once again, I am all duty and devotion for your Majesty's service. * * * I am, with the most profound duty and submission, Sir, &c. (2)

(1) The president of the council and the secretary of state. (2) This letter corrects the mis-statement which all the historians of this period have fallen into; namely, that Lord Chatham returned merely a verbal answer to the King's letter, stating, that "such was his ill state of health, that his Majesty must not expect from him any further advice or assistance in any arrangements whatsoever." "The parties in opposition," adds Mr. Adolphus, "knowing these facts, entertained hopes of a speedy and total change in the cabinet. The Duke of Newcastle, anxious to prevent the effect of separate overtures to the bodies composing the opposition, was strenuous in cementing the union between the Bedford and Rockingham parties. An offer was speedily made from the Duke of Grafton to the Marquis of Rockingham; but he declined entering into any negotiation without the advice of his friends. The leaders of opposition held a meeting, to prepare necessary arrangements; but they could not agree in some essential nominations; the conference terminated abruptly, and though renewed on a subsequent day, as none would recede from their former opinions, the parties again separated. The ministry therefore retained their situations. The inflexibility thus displayed rendered it impossible for the King to employ either the Duke of Bedford or the Marquis of Rockingham; for they had refused to accept official situations separately, and could not agree on such termş

THE EARL OF BRISTOL TO THE COUNTESS OF

MADAM,

СНАТНАМ.

[July 30, 1767.]

As I was solely indebted to Lord Chatham's partiality and friendship, which prompted him to recommend me to the King for the lieutenancy of Ireland, I think I should be wanting in the highest degree to my benefactor, if I did not acquaint him with my having most dutifully and most humbly asked his Majesty to release me from the government of that country, who has graciously con.. sented to accept of my resignation, and I imagine my successor will be forthwith declared. (1)

It is no sudden thought, Madam, no hasty resolution, that has determined me. When I was brought forward to this high employment, I had no difficulty in undertaking it, because I was promised the support of my friend's weight in the closet, and I had trusted to his advice, his judgment, and his direction to guide me in this arduous task. I was in expectation, till very lately, I could still have concerted the plan with him, that we had hinted at whilst he was in health: all my con

as might enable them to act together. The ministry, finding that no conditions they could offer would enable them to acquire strength by a junction with their opponents, were obliged to conduct the public business unassisted."

(1) On the 12th of August, Lord Townshend kissed hands, on being appointed the Earl of Bristol's successor.

fidence was in Lord Chatham; and therefore, should the King, from the necessity of his affairs, be compelled to change his administration, either before or during the ensuing session of parliament, what a situation must I have been in, in Dublin ! Perhaps recalled with disgrace by a new ministry, or at the best compelled to solicit my return, from meeting with opposition to every scheme I suggested for the welfare and prosperity of Ireland! Then, being unable to carry on a single question for government in either house of parliament, I should consequently have proved myself disserviceable to my royal master, and have brought discredit upon my own character.

These, Madam, have been my motives. I have related them to the King; I have communicated them to his Majesty's ministers, and I will not add, what a vexation it has been to me to be under this disagreeable necessity. Permit me, Madam, to seize this opportunity of expressing the highest veneration and esteem (which is what I only share in common with the rest of the world) for your truly valuable and amiable conduct: allow me to add, that no one can be with more perfect respect or with greater truth than I have the honour to be, Madam,

Your Ladyship's most obedient

and most humble servant,

BRISTOL.

THE DUKE OF GRAFTON TO THE COUNTESS OF CHATHAM.

Grosvenor Square, July 31, 1767.

THE Duke of Grafton's best respects wait on Lady Chatham, and begs to inform her Ladyship, that General Conway has given him authority to say, that, though the particular situation is not fixed on, he is determined to stand forward in the House of Commons to carry on the King's business; having been assured, that no consideration whatever could induce the Duke of Grafton to remain in his present post, in order to wait the return of Lord Chatham to the head of affairs, if the General was not the person on whom he could place his confidence in that House. The distressful state to which the Crown must have been reduced, has actuated them both to take this part, and to struggle with the difficulties that surround them. The hopes that this account may give some satisfaction to Lord Chatham, is the occasion of the trouble the Duke of Grafton gives to her Ladyship. (')

He must add, that no motive weighed so much with himself, as the reflection of the just accusation he should draw on himself, if, on Lord Chatham's recovery, he should find that it proved some

(1) In a letter of this date to Mr. Montagu, Horace Walpole says: "At last all is subsided; the administration will go on pretty much as it was, with Mr. Conway for part of it. The Rockinghams and the Grenvilles have bungled their own game, quarrelled, and thrown it away."