months too late to do the good, which his superiority can alone effect.

Without disturbing Lord Chatham, the Duke of Grafton entreats him only to think, that, where he cannot immediately approve, he would consider him as acting for the best, and often, as he must be in these intricate times, compelled to make the lesser evil the more eligible measure.

THE COUNtess of chATHAM TO THE DUKE OF GRAFTON.

MY LORD,

[North-end, September-, 1767.]

THE interest your Grace is so good as to take in my Lord Chatham's health (') makes me trust

(1) Nothing, perhaps, could more forcibly prove the state of extreme weakness to which Lord Chatham was now reduced, than the following letter. His Lordship's enemies were nevertheless incessantly insinuating, that his illness was entirely political:

THE COUNTESS OF CHATHAM TO THOMAS
NUTHALL, ESQ.

"SIR,

"North-end, August 17, 1767.

"THE great state of weakness which my Lord feels from the continuance of his illness makes the transacting of any business so uneasy to him, that he is extremely desirous of giving to me a general letter of attorney, empowering me to transact all business for him. He bids me say, that he therefore wishes you would, without the smallest loss of time, prepare one in the fullest manner possible, and bring it with you, if it can any way be, in the course of this day. I hope you will be able to accomplish it, and to let me see you here, which will much oblige, Sir, your most faithful humble servant,

"HESTER CHATHAM."

that you will excuse my giving your Grace the trouble of these few lines, to say that, he continuing extremely ill, Dr. Addington is of opinion that an immediate change of air and a journey are indispensably necessary. His state of weakness is such, that being himself totally unable to write, he hopes your Grace will allow him in this manner to take the liberty of begging your Grace to lay him with all duty at the King's feet, with his humble request, that his Majesty will be graciously pleased to permit him to go for some time into Somersetshire, in hopes of recovery. Lord Chatham and I have enough experienced your Grace's goodness to rely that you will pardon this trouble.

THE letter I was honoured with by your Ladyship ought long ago to have had its answer, if my servant had not brought it back from North-end, where I had sent it, on my leaving London for a few days; when it lay among other papers on my table without my knowing of it.

It was to acquaint your Ladyship, that in return to the message I was commanded by your Lady

ship to lay before the King, his Majesty was pleased to direct me to say, that he heartily wished that Lord Chatham would take every step advisable for the recovery of his health, adding, that no one was so much interested in the success as himself. If I dared presume to take such a liberty, it would make me very happy to hear that Lord Chatham finds benefit from his journey. I have the honour to be, Madam, with the most profound respect, Your Ladyship's most obedient

humble servant,

GRAFTON

LORD CAMDEN TO THE COUNTESS OF CHATHAM.

MADAM,

Bath, September 25, 1767.

As I was obliged to send a messenger to my Lord North, who is appointed chancellor of the exchequer ('), I could not avoid this intrusion at

(1) "Lord Chatham's health," says Mr. Adolphus, was now deemed irrecoverable, and, in fact, the ministry were neither benefited by his advice, nor supported by his popularity. They wanted a distinguished leader, of talents, character, and reputation, who could give efficacy to their measures, and by force of superior powers, enchain those minor pretenders, who, in the absence of such a chief, disdained submission, and embroiled the cabinet. Charles Townshend had before entertained similar views, and now projected a new administration, of which he should be the leader. He obtained for his brother, Lord Townshend, the vice-royalty of Ireland, designated Mr. Yorke for chancellor, and probably had made other appointments, when

Burton Pynsent to inquire after my Lord's health. The world will have it that his Lordship is considerably better; but I dare not give myself the liberty of rejoicing till the news is more authentically confirmed. If your Ladyship can give me any reasonable hopes of my Lord's amendment, that information will do me more good than the waters of this place. I have the honour to be, with the highest esteem,

Your Ladyship's most obedient
and faithful servant,

CAMDEN.

his life was unexpectedly terminated on the 4th of September, he being then only in his forty-second year."-" This event renewed the difficulty of effecting a ministerial arrangement: the chancellorship of the exchequer was filled up ad interim by Lord Mansfield. It was offered to Lord North, who, for some reasons which are not precisely known, declined accepting it. The offer was subsequently made to Lord Barrington; who declared his readiness to undertake the office, if a renewed application to Lord North should fail: a fresh negotiation was attempted with the Duke of Bedford, but without effect, and at length Lord North was prevailed on to accept the office. Mr. Thomas Townshend succeeded Lord North as paymaster, and Mr. Jenkinson was appointed a lord of the treasury; Lord Northington and General Conway resigning, Lord Gower was made president of the council, Lord Weymouth secretary of state, and Lord Sandwich joint postmaster-general. These promotions indicated an accommodation between the ministry and the Bedford party, and the cabinet was further strengthened by the appointment of Lord Hillsborough to the office of secretary of state for America. The ministry, thus modelled, was called the Duke of Grafton's administration; for although Lord Chatham still retained his place, he was incapable of transacting business."

THE EARL OF SHELBURNE TO THE COUNTESS OF

MADAM,

CHATHAM.

Bowood Park, Monday, October 9, 1767.

I CANNOT be so near Bath, without desiring to know how your Ladyship and Lord Chatham do. I did indeed wish somehow to have communicated to your Ladyship from London, an event of a personal nature. It is General Conway's resigning the emoluments of his office as secretary of state, on account of certain delicacies he felt for what passed last summer in regard to Lord Rockingham.(') It has been some time in agitation, but was not communicated to me, till General Conway mentioned it, at the moment the Duke of Grafton was gone in to the King to acquaint his Majesty finally of his resolution. I must own, when it was first told me, I felt it an agreeable opening for me to do the same; and that I might by that means be freed from various delicacies, and some uneasiness in a situation in which Lord Chatham placed me, and which without his approbation I did not think myself at liberty to desert. Upon weighing it, however, I must own I saw as many objections,

(1) "You will not dislike to hear, shall you?" writes Walpole to Mr. Montagu, " that Mr. Conway does not take the appointment of secretary of state. If it grows the fashion to give up above 5,000l. a year, this ministry will last for ever; for I do not think the opposition will struggle for places without salaries. If my Lord Ligonier does not go to heaven, or Sir Robert Rich to the devil soon, our general will run considerably in debt; but he had better be too poor than too rich."