of Lovel is laid aside too, as the lord mayor, &c. would rise and take the blame from him. The attorney-general is the great adviser, and has been the promoter, of their attack on the city. The ministers dread a resolution of the common-hall against the advisers of the strong words in his Majesty's answer. I am, &c.

J. CALCRAFT.

JOHN CALCRAFT, ESQ. TO EARL TEMPLE.

Sunday, 20 minutes past 9, March 18, 1770.

MY DEAR LORD,

JUST as your Lordship left me a friend (1) came in, who says he hears a strong report that they disagree amongst themselves, see the difficulties they may be involved in, and have resolved not to proceed upon the remonstrance to-morrow. Lord Chatham's proposal about Westminster (2) adds to their alarm. The greatest person requires cordials. We should not be the less upon our guard for this rumour. Yours, &c.

J CALCRAFT.

(1) Query, was not this "friend" Sir Philip Francis? See P. 444.

(2) JUNIUS, in a private letter to Mr. Woodfall, dated, Sunday, March 18, says, "Lord Chatham is determined to go to the hall to support the Westminster remonstrance. I have no doubt that we shall conquer them at last."

EARL TEMPLE TO THE COUNTESS OF CHATHAM.

March 20, 1770, past eleven at night.

MY DEAR LADY CHATHAM,

I HAD the grace to stay in the House of Commons till three o'clock this morning; the result you see in the enclosed paper. They have all this day been fighting the address. I left them at dinner time. I take it for granted it will come up to us to-morrow, and that we shall be to debate it on Thursday; purposely meant to interfere with lord mayor's dinner. (') I wish to God this extre

() On the 22d, the lord mayor gave a splendid entertainment to a select number of the members of both houses of parliament. Lord Chatham was unable to attend. In reference to this entertainment, his Lordship thus wrote to the lord mayor on the 10th:-"I am just returned from Lord Rockingham, who commissions me to let your Lordship know that Thursday se'nnight will be perfectly agreeable to him, and that he will, with the greatest pleasure, wait on the lord mayor that day: - a most important day we all think it, and that your Lordship, and in you the public, may be attended as the great object of these dangerous times demands, it is wished by us, that you would be so good as to declare your intentions for the convivium immediately, in order to its being known tomorrow at court. I need not say, my dear Lord, how publicspirited and firm to the cause of the constitution Lord Rockingham is. He, Lord Temple, and I, are equally of opinion that no new matters should be opened or agitated at or after the convivium." In a letter to Lord Chatham of the 25th, the Marquis says, "Nothing could be more magnificent or better conducted than every thing was there; and indeed the meeting was a very respectable one."

mity of the weather may not prevent our seeing your good Lord at one place or the other. Both would be best, but that is too much to expect. I have kept open my letter for news from the House; to which I have sent, but in vain. Impeachment seemed to be the measure resolved on at dinner time.(') Kind love to all, from

Your most truly affectionate

TEMPLE.

JOHN CALCRAFT, ESQ. TO THE EARL OF CHATHAM.

Sackville Street, 24th March, 1770.

MY DEAR LORD,

THE Court thinks the ministers have stopt too short in the persecution of the city magistrates, and the language of Thursday was, "my ministers have no spirit; they don't pursue measures with any spirit." There is great confusion amongst them; and if we stand by the people as we ought, and take another early opportunity to show it, it will have the best effect, for notwithstanding high words, there is real alarm. * I am, my dear Lord,

Most affectionately yours,

J. CALCRAFT.

(1) After a long debate, an address to the King, in reprobation of the city remonstrance, was this day agreed to, by 248 against 94.

JOHN CALCRAFT, ESQ. TO THE EARL OF CHATHAM.

MY DEAR LORD,

Sackville Street, March 27, 1770.

LORD GRANBY talks of going to Lincolnshire, when Mr. Grenville's bill is through the House of Commons; wherefore I wish to know if your Lordship has any desire to the contrary, that he may be prepared. Earl Percy is gone to his regiment in Ireland.

The anger of the court and Bute party, at being given up, as they term it, after the strong answer to the city remonstrance, has been so violent, that thoughts of going further have been resumed; but I do not believe they will be carried into execution. I should not be surprised if Lord North lost ground on this occasion, especially if the Duke of Grafton has the zeal to get back to employment which is attributed to him. Your Lordship's most affectionate,

And faithful humble servant,

J. CALCRAFT.

THE EARL OF CHATHAM TO JOHN CALCRAFT, ESQ.

Hayes, Wednesday night, March 28, 1770.

DEAR SIR,

WHENEVER YOU can, without inconvenience, give me the pleasure you so kindly intended me at

Hayes, you will give me the most real satisfaction. Our noble friend's journey to Lincolnshire seems at present liable to no wish to the contrary, unless there should arise a prospect of business in the House of Commons; which I do not foresee. Your attention on this important subject is, however, most proper and obliging. I have not heard of Lord Percy's going to his regiment: probably the orders for Ireland are pressing. I rejoice to see in the papers, that his Lordship's constituents are not frightened out of their birthrights by big words from the destroyers of them. (1) Middlesex, I see too, with great satisfaction, still think they are freemen. As for the anger you mention in a certain quarter, at being given up, as they call it, after the silly answer to the city, I can only say, they have nothing to be angry with but their own folly and the wisdom of the constitution, expressed with so much precision in the Bill of Rights. As for all talk of going farther, I can only look on it with the contempt it deserves. The intimation about the Duke of Grafton is what I could not have dreamed. Gout is gradually abating, and I trust a little milder weather will soon make me forthcoming. I am ever, with truest regard, dear Sir, your most faithful and

Affectionate humble servant,

CHATHAM.

(1) The electors of Westminster had, in the morning, unanimously agreed to a petition and remonstrance; which, in half an hour after, was presented to the king.