MR. SHERIFF TOWNSHEND TO THE EARL OF

MY LORD,

CHATHAM.

Austin Friars, May 23, 1770.

I TAKE the liberty of enclosing to your Lordship his Majesty's answer (') to our petition. The lord mayor made a reply to the King, which greatly disconcerted the court. He has promised to recollect what he said, and I fancy the substance will appear in the papers to-morrow. The commoncouncilmen are so much displeased with his Majesty's answer, that I believe there will be some difficulty to get an address on the birth of the princess.

I am sorry to find from Lord Shelburne, that your Lordship's indisposition still continues. The committee appointed to present the thanks (2)

(1) "I should have been wanting to the public, as well as to myself, if I had not expressed my dissatisfaction at the late address. My sentiments on that subject continue the same: and I should ill deserve to be considered as the father of my people, if I should suffer myself to be prevailed upon to make such a use of my prerogative, as I cannot but think inconsistent with the interest, and dangerous to the constitution of the kingdom."

(2) The thanks of the common council of London, which had been voted to Lord Chatham on the 14th of this month, for the zeal he had shown in support of those most valuable and sacred privileges, the right of election, and the right of petition. See p. 464.

have ordered the remembrancer to wait on your Lordship to-morrow, to know when we shall have the honour of attending your Lordship. I am, my Lord, with the greatest respect and esteem, Your Lordship's

most obedient humble servant, JAMES TOWNSHEND.

THE EARL OF CHATHAM TO MR. SHERIFF

TOWNSHEND.

May 23, 1770.

SIR,

I AM honoured with the most obliging mark of your attention, in your letter transmitting to me the King's answer to the petition presented this day. I greatly rejoice to hear that my lord mayor asserted the city with weight and spirit, and am full of impatience for the papers of to-morrow. I do not wonder at the dissatisfaction among the common council. Their feelings are just; but allow me, as a friend to the city, to offer you a sincere opinion; which is, that it would give much advantage against you to your enemies, if the usual compliment were not to be made, on the birth of the princess.

I beg to return you, Sir, my best thanks for your kind remembrance of my health, which still continues very indifferent. indifferent. This circumstance is

made tenfold more painful from the delay it interposes between the reception of so high an honour.

I HAVE the satisfaction of enclosing to your Lordship a copy of the address this day ordered to be presented to his Majesty, and a copy of the thanks to the lord mayor for his conduct on our late remonstrance. The leading men and the commoncouncilmen in general, i. e. of our friends, were against any address; which I hope will plead my excuse to your Lordship for having mentioned your Lordship's opinion to a few friends who have most influence, and were least inclined to the measure. The lord mayor was strongly of opinion for an address, and would have sent the enclosed copies to your Lordship, if I had not undertaken to do it. The lord mayor's speech in the Public Advertiser of yesterday is verbatim, the words "and necessary "being left out before "revolution," and is ordered to be entered on the journals of the court of common council. (1)

(1) The following is a copy of this memorable speech, which

It was near half an hour after three before the sheriffs got to St. James's. The ministers had left court some time; and if I may be allowed to conjecture from what I saw, the news of the address which is to be presented next Wednesday was not unwelcome, though perhaps unexpected. I am, my Lord, with the most sincere regard,

Your Lordship's most humble

and obliged servant,

JAMES TOWNSHEND.

the corporation afterwards caused to be engraven beneath the statue erected to Alderman Beckford's memory in Guildhall:

"Most gracious Sovereign,

"Will your Majesty be pleased so far to condescend as to permit the Mayor of your loyal city of London to declare in your royal presence, on behalf of his fellow citizens, how much the bare apprehension of your Majesty's displeasure would at all times affect their minds. The declaration of that displeasure has already filled them with inexpressible anxiety and with the deepest affliction. Permit me, Sire, to assure your Majesty, that your Majesty has not in all your dominions any subjects more faithful, more dutiful, or more affectionate to your Majesty's person and family, or more ready to sacrifice their lives and fortunes in the maintenance of the true honour and dignity of your crown.

"We do, therefore, with the greatest humility and submission, most earnestly supplicate your Majesty that you will not dismiss us from your presence, without expressing a more favourable opinion of your faithful citizens, and without some comfort, without some prospect at least of redress.

"Permit me, Sire, further to observe, that whoever has already dared, or shall hereafter endeavour by false insinuations and suggestions to alienate your Majesty's affections from your loyal subjects in general, and from the city of London in particular, and to withdraw your confidence in and regard for your people, is an enemy to your Majesty's person and family, a violator of the public peace, and a betrayer of our happy constitution, as it was established at the glorious revolution."

THE EARL OF CHATHAM TO THE LORD MAYOR. (')

MY DEAR LORD,

Hayes, May 25, 1770.

IN the fulness of the heart the mouth speaks; and the overflowing of mine gives motion to a weak hand, to tell you how truly I respect and love the spirit which your Lordship displayed on Wednesday. The spirit of Old England spoke, that neverto-be-forgotten day. If the heart of the court be hardened, the feelings of the people will be more and more awakened, by every repetition of unrelenting oppression on one part, and of determined and legal exertions on the other.

But I forbear going into a dissertation where my mind is big only with admiration, thanks, and affection. Adieu, then, for the present (to call you by the most honourable of titles), true Lord Mayor of London; that is, first magistrate of the first city of the world! I mean to tell you only a plain truth, when I say, your Lordship's mayoralty will be revered, till the constitution is destroyed and forgotten. Believe me ever, with unalterable attachment, my dear Lord,

Your most faithful friend,

and affectionate humble servant, CHATHAM.

Lady Chatham would not pardon me, if I left

(1) From the original, obligingly communicated by his son, the present William Beckford, Esq.