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JOHN CALCRAFT, ESQ. TO THE EARL OF CHATHAM,

MY DEAR LORD,

November 14, 1770.

I AM Sorry to say our debate yesterday was not so forcible as might have been expected, though conducted on the plan your Lordship had mentioned. Barré and Burke were too much principals, and went into too large a field, though parts of both were proper and well. The former attacked Lord Barrington strongly on St. George's Fields and his Gibraltar letters. His Lordship's defence was wretched. The few speakers were Lord Greville, Mr. Rice, Sir Charles Saunders, short and well, pointing to inquiry, and calling for Commodore Forest's letters and the captain of the Tamur to the bar; Sir W. Meredith, Colonel Barré, Lord Barrington, Mr. Burke, Lord North, Mr. Dowdeswell, who was ill heard. The loss of Mr. Grenville seems heavily felt; and I perceive some management will be required to reconcile gentlemen's minds to future meetings and a new leader.

I sat next Sir William Meredith, who talks the language I wish. He is impatient to see your Lordship, and adopt your plans. Wedderburn is, as he tells me, eagerly right in law points. I understand what Sir Charles Saunders threw out yesterday is to-day to be moved in form, so stay to attend it; but as the address goes up to-morrow, I shall return to Ingress and have the satisfaction of calling to pay

my sincere respects at Hayes. We rose at seven; the Lords at four. The speakers there were Lord Sandys, Lord Grantham, Lord Rockingham, Duke of Manchester, Dukes of Richmond and Bolton, Lord Sandwich. I am, with unalterable attachment, Your Lordship's most obliged,

affectionate, and faithful
friend and servant,

J. CALCRAFT.

P.S. I am sorry to see a very thin attendance on our side. The ministers do not seem at their ease. Lord North's speech indicated a strong desire of peace, though an apprehension of war.

THE MARQUIS OF ROCKINGHAM TO THE EARL OF CHATHAM.

Grosvenor Square, Thursday, p. m. 3 o'clock,
November 15, 1770.

MY LORD,

I SHALL be very glad to hear that your Lordship and Lady Chatham have not suffered in health from the concern you must have felt on the great loss sustained by the decease of Mr. Grenville. Your Lordship will probably now have heard what passed in parliament on the first day of the session. I think, in the House of Lords, one of the most material circumstances was the argument of Lord

Gower, which he made use of in answer to me. I had charged the administration with neglect in not having prepared much earlier, particularly marking that they ought to have taken the advice of augmenting the number of seamen, &c., on the motion made at the close of last session. I charged them also with further neglect in not arming, on the informations which I supposed they received in June, &c. &c. Lord Gower's answer was, that they had been vigilant, but that they had been good stewards and good economists in not incurring expense, till it became absolutely necessary.

In the course of the day I had occasion to speak again, and I then took notice of Lord Gower's argument, and said that I took it as an acknowledgment that they had not begun preparations until the news came of our being actually drove out of Falkland's Island; that if they thought that then was time enough, I did not, but on the contrary, that not preparing earlier appeared to me highly criminal.

I should hope that your Lordship will find yourself in health and spirits, so as to be able very soon to return to the consideration of public affairs. It is much wished that a plan should be soon formed, so that in both houses of parliament the proceedings should go on hand in hand. I imagine the object should be to point out the neglect of administration in not having prepared earlier. If your Lordship could venture to be in London a day or two before any actual motion is made next

week, it would much accelerate business.

I have

the honour to be, with great truth and regard, my Lord,

Your Lordship's most obedient

and most humble servant,

ROCKINGHAM.

THE MARQUIS OF ROCKINGHAM TO THE EARL OF

MY LORD,

СНАТНАМ.

Grosvenor Square, Tuesday night,
November 20, 1770.

THE House of Lords was summoned for Thursday on notice given by the Duke of Richmond, that a motion would be made. I have now enclosed to your Lordship a copy of the proposed motion. The observation your Lordship made on one part, in regard to extending the date so far back as when O'Reilly was sent to the West Indies, has been waved; but by the addition made to that part of the motion, it now stands as requiring information of what fleets and forces were sent between the shorter period, and also calls for the state of the Spanish force in the West Indies, according to the accounts received up to September the 12th, 1770; so that O'Reilly's force will appear from what the account of the troops, &c. now there will show.

It may also in debate be equally argued on,

that a great force went with O'Reilly, though in fact it is to be remembered, that he was sent to take possession and garrison a new Spanish settlement; as Louisiana had been ceded by the French to the Spaniards. In general, the ideas are, that confining the debate to what may have passed in the course of the last twelve months or thereabouts, will render the debate more pointed and, perhaps, more forcible.

There are various reports to-day, in regard to the account which the last messenger has brought. Many think that his accounts are favourable in the present moment; but as it does not as yet appear to me that there is any positive declaration that the account is favourable, I am rather inclined still to believe, that at most it is but an evasive answer. I have the honour to be, with great truth and regard, my Lord,

Your Lordship's most obedient

and most humble servant,

ROCKINGHAM.

THE EARL OF CHATHAM TO JOHN CALCRAFT, ESQ.

Hayes, Wednesday, November 21, 1770.

I AM too anxious, my dear Sir, about a report I hear of your having the gout, not to beg a word of information. It is most sincerely wished here that the account may be favourable. In case it

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