THE EARL OF CHATHAM TO COLONEL BARRÉ. SIR, North End, Hampstead, Saturday. [September 20, 1766.] THE ill state of my health obliges me to be as few hours at a time in London, as necessary business will admit. Amongst the most necessary to the King's service, planned upon the principle of inviting into it abilities and integrity, you will allow me to consider Colonel Barré's support and concurrence in office as standing with particular distinction, in such a formation of administration. The office to which his Majesty's gracious dispositions have destined you, you already have been apprised, is vice-treasurer of Ireland.(1) I hope it will be agreeable to you; and if I shall not give you too much trouble, I shall be extremely obliged to you if you will do me the honour to call in Harley Street to-morrow morning at ten. I am, with truest esteem and consideration, Sir, Your faithful and most obedient humble servant, CHATHAM. (1) The vice-treasurership of Ireland was at this time vacant by the retirement of Mr. Welbore Ellis, afterwards Lord Mendip. Colonel Barré accepted the appointment, and was, at the same time, sworn of the privy council. THE EARL OF CHATHAM TO THE RIGHT HON. [From a draught in Lady Chatham's hand-writing.] Bond Street, Wednesday Morning. [September 24, 1766.] LORD CHATHAM desires to add here, that his mortification is extreme at not being able to go to council to-day, having nothing so much at heart as to give his opinion publicly for the embargo upon corn, which he has strenuously advised in private; and that he should think himself guilty of neglecting the public safety, if any thing could shake his resolution about this measure.(1) (1) The above note was sent by Lord Chatham to the chancellor of the exchequer, on returning to him a draught of the order in council laying an embargo upon ships laden with corn. "From an almost uninterrupted succession of rain," says Mr. Adolphus "the harvest of this summer had failed in all parts of England; the price of bread was considerably advanced. and as a similar deficiency prevailed on the continent, serious alarms were entertained, lest, by combinations of monopolists, forestallers, and regraters, and by an unlimited exportation for profit, the country should suffer the miseries of famine. In consequence of these apprehensions, tumults had broken out in many parts of the kingdom, which were only repressed by the aid of the military. In this state of things, a proclamation for putting in force the laws against forestallers and regraters was issued, on the 10th of this month; but the measure not proving efficient, and the distress increasing, the government came to the determination of issuing an order in council, laying an embargo on ships preparing to sail with cargoes of corn." THE KING TO THE EARL OF CHATHAM. Queen's House, September 25, 1766. 20 m. past 9, P. M. LORD CHATHAM, I HAVE this instant seen LordNorthumberland ('), who sent to press me either to let him come this evening or early to-morrow morning. He opened to me the having seen you this day; that you had entered into his feelings concerning the alteration of the administration of Ireland, whilst he still remained without a mark of my favour, though you said you had not seen it in the light he did till then; that he had mentioned his desire of being created a duke, as the only means of making him easy; that you had told him you did not know my ideas on that head, but that if they were not unfavourable to him, you would make it your business to remove any other difficulties that might arise any where else; that you wished to (1) In July 1740, Sir Hugh Smithson married the lady Elizabeth Seymour, daughter of Algernon, Duke of Somerset, and grand-daughter of Duke Charles by Lady Elizabeth Percy. On the death of his father-in-law, Sir Hugh succeeded, according to the patent, to the earldom of Northumberland, and took his seat in the House of Peers in March, 1749-50. In 1757, he was installed a knight of the garter; in 1760, appointed a lord of the bedchamber; in 1762, lord-chamberlain to the queen; in 1763, lord-lieutenant of Ireland; and in 1764, viceadmiral of all America, being the first person ever nominated to that office. On the 18th of October, 1766, his lordship was raised to a dukedom, by the titles of Earl Percy and Duke of Northumberland; in 1778, appointed master of the horse; and in 1784, created Lord Lovaine, Baron of Alnwick. His grace died in 1786. know my ideas time enough for your seeing the Duke of Grafton in the morning, and yet set out for Bath in the course of the day; that that was the reason of his coming this evening. I said, his request of a dukedom was so new to me, that I could give him no other answer than that I would consider of it; that I had thought he only looked up to a marquisate. He said, that was a more modern rank in the English peerage; that what he asked was the old title of Lady Northumberland's family; that if he succeeded, he never would be an applier for employments. I then concluded with assuring him, he should know mydecision to-morrow. Undoubtedly, few peers have either so great an estate in point of income, and scarce any in point of extent; therefore, if you will co-operate with me in declaring I don't mean by this to open a door for the creating many dukes, I will consent to it. The only person I am engaged to is Lord Cardigan (1), who applied to me the very year I came to the crown, and had my promise that I would not omit him whenever I created any. Not finding I made any at the coronation, he applied to be created a marquess in the meantime, to which I gave him the like answer; therefore look (1) George Brudenell, fourth earl of Cardigan. In 1752, his lordship was appointed constable of Windsor Castle, and elected a knight of the garter; in October 1766, advanced to the dig.. nity of Marquis of Monthermer and Duke of Montagu; and in 1776, made governor to their royal highnesses the Prince of Wales and Duke of York. On his death, in 1790, the dukedom of Montagu became extinct. upon myself as engaged to make him at the same time. I desire you will authorize Lady Chatham, or any one else you choose to confide in on this occasion, to give action to your pen, as I doubt you are not able yourself as yet to answer me. I cannot conclude without expressing my hopes that the Bath waters will totally re-establish your health. GEORGE R. THE EARL OF CHATHAM TO THE KING. [From a draught in Lady Chatham's hand-writing.] September 25, 1766. LORD CHATHAM begs leave to lay himself with all duty at the King's feet, and in consequence of his most gracious permission most humbly to submit to his Majesty, that he sees it will give facility to future arrangements, very useful to his Majesty's service, to gratify Lord Northumberland by the title which he has requested of his Majesty, and at the same time give satisfaction to a very respectable person. With regard to creations of the same rank, his Majesty's royal pleasure will limit the number as his wisdom shall judge proper. Care shall be taken to apprize the Duke of Grafton to-morrow morning of his Majesty's intention, in order |