THE EARL OF ROCHFORD TO THE EARL OF

(Private.)

MY LORD,

CHATHAM.

Paris, November 28, 1766.

THE letter your Lordship honoured me with from Bath of the 19th ultimo required no answer, except my acknowledgments of the favourable opinion your Lordship flatters me you entertain of me; but I hope you will not disapprove my taking the opportunity of Captain Grenville's going to England, to write to your Lordship in a confidential manner, having nothing so much at heart, as to merit the continuance of your Lordship's approbation.

I do not mean to enter into a detail of business, as that is quite unnecessary with a person of your Lordship's experience and penetration; but I wish you to be informed, from an authority which I flatter myself you will depend on, of what is the present general system of this court. Your Lordship knows that a prime minister here has very extensive power, and I am convinced none of the Duc de Choiseul's predecessors ever enjoyed it in a greater extent. He has made himself absolutely necessary to the French King; and though much abuse in private is vented against him, it avails but little, and I see not the least probability of his losing any ground, unless war was to break out: in that

case, his friends seem to be apprehensive for him. From private motives, therefore, your Lordship sees he must be inclined to pacific measures. He is of a frank and generous disposition; and though very open, not so indiscreet as people of his turn generally are, and I believe, conscious himself of being rather superficial, he is guarded in what he advances, and remarkable for being exact in what engagements he enters into. I have had the good luck to gain his confidence, and hope when occasion offers I shall be able to turn it to account.

The only essential affair that can disturb the peace of Europe is our disputes with Spain; and I here found him so sincerely terrified (if I may use the expression) at the court of Spain's taking some absurd step, that I am confident there is no reasonable proposal he would not come into, for accommodating the Manilla ransom, and the affair of the islands of Falkland. Your Lordship knows much better than I what different turns political affairs may take, when they are left any time unsettled. I should apprehend, therefore, that the sooner these affairs can be adjusted the better. Your Lordship will have seen what I wrote by the last messenger to Lord Shelburne; and if I did not mistake his Lordship, what I answer for to bring about will be entirely agreeable to the views of our government; and your Lordship may be assured, that the Duc de Choiseul does not mean to have it appear in any shape, that the French court interferes in our dis

putes with Spain. Any delicacy we may have upon that point I am persuaded I can set right here in a minute's conversation with the Duc de Choiseul. Besides the private views of this minister, I must apprise your Lordship that the rest of his colleagues, as well as the most thinking part of the nation, wish for peace their finances are in a bad condition; their present contrôleur général is so embarrassed to find ways and means, that it is believed he cannot keep his post; and though doubtless they will attend to their marine, it will be a work of time to get it in order, and I shall make it my business to watch the progress they make.

The Duc de Choiseul has been particularly inquisitive in his conversations with me about your Lordship's inclinations to peace, and I hope you will not disapprove what I have said to him; namely, that your Lordship has nothing more at heart than the preservation of the public tranquillity, whilst the dignity and honour of the crown of Great Britain were not offended, and no attempts made to prejudice the interests of the nation. He flattered me with saying, he received these assurances with pleasure from me, as he knew he could depend on what I said. Incapable of flattery, I can safely assure your Lordship I am not guilty of it in telling you the sanguine hopes I have, as well as every body I converse with here, of the wisdom and stability of your Lordship's measures; and I need not say how happy I shall be, if I can successfully execute any plans you

shall propose, desirous as I am to merit your Lordship's confidence. I have the honour to be, My Lord, your Lordship's most obedient and most faithful humble servant,

ROCHFORD.

THE KING TO THE EARL OF CHATHAM.

LORD CHATHAM,

November 28, 1766.

35 m. past 8, a. m.

I RETURNED SO late from the play, that I thought it unfair to acknowledge the receipt of your letter containing the issue of your conversation with Lord Gower till this morning. I augur from it, that he will, on his return from Woburn, accept; for he is too well versed in the manners of the world, to have shown so good an inclination, unless he had been certain the proposal would meet with the Duke of Bedford's concurrence: but should it prove otherwise, it will not lessen my confidence, that my affairs will meet with success, whilst the advantage of my country is the sole end proposed by every measure, and that my administration follow strenuously my example in opposing factious bands, in whatever quarters they appear, though willing to receive able and good men, let their private friendships be where they will.

GEORGE R.

THE KING TO THE EARL OF CHATHAM.

Queen's House, November 29, 1766. 23 m. past 10, p.m.

LORD CHATHAM,

I AM sensible of your attention in sending me the account of Lord Gower's return from Woburn, and that no answer will be made till Monday evening. I am so totally indifferent as to what it may prove, that I can, without the smallest share of impatience, wait till then; though I think the answer might have been returned by this time, as the Duke of Bedford was enough prepared by your conversations at Bath, to have previously received the opinions of his friends; therefore I must own I think there is an air of more reserve than appears necessary.

GEORGE R. (1)

(1) In consequence of the recent resignations, Lord Chatham resolved to renew his overtures to the Bedford interest, and offered the situation of first lord of the admiralty to Lord Gower; who repaired on the 28th of November to Woburn to consult the Duke. On the 29th, Lord Chatham had a long conference with the King, when he stated his proposed alliance with the Bedford party; but his Majesty was so offended by the violent conduct of the Duke when last in office, that he entreated Lord Chatham to abandon all thoughts of that nobleman. He was promised the warmest and most effectual support: he yielded to these assurances, and several vacancies were filled up before Lord Gower returned from Woburn. The place of first lord of the admiralty was given to Sir Edward Hawke; the other vacant seats at the board were filled by Mr. Jenkinson and Sir Piercy Brett; and Lord Hillsborough and Lord Le Despenser were appointed joint postmasters. See Political Register, vol. i. p. 339.