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There being barely a week between this and the day which the House of Commons have peremptorily fixed to enter upon this matter, it appears scarcely possible for the House of Lords, if the papers are laid before them by that day, to be so soon ripe to decide upon them. If your Lordship should think it a proper way of proceeding, a more distant one may be fixed, when your Lordship may not only be in town, but, I hope, well enough to attend such a decision; which cannot but be agreeable to every friend of the public, as well as administration.

I forbear, for many reasons, troubling your Lordship with any particulars relative to the King's servants. You must have foreseen, I am confident, that leaving this matter pretty largely to parliament must naturally startle such of the King's servants whose minds went to a composition. However, the council appears decided, and I am persuaded following your Lordship's judgment is so; our proceedings likewise have public ground to stand upon, and will, I hope, speak for themselves. I am, with truest respect and esteem,

Your Lordship's faithful

and obliged servant,

SHELBURNE.

THE EARL OF CHATHAM TO THE EARL OF

SHELBURNE.

[In the handwriting of Lady Chatham.]

Marlborough, Thursday night, [February 26, 1767.]

LORD CHATHAM's best compliments attend Lord Shelburne, with many thanks for the honour of his Lordship's letter, and is extremely obliged to him for his kind attentions to an invalid. His gout is not so severe to-day as it has been; so that he has, though with difficulty, been put into a coach for air, and to try how he could bear motion. Not finding himself worse this evening, he is willing to hope he shall soon mend. In the mean time, he begs only to say that the offer of Lord Bathurst, whose zeal is highly meritorious, seems to require much consideration, the expediency of it admitting of some doubt.

GEORGE COOKE, ESQ.(1) TO THE EARL OF CHATHAM.

MY LORD,

Lincoln's Inn Fields, Friday,
February 27, 1767, past 11.

THE question with regard to the land-tax was carried in the committee for three shillings in the

(1) See Vol. II. p. 338. Mr. Cooke was at this time joint paymaster general.

pound, ayes 206, noes 188. (') My particular situation as member for Middlesex, and being chosen by the unanimous and affectionate voice of my constituents, rendered it impossible for me not to vote for the three shillings, as I am certain, had I done otherwise, I should at once have forfeited their good opinion; it being a point wherein they are so deeply interested, and in general taxed to the height.

Under these circumstances, I hope your Lordship will not take it amiss. I have, and ever shall have, the most firm and steady attachment to you, from principle and from gratitude. I lament most sincerely your unhappy confinement with the gout; my prayers and wishes are for your speedy re

(1) In the committee of ways and means, Mr. Charles Townshend had this day proposed the land-tax of four shillings in the pound. He contended, that it was necessary for one year longer, "to give room for the most brilliant operation of finance which this country ever saw, to ensure to us dignity abroad, stability at home, and enable us to enter with advantage into any future war." Mr. Dowdeswell moved, that instead of four, three shillings should be substituted; and in this he was supported by Mr. George Grenville, who undertook to point out more than one method by which the interest of 500,000l., the produce of one shilling in the pound, amounting only, at three and a half per cent., to 17,500l., might be raised, without laying any sensible burden upon the subject. The surprise and disappointment of the ministers at the result of the division was extreme. "This," says the Annual Register, "was said to have been the first money bill in which any minister had been disappointed since the revolution; and it was now looked upon as a fatal symptom of weakness. In this the public was, however, mistaken, though appearances seemed strongly to countenance the opinion."

I

covery. You will make me very happy by ordering your secretary to write me a line in answer. cannot presume to ask that favour of yourself; who am, my Lord, with the greatest deference, Your most faithful, most obliged, and devoted humble servant,

GEORGE COOKE.

THE DUKE OF GRAFTON TO THE EARL OF CHATHAM.

Grosvenor Square, February 28, 1767.

MY DEAR LORD,

I MUST lose no time in acquainting your Lordship, that a motion was made yesterday by Mr. Dowdeswell and seconded by Sir Edward Isham for a three shilling land-tax. After a long debate, the treasury was beat, having but 188 to 206. The majority was composed of the gentlemen composing the Cocoa-tree. The Bedfords, Grenvilles, Rockinghams, and Newcastles united with most others, who had county or popular elections. This measure cripples the treasury operations to such a degree this year, that it is a most disheartening circumstance to those who wish to do a little good.

I had begun my letter when his Majesty sent for me; and I have now the satisfaction to acquaint your Lordship that, though sorry for the disgrace of the defeat, he was particularly expressive of the additional spirit that this revers gave him.

We are all most heartily desirous of receiving your Lordship here, and Lord Shelburne tells us that we are likely to have that honour soon. Your presence becomes every hour more necessary; and I am not without hopes but this letter may meet you advanced upon the road. The Duke of Bedford was desirous to move for what papers government had relating to American non-compliance, unless administration told him, that it was their intention to lay it before the House. On which I assured him, that they would have had them without a motion; and Thursday se'nnight seems the day, though not moved yet, agreed upon, for something to be said on this occasion.

I have the honour to be, with the truest regard, esteem, and respect, my dear Lord,

Your most obedient

humble servant,

GRAFTON. (1)

(1) On the 3d of March, Lord Chesterfield writes to Mr. Stanhope: "Lord Chatham at last came to town yesterday, full of gout, and is not able to stir hand or foot. During his absence Charles Townshend has talked of him and at him, in such a manner, that henceforwards they must be either much worse or much better together than ever they were in their lives. On Friday last, Mr. Dowdeswell and Mr. Grenville moved to have one shilling in the pound of the land-tax taken off; which was opposed by the court; but the court lost it by eighteen. The opposition triumph much upon this victory; though, I think, without reason; for it is plain that all the landed gentlemen bribed themselves with this shilling in the pound."

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