EARL TEMPLE TO THE COUNTESS OF CHATHAM.

March 20, 1770, past eleven at night.

MY DEAR LADY CHATHAM,

I HAD the grace to stay in the House of Commons till three o'clock this morning; the result you see in the enclosed paper. They have all this day been fighting the address. I left them at dinner time. I take it for granted it will come up to us to-morrow, and that we shall be to debate it on Thursday; purposely meant to interfere with lord mayor's dinner. (1) I wish to God this extre

(') On the 22d, the lord mayor gave a splendid entertainment to a select number of the members of both houses of parliament. Lord Chatham was unable to attend. In reference to this entertainment, his Lordship thus wrote to the lord mayor on the 10th:-"I am just returned from Lord Rockingham, who commissions me to let your Lordship know that Thursday se'nnight will be perfectly agreeable to him, and that he will, with the greatest pleasure, wait on the lord mayor that day:- a most important day we all think it, and that your Lordship, and in you the public, may be attended as the great object of these dangerous times demands, it is wished by us, that you would be so good as to declare your intentions for the convivium immediately, in order to its being known tomorrow at court. I need not say, my dear Lord, how publicspirited and firm to the cause of the constitution Lord Rockingham is. He, Lord Temple, and I, are equally of opinion that no new matters should be opened or agitated at or after the convivium." In a letter to Lord Chatham of the 25th, the Marquis says, "Nothing could be more magnificent or better conducted than every thing was there; and indeed the meeting was a very respectable one."

mity of the weather may not prevent our seeing your good Lord at one place or the other. Both would be best, but that is too much to expect. I have kept open my letter for news from the House; to which I have sent, but in vain. Impeachment seemed to be the measure resolved on at dinner time.(1) Kind love to all, from

Your most truly affectionate

TEMPLE.

JOHN CALCRAFT, ESQ. TO THE EARL OF CHATHAM.

Sackville Street, 24th March, 1770.

MY DEAR LORD,

THE Court thinks the ministers have stopt too short in the persecution of the city magistrates, and the language of Thursday was, "my ministers have no spirit; they don't pursue measures with any spirit." There is great confusion amongst them; and if we stand by the people as we ought, and take another early opportunity to show it, it will have the best effect, for notwithstanding high words, there is real alarm. ** I am, my dear Lord,

*

Most affectionately yours,

J. CALCRAFT.

(1) After a long debate, an address to the King, in reprobation of the city remonstrance, was this day agreed to, by 248 against 94.

JOHN CALCRAFT, ESQ. TO THE EARL OF CHATHAM.

MY DEAR LORD,

Sackville Street, March 27, 1770.

LORD GRANBY talks of going to Lincolnshire, when Mr. Grenville's bill is through the House of Commons; wherefore I wish to know if your Lordship has any desire to the contrary, that he may be prepared. Earl Percy is gone to his regiment in Ireland.

The anger of the court and Bute party, at being given up, as they term it, after the strong answer to the city remonstrance, has been so violent, that thoughts of going further have been resumed; but I do not believe they will be carried into execution. I should not be surprised if Lord North lost ground on this occasion, especially if the Duke of Grafton has the zeal to get back to employment which is attributed to him. Your Lordship's most affectionate,

And faithful humble servant,

J. CALCRAFT.

THE EARL OF CHATHAM TO JOHN CALCRAFT, ESQ.

Hayes, Wednesday night, March 28, 1770.

DEAR SIR,

WHENEVER YOU can, without inconvenience, give me the pleasure you so kindly intended me at

Hayes, you will give me the most real satisfaction. Our noble friend's journey to Lincolnshire seems at present liable to no wish to the contrary, unless there should arise a prospect of business in the House of Commons; which I do not foresee. Your attention on this important subject is, however, most proper and obliging. I have not heard of Lord Percy's going to his regiment: probably the orders for Ireland are pressing. I rejoice to see in the papers, that his Lordship's constituents are not frightened out of their birthrights by big words from the destroyers of them. (') Middlesex, I see too, with great satisfaction, still think they are freemen. As for the anger you mention in a certain quarter, at being given up, as they call it, after the silly answer to the city, I can only say, they have nothing to be angry with but their own folly and the wisdom of the constitution, expressed with so much precision in the Bill of Rights. As for all talk of going farther, I can only look on it with the contempt it deserves. The intimation about the Duke of Grafton is what I could not have dreamed. Gout is gradually abating, and I trust a little milder weather will soon make me forthcoming. I am ever, with truest regard, dear Sir, your most faithful and

Affectionate humble servant,

CHATHAM.

() The electors of Westminster had, in the morning, unanimously agreed to a petition and remonstrance; which, in half an hour after, was presented to the king.

JOHN CALCRAFT, ESQ. TO THE EARL OF CHATHAM,

MY DEAR LORD,

Sackville Street, March 29, 1770.

THE good account of your Lordship's health gives me the greatest pleasure. I have strong faith in a change of weather, and will take the first opportunity of profiting by your Lordship's very kind invitation. Lord Granby will now go to the country with much satisfaction, as well as credit. Earl Percy's journey was inclination, not order. The Westminster remonstrance went up yesterday; poorly attended, and still worse received. The Middlesex meeting is to-morrow; the freeholders are warm in that county.

That anger mentioned in my last letter, added to the eagerness of the Butes and Bedfords, occasioned a fresh cabinet about the city remonstrance; when Lord North, Lord Halifax, Lord Hillsborough, and Lord Rochford prevailed against their brother councillors to prosecute no further. The promise is sent Lord Townshend, to make him a marquis when he leaves Ireland. Your Lordship may be assured the Duke of Grafton grew unhappy four-andtwenty hours after his resignation, and is working hard to get in again. Thurlow has succeeded Mr. Dunning, Jackson is counsel to the board of trade, Mr. Moreton and Mr. Ambler kiss hands to-day as attorney and solicitor general to the Queen, and