JOHN CALCRAFT, ESQ. TO THE EARL OF CHATHAM.

MY DEAR LORD,

Ingress, April 10, 1770.

Ir gave me great pain to hear your Lordship had another attack of the gout; but whilst this weather lasts we invalids must expect relapses; though I hope and trust the fit will not be lasting. After the noble protection given by your Lordship to the Kentish petition, it would be highly unbecoming in me to omit informing your Lordship, that I presented it at St. James's yesterday, and notwithstanding three skins circulated in East Kent were not forthcoming, those delivered were signed by 2707 freeholders; which, considering the weight of government in this county, the public as well as underhand opposition, and the deficiency of Norris's neighbours in the Wild, is not inconsiderable. The Middlesex remonstrance was delivered at the same time; and after what had passed on that subject, I judged it proper to go up with the sheriffs. Townshend is come into humour, and so is my lord mayor, who talks of being at Hayes to-day or to-morrow. Thursday there is to be

another Common Hall.

Last Thursday and Friday were strange days for the treasury bench, who gave up an amendment to Mr. Herbert's bill ('), which had been moved by

(1) To regulate the consequences of the expulsion of members of the House of Commons. In a letter to Lord Chatham

Jenkinson, seconded by Dyson, and supported by Lord North!(1) Even Lord Barrington deserted his allies on this question, and is gone to the country. The Conway family have voted in opposition three days together. The Tories are dissatisfied, and have sent Lord North word, he is not to expect constant support from them. The Bedfords express their discontent loudly; Lord North's complaints are not less public; and they are all in great confusion. I am, with the warmest attachment, Most faithfully

and affectionately yours,

J. CALCRAFT.

THE EARL OF CHATHAM TO JOHN CALCRAFT, ESQ.

Hayes, Tuesday, April 10, 1770.

LORD CHATHAM is infinitely obliged to Mr. Calcraft for the favour of his very kind letter; for which

of the preceding day, the Marquis of Rockingham says :-"It was a curious day in the House of Commons last Friday, on Mr. Herbert's bill. Mr. Jenkinson moved an amendment to overturn the principle on which Mr. Herbert had founded his bill, and was supported by Lord North, Sir Gilbert Elliot, Mr. Dyson, Mr. Charles Fox, and Lord Clare. Lord Barrington, Lord Beauchamp, and General Conway opposed. The Attorney General and Lord Strange went away. The amendment proposed was in the end withdrawn."

(1) All three lords of the treasury.

he desires to express, by a borrowed hand, many sincere thanks. He greatly rejoices at the handsome figure the petition of Kent makes, under the various oppressive loads with which it laboured; thanks to the generous spirit and indefatigable zeal of the master of Ingress. The account of the return to good humour in my lord mayor and

Mr. Sheriff Townshend is most welcome, and cannot fail to produce the best effects, if they will continue to know their real friends. Lord Chatham will hope impatiently for the honour and most sincere pleasure, of seeing my lord mayor at Hayes, as Mr. Calcraft gives him to expect.

The state of the House of Commons, from what passed last week, is certainly very critical, and the conduct of the more immediate Bute faction there, with the Lord Deputy North at the head of the illustrious band, glares more and more in the eyes of the world, and must augment the universal abhorrence. Lord Stanhope arrived here at Hayes. on Sunday night. Zeal for the public has brought his Lordship, without his family, from Geneva.

JOHN CALCRAFT, ESQ. TO THE EARL OF CHATHAM.

MY DEAR LORD,

Ingress, April 22, 1770.

I OMITTED to inform you of two resolutions taken by ministers, had they succeeded at the India

House; the one to stop payment of Lord Clive's jaghire, the other to make the direction for five years, by act of parliament. The bill was prepared, and this is thought to be the great, if not the only, reason for our meeting after the recess. I am, most respectfully, faithfully,

and affectionately yours,

J. CALCRAFT.

P.S. A servant has just brought the enclosed ('); which contains such very material intelligence, that I send it for your Lordship's perusal.

(1) The following is the enclosure referred to, and is in the hand-writing of Sir Philip Francis; a fac-simile of which will be given in the fourth volume:

:

"21 April, 1770.

"Some very alarming intelligence is arrived this day, by a ship sent express from North America. I have seen no letters, but I have the following particulars from very good authority:On Monday, the 5th of March, between 9 and 10 at night, a sentry of the 29th regiment was assaulted by the mob at Boston. Captain Preston with a serjeant and twelve men went to relieve him. A contest with the mob ensued; the soldiers fired; three men were killed upon the spot; one died next day, and seven others were dangerously wounded. The alarm bells were rung; all the inhabitants took to their arms; expresses were dispatched by the leaders of the populace to the neighbouring towns, in consequence of which an army of above 3500 men well armed marched into Boston next day. Captain Prescot was taken into custody by the civil magistrates, and thrown into prison, with some of the soldiers. The lieutenant-governor summoned the council. A deputation came to them from the populace, demanding in the most peremptory manner, that all the military should be immediately removed out of the town; otherwise they were ready to drive them out by force; - that they were already 3500, and expected double that number in a few hours. For the truth of this, some of the council vouched. After a short deliberation, and one expedient which had been

THE MARQUIS OF ROCKINGHAM TO THE EARL OF

CHATHAM.

Grosvenor Square, Friday, p. m. 12 o'clock,

UPON my return to London I called on Tuesday morning upon Lord Temple, and had the pleasure to hear from him that your Lordship was in very good health. Lord Temple mentioned to me your Lordship's intentions of being in town on Sunday, and that you proposed that we should get some lords to meet here that evening, that the matter might be opened to them on which your Lordship proposed to proceed on Tuesday next, after giving notice in the House of Lords on Monday. I have already mentioned the intention to several of the lords who have usually done me the honour to meet here in the course of this winter, and if your Lordship continues in health or approves of it, I will, after hearing from your Lordship, write notes to all the lords who have met here upon business. I expect the Duke of Richmond in town on Saturday.

proposed to the mob and rejected with disdain, the lieutenantgovernor resolved, by the advice of the council, to remove all the troops to the castle. This was done, and the mob dispersed. The whole plan seems to have been preconcerted, and, I should imagine, cannot stop here.

"Pray let me have notice of the day of Lord Chatham's motion. Wilkes will be there." See p. 453.