THE KING TO THE EARL OF CHATHAM. LORD CHATHAM, Friday, 15 m. past 3, p. m. [August 22, 1766.] I THINK Lord Hertford (') will accept of the office of master of the horse without complaining, as he sees a prospect of the white staff. I desire, therefore, that you will acquaint Lord Bristol with my intention of appointing him lord-lieutenant of Ireland, but expecting his constant residence whilst he holds that office.(2) If he should wish to see me previous to his kissing hands, I empower you to name next Wednesday as a proper day for his coming. I desire you will sound Sir Jeffrey Amherst, as to the command of the Irish army. GEORGE R. (1) Francis Seymour Conway, first earl of Hertford. In 1751, his lordship was appointed a lord of the bedchamber; in 1757, installed knight of the garter; in 1763, sent ambassador extraordinary to the court of France; in 1765, appointed lord-lieutenant of Ireland; in August 1766, master of the horse, and in December of the same year lord-chamberlain. He was created earl of Yarmouth and marquis of Hertford in 1793, and died in the following year. (2) It had hitherto been the custom for the lord-lieutenant to go over to Ireland only once in two years. While there, he convened parliament, which lasted a few months; lived in a state of splendid magnificence; provided for his dependants; received freedoms, gold boxes, and complimentary addresses; and then hurried back to England with the utmost precipitation, leaving the government vested in a commission, usually THE EARL OF HERTFORD TO THE EARL OF CHATHAM. MY LORD, London, August 22, 1766. UPON my return home I find my son and family so much dissatisfied with what I have consented to, that I must beg it as the most particular instance of your Lordship's favour, that nothing may be said about the lieutenancy of Ireland, till I can have an opportunity of seeing the King on Sunday. I do not mean to raise a doubt against any inclinations of his Majesty's. I submit to every one of them, as far as any other interest is concerned. I am ambitious only of preserving the peace of my own family, and of acting in a manner not to be disapproved by the world. It is for that reason alone composed of the Lord Primate, the Lord Chancellor, and the Speaker of the House of Commons. These gentlemen, called Lords Justices, were better known in Ireland by the name of undertakers. The power, the patronage, and consequently the influence, derived from their situation, gave them an unlimited control over the interior government; and they considered themselves so important and so necessary to the crown in transactions which they called the king's business, that they were generally able to dictate their own terms to the administration of England. But one of the first measures settled in the cabinet by the new ministry was, that Ireland should no longer be left to the discretion of the undertakers, but that the lordlieutenant should constantly reside in that country, and hold the reins of government in his own hands. "A wise system for Ireland," says Mr. Hardy, "had it been carried into execution as it should have been." See Hardy's Life of Lord Charlemont, p. 125., and Sir George Macartney's Account of Ireland. that I beg I may not be said to accept of the place of master of the horse, till my friends can give me their opinion that I can do it with honour in the present moment. I have the honour to be, with great respect, my Lord, Your Lordship's most obedient HERTFORD. THE KING TO THE EARL OF CHATHAM. Richmond Lodge, August 22, 1766, 35 m. past 8, p. m. LORD CHATHAM, As Lord Hertford has pressed that the declaration of the arrangement concerning Ireland may be suspended until he has seen me on Sunday, I entirely approve of your deferring the taking any step in that affair till I write to you that day subsequent to his audience; though I do not foresee of what advantage another conversation will be to him. I desire you will convey my approbation to the Duke of Rutland, for his very meritorious conduct; as also to Lord Granby, for his zeal and speedy success in the delicate transaction he has been entrusted with. GEORGE R. THE DUKE OF GRAFTON TO THE EARL OF CHATHAM. Wakefield Lodge, Friday night, ten o'clock. [August 22, 1766.] MY DEAR LORD, I HAVE this moment received the inclosed from Lord Gower in answer to mine, and I think I cannot make so good a use of it as to transmit it immediately to you. It is my opinion, though this affair has not met with the issue that was expected, yet that it will prove to the world the rectitude of your intentions, so conformable to what has been professed. It will rejoice me much to find that your Lordship has clinched it for Sir Charles Saunders; who, with the other proposed, will produce a most answerable board. I have the honour to be, my dear Lord, very affectionate Your I AM Sorry I have proved so true a prophet, in the course of the various arrangements that have been proposed; but am clear the sounding Lord Gower () was right, and must convince the deluded people that the declaration, that no exceptions were made to men, except as far as their own characters pointed it out, was the real truth. I agree with you in thinking it highly necessary the admiralty should not longer remain vacant; therefore you may send for Sir Charles Saunders, and offer him the presidency at that board. GEORGE R. THE EARL OF CHATHAM TO THE EARL OF BRISTOL, [From a draught in the hand writing of Lady Chatham.] North End, August 26, 1766. LORD CHATHAM, who is confined to his bed by the gout, and disabled in his hand from writing, desires to present his respects to Lord Bristol; and is under a necessity of taking this method to acquaint his Lordship, by the King's commands, that the Duke of Rutland having, in the handsomest manner, offered his employment (2) for the (1) Granville Leveson, second earl Gower. By this and the preceding letter, it would appear, that an offer had been made to his lordship of the presidency of the board of admiralty, which he had declined. In December 1767, his lordship was appointed president of the council; in 1784, lord privy seal; and in 1786 advanced to the title of marquis of Stafford. He died in 1803. (2) The mastership of the horse. |