••■•/Si •• >-c *-■** S5? ^* - % • ,-■• -*: * ■ • •/• * '- /^e^y<^z. tl^iSZ 0* &* 6^^ j^ 2&^-&l /sPS^ 7- i s THE JOURNAL AND CORRESPONDENCE i OF WILLIAM, LOED AUCKLAND A'OT,. I. LONDON PRINTED BY SPOTTISWOODE AND CO. NEW-STREET SQUARE ■ It A. ¥iux5 WILLIAM, LI R ST LORD AUCKLAND. ■ the JOURNAL AND CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM. LORD AUCKLAND cfditlr a frefate gift fnttokttioit BY THE KIGTIT HON. AND RIGTTT UEV. THE BISHOP OF BATH AND WELLS IN TWO VOLUMES VOL. I. LONDON RICHAED BENTLKY NEW BURLINGTON STEEET |)ublisl)n- in (Drbinarn to Yicr Hlajcstn 1SG1 Thfi rinhf nf fvn»$}irtinti ?v iv**l UNIVERSITY OF CAUF0RNT4 V>. PREFACE. The Letters now published have been selected from a large mass of correspondence, public and private, left by William, the first Lord Auckland. Some of them are official, others private and familiar. Many of them were written from Paris in 1786, during the negotiation of the Commercial Treaty with France, in which Lord Auckland bore a principal part. Little apology is, perhaps, required for a publication of this nature, since the Public generally receives with favour whatever, in the shape of contemporary docu- ments or family papers, tends to throw light on the history of a particular period. But, from the frequent references made to Mr. Pitt's Commercial Treaty with France in recent debates in Parliament, it has been inferred that a correspondence which describes almost day by day the progress of the negotiation, and gives a lively picture of the actors in it, might, at the present moment, possess a peculiar interest. It is not my purpose to discuss, though I cannot wholly ignore, the imputations cast upon my father's memory in some of the memoirs of his contempora- ries, which have been published in the course of the last few years. Neither my avocations, my habits, nor my tastes fit me for literary controversy. My belief is, that if Lord Auckland's life were fairly and dispassionately written, he would be found to have been an able, valuable, and honest public ser- vant, as he was, unquestionably in private life, an A 3 VI PREFACE. amiable and excellent man, whose memory is still fondly revered by those of his family (now, alas ! very few in number) who live to remember him. To those survivors it has appeared that the picture which this correspondence discloses of Lord Auckland, both as a public and as a private man, is not unlikely to modify the harsh judgments which some may have conceived of him from reading the memoirs of Lord Malmesbury and the Eight Hon. George Rose ; and this belief has been one of the motives to this pub- lication. Of the works referred to I will only further say this: — Whoever reads the. history of the past aright, or accurately observes the motives and actions of the men of his own time, must be aware how large a de- duction ought to be made from the imputations cast upon public men by their contemporaries writing or speaking under the influence of party spirit or per- sonal animosity, and probably with very imperfect knowledge of the circumstances and motives of their adversaries. It remains only that, for myself and the other sur- viving members of Lord Auckland's family, I express our gratitude to Mr. George Hogge, who kindly un- dertook the supervision of the correspondence, and the preparation of this work for publication. We feel that, whatever success may attend these volumes, it will be in a great measure due to the research, ability, and discretion with which that gentleman has per- formed the substantial duties of editorship. AUCKLAND, BATH & WELLS. The Palace, Wells : March 12th, 1860. CONTENTS OF THE FIRST VOLUME. Introduction Page xi CHAPTER I. Death of Lord Rockingham.— Lord Shelburne appointed Prime Mi- nister. — Scene at Court. — Anger of Mr. Fox. — His Resignation. — The Rockingham Party follow Mr. Fox's Example. — Lord Shelburne's Letter to the Duke of Marlborough. — Lord Loughborough advises a Coalition between Lord North and Fox. — Lord North at Becken- liam. — Bon Mot of Hare. — Mr. Eden's Interview with Lord Shel- burne. — Lord Loughborough on Parliamentary Reform . . 1 chap. ii. Lord Loughborough at Buxton. — Arrival of the North Family. — "Cabinet Council." — Lord North's Irresolution. — Dispute between George Selwyn and Lord Weymouth. — Mr. Fox's Decision. — Lord North at Manchester. — Lord Loughborough strong for a Coalition. — Mr. Fox's Opinion that it depends upon Lord North. — Lord Lough- borough's Marriage. — Mr. Eden at Court. — Parliament meets. — Pre- liminaries of Peace signed. — Peace signed. — Lord Loughborough violent against the Peace. — His " Testament Politique." — Lord Shel- burne defeated on the Address. — The Coalition is formed. — Lord Shelburne again in a Minority. — Lord Shelburne resigns . . 25 a i Vlll CONTENTS OF CHAP. III. The Coalition Administration. — Anger of Lord Loughborough. — Gibbon and Lord Sheffield. — The King's first Attempt to overthrow the Mi- nistry. — Mr. Fox's India Bill. — Alarm of Mr. Eden and Lord Lough- borough. — The Bill carried triumphantly through the House of Com- mons. — Letter of Adam Smith ...... Page 48 CHAP. IV. The King through Lord Temple influences the Lords. — The East India Bill is rejected. — Dismissal of Lord North and Mr. Fox. — Anger of the Coalition. — Desperate Attempts of the Majority of the House of Commons to overthrow the Ministry. — Debate in the House of Lords. — Dissolution. — Mr. Pitt secures a great Majority. — In 1785 Mr. Pitt brings forward his Irish Propositions. — Debate thereupon in the Irish Parliament 67 CHAP. V. Mr. Eden is appointed Envoy Extraordinary to the Court of Versailles in order to negotiate a Treaty. — The Duke of Portland approves of Mr. Eden's accepting the Appointment. — Mr. Wedgwood and others express their Delight. — Mr. Eden proceeds to Paris. — Interview with M. de Vergennes. — Mr. Eden sees Louis XVI. and Marie Antoinette a la Chasse. — Conversation with M. de Calonne. — Projet of a Treaty agreed to between M. de Rayneval and Mr. Eden. — Mr. Pitt's Obser- vations on it. — Horror of Mr. George Rose at the idea of opening the Silk Trade 86 CHAP. VI. The "Projet" abandoned.— The "Declaration" and " Contre-Dcclara- tion." — Punishment of Madame Lamotte. — Louis XVI.'s Journey to Cherbourg. — Mr. Eden left for some time without Instructions. — Lord Carmarthen's private Letter. — The Instructions arrive. — The Queen at the Duchess of Polignac's. — Mr. Eden negotiates successfully. — The Treaty concluded on the 26th of September. — Mr. Pitt con- gratulates Mr. Eden. — Letter of Lord Sheffield. — Lord Carmarthen's Dinner. — Letter of Mr. Woodfall 122 CHAP. VII. Differences between England and France with respect to the Affairs of Holland. — Letters of Mr. Eden and M. de Rayneval. — Mr. Eden returns to Paris. — Lord Thurlow's Opinions on the Disputes. — M. de Montmorin professes a Wish to recede. — Revolutionary Manifestations THE FIRST VOLUME. IX in Paris. — Warlike Letters of Mr. Pitt. — Notification of M. de Mont- inorin that France would assist the States of Holland against Prussia. — Lord Carmarthen's Circular, declaring that England would arm. — Mr. Grenville arrives in Paris. — The States of Holland recall their Demand of Assistance. — Lord Carmarthen suggests that a Declaration should be signed. — Mr. Eden's Reception at the Duchess of Polignac's Party. — Mr. Eden remonstrates against Sir James Harris's Sug- gestions , Page 172 CHAP. VIII. Doubtful State of the Negotiations. — Mr. Pitt desires Mr. Eden to pro- cure Intelligence respecting the warlike Preparations of France. — In consequence of the taking of Amsterdam, a more peaceful Feeling pre- vails. — The Archbishop of Toulouse reduces the Expenses of the Army and Navy. — Angry Letter of Lord Carmarthen. — Mr. Eden's Letter respecting the "Declaration" and "Contre-Declaration." — Vexation of M. de Montmorin and M. de Rayneval. — Letter of Mr. Wilberforce. — Discussion respecting the Reduction of the French Navy. — The French Minister signs the "Contre-Declaration." — Opinion of the Duke of Queensberry. — Sir James Harris heartily congratulates Mr. Eden on his Success 226 CHAP. IX. Mr. Eden's Conversation with M. de Montmorin. — Great Discontent of the French with respect to the Treaty of Commerce. — Correspondence between the French and English Governments. — The Reduction of the English and French Navies. — Negotiation for an Understanding and Alliance. — Duke of Dorset and Mr. Eden's Interview with M. de Montmorin on the Subject. — Failure of the Negotiation. — Mr. Wilber- force on the Slave Trade 2G8 CHAP. X. Letter of Mi'. Burke. — Congratulations on the Tranquillity of Ireland. — Sends Crabbe's first Poem. — Lord Loughborough's Advice to young Mothers. — Hugh Elliot's Congratulations. — Letter of Mr. Eden, containing curious Proofs of Irish Tranquillity. — Mr. Fox becomes a " Banker." — Scott's Attack on Flood. — Expenses of the Irish Secre- taryship. — Irish Magistrates. — Lord Rawdon. — Mr. Eden resigns his Ollice. — Letters of Mr. Cooke. — Lord Bellamont's Eloquence. — Lord Temple and his Brother. — Fracas between Grattan and Flood. — Mr. Fox and Mrs. Armstead. — Lord Mansfield and the Prince of Wales at Tunbridge 309 X CONTEXTS OF THE FIRST VOLUME. CHAP. XI. Death of Lord Sackville. — Warren Hastings at Cheltenham. — Opinions of Mr. Hatsell and Sir Grey Cooper with respect to the Surplus Revenue. — Sir Ralph Payne's Hopes. — Hugh Elliot at Bath. — Letters of Mr. Storer. — The Duke of Orleans in London. — Mrs. Eden and her Children. — Mr. Pitt and Lord Stanhope. — Lord Cornwallis and Lady Wallace. — Fracas at the Ranelagb, and Duel in Kensington Gar- dens. — Lord Sydney in love. — Mr. Pitt votes against Warren Hastings — Lord Loughborough amuses himself with Literature . Page 350 CHAP. XII. The King and Queen at Blenheim. — Lord Harcourt's Sufferings. — Mrs. Eden's Nursery. — Mr. Storer at Paris. — The Duke of Dorset's Opinions of Merchants. — Lord Sheffield's Attacks on the Commercial Treaty.— Mr. Eden's Defence of it.— Lord Sheffield and the Duchess of Gordon. — Sir James Harris and the French Count. — Plays at Richmond House. — Blindness of Lord North. — The Polig- nacs. — The Prince of Wales's Debts. — Alderman Newnham's Mo- tion 386 CHAP. XIII. Mrs. Fitzherbert and Mr. Fox.— Bon Mot of George Selwyn.— The Polignacs at St. Paul's and Stowe.— Mr. Wedgwood's Letter. — The Duke of Dorset and his Secretary. — The Duke of York. — Lord Shef- field and Gibbon. — The Kino; and Lord Lansdowne. — Lord Lou^h- borough's opinions with respect to France. — Calonne at Bushey. — Lord George Gordon becomes a Jew. — Trial of Sir Elijah Impey. — Curious statement of the Solicitor-General. — Great Boxing-match . . 423 CHAP. XIV. Lord Loughborough's Literary Labours. — M. de Calonne and Hannah More. — Arrival of M. de la Luzerne. — The Duchess of Gloucester and Lady Almeria Carpenter. — Great Season for Marriages. — Lord Carmarthen's Dinner. — Three Runaway Matches. — Trial of Warren Hastings. — Mrs. Sheridan and Mrs Siddons. — Mr. Fox's Speech. — Mr. Dundas's Extraordinary Statement. — Lady Archer and her Daughters. — Ball at Richmond House. — Perplexity of the French Ambassador. — Mr. Greathed's Tragedy.— Duke of Dorset obtains the Garter. — Popularity of M. de Calonne ..... 459 Illustrations .... 479 INTRODUCTION. William Lord Auckland, LL.D., F.R.S., was the third son of Sir Robert Eden, of West Auckland, on one of whose ancestors the honour of a baronetcy was conferred by King Charles II. in 1672. The eldest son, Sir John Eden, Bart., represented the county of Durham in two Parliaments. The second, Sir Robert Eden, was Governor of Maryland, and was created a Baronet in 1776. The fourth son was a merchant of London, and the fifth was in 1799 created Lord Henley of the kingdom of Ireland. The connection of the Edens with the very ancient houses of Widdrington, Fairfax,' Sheffield, Vere, Kene, and Chichele is fully traced in Collins' " Baronetage," and in the " Stemmata Chicheleana." Lord Auckland was born in the year 1745, and was educated at Eton. In 1763, lie became a student of Christ Church, Oxford, on the nomination of the Bishop of Durham. In 1765 he was admitted to the Society of the Middle Temple. In 1768 he took the degree of Master of Arts, and in the same year was called to the Bar, and went the northern circuit. In Xll INTRODUCTION. December, 1770, he appears to have been one of the counsel for Sir Thomas Rumbold, on the Shrews- bury election, at the first Select Committee which was chosen under Mr. Grenville's Act for the Trial of Controverted Elections. In 1771 he was appointed auditor and one of the directors of Greenwich Hospi- tal, and about the same time he published a pamphlet calling the attention of the public to the disgraceful state of the penal law. It made a great sensation both at home and abroad, and in fact caused the be- ginning of that reform which has since made such progress. In 1772 he gave up the profession of the law for public life, and the following letter addressed to Sir A. Wedderburn, afterwards Lord Loughbo- rough, shows the motives which influenced him in accepting the office of Under-Secretary of State: — Friday, 2 o'clock. My dear Sir, — My mind has been in a full gallop ever since I breakfasted with you this morning, and, after all, three hours furnish a very short speculation, when the result may possibly decide the whole course of one's life. I have uo reason to imagine that Lord Suffolk, without knowing me, will ever think me a proper successor to poor Whately's desk. You desire me, however, to turn the matter in my thoughts. I shall state those thoughts to you with the utmost unreserve. I assent to all your objections, and feel infinitely obliged to you for the friendship of them. I see the hazard, but am not easily startled, and I certainly have had no reason to be disgusted with my profession. My success in it hitherto hath infinitely exceeded both my pretensions and expectations. I now see my way in this path (and, to a limited degree), with some certainty; in the political path I have no experience, I know nothing of it with certainty, except that many have lost their way in it. It is also evident, that if I turn from my profession, it will be in vain INTRODUCTION. X1U to look back upon it, "vestigia nulla retrorsum." I am aware, too, of the daily confinement and regular attendance at the office, of the affected reserve which a man must adopt on all subjects, whether ignorant or otherwise; and, lastly, of the hourly necessity of giving disagreeable answers both to rea- sonable and unreasonable requests. So much contra. On the other hand, I love politics better than law (and this not from caprice, for I feel it to be the natural bent of my incli- nation). I also love business, and am conscious that I possess the spirit of perseverance. I have no wish to make a fortune, and those who know me will believe that I am capable of being happy with a very moderate competence. I am armed, therefore, against events. I think that I could go through the duties of the office with steadiness (perhaps with address), and to Lord Suffolk's satisfaction. I am very confident that if he should quit it, I could retire from it with cheerfulness and content. It seems an objection that I should be obliged to quit other connections which are pro- mising, and very respectable. I think, however, that I might preserve their friendship so far as not to be useless to those with whom I should engage. I think it no disadvantage not to be at present in the House of Commons ; I should be more than sufficiently employed in learning and pursuing the business of the office. If it were offered, I should not upon the whole hesitate one moment, if you, who know Lord Suffolk, could assure me that my temper would be suitable to his, for I could not bear such a situation unless honoured at the same time with his lordship's unlimited confidence, because I am sure that I should endeavour to deserve it. This is to me the most material consideration, and I incline to believe that if I had the honour of knowing his lordship, I should have no further doubts. This is my creed at present. If you think that my notions are either misdirected or absurd, you will tell me so without mercy. Believe me yours most sincerely, W. Eden. XIV INTRODUCTION. In 1772 Mr. Eden was chosen representative for Woodstock, and continued a member of the House of Commons till 1793. In 1776 Mr. Eden married Eleanor Elliot, daughter of Sir Gilbert Elliot, treasurer of the navy, and sister of Gilbert first Earl of Minto. In the same year, and still retaining the office of Under-Secretary of State, he was appointed one of the Lords Commissioners of Trade and Plantations, and was a member of that board till 1782, when its duties and powers were transferred to a Com- mittee of the Privy Council, at which Lord Li- verpool so long and so ably presided. As Under- Secretary of State he continued in office to support the mitigation of our harsh laws, and in 1778 carried an Act, 19 George III., the principal objects of which were to enforce a strict and salutary attention both to the morals and health of prisoners, to introduce a system of solitary imprisonment for certain crimes, and to establish penitentiary houses. He was under- stood to have had the friendly assistance of Mr. Howard and Sir William Blackstone in framing that Act ; and Mr. Howard was appointed one of the three inspectors. In November, 1779, Mr. Eden published his four letters to the Earl of Carlisle on " The Spirit of Party," on " The Circumstances of War," on " The Means of Raising Supplies," and on " The Represen- tations of Ireland respecting a Free Trade." These letters were followed by a short controversy with Dr. Price on the population of England. The discussions and inquiries on the subject were pursued by others with much ability. In the year 1778 he was selected, much against his inclination, as one of the Com- INTRODUCTION. XV raissioncrs to America for the purpose of restoring peace. The other Commissioners were the Earl of Carlisle, Lord Howe, Sir Henry Clinton, and George Johnstone, Esq. That he was fitted for the post in the opinion of Lord Mansfield is testified in the fol- lowing letter : — March 5th, 1778, past 9. My dear Sir, — I have this moment received your letter. I wonder they part with you, I do not see who can in any degree fill your place at home; I fear you will be fatally missed. You execute ably and honestly many most im- portant and most confidential parts ; I do not see a successor to you in any one ; many circumstances and qualifications are requisite. I think had I been Lord North or Lord Suffolk I would not have let you go. With respect to the commission, I rejoice in it exceedingly. I am now sure no mischief will arise from an improper exercise of extraordinary powers, which I dreaded before ; that alone is doing great good. I keep my thoughts of the measure to myself. I pray God I may be mistaken. It seems of the utmost consequence, as you are to go, that you should go immediately, especially with regard to Sir H. Clinton and the military. My sittings, which have been very heavy, and kept me every day till five o'clock, will probably end on Saturday, but I shall be glad to see you any evening that is most con- venient, to-morrow, Saturday, or any other, only send me word. I will tell you frankly what occurs to me, which is better for conversation than a letter. I think the confidence you are known to be in, as well as your own talents and knowledge of business, give a dignity and an air of seriousness to the commission which I was afraid it would have ne without. Be the success as it may, I do not see that it can turn out personally to your prejudice, but on the contrary. I am most affectionately yours, Mansfield. Mr. Eden returned to England in January 1779, XVI INTRODUCTION". and took part in the debates of the session and in the inquiries respecting the conduct of the American war. In 1780, owing to the relaxation of the penal laws against the Roman Catholics, fearful mobs, under the guidance of Lord George Gordon, assem- bled, and soon began to exercise the most arbitrary- power over both Lords and Commons. On the 2nd of June the riots commenced, and on the 5th June .Roman Catholic chapels were demolished and burnt; Newgate was attacked. On the 7th of June, the riots still continuing, Mr. Eden addressed the follow- ing letter to Lord North : — My dear Lord, — Allow a man insignificant enough to be an unmolested spectator of the present calamity, and who is suffi- ciently composed amidst such a scene, to suggest what occurs to him. Unless the tone of civil government is restored by- some very serious exertion, we shall in forty-eight hours be in a state of anarchy, and shall see a general plunder, at- tended, perhaps, with a massacre of all the most respectable men. In the meantime, the diffidence in the present Minis- ters is growing into despondency, and that will rise into rage, for the cry of " No Popery " will soon turn into something of more sense and meaning. In short, the situation is most alarming, and without extreme activity and wise decision, the nation is undone. I press these considerations no further. My flat opinion is, 1st. That orders should be properly (I mean effectually) given to the soldiery to disperse, in all events, all bodies of men tumultuously assembled or assembling in the streets, and that this should be preceded and accompanied by a proclamation, and by notices in handbills to all well- disposed subjects to avoid mixing among the rioters. If this measure is properly detailed and severely enforced, it certainly is to be apprehended that many will fall in the execution of it; it is, however, under the exigency of the moment, to be wished, that a prompt severity may take place. This, at least, is my deliberate and cool opinion. 2nd. With INTRODUCTION. XV11 respect to measures of an opposite nature, if the tone of government were restored, I for one should have no objection to give the repeal required by the petition. But I think it would be done with a better grace and with more effect if asked by the Roman Catholic body. 3rd. We ought not to meet in Parliament whilst these disorders continue. Ireland was also in a most alarming state, and seemed upon the point of following the example of America. At the earnest and repeated entreaty of Lord North Mr. Eclen accepted the appointment of Chief-Secre- tary in Ireland when the Earl of Carlisle was Lord Lieutenant. He was soon after sworn of the Irish Privy Council, and elected a member of the Irish Parliament. Amongst the various Acts of his Ad- ministration he framed and brought forward the bill for establishing a National Bank. In 1782 he resigned the office of Chief-Secretary on the con- clusion of Lord North's Administration. In April, 1783, on the formation of the Coalition Administration, he was sworn of his Majesty's Privy Council in England, and was appointed Vice-Treasurer of Ireland, which office he resigned in the month of December following. He seems to have remonstrated against the India Bill brought in by Mr. Fox, which caused the downfall of that Government. In the session of 1784 Mr. Eden was chairman of the Committee appointed to inquire into the illicit practices used in defrauding the revenue. He was also chairman of the Select Committee appointed to examine the reports of the Directors of the East India Company. The reports presented to the House by these committees were made the foundation of several parliamentary measures. In the following vol. i. a XV111 INTEODUCTION. session he took an active part in opposing the Irish propositions. In December 1785 Mr. Eden was appointed one of the Lords of the Committee of Council for Trade and Plantations, and was named Envoy-Extraordi- nary and Minister Plenipotentiary to the court of Versailles, for the purpose of concluding a treaty of commerce between Great Britain and France. That treaty was accomplished, and signed September 26th, 1786. In 1787 Mr. Eden had the most arduous duties to perform. He concluded a treaty respecting the East Indies, in which, for the first time, our rights of sovereignty were acknowledged by the French Go- vernment. He also, by his conciliatory conduct and the influence which he had gained at the court of Versailles, mainly contributed to the prevention of a war with respect to the affairs of Holland. In 1788 Mr. Eden proceeded to Spain as Ambas- sador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, and on his return from that embassy he was promoted to the dignity of the Irish Peerage. In 1789 he was appointed Ambassador to Holland, and in 1790 on the occasion when war appeared imminent between England and Spain with respect to Nootka Sound, by his influence he obtained the promise of naval assistance, and a Dutch fleet was sent to Spithead. On the 10th of December, 1790, Lord Auckland concluded and signed the convention between the Emperor Leopold and the Kings of Great Britain and Prussia, and the States-General of the LTnited Pro- vinces, relative to the affairs of the Netherlands. This INTRODUCTION. XIX treaty was so satisfactory to Mr. Pitt, that lie wrote to him as follows : — Downing Street, December 21, 1790. My dear Lord, — Though in the midst of the detail of taxes, which leave hardly a minute for foreign politics, I cannot delay till another mail expressing the singular plea- sure I feel in the happy and honourable result of your labours. I consider the event as fortunate in a thousand views — for the country and for Government ; but there is no man whom I so much wish to congratulate upon it as your- self, because I consider our success as due exclusively to your exertions. We shall lay the Treaty before both Houses to-day, where I hope it will be received as matter of great triumph, even by country gentlemen, who are grumbling at an additional threepence in the pound on malt. My budget, on the whole, goes down with greater facility than, considering the extent of the burden, could be expected. Before the end of the week, I hope I shall be able to send the instructions you wish respecting the Commercial Treaty. Ever, my dear Lord, yours most sincerely, W. Pitt. In 1793, after the repulse of the French armies, Lord Auckland attended the Congress held at Ant- werp, and was promoted to the dignity of a baron in Great Britain. He returned to England, and for the next seven years became the confidential adviser of Mr. Pitt, under whom he took office as Postmaster- General in 1798. On the resignation of Mr. Pitt in 1801, Lord Auckland, who had differed from him with respect to the policy of the Catholic Question, remained in office under Mr. Addington. On the return of Mr. Pitt to office in 1804, Lord Auckland resigned the Post Office, and seems from this time to have belonged to the party of Lord Gren- XX INTRODUCTION. ville, under whom, in 1806, he took office as Presi- dent of the Board of Trade, and resigned with the rest of the Ministers the following year. He did not, however, leave office without drawing up, in con- junction with Lord Holland, an official paper which contained commercial stipulations framed on the fair- est and most liberal principles of reciprocal advantage and utility to this country and the United States. From this period of his life, Lord Auckland passed his time in retirement. His last years were embittered by the loss of his eldest son William in 1810. Lord Auckland never recovered the shock, and died sud- denly on the 28th of May, 1814. Such in brief are the details of his public life. It is right to add, that he was excellent in the discharge of his domestic duties, as is manifested in his Spanish journal, which will be found in the Second Volume of this Work. In private life, he was acknowledged on all sides to be a most agreeable companion and a most amiable man. Though he left a very great number of his letters behind him, both political and social, scarcely is any remark to be found in them which could give pain to the most vehement of his po- litical opposers, or to any other person known to him. AUCKLAND, BATH & WELLS. London, November, 1860, THE CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. CHAPTER I. Death of Lord Rockingham.— Lord Shelburne appointed Prime Minister. —Scene at Court. — Anger of Mr. Fox.— His Resignation. — The Rock- ingham Party follow Mr. Fox's Example. — Lord Shelburne' s Letter to the Duke of Marlborough.— Lord Loughborough advises a Coalition between Lord North and Fox. — Lord North at Beckenham. — Bon Mot of Hare.— Mr. Eden's Interview with Lord Shelburne. — Lord Lough- borough on Parliamentary Reform. The following letters relate to a most interesting part of our history, the formation of the Coalition between Lord North and Mr. Fox, which overthrew the Government of Lord Shelburne. The disastrous Administration of Lord North terminated in March, 1782. Lord Rockingham succeeded as First Lord of the Treasury, with Mr. Fox and Lord Shelburne as Secretaries of State. On the death of Lord Rock- ingham, in July of the same year, Mr. Fox intended that the Duke of Portland should be Prime Minister. The King, however, was determined to appoint Lord Shelburne. Fox, Burke, and their friends imme- diately resigned, and went into violent opposition, but still there was no junction with the party of Lord North. Two parties in opposition, whatever differ- VOL. T. B 2 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF ences there may be between them, are almost certain in the end to combine against their natural enemy, the Ministry of the day. There is no doubt, in this instance, that the chief agent in effecting the Coalition was Lord Lough- borough. There is no date to the following letter. It is evidently written on Thursday, July 4th. Lord Loughborough to Mr. Eden. Dear Eden, — Lord Shelburne * is First Lord of the Treasury. He acquainted his colleagues yesterday, that His Majesty had offered, and that he had accepted, the place. They were very angry at the offer and the acceptance. This morning at Court, C. Fox f told the first person he saw, that he was come with the Seals to resign them, if Lord Shelburne should tell him he was First Lord of the Treasury ; that he did not know who would go out with him, but that the Duke of Richmond and General Conway would not. Lord Shelburne and he met in the drawing-room, and had an angry conversation, as far as people could judge who only saw it. Fox went into His Majesty, and in about live minutes came out without the Seals. Lord John Cavendish resigns, the Duke of Portland will re- sign. Lord Keppel % resigns, but not till his successor is appointed : all the Treasury, except Grenville, resign. Young Pitt is said by some to be Chancellor of the Exchequer, by others, Secretary of State. Places are cheaper than mackerel. The Duke of Rutland, it is supposed, will have the blue ribbon and Ireland. || Burke, I suppose, will resign, and all those who were * In the Shelburne Administration Mr. Thomas Townshend and Lord Grantham were Secretaries of State, Lord Thurlow remained Chancellor, and Mr. Pitt entered office for the first time as Chancellor of the Ex- chequer. •j" In the Cabinet of Lord Rockingham violent dissensions had arisen between Fox and Lord Shelburne, respecting the terms of the peace with America. \ First Lord of the Admiralty. I Lord Temple was appointed Lord Lieutenant. WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 3 pure Rockinghams. Townsliend * will not quit the War Office. I saw Lord Carlisle f this evening, and tried to show him that he had an opportunity now to retrieve his game, whether he quitted or continued. I pressed him strongly to avail himself of the crisis, at least so far as to cover his friends in Ireland. I did not find him very prompt. He entered a little on your subject handsomely, but not with proper warmth, and I would not encourage that conversation, but I left him with matter enough for his mind to work upon. There will probably be a curious scene in the House of Commons to-morrow, and I think it is worth your trouble to be a spectator of it. I shall be at home all the morning till three o'clock, but I am not likely to know more than I now relate to you. Yours ever, Loughborough. A copy of the following letter of Lord Shelburne's was sent to Mr. Eden in the hand wri tin o; of the Duchess of Marlborough. Lord Shelburne to the Duke of Marlborougli.% London, July 8th, 1782. My dear Duke, — I wish to have an opportunity of explaining to your Grace all that has passed since the death of Lord Rockingham. Mr. Fox resigned the seals of Secretary of State on Thursday, because the King did not think of one of the late Lord Rocking- ham's friends to succeed to the Treasury. The Duke of Richmond, and many others of the very party, dis- approve the steps and disavow the principle, upon which I am persuaded I need not ask your Grace's opinion. In truth it is taking the executive alto- * Mr. Thomas Townshend, who became Secretary of State. f Lord Carlisle, who had been Lord- Lieutenant of Ireland when Mr. Eden was Chief Secretary, had accepted office under Lord Rockingham as Lord Steward of the Household, lie remained in office under Lord Shelburne. % George, third Duke of Marlborough. Lord Charles and Lord Robert. Spencer were his brothers. is 2 4 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF gether out of the King's hands, and placing it in the hands of a party, which, however respectable, must prove a complete tyranny to everybody else. I flatter myself also, that your Grace may not disapprove of the King's calling upon me to take that department, at least, for the moment. In the meantime I wish to acquaint your Grace of the resignation of Lord R. Spencer, and to receive your Grace's commands, whether, as it was a situation which the King origi- nally intended, as your Grace knows, for Lord Charles Spencer, I may on this occasion take the liberty of proposing it to his lordship. I wish to acquaint your Grace with the names of those who are to fill the offices vacated on this occasion ; but I do not find there will be many resignations. I expect everything will be arranged on Wednesday, of which I will not fail to send your Grace an account. I beg to offer my most respectful compliments to the Duchess of Marlborough ; and have the honour to be, with great truth, Your Grace's most devoted S., Shelburne. Mr. Eden to Lord Loughborough. Beckenham*, July 8th, 1782, 7 p.m. My dear Lord, — I know little more than the mere conjectural politics of the day, as stated in the news* papers. Commodore Elliot has this moment left me: he dined with me from London, and is proceeding to Portsmouth charged with some Admiralty express, and under orders to prepare immediately for the expedition. The Admiralty continues in its functions, and Lord Keppel told them, nearly in the same lan- guage as Burke told me, that he had not yet resigned, and did not know when he should resign. Lord Shelburne was then expected to call, and came to the door before Elliot came away, on some parti- cular sea business. They are under immediate alarms * Mr. Eden's country residence was at Beckenham. WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 5 of the combined fleet which has been certainly off Ushant. The report of the day was that Jenkinson would be Chancellor of the Exchequer : it did not seem to be thought possible that Charles Fox could be again reconciled. Charles's friends are very anxious for to- morrow's conversation ; and Sir Gilbert Elliot * has deferred going to Scotland till Wednesday, though the ladies are on the road waiting for him. I received an answer from Stuart f *" that Lord Shelburne would fix the first moment he could command for a meet- ing ;" and in the meantime desired to have it. said, " that he received, with the utmost satisfaction, the communication of sentiments and dispositions stated with so much frankness, and upon such clear prin- ciples of honour and propriety." I have also a letter from Lord Carlisle, desiring to know the particulars of such Irish recommendations as we had wished to carry ; and, farther than I have now said, I know nothing. I will write again to-morrow evening or Wednesday. Believe me, my dear Lord, Very affectionately and respectfully yours, Wm. Eden. Mr. Eden to Lord Loughborough. Beckenham, July lOlh, 1782. My dear Lord, — -For facts I must refer you to the "Morning Chronicle," and to the "Evening Post." I am vexed that you are on your circuit J, as I would give anything for an hour's conversation with you on the present state of things. It seems to me impossible for Lord Shelburne's Government to last beyond a summer campaign, unless he gets a very considerable and avowed acces- * Afterwards Earl of Minto. f Andrew Stuart, agent for the Ilarailtons, in the Douglas case. \ Lord Loughborouidi was Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas. b 3 G THE CORRESPONDENCE OF sion from the friends of the old Government, and even then he will be under great difficulties. The circumstances of the country are, and must be such as to give great advantage to an opposition of such strength as the one which is forming. If the new Government is to consist of Lord Shelburne, the Chancellor, the Pitts, and the Grenvilles, it will not do, unless they have a course of good fortune beyond all probability; and yet I should be very sorry to see the Closet again stormed -by the mere Rockingham party. Lord Shelburne's letter to the Duke of Marl- borough (which the Duke sent to me) is fair enough, so far as it goes. He stated the cause and course of the disagreement, that many of the very party dis- avowed the principle, " which in truth would take the executive out of the King's hands, and place it in a party," " which would prove a tyranny to the rest of the kingdom ; " he then adds that the King had called upon him to take the Treasury, at least for the moment. Fie communicates Lord K. Spencer's resignation, offers the office in kind expressions to Lord Charles*, and promises to send a full account of all arrange- ments on Wednesday. f I think the offer to the Duke of Marlborough a very awkward and indelicate one. They should have found some other office for Lord Charles. The Duke leaves it to Lord Charles to de- cide as he likes ; but writes to me that he will not engage for himself without knowing more. The Duke, supposing that you were in town, expresses a wish to hear from you. I will write more in a day or two. Believe me, my dear Lord, Most affectionately yours. Wm. Eden. * Lord Charles Spencer. f Parliament was prorogued on the 1 1 th July. WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 7 Lord Loughborough to Mr. Eden. Lincoln, July 12th, 1782. My dear Eden, — I have this moment received your letter of the 10th, the two first I had got at Northampton. The result of my reflections on the present state of things is not of much use to anybodj^, for I am very clear that Lord Shelburne's Govern- ment will not do, and I don't know what will. Had Lord Shelburne's party been spliced in with the old Government at a proper time, I believe there would not have been pull enough to have snapped the rope, but after it has been broken completely, I believe there is no way of tying it together that can make a strong cord. Without an avowed support from the friends of the late Administration, the new system must very speedily be overset: a bare unopposing acquiescence would not be sufficient to keep it up for six weeks after the meeting of Parliament. If it were possible that such a support should be given disinterested, unasked, and unconditional, I think it would be the most honour- able, and in the end the wisest, measure that the friends of the late Administration could take ; but the resolution requires more purity and public spirit than can reasonably be supposed to animate a great number of persons, amongst whom there are many irritated at their own ill-treatment, disappointed in their just expectations, or reduced in their incomes. The minister too, for whose immediate advantage they are to make such an exertion, is a man neither liked nor respected, and to whom even interest could not easily reconcile the greater part of them. What I suppose the best plan, I take therefore to be impracticable, especially as Lord North has not the talents requisite for the leader of a party out of office. The thing most wanted at present, is some person of untainted character and of weight in the country, under whom men of various descrip- tions would be disposed to unite, and to range them- B 4 8 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF selves according to their respective rates of ability and power. Such a man must be found amongst those who have not yet been tried in office, for against every one who has, there prevails more or less of prejudice which would abate that respect which is the only support of such a situation. Nothing, I am afraid, would induce the Duke of Marlborough to stand forth ; though if he could overcome his aversion to business, he is better qualified than any man to take that part. Lord Carlisle has laid himself aside ; and Lord North has lost a great share of the confi- dence which men had in him before the late change. It is probable that many of our old friends will accede to the present system. They must be solicited, and they will not stand out against the solicitations. In a very short time the weakness which I am morally certain marks the principal department, will be as well known, as the insincerity and deceit of that character now is. A minister may hold power, though he is detested, but he cannot when he is at the same time despised. The converts gained from the Rockinghams, the Duke of Richmond and Conway, will not add much to the reputation of Government, and the old friends of the minister are already blasted characters. I had written so far before I received my news- paper, which exhibits more early proofs of folly than I had imagined. Sir George Yonge, Secretary at War, is most completely ridiculous ; and the other arrangements are not very happily chosen. I long much to hear the result of your conference ; and the only advice I have to offer you, which I am persuaded is unnecessary, is to beware of engaging too far. I don't mean that you should absolutely decline any office, though I think it will be difficult to find one that would be very eligible in such company. Yours ever, Loughborough. WILLIAM, FIRST LOED AUCKLAND. 9 The following is the first letter in which Lord Loughborough suggests the Coalition. Lord Loughborough to Mr. Eden. Dear Eden, — As my mind is not apt to remain long in a state of despondency, I have taken a notion that a strong and durable Administration is not im- possible. There are very good materials for the building, and there only wants some Amphion, who could move them with his song. Very few, indeed, of the stones in the present building are better than mere rubbish ; and therefore I should begin by pulling it quite down : in which, perhaps, it would be much easier to find men willing to unite, than in forming a plan of a new one. Where their interests, however, seem to me so very plain, I should not de- spair that they would soon become sensible of them. My notion, in short, is, that part of the old Administration with the remnant of the Rockingham party could form a stable Government. Their oppo- site faults would correct each other; and amongst them they would possess more character, and more of the public confidence, than any other assemblage of men. The first thing is to reconcile Lord North and Fox. The first, you know, is irreconcilable to no man ; the second will feel his ancient resentment totally absorbed in his more recent hostility, which I think he has no other probable means of gratifying. It always seemed to me his best game to accede to Lord North, if his temper and his connections would have allowed him to play it ; for with Lord North he would have had a better and a more secure share of power than he could have had with any other consider- able man ; and he had the prospect of succeeding to the entire lead of the House of Commons at no ureat distance. It is now Lord North's interest to unite with him, even if he were sure (which he is not) of being able to keep a considerable body of his friends disengaged from every other connection. Is it not also the interest of all their friends? The bar which 10 THE COKRESrOXDENCE OF Lord Rockingham's pretensions formed to that union being now removed, Lord North and Fox restored to their former places, there would be ample means of gratifying the most considerable friends of both ; and the executive departments, at the same time, filled with men capable of executing the business of them, without their being sacrificed to the conve- nience of an arrangement. If this plan was prepared to take place when the public is convinced, as it will soon be, of the inca- pacity of the present set, I am persuaded it would best answer the general expectation, and give the strongest assurance of a permanent Administration. The Duke of Portland and Lord John Cavendish are the only men Fox would desire to take into the Cabinet with him, and Lord North has no men of that description so much attached to him, as to make it difficult to admit them. He would even be at a loss, I think, to find proper men amongst his own set for Cabinet places. The Duke of Marlborough would be a great strength, if he could be prevailed upon to take one, and it might even be necessary to do more for Lord Carlisle* than he has a right to ex- pect. Jenkinson might be at the head of the Admi- ralty. This change would have less the appearance of storming than any other that may happen, and so far, 1 think, it would be a great advantage ; for ano- ther attack by storm (which many people would rejoice at) would be very serious indeed. You have now the outline of an idea that has struck me very much ; and though I know there are great objections to it, besides the difficulty of disposing men's minds to forego their prejudice to each other, I am strongly convinced that it is preferable to any attempt to patch and prop the deformity, corruption, and weakness of the present wretched composition. Yours ever, July 14th, 1782. LOUGHBOEOUGII. * Lord Carlisle's acceptance of office under Lord Kockinghani had annoyed the North party. WILLIAM, FIEST LOKD AUCKLAND. 11 Mr. Eden to Lord Loughborough. My dear Lord,— I will write very fully by the Mon- day's post. I do not think the new Coalition alluded to in your last letter quite impracticable, though it is full of difficulties. The Paynes * and Andrew Stuart were with us on Tuesday till yesterday morn- ing. To-day we came to this street on some business, and here we found Lord North, who comes to us on Monday. Both sides are making civil intimations, and one sidef direct overtures. Let me know how to direct to you from time to time. I know no facts but what are in the papers, and this is merely quasi signum vita?. Yours very affectionately and respectfully, Wm. Eden. Downing Street, Friday, July 20th. Mr. Eden to Lord Loughborough. Beckenhain, Kent, July 24th, 1782. My dear Lord, — Having had during the last few days constant successions of company of every de- scription and denomination, and having been also very busy with my hay (all of which, except about three acres, entirely escaped the rains), I have post- poned writing to you ; and I now begin to fear that your circuit is near its end. Lord North passed a clay and a half very pleasantly with us. He thinks that his friends should adhere to him, or at least to each other, and at any rate should stand aloof and ultimately join one of the con- tending parties against the other ; but he fears that many will be detached from this system by favours and promises in the course of this summer. He docs not see much efficiency in the ostensible Minister in the House of Commons, but thinks Pitt and the Lord Advocate % will be very powerful sup- * Sir Ralph and Lady Payne. Sir Ralph was created, 1st Oct. 1795, an Irish Peer, with the title of Lord Lavington. Sir Ralph married a Viennese lady, Mile, de Kelbel. t Mr. Fox's. \ Henry Uundas. 12 THE COREESrONDEXCE OF porters. The Advocate was expected yesterday, and will certainly join Lord Shelburne, if they give him his Scotch office for life. Lord Gower has written to Lord Shelburne to say that he wishes him success. Iiigby seems to hold a different language, and is ex- amining the possibility of uniting Lord North and. Charles Fox. Charles sent a message that Lord North ought to unite with him ; that it was by no means im- practicable to reconcile their differences ; that he cer- tainly had pledged himself on one or two points too far to change his language, but that the present Mi- nisters had done the same, and that his (Fox's) friends would be at liberty on those points, though the friends of the Ministers could not. I found Lord North at this period exactly as in old times — irresolute, with a mixture of reserves and jealousies. I incline, however, to think with him, that it is as yet too soon to form any system. Burke's foolish bill* has made it a very difficult task for any set of men either to form or maintain an Administration. Selwyn is much amused with a grave remark of his servant, who went last week to see Charles Fox's servants, and found them packing up in Grafton Streetf, to return to St. James's Street, or such other situation as they could find. Selwyn asked the man if they were angry or unhappy? "Non, Monsieur (dit- il); la comedie est finie, les comediens s'en vont; c'est tout simple." Gibbon and Mansfield J dine here to-day. It was a good remark yesterday of Lord North's on Gibbon's picture prefixed to the second volume of his History ; " Mr. Gibbon sells his purchasers a bargain in that volume." Barrington || has Salisbury, because the royal * Burke's economical reform, which had abolished a great many offices. f Fox's residence, when minister. | James Mansfield. || Hon. Shute Barrington, afterwards Bishop of Durham. His brother William, second Viscount Barrington, formerly Secretary at War, was one of the "King's friends." WILLIAM, FIKST LORD AUCKLAND. 13 promises are sacred. The Duke of Grafton is not pleased at this. Our Beckenham parson preached politics last Sun- day, and his text was " All this availeth me nothing so long as Mordecai, &c." Lord North observed, that Mordecai the Jew must mean " Malagrida * the Jesuit." I enclose some Irish f politics: pray return them to me. Let me know your route from time to time. All well here ; and very happy if we can contrive to keep within our income ; and all who come to us are wishing to turn farmers. Believe me, my dear Lord, Ever respectfully and affectionately yours, Wm. Eden. Mr. Eden to Lord Loughborough. Beckenham, July 25th. My dear Lord, — I know too little of the political world to attempt to write at present about it. We have had visitors in abundance, but they have been chiefly Irish — Kingsboroughs, Nicholsons, Clements, Lees J, &c. To-day we are going to dine at Jenkinson's, and to-morrow Andrew Stuart and the Paynes are coming for two days to us. On Wednesday, therefore, I may possibly have materials for a letter. I have not heard anything from Lord Shelburne, nor did he write that supplemental letter describing his arrangements and system, which he promised to the Duke of Marlborough; but this morning a servant came to me from Blenheim with a packet containing two letters to Lord Shelburne, the one accepting the Yice- Treasurership for Lord Charles, the other desiring further time for consideration ; and it was left to me to forward whichever might seem most expedient. You may easily guess that I forwarded the letter * Lord Shelburne. f Letters from Mr. Eden's friends in Ireland. Some of these will be found in another part of this volume. I John Lees, Secretary of the Tost Office in Ireland, father of the late Sir llarconrt Lees. 14 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF of acceptance ; and I fairly incline to think that the acceptance is the preferable measure ; but if I had thought otherwise, unless I could have stated less disputable reasons than occur to me, I should have forwarded the accepting letter, more especially as it was within possibility that the Vice-Treasurership might otherwise have been offered to me, which would have been a very awkward and indelicate circumstance. The new Government, so far as we can judge the appointments hitherto made, is not made to last for ever. It would, however, be a bad business, if it should break down too suddenly. The Portland Set, as it is to be called, would not be quite what any reasonable man could bear, if they were now to come in as a triumphant party. Lees tells me that Sir James Erskine* attends to his Military Office, and is doing extremely well. Fine weather to-day for hay-making. We are very busy. Believe me, my dear Lord, Most affectionately yours, Wm. Eden. Strachy is turned out, and a Mr. Goodenough (some friend of the Duke of Richmond's), they say, is appointed Secretary of the Treasury. Mr. Eden to Lord Loughborough. Beckenham, Kent, July 25th, 1782. My dear Lord, — I send you a continuation of Irish politics. Lord Shelburne's eagerness to gain prose- lytes from Charles Fox, appears to have led him into a foolish step with the Duke of Portland. I under- stand that the Duke wrote a letter to the Duke of Richmond, with which Burke is quite delighted. Charles Fox speaks of the Duke of Richmond f in very harsh terms, and of his ingratitude to those who had * Lord Loughborough's nephew, f The Duke was Fox's uncle. WILLIAM, FIRST LOKD AUCKLAND. 15 saved him from being an outcast from all gentleman- like society. Hare * laughs much at the state of things, and congratulates Charles on coming from the service of the King of England, once more to attend the King of Egypt. f He never quitted his upper story in St. James's Street, for he foresaw that Charles would soon return to the first floor, and could not think, he said, of putting himself in a situation to rise at the time of his friend's fall. The Advocate dined yesterday with General Conway, and the day before with Lord Shelburne. They will give him his own terms. The strength of the old set will nevertheless be decisive, if ever brought to action ; but it unluckily wants a head, and I do not see how to remedy that defect, unless you can make that situation compatible with the Chief Justiceship. I really see no other resource. Pray let me know what course you steer. I never heard more from Berkeley Square, and am not sorry for it. Believe me, my dear Lord, Very affectionately yours, Wm. Eden. Mr. Eden to Lord Loughborough. Downing Street, July 31st. My dear Lord, — I attended Lord Shelburne this morning, and was received with the utmost politeness, for I was shown into a room where several were wait- ing, and was ushered forward immediately. Our ostensible meeting and conversation turned on Irish politics, but you will easily conceive that it glided immediately into the large range of politics. I felt little embarrassment, for I had not one sentiment that I wished to conceal. I recurred to some of the * The celebrated wit, M.F. for Knaresborough. f Fox's devotion to the Faro table is here alluded to. 10 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF Irish businesses, as engaging alone my personal wishes, so far as State arrangements may be concerned. I said that, whenever I had used every fair and honourable effort in my power to obtain the just and wise attentions to friends in Ireland, who had recently been connected with me in public service, I should then, but not till then, feel satisfied with myself. We got into that detail, in the course of which he hinted that if Lord Carlisle should be dissatisfied and wish to resign the White Stick, it was a good thing, and other Lords would be glad to bear it. This too was rather officiously brought forward, as if he thought I should not be hurt by his speaking slight- ingly of that person. I did not appear to observe or understand it. He closed the subject by desiring to hear from me upon it. He then, again, got back to his own situation; talked of the necessity of making friends ; his deter- mination to resist the Duke of Richmond's ideas of exclusion ; his personal partialities to connect himself with particular people; gave some broad but indefi- nite hints of some intentions in view respecting me — to which I clearly answered, that I neither solicited, nor sought, nor was prepared to receive. We talked on general matters again, and I will state what passed in a subsequent letter. Before we parted, he asked to see me again some day next week; and said orders were given to admit me whenever I came to town, and would call. So much for this. I agree with you that it will not do, and I do not yet see what will. No news, except the safe arrival of the Jamaica fleet. Believe me, my dear Lord, Yery respectfully and affectionately yours, Wm. Eden. In the following letter Lord Loughborough again returns to his fixed idea that a Coalition should be made between Lord North and Fox. WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 17 Lord Loughborough to Mr. Eden. Dear Eclen, — Every view that I take of our poli- tical situation confirms me in the ideas I wrote to you from Lincoln ; and I likewise think, with Lord North and you, that it would not be well judged to form that system (which must ultimately be adopted) im- mediately, but only to cultivate the dispositions that appear on the other side, and keep his own friends in some union with each other. That some will detach themselves while they see no ostensible system is very certain, and I am not sure that there is any great disadvantage in it. We could well afford a detachment, if one had the picking of the troops to be detached. I see by the " Gazette " that the Advocate has taken his part, and I conclude he has secured his office for life. Though you know 1 have a very high value for the Advocate, I am certain he cannot be so powerful a supporter of the present, as he was of the last Administration. The regard that he really feels, and that he must profess, whether he felt it or not, for Lord North, would be a restraint upon him in all points where the other takes a part ; and I have no conception that Mr. Pitt and he will use whatever abilities can bear up an inefficient osten- sible minister in the House of Commons. When lie who ought to be the leader is only a follower, the pack will never hunt true. I think it would be of use to insist that Charles Fox should keep out of Westminster Hall *, as a test that he wishes for a Coalition ; and it would be a great gain to himself if he could detach himself from his mug-house friends. I send you in return for your Irish letters, which are very curious, a letterf I had from Burke, in answer to a few lines of condolence I wrote to him from Sir John Sebright's. I arrived at this place to-day, after ' Mr. Fox's constituents held their meetings in Westminster Hall. f This letter will be found in Lord Campbell's Life of Lord Lough- borough. VOL. I. C 18 THE CORRESPOXDEXCE OF having passed an entire week at Elford.* My recep- tion from the ladyf of the house was full of kindness ; from the other, very easy and obliging, but so guarded that unless I had been fresh imported from Ireland, it would have been impossible to have made more of it ; it was very kind at the same time, but that sort of kindness that had no kind of encouragement in it. I made no speeches, but have written a very polite and a very attentive letter from hence, which probably will conclude that scene. There were two Misses of the party besides, one of whom was so civil and so good-humoured in contriving little opportunities for me that signified nothing, that my gratitude to her was very near beginning to open another scene, and quite eclipsed Lady Anne's merit, which is more re- spectable than interesting. This Buxton is an execrable place, and the waters had need to be very salutary, to reconcile one to the badness of all the other elements. Sir "W. Gordon J is the only person here of my very extensive acquaintance whom I ever saw before, and he leaves it on Monday. His politics are the same with mine, but he thinks the union impracticable. He has heard of some approaches being made, but the arrival of the Duke of Portland he supposes will defeat their effect, as he concludes his Grace is to be installed Chef de Parti immediately. I found a letter here from the Advocate, but merely of notification; there was, I understand, a form of asking Lord North's approbation, which would be given of course. My love to Mrs. Eden and all the nursery. Yours ever, Loughborough. Buxton, August 2nd. * Lord Loughborough had been there on a matrimonial expedition. Elford was a seat of the Suffolk family. f The lady of the house was Lady Andover. The other lady was probably the widow of Lord Suffolk, who died March 7th, 1779. Lady Andover was the mother-in-law of Lady Suffolk. \ Member for Portsmouth. WILLIAM, FIRST LOUD AUCKLAND. 19 Lord Loughborough to Mr. Eden. My dear Eden, — The conversation held to you was perfectly in the character of the man*, and I fancy your firmness and indifference would disconcert him not a little. The affected slight with which he men- tioned Lord Carlisle, reminds me of an observation I had long ago made upon him, that his art had a strong twang of a boarding-school education. It re- sembles much more a cunning woman's than an able man's address. I have had a great deal of politics for the last two days with our friend his late Excellency! , who reckons very well in general, and has a pretty good guess of things. He holds the person you visited in great contempt, and he had good opportunity to know him both in and out of office. He is clear that the present system never can be well established, though he rather thinks those he lives most with mean to give it all their support; and he very justly says, that the timidity of one, the indolence of another, and the ferocity of a third have overset the Government, degraded themselves, and undone their friends. If his observation can be relied on, the country gentlemen have most bitterly repented their folly, and would rally most heartily under Lord North's standard, if he would but set it up. Against the delay which in my last letter I mentioned to you, as in my opinion as well as yours not unsalutary, there is, I think, a strong argument to be urged from the chance of some of the present Ministers, the Duke of Richmond, for instance, breaking off and deserting back to their old connections. This would make any Coalition much more difficult, and much less desirable; and I should not be for neglecting any fair opportunity of forming some union on fair terms between the only two parties which have a reasonable prospect of making a stable system. * Lord Shclburne. t Sir William Gordon. c -1 20 THE CORRESPONDENCE OP This place does not mend. When Sir W. Gordon leaves it to-morrow, I shall not have one acquaint- ance left, nor one person whose aspect invites ac- quaintance. There is a party here with Mr. Latouche of Dublin, which seems not disagreeable, but they very wisely live by themselves. . Yours ever, Loughborough. Buxton, Aug. 4th, 1782. In the following letter Lord Loughborough gives his opinions on the Reform which Mr. Pitt was then advocating. Lord Loughborough to Mr. Eden. Dear Eden, — By the negligence of the Postmaster at Tamworth, or perhaps by the mismanagement of the cross posts, which are in general very ill contrived, your letter of the 25th, with all the Irish inclosures, returned to London, and only arrived here this morn- ing. Lest you might be uneasy at the fate of the letters, as I took no notice of that packet to you in my last, I return them, though I have no subject to write upon. It would be a wretched resource indeed for the whole set, if it could find no other head than the one you hint at, which nothing but female politics can ever exalt. I would take any labour to form what I fancy would be a permanent system ; but when formed, I am con- vinced the dispositions of those who must compose it are such, that I could have no satisfaction in acting with them (though they would have all the support I could give them) in any situation but one as loose and independent as my present : their merit with me is all comparative. Lord Shelburne's idea of increasing the repre- sentation of the counties is a very gross absurdity ; for it is founded on a notion of moderating; that which it would encourage. The desire of new modelling the Government, which has by him and WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 21 others been so mischievously excited, can only be quieted by a steady adherence to the old Consti- tution. The reverence which still prevails for it, and the abhorrence of innovation which possesses sober men, gives great strength to encounter any given proposition of change. If these advantages are betrayed by Government, itself becoming the pro- jector, he is a wise man who can foresee which project is most likely to prevail ; and I could venture to pro- phesy, that in the end the wildest measure will force its way, and in the meantime the middle one will only serve to show the absurdity of its authors. It seems an act of egregious folly in any settled Government to step forth with a proposal to alter its foundations, and to address its subjects as if they had sprung up like myrmidons from the earth, and were assembled in a great plain to choose what Constitution they liked best. Buxton grows worse every day : the weather is horrible ; and you may guess to what I am reduced when I had no alternative all yesterday but to read the worst novels in a circulating stall, or play whist in a hot coffee-room for five hours. Yours ever, Loughborough. Aug. 6th, 1782. Mr. Eden to Lord Loughborough. Beckenliam, Kent, August 8th, 1782. My dear Lord, — I heartily wish that I could send you something to amuse you. Buxton, with such company and such weather, must be a mere hell upon earth, except only, that your devils are dull and harm- less, and your climate wet and cold. I enclose you Martin's attack on George Ponsonby* : as it has not been reprinted in the English papers, you may like perhaps to read it. Martin was asked, why he would * Lord Chancellor of Ireland in 1806. Mr. Ponsonby was at one time leader of the Opposition in England. C 3 22 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF attack so scurrilously a man with whom he had lived so much ? He answered that nothing less than an intimate knowledge could have enabled him to say what he had said. The Ponsonbys certainly grow unfashionable, for the Provost writes me a letter, apparently for the sake of disclaiming them and the Duke's* Government : and he talks of growing popular, and going into oppo- sition. Gerard Hamilton f came to us on Tuesday and met Lees, and Mr.J and Mrs. Scott ; they went away, and he staid all night. I had much pleasant conversation with him, but it turned chiefly on little anecdotes, and those too minute to be repeated. Lord Shelburne offered him the Secretaryship at War, and he declined it. I do not believe, however, that he would refuse the Vice-Treasuryship of Ire- land, if it were offered to him ; but he is as decided as we can be, in his opinion that the present frame of Government will not do, though he thinks that it may last till Christmas, and possibly later. He thinks that Lord Shelburne will be supported in essential points, and that his Government will be rolled in the dirt, in all the bye battles. He suspects that they are pushing violently for an immediate pacification, in the idea that Fox and the Cavendishes are pledged to support the conditions however bad. He thinks that some leading set of the friends of the old Government must ultimately decide on a new' Admi- nistration, and talks of Lord Gower, Lord Carlisle, &c, as the ostensible names. He does not appear to me, to feel Fox's weight in the scale sufficiently. His visit was certainly by his own appointment, and he took very kindly to our nursery sort of life, and made love to your god-daughter. I send you an odd letter about poor Travers going to the grave in the same vehicle which carried his father. * The Duke of Portland. t Single- speech Hamilton. % Attorney-General for Ireland during Lord North's Administration, afterwards Lord Earlsfort. WILLIAM, FIEST LORD AUCKLAND. 23 The Fosters have been with us, and are gone to Spa. The Scotts are going to Buxton: he is full of" rheumatism and personal politics. This is a strange season, and fit only for people in office. My wheat is laid, my oats which were ripe, are slaking, and my second crop of hay is chilled and checked ; my pastures are wet, and poked full of holes by the horses. Our Guinea chickens dying of ague; pears and apples dropping in cart loads, melons grown rotten instead of ripe. I am wet up to the knees six times a day, and cannot get the sixth part of a day's work out of my daydabourers. We cannot guess what lady struck your sentiment at Elford. Yours very affectionately, Wm. Eden. Burke's melancholy letter did not greatly affect me. Mr. Eden to Lord Loughborough. Beckenham, Kent, August 10th. My dear Lord, — I do not suppose that anything now directed to you at Buxton will find you there. It must be impossible for you to bear a purgatory of no pains, pleasures, interests, or amusements in such weather as we have had and continue to have. I naturally grow fond of the fare which is set be- fore me, and so I contrive to amuse myself with the mortifications of managing a corn harvest in the midst of heavy rains and high winds. We know little of either the gay or political world during the last week. The Burrels, Bennets, Ancasters, Dr. Calvert, and the Scotts, make up the list of all that we have lately seen. Scott is ordered to Cheltenham. He is in a strange shattered state ; he looks as large as ever and is as weak as a rat. He is living with Macnamara. He advances but little in his pursuit of reparation. Lord Temple* shuns him, and professes * Lord Temple was now Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland. c I 24 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF the system of going to Ireland, divested of all preju- dice, in order to do what may be right upon full in- formation. From some little traits which I have heard of his Excellency, I suspect that he abounds more in self-confidence than in good sense. And now for a strange story ; though you probably will have heard it before you get this letter. Lord Trentham's * match is broken off. Lady Caroline f wrote a few days ago that she had a great value for him, but did not love him sufficiently to marry him. She certainly has been late in making this discovery ; as the clothes were bought, settlements completed, and her lover came to Blenheim to execute. The Duke, who writes me the particulars, is much vexed at the incident. He says that Lord Trentham was to go the next day (Tuesday last) abroad for a year. He does not think that Lady Caroline has any other pre- dilection. Mrs. Eden suspects that he must be mis- taken in this, but thinks that if her Ladyship is at liberty she ought to marry Lord Egremont. The Duke of Marlborough is very urgent with us to fix some time to pass a few days at Blenheim, and wishes much that you would be of the party. I should like best to go there about the last week in October, but I shall be glad to know what your plans are. All well within doors, but in a bad way sub Jove. Yours very affectionately, Wm. Eden. * Son of Lord Gower, afterwards first Duke of Sutherland, f Lady Caroline Spencer, daughter of the Duke of Marlborough, married in 1792 to Lord Clifden. WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 25 CHAP. II. Lord Loughborough at Buxton. — Arrival of the North Family. — " Cabinet Council." — Lord North's Irresolution. — Dispute between George Selwyn and Lord Weymouth. — Mr. Fox's Decision. — Lord North at Manchester. — Lord Loughborough strong for a Coalition. — Mr. Fox's Opinion that it depends upon Lord North. — Lord Lough- borough's Marriage. — Mr. Eden at Court. — Parliament meets. — Pre- liminaries of Peace signed. — Peace signed. — Lord Loughborough violent against the Peace. — His " Testament Politique." — Lord Shel- burne defeated on the Address. — The Coalition is formed. — Lord Shelburne again in a Minority. — Lord Shelburne resigns. The following letter will require some explanation as to the previous relations between Lords North, Loughborough, and Mr. Eden. Lord Louo-hborouo-h, formerly Sir A. Wedderburn, had been Solicitor and Attorney-General, his cousin, Mr. Eden, Under-Se- cretary of State, in Lord North's Administration. They had been the confidential advisers of the Premier during the American War, and had endeavoured in vain to infuse determination into the counsels of their vacillating chief. Their advice was always counter- acted by others. Lord North, the most amiable of men, generally agreed with the person he last con- versed with. Lord Loughborough to Mr. Eden. Buxton, August 18th, 1782. Dear Eden, — This place has agreed very well with me for the last ten days, or rather I have agreed better with it; for neither the weather, the company, nor the entertainment are different. The alteration is in myself; and I have had a strong proof of a lesson that age is apt to make us forget, that to be pleased depends on our own disposition and not on the objects around us. My neighbours are neither amu- sing nor interesting, but they arc good-humoured, and I have found a quiet table of six persons, with 26 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF whom I dine and sup very comfortably upon roast mutton and batter pudding. The party consists of a Mr. and Mrs. Beresford * of this county, with their daughter. He is a sportsman, who has lived a little in the world, sometimes noisy but always civil. His wife has been very handsome, which she does not appear to remember, and is perfectly well-bred and sensible. Miss is a fine saucy girl between child and woman, who begins to know that eyes are not made only to see with. Willoughby Dixief , whom you once knew, and two parsons who are here to kill moor game, are the rest of the party. Andrew Stuart arrived here two days ago, but has been of very little advantage to me yet. His first conversation was full of Shelburne politics, and I advised him to live with his sisters, who are here in a private house for a few days, and when he was fit to converse with us, I would make interest for his succeeding one of the parsons who is going away. The Norths came here on Friday night, in the course of their tour; the ladies so fatigued that they could not leave their room. Lord North and Frederick supped with me in private : he is in very good spirits and just as undecided in a party of pleasure as he is in any other party. All the morning yesterday was spent in a council exactly similar to those we have so often attended in Downing Street. To see Castleton was a fixed point, from hence he was to proceed to Manchester, and the ladies were to have gone back to Matlock. I of course proposed that they should come back to Buxton, on which it immediately occurred that they might also go on to Manchester ; and which of the three schemes should be preferred was not absolutely settled, when I reminded them that if they did not set out there would not be time to execute any of them. Stuart and I rode with them to Cas- tleton, where no servant had been sent to provide for their reception, and the only room in the only * The Irish Beresfords originally came from Derbyshire, f Sir Willoughby Dixie, Bart., of Boswoi-ih. WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 27 alehouse, together with the only leg of mutton in the place, were in the possession of another company. Fortunately that was Lord* and Lady Harrowby, with their son and daughter, who shared all with us very handsomely, and gave so warm a description of the beauty of the Devil's Cavern, that it was resolved that all the party should enter. Lord North's resolu- tion failed at the first water, and after the second was passed, Miss A. North f and I were the only persons who had the least wish to advance ; her brother was ashamed to be left behind, and the two abigails thought they could not in duty stay. The misery of the senior abigail was so ridiculous to Miss (who I fancy at some time of her life has felt some awe from her) that she would have undergone ten times the fatigue for so much laughing, and I never shall pass a merrier hour upon earth, than all the party (the abigail excepted) passed under ground. Lord North cut jokes upon the old woman of the cavern and the guides, which they perfectly understood, and were as well pleased with them as we were. The conclusion of the party was, that none of the schemes proposed took place : they went to Dishley at night, and Stuart and 1 returned hither. I am to make a visit to Matlock when the Norths return to it, which they propose to do about Wednes- day next, and shall then probably have some farther conversation with Lord North on a subject which we had not much opportunity nor inclination to discuss here : as far as we did touch upon it, his idea seemed not very different from mine. Miss North has caught a disorder that has been frequent in this country, a sore mouth, which as it makes both eating and laughing; a little painful, is as inconvenient to her as it would be to most people. She ordered me to send her love to Mrs. Eden : mine to her and all hers is constant. Ever yours, Loughborough. ' Nathaniel Ryder, first Lord Harrowby. t Afterwards Lady Sheffield. 28 THE COKKESPONDENCE OF I can't indulge your curiosity yet about the young lady I saw at Elford, though I have not forgot her. Did you ever see a Miss Vickers at Dublin, sister to Mrs. Latouche? she is much handsomer than any Miss I saw here, and if she had not left this place when she did, I don't know what might have become of me. Mr. Eden to Lord Loughborough. Beckenham, Kent, August 22nd. My dear Lord, — I know nothing new, and, indeed, have not seen anybody during the last five days, except Storer*, who came to us on Sunday, and pro- ceeded the next day to Tunbridge, and Baron Hothamf, who with his lady dined here yesterday. Mrs. Eden is gone this morning to see the Lady Waldegraves and Miss Keppel, who are at Sir Peter Burrel's J, and if she brings back any intelligence of bon ton or gallantry, I will turn it to a postscript. Charles Fox desired Storer to tell Lord North, in case he should see him, that he (Charles) always spoke with respect of his lordship. This led to a farther conversation, in which Charles was so good as to allow Lord North to have a good office, but by no means in any superintending situations : this he said was quite impossible. I wish to see Lord North, and before his mind is poisoned by people who are too eager to hurry him into office. Robinson's conversa- tion last week with Scott was that of a settled de- votee to. Lord Shelburne ; but he added that, though he thought Lord Shelburne's would be a permanent Government, he should be able to speak with more precision in a few days. My view of the matter at present is this : the Foxites and Shelburnites are utterly irreconcilable, and each set has a large class of transferable appendages, which might easily be attached to any well-formed Government. Under * Anthony Morris Storer, George Selwyn's friend. f Sir Beaumont Hotham, one of the Judges of the Exchequer. % Afterwards Lord Gwydir. WILLIAM, FIRST LOED AUCKLAND. 29 these circumstances we might, I think, among us, mould and fashion the third party, in a way not un- acceptable to the King or the public, and very useful to both : and I should trust this creed without hesi- tation to the Post-office, even if I supposed that my letter would be opened, which I do not think in any degree probable. My brother * has in manly and most explicit terms authorised me to promise his steady sup- port to any system that will not adopt the new- fangled doctrines. I think, too, that all the Marl- boroughs, except Lord Robert, would be with us ; and Mansfield, too, wishes to see himself in that class ; Lord Lisburn and his brother, and Mr. Shafto, would accede with great heartiness on one very easy condition. Then, I see within our reach a large class of others, whose names I am afraid of committing to paper, though I think they would be perfectly well-disposed, and many of them zealous. Lord North, too, could on very easy terms answer for thirty or forty, quite as personal friends and fol- lowers ; and all this mode of collecting about four- score voices might be considered almost as the mere sprouting of goodwill, and the foliage of our tree ; the trunk and large branches to be composed from the great offices and their adherents. Selwyn had a dispute last week about the word " central " against Lord Weymouth, who espoused " centrical." The next day somebody came and told him that Charles Fox had decided against him ; " Then," said Selwyn, " carry him my compliments with the following authority, from the ' Rape of the Lock ' : "— " Umbriel, a dusky melancholy sprite, As ever sullied the fair face of light, Down to the central earth, his proper scene, Repaired to search the gloomy cave of spleen." \\ lien the anecdote was told me, the word melancholy was changed into much harsher epithets. * Sir John Eden, M.P. for Durham county. 30 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF My best compliments to Stuart. I should perhaps feel more zeal for his friend in Berkeley Square *, if I also had been treated with a few flattering offers, even if I had not accepted them. Yours very affectionately, Wm. Eden. Mansfield made us an extempore dinner visit to- day, and carries this to town : he has not heard any- thing new. Lord Loughborough to Mr. Eden. Dear Eden, — I can write to you about nothing but the Norths, with whom I passed two very pleasant days at Matlock, and knew more of them in that time than in all my former acquaintance. Politics are not a stronger trial of temper than a party of pleasure, in which there is nothing to make entertainment but the good humour of the company. We went jumbling for eight hours through the worst road in England to see some tattered tapestry at an old house of the Duke of Devonshire; and neither the fatigue, nor the danger, nor the scrambling meal of cold meat, nor the disappointment at finding nothing to see, were the least interruption to the cheerfulness of the day. I carried Mr. Dalton with me (who had come to spend some days with me here), and I never saw a man more surprised and delighted with the new society. Miss North, he says, is so agree- able, that it is impossible she should not be handsome; and one cannot believe one's eyes, when they inform you she is not. He was even disposed to be civil to Lady North's beauty, and he would do anything for Lord North. The natural good humour of the family was very much heightened by the acclamations with which Lord North was received at Manchester, which were very flattering to him, who had been more accustomed to have his carriage broken than drawn by a mob. The principal people of the town made a * Lord Shclburne. WILLIAM, F1EST LORD AUCKLAND. 31 great entertainment for him, and some thousands followed him to every place he visited with the most cordial expressions of good will, and the most urgent intreaty that he would be Minister again. You know that he is not insensible to this, however he appears to make light of it, but his family enjoyed it all without the least reserve. We had no serious conversation for above five minutes. He told me of all the applications that had been made to him, and one from a very high quarter. He thought very justly that none were sufficiently pointed to require any other conduct from him but to keep his friends united, to withstand any dangerous innovation. His line seems to me to be very well taken ; but he is rather disposed to under- rate his strength, which I am satisfied will be found superior to any other single corps; and it should be an object with those who see him to raise his ideas a little in that respect, and dispose him to some timely exertions, that he may be found in force when the occasion offers of employing it. Your account of the treaty broke off, surprised everybody but Miss North, who thought it a very natural incident, and did not think the worse of the lady for it. The latter end of October will be a very good time for me, if you prefer going to Blenheim then ; but all times are very much alike to me, and you may engage for me when you please on a week's warning. I have had an answer to my letter perfectly friendly, and no more ; so that affair ends just where I thought it would, and where I now wish that it should. I remain here another week, partly because the waters are of service to me, and partly because I want to see a little more of the country. From hence I go into Yorkshire, but I shall write to you again before my address changes. My love to Mrs. Eden and all her nursery. Yours, ever most entirely, Loug II BOROUGH. Buxton, Aug. 24th. 9 4 3jJ THE CORRESPONDENCE OF My letter was too late for the post, and yours is arrived since I wrote it. Lord North stays about ten days at Wroxton, from hence he comes to Bushy for a few days in his way to Deal. It is very material you should see him, though at present he is not at all disposed to profess as Robinson* does: the Tories, above twenty, are certainly at his service. I think I may count on them, but I am much more certain of Sir John Anstruther. Lord Sheffeld is entirely with me ; Gibbon and Payne you class with Lord North, I suppose. It is clear to me that Lord North would out- number any other party. He stated the overture made to him from Fox exactly as you understand it, and professing that he wished no more for himself, held the proposal in great derision, and justly. 25th August. If you write soon to me, direct to be left at the Post Office at Ashbourne. In the next week direct to the care of Mr. Barnard, Attorney at law, Leeds. Mr. Eden to Lord Loughborough. Beckenbam, Kent, Sept. 3rd. My dear Lord, — Mansfield f has been with me again. He is very earnest for the demolition of Lord Shelburne's Government at an}' rate, and yet he has not fallen in love with Fox, with whom he had taken a morning's ride. Charles told him various good anecdotes of Lord Shelburne : they are, however, too slight to be inserted in a letter. Charles is not san- guine in his expectations, and says that the whole will depend on Lord North. Storer came to me on Saturday, and proceeded yesterday to Castle Howard. I have a letter from * "Jack Robinson," Secretary of the Treasury in Lord North's Government. t James Mansfield, afterwards Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas. WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 33 that quarter, renewing political speculations, express- ing strong resentment against the premier of the day for his neglect, and intimating that his intentions towards the House of Trentham* are also unsatis- factory. The game is certainly in Lord North's hands, if lie would play his cards like any other man so circum- stanced ; but all the old irresolutions, procrastinations, quiescences, and lazinesses, will operate more than ever. In short, I am haunted by the old proverb, " That it is impossible to make a silk purse of a sow's ear," whenever I try to reduce that business to any operative system.f Yours very affectionately, Wm. Eden. London. The next letter announces the marriage of Lord Loughborough. Lord Loughborough to Mr. Eden. My dear Eden, — The lady who struck my senti- ments at Elford will very soon be your cousin. We happened, not altogether without some management on my part, to meet again. In thanking her for her civil though useless attentions to me, I insensibly got to say a great deal more which was not ill received ; and as she very frankly told me, how much she had said for me, there could be but one reason for her declining to take the advice she had given. Happily no such reason existed, and everything was very soon settled between us. There is a fate that lights us to our ends; and I trust with full confi- dence that the star which guided me to Elford has * Lord Carlisle had married the daughter of Lord Gower, afterwards Marquis of Stafford'. "j" The irresolution of Lord North was natural, for whilst Lord Lough- borough and Mr. '.Men were advising him to coalesce with Fox, Jenkin- son, Dundas, and Robinson were advising him to support Lord Shelburne. VOL. I. D 34 THE CORRESPONDENCE OP pointed out to me a very certain road to happiness. You may conclude that the lady has every merit in my eyes; but I will tell you fairly my opinion of her before I became partial. She is not a beaut}', nor a wit, nor a fortune, neither does she profess any talents ; but she has a good figure, a great deal of countenance, a very right understanding, and an ex- ceedingly pleasant temper. We have agreed that it is much better to escape all conversation by a speedy conclusion, which will take place in a very few days ; and I shall make use of your name, without waiting for your consent, in a very short settlement. Mrs. Eden will by this time be a little impatient to know what other name is to be found in that settle- ment ; Charlotte Courtenay* is the name that I trust will not be found long in any other place, and I shall be very much disappointed if she does not give my Charlotte the preference to any of that name she ever knew, except my god-daughter. I am very sure she will have no better friend. I shall leave this neighbourhood (where I was obliged to come for a few days) on Sunday. The scheme, at present, is that we should come to town immediately. The chance of any letter finding me, is not worth the trouble of writing. If my route should be altered, I will let you know. Yours ever most sincerelv, Loughborough. Wakefield, Sept. 5th, 1782. Keep my secret for a few days after you have received my letter. Lord North to Mr. Eden. Wroxton, Sept. 6th. If Mrs. Eden and you will dine and pass the evening with us, you will be sure of finding us at Bushey, from Wednesday next to the Monday after. I shall be happy to see you, as the time stands * Daughter of the first Viscount Courtenay. WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 35 in great need of your information and advice. I do not feel myself of the importance which people are so good as to attribute to me, but if I can assist my friends, it will give me great pleasure, provided that I neither prejudice the public, nor contradict the principles I have always professed, and which are the real principles of my heart. I should add, that neither my inclination, nor conscience, will permit me to undertake any difficult office in such arduous times as these, when the public may suffer irrepar- able damage by my inefficiency. Our best compliments to Mrs. Eden. During this bad summer, we have sincerely pitied the poor farmers of Beckenham, but a delightful autumn is coming on to make you amends. Adieu, dear Sir. Believe me ever, Sincerely yours, North. Mr. Eden to Lord Loughborough. Beckenham, Kent, Sept. 23rd — 82. My dear Lord, — It is, I trust, superfluous to assure you, that you and Lady Loughborough have my warmest and most affectionate wishes for your mutual happiness, and so we will let that subject rest till wc meet ; I am sorry, however, to collect from your Buxton letter, that our meeting will not be quite so soon as I had expected. Let us know as soon as you can fix a plan for passing a couple of days with us here. The Paynes come to us on the 12th or 13th. With very little contrivance we could accommodate you at the same time, and could make out a pleasant party. We continue bound to the Blenheim scheme for the 25th of October: I make no doubt that the Duke and Duchess will muster courage sufficient to invite Lady Loughborough and you, but I suppose that you will both be too busy in arranging your house at Bedford Square, to accept the invitation. 1 love Blenheim, but shall move from this place with D 2 36 THE COEKESFONDENCE OF reluctance, for we are very comfortable here and extremely busy. I have, since I wrote last to you, made two digres- sions from my farming system ; the one to Bushey* for two days, and the other to a levee and drawing room. I received a letter from Lord North before I saw him ; it expressed a proper estimate of his own situation, and a disposition to use it to any purpose beneficial to the public and his friends. He arrived here on the Wednesdav night from Blenheim, we went to him on the Thursday. He had seen Robinson that morning; Robinson had been tampering with Lord Shelburne through Ordef, and had persuaded himself that Lord North ought to avow a system of general support. Lord North in discussing the matter with me, concluded in being clearly of opinion that he ought not to take any decided line at present, nor to pledge himself in the slightest degree ; but that we should rather arrange a plan of communication and conference with friends, and whenever his strength can be ascertained, to act according to the existing circumstances, and according to the degree of proper and honourable confidence which may be tendered, ever preserving consistency and the Constitution as far as may be possible. Rigby was with him on the Saturday, and he came to me on Wednesday before he went to Walmer, and then continued in the same sentiment, after having been at the levee. My visits to St. James's were in consequence of a very friendly letter to Mrs. Eden and me from Lord Grantham relative to our two brothers, in which he said that under the persuasion of its being agreeable to us, he had submitted to the King to send Stepney to Berlin, Morton Eden J to Dresden, and Hugh Elliot to Copenhagen. Dresden is in truth the particular appointment which Morton has long coveted, and * Bushey Park, Lord North lived there. + Afterwards Chief Secretary in Ireland, created Lord Bolton 1797. J Mr. Eden's brother, created 1799 an Irish peer with the title of Lord Henley. WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 37 which, consequently, I have long wished to obtain for him : it is a pleasant and respectable situation, and the expenses are not unequal to the pay. Lord Grant- ham added, that this move from a royal to an elect- oral court would not check his further advancement ; as to that, however, I shall feel little present anxiety. Hugh's* appointment is not precisely what lie would have wished; but 2000/. a year, with Madame Elliot at Copenhagen, is certainly better than 550/. a year in England, to which Charles Fox (in pure friendship towards Sir Gilbertf ) was reducing him, exclusive of the mortifying circumstance of being driven from his line with an unfavourable imputation. Copenhagen is a dull court and desperately cold. Their Majesties were exceedingly gracious to us, and went into the whole detail of our farm; and the King seemed to think this way of life so very benefi- cial to my health, that he cannot be so cruel as to have the most distant idea of ever calling me from it. Lord Shelburne took the occasion to tell me in very obli"inp- terms, that though the recommendations of the two last Lord-Lieutenants could not be complied with, the two small businesses for which he under- stood me to have an anxiety, had been asked by him as favours to himself, and would be done (300/! a vear to Cooke J, and 100/. to W. Ferguson). I thanked him for the attention, which by the bye will be felt very unpleasantly at Castle Howard, lie afterwards said that I never called, though he told me that he was always at home to me, and wished much that I would come some morning. I turned the conversation to general remarks. No particular day was fixed, lie was hurried off to the Closet, and so we separated. I had some conversation with Rigby ; but for tiie latter and the particulars of the various things here * Hugh Elliot, l;Ue Minister at the Court of Frederick the Great, re- called by Mr. Fox. + Sir Gilbert Elliot. t Mr. Edwaril Cooke had held m subordinate office under Mr. Eden, when Chief Secretary of Ireland: he was afterwards Under-Secretary. n 3 38 THE CORRESPONDEXCE OF referred to, I will defer you to our meeting. You are too well engaged to enter into such subjects, and Colonel Smith, who is come to breakfast with us, waits to carry this to London with him. He brings no news, but saw Keppel yesterday. Believe me, my dear Lord, Ever respectfully and affectionately yours, W. Eden. Mr. Eden to Lord Loughborough. My dear Lord, — I have a letter from Lord North, containing in very strong and pointed terms the same sentiments as those which you feel on the offer made by SirG. Carletonand Admiral Digby.* I would inclose it to you, but I am not certain from what you say that this packet will find you, so I will keep it till we meet. He says that he has written to many of his friends to desire their attendance ; that he wishes to have meetings and communications, and to act in concert " for the public welfare." He does not think that the Ministers have any plea in defence of their gratuitous recognition of' American Independence, without the interference of Parliament, and he inveighs against this base treatment of the royalists. He says that Mr. Fox's proposal in Cabinet was for a recog- nition to be asked in Parliament ; if so, I am happy that things are no worse, for in the base and pitiful folly of that period, Mr. Fox could have carried anything. I am now told that Lord Shelburne's language is that he was only ministerial in signing, yet I doubt whether Fox will not be ingenious enough to find a distinction to unite with us against the measure. I understand that the Ministers are moving heaven and earth (I use the expression quite descriptively of the effort and not of the means) to open some Congress * Sir Guy Carleton and Admiral Digby had offered terms of peace to America. WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 39 in Europe, or other ostensible channel to a pacification before the meeting of Parliament. They offered to Spain Gibraltar for Porto Rico. France wants peace, but finds the attainment of it an unwieldy transaction where so many parties must be consulted. Holland cannot be worse circumstanced, and wishes to try another year. Franklin is not eager for peace ; and as to indemnifying the royalists, he says that the Congress have no such power, the forfeitures having been in the separate legislatures. Lord Carlisle's* dislike to the present state of public affairs would not be quite so lively, if he had not experienced much more personal disregard from the present Minister than he ought in honour to bear, but he has taken a fine house in Piccadilly. I am not yet well able to write much, so I will conclude here. My dear Lord, Very affectionately yours, W. Eden. The following letters of Lord Loughborough are without date, but were certainly written just before the Coalition was actually formed. The preliminaries of peace with America had been signed on the 30th of November. Parliament met on the 5th of December, but still the preliminaries of peace with France and Spain re- mained unsettled. On the 23rd there was an adjournment for a month, and the preliminaries with France and Spain were signed on the 20th January. Lord Loughborough thought that the time was < CD t_J now come when a deadly blow might be levelled at Lord Shelburne's Administration. * Lord Carlisle resigned on learning the terms of the Peace. d 4 40 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF Lord Loughborough to Mr. Eden. Dear Eden, — I should be much obliged to you, if you would iix a time to-morrow or Sunday, to meet Mr. Newdigate at my house, as I want your joint authority to enable me to receive Lady Loughborough's fortune, which Lord Courtenay is to pay this term ; and Newdigate's stay in town will be very short. Could you dine here on Sunday? I have seen and heard a great variety of people on the subject of the Peace. They all think it as in- famous as I do, and they all assert that this opinion spreads very much. In another point they agree also that Lord North may decide upon the merit of the Peace and the fate of the Ministry ; but if he neglects his opportunity, he will not in a month's time have more influence than Lord Newhaven.* Some think that he may take either part and name his own terms ; others, with much better ground, hold that the publication of the articles has left him but one part to take. I had not considered him till yesterday, and I have no doubt that Lord North is the most undone man in this country, if he does not mark his utter disapprobation of them. If by his means they pass without censure, Lord Shelburne may and will beat him as he pleases, and his friends will be the outcast of every party. The reproach and obloquy of the Peace which must rise every day, will all be transferred to him ; and he decides that so dishonourable and ruinous a Peace was the neces- sary effect of his measures, if he does not boldly oppose it. I have been strongly urged to go to him by our friend Ellis, f Do you think it can do any good ? The case is very different from what I thought it was when I wrote to you. There is now but one part to * An Irish peer. f Welbore Ellis had succeeded Lord George Germaine, as Secretary of State in Lord North's Government. WILLIAM, FIRST LOED AUCKLAND. 41 advise — to make terms with those who are against the Peace. Whoever supports it, will be more blasted than those who made it. Yours ever, Loughborough. Lord Loughborough to Mr. Eden. All those I saw last night murmur greatly at Lord North. If he delays any longer he will find a great many of his friends declare themselves independent, and will be joined to Lord Shelburne, in the abuse at least that the Treaty deservedly meets with. Lord Loughborough to Mr. Eden. Lear Eden, — After I left you, I committed to writ- ing my thoughts on the present state of parties. In the evening I went from Payne's to Lord North, and found him quite alone : reserved in his own part of the conversation, but very ready to hear mine. If he had made any confidence to me, I should have desired him to open himself to you ; but I should have kept his secret. He told me nothing, and yet I am satisfied that I know his plan. He will not con- nect himself with Fox, but means, finally, to support Lord Shelburne : he will object to parts of the Treaty, but not vehemently ; he will easily avoid dividing against it, but whatever is moved, will be qualified as he pleases. He will oppose, strenuously and suc- cessfully, the change of the Constitution ; after which some arrangement will be formed for a few of his friends, in which lie will acquiesce, without per- haps taking office himself, but with a certainty of having one when he thinks fit. This is a bad game, and I am afraid it will be ill played. The only fact told me was one that all the town Mill know to-day. The Advocate* gave a dinner on Satur- * Mr Dunilns. 42 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF clay to Lord Shelburne; Rigby, Lord Lewisham, and Mr. North were of the party. The world would not suppose that they or Lord North were unapprised of the company they were to meet. Lord North dines at the Advocate's next Saturday. I don't suppose Lord Shelburne will be of that party, but Mr. Orde, perhaps ; I don't believe you will be in- vited. This incident has not all the weight with me that the public will give to it, for my idea of Lord North's line was formed before it was mentioned. This is neither a safe nor a handsome manner of opening a game with Lord Shelburne. I am heartily vexed that Lord North should throw away the great influence he now possesses ; but for the rest, I am very willing to shut out all politics. Yours ever, Loughborough. In the following instructions Lord Loughborough points out the course that ought to be pursued by Lord North's party. Lord Loughborough to Mr. Eden. Dear Eden, — As a spectator, who has not even a bet depending, I will give you my opinion on the present state of the game. As the party now stands, it is Lord North's turn to play, and if he passes he gives up. There are but three possible ways of playing ; by himself, with Lord Shelburne, or with Fox. As to the first: the true state of his cards is*, that he has but one matadore, a tolerable suit or two, and a great many small trumps. To drop the meta- phor: there is no man of that degree of consideration amongst those connected with him, as to compel Lord North to make any sacrifice in order to procure for that person any given situation, and I hold that to be a great advantage. Lord North's party consists of * The game here alluded to, is ombre. WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 43 some respectable friends who are attached to him from honour and inclination, a great many others who build their own fortunes upon his, and another description of men who think he will be a bulwark against any inroads upon the Constitution. If, with a party so composed, he should decide to stand by himself, he would for some time make a very respect- able appearance. When the danger to the Constitu- tion is averted, the last set of friends would be very warm in their esteem, but very cool in their attach- ment. They would support, but they would not oppose with him, and at any rate their numbers would necessarily disappear, for it is not the nature of such troops to keep the field long. The second description would be very liable to desertion : if their expecta- tions were urgent, they would go over to the Minister, or if their resentments were strongest, they would fall into the most active opposition. The end, and that a very speedy one, of playing a separate game, would be that Lord North would feel his consequence and influence really diminished, and his sincere and steady friends would be the sufferers by it. This part, therefore, is clearly the worst, and he can pursue it no longer than he has done. If he were to accede to Lord Shelburnc, on what- ever terms, Mr. Fox remains with a great party in connected opposition, and the odium of a bad peace will then be added to the odium revived of an unsuc- cessful war. Lord Shelburne will be discharged of a great part of all the blame which would otherwise fasten upon him; and with all that load of unpopularity, the Administration is to undertake, against a very active and not a very scrupulous opposition, to compose Ireland ; to regulate our new situation with respect to America; to restore commerce and heal the wounded interests of every ancient branch of it ; to settle and protect the Last Indies ; and to allay domestic dis- contents by checking the spirit of innovation. Such would be the state of things supposing an union with Lord Shelburne, on such terms as Lord 44 THE COEEESPONDENCE OF North should prescribe ; but that is a very unreason- able supposition. Lord Shelburne in possession, can never offer these terras. An union with Mr. Fox has undoubtedly many disadvantages: one that will instantly occur to you, I think, more considerable in appearance than in reality. The prejudices of Lord Shelburne were very soon removed, and even the Duke of Richmond's behaviour did not obstruct his way. Many of Lord North's friends think ill of Mr. Fox, but none of them despise him; for one, I certainly have no reason to like him, but I am persuaded that without him there can be no steady Government. By a connection with him the Peace will be left to stand upon its own demerits, and the blame of the war will no longer be its defence, nor furnish topics of de- clamation ; and if he believed himself fixed in Go- vernment, he would be zealous enough to support it in all essential articles at home and abroad. Upon what terras an union could be formed with him 1 do not pretend to know. But the terms to be made between two parties out of power ought naturally to be more advantageous than those which a Minister can offer. Where is the difficulty, however, to bring that matter to the test immediately ? If Fox admits Lord North's consequence in the extent that he ought ; that is, if he admits that he ought to choose his own situation, there needs no detail, their friends will be satisfied with that arrangement ; and I think better of Fox's understanding than to doubt that he w r ould wish to give Lord North the Treasury. If, however, Fox has not settled that point in his own mind, I am equally clear that the alternative then must be to unite with Lord Shelburne ; for Lord North would lose his credit and his friends by any concession that would throw the Government into Fox's hands. This would, in my apprehension, make it necessary to choose the other game, though I think it the worst of the two for the public, and for individuals. WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 45 Having stated to you my ideas of the best and of the second best game, it now remains to slate to you how I think they should be played. Supposing the trial made with Fox, and that it does or does not succeed; in making which trial there is not a moment to be lost. First supposing that it succeeds, I think the Peace is to be attacked in every way, except by an open division against it. No honourable epithet of the lowest denomination should be suffered to be tacked to it, nor would it be very difficult to intimidate the Administration from using any phrase of honourable, advantageous, adequate, or any synonymous expres- sion. Thanks for the Peace I should not wish to oppose, but everything beyond that dry mark of respect. That business over and the change of the representation, it would then be an easy matter to frame a motion for an address, recommending every attention that had been omitted in the articles of the treaty, and to season it so that it must be opposed ; the nation would follow that call, the motion would be carried, and the Government of course transferred to abler men than those who wanted such a lesson. But supposing the experiment does not succeed, and that Lord North must play the game with Lord Shelburne, in that case his line at present must be to provoke some discourse upon the terms of peace, to put Lord Shelburne in doubt. lie may not oppose them, and in that way (the only one in my appre- hension to oblige the other to make advances) induce Lord Shelburne to make him a proposition ; for I am very certain that in their relative situations, whoever makes the first move, gives the other a decisive advantage. I have now made my testament politique : I should have given it verbally to Lord North, but 1 fore that I shall not meet with him so soon as 1 ought; the occasion is slipping from him. 1 must not send it to him, for he is careless about papers, but I appoint you executor. LOL'GimOKOUGH. 46 fHE CORRESPONDENCE OF On the 17th of February the terms of Peace came on for discussion in the Houses of Parliament. In the House of Lords, the Address was carried by 69 votes to 55. In the House of Commons, the Minis- ters were defeated by 224 to 208, on an amendment* to the Address moved by Lord John Cavendish. The Coalition was now completed, and the amend- ment carried by Lord John Cavendish was followed up by another censuring the terms of Peace. Lord John's second amendment was carried by a majority of 17 on the 19 th of February. The following letters of Mr. Fox are written while the struggle was proceeding. Mr. Fox to Mr. Eden. Dear Eden, — I send you inclosed a draught of the Resolutions thought of; but as I have neither been able to see Lord North nor Lord John Cavendish to- night, I think it will be next to impossible to come forward with them to-morrow. I wish, however, you would show them to Lord North, and on to-morrow I will endeavour to see Lord John, and if possible Lord North too, before the House meets, and settle as well as the time will permit, whether anything and (if anything) what we can do, or give notice of, in the House. Yours ever, C. J. Fox. St. James's Street, Tuesday night. Mr. Fox to Mr. Eden. Dear Eden, — I did not receive your note till so late, that, considering your early hours, I thought it was in vain to try to see you. I have not seen George North * Horace Walpole describes this amendment thus : " It was a tempe- rate and very artful one, declared against infringing the Treaty, though announcing that the House would consider the terms." The advice given in this testament politique was followed. WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 47 all day. I meant to have called upon Lord North in the morning, if I had not laid in bed most part of the day. I will, at all events, see him to-morrow, for though I do not know your particular reasons, there are obviously many, why no time should be lost. It may be well worth considering what further steps are to be taken in the House of Commons, if Lord Shelburne should be desperate enough not to resign immediately. Yours ever, C. J. Fox. St. James's Street, Saturday night. 4S THE CORRESPONDENCE OF CHAP. III. Tlie Coalition Administration. — Anger of Lord Loughborough.— -Gibbon and Lord Sheffield. — The King's first Attempt to overthrow the Mi- nistry. — Mr. Fox's India Bill. — Alarm of Mr. Eden and Lord Lough- borough. — The Bill carried triumphantly through the House of Commons. — Letter of Adam Smith. Immediately after his defeat in the House of Com- mons, Lord Shelburne tendered his resignation*, but no successor was appointed till the 2nd of April following. The reason of this was, that the King resisted to the last the entry of the Coalition into office. The King requested Lord Gower, Mr. Pitt, and others,' to accept the vacant Premiership. Mr. Pitt, at one time, was supposed to have consented, but on consideration wisely determined that the time was not yet come when he could brave the majority of the House of Commons, with hopes of success. At last the King was obliged to send for Lord North ; and although he attempted to prevent the Duke of Portland from being the chief of the Administration, and to keep his friend, Lord Thurlow, as Chancellor, lie in the end gave way, and the new Ministers kissed hands on their appointment. The Dnke of Portland was First Lord of the Treasury, Lord North and Mr. Fox, Secretaries of State, Lord John Cavendish, Chancellor of the Ex- chequer. No Chancellor was appointed, the Great Seal being put in commission, and Lord Loughborough was appointed First Commissioner. Mr. Eden became Vice-Treasurer of Ireland. * Lord Shelburne resigned on the 24th of February. WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 49 Lord Loughborough to Mr. Eden. Dear Eden, — The Administration that was sup- posed to be forming yesterday, will not exist for a week, if men are convinced that it is only an illu- sion to withdraw Lord Shelburne for a little time, carry one or two measures, dissolve the Parliament, and then reinstate him. This is so natural a supposi- tion, that it will not require much pains to persuade the public of it. Lord Gower professedly only lends his name for forming some Government, which can only be that of Lord Shelburne, with Jenkinson, and that must be founded on a dissolution of Parliament. If this idea spreads, no man will go over from Lord North's party; and there will be a much warmer zeal excited against this trick, than hath yet appeared against any public measure. The adjournment is unfortunate, because it would have been easy to have conveyed this idea to all the House, and given a very warm alarm ; but if people are active, half the House may be convinced of it before Friday ; and the reception it will meet with on Friday will not leave this Ministry a much longer term than their predecessors under Lord Granville had in the last reign. Yours ever, Loughborough. Wednesday. The following is a copy of Lord North's letter to the King. The copy is in the handwriting of Mr. Kden. Lord North had refused the Premiership. " Lord North has the honour to inform His Majesty? that pursuant to His Majesty's wishes, Mr. Fox and his friends would assist in forming the new Adminis- tration, in which it would be His Majesty's desire, that they should accept of great, honourable, and efficient offices." — Lord North added that it was His Majesty's intentions, that the Office of First Lord of VOL. i. E 50 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF the Treasury should be filled by some Peer not at the head of any party. Mr. Fox, in the name of his friends, informed Lord North* that they could not make part of any Admi- nistration, unless the Duke of Portland should be at the head of the Treasury. March 4th, 2 r. m. Communicated to Mr. Fox, previous to its being sent. The following indignant letter shows the natural disappointment of Lord Loughborough on not being Chancellor. Lord Loughborough to Mr. Eden. Dear Eden, — Burke called upon me this moment, and told me that the only obstacle to an entire ar- rangement was Lord North's attachment to the Chancellor."} - I would not do so unchristian an act as to assist him with any means of overcoming that pious and charitable scruple of Lord North's, but it would be a singular event in politics, and prove most strongly the advantage of insolence, brutality, and treachery, if a hopeful arrangement in other respects should fail from Lord North's affection to the beaux yeux of the Chancellor. If he had had the whole distribu- tion in his own hands, I should have advised him, in order to form a better connection with the object of his passion, to separate for a few days at least, to make the reconciliation of more value. But if he adheres to this difficulty, I shall think that he will not satisfy his other friends, so easily as he will satisfy me. I forgot to tell you to-day that Mansfield will be well satisfied with an assurance of coming on the bench, as Wallace^ informs me ; but neither Wallace nor he, nor Lee J, will think their own situations of much value if the Chancellor continues. * The King was very anxious that Lord North should be Prime Mi- nister instead of the Duke of Portland. f Lord Thurlow. J Wallace and Jack Lee became Attorney and Solicitor-General io the new Government. WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 51 Burke is full of Lord North's praises in all other respects; many handsome observations of the Duke of Portland to the same effect. Lord Loughborough to Mr. Eden. Half-past nine. Dear Eden, — Lord North came to me about eight o'clock, and staid with me an hour. He began with a communication of his appointment (as if I had not heard it), and proceeded to all the topics that he seems to have discussed with you. After all this, he touched slightly on my own situation, asking who would be Chancellor? — I answered short, not I. Would the Chief Baron? — I believe not, but I could not tell. Will nobody ? — I said yes, I did not doubt that Erskine would. But that won't do. Will Wallace ? — Better send to him ; I can't answer for any man who is very fit for the office, from my own conjectures. These interrogations at last led to a sort of half-jealous inquiry, whether I had not been spoken to, to be Speaker of the House of Lords. I told him then fairly the conversa- tion Mr. Fox had held to me, and the state in which I had left that point, together with the civility that Burke had expressed in the Duke of Portland's name. He hinted to me that there was no lawyer in the Cabinet, and that, for his own part, he should have great occasion for a legal friend. I told him that my law was at his service, but for the Cabinet, I did not wish to enter it ; that I should feel myself neglected, if I was not in a commission for the Great Seal ; and as to presiding in the House of Lords, (if Lord Mansfield declined it) I did not wish, but should not refuse it. At the close of his conversation, I asked him whether your business was settled ? — He said no; he was going about that and a thousand other difficulties to the Duke of Portland. I could not draw him into any discus- sion upon it. His whole conversation was kind, but i •_' 52 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF not the least frank : mine was in the same style ; on both sides perfectly good-humoured, and perfectly vague. I told him precisely that I did not consider myself as having received any distinct offer, and let him understand that my conduct would depend on the treatment I received. He seemed quite undecided whether to quit the House of Commons or not, afraid of the House of Lords, and of the abuse that he should receive in the place he left. My opinion is that he will be re-elected. I shall see you in the morning at your house, un- less you can call here before ten. Yours ever, Loughborough. The following letter is from Lord Sheffield*, the editor of Gibbon's works. Lord Sheffield to Mr. Eden.\ D. S. 13th June, 1783. Nothing extraordinary except that the tax on receipts has passed with little difficulty, notwith- standing petitions and instructions against it from every part of England. The number of expresses that arrived on Tuesday is hardly credible. The taxes should always be carried through as quickly as possible. My constituents took the trouble of sending me a petition against the tax, accompanied by several most strenuous letters, but it happened that I voted for it. As to the matters you left de- pending, Lord North flatters me daily, that he thinks the business of the provincial corps will meet little difficulty, and that all the officers, my clients, as he calls them, should have half-pay, but nothing is done. However, there is a want of estimates and parti- culars which are necessary before anything can be proposed. The taxes being passed, the next great object is the * Jchn Holroyd, created, 9th of January 1781, an Irish peer, with the title of Lord Sheffield of Dunamore, County Meath. t Mr. Eden was in Ireland. WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 53 establishment of the Prince of Wales. I understand there will be considerable opposition. Possibly you may have heard that the King is to give up 50,000/. which is to be made up 80,000/. The common opinion is that it is to be 100,000. No bad oppor- tunity for Ministers to oblige friends. I think it would be more prudent to give the 100,000/., lest the Prince with his Court should join the Opposition for the purpose of getting the 20,000/. Gibbon and I have been walking about the room and cannot find any employment we should like in the intended establishment. He agrees with me, that the place of dancing-master might be one of the most eligible for him, but he rather inclines to be painter, in hopes of succeeding Ramsay. I believe Denoyer's office is most lucrative, and snug, and fittest for a country gentleman. Our friend Lord Loughborough has carried his ladyship to Brighton to be washed, and if it suits her, there is some talk of her remaining there. In short, Charles Fox made the best speech I have heard on a tax. Sheridan trains on as a man of business and attention, and George North as well as Lord North are to be found at the office. My parliamentary fervour cannot hold out more than ten days longer. Thank God Burke is quiet. I shall be very glad to hear Mrs. Eden held out well ; she seems the least troublesome of the sex. I also hope the brat did not tumble overboard, and that when you return there is a chance of a congress in Sussex. Having written to Foster lately, I have nothing to say to him. Kemember me properly where proper. Yours most faithfully, Sheffield. I must not forget to tell you that I am a kind of deputy for you in your absence. N.B. — The printer tells me a second edition of "Observations" will be very shortly wanted. E 3 54 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF Lord Holland relates in his memoirs that Lord Townshend said " he had always foreseen the Coalition Ministry would not last, for he was at Court when Mr. Fox kissed hands, and observed George III. turnback his ears and eyes just like the horse at Astley's, when the tailor he had determined to throw was getting on him." The King made his first attempt to dislodge the Ministry, on the proposal of the grant to the Prince of Wales. Lord Temple was consulted, and the Ministers expected their dismissal. However, the King, it is said, by the advice of Lord Thurlow, abandoned his intention. Sir Ralph Payne to Mr. Eden. My dear Sir, — I scribble these few lines to you in some degree of hurry. They are only to inform you that within the last eight-and-forty hours, the politi- cal atmosphere has assumed a very cloudy aspect. The message which the House of Commons has ex- pected for two days past from the King, seems to be still at some distance. His Majesty declines signing it, and all the world are speculating on the cause. You know how inconsequent, and of course how uninformed a man I am, and as you cannot place much value upon my opinion of matters, I shall hardly venture to give it to you. I will, however, tell you one or two facts. The Duke of Portland carried the message to the King, on Friday last, for his signature, when the King appeared in a very good humour, and desired him to send it, with some other papers, to be signed at Windsor. Lord Temple was afterwards with the King, between two and three hours ; and when the Duke of Portland sent the message accord- ing to the King's order to Windsor, His Majesty returned it unsigned, with a very angry letter ; the contents of which, as some say, were reproaches on some of the Ministry for encouraging the Prince of Wales's prodigality, &c, but this I don't give you as part of my fact, I only vouch for the letter being full of displeasure. WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 55 Yesterday, on Mr. Pitt's motion for committing his Regulation Bill, Ministry at first strenuously opposed the Speaker's leaving the chair, but they did not choose to try the question, and the Speaker was suf- fered to quit the chair without a division. The Mi- nisters certainly had a meeting this morning, and the Duke of Portland's resignation was much talked of to-day in the House of Commons, but everything (at least to such vulgars as myself) is yet mysterious. The Advocate was, it is said, suspended in his office as Advocate, two days ago, but it is said and believed that Mr. Pitt sent an express this morning to him, to bring him to Town. In short, a change is shrewdly suspected, and Keene's* face, which is at least an ell in length, demonstrates that in his opinion, all is not right. Lord Temple is to be First Lord of the Trea- sury ; say the gentlemen " on the other side of the House." I confess that I am not easy — I mean for my friends — being myself an independent town gen- tleman with no office, nor even the hopes of one, having for several weeks past viewed the perspective, which the noble lordf in the blue riband has held to me in his camera obscura, with ineffable contempt. In- famously treated, however, as I feel myself to have been, I can't afford to lose a Lord-Lieutenant J, a Vice-Treasurer of Ireland, and a First Commissioner of the Seals at one stroke. I pray, therefore, most devoutly, that by to-morrow's post I may be able to inform you that His Majesty is grown agreeable again, and that the ship has again righted, and is pursuing her navigation with a flowing sail. If you don't hear from me, be satisfied that I have nothing to say. Pray send me one line, or rather one word, which is the day on which you mean to leave Ireland. Harris has accepted the Hague, so I lay aside my Dutch * Colonel Keene, a devoted follower of Lord North. He bad a place in the Lord Chamberlain's department. f Lord North. J Lord Northin messengers travel in chaises of their own (for the purpose), and pass the barriers upon the credit of their passports. The people here who use this plan, have in confidence stated to me all the circumstances and all the premiums, and it goes sometimes to the extent of 150 parcels. In return they send linen gauzes and lace blondes, &c, nearly in the same way to Dover, and thence by the French messenger and English travellers. The Ministers are not ignorant of this course, for it was first mentioned to me by a friend of M. cle Rayneval's, and they can at any time prevent it without any reasonable offence to us, but they choose for the moment to connive at it, though the gentleman who mentioned it to me first, added that it was growing too great to be tolerated. I have always feared that the delay would lessen our advantages, or at least create some unpleasant discussions. And I now find that several of the .French manufacturers, upon the expectation that England will be on the footing of the most favoured nation, are applying for general prohibitions in favour of their particular manufactures. Mr. Eden to Mr. Pitt. (Private.) I do not know what have been Mr. Jenkinson's sentiments on all this business, but I will trouble you with the copy of a paragraph which I lately received from him, and of my answer by this courier : — " I am sorry that your business does not go on so fast as you wish. I think, however, it is wise to go on with a reasonable degree of caution : the system to be adopted is new, and there is none to which the Opposition are so likely to point their objections, if we should commit the least error." Answer. — " I agree with you that it is peculiarly desirous to avoid any error ; and for this reason I feel solicitous to proceed no further immediately than is stated in the Declaration and Contre-declaration, leav- VOL. I. L 146 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF ing the arrangement of specific articles to a mature discussion, and subsequent clauses to be annexed to the Treaty ; in doing this we neither commit nor risk any error. If we go further at first, I foresee many difficulties and uncertainties; and if we postpone going so far, we not only hazard the whole, but post- pone advantages to our trade much more than I should choose to state to our merchants. Droits d'entree here are collected in such a way, that if the prohibitions were removed, our people would feel few difficulties, and the French ports will also give them access to all the ports in the world." I am, my dear Sir, Respectfully and most sincerely yours, W. Eden. The long-expected instructions* drawn up by Mr. Jenkinson were at last transmitted to Mr. Eden. Mr. Pitt to Mr. Eden. (Private.) Downing Street, July 21st, 1786. My dear Sir, — I hope the instructions which were despatched last Wednesday will have relieved you from the embarrassments which you have felt. I do not trouble you particularly on the subject of them, because they are so fully drawn as to leave nothing for me to add, at least nothing that I am aware of at present, though this mode of comprising all in our Treaty is not what you most approve. I trust you will find that at least all essential points are as easily adjusted in this way. I shall, however, be anxious to learn what passes, and what you think upon it, and have only to beg that you will write to me fully whatever occurs to you. You are, I assure you, much mistaken if you imagine that anything you can write on that subject is too much. I rejoice not a little in the account contained in one of your letters on the * These voluminous instructions will be found in the Appendix. WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 147 French finance. I hope you will find leisure to let me know all that is to be known on that subject. I am, dear Sir, Most sincerely yours, W. Pitt. Mr. Eden to Mr. Pitt. (Private.) Hotel d'Elboeuf, July 25th, 1786. My dear Sir, — I will tell you with the utmost frankness what I think of my new instructions. The whole paper is drawn out with great neatness and apparent knowledge of the subject, but varies so much from the principles of all the preceding parts of the negotiation, that my heart sunk desperately from the first perusal. Upon the second, I thought it not un- reasonable nor unwise that you should make an effort of this kind to gain as much as possible on every point, and that you should have it in your power to say that such points as may be lost were at least not neglected : — some must be lost, for it is absurd to suppose that we can carry every point when we give none in return. Upon the third perusal, I began to think that there were materials to prove a very good and plausible paper. I feel no scruple in thinking it a very forcible statement, and M. de Rayneval also thought it so. I go to-day to Versailles to ascertain that the French Ministers are of the same opinion. I continue on very good terms in that quarter, and am sure that at this moment they will, on my recommen- dation, do anything that is in any degree reasonable. I entreat you first to excuse little impatiences that will arise when those who are employed at a distance will often seem to themselves to write more than their employers seem to read. I entreat you next to drive this business forwards without any avoidable delay, not merely for the sake of the public, which is greatly interested in it, but for your own sake, though I am bound to believe that the result will do solid and eternal honour to you ; but, for my sake also, for I 148 THE CORRESPONDENCE OP feel no ambition to pass two or three years of my life here, more especially on appointments which I cannot desire to be, and on which I cannot maintain the ap- pearance which I think right. Have the goodness, also, to send me answers on the other political questions with this Court, which, at this moment, is certainly sincere. I am, dear Sir, Respectfully and sincerely yours, W. Eden. Mr. Eden to Mr. Pitt. Hotel d'Elbceuf, July 27th, 1786. My dear Sir, — "Nil actum reputans, si quid superesset agendum,"* is a phrase which incessantly haunts me whilst this same Treaty remains unfinished, and, therefore, as soon as I had despatched the message on Tuesday, I went to Versailles, and had the satisfaction of finding that the conference with M. de Vergennes and the Comptroller-General upon the paper entitled " Replique," &c, had taken place the preceding even- ing, in great detail, in the presence of M. de Rayneval, and with a very steady and earnest disposition to gratify us as far as circumstances can admit. M. de Rayneval meant to occupy himself yesterday and to- day in preparing the further answer to us, and I think it probable he will communicate with me before it finally passes. My speculation is to obtain the admis- sion of Hardware upon duties not exceeding 10 per cent., the revocation of the prohibitions of the cottons, and their admission upon duties which our people will say are too high, but an admission which, at any rate, will be profitable to us ; and, with respect to the woollens, if they would admit them upon double the duties proposed by Mr. Everitt, 2s. for all above * Nil actum credens, quum quid superesset agendum. — Lucan's Pharsalia, lib. ii. 1. G57. WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 149 125. per yard, it will be as much as I have any hopes of attaining. There certainly is a very cordial and fair wish among those who conduct the business to do every thing that can properly be done to favour us ; but I should think it neither honourable nor wise if I were to suggest or urge more than I believe they can do without risk to their own characters and situa- tions. I will write further on this point when I receive the expected answer. I send by this courier the remaining articles. I hope that they will immediately be referred to the Board of Trade, and that you will have the good- ness to bring them forward there immediately. The perusal, examination, corrections, and appro- bation may all easily be completed in two mornings, and indeed in one, if either you or Lord Hawkes- bury would take the trouble previously to read the articles. It seems to be beyond a doubt that we ought to retain all those which are compatible with the other parts of the Treaty and with our existing laws : they are all favourable to our mer- chants, and it would not be prudent to attempt to change the expressions merely because they might be more neatly expressed. If anything should occur, however, by way of improvement, I do not believe that I shall find difficulty here in inserting it. I shall be glad to have this part of the business sent to me as soon as it is completed. M. de Rayneval again mentioned to me the East India business, and said that his Court would readily enter into discussion with me for a Convention, separate, to regulate the East India trade. I think we might make it a very important work as con- nected with the remittance of the revenues, peace of India, &c. ; and, by some small changes of mode, perhaps it would be practicable to do something at least as eligible as Perier's late treaty, which failed. I do not wish, however, to say much about it till I hear from you, and, therefore, I avoided on Tuesday secino- M. de Versrennes in private. If the answer to 5 L 3 150 THE COERESPONDEXCE OF the Replique is as nearly satisfactory as I expect it to be, I submit to you that it would be right to suppose the European business completed, and to treat what remains as mere form, which you may enable me to finish in a fortnight, and, in the mean time, for Lord Carmarthen to write me a formal and ostensible letter upon the East India Commerce. I have laid the foundation of such a letter in my dispatch. But, at all events, it is material to me to know very soon what you wish, for I have pursued the practice here of telling the French Ministers, without managements and with sincerity, what I think right to be done, and, in return, I have felt some right to the particular confidence which they place in me. It is awkward to me, therefore, to be obliged to preserve silence on so great a point, which they have so often mentioned. I was occupied a great part of yesterday morn- ing in stating for the Comptroller-General, M. de Vergennes, a detailed explanation of the meaning of " Countervailing Duties and Drawbacks," and it is not so easy a business to be done in French as you may perhaps imagine. I took my instances in the beer trade (which, by the bye, will be opened to us) and in the silk trade, with respect to which there would perhaps be a disposition to opening the com- merce with us in the articles silk stockings and ribbons, upon a reciprocal duty of 10 per cent, ad valorem, with a right on our own part to add on the importation, to deduct on the exportation the equivalent to the duty paid per weight on the raw silk, which, I believe, is about four shillings per pound. I believe this would be advantageous to us, but these are not matters worth postponing the conclusion of the Treaty for a single day, as they may be equally (and perhaps better) effectuated afterwards. M. de Rayneval told me in confidence that it was supposed we would have desired better terms for the leather trade, sellerie, harnois, &c. Their duty will be high enough, but, as the sale of WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 151 such articles is chiefly to the opulent, I do not know that the duty is very material to be disputed so far as 5 or 10 per cent, are in question. There are great plans going forwards here for settling ware- houses at Bordeaux,~Marseilles, &c, to supply English goods to all the world. I think it right to throw cold water on the zeal of some individuals who are very alert in such speculations. If you are not interrupted by other matters in England, you might enable me to complete all this business before the end of August. Mr. Bathurst had dined with a very large party of his countrymen on Monday last, at my house, before I received your letter. I have since informed him of 3'our anxiety that I should show every attention to him. Believe me, my dear Sir, Respectfully and sincerely yours, W. Eden. The following is an extract from Mr. Eden's Memoirs respecting the Queen and the Duchess of Polignac who are mentioned in the following letter : — " At this period the Queen appeared to possess all the happiness and cheerfulness of private life, to- gether with all the splendour and magnificence of Royalty, and to have no foresight of the calamities which were coming towards her. " The evening assemblies at Madame de Polignac's were subjects of greater animadversion than all the extravagance of the Court. Such meetings are natur- ally exposed to the censure and ill humour of many who are not present, and of some who are, but who may not think themselves noticed. They are also open to the suspicion of favouritism, and the impu- tation of intrigue. " The persons admitted at Madame de Polignac's were some of the principal Foreign Ministers and their Ladies, other foreigners of distinction, and a large circle of courtiers of both sexes. l4 152 THE CORRESPONDENCE OP " The Queen conversed, played at trictrac, or billiards, and often had a concert in which she stood as one of the singers, and sometimes a small ball at which she danced. She never entered the supper room. Perhaps, however, the general style of the meeting, though innocent in itself, was not suited to all the circumstances and considerations of the case." Mr. Eden to Lord Carmarthen. (Private.) Her Most Christian Majesty, at Madame de Poli- gnac's, on Tuesday, in a conversation respecting the circumstance of the late attempt at St. James's on His Majesty's person*, was led to mention the peculiar and affectionate manner in which His Most Christian Majesty was shocked by the news when it was first mentioned to him. And she added in very becoming terms, that, on such an occasion, she felt most for the Queen. I ought perhaps to mention, as it is in some degree connected with my public situation here, and with the attention shown towards it, that though Mrs. Eden (not being an ambassadress) cannot re- gularly go to Court, Her Most Christian Majesty has been pleased to honour her with very particular marks of favour and attention, of which we cannot express too deep a sense. During the great Proces- sion of the Court on Tuesday last (le jour de PAssomption), Mrs. Eden had the honour of standing in the balcony with Her Most Christian Majesty and the Archduchess ; and yesterday she received a present of carpeting f of very considerable value, accompanied with the most obliging expressions. * The attempt on the King's life by Margaret Nicholson, t This present roused the ire of Lord George Gordon, who was violent against the Treat)'. WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 153 Mr. Eden to Lord Carmarthen. (Private) Paris, Thursday, 17th Aug., 3 o'clock. My dear Lord, — Your dispatch of Monday last was delivered to me by Rowarth this morning at eight o'clock, since which I have had at Versailles con- ferences of three hours upon the various instructions contained in it. I cannot attempt to write the result by the ordinary courier, this being the hour of his departure, but I hope to re-dispatch Rowarth to- morrow night : he will probably arrive in London early on Monday morning. " L'exclusion des chiffons nous chiffonne beaucoup." I trust, nevertheless, that my dispatch to-morrow will place the whole business in a form which must be acceptable to His Majesty and his Ministers, and I beg leave to mention, "d'avance" that it may be of consequence essential to my success to receive the answer on Friday the 15th if possible, but not later than the Saturday morning the 16th. Your Lordship will see this more particularly when you receive my letters. In the meantime I cannot give a stronger proof of my own conviction that dispatch is become neces- sary, than by informing your Lordship that though four of my children have been confined all this week to their bed by a scarlet fever, and though my eldest daughter has been very dangerously ill, I have thought it a public duty to repress my personal feelings as much as possible, and to go both yester- day and to-day to Versailles. I am, my dear Lord, &c. W. Eden. Mr. Pitt to Mr. Eden. (Private.) Downing Street, August 20, 1786. My dear Sir, — Every exertion has been used to dispatch the instructions you will now receive, and to make them in every respect as conciliatory as possiblo. 154 THE COEKESPONDENCE OF The concessions we have brought ourselves to make on the great articles of wine and brandy, are what we had given France no reason to expect. They ought to be felt as strong proofs of our earnest disposition to do all that we possibly can on our side; and will, I trust, go far to remove any difficulty on any other point. — On the linens we could not concede farther, without risking a dissatisfaction that might seriously affect the success of the whole measure. On the whole, I look upon the great work as everything but completed, and I see it with more satisfaction than I can express. It will, in my opinion, be in every respect desirable that the idea which you mentioned of this Treaty, being signed bv M. de Vergennes, should take place ; and I re- joice that it has occurred to him. You shall hear from me again very soon, particu- larly on the Indian business. Too much caution cannot be used on that subject in the meantime, as the delicacy of it is, I think, increased by the last advices, from which I am apprehensive that the Government in India has, in some points, conceded too far. I much wish this object may be happily adjusted while you stay in France ; but I trust, neither that, nor any other point, will very long protract your return ; — though of that I think you can better judge than I can. I am, my dear Sir, Most sincerely yours, W. Pitt. P.S. — In the points left to your discretion, let me add a firm persuasion that you will yield nothing unneces- sarily, and at the same time the fullest assurance, that where you find it really essential for the great object, you may rely on the most complete concur- rence and approbation here, For fear of accidents, it would be as well if, after securing every point, you should find it practicable to delay for a day or two WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 155 the formal transmisson of the articles, but this should on no account be thought of unless you see every- thing safe ; and we shall be impatient in the mean time to be assured that no difficulty arose. In the following letter the virtual conclusion of the Treaty is announced. M. cle Calonne was naturally very angry at the exclusion of the chief manufacture of France : — Mr. Eden to Mr. Pitt. (Private.) Paris, Wednesday Evening, 10 p.m. Aug. 23. My dear Sir, — Your messenger arrived early this morning ; and after studying the dispatches in my bed, I breakfasted and went to Versailles. I was led to do this without delay, because I could not keep them many hours in my possession without writing, and because I find it inconvenient to write upon a subject where there were so many discretionary points. M. de Raynevalhad been here with me on Monday, and in consequence of Lord Carmarthen's first letter, I had prepared him in some measure for a favourable result. I found him as I have uniformly done, quite unreserved and cordial in his manner, and to the best of my belief perfectly fair in his intentions. I am too late, and also too much tired to plague you with all particulars at present. I found it necessary to open all the concessions which I am empowered to make, in the course of stating all the alterations which I am desired to require. I hope that I shall settle all the points in the manner you wish, except only, though I do not expect, any further reduction of the duty on hardware ; it will not be my fault if I fail in it, for I urged it this morning, at least as far as was decent or safe. I am firmly convinced that the proposed duty will give us a full access to the French markets, and will be thought so low here as to be the subject of much outcry. M. dc Rayneval informed me in confidence 156 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF that the people most zealous for low duties, all con- curred in stating the necessity of fifteen per cent, on this article, and twenty per cent, on the cotton (and some went so far as thirty per cent.). M. de Ver- gennes was of opinion for fifteen per cent., and M. de Calonne, after much dispute, by the aid of a paper in which I had urged for five per cent., split the dif- ference, and carried it for ten (but with great doubts). As to pottery and fayence, 1 shall obtain either ten or fifteen per cent. As for beer and cyder, probably a duty of one-third above the internal duty here. As to the saddlery, I hope about fifteen per cent., but there is a great internal duty which creates some puzzle. The reservation as to Portugal sticks next in our throats, but I hope we shall swallow it. 1 will state a few other particulars in my dispatch to Lord Carmarthen. I also had a long conference with M. de Ver- gennes and the Comptroller-General* in the apartment of the former: nothing can be kinder or more concili- atory than their manner and language towards me. M. de Vergennes expressed his satisfaction in warm terms at the appearance of a satisfactory conclusion, and took occasion in the course of business to tell me that by Col. Cathcart, he had received a copy of the " Kecord fait a l'lsle Maurice," f which he had not had time to open, and it was singular that the Comptroller-General appeared not before to have heard one word upon the subject of the late dis- agreements between the French Settlements and our Indian Government. The Comptroller-General lamented rather warmly, and in a sort of speech, that you would not find it practicable to open the silk trade. M. de Vergennes in- formed him that there are " trente mille polissons dans la ville de Londres qui ont une voix sur ce chapitre ;" to which he answered that there were above double * M. de Calonne. f There had been a Convention signed at the Mauritius between M. de Souillac and Col. Cathcart, respecting the East Indies. WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 157 that number at Lyons, who would execrate him for admit tin"; all the numerous manufactures of England, by the same instrument which will exclude the only well-established manufacture of France. He ended, however, pleasantly and with good humour : — " I shall occupy myself to-morrow in put- ting the whole business into shape, and shall then transmit it to M. de Rayneval, who thinks it material to prefix a preamble ; but as I shall see the whole before it goes to the Council, I hope nothing embarrassing will be anticipated." To-morrow morning I go to Versailles, and we shall probably not return till Tuesday. If nothing happens to prevent it, you will probably have a messenger from me on Wednesday, or in the next week. And unless I should fail in matters of essential importance, or omit some matter which cannot safely be postponed, I shall entreat you to return the instrument immedi- ately with instructions to sign it. I lament that I have not provisional instructions in my possession for that purpose ; but if there is no casualty in the in- terval, the mode of proceeding adopted is certainly the most becoming. I wish you would send an order for the remaining articles from the Attorney-General and the Advocate- General to be returned instanter. It may be necessary here to have a Sunday's council for their insertion also, and the delays are really more dangerous than I can make intelligible in a letter. If this business takes the turn which seems probable, I may hope, perhaps, to return to England about the end of October. If I stay much later the weather will be too severe for my family to travel, and yet it is but too probable that many subsequent points will arise to be detailed and explained. I am, my dear Sir, Yery respectfully and sincerely yours, Wm. Eden. 158 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF Lord Carmarthen to Mr. Eden. (Private.) Whitehall, August 25, 1786. Dear Sir, — I have many thanks to return you for your very obliging private letter of the 17th. The manner in which M. de Vergennes professes himself disposed to discuss the Indian Question is certainly fair and candid ; how far the grants from the Mogul to the old French India Company can be proved, and when proved, apply to the present subjects of dispute, will appear whenever the matter comes to be fairly investigated. I am extremely pleased with the account you men- tion of the Queen of France's gracious attention and politeness to Mrs. Eden, and hope that neither of you will meet with anything that is not perfectly friendly (sur le tapis) during your stay in France. We had the most favourable answers to-day at the Committee, from Messrs. Bowles the glass manufac- turers. They were clearly of opinion that a duty of from ten to fifteen per cent., in addition to the com- pensating duty, would prove perfectly secure and satis- factory with respect to crown glass ; as to plate glass they could not give us the information we wanted. Quant aux rubans, nous ne brillons pas de ce cote la. A shorter and more direct negative was never given than by a meeting of those concerned in the riband manufactory, to the general question of opening the trade of that manufacture. Anything short of abso- lute prohibition seems, in the eyes of these gentlemen, to involve them, and of course the country, in imme- diate ruin and destruction. So much for Spitalfields, for the two gentlemen (Wilson and Venning if I re- member right) who were previously examined ap- peared infinitely more reasonable (though not very sanguine in their expectations of a beneficial inter- course in that article) before they had consulted their commeitans. I have just received an account of the King* of * Frederick the Great. WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 159 Prussia's death. The loss of anything great, whether good or bad, naturally occasions a degree of temporary anxiety and suspense as to the effects likely to be produced by it. What is his successor to be in the opinion of the French? They, of course, have formed an opinion, and perhaps already propagated fifty. If any immediate effect is likely to take place, Holland will probably afford the first specimen of the King's political capacity. Believe me, dear Sir, Your very faithful and obedient servant, Carmarthen. Mr. Pitt to Mr. Eden. (Private.) Downing Street, Sept. 4. My dear Sir, — We have been working hard to expedite your dispatch, and I have scarce a moment left for a private letter. In the main, I trust you will find everything satisfactory, and I doubt not you will be able to reconcile the French Court on the two or three points on which we cannot give way. The ribands and modes are of this description, and the rate of duty on the linens cannot be lowered beyond our former offer. In the glass, I hope and believe we shall be able to comply. The interval necessary before the reduction of the wine duty should take place will be very speedily ascertained : both these particulars shall be sent to you by another messenger, who will probably reach you before all the points in the present dispatch are exhausted ; and you shall have at the same time an account about the Britisli-made Wines. In the meantime, it is enough to say that the duty on them was raised last Session, and is much higher in proportion to foreign wine than formerly. I will not enter farther at present on the subject of my former private letter, except only to repeat my sincere desire at all times to keep in view whatever yon feel material either for your credit or satisfaction in any arrangements that 160 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF may be in question. On the other points I will write again very speedily. I foresee that at all events it will be impossible for your presence here not to be very material when the Treaty comes to be discussed in Parliament. I write, as you see, in the utmost haste. Believe me always, my dear Sir, Very sincerely yours, W. Pitt. Mr. Pitt to Mr. Eden. (Private.) Downing Street, Sept. 12, 1786. My dear Sir, — Your dispatches reached me this morning in the country. I allow fully for your impatience, which is natural, and arises from con- siderations which I feel in common with you ; — but I wish to remove one impression. AVe never thought of confining you so closely as you seem to imagine to the amended draught of the articles, but coupled them with the instructions, pursuant to which I think you would have been warranted, if you had signed the Treaty in the shape last transmitted to us, with the exception only of the addition at the end of the first article, which is too dangerous to be admitted, at least in its present extent. I persuade myself nothing can now prevent or retard the happy completion of the business. The new idea of fifteen per cent, in general, or on the essential article of cottons, cannot be listened to, and I hope will not be proposed, though pressing it would in fact be breaking off the Treaty. — Silk gauzes are, for very good reasons, too important to us to be given up. The glass which we now give (a little adventurously, as you see by the enclosed evidence) will, I hope, assist you in carrying this point. The liberty to import into all ports, or at least into most of them, is really necessary to the objects of the Treaty. And lastly, the reduction we again ask on WILLIAM, FIRST LOUD AUCKLAND. 161 the heavy articles of iron, seems so well justified by the state of the present duties from other countries, that the French can hardly refuse some satisfaction on that head. But this last point, though very mate- rial, should not be made a sine qua non. You may venture to assure M. de Rayneval, that we are in earnest endeavouring to make it prac- ticable to reduce the duty on brandy a good deal below the specified rate, though it is quite impossible yet to speak positively, as you know the interests we have to deal with. We are also making good pro- gress in the idea of classing the duties on linens, so as to put every other country on as favourable terms as Germany in the same species. I am more and more satisfied every hour with every part of this business, but still I cannot flatter myself that it is to be all triumph here without any discontent or opposition ; and I am persuaded your presence here will be materially beneficial, both with a view to satisfying many of the manufacturers, and also when the point comes before Parliament. I should be particularly glad if you would come over, if it were only for a week, soon after the sig- nature of these articles. That time misrht be usefullv spent for the business itself, — and I should be glad of the opportunity of talking on many other points on which 1 would rather talk than write. Anions them is the suggestion of your having the appoint- ment of Ambassador to ratify the Treaty. There may be some difficulty in it, but if you wish it upon the whole, I shall be much inclined to settle it so. At all events, it will certainly come best after the preliminaries are known to be signed. I am truly concerned that the unfortunate incident mentioned in your letter to Lord Carmarthen should have added domestic anxiety to your other fatigues. Believe me, my dear Sir, Most sincerely yours, W. Pitt. The Treaty was signed on September the 26th. VOL. I. m 162 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF Mr. Pitt to Mr. Eden. (Private.) Downing Street, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 1786. My dear Sir, — I am impatient to congratulate you most cordially on the important event of the signature of the Treaty which your secretary brought last night. It ought to give the most general satisfaction, and though I conclude some particular interests will not be contented, the effects of the measure will, I trust, long be felt, not only on the industry of both coun- tries, but on their mutual temper and disposition to each other. I am much struck with the proceeding of M. de Vergennes and the French Government in this whole transaction, and particularly with the fair- ness, assiduity, and knowledge of M. de Rayneval. Lord Carmarthen's dispatches will state to you some few points unavoidable in a business of such extent, which must be set right, but which, I flatter myself, are really without difficulty. I am pressed for time, but I cannot end my letter without adding how impatient I shall be to submit to the King a proper mode of acknowledging your un- remitting services on this most important occasion. I am, with great truth and regard, Dear Sir, Yours most sincerely, W, Pitt. The following letter is from Lord Sheffield, who had installed himself as chief adviser of Mr. Eden, and was very much surprised that, in spite of all his prophecies to the contrary, such a favourable result was arrived at. Lord Sheffield to Mr. Eden. Sheffield Place, Oct, 4, 1786. It may be extravagant to give an opinion on forty- seven articles, a very small part of which are known WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 163 to me, and I must not pretend to say anything con- clusive ; but with you I am not apt to be on my guard, and although I may hereafter find something to abuse, as far as I can judge from the part, I know the Treaty seems very much of the same kind as the American and the Irish, viz. the reciprocity is all on one side, for I have not discovered, since I received your letter this morning, a single advantage the French have gained. Observe, however, that I only know extracts from two articles, viz. 6th and 7th. You say they con- tain the material points respecting the duties and general principle of the business. I should be most afraid the French would quarrel with them when they find our manufactures filling their warehouses. I hear they consider the Treaty as an experiment for two years, and are much pleased with it. If it is all of a piece with the articles you have communicated, the French, for once at least, are taken in, and exhibit themselves very ignorant and foolish. I could write an excellentpamphlet on the French sde of the question against theTreaty. On the first blush of the business I almost wish the advantages were more equal. You say France will be advantaged on the article cambrics — positive nonsense ; and I think I convinced some of the Glasgow people that the im- portation of cambric will not be considerably increased. France already had the supply of this country for the cambrics she is likely to supply. I gave you some notes on that subject before you went, I believe ; at least I sent some to Glasgow to conciliate. In point of revenue Britain will be benefited as far as the amount of the duty on an article before prohibited. I like exceedingly the idea of calculating duties upon the premiums of smuggling, with some small addition for the superior advantage of direct trade. But the reduction of the duty on brandy from nine to seven shillings is not sufficient to prevent smuggling. A reduction, however, so low as to considerably increase the consumption in Britain, would of course affect M 2 164 THE CORRESPONDENCE OP the rum maker and distiller. Considering the igno- rance and folly of the people, and the timidity of Ministers on the article of silk, I think you may be very well content with having obtained the admission of gauze into France. Nothing can be clearer than that we can meet the French at market with several articles of silk besides the generality of ribands. When the French were disposed to sign so liberal a Treaty, it is rather remarkable they should stick at mixtures of silk with cotton and woollen, for I sup- pose the objection arose on their part, as a very con- siderable part of the manufactures of Norwich and Manchester will be excluded. Finally, the Treaty appears far from a little business. Knowing your system is not to knock your head against any knot of manufacturers, and supposing the French would inform themselves better, I did not expect much — something plausible but not more. I knew the Ministers were cowardly, although their ignorance has generally given them the appearance of boldness. Your former letter promised that it should be immediately followed by another, therefore I delayed writing. Your two letters, with the extracts, arrived together this morning. Write to me again immediately. I have more to say to you, but must delay it to another post. We are very glad to hear Mrs. Eden is so well. She will not relish this island. Pray tell her I particularly rejoice in the event at Berwick. Yours ever, Sheffield. P.S. — I shall impatiently wait for an opportunity of finding something wrong in the rest of the Treaty. I shall be very quarrelsome if it interferes with a Spanish treaty. I think there will be at least much scepticism on the laying open of the trade between the two countries. Ten per cent, duties, acl valorem, to be determined by oaths, are little. WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND 165 Mr. Pitt to Mr. Eden. (Private.) Downing Street, Oct. 16th, 1786. My dear Sir, — I have received great satisfaction in your last packet, from which we learn that the few remaining points towards the completion of our great work are settled well, or in a fair way of being so. I think I may now venture to congratulate you most fully on an issue to this business far beyond our most sanguine wishes. In the little (comparatively speaking) which yet remains to be explained, you will, I have no doubt, be as successful as you have been hitherto. To include the buttons especially, and the plated metal and the japanned goods, in the specification of hard- ware, and to explain the point of the marque des fers seems almost all that remains to be done. I conclude you will have found M. de Calonne practicable as to the countervailing duty on iron — as far as relates to the duty on the raw material. It is very important to us to have these points settled well. They are not great compared with the whole, but the credit or discredit of the whole may depend much upon them. You say nothing about coming over hither. I wish most eagerly to see you here as soon as you can make it convenient ; for it will be of use, more than perhaps you imagine, in settling the details of the duties in pursuance of the Tariff; and as to the East India bu- siness (which you must finish before you leave Paris finally) it is impossible to send satisfactory instruc- tions without talking to you on the subject. Private reasons would make me very anxious to have our meeting early, but otherwise a week, more or less, is not material. Parliament, it is now settled, is not to meet before Christinas. I wrote the other day in great haste, but I hope you will have understood from my letter that if the point of rank* is at all material * The rank of Ambassador for the purpose of signing the Treaty. M 3 166 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF to you, you may depend upon it immediately, and I beg you would have no difficulty in stating your wishes, which I shall be most happy to promote. I am, dear Sir, Yours sincerely, W. Pitt. Mr. Eden to Lord Carmarthen. (Private.) Fontainebleau, Oct. 18, 1786. My dear Lord, — I now send back the Treaty* with the several alterations recommended, and with some others which were correct, and not very material im- provements. I have obtained the insertion of " Iron" among the articles to be compensated ; but I think that you have urged it rather as a colour, and to prevent objections, than from any intention to make actual use of it. I am sure that it will be an ill-judged measure to apply a countervailing duty to any article except the glass. The policy of applying it as to the beer ma}' by possibility be well, but in the meantime it may safely lie. As to the " Toiles peintes et teintes," I know that it was urged by the Manchester people ; but if they will have here sufficient security against the introduction of Swiss cottons, it will be an idle caution on our part, and an evasive one. I know it will be unpopular in England to say it ; but I feel that the infinite advantages which must result from the Treaty by a temperate and generous conduct on our part, will all be risked and, perhaps, will be lost, by the extreme avidity of our manufacturers and our complaisance towards them. I already reproach myself seriously with having urged on the French Ministers on some of the most material articles a lower duty than is just or right; but in the meantime I was urged by England to propose duties still lower, though I suspected then, and know now, that we were deceived by some who ought not to have deceived us. This is not a business in which I feel solicitous for the applause *The Treaty will be found in the Appendix. WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 167 and triumph of the moment. It is impossible that the Treaty can go forwards with any permanent execution, if this country is to be overwhelmed with English manufactures, and is not at the same time enabled to send wines, brandies, cambrics, linens, &c. to pay for them. The French Ministers talk on this part of the subject to my feelings with great candour and good sense, and their uneasiness is much increased by the Portuguese business. My residence here, and my concern with negotia- tions, are both drawing to an end; but your Lordship's wisdom and power will be very usefully employed in putting this great machine of the French commerce into motion, without occasioning a fatal convulsion in the system, thus far auspicious, which you have so essentially contributed to establish. I am, my dear Lord, Most respectfully and sincerely yours, Wm. Eden. It will be seen by the following letter that the title of "King of France " was refused Louis XVI., George III. claiming the title. Mr. Eden to Mr. Fraser* Fontainebleau, 20th Oct. 1786. My dear Sir, — Observing immediately previous to dispatching the Treaty to you, that there was a wrong placing of the precedence between the two sovereigns, I corrected it, as I had already agreed with M. de Rayneval ; but it has since occurred to me that the expression used (as taken, I believe, from the old Treaty) is " Roi de France." I beg the favour of you to erase those words, and to insert " Le Roi Tres Chretien." M. de Rayneval also desires you to correct a little inaccuracy in point of grammar in the second para- * Mr. Fraser was Under Secretary of State. m 4 168 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF graph of the 6th article. Instead of" ne paieront pas dans tous les cas," it should be " en aucun cas," and the negative " pas" should be omitted. These minutes border on hypercriticisms, but ac- curacy is a good thing enough when it does not prevent the progress of real business. I am, Most sincerely, &c, Wm. Eden. The Treaty was now ratified. There is no doubt that it was most favourable to England. It was not merely a treaty of commerce, it was a treaty of navigation and commerce. Some difficulties occurred, owing to the French Ministers trying indirectly to alter the duties* ; but Mr. Eden, with his usual ability, settled all points by a supplementary convention, signed on the 15th of January, which was received with great satisfaction in England. The following letter gives an account of a dinner at Lord Carmarthen's, which made a great sensation both at home and abroad ; Mr. Pitt's Foreign Secretary having invited the leaders of the Opposition to his official dinner: — Mr. Morton Eden to Mr. William Eden. Bruton Street, Jan. 18th, 1787. My dear Brother, — I send you inclosed a pamphlet which makes a great noise here at this moment, and which may amuse you whilst your hair is combing out. It is supposed to be written by Mr. Wraxall f: there are indeed one or two expressions in it which savour strongly of his speech in the House of Com- mons. There are many new publications for and * The duties were generally from ten to twelve per cent, ad valorem on each side. French silks were excluded, f Author of the Historical Memoirs. WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 169 against your Treaty; but as I conclude that you have given directions to have them all forwarded to you, I shall not trouble you with them. I understand that there will be a vigorous attack upon it, and that Lord Stormont means to call evidence to the bar of the House of Lords. I trust, however, that it will be found invulnerable : this is the opinion of the most sensible. I congratulate you on the happy conclu- sion of the Tariff; but though 1 ardently wish, on my own account, your return to England, yet I should be sorry to see your mission finish before our East India business be settled. I was yesterday seated at table next to Mr. Hope, of Amsterdam, who, amongst other articles of Dutch politics, mentioned the power and art of France in Holland, in diverting the Dutch from their real commercial interests, to establish in India a military power which must be at their com- mand, and prove probably fatal to our interests in that quarter. Our company yesterday at Lord Car- marthen's was numerous. Besides the Foreign Minis- ters and strangers of distinction, there were Mr. Fox, Lord Stormont, Duke of Manchester, General Conway, Lord "Weymouth, and Lord Macartney. Lord North sent an excuse : I met him the other day, he looks deplorably. Mr. Fox arrived very late — he had more attention shown him by the Foreign Minis- ters* than the master of the feast. He sat at dinner between the Duke of Lauzun, with whom he talked the whole time, and a zero. Lord Stormont sat between General Conway and a zero. The Duke of Manchesterf between two zeros — he himself probably a third. Mr. Fox was, what is very uncommon with him, very well dressed. The Bishop of Durham died yesterday ; the Chan- cellor's brother, it is said, will certainly succeed him. * The Foreign Ministers expected Mr. Fox's immediate return to power. f Late Ambassador at Paris. 170 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF My best love to my sister and your children. Be- lieve me to be, with the most unfeigned regard, Your obliged and affectionate brother, M. E. Mr, Wood/all to Mr. Eden. Dorset Street, Salisbury Square, Feb. 3, 1787: Dear Sir, — I thank you for your favour of the 24th of January. You will see by the letter from Mr. Palmer*, transmitted herewith, that I made the proper use of that we are to be shown. I shall thank you, if you continue long enough at Paris, for a line or two upon the subject, as soon as you shall have had an opportunity of paying it any attention. We are just on the eve of tapping your tub at St. Stephen's. It has been upon the ferment ever since we met, and a good deal of your yeast has worked upwards from it. Without a metaphor, on Monday we are to discuss the nomination of the day, and expect Monday se'nnight will be stiffly objected to as too early. The Opposition (as you will have seen, if the Morning Chronicle f reaches you) contest the Treaty on the grounds of general policy, as I pre- dicted they would in my last. Fox and Pitt have been warm and irascible more than once, on the topic of the state of our present and probable future trade with Portugal, and I see clearly, that it will prove a bone of contention all through the various debates, that will either mediately or immediately arise respecting your Treaty. Mr. Pelham J, you will have observed, is active on the subject. Mr. Hastings's prosecution is moving onwards ; Sheridan is to detail the charge about the Begums, and Fox says he was completely prepared a week ago, but, being afraid of establishing one precedent of punctuality on his part, moved the day. This * Mr. Palmer the Post Office reformer. f Mr. William Woodfall was Editor of the Morning Chronicle. I Hon. Thomas Pelham, afterwards second Earl of Chichester. WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 171 bon-mot has, however, within this day or two, been rendered into dull matter of fact, as the examination of Mr. Middleton and Sir Elijah Impey has furnished so much new evidence, that it has become absolutely necessary to move the day a second time, and not go to Oude till next Wednesday. I thank you for your piece of news relative to the Droit d'Aubaine*, which I forthwith communicated to the public, as I knew many people had contended that that important consideration had not been settled with sufficient explicitness in your Treaty. Begging pardon for taking up so much of your valuable time, give me leave to subscribe myself, Dear Sir, yours faithfully ever, W. Woodfall. P.S. — As I have put down one bon-mot, I will scrawl another in the postscript. Lord North, at a late dinner at the Duke of Portland's, when the con- versation turned on the promotion of Mr. Jenkinson to a peerage, said, " Aye, they can't go on without more of my friends ; I suppose, when any question of state arises in the House of Lords, and Lord Carinar- thenf and Lord Sydney are looked to, or called upon, they w T ill both arise, and like the two mutes\ in the Mourning Bride, point to Lord Hawkesbury." The Treaty received the assent of the House of Commons, although Mr. Fox opposed it on the ground that France was our natural enemy. * The right of the French Government to seize the goods of aliens dying in France. t The Marquis of Carmarthen, afterwards fifth Duke of Leeds, had been a member of the Upper House since 1776, with the title of Baron Osborne. | The two Secretaries of State seldom spoke in the House of Lords. 172 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF CHAP. VII. Differences between England and France with respect to the Affairs of Holland. — Letters of Mr. Eden and M. de Rayneval. — Mr. Eden returns to Paris. — Lord Thurlow's Opinions on the Disputes. — M. de Montmorin professes a Wish to recede. Revolutionary Manifestations in Paris. — Warlike Letters of Mr. Pitt. — Notification of M. de Montmorin that France would assist the States of Holland against Prussia. — Lord Carmarthen's Circular Declaring that England would arm. — Mr. Grenville arrives in Paris. — The States of Holland recall their Demand of Assistance. — Lord Carmarthen suggests that a Declaration should be signed. — Mr. Eden's Reception at the Duchess of Polignac's Party. — Mr. Eden remonstrates against Sir James Harris's Suggestions. The following correspondence relates to the differ- ences between England and France, with respect to the affairs of Holland, which terminated in a manner so satisfactory to the English nation. For some years the influence of France had been predominant in Holland. The Dutch navy, formerly so formidable under Van Tromp and De Ruyter, had sunk into a mere appendage of that of France, and their colonial pos- sessions in the East had been turned into French outposts, from whence attacks might be made on English dominion in India. Sir James Harris, the English Ambassador in Holland, had long been endeavouring to thwart the proceedings of the democratic party, who, directed by French agents, were reducing the Stadtholcler to a nonenity. An accidental circumstance restored the Prince of Orange to his rights. On the 28th of June, the Princess of Orange, sister of the young King of Prussia who had just succeeded to the throne of the great Frederick, was stopped and insulted on her journey from Nimeguen to the Hague. The King of Prussia determined, by the advice of that active diplomatist, Mr. Ewart, to WILLIAM, FIRST LOED AUCKLAND. 17 g avenge the insult offered to the Princess, and demanded satisfaction from the States of Holland. The States of Holland refused satisfaction, and appealed for assistance from France. On the 13th* of September, M. de Montmorin, who had succeeded the Comte de Vergennes as Foreign Minister, announced to Mr. Eden that the demand of the States would be acceded to. The English Ministers received this important intelligence on the 15th. Their resolution was soon taken, and the French Government was informed that any armed inter- ference in Holland would be met with all the might and power of England. Prussia was promised the assistance of forty sail of the line, and twenty-five thousand soldiers. The Prussian troops, under the command of the Duke of Brunswick, poured into Holland and restored the Government of the Prince of Orange. The two nations were now face to face ; the gauntlet was thrown down on both sides ; they must either fight or recede. Mr. Pitt, who now personally superintended the direction of foreign affairs, not only did not recede, but he made France promise not to interfere in the affairs of Holland ; then he made her sign a public declaration to that effect. Not content with that, he made France reduce her navy, which she had been increasing for the last two years, to a peace establish ment. Mr. Eden, by his great influence with the French Minis- ters, materially contributed to this glorious result. The following letter was written by Mr. Eden when in England in the month of July: — Mr. Eden to M. de Rayneval. Lambeth Falace. My dear Sir, — I send this by the courier who carries a dispatch to the Duke of Dorset, on which The Prussian troops entered Holland on the same day. 174 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF I will make few remarks, because it can only be justly understood by a full and mature consideration of all its contents ; and I therefore hope that the Duke will communicate it to M. le Comte de Mont- morin with that unreserve which is best calculated in the present moment to bring our discussions to a right point. I am so peculiarly situated in this business, that I see the interior of what is going forwards in both Governments, — and I have the fullest conviction upon my mind, that both Governments are cordially anxious to pursue the wishes of the two Sovereigns in the maintenance of peace towards each other, and in quieting the troubles which arise in other states, without seeking to derive any undue advantages from those troubles ; at the same time I see with great uneasiness that, under all the circumstances of the moment, these good dispositions are liable to be frustrated, unless the utmost attention is exerted. I lamented most sincerely the little misconception which took place so immediately after my departure ; but the liberality and wisdom of M. de Montmorin's mind interposed and prevented it from doing any mischief. The line pursued in that instance has made a deep and right impression here. The dispatch which will now be communicated to you, must be considered collectively, and not by par- ticular sentences. If it happens (which, however, I see no reason to suppose) that there is any word or expression not precisely consonant to the feelings of your Government, place it to the account of the differences of the two languages, and consider the whole import. I aver to my friends here, that your Ministers are sincere in wishing to maintain peace and to restore the tranquillity of the Dutch Provinces upon just and constitutional terms. I now, through you, make the same averment to friends at Ver- sailles respecting the Ministers here, — and salvo lionore on both sides in the measures to be adopted. WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 175 We now go great lengths of conciliation, in stating and limiting the number of our ships, the short victualling and cruising to the westward, &c. &c. I conjure you to meet us and repay us with equal frankness and conciliation; and to tell us fairly and freely that you have no intention at present to assemble troops towards Holland. I entreat you further to recommend the taking effective steps to effectuate a state of civil peace between the Provinces. For the purpose of discussion I will recommend similar measures as far as I can here. I hope also that the joint arbitration is drawing towards an actual proposition. It will, however, be much expe- dited if you could give us a more specific statement of the plan to be adopted in settling the differences of the several parties. In all this, which I write in extreme haste, you will not forget that I speak from my own personal feelings, and under the extreme disadvantage of expressing in few words, and at three hundred miles distance, what occurs on so great and complicated a subject. If I had the honour of ten minutes per- sonal conversation with M. de Montmorin, I should hope for great information and advantages from it ; as it is, I can only express wishes and hopes. I will write more fully in a few days : en attendant, faites mille assurances a M. le Comte de Montmorin de mon respectueux attachement. J'ai l'honneur d'etre, tres sincerement, Monsieur, votre tres humble et tres obeissant serviteur, Wm. Eden. P.S. — Permit me to suggest that, if any delicac}? - occurs as to the mode for communicating your answer, it would be an unobjectionable mode to write through Monsieur Barthelemy, and it will thus continue a transaction of confidence till the moment comes of its being ministerial. 176 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF M. de Rayneval to Mr. Eden. A Versailles, le 20 juillet 1787. J'ai re9ii, Monsieur, la lettre que vous m'avez fait l'bonneur de m'ecrire le 10 de ce raois, et je me suis empresse de la communiquer a M. le Comte de Mont- morin. Ce Ministre a ete tres sensible a la maniere confiante avec laquelle vous vous etes explique sur ces malheureuses affaires de Hollande, et il fait fond sur ce que vous dites des dispositions pacifiques de votre, Ministere. La depeche que recoit M. Barthe- lemy doit dissiper jusqu'a 1'ombre de ses apprehensions par rapport a nos intentions. II seroit bien a sou- haiter, Monsieur, que vous revenissiez promptement a Paris ; c'est le vceu de M. le Comte de Montmorin :— il pense que ce seroit le seul moyen de se bien entendre, et de s'entendre promptement Mais, si vous venez soyez bien muni destructions, afin que le terns ne soit pas employe en envois de courriers. La cessation des mesures hostiles est de la derniere importance, et sans laquelle il sera impossible de rien faire. Obte- nez que votre Ministere donne dans cette vue les in- structions les plus precises et les plus peremptoires a M. le Chevalier Harris : — comptez que nous en agirons de meme de notre cote. Je me fais un devoir de vous confier, Monsieur, qu'il nous revient de tous cotes que vous avez ordonne l'armement de 1 7 vaisseaux de la ligne : on ne le croit pas ici, parce que cela est contraire a votre declaration : cependant vous m'obligerez essentiellement, en me met- tant en etat de detruire tout ce que Ton mande a cet egard : vous sentirez de vous-meme, que tout cela est de la plus grande importance. La depeche adressee a M. le Due de Dorset est cou- chee dans un stile convenable et amical : on portera, j'espere, le meme jugement de celle que communiquera M. Barthelemy. — Vous pouvez etre sur que Ton de- sire de ce cote-ci le maintien de la paix et de la WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 177 bonne harmonie : mais n'oubliez pas ce mot : salvo honore. J'ai l'honneur d'etre, &c. &c. De Rayneval. P.S — Si de votre part on s'expliquera sur ce que Ton desire relativement a M. le Stathouder, on aura lieu d'etre content des principes que Ton a de ce cote-ci : je suppose que Ton ne demandera pas des choses inad- missibles. In compliance with the wish of both Governments, Mr. Eden returned to Paris, and in the absence of the Duke of Dorset acted as Ambassador. The following able letter of Lord Thurlow fully explains the causes of the disputes : — The Lord Chancellor to Mr. Eden. London, 10th August, 1787. Dear Sir, — I don't know where to look for light enough upon the subject of your present discussion to give you any material assistance ; but, though I am arrived at the very point where you hesitate, I cannot help suspecting some unsoundness in the argu- ments of our opponents, while they rest so entirely on generalities. They charge the Prince with violating the Constitution, and other enormities. This is denied : still, they specify no one particular, but, waiving that head, they claim for the States of Holland the sovereignty of the province ; covering every pretension, and answering every complaint, in two short words, sic placet. This argument, conceived in a style satis pro imperio, certainly proves a great deal, if it does not prove too much. The whole executive power of the province, in- cluding the judicial, formally resides in the person VOL. I. X 178 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF of the Prince. If that were transferred to a Marshal of France, or dispersed among the people at large, the same argument would cover even these mad resolutions ; so indeed it would, if, by a sort of Lex Julia the entire sovereignty were disposed of in the same manner. To my superficial view of the subject, it seems, that their Constitution should be read back- wards. To understand the authority of the States- General, one must look, not only to the union of 1579, but to the respective Constitutions of each province. To understand the authority of the Pro- vincial States, one must look back to the constitution of their nobles, their towns, and other integral 9 1 O members. After acquiring a competent notion of the general subject, another task remains, perhaps more difficult, to trace the occasion of the present dis- orders. Upon all these heads I have so little infor- mation, that I totally distrust my own opinion, or rather fancy, to which the present interposition of France appears in an unfavourable, not to say ridiculous, light ; if the power, which backs it, did not give it another aspect. The troubles begin in Holland, where you and M. Montmorin seem almost agreed they ought to end, and they are supposed to have begun nearly in the following manner. Some dark traditions are found in the prefaces of histories, that, in the towns of Holland, as well as other provinces, the provincial magistrates were originally chosen by the people at large. A contrary practice has certainly obtained ever since the revolt from the House of Burgundy, and all historians seem to agree, that the new sovereignty could not have been maintained under the old system, if that ever existed in fact. Nothing is more easy than to persuade the people at large that all power is best lodged in their hands ; at the same time a more unjust and barbarous line of policy cannot be adopted by a powerful neighbour than this, of exciting and main- taining the mob of any country in such destructive WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 179 pretensions. This France is supposed to have done ; and, with so much effect, that, by turning out those Avho were duly elected, and substituting those chosen by the people at large, a majority has been gained both in the Provincial States and in the executive council. By the preservative constitution of the towns, the principal magistrates are nominated by the Prince, out of classes of three persons, each elected in the place, and it has been usual for the Prince to recom- mend even the three : the last seems matter of mere complaisance ; the first, which is of right, is now transferred from the Prince to the Provincial States, equally contrary to the freedom of the towns, and to the just rights of the Prince. Such usurpations, probably, would not have been attempted, certainly not have been maintained, without force ; for this purpose, bodies of men, which they call free corps, have been raised, armed, and trained, voluntarily: that is to say, by the party. It is needless to comment upon a military force, main- tained in any state, independent of public authority. The Provincial States of Holland, thus new modelled, employ the provincial quota of the Republican army to the same effect. These irregular exertions could not have been made at all without large pecuniary assistance from France ; nor, when made, have availed without con- tinual and express assurances, ministerially given by the Ambassador* himself, that they would be backed by the Power, and, if need should be, by the arms, of that nation. It is well known in France, that nothing short of such violence on their part would have urged the friends of the old constitution to make up to England. Upon these heads, it is gravely observed by our opponents, that the Stadtholder, having nothing to do with the sovereignty, has, consequently, no concern * M. de Verac. n 2 180 TIIE CORRESPONDENCE OF in the election of the magistrates. Besides the interest which every subject has in preserving the constitution he lives under, surely it is sufficiently apparent that the Prince has no inconsiderable share in the sovereignty. Here many confused reflections arise, which I want the means to shape or arrange : first, the general idea of destruction to the State, which is menaced by these disorders, in which their Govern- ment seems to be dissolved ; secondly, a question how far an assembly, so irregularly constituted, and more irregularly awed by a military force, can be deemed the Provincial States ; thirdly, what competent au- thority these States, if they were freer and more regularly constituted, would have to invade the franchises of the towns, and change even the prin- ciples of their own existence ; fourthly, how far the populace of the towns, contrary to the established constitution of those places, could subvert the magistracy, resort must be had to the maxim that all power, being derived from the people, may be resumed by them, where the people mean that man, or number of men, who can make the best fight of it, but this maxim is no part of any regular government ; I presume not of France. [t was necessary to the views of the party, to put the command of the army into the hands of their own leaders ; and the Prince has been accordingly suspended from the office of Captain-general of the province. In reasoning upon this head, however, our oppo- nents seem to agree that his restoration to that office is an essential step towards restoring the Constitution of the province, but they still struggle to diminish his patronage and weaken his authority. This pretension they rest also on the old plea ; they are sovereigns, and sic placet. Their first claim is, to divide with him the collation of regimental commissions, from Ensign up to Colonel, inclusively. WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 181 I don't know enough of the constitution of the Union army to judge how far this point is to be deemed in theory or practice a Republican or pro- visional point, even as applied to the contingent furnished by Holland, although given expressly by a resolution of the States of Holland to their Cap- tain-general. I am informed that the same power has been exercised over the whole army by the Captain-general of the Union ever since it began. It is said that the quota of troops furnished by each province becomes thereupon part of the Union army ; and, though the command of that part of it which is actually stationed in each province accrues to their States, and to their Captain-general, as incidental to their sovereignty, yet the right of bestowing regi- mental commissions is no such necessary incident. If Holland claims it while a regiment is locally in that province, so may the other provinces while the same regiment is locally there ; and, at all events, it must devolve upon the States-General, or their Captain-general, whenever such regiment is locally in the generality, or in foreign parts, but neither the other states nor the States-General desire it. Per- haps they have also conferred it, in like manner with Holland, upon the Prince ; such a divided and floating patronage could only tend to corrupt the army. The same objection occurs in another shape if it be supposed that each province confers regi- mental commissions on their own quota. No such claim has ever been made by the other provinces, or by Holland, till now. Indeed the claim of Holland, in its present form, seems quite unprincipled, and rather contemptible. Public reason either requires, as has hitherto been thought, that the Captain- general of the Union should be looked up to by the army for their promotion ; or that the States respec- tively should hold that situation. Dividing it seems to turn on the private and paltry object of encroaching so much patronage. The point of commanding at the Hague, and of N o 182 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF giving the word there, seems small indeed, and not to be much insisted on, whether as Captain-general of the Union or of the Province. It is said always to have belonged to the Prince and his ancestors ; but, while the Hague remains the residence of the States-General, it seems properly to belong to the Captain-general of the Union. It cannot be done by a public body ; some other officer must do it, if not the Captain-general. It is impossible to read the commission of 1766, by which he is made to represent the whole executive authority, civil and military, of the province, without supposing this a necessary incident to that situation ; and the very suggestion of putting it into other hands has no apparent object but mortification and insult, or probable motive but personal animosity. If this cannot be a little sup- pressed, all hope of peace must vanish. The military jurisdiction, exercised by the high council of war, is not said to have produced any actual grievance or specified complaint ; at least of late.. But it must be confessed, that it has always been regarded with jealousy, as giving more umbrage to the civil authority than should be allowed in a free state, by assuming the cognizance of civil crimes and by screening military persons from the civil magistrate. When King William's military authority was cir- cumscribed, as you know, in England, a similar plan was laid before him by the sovereign civil court of Holland, and that proposal stands on principles not easily disputed. The argument on the subject of the patents seems also with our opponents, at least thus far, that the difficulties thereupon should find their arrangement in practice, as they have hitherto done. The patents, properly speaking, that is the power of marching and disposing the troops, naturally issue from the Captain-general. But the local privileges of every town entitle them to insist that no troops shall be cantoned within their district without their consent. This consent is given by an instrument called a lettre WILLIAM, FIEST LORD AUCKLAND. 183 $ attache. No difficulty has yet arisen on this head in practice, nor is any likely to arise, but from the spirit of dissension. It would look invidious to proceed to that tyranni- cal and insolent measure of Holland, the sending troops into the neighbouring provinces to enforce the reform of their constitutions, because that seems no longer to make part of the point of national honour, on which France thinks it necessary to stand. You remember all that M. Rayneval could find, in a laboured composition, to say upon this head to the Prince of Orange, was only to ask it as a peace- offering : " II faut puiser dans son coeur." Perhaps " II faut fourrer dans sa poche" would have been as apt an expression. God knows what degree of resemblance this repre- sentation bears to the true state of the controversy. Allowing it any, it becomes manifest, that these commotions could not have arisen, nor can now hold a month without the active support of France. If she will withdraw her interposition, or confine it even to such articles as may reform the government, without dissolving or sapping it, the whole will then be over ; and that without even the embarrassment of a foreign mediation; so at least the States of Zealand have expressed their opinion. No other country meddled with their affairs till the French drove them to extremities ; and, if the French do not insist upon absolutely ruining them, it is probable that no other power will interfere with them. What a childish scene you exhibited in your last despatch ; the minister of a great country exclaiming that France is covered with dirt in the eyes of all Europe if she does not persist in abetting a faction to overturn the constitution of one member of a small neighbouring State ; childish, I mean, to one who is ignorant of the secret objects that Court may enter- tain, and, consequently, of the value to be put upon them ; and also the private engagements she may have contracted with the leaders of the revolt. M -4 184 THE CORRESPOXDENCE OP Upon these, undoubtedly, the conduct of France will ultimately turn ; in the mean time, to speak fairly, her ostensible topics are not a little frivolous ; the closest alliance with a confederacy of nations creates no duty or right to assist the invasion of one on the rest, or to interfere in the interior government of any. The colour of assisting the lawful magistrate against his rebels is notoriously groundless. If France will leave the Republic to itself, the Constitution will right on its own account ; if France will be content with the credit of procuring only a due reform of such deviations as may have fallen out from the original form of their government, she will have done no mischief. If she is determined to persist in overturning the whole, she must 2:0 to war for it. This letter would have been shorter, if I had known more of the matter ; but I was in hopes that- even misconceptions (if these should turn out to be such) might lead your inquiries a little way towards that information of which we stand in so much need, as it should seem, both in your Court and here. I am, dear Sir, with great regard, Your most faithful and obedient servant, Thureow. Mr. Eden to Mr. Pitt. (Secret.) Seve, near Paris, August 23, 1787. My dear Sir, — M. de Montmorin mentioned to me a circumstance on Tuesday last, which I obtained permission from him to communicate in confidence to you, but which he entreated me most earnestly not to state in my official despatches, and of which he also entreats you to make no use except for your own private information. He had some time ago hinted to me, and I believe I remarked it to you at the time, that he had no sanguine ideas of going forwards to advantage with the Dutch business by employing those in conciliation who had been engaged, or may have been supposed to have been engaged, in a dif- ferent line of conduct. On Tuesday he told me that WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 185 he had, the preceding day, obtained permission to offer the Dutch Embassy to M. de St. Priest, and had that morning dispatched a courier to him accordingly (he is in his terres at a very considerable distance from Paris): he had no doubt that M. de St. Priest would very thankfully accept ; but he has not yet informed the Marquis de Verac of his intended recall; nor has he yet taken means to explain the matter to others who have claims and expectations upon him, nor is the measure yet known to the other Ministers of the Cabinet. You will therefore feel that the request to us to make no mention of it at present is perfectly reasonable. M. de St. Priest will be required to pro- ceed instantly to the Hague. I happen to know him personally, and with some degree of intimacy. He showed considerable talents in his Embassy at Con- stantinople, but happened to quarrel with M. de Ver- gennes, whom he succeeded there : he has been unem- ployed therefore since his return, but with consider- able pretensions, and was particularly talked of for the situation which M. de Montmorin now fills. I was glad that he failed on that occasion, because though he is a pleasant man, and though I happen to know him well, I had great doubts whether he would have entered cordially into the system which we wish to cultivate. He acts much from his own opinions, and has a degree of harshness in his charac- ter under the cover of much politeness. He will however, act with effect and with zeal towards quiet- ing the Dutch troubles, if he is satisfied (and made fully sensible) that he is appointed with that view. I wait with anxiety for further and full instruc- tions from you on the Dutch business. I have had a very long and able letter from the Chancellor upon the subject. I do not quite agree as to all his posi- tions, but they will be of great use and advantage to me; and I wish you would take the trouble to say that I had mentioned them to you with a sense of my obligation for his kindness in writing them. 186 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF I am more peculiarly anxious on this subject for its speedy progress, because I see no bounds to the in- convenience to which I shall be exposed if I am de- tained here above four weeks longer, and am afterwards expected to proceed this winter to Madrid. As it is, I shall be subject to difficulties of various kinds by going so instantly upon my appointment ; but if I do not go, I should be expected to go the instant that the snows are melted and the roads are passable in January or February, and that would carry me into passing the summer in Spain, the danger of which I dread exceedingly. Under this view of my situation, I have authorised Mr. Liston to pay SOOl. to secure the immediate possession of a house for four months ; and I am now working from morning to night to be at liberty to get away. At the same time I cannot but foresee that affairs may take such a turn as to make my removal so soon as I wish almost impracticable. I am sure that M. de Montmorin, from personal friend- ship towards me, as well as from higher motives, will do everything in his power to accelerate our conclu- sions, but he may not have the means. My difficulty is not with respect to the Court of Madrid, M. de Mont- morin and M. d'Aranda*would arrange matters with that Ministry, and would make it cover their request to me not to go yet. It turns on a different point : I want it to be over; I hate so distant and so unoccupied an exile, and cannot think without pain of having it to begin in another year. Pray think of all this, and tell me what you think about it. I will enclose in my despatches of the day M. de Montmorin's private note to me respecting it. As to our East India project, I was tempted to say not one word about it in this letter, because, though I think that 1 shall in a few days convert it into a treaty I am quite afraid to say so yet, lest it should jDrove a disappointment. It will give me at least as much pleasure as the Treaty of Commerce gave, if it * The Spanish Ambassador at the Court of Versailles. WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 187 succeeds, for I do not think it of less importance; and it will be an addition to the successes which we have had tog-ether in foreign negotiations, which will add permanently to your fame, both at present and in all future times. Nothing will then be wanting but a proper settlement of the Dutch business, which I think we have also in the best trim possible. I have some suspicion that M. de Castries's retire- ment will soon take place. Upon my expressing on Tuesday last, some regret to M. de Montmorin that the little teasing business of the Consuls remained un- settled, he desired me to feel no concern about it, but to have a little patience, and this with so signi- ficant a tone, that I could not construe it otherwise than I have done. I am quite afraid to write all that is passing here on the interior disturbances — " Ce sont des horreurs." Hand-bills were dispersed a few days ago in the fol- lowing words, — " Le Roi a Charenton, — la Reine a Sainte Pelagie, — le Comted'Artois a Sainte Lazare, — le Dauphin aux EnfansTrouves et Monsieur Regent."* You probably know that Charenton est pour des fous; Sainte Pelagie pour des femmes de mauvaise vie ; et Sainte Lazare pour des mauvais sujets. And it is said that a few days ago, " Damien f " was written in several places in the great gallery at Versailles. Mon- sieur is popular merely because a name is wanted to be placed at the head of the faction that is ferment- ing. All this is infinitely disgusting to the great per- sonages concerned ; and yet I have little doubt that it will gradually revert to good order, for the force of this government is of a kind which is not easily shaken even with bad management, of which there has been much. I am, my dear Sir, Respectfully and most sincerely yours, Wm. Eden. * Afterwards Louis XVIII. f " Damien " was executed tor attempting the assassination of Louis XV. 188 THE CORRESPONDENCE OP Mr. Eden to Mr. Pitt. Seve, near Paris, August 28, 1787. My clear Sir, — You will see in my despatches of this day the changes in this government, in great measure pursuant to what I hinted in my last : the Archbishop* is principal Minister, not Premier. It is no part of the plan that the Marechals de Castries and de Segur should remain in office, and therefore it is not inconvenient that there is a sort of supposed eti- quette by which marechals of France cannot properly travailler under a principal Minister. I am very glad to believe that what is going forwards is perfectly agreeable to M. de Montmorin. The Dutch negotiation ripens fast towards the form and colour that you wish ; but I doubt whether I can get them to like the idea of a mediation if it is avoidable, and in truth it is open to many objections. The East India business continues in a very hopeful state, and will be concluded in a few days, if the Marechal de Castries' advisers do not induce him upon his ministerial deathbed to start some material objections to it. I shall know on Thursday, but not in time for the courier. I consider everything in such forwardness as to put it in my power, according to all reasonable probability, to leave this Court in about four weeks, and am taking my measures accordingly : — if you think me likely to be disappointed in this, pray take the trouble to write me a line and say so.f I much doubt whether the Archbishop has either health or nerve equal to what he is undertaking ; but it may do for a time. I am, my dear Sir, Yours respectfully and most sincerely, W. Eden. (Private.) P.S. — M. de Montmorin has complained rather se- riously to me, not merely that the papers in general * The Archbishop of Toulouse. •f" Mr. Eden had been appointed Ambassador to the Court of Spain. WILLIAM, FIKST LOED AUCKLAND. 189 which have lately passed between London and Ver- sailles have been communicated from England to Prussia, but that we have also communicated the letter of the 4th July, addressed to M. de Montmorin by the Duke of Dorset*, though that letter was disavowed between the two Courts, with such management as certain considerations of personal good nature mutu- ally suggested:— he even seems to think that his an- swer to that letter was kept back. I wish you would take the trouble to inquire into this at the office, and to enable me to remove the impression; his idea of it was that if it was not an accident it was a breach of faith. The King of Prussia made an insulting use of it ; they were going to take the trouble to explain the transaction as it was, but I believe I prevented it. Mr. Eden to Mr. Pitt. (Private.) Paris, Sept. 4th, 1787. My dear Sir, — I am much obliged to you for your few lines to set right the point about the Duke of Dor- set's letter to M. de Montmorin. I omitted by accident to carry it to-day to Versailles ; but I shall see M. de Montmorin to-morrow : — I cannot account for the cir- cumstance ; the fact is very certain that the King of Prussia has that letter. (Secret.) — I suspect that M. de la Luzernef will be appointed to England in a few weeks, unless M. de Montmorin should think that his living heretofore in America may give an unpleasing sensation to the King ; if so, he will probably send the Due de Vau- guyon to England, and the other to Spain. As I know the former and not the latter, I doubt whether we shall not be sorry for the circumstance which may keep the former from England : — he is a sensible man, properly disposed, and honourable, and would bear * The Duke's letter was a menacing one with respect to French inter- ference in Holland. t M. de la Luzerne had been French Minister in America during the war. 190 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF the full confidence of his principal. If you will find out what will be most agreeable, I will contrive it, but I beg you not to delay it, if you think it material. M. de Montmorin again returned to-day with great earnestness to the extreme necessity of my re- maining at least a few weeks longer here : and said that he should consider my going comme dlun tres mauvais augure: and that if it was from delicacy towards the Court of Madrid, he would charge himself instantly to bear a letter from the Comte de Florida Blanca, to state some friendly and ostensible reason for my delaying for a few weeks : — he said that even his answers could not come from M. de St. Priest* before my departure ; that at the utmost the armistice only could be established in the course of the month; — that he saw no hopes of opening such a discussion with any comfort or confidence with a new person ; — that the strange conduct of the Porte f had opened a new subject of a most important kind, on which an explanation must take place; — that he could give the positive certainty of nothing being to be done in Spain (beyond great personal civilities), except in concurrence with this Court, &c. &c. &c. To all which I answered that I had felt what he had already kindly hinted on this subject ; that 1 had considered it freely and fairly; and written to you respecting it : — But personal considerations respecting the Duke of Dorset, exclusive of the inconvenience and risk to my family in such a voyage and change of climate in the midst of winter, obliged me to go even if there should be a disposition at home to retain me a few weeks longer here : — and that I had sent the preceding day to Mr. ListonJ accordingly. I suppose that His Most Christian Majesty would * M. de St. Priest had succeeded M. de Verac as French Ambassador in Holland. f The Porte had declared war against Russia ; and imprisoned the Puissian Minister. | Mr. Liston was Secretary of Embassy at Madrid. WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 191 have said something upon the Convention ; but I do not at present go to the levees, having been obliged to inoculate one of my children, and the Due de Nor- mandie not having had the small-pox. I am, my dear Sir, Most respectfully and sincerely yours, Wm. Eden. Mr. Pitt to Mr. Eden. (Private.) Downing Street, Sept. 8, 1787. My dear Sir, — I received with the most sincere satisfaction the account of the fortunate completion of the East India Convention*, which I had hardly flattered myself would be so entirely agreeable to our wishes. The despatch you will receive upon that subject will, I hope, mark our real disposition to give every further facility that is practicable. The insertion proposed in the seventh article of the words, " a l'exception des Francais," was what we could not agree to without giving up in a striking degree the principles we have been so anxious to maintain. I much wish the next subject I have to speak of, — I mean the Dutch business — was of as agreeable a nature. M. de Montmorin may in the end mean fairly, and we are far from wishing to imply personal suspicion of him, or the rest of the French Government, in any offensive manner. But what is to be said of the style or substance of his confidential note to you of the 4th instant? The idea of disarming the Free Corps is now represented as impracticable, which in former conversations we understood to have been suggested by himself as a possible alternative, and without which I hardly see how any cessation of hostilities can be secure. The manner of speaking of the introduction of French * Mr. Eden hud concluded a Convention with respect to India with the French Government. In the Convention France recognised our sovereignty in India. 192 THE COEEESPONDEXCE OF troops into the Republic, and of the representation made by the States-General in consequence, is beyond measure supercilious and offensive ; and the obser- vation that the province of Overyssel, and the towns of Utrecht and Wyk (where the magistracy has been subverted by force by the Free Corps) " ont deja con- somme la reforme, que c'est une affaire terminee" is precisely in the same character. We are sincere and earnest in wishing an amicable arrangement on just and reasonable terms. We have no wish (whatever are the circumstances of France), to urge them beyond these limits, or to have the appearance of doing so ; but there will be no chance of the nego- tiation ending well while the French Minister indulges himself (in the midst of friendly professions) in a tone inconsistent with every idea of accommodation. I guess the quarter from which the intimation came to you respecting the idea of the Prince of Orange, being to dispose the Prince to retire in favour of his son. Nothing could be devised, however, which we should deem more unfit to be listened to for a moment, and it is, therefore, fortunate no answer is desired. It is an idea which I cannot think of suggesting to any person living. I have expressed strongly, but exactly, what I feel on these subjects. If, however, at bottom the French mean conciliation, I am sin- cerely desirous that such a confidential communica- tion may be maintained, as will facilitate it whenever they act directly and consistently towards that object. On this ground, I much wish that any arrangement could be found to prolong your stay at Paris. We have declined making any observations on the Note Confidentielle you enclosed*, and for this reason, as well as from the impossibility of acting on so delicate a business, on explanations which are merely personal, and not ministerial. You cannot too much discourage this species of communication It is the less necessary, as this is not a subject which, in its * Of M. de Montmorin. WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 193 present stage, ought to go into detail. As to the particular information which M. de Montrnorin seems to wish you should receive in order to " discuter la mature au fond" I do not see how it can be fur- nished without transferring to Paris the whole detail of the negotiation, instead of confining the discussion © / CD there (as has been always intended) to the leading principles which may serve as preliminaries to the mediation. The appearance of carrying on the Treaty at Paris beyond this point, has from the beginning been thought improper ; nor in fact can all the neces- sary information be procured, except at some place within the Republic, or near it. Faithfully, and sincerely yours, W. Pitt Mr. Eden to Lord Carmarthen. Seve, 13th Sept, 1787. My Lord, — I am this moment returned from Ver- sailles, having gone thither in consequence of a mes- sage from M. de Montrnorin, who stated to me the note delivered to the States of Holland on the 8th or 9th instant by M. de Wintemeyer ; and the resolution of the States thereon to apply to His Most Christian Majesty for protection. M. " the minute sent to Mr. Pitt. 222 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF moires and discussions about the advantages to be derived from gaining Egypt, &c., but all that project is thought wholly wild. The Duke of Dorset is arrived and, I believe, dines here to-day. I am, my dear Sir, faithfully and most respectfully yours, W. Eden. Mr. Eden to Mr. Grenville. 11th October, 1787- My dear Sir, — I transmit to you by this convey- ance my French Acte de Commerce de la Mer Noire. It shows that the French have a very advantageous traffic in that quarter ; but we must not forget that much of it will now be in English goods ; and, if they will not interfere with our position in the last Treaties, we may composedly see their enjoyment of this trade for which they have some local advantages over us. I have received from Abbe Rosellet a copy of his memoire on the French East India Company. I am told that it is a curious performance. I will send it next week to England. Can you send me one or two copies of M. de Ca- lonne's memoire? Pray read my despatch of this date and expedite matters. Whilst I am writing I receive your letters and des- patches of the 8th instant. It is understood here that Amsterdam is settled amicably though after some resistance. If that should not be the case, certainly the embarrassment might grow great. I foresee no other difficulty. You surely cannot wish* me to at- tempt to press this Court to sign the words suggested by Sir James Harris. I will write an additional despatch. Sincerely yours, Wm. Eden. * Mr. Eden strongly remonstrated in a despatch against these words, and they were not pressed by the English Government. WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 223 Sir James Harris to Mr. Eden. Hague, Oct. 11, 1787, Thursday, 2 p.m. My dear Sir, — As I am by no means certain whether you are still at Paris, I have addressed my letter to Mr. Grenville, but it is written full as much to you as to him, and in case he should not be returned, I beg you would open it. I need subjoin to it nothing on public matters, as I have vide mon sac. In regard to private ones, I have scarcely time to recollect their existence, and I can suppose that, although you will leave behind you a thousand pleasant things at Paris, you, on your side will not be sorry to enjoy the quiet and indolence of Spanish life, which, however, I little doubt you will contrive to make one of activity and business. Pray remember me most kindly to Mrs. Eden, and believe me truly and sincerely, my dear Sir, Yours most faithfully and affectionately, J. Harris. Mr. Eden to Mr. Pitt. Seve, Oct. 13th, at night. My dear Sir, — By the despatches which I send this night you will see that our businesses are approximat- ing to the right point in the best manner possible, and I think that the whole will be in such a state of preparation that it may be executed fully to your satis- faction, on hearing from Berlin, even if no further instructions ; but 1 think it possible every hour that I shall receive further instructions, in answer to my letter, which may remove all my anxieties and em- barrassments as to the mode. I own to you, that when I remarked yesterday that the " satisfactory assurance not to meddle further in the Dutch broils," which 1 had recommended, seemed to be expected in the form of a written declaration, it alarmed me exceedingly, but 1 hope I have explained that suffi- ciently in my despatches. 224 THE COKKESPONDENCE OP If anything should have led Mr. Grenville to visit us again here, be so good as to open the packet which I send to him to-night. I translated the Chancellor's letter mot pour mot, and gave it in confidence to M. de Montmorin, and he took it perfectly in good part, and is to return it to me with an answer. It was an excellent letter. We are a little embarrassed about the Duke of Dorset, and I shall also be perplexed, perhaps, by letter ; but by the help of M. de Montmorin, &c, I shall be able to manage as to the former with all due attentions, and as to the latter, I mean to mark every possible civility. I am, my dear Sir, respectfully and most sin- cerely, W. Eden. Mr. Eden to Mr. Grenville. Seve, Oct. 13th, 1787. My dear Sir, — The enclosed were brought by a courier to M. de Goltz, who sent them to the Duke of Dorset's, from whence I received and opened them, and I have taken copy of them for information if necessary. They were clearly written previous to knowing that the business was likely to settle itself without discussing the Dutch constitutions. If, how- ever, you feel disposed to give a meeting to M. d'Alvensleben, I shall be cordially glad to see you, and we are using all possible means to make this large house a little warmer than when you left it. In the meantime I will take care to see M. d'Alvens- leben immediately on his arrival, and will say every- thing to him that I think you would wish ; it is pos- sible that he may enable me to bring this matter to an immediate conclusion. I much doubt whether any delay will arise even if the Prussian forces should not absolutely have eva- cuated. The disposition to peace here is desired in earnest, if we clo not desire too far ; and I have great faith in our making a good use of the moment, for it WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 225 is no compliment to Mr. Pitt to say that his atten- tion to foreign politics is of the most efficient kind possible, and infinite advantages still remain to be derived from it. I am, my dear Sir, Yours most sincerely, W. Eden. P.S. — I had an overturn to-day in coming from Versailles, and broke my carriage very much, but I was not hurt. VOL. I. Q 226 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF CHAP. VIII. Doubtful State of the Negotiations. — Mr. Pitt desires Mr. Eden to pro- cure intelligence respecting the warlike preparations of France. — In consequence of the taking of Amsterdam, a more peaceful feeling pre- vails. — The Archbishop of Toulouse reduces the expenses of the Army and Navy. — Angry Letter of Lord Carmarthen. — Mr. Eden's Letter respecting the Declaration and Contre-Declaration. — Vexation of M. de Montmorin and M. de Rayneval. — Letter of Mr. Wilberforce. — Discussion respecting the Reduction of the French Navy. — The French Minister signs the Contre-Declaration. — Opinion of the Duke of Queensberry. — Sir James Harris heartily congratulates Mr. Eden on his success. The Duke of Brunswick, who had commenced his campaign on the 13th of September, had succeeded, almost without resistance, in restoring the rights of the Prince of Orange, who entered the Hague on the 20th, amidst the acclamations of the inhabitants. The French partisans who, under the imposing title of " Patriots," had so long ruled the land, dis- appeared with astounding celerity. Amsterdam sur- rendered on the 10th of October. The States of Holland had recalled their demand for assistance from France, and France abandoned the intention of armed interference. Still the discussions between the Governments of England and France were not at an end. Mr. Pitt was determined to make France sign a public declaration, announcing that the French Go- vernment " had not, and never had, the intention of interfering with an armed force in the affairs of Holland." Also the demand that the French navy should be placed on a peace establishment, still con- tinued. Mr. Eden had now the chief conduct of the nego- tiation, although the Duke of Dorset arrived from WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 227 England. His Grace's interference in matters of business seems to have been more embarrassing than useful. & Mr. Pitt to Mr. Eden. Downing Street, Oct. 15. My dear Sir, — I wrote two letters to you yesterday, which I withheld for further consideration when the messenger went yesterday, but I send them now as the shortest way of conveying all that occurs. (Private.) Downing Street, Oct. 14th, 1787. My dear Sir, — I hardly know what ultimately to expect from the mixture of good sense and ill-humour with which the French seem to think of their present situation. We can do nothing without the concur- rence of Prussia as to disarming ; but if we receive that, I really cannot comprehend why the French Ministers should continue the farce of not speaking out till the Prussian troops are withdrawn. Between ourselves, this latter event will certainly not happen till the force in the Republic is put on such a footing as to leave no risk from their departure. We have sent repeatedly to press all possible expedition in this, but the time is still indefinite. If these delays are got over in any reasonable time, it only remains to make the declaration of France, not to interfere in disturbing the present settlement, as clear and bind- ing as possible. Unless this is done most unequivo- cally, the ground on which we actually armed is not removed, and, of course, disarming is impossible. This is the great point, and as to the manner of com- ing to it, you will see by the despatch, we have no objection to making the first advance, and are desirous of showing all the civility which is certainly wise under such circumstances. If M. Alvensleben is arrived from Berlin, it will be highly important to show him every mark of attention and confidence, and particularly not to let him conceive any suspicion that we are in too much Q 2 228 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF haste to settle with France. This may be the only way to procure discretionary power from the King of Prussia, which, in some alternatives, may become necessary to expedite the arrangement. As M. Alvensleben was sent expressly in conse- quence of Grenville's particular mission, and as there seems no material use in the latter returning to Paris at present, it may be of consequence to explain the cause of his absence. It will, of course, occur to you that circumstances are much changed since he was originally sent. We then expected a discussion of some detail, in which the knowledge he had acquired in Holland might be very material. Instead of that, things are now brought to the narrow point of the conditions and terms of disarming ; and even on that point, if Alvensleben set out at the time expected, we may perhaps have no sufficient instructions, as our com- munication upon it could scarcely have reached Berlin. Whatever relates to this point, however, you can with truth assure him, you are fully as much prepared to discuss with him as Grenville could be. You will, of course, not fail to impress him with a sense of our steady attention to the interests of Prussia in insisting that France should renounce all hostility in that quarter, as well as in Holland. Even in doing this, however, I need not say that some delicacy is to be used, that we may not seem to think Prussia in a state to fear anything from France, nor assume a tone of taking it under our protection. In short, it will be of great consequence to carry this Minister (who is certainly high in the King of Prussia's confidence) cordially along with you in everything you do. I am, my dear Sir, Yours most sincerely, Wm. Pitt. WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 229 Mr. Pitt to Mr. Eden. (Secret.) Downing Street, Oct. 14th, 1787. My dear Sir, — I much wish you could procure at any rate accurate intelligence of the actual state of the French naval preparations*, the number of ships which may be ready for sea, the extent of their orders, and the probable destination if things take a hostile turn. It may also be possible to procure, from some official channel or other, a copy of any late return of the effective numbers of the French troops in all parts ; — that for the East and West Indies would be most important. What orders have been given for increasing the land force ? All this infor- mation may not be very easily obtained, but if it can be had it will be well worth all the pains, &c, which could be bestowed upon it. Yours sincerely, W. Pitt. Mr. Eden to Lord Carmarthen. Seve, near Paris, Oct. 17, 1787. My Lord, — I yesterday received your Lordship's despatch by the ordinary conveyance, and JSo. 43 to- day. I had already felt the importance of having further instructions previous to entering into any agreement relative to disarming, and with that view had forwarded the despatch (by one of my servants), which your Lordship will probably have received a few hours subsequent to the departure of that which I am now acknowledging. In the mean time, the messenger sent by your Lordship on the 28th in- stant, to Berlin, has not yet appeared here ; nor are there any further accounts of M. d'Alvensleben, who was expected at Paris on the 12th instant. I have nothing to add to what I offered respecting the project inclosed in my last despatch. 1 took occasion, yesterday, in my conference with * This will be found in the Appendix. o.3 230 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF M. de Montmorin, to revert to the minute which remains in my possession. He appeared to continue not dissatisfied with it ; and upon my remarking that whatever form might ultimately be adopted, he must consider it as meant on our part for public discussion, he appeared aware of that cir- cumstance, and received it as a communication of candour. He again lamented our delay, and with considerable earnestness. The conference went into length. He took occasion to tell me that the accounts received of the preparations in England were of a kind which surprised him, as they showed a perse- vering activity which appearances hardly seemed to call for. He then proceeded to intimate to me that though this Court has received from Spain assurances of their readiness to arm instantly when required, they had not yet been urged, and they do not seem to have made any actual armament. He said, however, that he was harassed greatly because of the corre- spondence and business with the different naval ports, occasioned by the endeavours to keep pace with our armaments. He spoke of the troops intended for the islands; he repeated expressly that they were only three battalions (as I originally stated in my private intelli- gence) ; and he wished me to understand that there was not a man more than was necessary for defence, adding, with a tone of good-humour, that France had not yet brought her feelings to preparations for attack. Upon my asking if troops would be sent at all events, he gave me no decided answer; he again repeated to me that nothing was yet des- tined for the East ; he adverted to the agreement between the two Courts, as an answer to reports which he had again heard of a squadron being fitted out from England, for the Dutch ; and I found from a further expression which he used that he had recently perused that agreement. Among the advices given for the fit- ting out, I am informed that it was strongly recom- mended to the Ministers to apply the utmost activity in the first instance, and, in consideration of the WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 231 season, to the fitting-out and manning of frigates, for the purpose of striking a blow at our trade. And there was, during some days, considerable anxiety about the French West India fleets ; but most of the vessels, and all the most valuable, are now said to have escort. The expectation of war has greatly ceased since the taking of Amsterdam* ; and this to so singular a degree that M. de Bougainville, at my table, to-day, handed, without scruple, a letter which he received from the Bailli de SufFrein, acknowledging his desire to be em- ployed, and adding, " inais comme on se flatte d'eviter la guerre. Je ne crois pas, monsieur, qu'on peut profiter dans cette occasion de votre zele et de vos talens." M. de Montmorin, in talking to me about the capitulation of Amsterdam, gave me occasion to remark (in the view of preventing future difficul- ties) that it seemed a possible case that the States- General would put a body of troops into that city. He answered that, from what he heard, this might be a precaution possibly useful to all parties, and for the general safety and tranquillity. I then men- tioned, in great measure as a matter of inquiry, whether the military establishment of the provinces would be equal for some time to all the necessary services ; as, if that should not be the case, it would become necessary for the States to take into their pay, for a time at least, a body of foreign troops — He answered, that if such a measure should be fairly the act of the States, there could be nothing said against it, but that observers might doubt the good judgment of taking a measure (if it were avoidable) which might foment internal jealousies. No mention is yet made of M. de St. Priest's pro- ceeding to his post, nor do I think it very imme- diately probable. The Empress of Russia's circular declaration relative to the conduct of the Porte was presented If Amsterdam had hell out, the war party in France would have gained the ascendancy. q4 232 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF yesterday by M. cle Simolin to the French Minister. In the course of our conversation, which was subsequent, he mentioned these affairs as engaging particular attention (and I happen to know that they have been recently discussed at the council) ; and he added, that when those matters should be ripened through communication between the two Courts, he foresaw, with pleasure, that the policy and conduct of France were likely to coincide with the principles maintained by His Majesty. It still continues to be thought here, that Russia will not be unwilling to accommodate the dispute, upon the Porte making amends for the language which had been used, and for the insult offered to the Russian Minister. This moderation, however, is not attributed to any unwillingness to extend the Russian empire. The French Ministers believe that Her Imperial Majesty was not indisposed to a renewal of hostilities with the Porte ; but not so immediately as the con- duct of the Vizier has called for ; and it is thought even that the interference of the powers to adjust the quarrel will not be used. The reductions of the public expenses are going forward here in every department. The Secretaire d'Etat pour la Guerre has greatly reduced his bu- reaux ; his appointments are reduced from 300,000 livres to 100,000 ; and he is to have the assistance of a Council or Board. I have, in a former despatch, mentioned to your Lordship that this is also to be done with respect to the Departement de la Marine. The Archeveque de Toulouse has also thought it a reasonable policy to subject two departments which have the expenditure, even now, of 160 milliards a year, to some check and control, immediately responsible to him. The Ecole Militaire is suppressed and given to the city of Paris in support of the new hospitals ; this is said to be a sum of 1,200,000 livres. It is stated in the "Moniteur" to be done "parceque sa majeste est bien forcee par des besoins imperieux a rechercher scru- WILLIAM, FIRST LOED AUCKLAND. 233 puleuseraent tout ce qui peut tendre au soulagement de ses peuples." I have the honour to be, with the utmost respect, my Lord, your Lordship's most obedient humble servant, Wm. Eden. M. de Montmorin had assured Mr. Eden and Mr. Grenville that no French officers or soldiers, autho- rised by the French Government, had entered Holland, although it was notorious that Amsterdam had been supplied with French artillerists; hence the follow- ing letter of Lord Carmarthen : — Lord Carmarthen to Mr. Eden. (Private.) Whitehall, Oct. 19, 1787. Dear Sir, — I own myself at a loss to guess the motives which have induced M. de Montmorin to hold so different a language in his conference with the Duke of Dorset, from what he seems not only to have used to you, but in a manner to have pledged himself to, by the declaration he professed to approve of, and which he appears to have framed in concert with you. The withdrawing the Prussian troops, it should seem by what he said to the Duke, was a sine qud non to any further mention of Dutch affairs, or even to any discussion of the situation in which the two countries actually stand in consequence of them. In the conversation you held with him, he seemed ready to agree to our disarming de part et d'autre upon grounds, I think, perfectly satisfactory to England, though I do not think them very flattering to France, and without any mention being made of the Prussian troops whatsoever; this difference of language I could wish, if possible, to have explained. The favourable opinion I was disposed to entertain of 234 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF M. de Montmorin's good faith has, I own, been a good deal staggered by reading over your despatch of September 11th, in which you mention the assur- ances he gave you in the most direct and positive terms that such French officers and soldiers as might have got into the Republic with a view to assist the patriots, had proceeded merely on their own notions unauthorised, and still less ordered by Government so to do, representing their numbers as inconsider- able, and their consideration in point of force merely the result of calumny, or at least invention. I happen to be now in possession of the most indis- putable proof of the falsehood of these assurances, which I could wish to ascribe to M. de Montmorin being totally ignorant of what orders had been given by the War Department* (however incredible that may appear), rather than impute to him the wishing to impose upon this Court by asserting in so bold and unequivocal a manner what he knew to be directly contrary to the true state of the case. I mention this circumstance in confidence to you, in order that you may be upon your guard in any future conference, in which the French Minister may make the most direct assertion respecting the future no less than the past conduct of his Court, though I see no necessity at present for giving him the slightest intimation of our having discovered his mistake in respect to the circumstance above mentioned. I beg my best compliments to Mrs. Eclen, and am ever, dear Sir, Your most faithful, humble servant, Carmarthen. Mr. Grenville to Mr. Eden. Whitehall, Oct. 19th, 1787. My dear Sir, — I have not had an opportunity before to-day to answer the two letters you have * M. de Segur, the late head of the War Department, had given the orders when in office. WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 235 been so good as to write me, having been out of town when your last despatches were received. I am much obliged to you for the two volumes relative to the trade of the Black Sea, and the adjoining countries. They seem to me to be highly interesting, and to afford much matter for reflection to this country. It by no means appears from them that anything is wanted on our part besides activity, and the sort of knowledge which this work might furnish, to enable our merchants to engage largely in that very lucrative commerce. I am still uneasy till you have had from M. de Montmorin some direct communication of the line which France is to take on the Turkish busi- ness, though the agreeing to a mutual disarming seems to imply a determination not to engage in this affair, otherwise than by negotiation ; and surely, if that is the case, what you have already said should be suffi- cient to set them at ease with respect to our intentions. You will have seen all the nonsense that is circulated in our papers about Cherbourg*, &c. All this, absurd as it is, does not fail to make an impression on the pub- lic, and there is considerable ground to fear, that we shall be attacked for having done too little if we con- clude the business on the footing of the two declara- tions. This consideration does not alter the disposi- tion which is entertained here, but it furnishes a strong necessity for our doing it soon, before other ideas have taken too deep a root. I think it would be a proper attention to M. Al- vensleben, if you would have the goodness to say a few civilities to him on my part, to express the great satisfaction which I should have had, if circumstances had allowed me to remain at Paris, and to have had an opportunity of cultivating the acquaintance of a person of his high character. I have sent you two copies of M. de Calonne's Requete au Boi, which is praised here beyond any merit which I have seen in it, as far as I have had time to read it. * The English papers were demanding the destruction of Cherbourg. 236 THE C0REESP0XDEXCE OF Believe me, my dear Sir, most faithfully and sin- cerely yours, W. TV. Grenville. P.S. — What has been said on the subject of my not returning, is, that the discussion has been so narrowed by subsequent events, and by the line which France has taken, as to make it quite unnecessary, but, that if other circumstances had arisen to require it I should have gone back. This is what I think would be right to be said to Alvensleben about it. Mr. Eden to Mr. Pitt. (Private.) Seve, Friday night, Oct. 19th, 1787. My dear Sir, — If the French Minister should propose to us to sign and exchange the two papers which are now transmitted, you may, perhaps, wonder that in so great a transaction, where in substance we have gained all (perhaps more) than was desired, we risk the delay of five or six days ; and I own to you that to my feeling the Contre- declaration as now proposed is so perfectly satis- factory that I should have thought myself authorised to sign it, although the instructions say — 1st, " That no possible doubt must remain as to our having the full concurrence of Berlin;" and 2ndly, "That we are authorised to sign only if M. de Montmorin will agree to the amendments suggested from Eng- land." Now, as to the first of these points, the Prussian requisition is that " la Cour de France n'interviendra plus, et qu'elle recevra a tout temps." I think that the words we have quoted, — " Que l'in- tention de cette Cour n'a jamais £te et n'est pas de s'immiscer par la force dans les affaires de la Bepub- lique," — are fully adequate to the whole substance that can with any pretext, or reason, or use, be aimed at in the Berlin expression ; but my great object has WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 237 been not only to be sure that you were satisfied with it, but that the Court of Berlin will be fully satisfied. M. de Goltz is already secured. This eternal Baron d'Alvensleben ! think of his having stopped a week at such a time as this to make speeches at the Court of Dresden, and to be heard there. M. Alvensleben is expected every hour, and I wrote, according to your private suggestion, to give us the great advantage of showing that we were in no hurry till we had used every possible means to ascertain that His Prussian Majesty would be satisfied, and this I wish only to do in the way that you would wish. As to the second point, M. de Montmorin's alterations are not material, and perhaps make the business better ; yet, as the whole turn of the instru- ment varies from that which you last saw, perhaps in so important a point it is material and becoming to submit it once more to His Majesty's Ministers. Have the goodness only in your last instructions not to bind us to the precise form of word if the sense is maintained, because it is always possible that small changes may be suggested even at the last moment. I expect that you may dispatch the messenger on Monday early in the afternoon : if so, he may arrive here early on Wednesday evening, and the business may be finally completed on Thursday, and you will receive it on Saturday evening or Sunday morning. It is already done so effectually that you may safely be slackening expenses, though it may be neither wise nor becoming to say so. I had another motive : pray tell me about the mode of transmitting these instruments. Upon so im- portant a transaction, in which you have been so successful, it is not immaterial to think in what best way we may present it to the public. It strikes me that we should write a very short joint letter stating in these lines that we have signed and exchanged, pursuant to instructions, the instruments therewith transmitted, and that those papers should all b*» ~" K lished in the Gazette ; but if vou think that mode will 238 THE CORRESPONDENCE OP too much shock the nerves of this Government, which I earnestly wish to manage as far as is consistent with the solid interest in question, we can write a letter of general expressions, merely saying that we have ministerially exchanged documents respecting the several points in discussion between the two Courts, and in consequence thereof have agreed, pursuant to instructions, to the mutual disarming. In this last way it will not be necessary to publish the papers, with feelings we have blasted ; and what is also material, the precise wording of the papers cannot be made the subject of anticipated Par- liamentary speeches, but may be kept till the Session opens, to be laid by you before Parliament. Have the goodness to think of this, and to give me your immediate instruction. You will observe that the words " nulle part " are left out. I did not observe it till to-night. I believe it was accidental. I do not know that they are material : one hostile says as much, but if you think otherwise I can probably get them re-inserted. Do not quarrel with the words " Une intention dont les motifs n'existent plus:" they were words of my suggestion. They got rid of a diabolical paragraph on which the French Ministers had obstinately in- sisted, and which would have embarrassed us ex- ceedingly; but, in the words as they now stand, there is certainly no want of bearing and precision, and they cannot imply anything that can give offence to anybody. I send you my original draft of our conference to- day ; though it looks so unintelligible there are many less important papers at the Paper Office. It was up-hill work, and personally very painful to me ; for, upon the footing I live with these Ministers, I am quite hurt to see the mortification which they suffer by the whole transaction ; it has been so hard on my friend Rayneval, that he has been confined all this week by a fever. M. de Montmorin is calmer and firmer, but he tells me fairly that it requires all WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 239 his temper ; he sees it in the proper light, but that does not prevent his suffering by it. Can anything be more mortifying to them than the manner in which they desire an assurance that the Prussian troops will go, — or at least that an epoch shall be named,. — or at least that they may be taken into pay by the States of Holland, which States they neverthe- less consider in private as an usurpation? Apropos to this, we will write fully to Sir James Harris by his courier. I thought it great generalship to bring it forwards to-day. I have now been employed, either in writing or talking about this same business, and in moulding it to a right shape, during ten or twelve hours in every day during the last three months. In the midst of this, the Duke of Dorset arrives from England, and, in the midst of my anxieties, is perplexing me with his personal jealousies. He confessed to me yesterday that he had written to complain of my not being sufficiently communicative to him ; this is grating, and, what is worse, it is embarrassing; to-night he writes to me that he is again well contented, and has written to you to say so : to all which I say nothing ; but, nevertheless, it works and plagues me to a certain degree. Have the goodness to remember me to Mr. Grenville. I do not write to him because I have written so fully to you. I am, dear Sir, yours respectfully and most sin- cerely, Wm. Eden. Mr. Wilberforce to Mr. Eden. London, 20th October, 1787. Dear Sir, — I shall not wonder if amidst the many important matters by which your attention has been occupied since your return to Paris, you have forgot a promise you made me at the Archbishop's, that you would take an opportunity of sounding some of the French Ministers concerning their willingness to come 240 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF to a mutual agreement with Great Britain for the total suppression of the Slave Trade, by stopping the exportation from Africa, and the importation into the Islands. I need not tell you how much Mr. Pitt is interested for this object, or that one of the strongest arguments against the discontinuance of the traffic would be precluded, if the French adopt a similar resolution. Many reasons induce me to believe that the Cabinet of Versailles will not be averse to the proposition, and Grenville assures me I may build somewhat on the personal character of M. de Montmorin. It will be sufficient at first to throw out the idea; and I shall be much obliged to you, if you will inform me how it is received. I shall, in a very short time, be able to send you something of a di- gested plan. I will only add, that, if my going over to Paris would be likely to facilitate the object in view, I should cross the Channel with the utmost cheerful- ness, and therefore I beg you will tell me your opi- nion frankly on this head. Perhaps M. de Montmorin is not aware of the barbarity of this horrid trade, in its several particulars : if so, it will be well for you to detail them to him, ever keeping in view, that the great scene of cruelty is not the West Indies, but Africa, which I take the liberty of suggesting, because I really was not aware of it myself, till I had looked into the subject more minutely. How can I lay down my pen without congratulat- ing you on the glorious manner in which all the late proceedings have been conducted, and on the fair prospect of their admirable termination ? I beg you will do me the favour to present my best compliments to Mrs. Eden. I remain, dear Sir, your most obedient and faithful servant, W. WlLBERFORCE. P.S. — All our friends here are well, and ; as you may imagine, in high spirits. WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 241 Mr. Eden to Mr Pitt. (Secret.) Seve, near Paris, Saturday, 20th October. My dear Sir, — Si mon valet-de-chambre ne casse pas son cou (et e'est une affaire dont il est bien capable) ces depeches vous parviendront domain de bonne heure, and perhaps as soon as those which we sent yesterday. I am vexed a little that I cannot venture to sign to-day, as M. de Montmorin proposes to me, but wish that the changes made should have the sanction of the King's Ministers be- fore we adopt them, notwithstanding that the change proposed includes everything that we can wish or desire. I see many advantages in the five or six days' delay, but it cannot be more at the outside, nor so much if you will re-dispatch my servant before you go to dinner on Monday; in which case I can rely on his being here very early on Wednesday morning, and in consequence of that, you shall have the result without fail, in sufficient time for the " Gazette " on Saturday next. As soon as I have sealed this letter, I shall go to Versailles to state to M. de Montmorin the best rea- sons that we can find for not signing to-day as pro- posed, and, in truth, to make all proper and useful alterations upon this occasion, with Ministers whose conduct, so far as I have concerns with them, has not been merely friendly, but uniformly fair and honour- able ; and though 1 have frequently risked opinions in my despatches respecting their intent and future con- duct, which opinions were grounded on their private assurances to me, 1 have never had reason to retract or explain any of those opinions, nor have they tend- ed in any instance to mislead you : besides, I wish to see them almost hourly, till 1 have your answer, for the circumstances have been very critical, and 1 wish to pour business into their hands. And now for the several points which I have in view. By the way, on one of them you will give me a private suggestion ; on the others it will perhaps be VOL. I. R 242 THE CORKESPONDENCE OF necessary to give instructions in the despatch which will be addressed tome jointly with the Duke of Dorset. 1st. Note the mode of writing. I doubt whe- ther it would not be best that we should write a joint letter to Lord Carmarthen, stating what we have done, without making it necessary to publish the instruments till they are laid before Parliament. But of this you will be the best judge ; and I wish you would give me an outline of the expressions best to be adopted. I shall not have the slightest diffi- culty herein. * The Duke of Dorset's feelings are tres aimables, and at present he is (as in truth he has great cause to be) most fully and cordially contented with my conduct towards him. 2nd. As to the Court of Berlin, if anything occurs that may want particular attention, be so good as to suggest it. I expect it would be right to send a mes- senger to Mr. Ewart upon signing the Declarations ; in the meantime I have written a note to M. de Goltz and the Baron de Alvensleben. 3rd. As to Holland : be so good as to tell me how far it would be right to send there. As it so nearly interests the Prince of Orange and our friends there, perhaps Sir James Harris should be immediately informed. I wrote fully to him last night on the state of affairs here, and gave him the copy also in confidence of M. de Montmorin's private letter re- specting the Prussian Declarations. You see by the letter which we now send that this Court continues practicable enough as to that arrangement if it should be necessary, and if it is not necessary it will be better avoided. 4th. As to the Court of Spain : circumstanced as I am, and considering more especially all the public circumstances, I conceive that you would wish me to send immediately to Mr. Liston, and perhaps also I shall write a few lines to M. de Florida Blanca*, and shall get M. de Montmorin to do the same. There is not a possibility of my being at liberty here * The Spanish Minister for Foreign Affairs. WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 243 in less than three weeks without detriment to con- siderations of infinitely more importance ; and even if I was at liberty now, there is great doubt whe- ther it would be possible to go in carriages beyond Bayonne. 5th. As to the appointing Commissioners : * you may think about that, and tell me what Lord Carmarthen thinks about it, and how you wish to have it arranged. I received a private note last night from M. de Montmorin, together with his official one, and in the former there was this remark : " Je desire que vous soyez content de ce que je vous envoie. Si vous vous croyez suffisamment autorise a signer, nous conviendrons de la forme pour le desarmement; vous connaissez ma facon de penser sur nos affaires," &c. &c. It may be curious to ascertain to what point they had arrived; and good intelligence may be honestly obtained without risking anything on our part that we should not wish to be public. Be so good, how- ever, as to specify to me what you wish, and I will manage it. 6th. Tn order to avoid all tricks and stock-jobbing from this country, which was carried to a great extent at the last peace by the bankers connected with the Ministers, you will do well, as soon as you have determined to accept the two instruments, to let it be gradually known, or transpire through England that the disarming is become exceedingly probable. I do not recollect any other particulars, but will send all that occurs to me at the time, if possible, of the departure of this courier, early on Wednesday j and, with cordial congratulations on present appear- ances, I am, my dear Sir, Respectfully and most sincerely yours, Wm. Eden. * It was proposed to appoint naval officers, to see that the reduction of both navies took place. b2 244 THE CORRESPONDENCE OP Mr. Pitt to Mr. Eden. Downing Street, October 22nd, 1787. My clear Sir, — The Duke of Dorset has sent over a complaint that M. de Montmorin has taken an im- pression of his not being in the confidence of Govern- ment, and the Duke seems also hurt at having been in our late despatches referred to you for instructions. This last point was certainly a failure of etiquette, and it would have been better to have addressed the instruction jointly to both of you. 1 have written to them to explain, and have assured them with perfect truth that he is fully and confidentially informed of our real sentiments and wishes, and that the instruc- tions to you were meant equally for his information. I have, at the same time, stated to him the necessity of his acting both in apparent and real concert with you for the public service ; and I mention these par- ticulars, because it may enable you to prevent any awkwardness or embarrassment which might be pre- judicial to the affairs depending. By our accounts from Berlin dated the 9th, you ought to have heard from them even before your last despatch, and there is reason to expect that Prus- sia will have concurred entirely in our proposal to disarm. I wait most impatiently to hear from you again. I am, my dear Sir, most faithfully and sincerely yours, W. Pitt. P.S. — The interesting and singular communications contained in your last despatches shall be kept with the caution you desire. 1 wish, if you are at liberty, you would let me know, in confidence, how the minute came into your hands. The following seems to be an extract of the minute alluded to in Mr. Pitt's letter. Unfortunately, Mr. WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 245 Eden's despatches at this time are almost illegible. It is a most able document, showing the advantages of an " entente cordiale " between France and Eng- land. (Extract.) Peut-etre se permettra-t-on de dire que le Cabinet de France a presse" un peu trop vivement les mouve- mens du parti qui devoit se borner a reduire l'influ- ence du Stathouderat, et qui a, trop inconsiderement, developpe le projet de le detruire, quoiqu'on sent en general combien il est malaise d'assujetir et de regler les mouvemens des enthousiastes republicans. Ce defaut de calcul a etc saisi par les Cours de Londres et de Berlin, quoique mues, en faveur du Prince d'Orange, par des motifs tres differens. Un coup de main, provoque par une circonstance de bien peu d'importance en elle-meme, a decide du sort de la Hollande; et l'entree des Prussiens y a produit une terreur si panique, que peu de jours ont sum" pour la remettre sous 1'innuence stathouderienne, comme elle y etoit auparavant. Cependant les actes subsistent : c'est-a-dire, que le traite d'alliance entre la France et la Hollande n'est point aneanti. Cette Republique ne fera probablement pas a la France l'outrage gratuit et inconsidcrc de lui en d6noncer la rupture, surtout apres l'avoir pre- venue, par une declaration formelle, du retablissement de sa tranquillite interieure ; l'avoir remercie momen- taneinent des secours qu'elle etoit dans le cas de lui demander ; et apres avoir prie le Roi de lui conserver sa bienveillance. Tout ce que les sentimens particu- liers du Prince d'Orange peuvent operer se bornera, sans doute, a provoquer le renouvellement de I'alliance de la Hollande avec l'Angletcrre ; d'ou il rcsultera que la Republique se trouvera comme enveloppce d'actes pacifiques, et a portce de rester neutre ou de choisir, en cas de crise, a laquelle des deux Puissances il lui conviendra mieux de se livrer : question qui ne se dccidera probablement pas sans renouveler de grandes r3 246 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF contradictions clans son interieur et sans l'exposer a de grands malheurs. Mais, pourquoi deux Puissances, telles que 1'Angle- terre et la France, occuperoient-elles ainsi les efforts de leur politique en de vains clebats, pour decider a laquelle des deux la Hollande appartiendra desormais, par les liens d'une alliance plus ou moins etroite, tandis qu'une scene plus vaste, et bien plus impor- tante, est prete a s'ouvrir vers le Levant, et qu'un empire qui est le centre ou aboutissent trois parties du monde est, peut-etre, sur le point d'etre demembre et partage entre deux Puissances, dont les forces pesent et peseront encore plus fortement sur la balance generale ? II n'est pas plus de l'interet de l'Angleterre que de celui de la France de voir cette grand e revolution s'operer, et Ton doit croire que si elles pouvoient s'accorder ensemble, pour y mettre un obstacle commun, l'empire Turc pourroit encore con- server longtemps sa nullite centrale et continuer de nourrir l'inquietude des deux voisins, qui se preparent a l'envabir. iSTest-il pas temps que l'Angleterre et la France apercoivent que dans leurs divisions fu- ll estes elles ne font que repandre et faire sortir de leur sein les richesses que leur commerce et leur In- dustrie leur procurent pendant la paix ? Ne voient- elles pas, depuis longtemps, que les guerres dont l'Europe est trop souvent dechiree, n'aboutissent qu'a faire circuler leurs tresors dans les mains des peuples qui leur vendent le secours de leurs amies ? Faut-il enfin que ce soit une necessite dans les choses de la balance humaine, que leurs progres soient sans cesse arretes et qu'a des epoques marquees par leur pro- pre aveuglement, elles restituent, en quelque sorte, aux nations depourvues de l'energie commerciale, les tributs que les besoins de ces memes nations leur ont apportes ? Les limites de leurs possessions, et de leur com- merce dans toutes les parties du monde, sont a peu pres fixees, aucune nation ne peut et ne doit desor- mais se flatter d'envahir le commerce universel ; et WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 247 s'il etoit possible qu'un pareil evenement arrivat, l'exces de ses propres richesses precipiteroit sa chute. A l'Angleterre paroit devoir appartenir la plus grande partie da commerce de l'lnde ; puisque le besoin qu'elle s'est cree, d'une denree que la Chine seule fournit, est si excessif que toutes les ressources de son indnstrie ne parviendroient pas a l'acquitter, si elle etoit reduite a la recevoir des mains d'une nation rivale. A la France sont devolus au contraire des specula- tions plus voisines et d'un exercice plus commode. Par exemple, appelee par sa situation au commerce du Levant, ses avantages naissent de l'inertie des peuples engourdis qui habitent ce fortune climat; et c'est ainsi qu'une juste compensation senible s'etablir naturellement entre les premieres nations commer- 9antes et industrieuses. De ce principe il resulte, que 1'interet reel de l'An- gleterre et de la France se rencontre dans le main- tien de l'equilibre actuellement etabli, et que tout systeme qui tend a le rompre ne fera que les jeter hors de leurs mesures, et doit etre meconnu et pro- scrit par elles. Seroit-il done impossible de faire revivre les heureuses epoques marquees dans le siecle dernier par leur union ? et seroit-ce une derision aujourd'hui de rappeler les temps de Henri IV, de la reine Elisabeth et de Cromwell, et des ministeres des Cardinaux de Richelieu et Mazarin, pour faire marcher d'un pas egal et dans un concert aussi eclaire" que bien entendu la consideration politique et l'influence commune des deux premieres nations du monde ? On ne se dissimule assurement pas que, si ces heureux s) r stemes out pu etre rompus par les evenemens, il seroit malaise de se flatter que leur renouvellement obtint une eternelle duree. II n'est ni dans le caractere, ni nieme dans la destinee des hommes, d'etre si sages: la tendance de leurs passions reeiproques ne sauroit leur permettre d'esperer que les effets d'une prudence ephemere ; mais c'est toujours beaucoup que d'en obtenir ces resultats passagers; ils B -4 248 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF 4 font au moins le bonheur de ceux qui vivent dans ces annees de lumiere et de moderation. On sent assurement a quel point il est difficile de se flatter de faire descendre inopinement, dans le meme bassin de la balance generale, deux Puissances qui viennent de se choquer aussi rudement dans leurs mouvemens politiques que l'Angleterre et la France viennent de le faire, relativement aux affaires de la Hollande. Chacun craint en general d'ebranler la con- fiance de ses allies; et peut-etre la France a-t-elle, en cette occasion, des sacrifices d'amour propre et d'au- tres encore assez difficiles a faire ; tandis que rien au contraire ne paroit gener la politique Anglaise. Mais enfin, une inversion de systeme aussi prononcee ne sauroit etre l'ouvrage d'un moment. Aussi ne se permet-on ici d'indiquer que de simples approches. On ne dissimulera pas meme, en raison de ces circon- stances actuelles, que c'est a l'Angleterre a en faire les ouvertures, et que la delicatesse, autant que la dignite de la France, dans ce moment-ci, ne sauroient lui permettre de se livrer a des insinuations que le succes recent du Cabinet Britannique le met, abien des egards, a portee de hasarder le premier, sans se com- promettre. On ose done presunier qu'il ne s'agiroit provisionnellement que de proposer un concert de bons offices aupres des cours imperiales, pour le main- tien de l'etat des choses dans le Levant, d'en employer de plus forts, de plus tranchans, et de plus efficaces a la Cour Ottomane, pour la disposer a rentrer dans les bornes de ses traites avec la Eussie, et de con- solider cet accord pacifique par la garantie des deux Puissances mediatrices. Cet acte de conciliation as- surera, du moins pour quelques annees, la tranquillite du Levant; et eloignera les projets de l'ambition qui, une fois mise en mouvement, est si difficile a ramener dans de justes limites ; il assoupira l'effervescence prete a s'exalter, et les liaisons commerciales, par les- quelles l'Angleterre et la France se sont recemment unies, auront le temps d'echauffer les rapports des deux nations, et de leur faire sentir des convenances WILLI AM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 249 reciproques qui finiront, peut-etre, par leur rendre la possession exclusive de l'amitie de la Hollande beau- coup plus indifferente. The French Government still seemed very unwill- ing to reduce their navy. All sorts of excuses were brought forward, and M. de Montmorin had informed Mr. Eden that the navy was being remodelled on "a new system." Mr. Pitt to Mr. Eden. (Secret.) Downing Street, Wednesday, Oct. 24th, 5 p.m. My dear Sir, — Your messenger did not arrive till early yesterday morning ; and, from an accidental delay in assembling the Cabinet, we could not return our answer sooner. We have suggested a few alterations, apparently slight, and certainly unobjectionable if the business is meant to be settled completely, but in substance of great importance, and such as we cannot dispense with. The two points I refer to, we thought secured by our former project, though, perhaps, they were not as distinctly expressed as they ought ; but they would be lost by the alterations made by M. de Montmorin. These points are, that the disarming should fairly extend to land as well as sea, and that the naval peace establishment should be replaced on the footing it was on before the late jealousies. There is no fair or tenable ground on which the French Government can object to either of these propositions ; and it is essen- tial for us that they should be expressed as distinctly as is now proposed. If M. de Montmorin should seriously entertain the idea of new modelling the naval establishment here- alter, nothing that is done now will preclude it. But it would at any time probably lead to much discussion. At present it would either make the disarming wholly vague, and perhaps nugatory ; or it must lead to an explanation of the new arrange- 250 THE CORKESPOXDEXCE OF ments to be taken on each side, which must postpone for a long time, and perhaps risk, the ultimate success of the settlement now so near completed. This ground seems so strong, that I persuade myself, if the disposition in France is really fair, it cannot be contested, and, therefore, I think I may almost con- gratulate you on the safe conclusion of this important work. I have no doubt that you would make no alteration of words that we should have any reason to regret ; but, in an instrument that is to be so much canvassed, it is felt impossible to give a latitude in anything that can in the smallest degree vary the sense: and nothing else could be much worth altering. On the first of the six points in your last letter, I believe it is unavoidable to publish immediately the Declarations themselves. It will not be, at any rate, more than a fortnight sooner than they would be laid before Parliament. This makes the terms of your letter, when you send them over, of less consequence. Let me remind you that it is absolutely necessary to send us over, at the same time, a copy of the first notification read by Barthelemy. As it is referred to in these instruments, we must have it in the office, and you should obtain it before the Declarations are exchanged. As to the three next points, you should, clearly, send to Berlin, the Hague, and Madrid, as soon as the business is concluded. As to the fifth, respecting Commissaries, much the best mode is what we have already suggested — an understanding that an officer on each side will be admitted in the prin- cipal ports, who may have a private letter stating who he is, from the Secretary of State, the Marine Minister, or whoever else is thought best. As to the sixth, I shall make no secret from this time, that, although the disarming is not absolutely settled, I think it very probable. Nothing further occurs to me at present, and 1 am in great haste. I am, dear Sir, Most sincerely yours, W. Pitt. WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 251 Lord Carmarthen to Mr. Eden. Whitehall, October 24th, 1787. Sir, — I observe, by your despatch, that M. de Montmorin has thrown out to you, in conversation, an idea of putting the peace establishment of France on the same footing with our guard ships. He stated this, however, as only floating in his own mind, and said that he had not communicated it to the other Ministers of France. Nor does it clearly appear, from the expressions of your letter, whether M. de Montmorin's idea was to increase the number of the ships which France was to keep in commission, and in a state of preparation, so as to equal that of our guard ships ; or whether he means only to keep up the same number as before, but to put them exactly on the same establishment with our guard ships. The latter idea, perhaps, would be reasonable as a subject of future arrangement ; and there might be no objection to our giving the necessary informa- tion for that purpose. But with respect to increasing the number of their ships to be maintained in a state of preparation equal to that of our guard ships, such a measure, if it is seriously in contemplation, must, probably, lead to an increase of our peace establish- ment, considering all the circumstances of the situa- tion of the two countries. I trust that, as this idea was only thrown out to you in conversation, you will be able to prevent its being at all resorted to again, and for that reason this letter is addressed to you separately ; and the terms of the declaration are so drawn as to point expressly to the peace establishment as it stood at the com- mencement of the year. But if you should perceive that M. de Montmorin again reverts to this idea, you will communicate this letter to the Duke of Dorset ; and you will concur with His Grace in representing, in the strongest terms, against a resolution which is so likely to lead the two countries to great additional 252 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF expense, without being productive of any relative ad- vantage to either. You will observe that, in statin 2; any alteration of a peace establishment, even as a case to be supposed, I refer only to measures to be here- after taken, as the King's servants consider it as a sine qua non, that, in the present moment, the disarming should be carried into effect precisely on the footing on which the navies of the two countries stood previous to their beginning to arm ; and this, it is conceived, cannot, at all events, be objected to by M. de Montmorin, as it will leave any subsequent arrangements (if any such should, on further con- sideration, be thought necessary) open at any time to further discussion ; and, as the introducing such a discussion at the present moment must obviously re- tard and impede a settlement, which it is so much the interest of both countries to accelerate. I am, with great truth and regard, Sir, Your most obedient humble servant, Carmarthen. Duke of Dorset and Mr. Eden to Lord Carmarthen. Versailles, Oct. 27th, 1787, 11 p.m. My Lord, — We have the honour to transmit to your Lordship a copy of the Declaration which we this day signed at Versailles, and delivered to M. le Comte de Montmorin, and the Contre-declaration, which was at the same time signed by him to us, and also the duplicate of a joint Declaration which was afterwards settled and exchanged. We beg leave to accompany these papers with our congratulations on a transaction which tends to ce- ment and strengthen the amity subsisting between the King and his Most Christian Majesty, and to prolong the blessings of peace to their respective subjects. We have the honour to be, &c, Dorset. W. Eden. WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 253 Duke of Dorset and Mr. Eden to Lord Carmarthen. Versailles, October 27th, 1787, p.m. My Lord, — The French Minister, after some reluc- tance and discussion, consented to all the alterations and additions which we were instructed to propose to him, in the projects of the Declaration, and Contre-de- claration. And though he proposed some corrections on his part, he did not adhere to them ; nor is there the change of a syllable in what was last transmitted to us by your Lordship ; except, that instead of the words, " les armemens et tous preparatifs de guerre," it now stands, " les armemens et en general tous pre- paratifs de guerre," which, as he seemed to wish for the accuracy of the language, and as it made evidently no difference in the sense, we consented to admit. We did not neglect to mention very specifically, conformably to the remark in your Lordship's sepa- rate letter, that we understand " that the troops which have been sent to the coast of France on the present occasion, (with the exception only of such as may, even in case of peace, be intended to be embarked for the French possessions abroad,) should be withdrawn into their ordinary stations ; and likewise, that no extraordinary number of troops should be collected towards the frontiers of the United Provinces." To this M. de Montmorin gave a ready and positive assurance that it would be done speedily and satisfac- torily ; that France could have no interest to the contrary ; and that the conduct of this Government would be in every respect de bonne foi. He said that this was not the moment to enter into any new proposition relative to the naval force esta- blishment, or to propose changes which might occa- sion uneasiness or delay : but that it was much his wish, as the best means of preventing all jealousies, to put the French navy, in time of peace, upon the same footing as that of England in all respects ; that he believed the peace establishment of this country had 254 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF consisted of seventeen ships in a greater or less state of readiness, as circumstances from time to time seemed to require; that he did not believe it to have been inferior to the British establishment as we seemed to suppose. We intimated as strongly as the moment would allow, that any innovation in this business might occasion new uneasiness and mutual expense. He answered, that he certainly entertained the idea, but would make it the subject of previous communication and amicable discussion ; and in the meantime it was fair to return to the epoch which we had proposed. He took the occasion to advert, with some earnest- ness, to a report of French artillery officers having been taken in Holland, with instructions, or rapports, from this Court. He said that he had taken parti- cular pains to inquire about the fact ; that he could find no trace of it in the War Office, that possibly something of the kind may have been done by M. de Verac ; but he solemnly declared that he had no knowledge of it. He approved of the mode of ascertaining the dis- arming, merely by a letter to be given by your Lordship to him ; and by one from him to you, to be delivered by the person or persons employed. He wished to name on each side a chef oVescadre and a capitaine de vaisseau. We wait for M. de Montmorin's return from Coun- cil to close this despatch, and Have the honour to be, &c, Dorset. W. Eden. P.S. — M. de Montmorin, on his return from Coun- cil, having remarked to us that the word " convien- droit" in the Declaration (which, making part of a conditional proposition, could not be made more definitive) leaves the transaction incomplete on our part, though completed on the part of France ; we WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 255 agreed that the just and best expedient was to state the agreement to disarm in a third instrument, jointly signed, and referring to the two preceding instru- ments. DECLARATION. Les evenemens qui ont eu lieu dans la Republique des Provinces Unies ne paraissant plus laisser aucun sujet de discussion, et encore moins de contestation, entre les deux Cours, les Soussignes sont autorises de demander, si i'inten- tion de Sa Majeste Tres Chretienne est de donner des suites a la notification faite le 16 du mois de septembre dernier, par le Ministre Plenipotentiaire de Sa Majeste Tres Chre- tienne, qui, annon^ant qu'on donneroit des secours en Hol- lande, a occasionne les armemens maritimes de la part de Sa Majeste ; lesquels armemens sont devenus reciproques. Si la Cour de Versailles est disposee a s'expliquer sur cet objet, et sur la conduite a adopter vis-a-vis de la Republique, d'une maniere conforme au desir, qu'on a temoigne de part et d'autre, de conserver la bonne intelligence entre les deux Cours ; et toujoursentendu aussi qu'il n'y a aucune vue d'ho- stilite' nulle part, en consequence de ce qui s'est passe ; Sa Majeste, toujours empressee de concourir avec les sentimens amicals de Sa Majeste Tres Chretienne, conviendroit avec elle, que les armemens, et en general tous preparatifs de guerre, seroient discontinues, de part et d'autre, et que les marines des deux nations seroient remises sur le pied de l'etablissement de la paix, tel qu'il existoit au premier Janvier de la presente annee. Dorset. Wm. Eden. A Versailles, le 27 octobre 1787. CONTRE-DECLARATION". L'intention de Sa Majeste n'etant pas, et n'ayant jamais ete, de s'immiscer par la force dans les affaires de la Repu- blique des Provinces Unies, la communication faite a la Colli- de Londres, le 16 du mois dernier, par INIonsicur Barthelemi, n'ayant eu d'autre objet que d'annoncer a cette Cour une intention, dont les motifs n'exi^tent plus, surtout depuis que le Roi de Prusse a fait part de sa resolution ; Sa Majeste ne fait aucune difficult^ de declarer, qu'elle neveut donner aucune suite a la declaration ci-dessus mentionnee, et qu'elle ne con- 256 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF serve nulle part aucune vue hostile, relativement a ce qui s'est passe en Hollande. En consequence, Sa Majeste, desirant de concourir avec les sentimens de Sa Majeste Britannique, pour la conservation de la bonne harmonie entre les deux Cours, convient avec plaisir, avec Sa Majeste Britannique, que les armeuiens, et en general tous preparatifs de guerre, seront discontinues, de part et d'autre ; et que les marines des deux nations seront remises sur le pied de I'etablissement de la paix, tel qu'il existoit au premier Janvier de la presente annee. Le Cte. de Montmorin. A Versailles, le 27 octobre 1787. En consequence de la Declaration et Contre-declaration echangees ce-jourd'hui, les Soussignes, au nom de leurs Suuve- rains respectifs, conviennent que les armemens, et en general tous preparatifs de guerre, seront discontinues, de part et d'autre ; et que les marines des deux nations seront remises sur le pied de I'etablissement de la paix, tel qu'il existoit au premier Janvier de la presente annee. Dorset. Wm. Eden. Le Cte. de Montmorin. A Versailles, le 27 octobre 1787. Translation of the Declaration and Counter-declaration which were respectively signed and exchanged at Versailles, on the 27 th of October, by His Grace the Duke of Dorset, His Majesty's Ambassador Extraor- dinary and Plenipotentiary, and the Right Honourable William Eden, His Majesty's Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary, on the part of His Majesty ; and by the Count de Montmorin, His Most Christian Majesty's Minister and Secretary of State, having the department of Foreign Affairs, on the part of His Most Christian Majesty. DECLARATION. The events which have taken place in the Republic of the United Provinces appearing no longer to leave any subject of discussion, and still less of contest, between the two Courts, the undersigned are authorised to ask whether it is the in- tention of His Most Christian Majesty to carry into effect WILLIAM, FIEST LOED AUCKLAND. 257 the notification made on the 16th of September last, by His Most Christian Majesty's Minister Plenipotentiary y which, by announcing that succours would be given in Holland, has occasioned the naval armaments on the part of His Majesty, which armaments have become reciprocal. If the Court of Versailles is disposed to explain itself upon this subject, and upon the conduct to be adopted towards the Republic, in a manner conformable to the desire which has been expressed on both sides, to preserve the good understand- ing between the two Courts ; and it being also understood, at the same time, that there is no view of hostility towards any quarter, in consequence of what has passed; His Majesty, always anxious to concur in the friendly sentiments of His Most Christian Majesty, would agree with him that the armaments, and in general all warlike preparations, should be discontinued on each side, and that the navies of the two nations should be again placed upon the footing of the peace establishment, as it stood on the 1st of January of the present year. Doeset, Versailles, 27th October, 1787. Wm. Eden. COUNTER-DECLARATION. The intention of His Majesty not being, and never having been, to interfere by force in the affairs of the Republic of the United Provinces, the communication made to the Court of London on the 16th of last month by Monsieur Barthelemi, having had no other object than to announce to that Court an intention, the motives of which no longer exist, especially since the King of Prussia has imparted his resolution ; His Majesty makes no difficulty to declare, that he will not give any effect to the Declaration above mentioned ; and that he retains no hostile view towards any quarter relative to what has passed in Holland. His Majesty, therefore, being desirous to concur with the sentiments of His Britannic Majesty for the preservation of the good harmony between the two Courts, agrees with pleasure with His Britannic Majesty that the armaments, and in general all warlike preparations, shall be discontinued on each side ; and that the navies of the two nations shall be again placed upon the footing of the peace establishment, as it stood on the 1st of January of the present year. Le Cte. de Montmorin. Versailles, 27th October, 1787. \n],. I. S 258 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF Inconsequence of the Declaration and Counter-declaration exchanged this day, the undersigned, in the name of their respective sovereigns, agree that the armaments, and in general all warlike preparations, shall be discontinued on each side, and that the navies of the two nations shall be again placed upon the footing of the peace establishment, as it stood on the 1st of January of the present year. Dorset, W. Eden, Le Cte. de Montmorin. Versailles, October 27th, 1787. Mr. W. W. Grenvitte to Mr. Eden. Whitehall, Oct. 26, 1787. My dear Sir, — I think I may now congratulate you upon the conclusion of this important business, which has employed so much of our time and thoughts for the last six months. It ends in a manner which I think cannot but do credit to all who have been engaged in it. Dundas and myself have both tried separately to obey your commands about the despatch to India, and are both of us obliged to confess our inability to make any extract of that letter for the purpose you desire. The whole of it seems to us to relate equally to the privileges to be granted to the French com- merce, and the conduct to be held towards that nation by our Government ; nor do we see any reason why any one part should be selected from the rest as more proper to be sent to the French factories. As it is possible that you may not have a copy of it, I enclose one, from which you will make any selection that may seem to you to be right. It is surely of great importance that there should be in the Office some regular notification of your having communi- cated the despatch in extenso to M. de Montmorin, and of his intention of sending it to the Isle de France. We have hitherto omitted publishing the Con- vention, but shall do it as soon as the other business WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 259 is terminated. In the meanwhile it is totally for- gotten b}' the public here, and their curiosity is as dead on the subject as if no such paper had ever existed. Believe me, dear Sir, Most faithfully and sincerely yours, William Grenville. P.S. — This letter was written to go a few days ago. Since that we have received the Declaration and Counter-declaration, on which I congratulate you most sincerely. They seem to be generally approved here, except by the Duke of Queensberry, who says that our compelling France to sign such a paper is a pro- ceeding unheard of between civilised nations, and is not treating them like gentlemen. I was really mortified at seeing the papers, &c, which were taken in Holland, as I had given credit to M. de Montinorin for at least believing what he said on the subject. The papers from the Marshal de Segur, and signed with his name, are by no means formal papers, but are instructions for parties of the Artillery to draw, secretly and in small bodies, towards the frontiers, and then put them- selves under the orders of M. d'Esterhazy. His orders again expressly direct the march into Holland in disguise, and point out the places where the men are to be equipped with their habits de paysan for that purpose. I never doubted the thing, having had what I thought indisputable proof of it when I was in Holland, but I really did believe that it was done by subalterns, and that it was not consistent with the dignity of any minister of rank to take such a step, and afterwards to disavow it in the terms which were used both to you and me. Mr. Eden to Mr. Morton Eden. Scve, near Paris, Oct. 28th. My dear Morton, — This letter will arrive after a longer interval than lias been usual in our corre- -■_» 260 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF spondence. To confess the truth, I have been during some weeks too anxious respecting foreign politics to pay due attention to private friendships and domestic attachments. You know, I believe, that the Minis- ters in England had given me my letters of recall, and a power to proceed to Spain, above six weeks ago, provided that the state of affairs should satisfy me here that it was expedient. At that very moment the late fermentation arose, and I determined to see the end of it and it has carried me so late into the autumn, or rather to the winter, that I begin to doubt whether I must not postpone all thoughts of going further till after Christmas. In the mean time, thank God, all the businesses are ended happily, and in a way that, I hope, will do great and lasting credit to the wisdom and just prin- ciple of both Governments. Yesterday evening, the I)uke of Dorset and I signed and delivered to the Comte de Montmorin a Declaration, asking this country to state " Whether any effect was to be given to the notification of the 16th September, of an intention to arm ; what conduct is meant to be observed as to Dutch affairs ; and whether hostile views are maintained towards any party concerned in the late transactions;" and declaring a disposition (if the answers should be satisfactory) to disarm. M. de Montmorin, at the same time, signed and gave to us a Contre-declaration, stating " That France has no intention to interfere by force in the affairs of the Republic ; nor any view to give effect to the said notification of which the motives no longer exist; nor any hostile views anywhere, &c. ;" and professing the same readiness to return to the pacific system. We then signed a joint Declaration and Convention to disarm ; and the orders for that purpose will be given instantly and completely, in both countries, by sea and by land; and there is so much good sense among the leading Ministers on both sides that I much hope to see a cordial good understanding at length estab- lished. WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 261 As it happened to me to have the whole detail of this negotiation in ray hands, and to act in it in a way that cannot but be personally satisfactory to this Court — though, from various circumstances, some parts of the result must be unpleasant here, — I cannot regret the having stayed. I conceive that you may continue to direct to me here, though I am as yet quite undecided as to my motions and plans, but it is most probable that I shall remain here to the beginning of February. I shall write again to you to-morrow night by a courier whom M. d'Alvensleben is sending to Berlin, and the letter will be forwarded from Leipsig. I am sorry for the loss of Ferguson. Willey is here, and at present employed under Mdlle. de Sillery (Genlis) to read every day with the young Princes of Orleans. He is Irish by birth ; but he would do if you cannot suit yourself in Holland, for he writes both French and English exceedingly well, and a good hand ; according to all that I have heard his character is irreproachable. He was bred to the bar. I do not believe that he has more than GO/, a year from Mdme. de Genlis. We are quite glad to hear that Lady Elizabeth is well enough to go to Dresden, but we are afraid of the winter air for her. Our love to her. Yours very affectionately, Wm. Eden. Lord Carmarthen to Mr. Eden. (Private.) Whitehall, Oct. 30, 1787. My dear Sir,— I received your two private letters by Mayor this morning, and am infinitely obliged to you for your kind attention to my recommendation of my friend Dr. Jackson's son, which the young man, however, could not profit of, on account of Major Mitchell's sudden return to England, whom he accompanied home. I sincerely congratulate you on the event of the 27th. I must confess myself totally at a loss to s3 262 THE C0KKESP0XDEXCE OF account for the French Minister consenting to sign the Contre-declaration ; that, however, is his concern and not ours. We have printed the translation of the three papers (toticlem verbis) in the Gazette of to- night. The Contre-declaration, referring to Bar- thelemi's communication, and the King of Prussia's resolution, certainly appears vague and unsatisfactory. I do not, however, imagine it to be an object worthy of M. de Montmorin's attention to have either of those documents published, as certainly they would not contribute much to the honour of his Court, however they might contribute towards enlightening the coffee- houses. With respect to Holland, I think we have scotched the snake, not killed it. The French are still at work there ; and, however M. de Montmorin's personal character may entitle him to credit, I cannot but think the utmost attention necessary to his minis- terial one. We must be upon our guard, and it will give me great pleasure to find that any distrust I may entertain of that Minister's political good faith should be ill-founded, and without any real cause (in future) to justify it. There is one subject to which (most confidentially) I must entreat you to direct your utmost at- tention : I mean the part which France means to act with respect to the differences between Russia and the Porte. At the same time that your acquaintance with the French Ministers, and the confidence with which they seem to distinguish you, render it a more easy task for you than any other person to sound their disposition on the subject, your own sagacity must point out to you how desirable it is for us to collect, as far as possible, their sentiments respecting it before we hazard a word of official correspondence which might be turned against us at either of the Imperial Courts, or which might in any degree appear to commit this Court in the event of hostilities being continued to any serious degree. WILLIAM, FIRST LOUD AUCKLAND. 263 The armaments at Toulon may have a particular view, independent of the general preparation. The Spanish ships I have this day heard of being seen between Cadiz and Cape St. Mary, may likewise be ordered round to the eastward ; and I cannot say I should much regret at hearing the Turkish mission at Madrid had produced something more substantial than the bare compliment of magnificent parade, with which I understand the Mahometan Minister was received at his public audience of the Catholic King. I have nothing to add on the subject of my last private letter, as I flatter myself the cause of it exists no longer, and I am sure you will agree with me in wishing it to be forgotten. Believe me ever, dear Sir, Your very faithful humble servant, Carmarthen. Mr. Eden to Mr. George Rose. Seve, 1st Nov. 1787. My dear Sir, — Enfin je respire — I suspect, by the by, that you must have occasionally breathed hard in the course of the transaction : it is, however, a glorious story, and Mr. Pitt may laugh at the attacks which will be made upon it, instead of thinking that he has not forced this country far enough, which will be the tone of some of the attacks upon him. I own to you, soon after I saw that his measure was likely to have full success (and I saw it rather early too), I shuddered at his courage, for I do not know any foreign object, not even the recovery of the Dutch Provinces from France, which, in my opinion, would compensate to England the probable calamities of a war, before she is recovered from the effects of the last war. He is right, perhaps, in having formed a different opinion; and when he had formed it, nothing could be wiser than the spirited and decided manner in which he enforced it. I found it quite pleasant to negotiate under the cover of such formidable excr- s4 261 THE COERESrONDEXCE OF tions as Mr. Pitt was making; and we owe every- thing to those exertions. If the expense should have been a million sterling, or even a million and a half, it was good economy at present, and will probably be a source of great saving hereafter. Let me know in what manner and form you mean to present it to Par- liament. I should like also to have a peep at the Foreign Article in the speech. Let us act like generous conquerors and put nothing in it but what is concilia- tory, and not a word which may imply insult, or even a sense of triumph ; the story tells itself and will not suffer by modesty. Mr. Pitt will probably show you a letter which I have written to him to-day on my own situation. I own that it is not very edifying to me, instead of receiving either solid benefits or external marks of favour at the close of our successful struggles, to be preparing for an exile to that horrid Siberia ; but do not suspect that I am otherwise than in perfect and cordial good-humour. I feel a grateful and friendly sense of the manner in which I have been put into the front rank in the great transactions of the last two years ; and though in general I have had little more to do than to stand firm, and obey the word of com- mand, I cannot but possess a permanent satisfaction and pride from the consequences; and it certainly is something to have set the seal to the extension of our commerce, to the arrangement of the East India dis- putes, and lastly, to the peace of Europe. I wish that I could tell you when I shall arrive at Madrid — certainly as soon as the weather will allow ; but it would be madness to attempt that journey with five large carriages, besides waggons, &c, in the month of December. It is not a matter of exer- tion — it is impracticable. If the weather should not be very bad, I am told that it may be possible in February, or the beginning of March. I send you the letter about the wines, which ought to have arrived about this time. You will have the goodness to accept the caisse of ecliantillons intended WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 265 for me. I will pay for the whole, and will let you know ; I believe that it will prove excellent wine. I am obliged to you, and so is the Duke of Dorset, for having at last settled our money matters. I wrote to Lord Salisbury to ask whether there was any pre- cedent for compounding for the chapel furniture, and as he seems to think that there is not, I undoubtedly shall not urge it. . I have ordered my first set to Madrid. I have all this time a house at Madrid ; and servants in London bound for Madrid, and various expenses incurred for the journey on the expectation of going in August, and in the mean time a sort of open house here ; but I suppose that it is all for the best, and at worst I shall bequeath the chil- dren to the Treasury, and you will be so good as to put them into the hodge-podge Bill. The Hubers * are still here, but I fear that their prospects are not good. I have recommended to Lord Carmarthen to appoint Consuls immediately. Most sincerely yours, Wm. Eden. It is to be hoped that the congratulations in the following letter were sincere. Sir James Harris is very severe in his correspondence because Mr. Eden was friendly with the French Ministers. Sir James ought to have seen that this was the reason of Mr. Eden's success : — Sir James Harris to Mr. Eden. Hague, Nov. 1st, 1787. My dear Sir, — Dessin delivered me on the 22nd October your letter of the 19th, and yesterday I re- ceived from Lauzun a confirmation of the accounts he brought. I immediately communicated to the Prince of Orange and Duke of Brunswick this interesting in- • t . . . . formation, and, as far as it is known, it seems to give * M. and Madame Ilubcr. 266 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF great satisfaction here. I heartily congratulate you on having so largely contributed towards the preser- vation of the general tranquillity, so nearly being in- terrupted from the intrigues and designs of the Court where you reside. These, you may be assured, still exist, and I could quote to you, were it necessary, several unquestionable proofs, that all kinds of under- hand and indirect means are employed here to keep the spirit of faction alive. I am anxious to hear when M. de St. Priest is to come, and you will greatly oblige me by giving me timely notice of it. The Prussian troops will gradually be withdrawn from this country, all but a body of about 4,000, which is absolutely necessary to keep in it, in order to maintain quiet and' good order. The town of Amsterdam bows down reluctantly, and her submission, though nearly complete, is a forced and uncertain one. I happen to have messengers coming in on all sides, and am so hurried as to have barely time to thank you for the kind assistance you have afforded Mr. Gomm. We beg of you to assure Mrs. Eden of our kindest compliments, and to subscribe myself, my dear Sir, ever most truly and affectionately yours, J. Harris. Mr. Pitt to Mr. Eden. (Private.) Downing Street, Nov. 2nd, 1787. My dear Sir, — I have but a moment to write this evening, and I need say little to assure you how much satisfaction I have felt in the happy completion of the work in which you have been engaged. Nothing can be better than the reception of it here. There seems, how- ever, still a good deal to be done, considering what we have discovered of the designs and conduct of France, before real cordiality can be established. I shall write again very soon. I will only add one word on a very different subject. You have had a letter from my friend Wilberforce, on a scheme which may appear WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 267 to some people chimerical, but which I really believe may, with proper management, be made practicable. If it can, I am sure it is an object well worth attend- ing to, and perhaps you may be able to learn the private sentiments of the French government upon it, in a general way ; so as to enable us to judge whether it can be carried further. I mean the idea of the two nations agreeing to discontinue the vil- lanous traffic now carried on in Africa. Pray let me know what you think on the subject. I am truly, dear Sir, Sincerely, and faithfully yours, W. Pitt. 268 , THE CORRESPONDENCE OF CHAP. IX. Mr. Eden's Conversation with M. de Montmorin. — Great Discontent of the French with respect to the Treaty of Commerce. — Correspondence between the French and English Governments. — The Reduction of the English and French Navies. — Negotiation for an Understanding and Alliance. — Duke of Dorset and Mr. Eden's Interview with M. de Mont- morin on the Subject.— Failure of the Negotiation. — Mr. Wilberforce on the Slave Trade. . "France, in the spring of 1787, ruling Holland, re- storing her own finances, re-establishing her fleets and armies, and building out the sea, has lost her influence in Holland, and has neither money, credit, nor government." Thus Lord Loughborough accu- rately describes the situation of France after the signa- ture of the humiliating Counter-declaration. England had regained her prestige lost in the American war, and the glorious days of Chatham seemed once more to return. M. de Montmorin * informed Mr. Eden that he had been overruled. There is no doubt that the Arch- bishop of Toulousef, the finance minister, had by his influence prevented war, but many thought that he sealed the fate of the French Monarchy. Discontent at home was aggravated by degradation abroad. A foreign war might have averted revo- lution. _ * It was said of the Archbishop, that he preferred " une guerre inte- rieure," against the Parliaments, to an honourable " guerre exterieure " against the English and Prussians. t The Baron Breteuil was also opposed to the signature of the counter declaration. — Auckland MSS. WILLIAM, FIKST LORD AUCKLAND. 269 Mr. Eden to Lord Carmarthen. (Private and Secret.) Seve, near Paris, 1st Nov. 1787. My Lord, — I had a long conference with M. de Montmorin on Monday morning, and many circum- stances occurred material to be stated to your Lordship. He expressed with eagerness his satisfaction at the return of pacific appearances between the two Courts, and was very flattering in his expressions respecting the manner in which the instructions of His Majesty's Ministers had been executed, so as to aid him essen- tially in accomplishing so great a work. He then told me that in the course of our discussions this country had been much nearer going to war than from a view of the circumstances I might suppose. He said that, exclusive of external interest, there had been some opinions expressed that a war was the best mode of finishing the internal troubles which had prevailed at the time of the King of Prussia's march ; that there were others also hardy enough to think that if such a convulsion should shake the credit of France, it would also shake the credit of Great Britain, and that the effect would eventually be of less comparative importance to this country than to us. He talked with due disregard of speculations; but he said that there was one moment in which a mea- sure had nearly been taken, which, he was confident, must have prevented what has happened in Holland ; which, though it might have risked an immediate war with England, would perhaps have ended in an ac- commodation, infinitely less hurtful to the French interests than what has now taken place ; and lie seemed to intimate that he had advised this measure in council but had been overruled: — this was, the forming the camp at Givet*, upon the first news of '' It lias been said on good authority that the Duke of Brunswick would not have crossed the Dutch frontier if the French had formed a camp at Givet. 270 THE CORRESPONDENCE OP the Prussian march towards Wesel, notwithstanding our remonstrances and menaces. In pursuing this subject, he said that he had no blame to impute to himself, except perhaps from weakness of mind, which had prevented his recalling M. de Yerac from a post for which he was evidently unfit; — that he had utterly disapproved the French pursuit in Holland, from the moment in which he saw to what degree France was committed in it; — and that, after having opened to me in July his dis- position to get clear of it, he never could bring the business to any point with M. de Yerac, and from motives of personal tenderness had taken the reso- lution of recalling him, a few weeks too late. He was candid in avowing that the wisdom and firmness of conduct maintained by His Majesty and his Councils in the whole transaction, accompanied and closed as it had been by full success, bore a cha- racter which would make a lasting impression, not merely in history, but in the future politics of Europe. He then asked me, if there was any truth in the reports that it had been in contemplation in England to go beyond the question in dispute, to make demands upon France of concession utterly strange and humi- liating. I answered, that on such subjects I had no pretensions to know more than himself of what might pass in His Majesty's Councils; that I could only rea- son from the great and general principles of conduct which had appeared to guide all the instructions re- ceived by me ; and from that criterion I was of opinion that His Majesty, in his determination not to permit any changes in Europe which might materially injure the interests of his people, was unlikely to quit this line of rectitude for the purpose of making demands which would have given a dangerous example to other Powers to avail themselves of every favourable mo- ment, and to urge u le droit du plus fort." I intimated, however, and rather strongly, that though such demands were not likely to have been made by His Majesty previous to a war, they would WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 271 have become just, and perhaps expedient, after engag- ing in a war upon grounds of provocations furnished by this country. The French Minister could not dis- pute this last position ; with respect to the other, he said that the accounts of some unreasonable demand being possibly made by us had been the true reason why France had made such preparations, — which, he repeated, had amounted to from twenty-five to thirty millions ; and he added, that if any such demand had been made, France would have commenced the war at all hazards, and without a moment's hesitation. The conversation here turned to the happier pros- pects which had been opened, and the means of extend- ing and improving them. On the subject of the instructions to be sent to the foreign possessions, he said that he would instantly stop all vessels that were going from the French ports till the explanation suggested by your Lordship could be materially given, and that he would give it in the amplest manner as soon as he was informed in what shape we chose to have and exchange it ; and that, in sending the troops to the East Indies, he would also willingly avoid any arrangement that might create jealousy, as far as the internal good government and security of their possessions might allow. AVith res- pect to naval force, he professed a readiness to come to any settlement that might contribute to prevent uneasiness and expense. He believed, however, that the best mode was, for the two governments to main- tain a friendly and explicit communication with each other, and to ask questions and to give answers with- out reserve. He presumed, he said, that we considered the agree- ment relative to the naval force in the East Indies as still subsisting. He told me that, according to the accounts before him, our naval strength in that part of the world goes far beyond that of France, but that he made no complaints of this ; it arose partly from the nature of our commerce, and was also reasonable on considering the extent and importance of our possessions. He 272 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF tftok this occasion to mention a report to me of our having sent orders overland to India to seize the French possessions. He did not mention it as believ- ing it ; but yet, as a subject of some uneasiness, and what, though it might be set right, would give a most unpleasant sensation here. I told him again that I was utterly uninformed on such subjects, and had no claim to know anything respecting them; but though I thought it likely, because it seemed wise, that we should have sent an early notice to the East Indies of the late menacing appearances, I did not think it probable that instruc- tions had been given to strike a blow anywhere, and particularly in the quarter where it was always in our power with little effort to do everything. The French Minister next spoke of the naval force to be employed on other stations, and wished to know whether we were desirous to have it upon the same footing of mutual explanation as the East India ar- rangement. He also asked me whether the ships of war employed by us at Newfoundland, and in other stations occasionally, made part of the established number of vessels which come within the list of saiard- ships. I evaded the answer, partly because the whole is a subject of which I have a most imperfect knowledge. In this part of the conversation it was incidentally mentioned that two French ships of war, of 74 and 64 guns, are expected next month from the West Indies. M. de Montmorin next recurred to his speculation of changing the system of French ships of war in time of peace. I again suggested (as the Duke of Dorset and I had already done, jointly and strongly), that the steps which he may have in view for this purpose should be previously well examined, and com- municated and discussed, otherwise they may tend to create new uneasinesses, and considerable expense at the same time in both kingdoms. He repeated, that we are under a misconception as to the peace estab- lishment in France, which has sometimes consisted of WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 273 seventeen vessels at Brest alone, and though they did not happen to be in commission, occasionally in a state of great preparation. He earnestly wished to be informed of the nature of the establishment of our guard-ships. He said that it could be no secret, but that the accounts which he should receive of it from other quarters would be less truthful than he should hope to receive from us, and, as he had nothing in view but what was just and conciliatory, it must be eligible to us to aid him in it. He then dropped an expression, intimating that per- haps the French peace establishment would be com- pletely satisfactory to us if settled at twelve vessels at Brest, upon the footing of our guard-ships, and four at Toulon (it seems to be understood that our number is seventeen); but this, however, upon sup- position that our peace establishment was not to be increased. He professed a strong desire to arrange this in a satisfactory manner, and said, that in regard- ing every possible subject of disagreement between the two nations, he foresaw nothing which might not be amicably arranged. The Turkish business was of a serious nature ; but he could not see a probability of its occasioning any misunderstanding between us. I took the occasion to ask him respecting the new levies making by the Emperor. He professed to think it probable that his Imperial Majesty would take possession of Wallachia and Moldavia, and that the Empress meant, for her part, to keep Oczakow and one or two places which he mentioned ; but that Constantinople would remain untouched, provided that the Porte should be disposed to punish the Vizier and to finish the war. Though I have obtained of the French Minister, and shall forward with these despatches, a copy of M. Barthelemi's notification* of the 13th Sept., 1 submit to your Lordship, that there are expressions therein, which, with just attention towards this Court, should This notification will be found in the Appendix. VOL. I. T 274 THE COKEESPONDENCE OF not be made public, and that at the utmost an extract only of the material parts should be published. The Archeveque de Toulouse on Tuesday last ex- pressed to me in the presence of several of the Foreign Ministers, the strongest satisfaction at the business of the preceding Saturday, and afterwards repeated to me that he entertained great hopes of our having at length laid the foundation of a long period of peace. Many people, however, feel indignant respecting the transaction, and their mortification will be increased when the Declarations are published. I have the honour to be, with the utmost respect, my Lord, your Lordship's most obedient, humble servant, Wm. Eden. Duke of Dorset and Mr. Eden to Lord Carmarthen. Paris, November 1st, 1787. Mv Lord, — We have not omitted to communicate to M. de Montmorin that it is His Majesty's intention, immediately on being informed that the Declarations for disarming have been exchanged, to reduce the augmentation lately made by His Majesty in his land forces ; with an exception only of such troops as may be necessary to complete the addition which His Majesty proposes to make to the peace establishment of his foreign possessions. The French Minister, in return, assured us that the troops of this kingdom would be immediately ordered back from the fron- tiers to their usual stations, except such as it may be thought expedient to embark for the Islands and the He de France. We have understood that it was in contemplation to send three battalions to the former, and one to the latter, in great measure as necessary additions, and, at the utmost, to place them in a state of defence. We further stated, pursuant to the in- struction from your Lordship, that, in order to avoid any occasion of jealousy in different parts of the world, it was His Majesty's wish that an explanation should take place on both sides respecting such addi- WILLIAM, FIEST LOED AUCKLAND. 275 tional force to be embarked ; and that it would be a new proof of good intelligence being re-established, to suspend the departure till such explanation has taken place. M. de Monttnorin adopted this sugges- tion readily and cordially, and said that he would immediately give the orders accordingly. It remains therefore with your Lordship to state the degree of explanation which you wish to take place ; and we have reason to believe that it will be fully reciprocal on the part of this Court. We trust that we have now given a full and satis- factory attention to every part of the joint instructions which your Lordship had transmitted to us. We have the honour to be, &c. Dorset, Wm. Eden. Mr. Eden to Mr. Pitt. Seve, near Paris, Nov. 1st, 1787. My dear Sir, — The despatches which I have found it necessary to write by this courier are immode- rately voluminous, but I could not keep within a smaller compass, and I hope that you will think so when you read them. I am anxious to see, in confidence, your foreign article for the Speech. It will be difficult so to express it as to be satisfactory to one side of the Channel, without doing mischief on the other side. Have the goodness to tell me what papers you mean to lay before the House. It is with me a general opinion, which every observation has con- firmed, that, in foreign politics, the fewer papers you give the better ; and that, as to domestic information, it is generally impossible to give too much. I suppose, however, that in the present in- stance you must give a copy of the Declarations exchanged 30th August, to mark our disposition to avoid arming ; a very short extract of M. Bar- thelemi's notification of the 13th September, to T 2 276 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF show the necessity of arming; the letter of M. de Montmorin, of the 22nd September; his answer of the 24th ; and the several Declarations signed the 27th October. Surely it will be right to avoid any further or larger communication of correspondence ; perhaps even it is unnecessary to give any papers. I am, my dear Sir, respectfully and most sincerely yours, Wm. Eden. Mr. Eden to Lord Carmarthen Seve, near Paris, Nov. 2nd, 1787. My Lord, — I omitted to mention in the despatch of the 27th that M. de Montmorin has proposed to His Most Christian Majesty to send M. de Bougan- ville and M. de Maurigny for the purpose of ascer- taining the disarming. I happen to see much of the first of these officers, who is frequently in parties at my house. He is, undoubtedly, a man of acute- ness, and of great experience in the service ; but his imagination is so lively and so unbridled, that I am not sorry (if the measure takes place) that he is to be accompanied by M. de Maurigny, who is said to be peculiarly correct and discreet. Though M. de Montmorin has named these officers, he remarked to me that he saw little use in their going soon, or be- fore the disarming may be supposed to be nearly completed. He seems to consider the measure as of little solid utility, except for the purpose of contra- dicting ill-founded rumours and alarms, if any such should take place on either side. And I presume that, in truth, it would be practicable to give an in- spection to Foreign Commissaries, and yet to conceal a great detail of preparation, if there is bad faith in either party, which there is not any ground to suppose. Upon the whole, it may be doubted whether the measure, if carried into effect, will not bear an appearance of jealousy and distrust injurious to both Governments ; but your Lordship and His WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 277 Majesty's Ministers can alone decide how far that objection is likely to be compensated by any good results. I have the honour to be, with the utmost respect, my Lord, your Lordship's most obedient humble servant, Wm. Eden. The following letter will show how right Mr. Eden was in wishing that England had shown a little more moderation with respect to the Commercial Treaty : — Mr. Eden to Mr. Pitt. Seve, Nov. 8tb, 1787. My dear Sir, — I said nearly all that I had to say in my several despatches of the 1st instant; and what I have addressed this day to Lord Carmarthen is little more than a confirmation of matters which I had before stated. M. de Montmorin has talked again with me about the Commercial Treaty. He says that the representa- tions from the different parts of Normandy, and even from Bordeaux also, against our pottery, and against the cottons, are again urgent to a degree of clamour and violence ; and it is said that in Normandy above 4,000 manufacturers are begging in the streets of Rouen, &c. I wish that we had set those two articles at fifteen per cent, I proposed it in the cot- tons and woollens, but the abominable falsehoods of some of the persons whom w r e consulted had made the impression. Is it now impracticable to do any- thing ? For example, in return for having the privileges of the most favoured nations to our con- suls ; or is there any other pretext ? It would be a great thing by way of assisting, if you could raise the Portuguese duty. I really think that, unless something is done, the rage against the Treaty here may grow too strong to be resisted. 278 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF With respect to Dutch affairs, I am sorry to hear from Sir James Harris, and from you, that the fermentation has not yet subsided. Amsterdam is so populous, and makes so essential a part of the Dutch Government, that means should be used to gain the general opinion there, or at least to divide it ; at present it seems to be universally against our friends. It is the fashion here to say that the Stadt- holder's measures continue to be the reverse of all conciliation; and that the same conduct is restored which originally gave birth to the French alliance. By the by, it might be material for you, with a view to the approaching debates, to read the correspond- ence of that time in the Secretary of State's Office. When I was in England I meant to have looked through Mr. Fox's despatches to Holland, but they escaped my recollection. I am, my dear Sir, Respectfully yours, Wm. Eden. Mr. Eden to Mr. Pitt. (Private and Secret.) Seve, Nov. 8th, 1787. Dear Sir, — There is one circumstance connected with the Dutch business of which we seem to make less use than should naturally result from it. I mean the impression which should be given to the French faction in Holland, respecting all the late conduct of France. If our friends in the provinces were to make a sufficient and just use of that consideration, it ought to have a general and deep effect. The patriots, as they called themselves, certainly have bitter reason to complain of France : and though France may plead in answer the necessity of her situation, that plea, whatever may be its moral merits, is politically bad — for this Court spoke great words through the whole transaction, and held out false hopes of support, both in talking of the camp of Givet, and in the notification of the 16th September. WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 279 I do not see, in the Foreign Gazettes, that this has had its due weight ; nor can I collect it from people here who are come from Holland ; nor do I see a trace of it in Sir James Harris's letter. On the other hand, however, the French render justice to the in- ability and poltroonery of the patriots, assisted as they were by French artillerists. And it is believed here, by many of the best informed, that two thou- sand men possessed of common bravery, and well- conducted, might, without difficulty or loss, have impeded for many months the advance of the whole Prussian army, even if it had been much larger. The country is said to be peculiarly adapted to measures of defence. When this is said to me here, I cannot resist the pleasure of doubting it, when it is con- sidered that there were so many able French officers selected and employed ; it is, nevertheless, true that the resistance made to the Duke of Brunswick was unaccountably contemptible. (Secret). — In a despatch which I sent last week, I expressed a disbelief of M. de Rayneval being con- cerned with M. de Simolin* in any stock-jobbing transactions. M. de M on ton, who has talked further with me about it since, also utterly disbelieves it. This imputation was raised first on making the peace of 1783, when it was the constant cry of the newspapers, that M. de Rayneval, the young Comte de Yergennes, and M. de Sainte Foyf, were working largely in our funds. I believe that report to have been utterly groundless as to the first and second ; with respect to the third, 1 should be unwilling to answer for him; there was no trust reposed in him, and if he could penetrate into my secret, he would either then or now be disposed to make use of it. The practice is much followed by Frenchmen, both in English and in the French funds, and even by Princes of the blood. It is said (1 do not know with * The Russian Minister at the Court of Versailles, f M. de Sainte Foy played a conspicuous part in the French revolu- tion ; he was a great friend of Talleyrand. 280 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF what truth) that the Russian Minister has long had an establishment for this purpose at some bank in the City ; it might, perhaps, be practicable to trace and to expose it. I am, my dear Sir, respectfully and most sincerely yours, Wm. Eden. In the following letter will be found a remarkable conversation between Mr. Eden and M. de Mont- morin with respect to the Convocation of the Etats- Generaux : — - Mr. Eden to Lord Carmarthen. (Secret.) Seve, near Paris, Nov. 15, 1787. My Lord, — His Most Christian Majesty did not see the Foreign Minister on Tuesday. M. de Montmorin also declines holding the usual conference this week ; but our families happened to pass a considerable part of the day together on the Monday, and I had in- cidentally much conversation with him on foreign affairs. On a reference to the late explanations, he spoke of them as forming a mortifying epoch in the annals of his country, but justly exculpated himself. And he ajxain intimated that whatever might be the opinion as to the embarrassments of France, and whatever in truth might be the extent of those em- barrassments, she was much nearer entering into the war than was supposed, and that even when peace became probable, the preparations here, as well as in Spain, were pushed on in the most effective manner to the last moment. He hoped, he said, that we now have, in fact, what we generally have in ministerial language, a lair prospect of peace ; but, he added, that much remains to be done in order to establish it, and that he was sorry to remark that neither country seemed, to this hour, cordially disposed to lay aside its jealousies. WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 281 Some allusion took place respecting the war between Russia and the Turks, and the appearance of the Emperor's taking part in it. I shall be further attentive to this subject, because I have suspicions that something is kept in reserve respecting it. I know with certainty that it has lately been much discussed here, and yet, in the four or five last con- versations which I have had with M. de Montmorin, he has not introduced the subject ; and when I have brought it forwards he has said little, and has watched to turn to some other topic. I tried, par- ticularly on this occasion, by mentioning a remark- able circumstance relative to the Swedish Ambas- sador, who, on the receiving day at M. de Mercy's * had desired to speak with me in a separate apartment, when he entered into a long statement of all the dangers of the Turkish war, and the uneasiness which the King of Sweden f would see the aggran- disement of such a neighbour as Russia, and he expressed surprise that England, who now bears so great a weight in foreign politics, did not combine with Spain, France, and Prussia (and he threw Sweden into the scale) to prevent so great a con- vulsion as the overthrow of the Turkish Empire. I do not know whether this communication was made without instructions ; but I saw no use, and some inconvenience in listening to it, and therefore dechned the subject as immediately as personal attentions would allow. On my mentioning this anecdote to M. de Montmorin, and the various specu- lations which M. de Stael had started, he made the remarks which unavoidably presented themselves, but did not advance further. He spoke with less reserve on the measures rela- tive to the French finances, and on the report which is now so prevalent that His Most Christian Majesty will ultimately find it necessary to convene the Etats-Gcneraux. M. de Montmorin intimated to me * Count Mercy D'Argenteau, the Austrian Ambassador. T Gustavus the Third, 282 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF that the act was in great forwardness for authorising not only the sanction of the new loan, but the suc- ceeding state of the finances, and he spoke with good expectation as to the result. "With respect to the Etats- Generaux, he did not allow that it was quite decided to convene them ; but he said that if their meeting should be expedient, he did not conceive it to be big with such danger to His Most Christian Majesty's authority as was generally supposed. I did not enter into the subject with respect to the interests of France; nor can I foresee how those interests might be affected by so critical a measure. I think it probable, however, that the two great objects of such an assembly would be to support the national credit by separating the management of the debt from the expenses of the Crown, and, at the same time, to lower the Royal privileges and the whole principle of the French Government. Perhaps the best thing that can be wished is, that the Ministers should continue to struggle with the embarrassments of the finance without having recourse to any measure of the extent in question. The messenger whom we sent to Spain from Ver- sailles, on the 29th October, had not arrived at the Escurial on the 5th instant. The Spanish armaments were going forwards, and were much urged by the Due de la Vauguyon, who retains a parental par- tiality for the lost cause in Holland, and who talked so strongly of its being impossible for France to give way, that he seems to have convinced the Spanish Ministers that a war was inevitable. The Ambassa- dor's motive for this language is perhaps not friendly towards the present French Ministers. He was not pleased by M. de Montmorin's appointment, and he has been further dissatisfied by the nomination of M. de la Luzerne. The Prussian Minister at Madrid, upon the grounds of some instructions given in at an early stage of the late business, had talked of its being expected that France would guarantee what was done in Holland, WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 283 M. deVauguyon resented this proposition as a dis- grace to which France should on no account submit. In his last despatches, he desires M. de Montmorin to assure His Most Christian Majesty that if the war should take place, he may rely on Spain having fifty ships of the line ready for sea early in March. The Chevalier de la Luzerne was of the party on Monday. He is desirous to wait here for the arrival of his brother, who is expected from St. Domingo about the end of December ; but he is to go at all events so as to arrive in England about the 10th January. I have never seen any man more solicitous to give satisfaction in a foreign mission than he is with respect to England. He labours under some disadvantage, from a manner and address which bear no resemblance to the general ease of this country, and from being extremely near-sighted ; but he possesses so much good sense, and has so honourable a turn of mind, that I have little doubt of his pleasing. I enclose a letter to your Lordship from Mr. Liston, which I have received by a Spanish courier. I have the honour to be, with the utmost respect, my Lord, your Lordship's most obedient humble servant, Wm Eden. Lord Carmarthen to the Duke of Dorset and Mr. Eden. Whitehall, Nov. 17th, 1787. My Lord and Sir, — As by your despatches it appears that the French Ministers seem, on the whole, not desirous of carrying into execution the idea which was suggested, some time ago, of sending officers from each country to inspect the steps taken for disarming ; and as such a measure may, perhaps, carry an appearance of jealousy, which it is certainly desirable to avoid, His Majesty's servants by no means wish to persist in it; and they conceive that a 284 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF full explanation, from time to time, of the progress made on each side in disarming, will completely answer every purpose. You will inform M. de Montmorin that directions are given by the Admiralty for paying off, with as much expedition as possible, the ships and seamen which will not be wanted for the peace establishment. I enclose to you a state of the naval force of this country at home as it stood in the beginning of the present year, which you will deliver to the French Ministers whenever they are ready (which I take for granted will be immediately) to furnish you in like manner with a state of that of France at the same period. You will also be instructed, in a short time, to enter into a further explanation with the French Ministers on the subject of the naval force to be kept up in other parts of the world ; and you will inform me of any ideas which they may, in the mean time, suggest on this subject — I am, with great truth and regard, my Lord and Sir, your most obedient humble servant, Carmarthen. Peace Establishment of the Navy for the Year 1787. On Home Service. Guardships of the third rate, 16; which, with frigates and vessels of inferior force, employed for the protection of the revenue, contained 9,600 men. Mr. Eden to Mr. Pitt. (Private.) Scve, Nov. 22, 1787. My dear Sir, — I have not received any answer from you to the letters which I forwarded you on the 1st inst., and there were some of them which interest me much both in a public and personal point of view. I conceive, however, that you must be much engaged at the present moment. I have taken a house at Madrid, and am sending WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 285 anything that I shall want there, and shall go as soon as the season will allow ; at the same time, many hours reflection, and observation and experience convince me, that my destination is not only unpleasant and ineligible to myself and to my family, but that it is bad for the public interests. I will now, however, write about other matters. As soon as I receive the information about the poor negroes, I will put that business into train, and shall be tempted to draw up a paper respecting it, in the event of engaging His Most Christian Majesty's feelings towards it, and also to have it forwarded to Spain. Mr. Wilberforce should lose no time in sending me what is necessary. It must be managed here with a degree of privacy till it is settled. I write despatches of this date to the Govern- ment, which may be very material to the debate of Tuesday next. It is possible that there may be a dis- position to urge the supposed embarrassments of this country as reasons why Ave should have gone to war (wretched reasons, by the bye, when we had no just object !) and also for the purpose of lessening in the eyes of the country the merit of your late glorious success. I have wished, therefore, to enable you decidedly and justly to state that the embarrass- ments of this country are by no means what they are represented ; and this, guardedly and well stated, would be well and kindly taken here, and would assist me perhaps materially in points of solid importance. Some allusions will possibly be made to me in your debates. It was repeatedly suggested to me last year from certain quarters, that the friends of the Government defended the Commercial Treaty in a tone cold and unfriendly towards me. This, as to some persons, might have been true, and whether true or false gave me little concern. At present both the East India and Dutch questions will again bring me into view ; and they possibly will be stated 286 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF not only unkindly towards me, but inordinarily so towards the Duke of Dorset. As to the first of these businesses, it may be not immaterial to remind you that it was partly of a commercial nature, that it was originally proposed to me by the late M. de Vergennes; that I had two opportunities of short visits to Eng- land, made partly for the purpose of discussing that business with you and the India Board; and that it was afterwards renewed and completed during the Duke of Dorset's absence. As to the second, the plain truth is, that the whole detail of the negotiation, by various accidents, absences, &c, fell into my hands, and there remained to the conclusion. Something will also be said perhaps respecting the increase of salaries to these two Embassies. Nobody has ever doubted, however, that the increase was necessary. I forget whether I ever mentioned to you what are the allow- ances to the French Ambassadors in England and at Madrid— 50,000 ecus (about ^6,000) is given for plate and equipage, and 200,000 francs as salary (about £8,350.) I send to Mr. Rose a very singular pamphlet of Mirabeau's. We sent it a week ago to the office, and you probably have seen it ; if not, it is well worth your perusal, because, though it contains little, there are some strong and remarkable expressions in it, and though he speaks impertinences of England, he does justice to your coup de maitre. I wish that you could take the trouble to write me a few lines about Sainte Foy ; some of his friends here will take it ill if I say no more about him, and they are material. The Archbishop is in high spirits upon the prospects of his money businesses. It was last night utterly unknown that his loan is secure ; it possibly will transpire to-day or to-morrow. Some displeasure is privately conceived, but I do not precisely know why, against the Garde des Sceaux. With respect to the two councillors who are imprisoned, it is intended to oblige them to sell their charges. WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 287 I wish that you would have the goodness to let me have some account of your Tuesday's debate as soon as you find it convenient. I have many friends at Versailles who are eager about it, and they are so obliging to me that I am glad to use any occasion of so fair a kind to mark attention. I am, my dear Sir, Most sincerely and respectfully yours, Wm. Eden. M. de Montmorin to the Duke of Dorset. A Versailles, le 5 decembre 1787. Monsieur, — J'ai l'honneur d'envoyer a votre Excel- lence une note de l'etat ou se trouvoit notre marine an premier Janvier de cette annee. Vous y verrez, Monsieur, qu'a cette epoque nous avions, en etat d'etre armes, 21 vaisseaux de ligne. Comme l'in- tention du Roi est d'oter jusqu'au moindre pretexte de soupc,on et de mefiance entre les deux Cours, et de maintenir la bonne intelligence qui subsiste entre elles, Sa Majeste a ordonne de reduire au nombre de 1G les vaisseaux qui seront tenus en etat d'etre amies, sur le meme pied que le sont vos vaisseaux de garde, savoir, 12a Brest, et 4 a Toulon. C'est la, selon ce que ni'a dit votre Excellence, le nombre de vaisseaux de garde que le ministere Britannique se propose de con- server. Vous pouvez assurer votre Cour, Monsieur, que nous tiendrons,scrupuleusement, la main a cet arrange- ment, et qu'il n'y sera rien change qu'autant qu'il ne feroit dans les ports d'Angleterre des mouvemens qui nous en imposeroit robligation. Au reste, Mon- sieur, il est entendu que l'arrangement dont il s'agit, ne comprcnd pas les armemens legers que Ton jugera a propos de faire, de part et d'autre, soit pour des evolutions, soit pour des cas imprevus. J'ai l'honneur d'etre, &c, Le Cte. de Montmorin. 288 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF Note sur Vetat de la Marine dans les Ports du Roi au l er Janvier 1787. Brest. Ce port offrait 14 vaisseaux (dont les noms suivent) en etat d'armer au premier ordre, ayant leur agres, et munitions en 6tat, et prets a etre em- barques, et on les consideroit comme pouvant etre assimiles aux vaisseaux de garde d'Angleterre quant a leur position. Six fregates (egalement de- nommes ci-apres) etoient dans la meme situation. 300 officiers mariniers, et 1,300 matelots affectes aux mouvemens du port de Brest, etoient particuliere- ment destines a former la tete des equipages de ces 14 vaisseaux et 6 fregates, et Ton ne compre- noit pas dans ce nombre environ 800 homines de mer designes pour le service des nottes et gabanes destines a faire le cabotage, et aux transports des munitions d'un port a l'autre. Les batimens armes dependans de ce port etoient au nombre de 19: savoir, 2 vaisseaux de ligne, 10 fregates et 7 corvettes, reparties dans les differentes stations. Vaisseaux en etat d'armer au premier ordre au 1 Janvier 17 §7. Le Majestueux - de 110 canons. Le Terneraire de 74 canons. Les deux Freres- - 80 5) Le Superbe - - - 74 L'Auguste - - - 80 )5 Le Magnanime - - 74 L'Achille - - - - 74 1) Le Neptune - - - 74 L'Argonaute - - - 74 ?) La Victoire - - 74 Le Brave - - 74 11 Le Zele - - - 74 L'Ulustre - - - - 74 11 Fregates. La Nymphe - - de 36 canons. La Galathee - - de 32 canons L'Iphigenie - - - 32 „ La Gentille - - - 32 „ L'Emeraude - - - 32 „ La liesolue - - - 32 „ WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 289 Toulon. Ce port presentoit 6 vaisscaux et 4 fregates, disposes a armer au premier ordre, et qui pouvoient egalement etre considered sur le meme rapport que les vaisseaux de garde en Angleterre, — leur agres, et munitions etant prets a etre embarques, 400 homines de mer, dont 100 officiers mariniers, et 300 matelots etoient reunis dans ce port, destines, comme a Brest, a former un fond pour l'armement de ces batimens, s'il avoit lieu. lis etoient employes aux mouvemens interieurs du port. Les batimens armes dependans de ce departement Etoient au nombre de 8 : savoir, 3 fregates et 5 cor- vettes, reparties dans les difFerentes stations. Vaisseaux et fregates en etat d' 'armer, au premier ordre, au l"" Janvier 1787. Le Guerrier - - de 74 canons. La Minerve - - - 36 „ L'Alceste - - - - 32 „ L'Iris 32 „ La Vestale - - - 32 „ ROCHEFORT. Ce port n'ofFroit qu'un seul vaisseau, et deux fregates, dont la position pouvoit etre assimilee a l'etat des vaisseaux de garde en Angleterre. 150 homines de mer etoient seulement rassembles dans ce port, pour former la tete d'equipage de ces trois batimens, mais on n'y comprenoit pas 250 hommes destines a armer les flottes et gabanes de cabotao-e affectes a ce departement. Le nombre de batimens armes dependans de ce port dans les difFerentes stations etoient de 4, dont une fregate et 3 corvettes. Vaisseaux et fregates en etat d'armer, au premier ordre, au l er Janvier 1787. Lc Sphinx - - de 64 canons. | La Nereide - - de 32 canons. La Courageuse - - de 32 canons. VOL. I. U La Couronne ■ de 80 canons Le Dictateur • - 74 „ Le Suifisant - ■ - 74 „ L'Heureux - - 74 „ Le Centaure - > - - 74 „ 290 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF II resulte qu'il y avoit a l'epoque du l er Janvier 1787, en etat d'armer au premier ordre dans les trois ports, — Vaisseaux deligne ----------21 Fregates 12 Ou 33 batimens de guerre arines, et 3,100 hommes de mer rassembles a Brest, Toulon, et Rochefort. The following letter of Lord Carmarthen relates to a negotiation that was now carried on between Mr. Eden and M. de Montmorin, in order to bring about an understanding between the two Courts. Turkey had in August declared war against Russia, and the Eng- lish Minister was naturally anxious to find out the views of the French Cabinet with respect to support- ing her against Russia and Austria, which powers were now combined to plunder and divide the Otto- man Empire : — Lord Carmarthen to Mr. Eden. (Private.) Whitehall, Dec. 17, 1787. Dear Sir, — In any future conversation you may have with M. de Montmorin, I could wish you to learn from him as far as possible the nature of those great lengths he is disposed to go in order to bring the two countries to a real degree of confidence and good un- derstanding. We certainly should be ready on our part to meet him on any ground of arrangement which might lead to the effectual establishment of such a situation between us. I see little probability, however, of so pleasing a hope being realised, without something specific re- specting India being agreed to. Our chief, if not our WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 291 only distrust of the views of France being productive of mischief to us, is founded upon the unpleasant experience of her hostile intentions in that quarter, notwithstanding repeated assurances of her pacific, nay, even friendly disposition towards us. If France is seriously inclined to remove all suspicion on our part, and to establish a permanent system of good understanding and confidence with England, let her not only declare her wishes on the subject, but act up to the spirit of such a declaration, and thereby remove the great source of jealousy and distrust on our part. What M. de Montmorin stated respecting the interest of France in the Levant trade, and that of Great Britain in regard to her Indian possessions, should not be lost sight of. If the French Minister meant nothing when he mentioned those subjects, it will be advantageous for us to know he meant no more. If, on the contrary, he wished to throw out those ideas with a view to fair discussion and future arrangement, no opportunity should be lost of renewing so interesting a conversation, and the more directly and explicitly the subject is treated the better. Believe me ever, dear Sir, Your faithful and obedient servant, Carmarthen. Lord Carmarthen to the Duke of Dorset and Mr. Eden. Whitehall, Dec. 18, 1787. My Lord and Sir, — I observe by Mr. Eden's let- ter, that M. de Montmorin has taken occasion to express an opinion that a decided alternative must now be formed by the two countries, between two systems, one of which would amount to a constant state of jealousy and suspicion, the other to an honourable and explicit understanding between the c 2 292 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF two Sovereigns and their respective Ministers, towards which he was willing to go great lengths. The permanent security of peace, and friendly inter- course with all other Powers, is certainly His Majesty's earnest wish ; and no part of His Majesty's conduct is directed to any other object than that of the security of his own dominions, and the means of resisting any attack from whatever quarter it might come. There will, therefore, be no step adopted, on the part of this country, which can give any just cause of jealousy to France ; and there is nothing to occasion distance and reserve between the two coun- tries, except the apprehension that the system ot France may be such as to lead directly or indirectly to objects injurious to the interests of His Majesty's dominions. Whatever may be now the case, the experience of many years has proved that such has been the nature of the system pursued by the French Government ; and their recent conduct with respect to the affairs of Holland engaged the attention of this country as appearing to form a part of the same line of policy — it being a truth which cannot be too often repeated that their influence in Holland could be advantageous to them only in proportion as it might afford the means of annoying us. It cannot, therefore, be supposed that this Govern- ment could be justified in laying aside that vigilant, and even jealous, attention, which results from our past experience, without the strongest grounds of conviction that the policy of France is really changed, and that no view to any encroachment is any longer entertained. If any explanation can be entered into which may tend to produce this conviction, on solid grounds of reason and supported by facts, there would be the most sincere and earnest wish, on our part, to meet such a disposition, and to concur in establishing such a cordial good understanding, as, if it could be accomplished, would tend more than WILLIAM, FIRST LOED AUCKLAND. 293 any other measure to the permanency of peace, and ■would therefore form a fortunate era in the history of the two countries. But, at the very moment that such explanations are pointed at, it is impossible not to take notice of the reserve which M. de Montmorin maintains on those subjects, which must be felt to be the most material ; and particularly that at the very time when his conversations state the interest of France, in preserving her present situation in Turkey, as similar to that which we have in the maintenance of our possessions in India, he declines all further ex- planation on that point ; while other reports, by no means unauthenticated, would induce us to believe that France is pursuing a line of policy directly contrary to that which she holds out to us on this subject. It must also be acknowledged that, if we under- stood rightly the proposal now made by France with respect to her naval peace establishment, on which instructions are now sent to the Duke of Dorset, what is intended by that Court is little calculated to promote the removal of jealousies. Nothing, there- fore, can be more desirable than to come to an ex- planation, sufficiently clear and precise, to ascertain how far the two Courts can really understand each other. From M. de Montmorin's expression of his being ready to go great lengths in such an expla- nation, I am inclined, notwithstanding the circum- stances to which I have alluded in the former part of this letter, to hope that it may tend to beneficial consequences. I have already stated to you in general His Majesty's sentiments on this subject ; it is hardly necessary to add, that, to answer any good purpose, it must be made evident that no views are entertained on either side to give jealousy to the other. The chief points, to which this country must naturally look, are what relate to Holland and to India. If the system lately pursued by France in Holland, and the views in India, with which it is i 3 294 THE CORRESPONDENCE OP connected, are completely abandoned, I trust there is no probability of anything arising to interrupt the harmony between the two countries ; but it is material to have as distinct an explanation as pos- sible, on both these points, and particularly to know whether M. de Montmorin has anything to suggest which will give us sufficient security that France does not intend to give any disturbance to our inte- rests in India, provided we are willing to leave them unmolested in the points connected with their com- merce in the Levant. In any conversations which you may have with M. cle Montmorin, you will direct your attention to the obtaining as full and ample a communication of his sentiments on the points to which I have par- ticularly adverted, as well as on any other which he may consider as connected with them ; and you may give him the fullest assurances of the disposition of His Majesty's Ministers to enter, with the utmost fairness and candour, into any discussion which may arise out of the explanations which he may think proper to give you. — I am, &c. Carmarthen. Mr. Eden to Mr. Pitt. (Most secret.) Paris, Dec. 21, 1788. My clear Sir, — You will see in our despatch of this evening that we are to have a full conference with M. de Xlontmorin upon the great question whether it is practicable to explain and arrange all causes of jealousy and uneasiness between the two coun- tries ; and this was intended to have been to- morrow. I have, however, requested the Duke of Dorset to postpone it three or four clays longer, and shall write the best excuse I can find to the French Minister for not going to-morrow to Versailles (le jour de Van) ; in fact, I doubt much whether this same conference may not do us more harm than good, unless we were in a situation to go fully and fairly into WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 295 the question, and to establish at least some leading principles as points in which we can eventually agree. If, as will probably be the case, we enter into the discussion of this great subject without any defi- nite purpose, I do not think that we shall collect any- thing from the French Ministers which I do not know already, and yet we shall give them the impression of our having nothing: in view but to extend informa- tion ; and on the other hand, both M. de Montmorin and I must feel that, by making speculations which involve the interests of the Court of Vienna, we are risking offence in a certain female* quarter here ; and when offence has already been conceived more than once, in points of this nature, in which I have merely discharged my duty, that offence without respect to anything I may feel in the quarter to which I allude, would not restrain me, if I did not think that it might create difficulties which may be avoided, if we do not proceed in the business till we are prepared to bring it to some conclusion. It is matter of extreme delicacy to me to express all that I mean to intimate here ; but in short, if the discussion is merely a mode of sounding the views and measures of this Court, I do not feel that it will answer ; and if it has in view the possibility of establishing a great and compre- hensive system, we are not sufficiently authorised to enter into particulars. I speculate in the dark in my correspondence, because I receive so few and such short answers to everything that I write ; but I am not quite discouraged by that circumstance. I have endeavoured to learn what is the real state of the connection between this country and the two Imperial Courts ; and whatever may be written to you from other quarters, I venture to express my personal belief, that nothing has been done either at Vienna or at Petersburg that ought to give uneasiness. I am living in intimacy with persons most in the confidence of what is done here. I have sacrificed much of my 'I'h ■ Queen. u4 296 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF time during the last week to conversations with them, and I have some other modes of intelligence which have been correct ; and I have reason to believe at this moment that the French Ministers, far from having any secret understanding with the Emperor, consider his late conduct* highly unpleasant and per- plexing ; and are as much in doubt at this moment as to what line of explanation or of conduct he will take in respect of the late Belgrade business, as I can be ; and though they have had many friendly and confidential communications from Petersburg, I believe it to be very certain that they have never gone beyond discussions with the Empress as to the terms on which she should make peace with the Porte. I state this as the substance of various opinions con- fided to me, and think it superfluous to enter into particulars, and name the individual in a letter; but in cases when my opinions are contradicted by intelligence from other quarters, it would be material if the confidences made to me from England were less economical than they sometimes are. In addition to this, I yesterday had a long and friendly conversation with the Spanish Ambassador, every expression of which tended to confirm what I have before stated. He even was earnest in in- timating his opinion that it would be, at best, an unbecoming and unwise measure if Great Britain, France, and Spain permitted the Baltic fleets to enter the Mediterranean for the purpose of aiding the Turkish war; and all his ideas went to the im- pression that it is a favourable moment for our mutually understanding each other. In talking about an idle paper which has been circulated here by some French stockjobber, of the reported con- nection with the Imperial Court, he said in that unmistakeable manner which is natural to him, that * The Emperor Joseph's conduct was very perplexing to his own subjects. Morton Eden wrote to his brother, " that some mauvais plaisant had written on the door of the St. Luke's of Vienna, ' Josephus ubique secundus, hie autem primus.'" WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 297 he did not believe any one Court in Europe had at this moment formed any decided system respect- ing the conduct to be adopted. I am glad that the proposed journey of MM. de Bouganville and Maurigny is entirely laid aside ; it would, have been troublesome, and tended to no good purpose. The Saxon Minister and M. de Stael, the Swedish Ambassador, have both taken the trouble to repeat to me the anxiety of their respective Courts as to the conduct of the Emperor, and of the Empress of Russia. I have received these intimations merely as in the course of loose conversations, and have hardly appeared at the time to remark them, and avoided entering into the subject. The new loan is now filled, and in great measure also the arrangements for the ninety millions which are to complete the loan of next year. I am, my dear Sir, Respectfully and most sincerely yours, Wm. Eden. Duke of Dorset and Mr. Eden to Lord Carmarthen. January 6th, 1788. My Lord, — We had a long conference yesterday, by appointment, with M. de Montmorin, at Versailles, upon the several subjects of your Lordship's des- patch. The French Minister opened the business with expressions of dissatisfaction : he said that England was in the habit of assuming a tone of complaint and distrust, and that such a tone was at present better suited to France, whether she adverts to the late trans- actions in Holland, or to those in the several German Courts ; that the measures of this country respecting the United Provinces had been just and reasonable; that she had materially assisted them in the pacifica- tion with us; that she had nearly risked a war for their protection in the disputes with the Emperor, and had incurred great expenses on that occasion ; that 298 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF the alliance was a natural return to such treatment ; and that if it were true, which might be disputed, that the influence of France in the United Provinces was only useful to her as furnishing the means of an- noying Great Britain, the same proposition might be stated in some degree respecting the influence of Great Britain in the Provinces as tending to injure France ; that the insinuation of the French Ministers being; engaged in negotiations with other Courts contradic- tory to the language which they are holding towards us, was so vague that it proved nothing but a dispo- sition either to feel or to express jealousies ; and last- ly (which he expressed with a tone of good humour), that when we accused him of reserve on the Turkish business, we ought at least to ask him questions be- fore we complained of his not giving answers ; and that, in the mean time, he might with equal justice complain of our reserve. When we had maintained our instructions on these several points with such reasonings as occurred to us, the conference went into some discussions and explanations which we conceive to be of considerable importance. With respect to the naval peace establishment of France, M. de Montmorin said, that he was far from thinking with us that the communications which he had made to us on that subject were little calculated to promote the removal of jealousies: — instead of main- taining here a force upon an indefinite establishment, and which might incessantly afford us grounds of suspicion, it was his wish to have it precisely un- derstood that France had only twelve ships of the line in the ports upon the north of the Channel and the Atlantic, and four in the Mediterranean ; that he had made no objection to our statement of 9,000 sailors in employment on the 1st January, 1787; that in return he had stated only 3,000 employed by France, and would tell us now without reserve, that the number to be maintained would not exceed 1,800. On this subject he said that he had received accounts of our disarming very slowly. He did not, however, WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 299 express any material doubts of our good faith and pacific views; but he added, that any very nice dis- cussion of the proportionable peace establishment of either country would be of little utility: whatever system might be stated and avowed, the degree of real preparation would be according to the probable occasions of calling into action the naval force of the two Powers. The great and essential business, there- fore, was to establish a sense of cordiality and confi- dence between them, and with that view, he would now meet completely and specifically the points of uneasiness on which we had confined ourselves to general and indefinite insinuations. First As to the late reports which have been circu- lated, not only in the English newspapers, but by the English Ministers in every Court of Europe, that France is negotiating with other Powers respecting the Turkish business in a line of policy contrary to that which he holds out to us, he said that France had long had a connection and degree of confidence with the Court of Vienna, and for some time has also had a friendly communication with that of Peters- burg, but that France had used these means of ac- cess (such as they were), solely for the purpose of arranging a peace for the Turks with as few sacrifi- ces as possible, whenever the latter should be disposed to listen to terms of accommodation, but further than this, he positively and repeatedly denied the having taken any steps whatever, and as proof of it, he told us that at this hour he is ignorant of the views and plans of the Imperial Courts in the business, either jointly or separately. He took this occasion to revert to the unfriendly conduct respecting France, which he accuses Sir Robert Ainslie* of holding at the Porte, notwithstanding the late disavowal of such conduct made by His Majesty's Ministers. Before we dismiss this subject we think it right to remark, that though the French Minister was very explicit in denying ' Sit Robert Ainslie was English Ambassador. 300 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF any concert whatever, as to the Turkish business, with the Imperial Courts, he appeared to avoid any expression, or intimation of a wish, to settle any joint line of conduct with His Majesty's Ministers: and even when the probability of the Empress sending a fleet from the Baltic to the Mediterranean, and the necessity of their seeking repairs and refreshment, either in English, French, or Spanish ports, was inci- dentally mentioned, he declined risking any opinion thereon, and professed not to know with certainty whether any ships were to be sent; he even added that no mention of such preparations had yet been made by M. de Segur.* Secondly. — With respect to our interests in the East Indies, he specifically and positively declared that France had no views whatever that could give us uneasiness. Some allusion being made to the con- duct of persons calling themselves French agents in the Courts of the Indian Princes, and to the expected arrival of the Embassy from Tippoo Saib, he said that as to the first, he knew nothing and had heard no particulars ; and as to the Mission from Tippoo, it might be expected soon to arrive, but that he was hitherto quite uninformed of its object. Lastly As to Holland, in answer to our expression that we hoped we might inform your Lordship that the system lately pursued in that quarter was com- pletely abandoned, he assured us without ill-humour, and decidedly, that it is. As we had nothing further to state, the conversation closed here. M. de Montmorin informed us that he should send the substance of it to M. Barthelemi, by whom it will probably be re-stated to your Lord- ship. We have the honour to be, &c. Dorset, Wm. Eden. P.S. — When mention is made of the Russian fleet, * French Ambassador at St. Petersburgh. WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 301 it ought to have been added, that M. de Montmorin observed there was sufficient time to come to a fur- ther explanation, as the ships could not take their de- parture from the Baltic before the beginning of May at soonest. A vessel arrived at Brest a few days ago from the Isle of France, which brought accounts that the Am- bassador from Tippoo Saib had intended to sail in a very short time. Mr. Pitt to Mr. Eden. (Private.) Bugden, Jan. 7th, 1788. My dear Sir, — The different excursions I have been making during the holidays have hitherto pre- vented my answering your letter respecting your late conversations with M. de Montmorin, and the subjects connected with them. It is still out of my power to enter into much explanation upon them. 1 have great doubts whether the idea of an arrangement and concert between the two countries, with a view of securing the general tranquillity in the extent in which you seem to state it, can ever be attempted with any hope of success. But supposing it ever to be brought within a narrower line, it must at all events include so many important points that no instructions can well be given upon it without very full consideration, and the absence of many of the Cabinet during the holidays makes this impossible. In the mean time, the more precisely you can find out what are the leading objects in M. de Montmorin's contemplation the better. The point which strikes me as most deserving dis- tinct consideration is what you throw out respecting the possibility of the French being induced to relin- quish the Isle of France and all their possessions in India, in consideration of some advantages on the side of the Levant. I am anxious, at least, to know whe- ther you have ground for thinking that such an idea has been seriously entertained ; and if it has, what 302 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF sort of equivalent is thought of, and how we are to be instrumental in procuring it. As to the measures pursuing towards the two Im- perial Courts, we had very positive intelligence that a proposal was made above two months ago, through the Emperor's Minister at Petersburgh, tending to a Triple Alliance between those courts and that of France ; and there seemed good ground to suppose that the latter w T as ready to enter into the views of the former against Turkey in order to procure some con- siderable advantage to itself either in that quarter or elsewhere. There has since been some reason to suppose, according to our information, that the answer from Petersburgh was not very favourable, but we have not been able to learn anything precise on the subject. I mention these particulars for your private information, that you may compare them with your own observation, and endeavour, if possible, to pro- cure some further light. I am at present on my way to Lord Westmoreland's in Northamptonshire for about a week, after which I return to the neighbour- hood of London. I am, my dear Sir, Most sincerely yours, W. Pitt. Lord Carmarthen to the Duke of Dorset and Mr. Eden. Whitehall, Jan. 11, 1788. My Lord and Sir,— I received this morning your despatches of the 6th instant, for which I beg leave to thank you. I do not observe from any part of your correspond- ence that M. de Montmorin is at all disposed to come to that degree of friendly correspondence with England which alone could justify us in entering upon anything like a confidential communication with France, either in regard to our own respective concerns, or to the general interests of other powers, so far as either country could be materially affected by them. It is, WLLLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 303 I think, absolutely impossible for the French Ministers seriously to imagine that this Government entertains any other idea than that of a defensive system ; and it would be equally absurd to suppose that any other power but France herself, either directly or indi- rectly, could be capable of rendering such a system necessary to us. We certainly should not adopt a line of offensive conduct, or one which could be de- rived from motives of aggrandisement or ambition ; but, at the same time, we never, I trust, shall depart from the most attentive observation of the conduct of different powers, so long as there remains a pro- bability of France pursuing any measures, whether separately, or in conjunction with other Courts, which may ultimately prove injurious to this country. Such being the ground on which we proceed, M. de Montmorin can have no right to complain of a reserve on our part, so long as only general profes- sions can be drawn from the Court of Versailles, at a moment like the present, when the unsettled state of Europe may render it necessary for both England and France to declare their sentiments, and, of course, commit themselves, however desirous of remaining in peace and tranquillity, both internally as well as in respect to each other. I should be glad to know if the French Ministers can say their Court is perfectly indifferent to the consequences that may result from the present war between the two Imperial Courts and the Porte. If they are not, why should England, who is bound bv no engagement to take a part in the contest, and whose interests do not appear likely to be materially affected by it, be left perfectly in the dark with regard to the sentiments of France, and, of course, liable to entertain suspicions of their intentions, unless the Court of Versailles actually meditates some plan injurious to this country? Further reserve on the part of that Court might certainly justify those suspicions on ours; and I can 304 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF hardly suppose M. de Montmorin would wish to see them entertained by us. I could wish you to state the subject of this letter fairly and without reserve to M. de Montmorin, as I flatter myself the French Ministers are equally desirous with us to treat on every subject wherein the interests of the two countries are concerned, with fairness and good faith . the only method in which we can possibly acquit ourselves of what we owe to our respective Sovereigns, or indeed to our own personal characters. I am with great truth and respect, &c. Carmarthen. Mr. Pitt to Mr. Eden. (Private.) Bugden, Jan. 7th, 1788. My dear Sir, — On the subject of the Slave Trade you will hear from Wilberforce more at large than I have time to write, and it is the less necessary for me to do it, as I concur entirely in his ideas. I am per- suaded a temporary interruption of the trade would be as full of difficulty and inconvenience as to abandon it entirely, and the experiment so made would be most likely to defeat the ultimate object. Besides this, if the principle of humanity and justice, on which the whole rests, is in any degree compromised, the cause is in a manner given up. I therefore trust you will find the French Government in a disposition to concur with the measure in its full extent, in which I am persuaded it will not be found less practicable, and in which alone it can be effectual. The subject has as yet only been matter of very general reports here, and has not at all come under the discussion of Government. I shall take an early op- portunity of bringing it forward. In the mean time you will, of course, take care not to commit yourself farther than by stating confidentially what you know of my personal sentiments; and if any official commu- nication becomes necessary in your despatches (which I conceive may very immediately be the case), I should WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 305 wish it to be mentioned as a matter on which you have had opportunities of observing the sentiments and disposition of the French Ministers, and which you think it material to communicate from the im- portance of the subject, and from perceiving that it is to be agitated in Parliament. I am, my dear Sir, Most sincerely yours, W. Pitt. Mr. Wilberforce to Mr. Eden. London, 5th January, 1788. My dear Sir, — I should not have suffered so long a time to elapse without returning you my best thanks for your letters of the 13th and 19th of December, if it had not been desirable that previously to my an- swering them I should talk them over with Mr. Pitt, and he having been rambling in one part of the country and I in another, 'tis only a day or two since we effected a meeting. I earnestly wish that your representation of the barbarity and impolicy of the Slave Trade may excite its due impression on the minds of M. cle Montmorin and his coadjutors. Your ex- pectations of success do not seem very sanguine ; but look back to the other negotiations that you have conducted, and ask yourself if you could have precon- ceived the result of them would be so favourable as it actually turned out. As to the proposition you throw out at the close of your memorial for a suspension of the trade, I cannot say that it strikes either Mr. Pitt or myself in a very eligible point of view. Taking the question generally, the inconveniences attendant on the change we propose will be felt most sensibly at first, whilst the compensating benefits are of more slow and silent growth. This holds true both as ap- plied to Africa and the West Indies, as well as to every country engaged in the trade. After the expiration, then, of the term of suspension, the utter abolition would be attempted under the most unfavourable cir- VOL. 1. X 306 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF cumstances possible ; add to which, we must expect that the flame which is kindled will gradually die away, and the public attention be attracted by some new object. Many of the reasons which I am per- suaded will have suggested themselves to your mind whilst you have been reading the few last lines of my letter, and which I therefore will not trouble you by reciting at large, are applicable to the provisional con- vention of which you speak, about which Mr. Pitt agrees with me in opinion. You see with how much frankness I write ; it will, at least, afford you a proof that I give you credit for taking so warm and so sin- cere a part in this business, that you will wish all ceremony to be waived and all reserve in the discus- sion of it. I gave the notice you suggest a few days before Parliament adjourned, and Mr. Fox declared in his place that he had entertained thoughts of bringing the subject into public notice, and that he should be happy to co-operate with me in so good a work. I hear something of a society that has been set on foot in Paris — what are its objects, and is it respectable from the rank, character, and number of its members ? I have some idea M. de la Fayette is one of its leaders. Once more, let me repeat my earnest wishes that the negotiation may be pushed forward with all practicable expedition. I am clear that much of our success in this country will depend on its being brought to a desirable issue before the decision of Parliament be finally taken. I shall always be glad to hear from you ; and I re- main, my dear Sir, Very sincerely yours, W. WlLBERFORCE. Mr. Wilberforce to Mr. Eden. London, 18th Jan. 1788. My dear Sir, — I think M. de Montmorin's memorial of the 5th of January suggests the very conclusion WILLIAM, FIEST LORD AUCKLAND. 307 that you drew from his conversation, that the French Cabinet is afraid of committing itself so far as not to be able to withdraw its pledge, though nothing should be done in this country. It seems also, as you say, to apprehend that our attempts will be ineffectual ; but it is with the utmost pleasure I assure you that nothing is worse founded than this apprehension. The fire is kindled in various parts of the kingdom, and the flame every day spreads wider and wider. The papers 1 enclose will show you what has been done at Man- chester, which it should be remembered is deeply interested in the African trade, both as its manu- factures form one capital branch of export, and as many of its inhabitants (as is stated to me) have large concerns in shipping in Liverpool. At Bir- mingham, to which one of the preceding observations applies, a society is instituted for the Abolition of the Slave Trade, and a liberal subscription entered into ; another society, orginally set on foot by a few Quakers in the City of London, has suddenly increased to the size you will see by the account I transmit you, and it is hourly increasing, and, I am sure we shall agree, ought not to be diminished. Besides these demonstrations of the general spirit that is gone abroad, there appears an universal dis- position in our favour in the House of Commons, so far as I can judge during the recess ; on the whole, therefore, assure yourself that there is no doubt of our success. If the French Cabinet and M. de Montmorin are sincere in their professions of an earnest desire to relinquish their share of this infamous traffic, and are only deterred from speaking a more open language by the apprehension you have suggested, will not this representation of the state of things on this side of the water release them from the necessity of keeping back, and induce them to declare to you in plain terms that, provided Great Britain shall wholly abandon the Slave Trade, they will engage for France in doing the same? I place great dependence on the use you will 308 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF make of the information I have given you, and on that regard for personal credit which will incline the French Ministers, if they see a probability of their acceding to the measure at all, to adopt it in that way which will be most honourable to them ; as if they cheerfully, at least pari passu with this country, stepped forward to obey the instructive suggestions of their own feelings, not as if they were dragged reluctantly into our train. The particular mode of our proceedings in the House of Commons may be materially affected by the answer you obtain from M. de Montmorin on this head, and therefore you will have the goodness to press him with a hot fire, and as soon as possible communicate to Mr. Pitt or myself the result of your renewed attack. I will put up a copy or two of some of the tracts which have been circulated throughout England with considerable effect ; they are not always strictly accurate in their statements, particularly that of Mr. Cooper's; the other little one is more to be relied on. I am, dear Sir, Yours very sincerely, W. WlLBERFORCE. WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 309 CHAP. X. Letter of Mr. Burke. — Congratulations on the tranquillity of Ireland . — Sends Crabbe's first Poem. — Lord Loughborough's advice to young Mothers. — Hugh Elliot's congratulations. — Letter of Mr. Eden containing curious proofs of Irish tranquillity. — Mr. Fox becomes a " banker." — Scott's attack on Flood. — Expenses of the Irish Secre- taryship. — Irish Magistrates. — Lord Rawdon. — Mr. Eden resigns his offices. — Letters of Mr. Cooke. — Lord Bellamont's eloquence. — Lord Temple and his Brother. — Fracas between Grattan and Flood. — Mr. Fox and Mrs. Armstead. — Lord Mansfield and the Prince of Wales at Tunbridge. The following correspondence chiefly consists of letters to and from Mr. Eden when absent from Eng- land on his official duties in Ireland and France. Some of Mr. Eden's correspondents kept him perfectly informed of everything that passed in London society. Mr. Storer, especially, the friend of Horace Walpole and George Selwvn, was indefatigable in sending news of every description to his absent friend. Mr. Burke to Mr. Eden. Charles Street, S. S. S., July 28th, 1781. My dear Sir, — I recollect with shame that I am very late in acknowledging a favour which you were very early in bestowing ; your putting it on the footing of mere justice is far from expressing the obligation. It only shows that I am not obliged improperly, and this does credit to my request and to your compliance. Indeed, the gentleman whom your goodness has freed from a troublesome affair is a person of merit and talents, though unfortunate in the whole course of his life, even beyond the natural effects of imprudence. I am glad that you find the Irish Sea, of tempestuous memory, to be as smooth as a millpond, and that you are not likely to have a x3 310 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF great call for your seamanship ; if it should turn out otherwise, you will gain in reputation what you lose in quiet, and this alternative is a fair composition upon the whole estimate of human affairs. The fact is, you come at a favourable time. All the great points were, I am going to say, disputed, but yielded, in the time of the last Lord-Lieutenant*, who may very well pass for the very hero of non-resistance. He has left you none but tenable grounds. On one side of the water, the dignity of Great Britain is not likely to bring you into much trouble. Omnipotence is entirely impotent, and your supremacy has nothing left to surrender. I really pity Lord North. He has very nearly exhausted all the funds of his glory. He can now no longer conciliate, as formerly, the affections of mankind by his amiable refusals ; or command their admiration by the magnanimity of his submissions. But I beg your pardon, I was going a little to contradict myself in his favour. I shall say no more of anything tending to politics, for such is the power of inveterate bad habits that I feel myself talking factious language to a Minister of a Minister, and this you never permit but among yourselves : you will, however, bear a little of this sort of stuff, as a sort of relief from the cloying civilities which you receive so abundantly in your own right, and on account of your friends on both sides of the water. The thing is good for little, except for its novelty at the Castle. Have you yet been on the Wicklow Mountains ? Are you acquainted with the nature and properties of Bonny Clabber ? f This same Bonny Clabber is a thing neither rich nor rare ; it is poor enough, and a little sourish ; and yet, when you are fatigued with shooting or missing grouse, you may think it palatable after all the cloying luxury of your own and all the good tables of Dublin. Let me say this * Lord Buckinghamshire. t Bonny Clabber is sour thick milk when ready for churning. In some parts of Ireland they churn all the milk. WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 311 in apology for my sour milk, after all the whipped cream of public addresses and private compliments which you must swallow before and after the session. In truth, (however I may express myself) I find myself much obliged to you, and, though late in my thanks, I thank you most sincerely. To make my peace, I send you something better than my poor thanks or poorer apologies. A young man* of Suffolk, I think, shows a talent for poetry. The piece I send you seems to perform a good deal and to promise more. My humble duty to my Lord-Lieu- tenant. Pray make my best compliments to Mrs. Eden, and to the fair young lady who was so frighted with the sight of the wild man in the nightcap. To relieve her, I hope that the beaux of Ireland, si bien coiffes, will make her forget that hideous figure. I have the honour to be, with great truth and regard, my dear Sir, your faithful and obliged humble servant, Edm. Burke. Lord Loughborough to Mr. Eden. Stafford, 17th August, 1781. Dear Eden, — I now see with great pleasure that I have not above twelve hours more to play the judge in. From hence I must go to Lord Bagot's and to Lady Andover's, which will take me up three days, two more I shall pass at Trentham ; and as I travel slow, 1 shall not be at Bangor before Saturday the 25th : there I shall wish to remain three days at the least, and till the wind sets fair for Dublin. I don't condole with you upon the increase of your nymphs, as it is no additional inconvenience to Mrs. Eden. The best economy for a young mother is to pro- duce her sons first, because it is not necessary to bring * Crabbe, when in great distress, had written on the 27th of March, 1781, to Mr. Burke for assistance, which was given in the kindest manner. x 4 312 THE CORRESPONDENCE OI' them out soon into the world ; but as she will have to dance in the same set with the eldest daughter, it matters little how many there are to follow, and I trust she is by this time almost stout enough to begin a dance. Her friend Lady Willoughby* is reported to be in a thriving way, and that she does not come into Wales upon that account. The only public news I have heard that is not in the Gazette, is that Admiral Arbuthnot f , discontented as he is, reports very favourably the state of affairs in America ; but the only fact that I have heard to sup- port his account is that Ethan Allen| acts openly for us, and has formed a communication with Canada. I send you an article of private news, which, before I see you, and perhaps now, may be stale. " The Duchess of — - — has been screaming again, which in my mind is once too much. It is very odd that Mr. Monson should alarm her Grace so much, for it seemed a very well settled affair between them, when, behold, she falls a-screaming, tells her Duke, who challenges Monson, or something like it, forbids him the house, and now she is looking out for another screaming party." This incident has been the only amusement of the summer. Remember me to Lord Carlisle, and to all your nursery. Yours ever most sincerely, Loughborough. The following letter is written by Mr. Hugh Elliot, who was Minister at the Court of Frederick the Great. He was a man of great ability and daring. It is stated that the King, having asked * Lady Willoughby, the wife of Sir Peter Burrell, afterwards Lord Gwydir. | Admiral Arbuthnot had been recalled at the request of Sir Henry Clinton. I Ethan Allen was an enterprising American officer ; he had taken the fort of Ticonderoga by surprise in the beginning of the war. He was afterwards taken prisoner in an attack on Montreal, and sent prisoner to England. WILLIAM, FIEST LORD AUCKLAND. 313 him one day if " Hyder Ali, that great warrior, had not beaten the English," Hugh Elliot answered, "Hyder Ali was formerly a great warrior; at present he is only an old King who dotesT Mr. Fox, on coming into office in 1782, recalled Mr. Elliot. He was afterwards appointed Minister at Copenhagen. Late in life he became Governor of Madras. Mr. Hugh Elliot to Mr. Eden. Berlin, 26th August, 1781. My dear Eden, — I this morning received your letter of the 4th inst., and sincerely congratulate you upon the birth of a fourth female.* Ancient fiction only produced three Graces ; Eleanor has given birth to one more than the heated imaginations of poets could reach. As you do not mention her, I flatter myself she has not suffered more in ushering a little Irish girl into life, than she did formerly in adding to the number of the fair sex in England and America. My best wishes attend all my nieces ; and I expect they will one day be the means of uniting all His Majesty's distracted dominions, by contract- ing alliances with the best matches in the different regions of their nativity. I am very sorry you know at the certain loss of a representative character ; I conceive your situation to be a real sacrifice to the good of your employers ; it must be expensive, harassing, and teazing beyond any other. f I have no doubt, however, you will find the first year the worst as to money matters — the establishment being once made, things go on more smoothly. I am much indebted to my brother for the kind picture he has sent all my friends of my wife ; she is deserving of it, though I must be modest upon * Caroline, afterwards married to Arthur Vansittart, Esq., of Shottes- brooke. t Mr. Eden's first year of office cost him 3000/. of Lis private fortune. 314 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF her account as well as my own, and suppose my brother has a little exaggerated. As to character I must with all candour allow qu'elle vaut Men son mari, who, as well as herself, when weighed in the very nice scales in which all mankind weigh their neighbours, might be found wanting in some particu- lar points. We are, however, a very happy couple, and only need a little cash to be perfectly well pleased with ourselves and the rest of the world. As to the little one, she is like all other children, that is, like nothing — a round face, staring eyes, toothless mouth, but reckoned a paragon of beauty, and even sense, for her age. My brother thought my health much better than it was, and I believe it is so, though I assure you I have given up all thoughts of ever being new rigged again either in body or mind, but expect to sink sooner or later, with all my mental and all my corporeal infirmities, tout doucement, without giving myself much trouble to mend either the physique or la morale. I do, however, most sincerely regret some of my former flights, particularly the pecuniary ones, as I am seriously embarrassed and may remain so several years. My children will, I hope, profit by my ex- ample, and be as prudent, steady, regular people as I have been the contrary. Providence certainly meant that there should be such characters as myself even in sensible England, and therefore turned me adrift with a small proportion of ballast ; perhaps it was an experiment, and had it been my lot always to go before the wind, I do believe none would have had a pleasanter passage, but unfortunately, as I am now under the necessity of going very near the wind, I have great difficulty in keeping my course. I have received a letter from my brother, dated Mittau, 22nd August. He had proceeded so far on his return with Lady Harris and her children all well. 1 imagine he is now at Warsaw. To my great dis- appointment the caravan goes from thence to Vienna to England, a considerable distance, which entirely WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 315 cuts off all my hopes of seeing my brother once more before he leaves the continent. I own I wish for many reasons he had preferred the shortest road. Business of infinite importance awaits him in London, and he leaves himself very scant room to meet it in time. I do not believe Russian colds have damped the strength of Lady Harris's volonte, as I think a very moderate share of compliance to the wishes and desires of her fellow-creatures would have induced her not to lead my brother* such a roundabout at this critical moment. He is indeed the kindest and best of men ; I scarcely imagine the whole island will furnish any one other who would have exposed him- self to so much fatigue and inconvenience. I long to hear of his safe arrival. My wife embraces Eleanor ; she longs to compare nursery notes. Believe me, although my pen is lazy and seldom tells what I do or what I feel, that Eleanor and your Honour are often the subject of my thoughts and conversation. My wife knows you as well as if she had been brought up in Downing Street, and often talks of borrowing your apartments at Greenwich, should the vicissitude of human affairs carry us to England. I beg leave to recommend to your countenance and protection my former squire, La Coste : marriage and poverty made it impossible for me to keep him longer. I love him, however, notwithstanding all his faults, and recommend him as the best hair- dresser in the world. I should think, in a country so replete with coxcombs as Hibernia, he might comb himself into a very good place. Any young man of fortune who is resolved to ruin himself will find in La Coste a cheerful companion, parfaitement au fait of everything necessary to the rigging of a fine gentleman ; and as he has a wife and four chil- dren, it certainly would be charity to assist them in procuring a few of the spoils so necessary to feather * Sir Gilbert Elliot and Sir James Harris had married two sisters, the daughters of Sir George Amvand. 316 THE CORRESPONDENCE OP their nest. I must not omit that La Coste is, I be- lieve, perfectly honest, and that his failings are all of the amiable kind. I beg you will tell Madame Dumont that, after many applications, I at length, some months or near a year ago, obtained from Prince Taxis an appoint- ment for her son in one of the post offices in Flanders ; but as I have never heard from him since or of him, I do not know whether or not he is in possession. I wish he may have been in the way, as it would be cruel were he to miss an employment which, though inconsiderable, it would not perhaps be in my power again to obtain. My best love to Eleanor and the beauties. La Coste says they are charming. Yours, most affectionately, H. Elliot. P.S. — As to politics, there is a great talk of a Congress next winter at Vienna, and should it take place I have no doubt many wise despatches will be sent from it, and next year old England will never- theless enjoy the satisfaction of another glorious campaign, and finish the war in the old way, by beating her enemies. I expect great things from America. Mr. Eden to Lord Loughborough. Dublin Castle, Oct. 20th, 1781. My dear Lord, — Though this is a Saturday morn- ing, you see that I have not the good fortune to pass it among my beasts, birds, bushes, and brats. The preparations for the session thicken upon me ; our money bills have in truth no difficulty, except that the equalising compact brings forward several novel- ties for consideration, and it is necessary to be aware of them all ; and you well know that it is impos- sible to delegate such a task entirely to any indi- vidual: our loan would in London be the work of WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 317 five minutes, but here it is as difficult to borrow 300,000^. as it is in Downing Street to get twenty millions. Then I have another call to town ; I am giving dinners at the rate of three per week, issuing twentv-four invitations for each time, and taking the chance of who will come. This is done in order to lighten that feverish work when the session commen- ces, and partly too as an attention to gentlemen who came to toAvn at the opening of the session. I am also taking some pains among individuals to preserve that general right understanding with which we are brought thus far on our journey. The good temper of the kingdom continues as complete as when you left us. We were glad to hear of your short and sleepy passage across the Channel: we hardly can flatter ourselves that you will be induced to visit us again whilst we continue here, and yet your excursion to us ought to have some merit in your eyes, for it did great service both to your health and spirits. Our little girls are not reconciled yet to your absence, but inquire every morning whether they shall go to your door to call you. You see that we have caught Mr. Fitzgerald *, and have placed him in Newgate; he is now safely lodged in the hands of the crown lawyers, who seem well disposed to give him an exemplary lecture on the use and abuse of law. I doubt, however, whether he is liable to any capital charge. His returning to the metropolis was a very audacious circumstance, and he now sincerely repents it. No news, except that a woman is to be tried to- morrow for poisoning her husband. A poor prostitute was murdered on Monday by a bawd, on which the mob took her body to the door and pulled down the house. On Tuesday they caught a bailiff in the exe- cution of a writ, and dragged him with a rope through the river. The same day a party of them beat an ox * Nephew of the Earl of Bristol, Bishop of Derry, afterwards hanged for murder at Castlebar. 318 THE CORRESPONDENCE OP in the streets into madness, and had the pleasure of seeing it do much mischief; — and this week also they attempted a rescue of some vagabonds who were going in a cart to the House of Industry, upon which one or two were killed. Notwithstanding these and various similar enormities which T cannot recollect, everything is apparently quiet, and the whole city as dull as when you saw it. Do not read this paragraph to any body ! Yours very affectionatelv, Wm. Eden. Mr. Eden to Lord Loughborough. House of Commons, Nov. 19th. My dear Lord, — Whilst the fate of a great part of the British empire is deciding in the Chesapeake*, we are in this House amusing ourselves with the woollen exports to Lisbon, and with examination into the state of the Irish sugar trade. Nothing in truth can be more languid and unimportant than our de- bates are become ; but it has been a matter of much nicety and difficulty to make them so ; and it is very mortifying to think that no credit will be given either for the existence of difficulties, or for address in getting rid of them. You seem in your letter clearly to have foreseen the turn that our debates would take ; they opened upon a professed evident plan to worry me either into silence or absurdity, and having failed in that view, they have not system enough to adopt a regular opposition ; and I am now at least as well supported both by speakers and by numbers as I can wish. Every day commences with some new motion which is meant to teaze ; but it is ill-pointed, and generally misses fire, and thus far I am convinced that Government, though the busi- ness is forced forwards with a total disregard of the * The expedition of the French and Americans against Lord Corn- wallis is here alluded to. WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 319 popular orators, has gained ground in the good regard of the public. Mr. Foster proves a very diligent and right-headed assistant to me. The Provost is zealous, but requires attentions. The Crown lawyers do whatever I desire. Mr. Daly enters into office with right ideas, and has so much weight in the esteem and respect of the whole House, that his accession to me not only cramps all opposition within doors, but has that effect on opinions through the country, which in the present moment cannot be too highly estimated. Mr. Bush * is able and acute, and though we have not anything certain to suggest for him, he is earnest and cordial on every point when he is not previously committed. Mr. H. Burghf continues to a certain degree opposed, but is personally on a kind understanding with us all, and hangs so heavy on every factious attempt, that perhaps he cannot be more usefully employed. Mr. Fitzgibbon has held a decided line with us. Some of these gentle- men are really much abler than you would have col- lected from their first day. H. Burgh is an excellent speaker, very warm, and if zealous either way, likely to take the lead in any debate. Daly's excellence con- sists by no means in the polished style of the other, but in a sort of genuine eloquence, and a fluency of right and perspicuous ideas, which make a great impression on all who hear him. The others you heard, except Mr. Flood, who has disappointed me beyond description he sometimes uses a strong sentence or two, and points a parcel of antitheses in a declamation; but as a debater or leader of an opposition he makes a wretched figure, and the wonder is how it can come into con- templation to purchase him at such a price. Upon the whole (and not forgetting the accession of the whole Ponsonby party) we have a very strong Govern- ment ; and I am only fearful that in consequence of it our situation will be misunderstood in England. * Mr. Gervnse Busbo. t Mr. Hussey Burgh, M.P. for the University, a man of great classi- cal attainments. 320 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF It is easy to conceive that a considerable bill in differ- ent ways must ultimately be paid for all this ; com- paratively, however, with the importance of what we have done, and are doing, at so critical a moment, our bill will be very small. The Habeas Corpus Bill must be passed; for I am absolutely committed for it. His Excellency must write to the Chancellor. The proposed clause is amply sufficient if fairly construed. Three of our money bills were sent to the Castle to- day, which is a fortnight sooner than ever was known ; and yet our bills, from the equalisation duties, are much more complicated than ever. I am scribbling Irish politics, because my heart aches to think of any other. God send us good news from the Chesapeake. Yours very affectionately, Wm. Eden. The following letter is from an officer who rendered great services to the Government during the Ame- rican war : — Colonel Smith* to Mr. Eden. 23d Nov. 1781. My dear Sir, — Your success and decided majority does you the highest and most public justice ; you are approved, applauded, and admired ; but we are here now come to that minute so as to think of no one but ourselves. There has been a bank kept in the gambling-houses here by Charles Fox, &c, by which they had cleared above seventy thousand pounds ; but Charles is again totally put down at the last Newmarket meeting, and he is thirty thousand pounds worse than vulgarly called nothing. Our speech is truly spirited, and says little. * Afterwards General, Colonel of the 43rd Regiment. He had served with Wolfe, and was employed on secret missions during the American war. He was uncle to Sir Sidney Smith. WILLIAM, FIKST LORD AUCKLAND. 321 Clinton writes word that he carries Lord Corn- wallis his relief, and then, resigning him the command, comes directly to England. Lord Cornwallis appre- hends and dreads this event, and has written to me to gnard him from such circumstances by defining and declaring his own intended return as soon as possible. Don't you think our affairs in that country are on a fine settled system ? I thank you for your note of the 17th and the newspaper, which I will save you the trouble of send- ing me, by telling you that, supposing that vehicle would be genuine in your administration, they are constantly transmitted me. They afford me much and real satisfaction every way, particularly in the trouble it saves my friends. We have a something going on here that, as soon as it has shape or existence, you shall be informed of it ; but if I send you every wild idea I pick up you will be tired of me. They are forcing Rodney* out sooner than he ex- pected, or was resolved ; but this stroke of the naval god f will not move him in his resolution of serving while he can give an order. We are anxious about the Chesapeake, but Graves will not fight if he can avoid it. He says so himself in private to the Admiralty, so I do not scandalise him. My respects to his Excellency and best wishes to Airs. Eden. — Most affectionately yours, Edward Smith. P.S. — I find General Keppel has permitted and per- suaded Mrs. Knox to write to you upon her concerns. Mr. Eden to Lord Loughborough. Dublin Castle, Nov. 30th, 1781. My dear Lord, — We continue here without any tidings from the Chesapeake J; I suppose that you in * Rodney gained his great victory over Count de Grassse, 1 1th April, 1 782. t Lord Sandwich. % Lord Cornwallis had capitulated on the 19th of October. The news arrived on the 25th of November. VOL. J. V 322 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF England are about this time relieved from your sus- pense, though probably not from your anxiety. Yesterday Mr. Flood attempted to renew the busi- ness of the perpetual Mutiny Bill in different forms, and being driven out of some had recourse to others, till at length we finished with a division, 144 to 66. Mr. Daly and Mr. Bush abused him without any reserve, for acting on teazing and factious principles. But I write at present chiefly to do justice to our friend Scott*, who yesterday showed abilities far superior to any that either you or I had given him credit for. Flood had the misfortune to offend him in one of his speeches, (for he never gives us less than half a dozen orations in every debate), and in return the Attorney made a regular attack upon the whole life and character of the other, with more acrimony where he was serious, and with more wit when he chose to laugh, than I have ever seen blended together in a philippic against one man. There were many turns and expressions of imperfect taste, but upon the whole it was fully suited to the taste and disposition of the audience, though Flood had hardly merited the treatment which he received. It was contrived to close the debate on both sides with professions of good humour ; but I suspect that one of the parties passed the night in all the tortures of the damned. The character painted in great detail and mixed with many humorous, but coarse and awkward allusions, was that of a malevo- lent outcast from all social intercourse of life, driven to madness by spleen and vanity, forlorn in reputa- tion, and sunk in abilities. This line of allusion went so far that no man could venture to interrupt ; and though both the gentlemen were quite disorderly, it was good-natured, and indeed necessary to suffer them to continue so, till they had talked themselves, and each other, into some practicable form. In the frequent occasions which I have to put my * Scott had been brought into the House of Commons by Lord Townshend, in order to silence the opposition leaders. He was after- wards created Lord Earlsfort, then Earl of Clonmell. WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 323 parliamentary supporters to a trial, I must do them the justice to say that they are thus far steady and cordial, and in no degree teazing. They have various expectations, but do not urge them at present. Our new allies do well. Mr. Daly gives all his weight, which is very great, both in debate and public estimation, without reserve or hesitation: and this has encouraged Mr. Fitzgibbon, Mr. Bush, and others to do the same. And upon the whole our House is much as you have occasionally wished to make the English House of Commons, and would have done if you had been duly supported : the attack is fairly carried into the enemy's quarters, and the Opposition is on the defensive. Notwithstanding all this, I do not feel easy when- ever I recollect how subject all this system (which has been raised with infinite trouble and much good for- tune,) is to a sudden overthrow from various circum- stances and considerations on your side of the Chan- nel, which we can neither foresee nor prevent. I have written more on this little subject than you will like to read. — All well ! Believe me, my dear Lord, ever respectfully and affectionately yours, Wm. Eden. P.S. — His Excellency desires to be most kindly remembered to you. I have sent a hogshead of claret to Sir G. Elliot, a part of which he will send to you, and if you like it, I will send more. I think, in general, that the claret here is light and wholesome ; but it is not high enough in its flavour for English tables. The following letter is from the well known Clerk of the House of Commons : — Mr. Ilatsell to Mr. Eden. Cotton Garden, Thursday, Dec. 13th, 1781. Dear Sir, — I am very happy if the book I troubled you with has contributed in the least to your amuse- 324 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF ment amidst the variety of troublesome matter in which you must necessarily be engaged. If the people on your side of the water think it will be worth their while to reprint it there, I cannot have the least ob- jection, but I should scarcely think such an expense would answer, as, from the subject, the sale of it must be necessarily confined to a very few persons. Of this, however, they will be the best judges. I am extremely glad to find you go on so trium- phantly, and, at the same time, with so much temper and moderation ; and hope very sincerely that this system will continue throughout your administration. As to the general state of the empire, it is not a whit worse than, in the course of things, it ought to be. Such an administration, with such objects of govern- ment, without activity, without concert, and without system, cannot expect anything better than what has happened. But matters are not yet at their worst. Lord George Germaine*, in the debate last night, informed us that he purposes to continue in officef, and trusts the war with America will be continued in some shape or other till the thirteen united pro- vinces and Great Britain acknowledge the same sovereign. If his colleagues, or rather their master, are of that opinion, our misfortunes are very far from being at an end. I am no longer, however, unhappy upon this subject. I have convinced my- self that these blows are inflicted upon us by the hand of Providence, and are therefore, like other visitations, to be endured. VCe were growing an over-rich, proud, and profligate people, and as I am perfectly satisfied that human folly alone could never have reduced us from the pinnacle on which we stood, to the abject state in which we now are, I com- fort myself that our rulers are set over us to answer some great but invisible end in the government of the world, and that it was necessarv, in the wisdom of * Afterwards Lord Sackville. t Lord George Germaine, in consequence of Lord Cornwallis's dis- aster, was compelled to resign. WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 325 Providence, that we should be held fo,rth a spectacle to all the nations of the earth and to posterity, as a proof how very soon ignorance, rashness, pride, and injustice, may destroy the most beautiful fabric of government that the world ever saw. Satisfied in this opinion, I received with very little emotion the account of Lord Cornwallis's misfortune. I shall receive without surprise the account of the loss of some, perhaps the most valuable, of our West Indian islands. I expect the war to be persevered in obstinately till the oppression of taxes and the feelings of want shall produce insurrections and civil commotions at home. I shall never take a part in these dissensions, but endeavour to remain a quiet (your active mind will say an insensible) spectator of those miseries which I cannot avert, and which, like the scenes of the last century, will come upon us by degrees, and will so involve the passions and prejudices of the wisest and best of men, that in taking an eager part, even against their nearest and dearest friends, they will flatter themselves, which- ever side they take, they are supporting the true constitution of their country. These are not new opinions. Nothing has hap- pened that I did not foresee clearly and predict to all my friends many years since. What I now say is a direct and necessary conclusion from the mode in which this government is conducted. I can have no share in preventing it, I therefore amuse myself in my own way ; and having, thank God ! no posterity for whom I am anxious, hope tnat I shall be able to bear my share of the calamities that are impending over us with submission and patience. I am, dear Sir, with many respects to Mrs. Eden, yours most faithfully, J. II. - i 326 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF Mr. Eden to Lord Loughborough. Phoenix Park, Jan. 12th, 1782. My dear Lord, — This letter shall visit Bath, and may possibly catch you there on the eve of your de- parture to the dark air of Westminster Hall. We are all well here and are enjoying a three weeks' retire- ment. I wanted an hour of recollection, and, upon the whole, am not sorry to think that I am at least separated from London politics ; and so far my situa- tion is comparatively good. I incline, too, to think that its positive toils are not ill suited to my constitu- tion and temper. They are, however, whilst the ses- sion is going forwards, rather intolerable ; and if an Irish secretary does his own business, he is like the first floAver in a glass-house, and must not be expected to outlive two seasons. I shall drive hard to finish the business in the course of April, and all my hirelings here are em- ployed in putting forwards all our preparations. On the Mondays and Thursdays I have as usual an open door at my office, and that practice is now so well established that nobody attempts to interrupt me on other days. I generally give dinner, also, on those days. His Excellency is in the north-west part of Ireland, in the county of Cavan, or at Lord Ross's, on the lakes in Fermanagh. He writes that the people are incredibly poor, the country beautiful, and woodcocks plentiful. I have had time to look into my year's accounts, which are desperately inflamed by the sumptuous sys- tem of a parliamentary winter. I am at this hour (in- cluding the expense of equipage, journey, &c.) about 3000/. poorer than when I accepted this delightful office. Pray desire Lord North to ask the King to pay this per contra, and accommodate him in return with my seat at the Board of Trade. If the times were more propitious I should seriously ask this, for I have WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 327 too many children to feel easy under a derangement of my private affairs. You will see Gerard Hamilton, and he will talk to you about his office. It would be very convenient to us if he would sell it on reasonable terms. We wish to vacate it for Foster, in order to give Foster's to Mr. Ponsonby's eldest son. "We have a very mild winter here, and my garden and forcing-houses are brought into the greatest order possible. Will you come and see us next year ? I fear not. Lord Trentham goes on Monday. The Duke of Buccleuch is coming. Believe me, my dear Lord, ever respectfully and affectionately yours, Wm. Eden. Mr. Eden to Lord Loughborough. Dublin Castle, Jan. 22nd, 1782. My dear Lord, — I came to town yesterday for a five hours' conversation as usual ; after which we had a council in order to issue the brutum fulrnen of a proclamation against some justices of the peace and others on the banks of the Shannon, for plundering a Portuguese ship under pretence that she was a wreck, because she had fired a signal of distress the day before ; at the time of plundering she was lying safe at Arklow. In the week before, at Galway, the troops were forced to fire on a large mob, who per- sisted in the same laudable occupation upon the cargo of an unhappy vessel that had been driven ashore. I believe that we shall try the effect of an Act to charge all these depredations in future upon the barony where such outrages happen. Wc stayed in town to dine quietly with Lord Paw- don*, whose accounts of America are interesting, and when he can venture to quit his reserve (for which * Lord Rawdon bad been taken prisoner by a cruiser on bis return to England, and was a spectator from a French man-of-war of Lord Corn- wallis's disaster. y4 328 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF he has good reasons,) very intelligent. Nothing is more demonstrable than that the last fortunate enter- prise of the French forces in conjunction with the rebel army succeeded against every reasonable proba- bility. If Graves* had fought ; if, not fighting, he had interrupted the Rhode Island squadron, or at least prevented its junction, (it carried the entrenching tools and battering cannon); if, doing neither, he had not undertaken to proceed to the relief upon a fixed day, (which induced Lord Cornwallis to remain) ; if Sir. H. Clinton could have occupied Washington in the White Plains; if, not doing that, he had endeavour- ed to prevent his march towards the Delaware ; if, not preventing it, he had only hung upon his rear with large detachments, (which would have occa- sioned a delay in the junction of the French and rebel forces) — if Lord Cornwallis had not fixed himself on a post peculiarly exposed both to sea forces and land forces; if he had preferred Cape Fear, or other situa- tions, off which large ships cannot lie in safety; if he had marched back towards Carolina; if he had marched forwards into Maryland ; if he had met a part of the enemies' forces instead of waiting for the whole ; in short, if he had not been induced to do precisely what he did, by Graves undertaking to do what he never meant to do ; and if, in addition to all this, every contingency of junction between the Rhode Island, West India, and Connecticut forces (for Washington was in Connecticut with Rochambeau) had not suc- ceeded, against all probability, the undertaking would have ended in disgrace. Lord Rawdon's services have been in every respect most highly honourable ; but Lord Amherst still hesitates about putting his regi- ment on the establishment, though he has expended near 700 men within that regiment in the King's service. I have been led into this detail without intending it. Several mails are due to us ; they will probably * Afterwards Lord Graves. WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 329 bring some account of a change in part among your Ministers ; for it seems neither easy nor honourable for the same set precisely to proceed with the session. As for the ensuing campaign, I suppose nobody thinks of it ; at least I have good reasons to believe that there is no decided idea respecting it, further than the manufacture of a new loan ; but these are teazing subjects. Flood will be vexed extremely by his dismission from the Privy Councils ; as an exemplary piece of discipline, it will have permanent effect here. He will, I suppose, teaze me with many long debates. We meet next Tuesday. We are inoculating your god-daughter, and the little animal. — Very mild weather. — All well. Believe me, my dear Lord, respectfully and affec- tionately yours, Wm. Eden. Mr. Elliot had served his country with extraor- dinary energy during the American war, and it ap- pears by the following letter that he deeply felt Mr. Fox's conduct in recalling him from Berlin: — Mr. Hugh Elliot to Mr. Eden. Berlin, lotb July, 1782. My dear Eden, — You have been so completely occupied of late with Irish, English, and, I imagine, Edenish politics, that you will have had very little time to think of Berlin or me. Do not judge of my solicitude about you and yours by my silence. I really have been so deeply involved in all kinds of difficulties, that I am not certain if the greatest proof of friendship I could show those whom I love was not to wish that they might entirely forget an exist- ence not very pleasant to itself, and in no ways profit- able to others. Do not think by this language that I am cast down or despondent in consequence of my recall. I have indeed reason to be anxious for my 330 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF family, and have little resource left to support a wife and child, but, in fact, I rather consider the cause of this dilemma as a distinction than a disgrace. I avowed my attachment to the great outlines of the late system openly and without disguise. If I am not mistaken, my recall is a proof of the effect my language, when in England, produced upon those I thought. then, and think now, the principal source of our defeats and disgraces. As to any reasons they may choose to assign of the prejudices entertained against me here, either on account of any line of conduct attributed to me, or supposed connections at home, believe me they are void of foundation. I am singled out as the first victim in the foreign line, because I was the most obnoxious, from my avowed attachment to better men and better principles. This being the case, I should be ashamed to repine for bearing the mark of those with whom I wish to herd, notwithstanding the smart I feel from the sudden application of the pruning-knife. The late* administration acted upon the great scale of British politics ; they endeavoured to support the supremacy of Parliament over every part of the British empire ; they endeavoured to repel the insults and attacks of every enemy by force of arms, and trusted that English spirit and resolution were sufficient to counterbalance inequality of numbers and force. Had they not been checked by the factious oppo- sition of men who were prosecuting their private interests at the expense of public misfortune, I have little doubt that success would have crowned their measures. The Duke of Ormond says of his son, who fell nobly, " I would rather have my dead son than any living son in England ; " so I assure you I would rather be considered as attached to the system and views of the late administration, dead as it is, than to the wild, incoherent, and, I may add, inconsistent set who have usurped their place. * Lord North's. WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 331 The following letters are addressed to Mr. Eden whilst residing in England. When Mr. Eden was in Ireland, he formed a great many friendships in that country. Lord Clare, Mr. John Beresford, Mr. Cooke, and others, became constant correspondents. The following letters will give some idea of the Irish Par- liament during the stormy time of the volunteers : — Mr. Beresford to Mr. Eden. Dublin, July 23rd, 1782. I had yesterday the satisfaction of most com- pletely overthrowing the Bill for depriving revenue officers of their right of voting. When the Bill came back I again gave it opposition in our House, but re- fused to divide on it, as if I gave it up ; but, in fact, we reserved ourselves for the House of Lords, where we made the best ground we could, and procured fifteen proxies without saying a word about an opposi- tion until it passed through the committee and came to be reported, when we made our attack, and to their utter astonishment voted it to be received this day two months, by thirty-four to eighteen. We had nineteen present and fifteen proxies, to fifteen and three proxies, the whole of the new Administration here, and the Ponsonbys, are wild and mad, as is the Duke of Leinster and Mr. Conolly, who is now at my elbow ; the Duke was furious and outrageous, and abused your administration grossly. Bellamont* broke out into the most violent invective against the last administration^, both in England and here, that ever I heard ; abused Fox, abused all Whigs, abused the Duke of Portland ; gave the merit of all their measures to yours ; said they promised much and performed nothing ; that their arrangements were delusion, and their economy peculation ; he went on for an hour ; the Duke answered, and Bellamont was twice worse than before in reply. Brown has just * Charles Coote, Earl of Bellamont. t Lord Rockingham's. 332 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF given a devil of a trimming to them on the address, and stated Coppinger's business strongly. I am just run up to write thus much, leaving Walsh attribut- ing all the pretended merit of the present to your administration. Yours sincerely* Mr. Cooke * to Mr. Eden.\ Dublin Castle, 25th July, 1782. My dear Sir,— You will probably see Foster, who has it in contemplation to pay you a visit on his way to Spa, whither the weak state of his wife's health is carrying him, and he will give you a full account of public matters, which are in a curious state, but not in an unpleasant one to a bold and cunning politician, however perplexing to a timid or ignorant one. Flood and Grattan are fairly upon the arena, and Ireland is to be divided by Nose or no-Nose. Flood was supported on Friday last by murdering black Sandy X, Spadacino Walsh, Buck English, Jemmy Browne, and Master Maxwell. The country, how- ever, is not so near unanimity as the parliament, and the assizes and reviews will probably create diversion if not confusion. Lord Bellamont§ entertained the Lords on Saturday with an attack on Lord Farnham concerning some immaterial paragraph in the newspapers, and his pas- sions growing warm, the Archbishop of Cashel moved for clearing the House, on which his Lordship ex- claimed, " By my Lords, if you clear the House the throat of a man must be cut." They, how- ever, pacified him and brought him to terms, which * Mr. Cooke became, in 1789, the Under-Secretary in Ireland. f Mr. Eden had resigned the Secretaryship of Ireland, on the termin- ation of Lord North's government in March, 1782. The Duke of Port- land succeeded Lord Carlisle as Lord-Lieutenant. On Lord Shelburne coming into office the Duke resigned, and was succeeded by Lord Temple. + Alexander Montgomery, M.P. for Donegal. § Lord Bellamont was severely wounded in a duel with Lord Towns- hend, whom he called out for some imaginary slight. WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 333 Lord Farnham readily accepted, being most pacifi- cally disposed. It is supposed the Bill for disqualifying revenue officers will be rejected to-day in the Lords, and the Bill for allowing Bishops to make leases for thirty-one years. They talk of being up on Thursday. We are afraid here that your new administration will be very short-lived from appearances, and bets run that Lord Temple will not meet a parliament. What will become of me ? I knew Tom Grenville* at Eton very well ; he was good-humoured and appa- rently of a placid disposition, nothing particularly brilliant about him, ancl in scholarship and exercises eoctremus primorum extremis, cfc. Lord Temple was too much above me to be known but by observation ; and his sense then, whatever it was, suffered much from stammering, false pomp and pride ; and he was obstinate and passionate. What the world may have done for him I know not ! If they choose to take me cordially I shall endeavour to exert myself, as far as I am able, and will work and drudge honestly. I hope Lees will be reinstated in pleno. Fitzgerald was dismissed on Saturday — old Pater- son quite mad. Metge succeeds, f Forbes's language is that no person is to consider o-overnment in Ireland as permanent, but that every man is to act not on the supposition of a system, but to consider himself as dependent on the Viceroy of the day. Can this be Lord Shelburne's doctrine ? And if it be, will not the country associate against it, and will not Lords-Lieutenant be soon as much slaves as Charles Fox wished to make His Majesty. With my best compliments to Mrs. Eden and her little ones, believe me, dear Sir, Your most devoted and obliged servant, E. Cooke. P.S. — Ought I not to write to Lord Carlisle ? * The late Right Hon. Thomas Grenville. f As Judge of the Exchequer. 334 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF Mr. Cooke to Mr. Eden. Dublin Castle, 27th July, 1782. My dear Sir, — I am just come from the House of Lords enjoying the happy word prorogue, and harping upon the speech, which I shall endeavour to send you this evening. It is certainly well and artfully con- ceived and expressed ; and the words allusive to economy and Fox's ministry well chosen and empha- tically pointed. Yet that point and that emphasis prove to me more than their obvious meaning, viz. that the Duke* is going. Before the Duke came down Lord Bellamont entertained the ladies with a speech pointed against Grattan, and read some resolutions asserting freedom of speech and debate, and declar- ing him inimical to his country who attempted to con- trol either, but he declined putting them. Grattan just afterwards came up to his Lordship, and thanked him for his disapprobation. " You have it, said Lord Bellamont, entirely ; your whole conduct, every action of your life entitle you to it, and I give it you most fully and sincerely." They then mutually bowed. Lord Bellamont was more beautifully nonsensical than usual, in compliments to the ladies ; speaking of the civic wreath he said, " If you touch the laurel the myrtle is wounded, and the olive takes the alarm." Little Martin has been abusing George Ponsonby twice this week for accepting Coppinger's office, with more bitterness and more ability than you could imagine, the House enjoying the abuse, and protecting it by silence. Ponsonby short and inadequate in his defence. Something must be done for Coppinger, from the sense of the House, and if any expense be induced in providing for him, Ponsonby, according to his declaration, must resign. I rejoice in the idea of the Duke's departure merely upon a public principle ; a private one would make * The Duke of Portland. WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 335 me wish his stay, as in probability it would remove me hence. Nothing but his going can save this country from confusion. His Ponsonby connection would have by degrees armed a formidable opposi- tion against him, and of a nature which would have ruined Grattan and Lord Charlemont, and thereby placed Flood at the head of the people. By a change the fall of the former may be prevented, and the rise of the latter may be checked. I had a letter from Daly this day, who is happy that Fox is riot dictator. Grattan's debenture for £48,500* is signed to-day, an Exchequer bill payable in eighty-six. He sets out immediately for Spa. Ogleby is in London ; he says that he was promised succession to Burton's employment as Register, and that G. R., and Lord Carlisle, and you consented. It is supposed he is now working in this set of lies. The Duke of Portland thinks him a great financier I I was highly entertained the other evening by a paroxysm of the Duke of Leinster's, " He had been treated like a dog and a fool by Lord Buckinghamshire and Lord Carlisle ; Fox was the only honest man in the world, and however he might not refuse his support, he would never receive office from any Government in which Fox was not chiefly concerned. " This was in the height of folly, passion, foam and claret. Scott better, and going to Buxton. If the Wells will not cure him of his jealousies as well as his rheu- matism, he had better continue at Harcourt Place. Your friends here, which do not diminish, ever anxious and inquiring. Sir Wm. Parsons's son elected to-day for the College — Brown, a fellow, his opposer — the majority 8. The Provost, hors du com- bat. Parsons wrote a pamphlet against the Mutiny Bill. Very poor and juvenile, yet I remember this stroke: " The English Bill of Rights prohibits a per- petual Mutiny Bill ; the Irish Bill of Rights is a per- * The Irish Parliament bad made Mr. Grattan a present of 50,000£ 336 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF petual Mutiny Bill." Col. Conynghara very poorly, all rheumatism and scurvy. Your most faithful and affectionate servant, E. C Mr. Cooke to Mr. Eden. Dublin Castle, 16th Oct. 1782. Dear Sir, — I pity poor Mr. Grenville* exceedingly ; brought to be Minister of the House of Commons of Ireland at his age and in such times ; and I fear the consequences. He seems sensible and perfectly well- disposed, and is laborious ; but more wanting in the great essentials of a Minister, — address, manners, authority, experience, and knowledge of the world than can be conceived. How such a young man, with such disadvantages, and totally under the guidance of his brother, is to manage and direct the Parliament of Ireland in its present disordered and ungovernable state, is out of my power to imagine ; and unless that assembly is governed, and governed by the Chief Secretary, you are well aware what a scene of confusion it will be. When Lady Temple was waiting at Holyhead, Flood arrived there ; her Ladyship invited him twice to dine with her, which he did ; but since his arrival in Ireland he has never paid his respects to her or his Excellency at the Castle ; and the other morning he slunk out of town with his blinds up and went to Farmley. The Duke of Portland is trying to get another fall, as he is daily steeple-hunting. He is coming to town, from Castletown, where he has been for some days in Conolly's absence, to Lord Ely's house, in Ely Place, and he is to sail next week. No name more unpopular nor more justly so. I know not who wrote the parallel of the two administrations. * Mr. W. W. Grenville. WILLIAM, FIRST LOED AUCKLAND. 337 The volunteers stark mad against the fencibles, but Government will support them. Believe me, dear Sir, Most faithfully your obliged servant, E. C. Lord Temple resigned the Lord-Lieutenancy, and arrived in England just before the first attempt of the King to upset the Coalition. Mr. Morton Eden to Mr. W. Eden. London, June 18th, 1783. My dear Brother, — I have from day to day delayed writing, in hopes of being able to send you some account of your girls, but, notwithstanding that I have fully purposed every clay for this last week riding down to see them, I have been unable, from the incessant rains, to accomplish it. The first fair morning I shall certainly go to Beckenham. Your political friends will probably have sent you much more minute accounts of our difficulties than I can possibly give you. The report which prevailed last night at a numerous Pantheon was that we were all out. I did not credit it. I, however, went to bed uneasy. I was up early, and in Kensington Gardens, before I had any opportunity of hearing anything on the subject. I there met Mr. Charles Townshend*, with an apparently unconcerned face ; this quieted me, as I suppose that not one of you would take your dismission more to heart. The Prince of Wales has been several times in the course of this last week at my neighbour's. His face is not so blithe as Mr. C. Townshend's. Lord Temple arrived on Friday, and was the same day at the levee. He stood next to Mr. Pitt. The King distinguished them both. In private, I well know, he abuses Ireland most * Mr. Charles Townshend, called Spanish Charles, the Treasurer of tin Navy in the Coalition Government. VOL. I. Z 338 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF violently. His brother abuses Mr. Windham* for not buying his plate. Lady North and company are re- turned from Bath, the son improved in health, but the ladies not at all so in beauty. For God's sake, start on your return, as your presence may be most useful. My best wishes to Mrs. Eden. As we shall meet soon I shall not now say anything on a subject which I should otherwise have most certainly written to you upon. Adieu ! I am, with great truth, Ever your obliged and affectionate, M. E. In the following letter Mr. Cooke gives an account of the " infamous altercation" between Grattan and Flood :— Mr. Cooke to Mr. Eden. (Private.) Dublin Castle, 29th Oct. 1783, Dear Sir, — Your dinner at the Duke of Portland's must have ended all anxiety respecting Lees, and you will probably see him as an Irish Ambassador in a few days. Respecting myself, I am reduced, or rather exalted, to that quietness of temper as to be determined never to speak on my own subject further ; and I only feel regret that Lord Carlisle and you should have had so much trouble respecting it, and still feel yourself engaged for its success. As to our business here, we want a form of Government. There is support enough, and almost almost all the ability of the House, if well arranged and well directed, but a sad deficiency of discipline. Last night, Sir H. Cavendish made a motion tending towards retrenchments. Mason, by desire, moves the previous question. The Secretary says he will oppose and negative it fairly. The Prime Sergeant moves an amendment, and Mr. Grattan says he will acquiesce in it. ■ Mr. W. W. Grenville was succeeded in the Irish Secretaryship by Mr. Windham. WILLIAM, FIEST LOED AUCKLAND. 339 The debate was afterwards most extraordinary. Flood, in supporting Sir Henry, dropped some hints which Grattan thought personal to himself ; in answer he was severe, but orderly, against Flood. The latter replies with good ability and invective, arraigning his conduct and desertion of the people, &c. &c, and saying " that having been purchased by the people to support their rights for 50,000/., he had sold them for prompt payment ; and he ended by terming him a Mendicant Patriot, and saying that if Mr. Grattan courted colloquies of such a nature, he would have no reason to rejoice at the end of the session." The galleries were with Flood, who was able, playful, sarcastic, and vehement. Grattan felt he had lost the people. He was obliged to justify his conduct, and to prove that the person who aspersed him was the most contemptuous and odious character in the nation. He therefore delivered, after a justification of himself, the most violent and unqualified invective that was ever, I believe, spoken in a House of Parliament, going through his private and public life, abusing the defects of his person, the affectation of his manner, the vanity of his egotism ; called him a notorious cheat and perjurer, of a bad character, of a bad heart, and represented his public conduct as a tissue of false patriotism, hypocrisy, treachery, duplicity, cow- ardice, and corruption ; and he ended by saying that " he would tell him to his beard that he was not an honest man." Flood replied, and whilst he was coolly defending himself, the Speaker thought fit, at last, when it was totally improper for him, to interfere. The House supported the Chair. No one supported Flood. He demanded to be heard in vain ; so lied from the House. Magistrates were then desired to take him, and Alderman Exshaw found him; to whom Flood promised that he would not stir from his house before he saw him again. Grattan was suffered to be in the House for some time. He then went home with Cuffe, wrote to his wife that he z 52 340 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF was sent for to Colonel Morley, who was ill, and hid himself from the magistrates. Warrants have been issued against him to-day, but neither are to be found ; the truth is, some message has passed, and they have agreed to settle their private affairs to-day, and to meet decisively to-morrow. Cuffe is Grattan's second, Black Montgomery Flood's. Sir Frederick* told me " nothing would bind his relative, and that the business must be decisive." You must wait for events and speculations till to- morrow. Most obediently and faithfully, E. Cooke. (Forster at length settled.) Mr. Cooke to Mr. Eden. Dublin Castle, 11th Dec. 1783. Dear Sir, — I have not written so fully or constantly of late, as I could have wished or as I ought; but you hear from others what I would have been afraid to say. The spirited votes of Parliament have their effect. Dublin in perfect quiet. The Bishop of Derryf had the honour of hanging YelvertonJ in effigy at Armagh on his return home ; his troop and himself, and the Armagh corps, got all drunk, and after Yel- verton was burnt one of his corps proposed hanging Lord Charlemont, for having given the Bishop a cool reception. A battle was near ensuing, and the night ended in confusion and drunkenness. The question which is most likely to be fought is that of protecting duties ; first, because it is a stroke against England, and secondly, because it may ruin Ireland ; and thirdly, because it has a popular sound, and is not understood. Mr. Pelham§ sails for London on Monday. I hope you will have some conversation with him ; his great object is to lay a foundation for a final settlement in * Probably Sir Frederick Flood. f The Earl of Bristol, a furious supporter of Irish independence. | Afterwards Lord Avonmore. § The Chief Secretary who succeeded Mr. Windham. WILLIAM, F1EST LORD AUCKLAND. 341 commercial points between the two countries. And Government being very powerful at present, and the attention of the nation diverted, perhaps the time is fortunate for the adoption of si system. Let me congratulate you on your India business and its success, as I consider the real question to have been whether Charles Fox or Charles Jenkinson should be minister. I hear you say that you are to have a majority of thirty in the Lords. I feel happy that Lord Loughborough is to be agmen ipse. It is a noble occasion for the display of resolution and abilities. The papers sent you out Governor-General, but as Lees has never hinted the idea, I suppose it is not in real agitation. I should have felt sorely wounded if you had not given me the offer of being one of your slaves to support your palanquin. I should desire you to present my best respects to Lord Carlisle, and my sincere acknowledgment for his continued attention to my interests, if I were not afraid it might seem to contain a sarcasm. These delays, in addition to jealousies and uncertainty, have kept me wavering and disquieted, but I hope I shall soon again get fixed in my pursuits. I find that restless fellow Lees, as soon as he has obtained his own object, has taken up mine to work with. I only hope his zeal will not do me harm. Believe me, dear Sir, your most faithful and obliged servant, E. Cooke. P.S. — I hope Mrs. Eden enjoys a healthy nursery without alarming returns. Mr. Hugh Elliot to Mr. Eden. Copenhagen, 26th Dec. 1783. I am much obliged to you, my dear Eden, for your letter of the 21st Nov. ; it was a ray of light to a be- wildered traveller. I by no means pretend to volu- z 3 342 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF urinous letters from you ; a few short sentences now and then will greatly contribute to direct my course, and will be received with gratitude. Your children are I hope recovered. My daughter is health itself; I wish I could say as much of her father. For several weeks I have been paying tribute to the alternate cold and moisture of this trying- climate. I only quitted my bed the day before yes- terday, after a considerable confinement to it with rheumatism in my head. I am better since the hard frost set in, and that I have been able to leave the smoke of Copenhagen for the clearer air of this retreat. I have now no other ambition in life than to get a quiet southern situation. I wish it were possible to procure the reversion of Florence upon the same terms Sir Horace Mann has it. He is old, and I think I should have some chance of being also one day grey headed under the influence of so warm a sun. In the rude north my feeble frame will soon be destroyed. I am a loyalist, it is true, but this European Newfoundland is worse than Nova Scotia. Our last letters from England are of the fifth of December. You had divided with success twice upon the India Bill, and I was happy to see my brother's name in the respectable list of directors. The ideas entertained at a distance concerning this business cannot be very interesting to you. Foreigners in general think we are in danger of losing our East India possessions entirely by the intrigues of the French and the strength of their allies in Hindostan, and are, consequently, more solicitous to learn what military force will be left for the defence of those distant provinces, than to follow the different modes of civil government we are so anxious to establish. I am not a little tainted with the same principles, and am persuaded that the nations of Europe are perhaps more desirous to see us driven out of Hindostan than they were to divest us of the sovereignty and ex- clusive trade of our colonies in America. WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 343 Our empire in the East was not originally founded upon justice ; it was acquired by force, and by force I believe it must be maintained. I am more impatient to hear who is to be Commander-in-chief than who is to be Governor-General, and in this light I rather wish that the directors may be the medium of con- veying to England the sense of the Government in India, than that they should endeavour, at so great a distance, to manage the military, political, and com- mercial concerns of a country so different in every respect from any nation in this quarter of the globe. Excuse these unfashionable and exploded ideas ; they originate from the conviction that what was conquered by the sword must be preserved by the sword ; that a military government, secret in its counsels, sudden in execution, and uniform in sub- ordination, is the only adequate government for ensuring the possession of a distant province, the envy of our rivals, and the last remaining source of trade and opulence. — Yours most affectionate, H. Elliot. P.S. — Mr. Johnstone begs to present his respects to you. Mr. Hugh Elliot to Mr. Eden. Copenhagen, 25th Sept. 1784. My dear Eden, — I am much obliged to you for your immediate answer to my last letter, and wish you and my Eleanor every degree of happiness and comfort in your new son.* My lively little girl equally interests, entertains, and occupies me; she makes the meridian of life more cheerful than even the giddy days of youth, and I begin to look forward without much anxiety to future times, as I do not despair of leaving her some degree of competency. I am very grateful for the hint you give me of endeavouring to do some- thing solid for myself. There is no doubt I have every right to expect that justice will be done me, * George, afterwards second Lord Auckland. z 4 '■}■. 344 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF both in point of emolument and reputation ; upon the Continent I have already re-established the latter, and I believe removed the strong prejudices entertained or propagated by friends and foes. I have ever acted up to my own ideas of right and wrong, without con- sulting how far the world went with me, and I do not repent of my system, however eccentric, singular, or imprudent others may have thought me. If my superiors see my services in the same light I see them myself, they will, without doubt, recompense me for the injustice of Mr. Fox's conduct towards me; if, on the contrary, it is either not their wish or not in their power to serve me in .the line of my profession, I shall endeavour to obtain an adequate retreat for twelve years' service, and shall willingly forego my own interests for those of my child ; I hope it will be pos- sible to obtain upon her life at least a proportion of the ordinary allowance for invalid exiles. You tell me Fox is not dead but sleepeth, and that Hare compares him to Marc Antony, Mrs. Armstead to Cleopatra, and the ponies to lions. That the ponies are as like lions as Charles and his mistress are like Marc Antony and Cleopatra I admit, but I cannot agree in allowing him any other distinguishing cha- racter that that of an acute speaker ; as a politician, were he to end where he is, he must be ranked among the first of Brouillons (I think in English, Marplots). What public cause has he served ? what private for- tune has he bettered ? Mr. Hugh Elliot to Mr. Eden. Copenhagen, 11th April, 1785. My dear Eden, — I have received your welcome letter of the 22nd March. It was the best opiate I could have got to alleviate the pain of a severe rheu- matic complaint, which has fixed its seat in my head and eyes, to the great detriment both of my corporeal and mental faculties. I trust Ministers are too much occupied with their Irish Projects to observe the chasm WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 345 in my humble labours; I sometimes am as uneasy for my intellects as for my eye-sight. This is the first interval in which I have been able to write for several days. Your act of charity towards Johnstone is most worthily bestowed ; indeed, my dear Eden, you have made a more meritorious use of the enlightened un- derstanding and strong abilities you enjoy than any other person I have ever known abroad or at home ; and I often think of you as the best model upon which all other men ought to have been formed. Many are indebted to you for the happiness of their lives, and in your public career you have, both in the hours of success and defeat, preserved untainted those private virtues, so beneficial to many, fortune has placed within the reach of your protection and assistance. I should have been very sorry that Johnstone had sacrificed riclies to my convenience. That I wish for many essential reasons to come home, is true, that the public service in my confined sphere requires it, is also true ; but if Johnstone cannot obtain a leave of absence, I shall sit down under my disappointment with a good grace, and trust to more favourable cir- cumstances. I am considered here as having acquitted myself with credit in a remarkable era in the political annals of the present reign ; and I hope I possess the good will and esteem of some here whose public and private characters I equally revere. Were my health and other circumstances better adapted to northern climates, I should endeavour quietly to do the best I could where I am, both for myself and my child, but I have certainly not stamina to resist many such seasons as the two last have been ; they have been trying in more icays than one. My daughter is perfectly recovered from the mea- sles ; her little head and ready tongue are entirely taken up with the thoughts of England, and conver- sations with her fat cousins. She has no companions here; there is a certain coldness and rigidity of man- 346 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF ners, which extends even to children. It would sur- prise you to see how a numerous society can contrive to pass their whole lives upon so small a territory as Copenhagen and its environs, without ever getting over the unmeaning formality of a first acquaintance. This gloom would not be unpleasant to me if Nature was more cheerful, but she is also very penurious of her smiles. The sea is not yet open, and the ground is buried in snow, the wind easterly, and the atmo- sphere hard and penetrating. Were I a heathen, I should adore the sun; as a Christian, I devoutly pray to be transplanted to a more southern latitude. My love to my Eleanor and your little ones, H. Elliot. Lord Sheffield to Mr. Eden. Tunbridge Wells, 15th July, 1785. Here I am for my health. Your farm, I hope, will do everything for you, and the business you un- derwent should require relaxation, &c. I shall be able only to pass three days here at present, and, on my return to Sheffield Place on Sunday, I shall think myself ignorant if I do not find a line from you on the state of things. That fine old man, Lord Mansfield, having dis- patched eighteen causes in one day at Maidstone, came here on Wednesday and stays till Thursday, when he goes to Lewes to open the Sussex assizes. He is wonderfully well; I am mostly with him, and he entertains me well with past and present history. He has not a better opinion of present administration proceedings than we have. I crammed with turtle 3^esterday with him, and shall do the same with venison this day. I find Lord Sackville is re- turned to this neighbourhood considerably unwell, and I am sorry he will not be able to attend the conclusion of the Irish Propositions in the Peers' House. I am just going to see him. I wish he had spoken, and that Lord Stormont had seen him when WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 347 he rose for that purpose. The ministerial men here insist that Government is sure of carrying the Propo- sitions in Ireland. I should be content that their existence depended on it. Fawkener has got the few arguments that can be used in favour of the measure, and we are wise enough to take the trouble of arguing on the subject. The Prince of Wales passed this way and dined with Lady Betty Delrne*, but shocked this place by his want of curiosity. He neither saw the Well nor the Pantiles.f He amused himself with shooting pigeons at Brighthelmstone, and so close to the window of a young married lady that she proceeded to hysterics. He, however, graciously inquired after her the next day. Charles Fox also passed this way another day, and dined at the same place. The Prince's comrade is George Hanger. | What I have written, I think, must convince you of my indisposition. When I have received the Judges at Sheffield Place, after the assizes, I shall probably revisit this place. Cumberland returned from London yesterday, and told us Lord Thurlow and Lord Camden had differed on the propositions, but on what point he knew not, and that an arrangement was to take place, but how, and when, and what, he was equally uninformed of. — Yours ever, Sheffield. Lord Sheffield to Mr. Eden. Sheffield Place, 22nd July, 178.5. Many thanks for your letter. I hope Mrs. Eden has not suffered from the showers. We have been refreshed here, and some of my hay is in a state of spoiling, but we have not had enough to ensure plenty of after grass. * Sister of Lord Carlisle. f The fashionable promenade at Tunbridge Wells, X Afterwards fourth and last Lord Colerainc. 348 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF I went from Tunbridge Wells to the assizes at Lewes, where, having officiated as foreman, I came to this place to attend the very respectable and venerable Earl of Mansfield. He is in good preser- vation and in good spirits, notwithstanding he is distressed by the death of his old friend the Duchess of Portland.* Having passed twenty-four hours here he went to Croydon assizes. We agreed that you are a most efficient man ; that you have done yourself the highest credit during the last Session. He spoke in a very high style of you. I was of opinion the House of Commons could not do without you, but I did not mention a word of your being so infernally civil that you do not appear to be in earnest, or that your only defect is not being as violent as myself. However, the manner in which so good a judge mentioned you gave me much pleasure. I should mention to you that I am in his estimation a very considerable personage, and of course I am convinced of his dis- cernment and good judgment. I hope you attended the debate on Monday in the Lords' House. I only know the newspaper account. Mrs. Eden ought to see the French races at Brighthelmstone. They are to commence the 2nd August : and they will be curious. We could go from hence. Lord Loughborough promised to visit us after the assizes ; perhaps he will have finished. Make a party, at least some part of the autumn, to come here with him and Lady Loughborough. I was severely handled yesterday by Lady Sheffieldf for confessing I had omitted to send her best compliments to Mrs. Eden and you. — Yours ever, Sheffield. P.S Here I shall remain till the 6th of August. * The Dowager Duchess of Portland, daughter of the second Earl of Oxford, had formed one of the finest collections of works of art in the kingdom. f Lord Sheffield's first wife was Miss Way, daughter of Lewis Way, Esq., of llichmond. WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 349 Lord Sheffield to Mr. Eden. Sheffield Place, 1st Sept. 1785. I am very thankful to you for your notes, although my transitory life prevented me from receiving them always in due time, but they are very comfortable to me in the woods. Fortunately it is discovered that Tunbridge waters do me more harm than good, and as it is not recom- mended to me to bathe at Brighton, I flatter myself I may stay at home. I quitted Tunbridge Wells yesterday, and only regret the Lord Mansfield. I saw much of him, and dined almost every day in his company. We often talked of you, and, finding I corresponded with you, he desired me to present his particular compliments to you whenever I should write. He says there are only two real men of business. You are one ; but you will not be elevated when you hear that I am the other. I have been greatly entertained with a number of curious anec- dotes. In my next letter, if I do not forget it, I shall give you an opinion as to the Speakership of Ireland. I was told at Tunbridge Wells by Storer that Lord North was to be at Lord Brudenell's at Tunbridge Wells on the 17th September. Perhaps he may call on you on his passage. Pray bring the Lord North with you here if you can. Mrs. Eden is under a solemn engagement to come here. — Yours ever, Sheffield. P.S — If you can find what addition will enable the inclosed to find George Rous, I shall thank yow for the introduction and sending it to the post. I mean the barrister. 350 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF CHAP XL Death of Lord Sackville. — Warren Hastings at Cheltenham. — Opinions of Mr. Hatsell and Sir Grey Cooper with respect to the surplus revenue. — Sir Ralph Payne's hopes. — Flugh Elliot at Bath. — Letters of Mr. Storer. — The Duke of Orleans in London. — Mrs. Eden and her children. — Mr. Pitt and Lord Stanhope. — Lord Cornwallis and Lady Wallace. — Fracas at the Ranelagh, and duel in Kensington Gardens. — Lord Sydney in love. — Mr. Pitt votes against Warren Hastings. — Lord Loughborough amuses himself with literature. In the following letter will be found some in- teresting particulars respecting the death of Lord Sackville : — Lord Sheffield to Mr. Eden. Sheffield Place, 6th Sept. 1785. I am very thankful for your notes. They have conveyed interesting intelligence and at interesting moments. There is no foundation for the reports relative to our friend Gibbon. There was a letter from him about a month ago. He has had the gout; the report at first greatly annoyed me, although I have reason to expect any extraordinary intelligence relative to him from a friend who is near him. He is not to visit England till September 1786. I agree with you entirely as to Lord Sackville. He had many good points : he was fair and downright ; he had a right understanding. I began to take much to him : I liked him much, although partly perhaps because he took much to me. If he had lived he would have been a good friend to a good cause. On his death-bed he rejoiced in the fate of the Irish Pro- WILLIAM, FIRST LOED AUCKLAND. 351 positions and expressed a wish to rejoice with me. At his latter end he was uncommonly composed. The newspaper account, however, is trumpery. The clay before he died, when his dissolution had been hourly expected for some time, he called to his old valet-de-chambre and said, Dean Crosbie is to visit at Drayton*, on his road to Ireland, a letter should be written to let him know — he hesitated a little, and then added, — to let him know I am dead. He was de- sirous that his composuret should be marked. He has left 300/. per annum to his unmarried daughter during her maiden state, besides her fortune, which I understand to be 10,000/., and recommended her to accept an invitation from Lady Bateman to live with her. The eldest sonj is lively and promising. I had often recommended to Foster to aim at the Irish chair ; but I do not think Administration wise in taking so good a man of business from a situation where he might serve them better, or in putting an enterprising, able, busy man, at the head of the Commons. A quiet, weighty man was more to be wished by the Government of this country. When is Lord Loughborough expected southwards? I hope you and Mrs. Eden seriously think of a visit here. My lady and I intend to be particularly agreeable. There is plenty of room for any infantry you will bring. — Yours ever, Sheffield. P«S. — Have you plenty of game aux environs de Beckeriham, or is it worth carriage to you ? Lord Sheffield to Mr. Eden. Sheffield Place, 6th Oct. 1785. I am glad to hear the venison arrived safely, but we are outrageous on the subject of your endeavouring * Lord Sackville's seat in Northamptonshire. \ The unfortunate Lord George Germaine had been frequently charged with cowardice on account of his conduct at Minden. % Afterwards the last Duke of Dorset. 352 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF to shirk Sheffield Place. We must not be tricked in that manner. It is a pity you should lose all kind of credit with us. We will not suppose Mrs. Eden acces- sory to your shabby conduct, or that she in any way promotes it. As to attention due to children, you must some- times leave them ; but bring them all. There is plenty of good accommodation, or leave some with grand- mamma. Mrs. Eden should see Mr. Pitt at Brighton. I must dine with Lord Beau champ there soon. We can return in the eveninsr. If Beresford should be with you, tempt him to be of the party. I wish to know more of him. I have a good opinion of his sense, knowledge, and disposition. Cooke is in duty bound to come. I believe you are a better politician than farmer — you may learn something here. You will see 1500 acres managed with less trouble than vou would bestow on 50. — Yours, as you may demean }^ourself, Sheffield. P.S. — I have no intelligence from Ireland except seven pages from Corry, but I have not time to say any- thing. The newspapers are shamefully neglected. Confound your farm. The Glasgow and Paisley dis- positions may turn out well. Mr. Hatsell to Mr. Eden. Cheltenham, Monday, 10th Oct. 1785. Dear Sir, — I am glad to learn that there is at least one spot upon the earth where the weather we have lately had, and, I am sorry to add, continue to have, has not been prejudicial. All the country we have travelled over, from Dover to this place, have lost their crops of barley and oats ; the former of these articles, in Hampshire, is at forty-five shillings, which WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 353 is already dearer than it was ever known before to be at any time ; added to this public inconvenience, Mrs. Hatsell and I have scarcely been able to get on horseback this last month, except for three or four days whilst we were at Paulton's. Mr. Hastings had left this place some time, but there remained a very large detachment of East Indians ; amongst the rest Major Scott. I cannot find, upon inquiry, any foundation for your reports about the great man's gallantry. Everybody who met him here, amongst the rest Andrew Stuart, speak well of his behaviour. As this water is found peculiarly beneficial to consti- tutions that have been debilitated in a warm climate, Mr. Hastings talks of building here. This will make it the annual resort of all the Tsabobs, and I shall not be surprised, instead of chariots and horses, to meet litters and palanquins. One bad eiFect Mrs. Hatsell complains of their having already produced, that of making everything dearer. We shall go from hence about this day fortnight to Sir J. Rushout's in Worcestershire, where I shall leave Mrs. Hatsell to attend the prorogation on the 27th. I suppose forty members will not attend, and that therefore nothing more will be done than the form of going to the Lords to be prorogued by com- mission. If, however, there should be a House, nothing precludes their doing business before the message by the Black^Rod. Perhaps it may be necessary to move some writ. Mrs. Armstead left this place on Thursday, hav- ing, as she told people here, received a summons from Mr. Fox, that he was to be in town to attend a great Westminster meeting upon the 10th. We have in her stead got Dr. J. Jebb*, the great political Reformer. I left him about an hour ago disputing upon the walks with Pearson, the doorkeeperf, about the best mode of mending the Constitution. It * Brother of Sir Richard Jebb the pl^-sieian. f Probably the doorkeeper of the House of Commons. VOL. 1. A A 354 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF seems Pearson differs both with Dr. Jebb and Mr. Wyvill.* I hope the employment of the hours you can spare from farming, will not, as you suppose, prove unpro- fitable to the public. Whatever may be the result of your inquiries into the income of the State, and which I am very much inclined with you to believe is much exaggerated by Mr. Pitt and his friends, it will be doing no little service to impress upon the minds of the people the absolute necessity, not of economy, but of parsimon}^ in the public expenses, particularly in the army and ordnance, and what are called incidental articles, which of late have increased enormously. I have not yet seen the Report about the Fisheries, but from the extracts of Mr. Ander- son's researches, in the newspapers, I collect that it would be very advantageous to North Britain to take off the duties upon salt and coals, and to grant a variety of bounties. This may be true, for what I know, but will not be very palatable to South Britain. Mrs. Hatsell has been remarkably well this sum- mer, and is happy to hear so good an account of Mrs. Eden and all your young ones, present and to come. We have a comfortable society here, in a family-party of both my brothers and their wives, Mr. and Mrs. Powys, Andrew Stuart, and Capt. Rowden. We passed five very pleasant weeks in Hampshire at Sloane's, Mr. Ellis's, and the Bishop of Salisbury's. I suppose we shall hardly settle in town till after Christmas, as the meeting of Parliament will proba- bly be the end of January. I saw the Speakerf only for an hour, as he returned from his Buxton expedi- tion the day before we left Paulton's ; both he and Mrs. Cornwall had received great benefit from the air and bathing, but I don't think he has grown thinner. They did not give a very favourable account either of Sir G. or Lady Cornwall. I hear Mr. Pitt has * The Rev. Mr. Wyvill chairman of the Yorkshire Reform Asso- ciation. f Mr. Cornwall. WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 355 removed lately into Kent. Is it to be near you, or the Chancellory or Jenkinson ? I think you four would make a very good Interior Cabinet. Pray give Mrs. H.'s and rny best respects to Mrs. Eden, and believe me, Dear Sir, yours most faithfully, J. Hats ell. Mr. Hatsell to Mr. Eden. Northwick, Saturday, Nov. 5th, 1785. Dear Sir, — Your letter found me just before I left Cheltenham. I brought Mrs. Hatsell here to Sir. J. Rushout's, and went to town for a couple of days to the prorogation, where the archbishop told me that your conciliatory visit to Bushey was interrupted by the lady's having sprained her foot. I suppose, by this time, all that matter is amicably arranged, and though the old peer has himself found such benefit from his matrimonial connections, he may, perhaps, have learnt that there is a possibility of happiness, though unat- tended with those advantages lie has so comfortably experienced. I am glad to receive your evidence upon the flourish- ing state of the commerce of the country. I have very little doubt but that, if party was out of the ques- tion, which is not to be expected, and all circumstances considered, perhaps not to be wished, but that mea- sures might be adopted by suppressing smuggling and commuting particular taxes, that would have an aston- ishing effect in increasing the public revenue. The reducing the duties upon spirits, tobacco, and salt would operate like a charm ; but other funds must be found, or the subsisting taxes must be collected with a dcirree of rigour and exactness that would give too good a handle for clamour and opposition. What other objection can there be to declare that, in pay- ments of above a certain sum (suppose 10/.), nothing but a written receipt upon stamp should be evidence of a discharge. To take away viva-voce evidence, in A A '_' 856 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF smaller transactions, might be too great an interrup- tion to retail dealings, but in larger payments, I confess, no sufficient objection occurs to me, and the produce of such an alteration would be immense. I shall be anxious to see in what manner Mr. Pitt applies the surplus he has, whatever it may be. What I should prefer, if it can be done without the danger of stock-jobbing, would be to enable certain persons to buy up Three or Four per Cents, at the market price : but I fear this is a trust too tempting to venture in any hands, as they would have the com- mand of the Funds, and might raise them at pleasure. If we were secure of a continuance of peace, perhaps the applying this surplus to converting what are now perpetual into life annuities, might, to posterity at least, be the most advantageous. This is the difference between our situation and the French, which will set them first at liberty to disturb their neighbours' peace. The merely setting aside a certain sum, sacred at all events, to pay off part of the debt, appears to me, notwithstanding all the calculations of Dr. Price and Lord Mahon*, to be too dilatory, and therefore, in our present situation, too cold a measure, under a pressure of 270 millions. We shall, however, have the pleasure of hearing all these plans discussed, and it is some satisfaction that the country is brought into a state when we have it in our power to discuss this question with effect, and not merely as a matter of theory. Had the war continued as long as some persons in this nation wished it to do, it might yet have been several years before we could have thought of a surplus, much less have debated upon the best mode of applying it. We are leaving this place on Wednesday, and going into Northamptonshire, to Sir G. Robinson's. The continuance of open weather is now of the greatest importance, as not only the hay but the turnips have failed in many counties, so that the farmers do not * Lord Mahon married Mr. Pitt's sister. On the death of his father, 7th March, 1786, he became the third Earl of Stanhope. WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 357 foresee how their sheep are to subsist during a long winter. I take for granted, when the Chancellor and Jenkinson came to pry into the state of your farm, they were surprised to find the possessions of one in opposition in such good order, and in their mortifi- cation wished to have seen everything exactly the reverse. I suppose they returned to St. James's with sad and sorrowful countenances, carrying with them the plenteous produce of your vineyards. I have long wished, for the sake of the public, that the latter of these gentlemen bad a share in the Govern- ment; he is certainly a man of talents, and habituated to business, and it is with me no objection to a man in the Cabinet that he has his master's confidence. We hope Mrs. Eden and your little ones are well. Mrs. Hatsell and I desire our best respects to her. You will scarcely settle before the end of January in town, nor we till towards the 10th or 12th. I am, yours most faithfully, J. Hatsell. P.S. — I shall be glad to hear of any further pleasing information you may, in your researches, have to communicate. Sir Grey Cooper* to Mr. Eden. Worlington, Nov. 5, 1785. My dear Sir, — I fell in with a friend, Sir Ralph Payne, on Newmarket Heath, on Monday last, and as we did. not go to the betting-post, or were either of us in any respect knowing ones, he left Lady Payne and her Polish countess and came into my chaise, where we had half-an-hour's conversation on the pre- sent state of political things and men. The matter of our talk was somewhat like a letter from a gentleman in town to his friend in the country, or a dialogue be- tween Mr. Johnson and Mr. Smith in the Rehearsal ; he, like Mr. Johnson, though not a friend of the a'u- * Sir Grey Cooper was celebrated for his knowledge of finance. \ \ 3 o a 58 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF thor, seemed to know a great deal of what had been passing on the stage, behind the scenes, and even in the green room ; and I, like Mr. Smith, knew nothing. I stared at every thing, and asked foolish questions. Sir Ralph is a warm friend to his party, and a san- guine politician ; his hopes are always on the wing towards the object of his wishes; he turns the medal and looks at the side that is brightest, and to help things forward when they flag he is fertile in expedi- ents, and projects of negotiation. But, alas ! I was a man of so dull a conception, and so little faith, that he could not persuade me to think that there was any fair prospect of our future state being better than our present. I was, however, very happy to learn that you had with success interposed to bring about a re- conciliation between Mr. North* and Bushey Park, I wrote a letter on that subject about a month ago, which I hope Lord North saw ; and if I had had an opportunity of seeing the good man, I would have ventured to have spoken on that side of the question. I had a letter last week from a quarter whence I generally receive correct intelligence, assuring me that those who converse with the Minister say that he is confident that he shall have not only a million but 500,000/. more to apply, during the course of the next session, to the reduction of the Public Debts. If this prophetical assurance shall be realised, erit mihi mag- nus Apollo ! but here again I am a man of little faith. Mr. Locke has a learned, metaphysical, and most ab- struse chapter on the distinct provinces of faith and reason, but however distinct those provinces may and ought to be with respect to revelation and religious mysteries, I cannot think them so in matters of ac- compt, or in the state of plain facts and figures. The accounts you moved for in the last session of the an- nual produce of the whole volume of taxes do not promise such an available surplus : and qudcunque via * This is an allusion to Lord North's being offended at bis eldest son's marriage with Maria Hobart, daughter of the lion. George Hobart, afterwards third Earl of Buckinghamshire. WILLI Air, FIEST LORD AUCKLAND. 359 data, either by taking a fair average of the produce of all the perpetual as well as annual taxes, and deduct- ing from it the annual interest of the debt and the Civil List, and providing for the annual supplies to be voted for the establishments upon the lowest scale, and for the deficiencies of the funds, or, by stating the Supplies, and Ways and Means, in the more usual and common parliamentary mode, and allowing three millions for the surplusses of the Sinking Fund, and 150,000/. for a lottery, and with a fair allowance for disposable money in Exchequer, I cannot contrive to make our income exceed our expenditure. I wish to have the assistance of the lights and information which you may perhaps be possessed of. It may, and I suppose is, assumed by the Minister, that the aver- age resulting from the ten years' net produce of the old taxes is below the fair mark, and that the customs, excise, stamps, and incidents, will produce much more than that annual average. And this, 1 take it for granted, also assumed that the net produce of all the taxes since the 5th of January, 1776, is much below what they ought to produce and will produce; and to say the truth, 1 take it that this will be the case in a considerable degree. God grant it may ! and that the Minister may not only promise but perform this most important national act of beginning to pay off part of the Debt. Pie must begin with the two mil- lions due to the Bank, and the Exchequer bills, before he can arrive at an operation on the three or four per cents. I am going to pass four or five days with a party at Houghton, and the same time at Kainham.* On my return I shall be most happy to hear of and from you, and to see your vessel of paper well freighted. The ladies, and my eldest son who is with us, desire: to be kindly remembered to Mrs. Eden and you, and all your young folks; and I am, dear Eden, yours always truly and ailectionately, Grey Cooper. * Lord Townshend'a scat in Norfolk. A A 4 o/3 60 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF Sir Ralph Payne to Mr. Eden. Swaffhain, November 16th, 1785. My dear Sir, — I long most eagerly to see you. Sir Grey Cooper, whom I accidentally met at this place this morning, in his way home from Rainham, tells me that he has received a letter from you, in which you display no very particular elevation of spirits from your opinion of the political atmosphere. If it should be very rainy when this reaches you, and you should be unable, even with your great coat and galloshes, to discharge the daily duty of your farm, perhaps you will say something to me of the con- jectural kind, without the fear of communicating your vapours to me, who, you know, am of the true sanguine breed, and shall impute some part of your depression to the dreariness of the weather. I know not how the devil we are all to get back again. I never expected any degree of relief from the virtue of the worthy House of Commons, or worthier House of Peers. I never supposed that the other branch* of the legislature would take the case of this poor empire into consideration, and reflect how much honester and abler men those out of office are than those who are in ; or if he did, I am not silly enough to imagine that much good would result. But I trust in the wisdom of Providence, that some new crotchet at Buckingham House, some schism in the Cabinet, or storm upon the Continent (which perhaps is brewing at this instant), some fit of bile in the Chancellor f, of intoxication in the Prime Minister J, or patriotism in some honest turnpike man §, will at last effect what I am afraid the nation has not virtue enough to care about, and will enable me to greet you, with " Turne, quod optanti Divum promittere nemo Auderet, volvenda Dies, en, attulit ultrb." || * The King. f Lord ThurW. \ Mr. Pitt. § Pitt and Dundas, taking an after-dinner ride, galloped through a turnpike without paying the toll. The turnpike keeper fired at them. II iEneid. lib. ix. 1. 6. WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 361 Adieu, my clear sir ! Lady Payne's and my best love, compliments, and everything that is good, ever attend you and Mrs. Eden ; and I am, ever and ever, Yours most affectionately, Ralph Payne. P.S. — Pray direct to me at Stephen Payne Gal- way's, Esq., Tofts, near Brandon, Norfolk. Sir Grey Cooper to Mr. Eden. Dear Sir, — I have, during the autumn, been em- ploying part of my leisure in reading all the papers and correspondence between General Cadogan, after- wards Earl Cadogan, and Lord Townshend, and Lord Stanhope, &c. from the years 1715 to 1721. The present Lord Caclogan sent them to me in a large box, and I have, to my great amusement and information, ran- sacked it to the bottom. You know well the Treaty of Alliance which was made in the year 1716 between George the First and the Regent of France. The correspondence during the negotiation of that treaty (to which the States of Holland at last acceded) is very interesting and curious, and it may, perhaps, be worth your going to the Paper Office and casting your eye over the despatches touching that negotiation from the 6th of October, 1716, to the 26th of January, 1717, and particularly a letter of Lord Cadogan to Lord Townshend, of the 4th of December, 1716, stating the commercial advantages he had obtained for the States of Holland, and an engagement on the part of the Abbe Dubois that the same advantages should be extended to Great Britain whenever we thought fit to put our trade to France on the same footing with that of the States. You will, I trust, excuse me for troubling you (and particularly at this time) with a letter ; but I am apprehensive lest you should be gone to Paris before 1 return to London. o 362 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF The ladies all send their compliments and good wishes to Mrs. Eden and you ; and I am., my dear Sir, yours very affectionately, Grey Cooper. The writer of the following letter was a distin- guished naval officer: — Sir Andrew Hamond to Mr. Eden. Gillingham, 10th Dec. 1785. My dear Sir, — I have just been favoured with your letter, and could not have received a more sensible satisfaction from any event that had happened to myself than I now do, at finding your talents and abilities are again called forth, and intended to be employed on a matter of so great importance to the Welfare of this country. I have for some time past wished to see you extricate yourself out of an entangle- ment that bore the worst of aspects, and I rejoice heartily to find you have been so lucky as to hit upon a mode 'of doing it so perfectly unexceptionable; for you stand so high with the commercial people of all parties, that no abuse can possibly issue against you for having undertaken the very business everybody would have wished you to do. As to my Lord North, I am sure you will have found him both liberal and candid on the occasion ; and as to Charles Fox, though I admire his abilities as much as anybody can, yet I am perfectly convinced that nothing but the death of the King, or a war, can bring him forward, and therefore I consider him des- tined to pass the greatest part of his life in opposition. I. have heard the King speak of him with that indig- nation, that I really believe he would rather sacrifiee everything than allow him to come forward. He therefore ought not to expect that people who are no ways proscribed should continue their adherence beyond certain limits. My Lord Carlisle, I hear, is WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 363 talked of as likely to come into office, so that upon the whole I think you may make yourself very easy on the score of difficulties and feelings. I am glad to hear we are not to lose you imme- diately. When I know you are at Beckenham I shall take a ride over to you. Lady Hamond desires me to say, if Mrs. Eden will leave any of the children with her, she will take the greatest care of them. Perhaps it may not be inconvenient to you to pass a clay with us on your road to France, and I will see you across the water. Remember us kindly to Mrs. Eden. Believe me ever faithfully and sincerely yours, A. S. Hamond. Mr. Hugh Elliot to Mr. Eden. Bath, Feb. 12 th, 1786. My dear Eden, — The accounts I received of George's health prevented me from writing to you till I learned by your letter of the tenth that he was entirely out of danger. I spent three days on the road between London and Bath, and enjoyed all the happiness of sauntering through a country full of a thousand interesting objects to one who has, for the last five years, seen nothing but snow and the dreary horrors of a northern winter in the month of February. It was with regret I again found myself under the necessity of becoming the inhabitant of a town, though I own that Bath is the pleasantest town to inhabit I ever was in. I mean merely on account of its beautiful streets and public buildings ; for as to society or public places, the little I have seen of either does not tempt me to make one either of the public or private parties. There are a number of beautiful women offered for public show on the ball nights : of these the greatest proportion are fair llybernian nymphs with the most splendid (tallies) shapes that were ever composed of gauze before and cork behind. One glance of the rear 3G4 THE CORRESPONDENCE OP guards of Miss Cobb, Miss Gray, &c, had more effect upon my increasing health than all the hot water I daily swallow. But, alas ! the dear creatures have got such Arrah, my dear Honey faces, that I fear they will subject their future husbands to num- berless little mistakes. My studies are Cook's Voyages, East India books, and pamphlets. My only companion Colonel Hor- neck.* As he served the whole of the last war in America, I have great pleasure in crossing rivers with the guards at the head of the column, in manoeuvring numerous armies (consisting of fifteen hundred men), and in hearing many anecdotes which prove that nothing can surpass the bravery and activity of our troops, except the ignorance and incapacity of their leaders. Upon the score of relationship I called on Mrs. Digby f, and found her a true Elliot, a thin, sensible, agreeable woman, with a bad stomach. I also dined with the remains of the Duke of North- umberland. J He is off to-day for London in a woeful plight. How happy am I not to be an old Duke with an immense estate, many titles, and the advantages which opulence and rank are supposed to give to their miserable possessor ! Alas, poor human nature ! the skeleton appears through all the borrowed finery. May you nevertheless be rich, prosperous, and suc- cessful. My love to Eleanor and my little friends. H. Elliot. Sir Joseph Yorke to Mr. Eden. Hill Street, March 19th, 1786. Dear Sir, — You do me much more honour than I deserve. I have no merit but in my earnest desire to * Probably the father of Goldsmith's friends. t Mrs. Digby, the wife of Admiral Digby, was daughter of Andrew Elliot, late Lieutenant-Governor of New York. % Sir Hugh Smithson, the first Duke of Northumberland, died in June, 1786. WILLIAM, FIRST LOUD AUCKLAND. 3G5 be of service to you in any degree, be it ever so tri- fling. I am well aware that the affairs of this world vary so fast, that what was right or customary at one moment ceases to be so the moment after, and that five vears' rustication at home renders me rather an */ old-fashioned foreigner. What I took the liberty to hint to you related merely to your credentials, sup- posing the same etiquette to subsist still at Versailles as did four or five and thirty years ago. At that time a Minister Plenipotentiary was an easier and more eligible character than an Envoy Extraordinary, be- cause the former had the same advantages, but was not subject to a kind of half entry at Versailles, which the ministers of inferior courts looked up to, whilst those of the greater ones declined, reserving all kind of representation to the ambassadors only. If that etiquette is laid aside, all my reasoning falls to the ground ; but if it still subsists, I thought you would do well to be armed with two credential letters, one styling you Envoy Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary together ; the other only as Minister Plenipotentiary ; either of which you might produce as you found most proper or agreeable when upon the spot, the only trouble would be the King's signing four letters instead of two ; and if my sus- picions have any foundation you would save yourself some puzzle and embarrassment. As to the latter part of your letter, I am unequal to the giving you any material information concerning the persons mentioned. Some of them I know, or have known, but am ignorant in what way they act or think at present : a very short residence at Paris will make you master of them. I should not think M. de Segur would have anything to do with you, though MM. de Castries and Calonne may ; the first as having a great deal to do with trade, the latter as being at the head of the finances. M. de Castries is a galant homme, but a Land Marshal of France is more likely to depend upon his commis for all marine and 366 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF commercial matters than upon his own knowledge ; and, indeed, the ministres en sous ordre are the ablest men they have. The Comptroller- General* is no fa- vourite, I believe, in the nation, and will probably make way for a successor as speedily as those who went before him. M. de Breteuil is rather warm in his manner and a little overbearing, but some ad- vantage may be drawn from that as it makes him speak freer than a cooler man, and I always found him at the bottom an honourable one, with whom I could do business satisfactorily. Amongst the Foreign Ministers the Sardinian is the most likely to give you good information, from his connections, and because at the bottom his Court is the most friendly to us, and as he was long in Eng- land he has rather a predilection for this country. Goltz is ill, I am told, with his master just now; he is a plausible man, but not much to be trusted. One of the Dutch, Berkenvode, interferes little, and lets his colleague, who is the tool of the patriots in Hol- land, do the business ; but at the bottom Berkenvode is friendly to us. Of all the others I can only say that the Dane is probably the best-affected of the north, for Sweden is France, and the other seems to belong to the highest bidder. None of them, however, will stand in your way if M. de Vergennes has a mind to do the business fairly with you, which you will soon see, and you will find people enough to give you information. Nobody wishes you success more cordially than mvself, nor can be with more unfeigned esteem than I am, dear Sir, your much obliged and most faithful humble servant, Joseph Yorke. * M. de Calonne. WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. oG7 The following letters are to and from Mr. Eden whilst residing in France : — Lord Sheffield to Mr. Eden. Downing Street, April 28, 1786. Just returned from a fortnight's visit to Sheffield Place, I find your fragment of the 17th instant. We have been very impatient for an account of Mrs. Eden. We could only learn that she had been seen safe at Calais. That she is as cheerful and as active as ever is only like herself. We rejoice that she is at length freed from bustle and in a comfortable quiet house. We now only talk of Hastings, and Whale Fishery, and Navigation Bill, and not much on anything except Flastings! The ridiculous Parliament has just de- termined to hear Mr. Hastings's defence before the evidence against him, but the Minister lost fifteen friends on the occasion, and you will hear that George Hastings not only voted, but spoke vigorously, against the measure. The wonderful minister* takes every opportunity of showing how incapable his understanding is of com- prehending certain subjects. He even goes out of his way for that purpose ; and after Jenkinson had dis- played on the whale fishery, he thought proper to exhibit, and I am told advanced, that oil is a raw material, and that no advantage is derived from ex- porting oil; and that the whale fishery did not raise seamen for the navy. It would have been utterly unnatural for him to tell the plain truth ; that the bounties last year amounted to 85,000/., that next year they would be above 100,000/., and that the fisheries being in so flourishing a state so great an expense was not necessary, and that t lie bounties might be reduced from 40 to 30. So much for the Minister lest you should think me insipid. Why you should have great hopes of accomplishing and * Mr. Pitt. 368 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF rapidly making progress in your business I cannot guess. You will daily find that there is still much to know. I shall be eminently abusive if you lose sight of Spain. I most fear that for the sake of carrying some point that may make a flash you will commit yourself there. I mentioned in a late letter to you, sent by Mr. Hibbert, that for the present Ave had forgot your Treaty. That gentleman by himself, and a friend, pressed for a letter of introduction to you. He has a good West Indian estate ; he is connected with the first people of Manchester. I suppose he understands manufactures and trade. He has an agreeable wife and chooses to spend some money on the Continent. I have passed a considerable part of the morning with a deputation from the Bahamas. Luckily for you I have not time to add more. Yours ever, Sheffield. The following letter is from the " Admirable Crichton " of his time, Mr. Storer : — Mr. Storer* to Mr. Eden. Golden Square, April 28, 1786. Dear Eden, — If my writing to you were in a degree an acquittal of the debt I owe you for the letters you wrote to me, while I was in France, I should very eagerly embrace an opportunity of discharging thern ; but I am afraid that a gentleman who lives half the day with Dr. Harwoodf cannot supply you with an account of the important events that this city pro- * Mr. Storer was considered the most accomplished man of his time ; he was a good Latin scholar, the best dancer, the best skater, and an ex- cellent musician, &c. lie formed a magnificent library, which he left to Eton College, lie died 4th July, 1799. On his monument at Purley is incribed, " Vir sui temporis multo elegantissiinus, Centum amator artium et in plurimis facile princeps." f Mr. Storer was reading the classics with Dr. Harwood. WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 3G9 duces, or at any rate you will hear of them from other persons much more capable than myself of giving you an exact account of them. By this time I hope that I can congratulate you upon having set- tled yourself. In a little time more I am sure you will like your situation. I hear, too, your negotiation goes on rapidly : in proportion, however, as you like Paris, I suppose you will retard your treaty; besides, if you go on very expeditiously you will not give your friends time to come and pay you a visit. The assembliesin London are overrun with French: there is really a colony of them that take possession of every house in town. The invasion which was dreaded some years ago is now realised ; and the wits remark that we shall have no peace for the French till we are at war again with them. The Duke of Orleans* and Fitzjames seem as much at home at Brooke's, as Hare, Fitzpatrick or Fox. Cambyses comes into assemblies, as he, in the absence of Adhemar, is deputed, I sup- pose, to do the honours to the French, with a string of a dozen of his countrymen. The Prince of Wales makes his serene Highness of Orleans drunk, so that the latter is likely to improve even his complexion by his residence in England. I heard of you some time ago, not at all a la Parisienne, for you were in a coach with Mrs. Eden, and half a dozen children. You will find that the French will be quite delighted with such scenes of conjugal and maternal affection. We have various reports here about you and the Duke of Dorset, not a word of which I suppose to be true. Lord Stanhope f has just published a pamphlet, in which he states Mr. Pitt's plan for the payment of the national debt is destructive to the country: it is said that Mr. Pitt took a great deal of pains to dissuade him from publishing it, but that his Lordship was resolved ; consequently for once Mr. Pitt's eloquence was wasted. The newspapers talk of the Chancellor's being ill; but I have not heard anything of it dans le * Father of Louis-Philippe. f Mr. Pitt's brother-in-law, VOL. I. BB 370 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF monde. Lord Cornwallis* was in hopes about a week ago to sail by this time; Lady Wallacef wished to go in the same ship with his Lordship, but he was si peu galant as to refuse her ladyship, so her hopes of succeeding with the new Governor-General, as Mrs. Iinhoff J did with Hastings, are at an end. It must be curious I think to hear Hastings speaking at the bar of the House of Commons, — the Proconsul of Asia attacked by that Irishman, Burke. When you have any time to spare, pray let me have a line from you. How do you like Vergennes ? Was his Most Christian Majesty very eloquent and conversable when you delivered vos lettres de creancer What did the Queen do ? If it ever comes in your way, pray pre- sent the respects § d'un tres petit Monsieur a son Excel- lence le Ministre des Affaires Etrangeres : desire him to get the duty upon post-chaises taken off at Calais. Adhemar is at Bath, but the national debt will be paid before he goes a-tiptoe again. Give my best compliments to Mrs. Eden, and wishing her and her children all happiness and prosperity, I remain, Yours most sincerely, A. Storer. P.S. — Will you be kind enough to take care that Crosbie has the enclosed. Hugh Elliot has been losing his money to me at cribbage, but more, I am afraid, to others at whist. Lord Sheffield to Mr. Eden. Downing Street, 10th May, 1786. We were rejoiced to hear of Mrs. Eden's safety. Your manuscript did not reach us so soon as the intelligence of the event, of which I had information * Lord Cornwallis was appointed Governor-General of India. f Lady Wallace, wife of a Scotch baronet, was a sister of the Duchess of Gordon. \ " Mrs." Imhoff sailed in the same ship with Warren Hastings, and afterwards, having procured a divorce, married him. § Mr. Storer had been Secretary of Legation at Paris in 1783. WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 371 at a bookseller's shop, even a day before your letter reached the archbishop at Lambeth. But my lady is quite penetrated by your attention, and be assured we were heartily glad to find all was well. Matters go on here as usual. No fragment left of the original India Bill : the finance scheme univer- sally scouted in city and country. The commutation tax almost generally reprobated. A pamphlet pub- lished by Rous, which contains the unanswerable arguments I made use of near two years ago, has had a considerable effect. They are very obvious. Burke's charges made a very considerable impres- sion and alteration in the silly public, but as none but downright enemies to Hastings will come forward to give evidence against him, and as such evidence will be slighted, and as arguments alone will not do, I suppose the opinions will not in the end be very un- favourable to ' Hastings, but the very unusually avowed maxims he laid down in a defence very in- judiciously introduced, will not assist him ; on the contrary, it appears as if part of what has been thrown out will stick. It was not suited to the temper of the times to declare profit a justifiable and proper motive for going to war. However, he so de- clared in the most distinct terms, and as if he was delivering one of the finest statements. At one time, it was thought the business must go to the Lords, but though the Minister has been much embarrassed, I think he will hang up the high crimes and misde- meanours till another session, thereby keeping the Bengal squad and some others in subjection. Lord Cornwallis was knighted the last evening he saw the king. This is a prelude to giving him the Garter ; but a chapter is not ordered, and I suppose nothing further will be done till there are more vacancies. All smile at the giving him the Garter, and say it should have been reserved till he had done something, and I am positively of opinion it should have been given to the Duke of Dorset, and so think many others. B B 2 372 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF Shall I send you any pamphlets ? I do not care a great deal about you, because I do not believe you will send me any information worth having. As to your Treaty, I mentioned before that we have in great measure forgot it, but those who have not seem agreed that it can do no good. I do not meet with scarce one of another opinion. My lady continues indifferent. Our best wishes to Mrs. Eden. Yours ever, Sheffield. P.S. — If Mrs. Eden has any business to be done in London, Lady S. and I shall rejoice in doing it pre- vious to our departure for Sussex. Miss Catherine Ann North* to Mrs. Eden. My dearest Nell, — Thank you a thousand times for your kind letter, and pink gauze, which I think the most beautiful thing I ever saw in my life, and am very impatient for some great ball, that I may make it up according to your directions, which, by the by, I think will spoil it ; but, however, as they are according to the ton, I certainly will follow them exactly. I was in great hopes it would have made its appearance at a grand fete at Devonshire House, but I fear this sad affair of Mrs. F 's will have put an end to all gaieties in that quarter. Perhaps you don't know what this sad affair is ; I hope not, that I may be the first person to tell you of it. Last Mon- day morning I went to Kensington Gardens, and every person I met attacked me with, " Have you heard of the duel ? " " Have you heard of the duel ? " — " Oh dear no ! Do tell me all about it. Where was it ? Who was it between ? What was it about ?" — "Between Mr. F and Jack L , this morning, in Hyde Park, about Mrs. F ; you know they have been going on shamefully a great * Afterwards Lady Glenbervie, eldest daughter of Lord North. WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 37 rt while." — " Not I, indeed ! They have flirted, certainly, too much, but many more shameful flirtations are about." — "Oh ! that there are, certainly, witness Lady D and Mr. W , Lady T and Mr. B , etc. etc. etc. etc. ; but this was very bad, indeed, and I make no doubt Mr. F has made very serious discoveries." — " Then you are not sure that he has ?" " No; but nothing less could justify a duel ; depend upon it they were caught." But, however, it certainly is not so; for, upon further inquiry, I find Mr. F has not the smallest ground to believe himself actually in the happiest state in the world, but for some time has been uneasy at Jack's attention to his wife, and ordered her not to speak to him ; • but she had too much spirit to be governed by a husband, and I believe talked the more to him to show that she had. Some d good-natured friend (who is always at hand upon such occasions) wrote anonymous letters to Mr. F telling him all that happened, and a great deal more, till he was worked up to a most violent fury, and, one night, insisted upon her not going to Ranelagh, when she was engaged. But to be kept at home to please a surly husband was too much. She would go ; and go she did. Her tyrant followed, and found her walking with the tremendous Jack, whom he tapped upon the shoulder and said, " Sir, this must go on no longer ; you must never speak to Mrs. F more." Jack answered, "Sir, you have no cause for your suspicions, nor any right to order who I shall speak to." The husband then took the wife home. On the Sunday after the gentlemen were walking in Hyde Park, the lady walking in Kensington Gardens, when Don Orlando, in a violent passion, rode up to " the object of their different care," and told hiin he could not bear to see him lurking about in that place, and demanded satisfac- tion, which was promised him ; and accordingly they met the next morning at nine o'clock. Mr. F fi r< s< I first and shot Jack's hat, who then said, "Sir, fire B B 3 o 74 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF again, I have no quarrel with you." The seconds then interposed and parted them. Mr. F then set out immediately for Brighton, and declares he will never see his wife again. She is gone, in the ut- most despair, to the Dowager Lady P , her father having refused to receive her. I cannot help feeling sorry for her ; for though her behaviour has, without doubt, been very imprudent, I do not believe it was more, and she is now utterly undone. My best love to Eliza, etc. etc., and believe me ever and ever yours, C. A. N. Mr. Storer to Mr. Eden. Golden Square, May 25th, 1786- Dear Eden, — I do not mean to let this Friday pass without writing to you, but as 1 am afraid that I may not return from a morning's excursion to Chis- wick time enough for the post, I begin my letter while my hair is dressing, in defiance of powder and pomatum. My errand to Chiswick is not only to see pictures, but also to pay a visit to Lady Payne, who is very far at present from being in good preserva- tion. The physicians will not hear of her going to Bristol or changing the air. As long I suppose as they can get their fees they will keep her near town. The sale of the Duchess of Portland, with the different exhibitions, that of the Royal Academy, and the other of M. Desenfans*, have engaged the attention of the connoisseurs. Mr. Cracherodef has bought the Henry the Sixth missal, and Mr. WalpoleJ has bought the missal painted by Julio Clovio § ; and, what is more surprising, Charles Fox has bought a picture for two hundred guineas at Desenfans. What will please * Noel Desenfans, the picture-dealer. ■f- Mr. Cracherode bequeathed his fine collection of works of art to the British Museum. % Horace Walpole. § There are great doubts as to the missal being really by Julio Clovio. WILLIAM, FIKST LORD AUCKLAND. 375 Mrs. Eden is, that we are going to have a great many marriages this spring ; it is pairing time, and, therefore, not very extraordinary. Lord Fairford is going to be married to Miss Sandys ; Lord Maiden to a rich East India widow ; and Sir Godfrey Webster to a West India heiress.* Lord Vernon is just married, or on the point of being so, to Miss Georgiana Fauquier. This is some comfort to me, and makes me hope that some woman may at last take pity on me, when I find that one of our own sex has chosen a lady so far advanced in years as Miss Fauquier ; but, while these couples are entering the Temple of Hymen, there is one unfortunate pair retiring from it, and indeed their example is enough to deter such cautious old bachelors as myself from entering into any matrimonial engagements. We are told that la Beaute' de Joconde could not insure the fidelity of his wife, and we find that F 's rare qualities could not engage the constancy of his. Joconde, upon this important discovery, did nothing, and it is said, il jit bie.n ; but F has made an amazing fracas. Duels and separation already taken place. Hugh Elliot, I take for granted, has already given you an account of this matter. He was in the box at Ranela^h the ni^ht on which the altercation began. F insisted on L 's not speaking to his wife. L told him that he could not submit to be dictated to by any person ; that he F might impose any conditions on his wife, and might hinder her from speaking to him, but he was determined to address her, and immediately went to the box and desired her to give him some tea; the challenge, however, did not happen that night. The next morning they met again, some- where in the neighbourhood of F 's house, and there more words ensuing, on F 's telling him he knew well what this skulking about his house meant, the challenge was given. F fired at L and * Miss Vassal, afterwards Lady Holland. b it 4 376 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF missed him. L said he had no cause of quarrel against F , and fired his pistol in the air, and so the matter ended. The seconds were Fitz- patrick, and young Fish Crawford.* F is gone to Brighton, and Mrs. F , after having stayed a day or two at Lady Diana Beauclerk's, is gone to Lady P 's. This matter, as you may well imagine, has en£ao;ed the attention and furnished conversation for the whole town, and is certainly a very bad thing. It interests a great number of people ; some are sorry for F , others think that it is only measure for measure, and that he deserves it. All are very much concerned, I believe, for poor Mrs. F ." This is not the only matter of gallantry that will occupy the dealers in scandal ; there is another, as it is whispered, which is now going on very rapidly, but, least you should not guess the parties, I must name them, and yet I should rather wish to excite your curiosity for a certain time; my paper, however, will not let me do that, and, there- fore, brief: Lord Sydney is supposed to be des- perately in love with Lady S , and as he has surpassed everybody's expectation in his political career, it is not to be wondered at if he makes a pro- gress in the lists of gallantry beyond what people at first would suppose him likely to do. If anything of the nature of a duel happens, I hope that Fitzpatrick and Crawford will be the seconds. All political events, I suppose, you are acquainted with. Opposition are not in very great spirits from Mr. Pitt's being once or twice in a minority. Labitur et labetur. I remain, Yours most sincerely, A. Storer. * Old Fish Crawford was so called from his curiosity. WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 377 Mr. Hatsell to Mr. Eden. June 14th, 1786. Dear Sir, — You will have heard, before this reaches you, of the event of last night — Mr. Pitt, Dundas, Jenkinson, Sir G. Howard*, &c, voting for the second article of impeachment about Benares. The Master of the Rollsf, Attorney-General J, Mr. Grenville, Lord Mulgrave§, &c, against it. A great triumph to Messrs. Burke and Francis ! We shall rise in about three weeks or something more, but I think the surplus, even this year, will be hard pressed with the East India 600,000/. ; and if the relief of- fered to the Company should fail of success, the Ways and Means will be very short indeed. I wish you were here to persuade Wedderburn to be Chancel- lor, for, though Lord Thurlow is something better, his constitution has received a shake which he will never recover, and he would be glad to retire to the Common Pleas. Jenkinson's peerage is to be made out forthwith. You see the Wine Excise Bill has passed without the least clamour. He is adding to the duty on sweets, and mending and improving his other taxes, all of which, I think, will be much wanted. The proceedings of his Most Christian Majesty raise a shrewd suspicion that his consort is not so clear in this business as she would wish to be thought. They would otherwise have permitted the sentence to be executed on Madame de la Motte. Our stocks keep up, and, if there is no foundation for this report about the American armament, will, I should sup- pose, be at 7bl. before the 10th October. The American loyalists are a very heavy load upon us, as you will see by the account of the money voted for them in this Session. The Bank debt is also now to be discharged, so there will be five and a half * Sir George Howard was one of the " King's friends." t Sir Lloyd Kenyon. J Pepper Arden. § Constantino John, second Lord Mulgrave, born 30th May, 1744, died 10th October, 1792. 378 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF millions Exchequer Bills, great part of which will next year probably be funded. The Duke of Northumber- land has left about 250,000/. to Lord Lovaine, and a good 50,000/. per annum, with his boroughs, to Lord Percy, but nothing to Dutems, nor Mr. Reevely, nor any of his relations, and very small legacies to his ser- vants. He is to be buried on Monday, in Westminster Abbey, in great state. Mrs. Halifax is much recovered, and going to Bristol. Lord Grantham is very bad indeed. We have nobody yet named for Spain, nor for a successor to the Duke of Northumberland's riband. Lord North and his friends voted last ni^ht against Mr. Hastings, but stayed away upon the Roh ilia war. I hope you are pleased with the portrait the Archbishop sent you out of the magazine, at least Mrs. Eden cannot but be captivated with it. Has the Queen yet seen your children ? Mrs. Hatsell joins with me in best love to them and Mrs. Eden. I am, my dear Sir, Yours faithfully, J. H. Mr. Storer to Mr. Eden. Golden Square, June 16, 1786. Dear Eden, — Mr. Hastings seems now to engage our attention more than he ever did. You will, by this night's post, receive all the newspapers, which will give you a full and true account of Tuesday's debate. The opposition are all astonishment at Mr. Pitt's dividing with them, and Hastings's friends are full of resent- ment and indignation against him for having done so. The Chancellor continues very ill, who is, as public report says, Hastings's firm friend. It is sus- pected that Pitt meant to have the credit of appearing impartial, and therefore voted with Fox, intending, however, at the same time, to have been in a minority himself, but his friends were to much attached to him to leave him so disgracefully in a minority, therefore voted with him, whereby he was, against WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 379 his inclination, found in the majority. These are the speculations of ignorant people, with whom I con- verse, that do not know what passes behind the scenes, and, therefore, I conclude they are not much to be depended on. I do not want to find a man who will give me a good opinion about these events, but merely to get an opinion, whether good or bad, no matter ; but nobody can account for these things. We thought his Britannic Majesty might be acting an exact counterfeit to what his Most Christian Majesty is doing ; and that while the Parliament of Paris was acquitting, and Louis XVI. condemning the Cardinal, our King might be defending Mr. Hastings, while the Parliament of Great Britain was impeaching him. But as Jenkinson and Dundas, Sir George Howard and Powney*, voted with Fox and the majority, we begin to apprehend that number onef is not so great a friend to Hastings, as we supposed. The day after the debate, a diamond arrived from the East Indies, as a present to the King, which Major Scott either presented himself, or delivered to the proper person to be given to his Majesty. The friends of Hastings say, that if he had bribed as high as RumboldJ did, he would not have got into this scrape. It is disagreeable to me to write to you about public events, because you must, even at a dis- tance, know more of them, and be better able to account for them, than 1 can, or any of those whom I frequent, who must, necessarily, be very much, at present, in the dark. I am glad to find that the duty on carriages is taken off, or going to be so, as I certainly meditate an excursion to Paris. Nothing but the res angusta domi will keep me at home. I return you thanks for the hospitality and bonne chere you offer me, and can very fairly say, that your bribe would be a principal inducement to me for undertaking my journey to * M.P. for Windsor, one of the " King's friends." f The King. J Sir Thomas Rumbold. 380 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF Paris. Besides pour la rarete du fait, I should like to meet you and Mrs. Eden in the fourth* country. You remember, that if you go to Bengal, I am to go as your first minister to Calcutta. There is no other part of the world left for you to go now. ^ A creation of baronets, you see has taken place. They talk daily of a creation of peers ; I am not sure that they are not already made. Jenkinson has one leg already in the House of Lords, Bankesf , too, is close on his heels ; there are two more, whom I have heard named, but I do not recollect who they are. Town is still pretty full. A good many people at the opera. The new Imperial Minister J is arrived ; I hear he is a great connoisseur in books, and has brought a great library with him. The North family are going, for a few days, to the Bishop of Winches- ter's. Lady Clermont§ I have seen since her arrival. I find she has puffed you prodigiously at Paris, as a prodigy of talents and political knowledge. She tells me that you assured her that you would not stay in France more than six months ; you will, and the more you stay, I believe the more you will like your sejour. Give my best compliments to Mrs. Eden, and be- lieve me most sincerely yours, A. Storer. Mr. Storer to Mr. Eden. Golden Square, June 30, 1786. Dear Eden, — I cannot let this post go away with- out acknowledging your short, but very entertaining account of Parisian news, and I wish I could return you anything as agreeable, in order to make up for the shortness of my present letter. I came home last night, or rather very early this morning, after having * Mr. Storer had already met Mrs. Eden in England, Ireland, and America. f Mr. Bankes was never created a peer. J Count Rewitzky. § Lady Clermont, wife of the last Earl of Clermont, a great friend of Marie Antoinette. WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 381 lost more money at faro, than would have paid for an expedition to Paris, cursing myself for my folly and obliged to lay a-bed all the day from the fatigue of sitting so many hours at play, and from having got, what I do with a great deal more ease than I do money, viz., a head-ache. London seems at present moving into the country, Everything against Mr. Hastings is over for this Session. Major Scott's* ac- count about Mr. Hastings's letter, and the message which he was to deliver to Lord Sydney, seem to make this affair about the diamond very mysterious. It is strange that eleven days should elapse without his being able to see the Secretary of State, when the letter was so very pressing for his delivering the message. Lord Fairford and Sir Godfrey Webster are married, the first yesterday, the latter on Tuesday. It is said that his Majesty either has or means to in- terfere respecting Stuart's fighting Lord Macartneyf again. Stuart has published a pamphlet, wherein he says very harsh things to Lord Macartney, and what seems to be perfectly unjustifiable after a duel. By the by, I hear that my friend Crosbie has been waiting in the Champs ElyscSes an hour and a half for his an- tagonist, and was at last disappointed. The world tl links the Duke of Dorset very much recovered. Adhemar is upon the point of going to Paris, not much regretted, very few people, I believe, wishing for his return. Lord and Lady Beauchamp talk of going to Spa, and from thence to Paris ; as his Lord- ship is not very decided in his motions, you must not be too sure of receiving a visit from him at the Hotel d'Elboeuf, they are both gone to Bagley for three weeks or a month. George North's wife lays in at Bushey; that's a piece of news for Mrs. Eden, to whom of course you will remember me. I remain, &c, yours very sincerely, A. Storer. * Major Scott was Hastings's agent. f Lord Macartney, late Governor of Madras. Stuart was Com- mander-in-Chief. They quarrelled, and a duel was fought on June the 8th in Kensington Gardens. 382 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF Lord Loughborough to Mr. Eden. Dear Eden, — It gives me great satisfaction to re- ceive a confirmation of the accounts I have heard that Mrs. Eden and you find everything agreeable to you at Paris. Early hours and short dinners are great circumstances in your comforts, and the air as well as the diet is much lighter, I believe, than in London. There is no point of French breeding I ad- mire more than the precision with which they observe the hour of an}^ appointment, and the neglect of it is the most uncomfortable circumstance of a London life. My dinner-parties have been brought within a very narrow compass for some months past, and I believe, nothing has contributed so much to preserve me in better health and spirits than I have usually felt at the close of a very busy term. Since the first of May, I have never had one vacant day, and seldom passed less than six hours in court. My other work has been entirely stopped, for there is no thinking what the law of England has been, when one is em- ployed every hour in deciding what it is. I have drawn a plan of a much larger edifice than I shall live to finish, though a great many of the materials are provided, and I have got my building above ground, for 1 have completed the first part, which comes as far as the reign of Edward I.: the books I chiefly want are, " Les Etablissemens de St. Louis," " Les Assizes de Jerusalem," and " Beaumanoir."* I am not able to give a more accurate account of them, for the books which refer to them cite them without any particular description. The last of the three I take to be a work similar to our "Littleton," and equally well known in the law. A little bookseller f goes from hence in a few days, by whom I shall trouble you with a letter, and ask your protection for him. The great subject of conversation here, is the Prince's reform of his establishment. The account of * An edition of this work was published in Paris in 1690. t Edwards of Pall Mall. WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 883 this event in the newspapers is true in substance, but false in many of the particulars. The fact is, that having received what he took to be a decided refusal of any aid to discharge his debts, he formed, without communicating it to any person, a determination to retrench. The first intimation of it was by a letter to Lord Southampton, expressed in very kind and handsome terms, directing him to signify his inten- tions to the rest of his family, and to bring his key. A general sale of his horses, and other measures to reduce all unnecessary expenses, were immediately ordered, and I am persuaded will be steadily pursued, because I know with certainty that the idea was the result of his own reflection (no adviser having ven- tured to propose it), and had been long in his mind, though never declared. He is pleased with himself, as I understand, and the public seems unanimous in approbation of his conduct. I was much afraid of the next accounts of poor Lord Northington ; he is a great loss to his friends. My best love to Mrs Eden and all your nursery. I ever am, dear Eden, Yours most affectionately, Loughborough. Mr. Storer to Mr. Eden. Golden Square, July 14, 1786. Dear Eden, — I arrived in town late last night, when I found your letter upon my table. As I have not the books, &c, about me which are necessary in order to answer the researches of your female in- quirer satisfactorily, you will forgive me if I postpone answering your letter on that subject till the next post, or perhaps till this day se'nnight, that I may not put your Excellency to the expense of postage. I have been for a few days making a circuit about Bushey and Richmond. On Monday last Mrs. North was brought to bed of a son, which died on Wed- nesday. Mrs. North, as I understand, bears her loss 384 THE COKRESPOXDEXCE OF with fortitude, and is very well. The death of this child is, I take for granted, a great disappoint- ment to George North. He still continues as do- mestic as ever. By this time you have forgotten all conversation about the Cardinal and Caglios- tro. Madame de la Motte, though inscripta nomine regum, probably will not be for the future much talked of. The Prince of Wales will supply you, as he does us, with ample topics for conversation. Economy and reform are the principles on which he is to act. I think if he expects that his Majesty will be induced by any motives to pay his debts, that he is mistaken. The King's own letter seems to preclude him from laying any burdens on his subjects, i.e., from paying his Royal Highness's debts, but undoubtedly the Prince of Wales will pay his own debts by perse- vering in the plan laid down: et cela revient au meme. Besides this measure is likely to gain great popularity ; it is just and honourable, pleases the young, and must be approved of by the old ; none can complain of it but some of his servants, who have no other resource but from the Prince's salary attached to their offices : such, for example, as Lord Spencer Hamilton and Mr. Stanhope. Jenkinson is made a Peer, and there was a report that he was to have the Duchy of Lan- caster, — Lord Clarendon to resign in his favour, and Lord Hyde was to have Lord Galway's place, what he was to have I did not hear. This may be, and is most probably, all a lie. Lord Galway, if he can afford to make his late purchase, does not seem to want a place. He has bought Clermont for thirty thousand pounds. I heard, too, from tolerable good authority, that Lord Apsley was to have the reversion of Lord Thurlow's tellership, but Welbore Ellis* told me in the town of Richmond yesterday morning, that there was an Act of Parliament which made that im- possible. I had not time, being on a fretful horse, to * Afterwards Lord Mendip. WILLIAM, FIRST LOUD AUCKLAND. 385 stay to hear the whole of his argument, and took my leave of him uninformed. Keene* has a most delightful villa at Richmond. It is pleasant to see a man who had two houses gratis, and a place in the Chamberlain's department, who was so poor as not to be able to subsist, and now that he is deprived of both of his houses, and his place, he is laying out a great deal of money in alterations and improvements. Do not talk to me of Cagliostro's resources, — Keene's are full as won- derful. Neither the Duke of Queensberry nor George Selwyn were at*Kichmond : it was not wonderful that the Duke of Queensberry was not in his own house, however beautiful and comfortable it might be, he had rather be in the worst inn than in the best house of his own. As I am an idle man, my Greek masterf having left me on account of his paralytic disorder, I shall undertake your lady's business, and busy myself with the family of Vere for the next two or three days. Give my best compliments to Mrs. Eden, and believe me yours, &c. Most sincerely, A. Storer. * Colonel Keene. t Dr. Ilarvvood. VOL. 1. C C 386 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF CHAP. XII. The King and Queen at Blenheim. — Lord Harcourt's sufferings. — Mrs. Eden's Nursery. — Mr. Storer at Paris. — The Duke of Dorset's opinions of merchants. — Lord Sheffield's attacks on the Commercial Treaty. — Mr. Eden's defence of it. — Lord Sheffield and the Duchess of Gordon. — Sir James Harris and the French Count. — Plays at Richmond House. — Blindness of Lord North. — The Polignacs. — The Prince of Wales's Debts. — Alderman Newnham's motion. The reader of Madame d'Arblay's Diary will re- collect her complaints about her sufferings when at Nuneham attending on the Queen. It appears from the following letter from the Duchess of Marlborough that the great personages worked harder, although they did not complain so much. Complaints, too, are made of the inattention of Lord Harcourt's family. No doubt the thoughts of the family were directed to their Royal Visitors. Lord Harcourt's sufferings seem to have been of the severest descrip- tion. The Duchess of Marlborough to the Archbishop of Canterbury. Blenheim, Aug. 16th, 1786. My dear Lord, — Ever since I received your letter I have been too busy to answer it. We were much obliged to your Grace for your intelligence concerning their Majesties, but no invitation was required, as Lord Harcourt wrote the Duke of Marlborough word of their intention of honouring us with their com- pany to breakfast, but made a mistake in the day, which would have been very disagreeable had we not got better information from their Majesties them- selves at Oxford, where we went to receive them, and WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 387 made part of their suite in the theatre. The Duke of Marlborough wore his doctor's gown, and he and Blandford stood in the area with the doctors, and kissed the King's hand immediately after the Vice- Chancellor. Lord Iiarcourt stood b}^ the King's chair. Their Majesties were much pleased with their reception both at Oxford and here, as they were so good as to say, and, indeed, considering the shortness of the notice, it all went off very well. They stayed here from eleven till six. We had breakfast for them in the library, and after they returned from seeing the Park, some cold meats and fruit. Lord and Lady Iiarcourt told us that we were to sit as lord and lady of the bedchamber all the time they stayed here ; and poor Lord Harcourt seemed quite happy to be able to rest himself, and the Duke of Marl- borough found him sitting down behind every door where he could be concealed from royal eyes. We were just an hour going over the principal floor, as they stopped and examined everything in every room, and we never sat down during that hour, or indeed very little, but while we were in the carriages, which fatigued me more than anything else, as I was not at all well at the time. Lord Harcourt told the Duke of Marlborough that he had been full-dressed in a bag and sword every morning since Saturday, but the Duke of Marlborough could not follow his example in that as he had no dress coat or sword in the country. He desires me to tell you that he had no misgivings, all the apprehensions were on up- side ; nobody could do the thing better or more thoroughly than he did. His eyes are better, and he means soon to bathe, which, I think, will contribute to strengthen them. I must assure your Grace that I am much nattered with the compliments you pay me, and I assure you I did the best I could to make good your words. How far I succeeded I cannot say. I have now written a much longer letter than I intended, but the subject must be my excuse for taking up so c c 2 388 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF much of your time. Whenever you have leisure, a letter from you will give me great pleasure. I was very glad to hear what you told us about the Prince, as it enabled us to contradict many ill-natured stories that have been propagated in this neighbour- hood respecting his reception at Windsor. Their Majesties did not name him at all. The accounts you will see in the papers will probably give a much better description of all they saw and did than I can, for, indeed, my head is far from clear, and has ached ever since they left us, but I was determined not to put off writing to you the first moment I could. We all join in compliments to Mrs. Moore. I am, my dear Lord, Your affectionate and faithful friend. The Duke of Dorset to Mr. Eden. (Most Private.) London, August 18th, 1786. I have only a minute's time to inform you that Lord Hawkesbury showed me to-day the draft of the treaty they wish to have concluded with Spain, which they mean to send to Madrid in a day or two. He asked me whether I thought it best to com- municate the contents of it to M. de \ r ergennes, or to let him wait for that intelligence from the Spanish Minister. I advised him to lose no time in acquaint- ing M. de Vergennes with it, who would be exceed- ingly flattered by such a mark of confidence, and begged Lord Hawkesbury at the same time that that intimation might be conveyed by you to M. de Ver- gennes, having no sort of confidence in my deputy* , so that I hope in the course of a week you will have this commission to execute, unless a noble Marguisf should throw some difficulties in the way, and wish this business to go into other hands, which, by the by, entre nous, I don't think he has credit enough to effect. There was an amazing full levee to-day ; * Mr. Hailes, the Secretary of Legation, at Paris. | Lord Carmarthen. WILLIAM, FIRST LOED AUCKLAND. 389 addresses from all parts ; Lord Clarendon has the post office. Lord Tankerville resigned on account of Palmer* (the projector of the new plan) being ap- pointed Comptroller-general, which in fact renders the Postmasters without power or use. Several originals were knighted, all of whom I have forgot, and hope never to see again. Few people in town. The Duke of Rutland mat a son aise in Ireland ; the Whiteboys beginning to grow exceedingly troublesome, upon whose account he has been obliged to defer his tour into the north. Mr. Orde is gone to Spa, and Sack- ville Hamilton is the active man. The gay world in London is all dispersed, and Brookes' is reduced to a little sober whist, which I have contrived to let cost me near five hundred pounds. I beg my best compli- ments to Mrs. Eden, and believe me most truly and sincerely yours, Dorset. P.S. — Mrs. Nicholson is very quiet in Bedlam ; she has desired to have the use of pen, ink and paper, which they have given her ; the Chancellor is better ; Lord Mansfield but so so. Lord Loughborough to Mr. Eden. Bath, 6th Sept. 1786. Dear Eden, — It was not till Monday last that I knew you had been so good as to procure for me the two books I mentioned to you, though I understand they have been a long while in my study. At the close of the circuit, I went to Tunbridge, where Lady Loughborough had been for some time, by Farquhar's direction, and had no intercourse with London. 1 passed through it on Monday, in my way to Bath, where I was obliged to go, not on account of health, but to enable our friend Paynef to bar an entail of an estate in Antigua. " Beaumanoir" seems to be ex- * Mr. Talmcr was the " Rowland Hill " of his day ; he carried out the mail-coach system, f Sir Ralph Payne. «• c 3 390 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF actly the book I wanted, though I had not time to compare it with the passages cited by the Abbe Mably, which had occasioned my desire to possess the book. It has been a great mortification to me to be obliged to pass so much time at Tunbridge, neither amused nor employed, though I have the satisfaction to find that the waters have been of great service to Lady Loughborough. Lord Mansfield, I am afraid, will not do equal credit to them this year ; their powers as to him become less effectual every season ; very few of your acquaintances, or of mine, have been at Tunbridge this year, and the place has been altogether uninteresting. Edwards expresses the highest gratitude for your kindness to him, and thinks himself under most essential obligations for some introductions you procured him. Tt has not fallen in my way to see any of the travel- lers from Paris this summer, but every report says that Mrs. Eden's nursery is the admiration of the Court and town ; that they make parties to see it ; that she has made domestic life quite fashionable, and they are only surprised to find that she has not yet written any books for the instruction of her children. I take it for granted that you will pass a good part of the winter abroad ; the society at that season, I have always been told, is much more agreeable at Paris, and more united than it is in the summer, and I am sure the reverse of that is the case in England. From the meeting of Parliament all society ceases by the continual interruption of late hours, and the conversation becomes only a hash of debates. My love to Mrs. Eden and all her little Parisians. I ever am, dear Eden, Yours &c. Loughborough. The Duke of Dorset to Mr. Eden. Knole, Sept, 8th, 1786. Dear Eden, — It is the old story over again of my not returning to Paris. I assure yon at present my WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 391 intention is to be with you next month without fail. My family affairs will detain me till towards the 16th or 17th ; and I cannot leave this country without putting things upon a footing that they may go on without me. I saw Lord Hawkesbury yesterday at Court : upon the whole, he is much satisfied with your proceedings, but is not quite so with M. de Vergen- nes. You may, perhaps, have it in your power to re- pair this, and I hope you will, as I should be sorry that those who are always preaching up the doctrine of mistrust in French professions of friendship should have the least reason to encourage others in the same sentiments. Dundas is just arrived from the High- lands, and a consultation has been held about Indian matters. It seems there has been some awkwardness respecting the searching of French ships. Macpher- son and the council have given up the point, contrary (at least) to the meaning of the last Treaty of Peace. Mr. Pitt, I believe, is a good deal displeased with the Governor* and Council upon this occasion. The proposed Treaty with Spain is not yet sent ; perhaps Lord Walsingham may carry it. I think you might mention it to M. de Vergennes in a very confiden- tial way, but, however, I cannot pretend to advise you. Lord Hawkesbury told it to me in confidence. Our win- dowf friend does a great deal of mischief ; he writes all sorts of nonsense, and makes mountains of mole-hills. No man, I believe, is more desirous of becoming a mountain than himself, but, however, I don't think, as yet, he is in the right road, and will continue for some time a mole. The ArchdukeJ and his spouse s'amusent beaucoup sur les trottoirs, and walk about the streets all day long. The King and Queen have been very gracious to them. The Prince of Wales had a bad fall from his horse last Tuesday, but re- * Sir John Macpherson was Governor of Bengal. -f Mr. Hailes, the Secretary to the Embassy at Paris, is here alluded to. The Duke and Mr. Eden had talked about his demerits near a window. The Archduke Albert and the Archduchess Christine, sister of Marie Antoinel 4 392 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF ceived no hurts ; he has verified the old proverb. I hear no more of the cordon, but I think it is in a fair way for me, so I say nothing ; the first time you see M. de Vergennes dites-lui, je vous prie, Men des choses de ma part. Pray make my best compliments to Mrs. Eden, and believe me most truly and sincerely yours, Dorset. P.S. — The Duke and Duchess of Buccleuch propose setting out for Paris in about ten days, on their way to Rome. The Duke of Dorset to Mr. Eden. London, Oct. 6th, 1786. Dear Eden, — Many thanks to you for your agreeable intelligence respecting the success of your Treaty. I sincerely congratulate you upon it. You have found by experience that I did not overrate the disposition of the French Court in being ready to meet us half- way at least. I am convinced things may be carried still further, if we wish it, here ; but I have not yet sounded Mr. Pitt or Lord Hawkesbury upon that head. I was in hopes of being able to set out next week, but the absence of Mr. Pitt from London prevents me; he is gone to his mother's, in Somersetshire; he is exceedingly afflicted at the loss of his sister*, and Mr. Eliot is quite inconsolable. You will see by the papers that Fawkener has kissed hands as Commissioner to settle a treaty with Portugal. He sets out this day on his mission ; he hopes to return time enough to lay his business be- fore Parliament, in December; the meeting, I hear, is fixed for the latter end of next month. I saw the Chancellor, the other day, at Buxton ; he is certainly recovering very fast. I know no particular news. People in general are very much pleased with your Treaty ; the principal * Lady Harriett Pitt, married to Mr. Edward James Eliot, son of Lord Eliot. WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 393 merchants in the City don't choose to give an opinion about it ; anything, if novel, is apt to stupify mer- chants. They think, if they go out of the beaten track, they must be losers. I never saw the King in such spirits, — they rise in proportion to the stocks, which are beyond the san- guine expectations of everybody. The Heir apparent is still at Brighton and drives the whole world away. I beg my best compliments to Mrs. Eden. If the Queen and Monseigneur should ask any more after me, pray say the delay of my arrival is no fault of mine. I hear no more of the riband* from head* quarters ; but everybody tells me I am certainly to have it ; a feAV days must clear up this mystery. I am most truly and sincerely yours, Dorset. Lord Sheffield to Mr. Eden. 25th Oct. 1786. I have letters from all parts of this island, and as yet there seems to be general approbation ; but that need not be very flattering. Scarce anybody knows enough, or will know enough, to find out defects for some time. I cannot sufficiently admire the following paragraph in your letter : — " The unwise system of modern party exertions will help John Bull to be ab- surd, wherever any handle presents itself." Nothing can be prettier, more innocent and sentimental ; but I wonder you should expend such pretty things on me. You mistook. They were intended for some of the Chambers of Manufactures. Be it known to you that we, the friends of the country, shall think it our duty to point out and remonstrate when mischief threatens, lurks, etc. I, however, have been so simple a politician as to state that you had done your busi- ness well ; and having had a correspondence with * The Duke of Dorset was most anxious about the garter. He was disappointed on this occasion, as it was conferred on Lord Cornwallis. 394 THE CORKESPONDENCE OP chief of all kinds, except those of the immaculate administration, my opinion, with a reserve, is pretty well known, but I have always declared much de- pends on what administration may further do. I am glad Mrs. Eden has had an opportunity of seeing Fontainebleau. My Lady is quite well, and is quite of your faction. I do not mean that she at- taches herself much to Mr~ Pitt. She is, however, jealous of Mrs. Eden, and says I am blind to the same merits at home. — Yours ever most faithfully, Sheffield. Lord Sheffield to Air. Eden. Brighton, 20th Nov. 178G. I write this in time that it may meet you on your arrival at Beckenham. Perhaps you may find Lambeth too distant from your business. I told my friend Wyatt that he might let my house in Downing Street ; if he has not, you may find it convenient from the 28 th November to the 14th of December, and not prevent the letting of it. It is the last winter the age of my daughters will allow me to stay in the country. If I don't let the house, I may be tempted to London as I was last year. I have a considerable operation in the building way to begin in the spring. I shall spend my time and money most to my satis- faction in the country. If the house is not let, you may have it very reasonable, for the year. It will be a fine situation for flirting Avith your new master or for attending the War Office. The house is very convenient, and excellent stables and coach-houses in Fludyer Street belong to it. I shall be very desirous of seeing you. I wish Mrs. Eden could come and look at us. I shall have difficulty in getting to London, for I expect different sets of company after my return to Sheffield Place next Sunday. As you begin to be too vain about your Treaty, it is necessary that I should prepare for your arrival a WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 395 statement of the mischievous admissions and lament- able omissions in the Treaty. I forgot to acknow- ledge in my late letter that no envoy or politician ever expressed himself so amiably and sentimentally as you — viz., that you would not promote the hellish trade in negroes. However, your amiability will not prevent the trade ; you do not know what an immense business it is. Please to recollect that oar islands could not be cultivated without them. Pray write as soon as you arrive. — Yours most faithfully, Sheffield. P.S. — There is a good sort of woman in the Downing Street house who would assist your servants. The Duke of Dorset to Mr. Eden. (Private.) Paris, Nov. 23rd, 1786. Dear Eden, — Nothing material has happened since you left us, not even un rechauffe* from our window friend. The King saw the foreign ambassadors on Tuesday, on purpose to give me an opportunity of de- li veri no- my letters of notification of the melancholv event of the Princess Amelia's death. Their Majesties were of course ijenetrees. I have seen Messrs. Boulton and Watt ; they are gone to-day to Versailles to meet M. de Calonne and M! de Vergennes. They are both very respectable men, and will do the greatest credit to our country if they have spirit to employ them. Calonne, I know, has enough, but I doubt old d'Argevilliers. I let them into the secret respecting the coolness if not enmity which subsists between Breteuil and the Comptroller f, which they felt, the importance of, as both those Ministers are pressing them to undertake jobs in and about Paris. They spoke in high terms of the Treaty. There is no news as yet from Rayneval. M. de Vergennes is soine- * The rechauffe was the despatch sent to the Foreign Office from the embassy. The duke did not appreciate the literary efforts of his subaltern. f M. Calonne. 396 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF thing better, though he mends but slowly. I beg my best compliments to Mrs. Eden. The children were all well last night. Adieu. Most truly and sincerely yours, Dorset. Mr. Storer was now in I^aris, and seems to have been very active in superintending the education of Mr. Eden's children. Mr. Storer to Mr. Eden.* A l'Hotel du Palais Royal, Thursday, Nov. 23rd, 1786. Dear Eden, — All your children are perfectly well, or were so yesterday morning. Je ne les ai pas em- brasses d 'aujourd 'hid, excepting Eleanor f, whose sore throat, however, is better than it was when you left Paris. I have seen them with the French, the drawing, and the dancing-master J; it is perfectly VEcole des Arts. I know of no news since Monday, except that the Treaty of Commerce is in the French Gazette, and of course, from its publication, it becomes again a subject of more conversation. William § seems not to divert himself so well as he did with you. He is obliged to make a pis alter of the groom, with which he is not quite satisfied. Give my best compliments to Mrs. Eclen. I hope she and the child are not the worse for the journey. I remain, yours, &c, most sincerely, A. Storer. P. S. — Eleanor says that she does not know what is become of her sore throat, so that we may safely say all is well aboard our vessel. Adieu ! * Mr. and Mrs. Eden had gone to England for a few weeks. f Afterwards Lady Buckinghamshire. J Mr. Storer's own dancing was perfection. Lord Carlisle writes to George Selwyn, in 1775 : — "Why should you not tell me what Storer said at Richmond ? But whoever was offended must have forgiven him when he danced his minuet at the assembly, or he must have been a very' hard-hearted person indeed." — George Selwyn and his Contempo- raries, vol. iii. p. 108. § Mr. Eden's eldest son. WILLIAM, FIKST LORD AUCKLAND. 397 The Duke of Dorset to Mr. Eden. (Private.) Paris, Dec. 7th, 1786. Dear Eden, — There is a very great dearth of novelty here ; old Vergennes is very far from well. I mentioned to him the substance of your letter to me, which flattered him ; he told me the Marechal de Castries has already returned to him the project of the nrticles respecting the Consuls. I shall refer you to my public letter for news. What Hailes's rechauffe to Fraser is this week I dont exactly know ; but there is great room for speculation and conjecture about Holland, Prussia, and Austria. Madame de Lamballe has been very ill of a fever, but is now out of danger ; she inquired very much after you, and Mrs. Eden. I told her you meant to return about the 17th. I un- derstand that Lamotte, the husband of the famous lady of that name, is going to publish a memoir in England, about the affairs of the necklace, the Car- dinal, &c. As much mention will, in all probability, be made of the Queen, it is a pity such a publication could not be stopped, as it can contain nothing but falsehood and calumny, and will create much ill- humour and even acrimony a la Cour ici. If a good clever fellow, who was well acquainted with the parties, and the transaction, could be found to answer it immediately, the effect here would be much les- sened ; and I see no other remedy, as it must be impossible to prevent the publication. Le redacteur du Courrier de I 1 Europe is paid by the French court. Might not he be prevailed on to undertake for a hundred pounds or two (the money would by no means be thrown away) to undeceive the public. 1 assure you this is an object in the present temper of the times worth attention. We have plenty of English here, Lord Pembroke amongst the rest. Vos cnfans se portent bien ; but I have never yet been able to go to them (as Mrs. Eden heard me tell them), at pudding time. My best compliments to her, s'il vous 398 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF plait. Pray bring me a new Court Calendar and Almanack. I am, with the greatest regard and truth, yours most faithfully and sincerely, Dorset. P.S. — Mr. Pitt told me he would send me a letter, to show to Lord Hervey ; will you be so good as to re- mind him of it, and tell him it is not yet too late. Mr. Storer to Mr. Eden. A l'Hotel du Palais Royal, Dec. 7th, 1786. Dear Eden, — I hardly know whether it is worth while writing to you, as most probably, if you set out time enough to get here by the 15th, you will have left England before this reaches you : but to announce to you that your children are well is always a good reason for writing. They were flattered with the hopes of a visit from Madame Lascape ; but she never came. Our dancing and French masters have gone on prodigiously well. They have invited me very often to come to dine with them, but as yet I have not been able to accept of their invitation. Since you left Paris I have received a letter from Lord Beauchamp, who means, as he says, to pass part of the winter at Strasburg. It is not exactly the place where I should choose to pass my time, had I the power, as Lord Beauchamp has, of living very well in either Paris or London. I am sorry to find that Sir Ralph procrastinates his journey to a warmer climate : you may depend upon it that he has no time to lose. Your accounts are bad of Frederick North* and Lady Elizabethf , but 1 hope all will turn out well. Morton is a lucky fellow to get so large a fortune. You know how difficult it is to pick up any news here; except what regards oneself there is very little else to be known. I have dined with his Grace of Dorset, Arancla, Roucherolles, Souza, &c. &c. Lord Kerry is * Third son of Lord North. 7 Lady Elizabeth Henley, sister of the last Earl of Northington, married 7th August, 1783, to Mr. Morton Eden. WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 399 coming into the Hotel de l'Universite. The Baron Bezenval's house is very pleasant : there I get whist — at the Salon they play too deep for me. I know very little of the motions of our countrymen. [ believe that the great General Dairy m pie goes away to-day. He is no great loss, except amongst the filles de V opera. Lord Pembroke* is arrived here. He went from Sicily to Gibraltar, from thence to Lisbon, and so on to Madrid, from whence he is now arrived at Paris. Were I my Lord Pembroke, I think too, as I do of Lord Beauchamp, that I should prefer Wilton and Ragley to Strasburg or Gibraltar. Mrs. Greville is come to stay some time in Paris. I am to dine with her on Friday at the Due de Nivernois'. I go to-day to hear a dramatic piece read at Madame de Kouche- rolle's — void de mes nouvelles : as for any other, I know none ; your correspondent will inform you in your weekly letter. Adieu. Give my best compli- ments to Mrs. Eden, and pray bring me some shirts. I remain, most sincerely yours, A. Stoker. Lord Sheffield to Mr. Eden. Sheffield Place, 11th Feb. 1787. I know nothing about Carlton House. I have un- derstood that neither the Prince nor his friends wish to bring forward anything relative to him at present. I delayed writing because I supposed you would be in London last week to prepare for the debate of to-morrow ; but as you mention no such intention, and I hear nothing of you, I suppose you do not intend to appear till the detail is debated, yet I do not understand how you are excused present attendance. You are a peg too high at least on the subject of the Treaty. It will be incumbent on us to bring you a peg lower. You say, as to these matters, living in the kingdom of France is like living; in the kingdom of heaven. I apprehend, when you arrive you will * Henry 10th Earl of Pembroke. 400 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF rather fancy yourself in the other kingdom. You will not find the Treaty quite so great a favourite as you imagined. Some of the manufacturers who expect an immediate profit and for a few years, still seem friendly to it, but I do not hear of any others, who pretend to have any comprehension of the subject, that are not alarmed. I am not content, from this my retreat, spargere voces in vulgum ambiguas, but I take every proper opportunity of writing grave let- ters, filled with sagacious, firm, vigorous opinions ; and am almost ashamed of our eager expectations from a French Treaty. I have really figged myself so high on the subject, that if I had not had commu- nication with you, I verily believe I should write < strenuously against it, and with as much force and as good argument as ever I did or was supposed to do. The political part is a fine theme, and there is good nibbling at least at the tariff. I am afraid you will repent your inattention to my sage advice, viz., not to conclude too soon. It would have been prudent to settle with Portugal first, and to have finished the treaties with Russia and Spain. It was a wicked thing to quarrel so incessantly with Portugal, which takes more of our great staple woollens than any country (six times as much as Russia), and whose imports from this country are increasing so much. But to return to the manufacturers : it must be your education in France that has made such a change in your manners and politeness towards them; for I remember the time when with great live- liness you wondered how I could find time to talk with them, that you could not, and with difficulty suffered Mr. Wedgwood to be introduced to you while I collected and collated other friends. These tender remarks undoubtedly are due to you ; as to the rest you should be grateful to me, as perhaps the only friend that does not flatter you too much. As to pamphlets, they come out in such abundance that I could only read the two first ; and if it is the complete investigation that you mean, I entirely agree WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 401 that it is completely incomplete; yet there are some good parts ; surely it is time something better should appear. There are several pamphlets with references on the top like mine. Yours faithfully, Sheffield. Mr. Eden to Lord Sheffield. Paris, Feb. 1737. My dear Lord, — Many thanks for yours, because I am sincerely glad to hear from you, even when I cannot assent to one single line in vour letter. The death of M. de Vergennes, preceded by a three weeks' illness, has thwarted my plans most des- perately, for I am, at this hour, precisely in the situation, as to all matters of business, as I was on the day of signing the Convention — M. de Vergen- nes' illness having taken place the day following, and his successor being yet hardly warm in his office. Consequently, the few arrears which I have necessarily to settle before I go, and which I hoped to have finished about this time, remain in static quo. In other respects also, and in a more serious degree, the death of M. de Vergennes gives me the utmost concern. I have seen many public men of different countries and descriptions, and it is a jus- tice which 1 owe to the dead, without any disgrace to the living, to say that J never met with any man whose manner of acting, both in official and private life, was to me more satisfactory or more pleasing. During nearly ten months that I had almost daily access to him, I never met with any circumstance that gave me even a momentary distrust ; in the be- ginning of our negotiation, when I had a great want of language, he was patient, polite, and encouraging : he gradually became cheerful, cordial, and friendly ; and the last morning that I passed with him, which was the last of his doing business, 1 could not help remarking, when I came home, that it was impossible VOL. I. D D 402 THE CORRESPOXDE^X , E OF for me not to acknowledge that his conduct towards me, from my first arrival to that moment, had been such as to entitle him both to respect and affection. I know that in England we have, in some quarters, unforgiving feelings relative to him* ; but I know also that he had great public talents and great private virtues. And in discussion between man and man, I always found that he went as directly and as fairly to the point as Mr. Fox himself can do, which is saying much. How can you twist and pervert your own superior understanding so as to affect even to give countenance to all the anti-Gallican nonsense which is encouraged in England ? It does well enough in House of Com- mons speeches when the subject furnishes nothing better ; but, further, when the feelings of coffee- houses and tavern meetings are in question it is a poor business. I am not so respectful, however, towards my countrymen, as to deny that it is possible to persuade a great number of them that the treaty of commerce has repealed Magna Charta, and the Bill of Rights, and the Habeas Corpus, and has actually introduced an universal excise and wooden shoes. But it will be the nonsense of a few weeks, and they will afterwards con- sider it with the same sneer as you would do if you were at the opposite side of this table and were talking fairly about it with me. I certainly do not pretend to foresee to what this new friendship be- tween the nations will tend ; possibly to something bad in the course of time. Still less do I pretend to foresee to what the contingencies of the old system of commercial hostility would have tended ; probably, also, to something calamitous, and that soon. But in the mean time I am satisfied by all the sound principles of national policy that I can trace in the writings of David Hume, Adam Smith, Lord Sheffield, M. Necker, etc., that it would not only * M. de Vergennes was Foreign Minister during the American Avar, and had materially contributed to the loss of the American Colonies. WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 403 have been absurd, but immoral in the extreme, to have declined the present experiment, great and precarious as it may be. In the present moment it gives bread and employment, and prosperity, to millions ; and as to futurity, the prospects are, at least, as good as they were. So much for my creed : at the same time, I have perfect charity towards those who either think or pretend to think otherwise. I can even read with complacency those resolutions to which my old friend, Mr. Walker, has been induced to sign his name, though they are grossly the reverse of anything that is called either wise, or acute, or ingenious. When you menace me with the wavering and fickle disposition of the manufacturers, you remind me of what I well know. It is very certain that those who gain on such occasions, are shy and sly, and snug and silent ; that those who do not gain, are disingenuous, and sullen, and suspicious ; and those who either lose or think that they may lose, are con- foundedly noisy, and absurd, and mischievous. Such is the state of men : and yet I wish them well, whether in this courtly state of banishment, or in the groves of Beckenham, where I shall be glad to find myself in a few weeks, and to have the occasion of making a visit to Lady Sheffield, who, I am sure, will not have lost her good sense in despite of all the per- versions that her lord is propagating. Where did you find that the export of woollens to Portugal is increasing ? The fact is not so. For the last four years it was little more than 400,000/. a year, and formerly it was near 600,000/. It sounds pompous to say that it is six times greater than to Russia ; but it is greater even to little Denmark, and four times greater to the Dutch Provinces than to the Imperial Russia. I must finish, being summoned by Mrs. Eden and the girls to a chilcls' ball. Believe me, my dear Lord, ever most sincerely yours, Wm. Eden. i. i> 2 404 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF Lord Sheffield to Mr. Eden. Sheffield Place, 27th Feb. 1787. I am sorry for Vergennes, on your account. In one respect I think it advantageous to you. It will be a good excuse for your not appearing in Parlia- ment this Session to defend your infernal Treaty. It is absolutely necessary and incumbent on us to abuse you when you pretend to defend it. If you are wise, you will avail yourself of the opportunity of passing your time agreeably. I like your account of Vergennes very much. If his death had happened sooner it would have been more fortunate for the English ministry ; it might have interrupted the Treaty, but it can now only perplex the execution of it. Every disappointment, check, and failure will very properly be laid to the charge of the new system ; and the Minister will soon feel the consequence of his rashness in departing from the old course which had proved so successful. I knew nothing of Walker's* resolutions in the Chamber of Manufactures till I saw them in the newspapers. They were very moderate and proper. But Wedg- wood having managed so ill, and Walker being DO.' O denied at Manchester, I apprehend the Chamber will become very insignificant. I am sorry I was not in London to assist. I know little except from news- papers, from which it appears that the Treaty has been very ably attacked, and most miserably de- fended, in Parliament. The young gentleman f is going on just as I could wish, very extravagantly and very absurdly. Why is he to be so much com- mended for the mechanical operation of simplifying the customs ? I intended to have sent to you a statement much in favour of the reduction of the duty on brandy to * Mr. Walker was a Manchester manufacturer. He disapproved of the Treaty, t Mr. Pitt. WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 405 55., which shows also that it is not necessary to reduce lower on rum than 5s. N.B. — There is a difference between necessary and prudent. I have not time nor space for it at present. It would be a proper measure in respect to revenue, independent of the Treaty, emphatically called the infernal. The Duchess of Gordon * will dance my house in Downing Street down. The Prince of Wales and Mrs. Fitzherbert f were there a few nights aw. It was observed what a revolution had taken place in that house. I promise a ball to your and my daughters there next winter. Lady Sheffield con- tinues to be prejudiced in respect to you, but cannot be so weak as to approve the Treaty. Yours faithfully, Sheffield. The folio wins: letter is from Mr. Eden's brother-in- law, Dr. Moore, Archbishop of Canterbury: — The Archbishop of Canterbury to Mr. Eden. Lambeth House, March 9, 1787. Not having seen the protest % in the newspapers, I send it you as a matter of some curiosity. The last days of debate were marked by a considerable degree of eagerness and peevishness, particularly on the part of Lord Stormont, and in some degree on that of Lord Loughborough. You have seen the accounts of the pulling caps between the Duke and the Marquis. § .Most people enjoyed it. We suppose it not to be over ; for there appears still a considerable resent- ment on each side, though not enough to produce anything serious in Hyde Park. People talk of your going to Spain. The Archbishop of York asked me * Lord Sheffield had let his house to the Duchess of Gordon. f The Prince oi' Wales's marriage with Mrs. Fitzherbert took place Dec. 21,1785. J The Protest against the Commercial Treaty. § The Duke of Richmond and Lord Lansdowne had a violent quarrel in the House of Lords with respect to the Duke's fortification scheme. i) i) 3 406 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF to-day with what foundation. I ventured to say none. Your mother begins to have fears. Oppo- sition play Jenkinson's game for him by daily calling upon and reprobating the Secretaries of State, who con- tinue, like Lord Godolphin, to say nothing, and will so continue. Lord Porchester speaks sharply and vehemently, but sans consequence. The Dissenters are about to move for repealing the Corporation and Test Acts, which occasions much dilemma to the Minister, for he must take a part. Beaufoy* moves it, whence many suppose Mr. Pitt means to support it. I have, however, good reason to be sure he has not as yet at least made up his mind so to do. I know, too, that Lord Lansdowne isf secretly the first mover of this business. If Mr. Pitt is neuter, it cannot pass the Commons, but if he is wise he will prevent its getting into debate there. Should it be discussed, it will be curious to see the management on the different sides of the House. The Speaker and Hatsell tell me they have no idea of its not being rejected upon the first motion. My anxiety on this subject makes me doubt this. I long to hear you are in habit of communication with M. de Montmorin, because, cela etant, we may expect you the sooner. I hear not a syllable of arrangements here. Adieu ! My love to Mrs. Eden and your children. Ever most affectionately yours, J. Cantuar. P.S. — Hastings J is coming up apace to our house. I am sorry Sir Gilbert is the man to pursue Sir Elijah, who is so nearly concerned with Alexander Elliot's § friend. * Mr. Beaufoy's motion was rejected by a majority of 78. f The Earl of Shelburne was created Marquis of Lansdowne, Dec. 6, 1 784. A step in the Peerage was the only offering made by Mr. Pitt to his former chief. J Warren Hastings. § Alexander Elliot, brother of Sir Gilbert. He was in the Civil Service in India, and was a devoted friend of Warren Hastings. He died in 1777. WILLIAM, FIKST LORD AUCKLAND. 407 Sir James Harris to Mr. Eden. Hague, April 10th, 1787. My dear Sir, — I must have recourse to your friend- ship to assist me in a matter of private business, which will, I hope, however, be attended neither with trouble nor inconvenience to you. Comte de Cotleun, whose name I believe scarce can be unknown to you, since he is supposed to have been a principal director in the affairs of the Court of Versailles here previous to M. de Rayneval's arrival, owes me 27,250 livres, which he has expressed a readiness to pay to any person I may appoint at Paris. 1 know no one through whose hands I can so safely trust such a considerable sum to pass as yourself; I have, therefore, written to him to-day to acquaint him that he will oblige me by paying it immediately to you, and to take (should he think it necessary) your receipt for it. But in case (and here is the only trouble this business can give you) you should not in the course of four or five days after the receipt of this letter hear from him, you will do me an essential favour in reminding him of his promise by sending him the enclosed note, and by adding a few civil but significant words of your own, in order that he may feel you are more or less interested in the business, and that I deem it full time for him to liquidate a debt contracted near a year ago. I am sure, my clear Eden, you will forgive me plaguing you with this commission, nor be surprised at my not being disposed instead of cash to receive 27,250 livres in civil speeches and fair promises. "When you get the money you will be kind enough either to remit it here or to England, by a bill of exchange, according as the course of exchange should be between the two countries. If, contrary to my expectations, Comte Cotleun should shuffle and pre- varicate, I shall advise with my friends what steps I shall then have to take in order to bring him to D D 4 408 THE CORRESPONDENCE OE reason. I however have no reason to expect any- thing but absolute poverty will induce him to delay or hesitate. Of course I flatter myself I shall not prove very troublesome to you on this occasion. I was made very happy to hear from Count T. Ben thick, that we have some chance of seeing you and Mrs. Eden here in the course of the summer. Nothing will give us more pleasure. Harriet joins in every kind compliment. Believe me, my dear Sir, most truly and sincerely, your most faithful and sincere friend, J. Harris. P.S You will be so good as to let me know beforehand of your coming, that I may get you apartments. Mr. Storer to Mr. Eden. Golden Square, April lOtb, 1787. Dear Eden, — I do not write to you to-day by way of sending you any news, for I am too new myself in London to know any ; but I take the first opportu- nity, even though I make you pay the postage of a letter for it, to thank you for all your civilities to me at Paris. Besides this, it is time that I should an- swer a letter which you wrote to me about seven months ago, and which I have never received till my arrival here. I congratulate you, of course, upon your having signed the Treaty, and am glad to find that it is concluded so much to your satisfaction in all respects. I hope, as you do, that it will tend to make us long and intimate friends with so great a country as France. My reason for having cut writing was that I intended to come and see you. If civility is shown by the length of my visit ; perhaps I shall pass for a polite man. As you have, since the writ- ing of your letter of the 28th of September, 1786, made a journey to England yourself, you perhaps there did what you wanted with regard to the por- WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 409 traits of Lord Loughborough and Lord Thurlow, if not, you will give me your orders again. I wish you a very pleasant voyage to Fontain- bleau. Much is said here about your going to Spain. I believe Lord Walsingham flattered himself that you would accept the embassy in order that he might be sure of keeping the Vice-treasurership, which, it is said, notwithstanding your refusal, Lord Walsingham will find it difficult to keep. Mr. Pitt wishes to give it to some one else. You must be better informed on these matters than I can be ; but I tell you the com- mon reports of the town. So far has it been considered as certain that you were to go to Spain, that letters have been written to me to advise me, if I ever meant to serve in the di- plomatic line, to apply to you to interest yourself in my favour to obtain the secretaryship of the embassy at Madrid. Mr. Lisfon being to be sent elsewhere, where he may have eight pounds per day. I saw Lord North before he went to Walmer ; he is grown very thin, and is all but blind — he could not distinguish the colour of the wine. As a piece of news for Mrs. Eden, Lord Herbert* was married on Sunday. A play is going to be acted at Richmond House, which occupies the public attention, but will not satisfy the town, as there can be only about eighty persons admitted at a time, and there are to be but three representations. Mrs. Bruce, Hobart, and Darner f, Lord Derby, Mr. Edgecumbe, and Sir H. Englefield, are the principal performers. How Mrs. Darner got there is a difficult matter to explain. Mr. Walpole says she will act excessively well. I forgot Mr. Arabin J, a famous actor, is to be one of the performers. His Majesty has not been well. The Prince of * Lord Herbert married a daughter of Johnson's friend, Topham Beauclerk. fMrs. Darner, daughter of General Conway, Horace Walpole'a friend. I John Arabin, an officer in the Life Guards, father of the late Ser- jeant Arabia. 410 THE CORRESPONDENCE OP Wales shook Mrs. Fitzherbert by the hand, both last night and the night before. If you are not satisfied with such important intelligence as this, Lord have mercy on you ! Moreover, I played two rubbers of whist with Sir John Eden, last night, at Brooke's. Major Scott*, as you will see by the papers, has got himself into a ridiculous scrape. I do not know what sort of an understanding one ought to have to conduct the affairs of a great empire ; perhaps Mr. Hastings and Mr. Scott have abilities of that sort, necessary for so important a task ; but I am sure that the two first men that one meets in the street could have managed the citra mare business better than either of them. Considering I thought that I had nothing to tell you, it seems that my matter has grown upon my hands. Give my best compliments to Mrs. Eclen ; and hoping that all your bambini are well, I remain yours most sincerely, A. Stoker. P.S. — Madame de Lascape never sent me my pack of cards. Lord Sheffield to Mr. Eden. Sheffield Place, 15th April, 1787. Your last fragment forbids me to write, saying you would immediately write fully, and I have daily ex- pected a letter. Many thanks for the Calonne per- formance. It is amazing how totally we have forgot you and your Treaty. The newspapers scarce mention either. The amazement has been the curious revolution in the business of Hastings, and the coalition of Pitt and Burke ag-ainst him. The consultations and combina- tions of the said Pitt, Burke, and others — their amiable * Major Scott was Hastings' agent. WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 411 conferences ; but the whole was not perfectly amiable until the Lord Mulsrrave burst forth with charac- teristic virulence against the man whom he had so lately cherished and defended, and whose prosecutors he had constantly declared to be malicious, factious, &c. It should not be forgot that scarce anything new has come out against Hastings this session ; that the charges against him were printed last year, &c. &c. To be sure, it would have been full as well if ministers had examined the subject, and had made up their minds on it a little sooner. I have been uneasy about Lord North's eyes. I have been very inquisitive relative to him : my last information is from Sir Grey Cooper about a week ago. His nerves were much agitated and shaken by his exertions on the Test Act. He did not sleep at all the subsequent night, but he is now pretty much the same as he was before that service. His eyes are very weak, — a melancholy consideration at his time of life. I am seriously grieved about him. I suppose Mrs. Eden has accounts of him, yet the above may be acceptable. We hope that lady is quite well, and all the infantry. William Grenville states himself as the commercial minister of the House of Commons, but one of the most intelligent men I know has acquainted me that his late speech on the American Intercourse Bill was miserable. It is generally allowed that Pitt's speeches on the Treaty were bad. In general, it has been ex- ceedingly ill defended. Yours faithfully, Sheffield. Mr. Eden to Mr. Morton Eden. Seve, April 26, 1787. My dear Morton, — Many thanks for yours of the 20th. It found me settled here, where we all have already profited much by the good air, though, till yesterday morning, it was of the churlish kind ; but 412 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF the smell of Paris about this time of the year is an abomination. I sent your parcel of patterns as directed ; the person had already written to me about it. Mrs. Greville acknowledged to us the receipt of the parcel, and I wonder that she did not also write to you, as she is exceedingly punctual and polite. Lest the money due to you from Mrs. Eden should be forgot, she wishes you to take occasion to receive it of Mrs. Sneyd, who will charge it in my account. The Archbishop did not write to me on Friday last ; and the newspapers which I received make no mention of the debate in the House of Lords. Lord Carmarthen seems to be in a most precarious state of health. I suppose that this will find you at Bath. If you should stay their till the arrival of the Polignacs, you will take occasion to get introduced to them by Lady Clermont or the French Archbishop. We have received infinite civilities from them here. The Du- chess is elegant, but cold and reserved. The Countess Diane* is good-humoured and sociable (about forty- five). The Duchess de Guichef has a most beau- tiful face, and is pleasant and cheerful. The Duke de Polignac is one of the most gentlemanlike men that I have ever seen. M. de Vaudreuil is said to have considerable talents ; I have not happened to meet him much. The Duke de Guiche is a good-natured young man. I suppose that they will all be chiefly in the Duchess of Devonshire's society. The novelty of the scene will amuse them whilst the novelty lasts ; but they will grow tired. They all love play, to a certain degree — billiards, quinze, &c. I believe that they go afterwards to Spain. 1 think you manage ill in your arrangements to go towards the climate of Dresden in the autumn. Hugh Elliot writes to me that he expects an im- * The Countess Diane de Polignac. f The Duchess of Guiche was the daughter of the Duchess of Polignac. WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 413 mediate leave of absence again. What does this mean ? Love to my sister. Yours very affectionately, AVm. Eden. Mr. Storer to Mr. Eden. Golden Square, April 27th, 1787. Dear Eden, — I did not mean to make a practice of writing by the post. The last time I wrote, I did so from my empressement to make my acknowledg- ments to you ; that being done, I intended to revert to the old conveyance as the safer and the cheaper too. You completely disappointed me by being silent on French politics. What a storm you have had since I came away, very sudden and unex- pected to you courtiers at Versailles. I wish you joy of having moved to Seve, though, by the account of the magnitude of the house, and the greatness of the rent, 1 am afraid you will not move to save. I am living in expectation for the next courier to leave the news which you have promised me. The inter- vention of my old friend was not an extraordinary thing, but his passing the day afterwards with Him, and not mentioning that I had arrived, or that he had seen me, seems to indicate a degree either of ill- humour or indifference about me, which mortifies me much. The motion which is to be made in Parliament with regard to the Prince of Wales is the subject at present of conversation. Alderman Newnham * is to take the lead in this business, but he is not sup- posed to be able to add much dignity to the mea- sure by his personal influence, nor likely to insure it much success by his superior abilities. I do not understand that the heads of Opposition either ap- prove of it or mean to support it. A few days will show us the event. You see Mr. Pitt is copying * M.P. for the City. 414 THE CORRESrONDENCE OF French measures by his farming the revenue. This will not signify much to a private traveller like myself. The innkeeper is the man most likely to be the loser. Last night, I saw Sir John * in a great crowd at Cumberland House. Her Royal Highnessf only opens her house now once a fortnight, by which means when it is opened it is so crowded, and so full, that it seems as if it would take a fortnight to empty it. You may tell Mrs. Eden, as a piece of news for her, that Miss Bennett is going to be married to Sir John Swinburne J — if I recollect, that is his name. I am not sure about the name, but I am positive about the match, and that is the thing- that engages her attention principally. I heard of it where I dined yesterday, and Mrs. Bennet § told me of it herself at Cumberland House. Adhemar gave, ten days ago, a most execrable ball. There never was known, even at his house, so general a dissatisfaction, and that is a good deal to say. I think that I have now told you what little news there is, both public and private. I am in great impatience to hear from you. Adieu. — I am, &c, yours most sincerely, A. Storer. The following letter is from Lord Beauchamp, the friend of the Prince of Wales. It contains a curious account of the Prince's canvassing the House of Com- mons in order to obtain a large grant of money : — Lord Beauchamp || to Mr. Eden. Dear Eden, — I have not written to you of late, because, except your Treaty, of which you know * Mr. Eden's brother, Sir John Eden. f The Duke of Cumberland, brother to the King, had married a widow, Mrs. Horton, a daughter of Lord Carhampton. | Sir John Swinburne married, 13th July, 1787, Emma, daughter of R. Bennet, Esq., of Beckenham. § Mrs. Bennet was a sister of Sir Peter Burrell. || Afterwards second Marquis of Hertford, grandfather of the present Marquis. WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 415 from better authority every circumstance that has happened, the political world has been a mere blank; but within these few days an event has started up, of which I will relate to you the par- ticulars, leaving it to your better judgment to draw your own conclusions. When the Prince of Wales first resolved to apply to Parliament for relief, the case was, in everybody's apprehension, so desperate, and in the opinion of some was liable to such objec- tions, unless previously assented to by the Crown, that many of his most respectable advisers declared off, and it was universally supposed that for want of support the plan must fall to the ground. His Royal Highness, however, persevered, and it has since appeared that he went upon such grounds as nobody suspected him to have. A previous conversation on the subject, which was evidently sought for by Mr. Pitt, and in which he threatened the disclosure of many secret particulars, from which the House unani- mously concluded that Mrs. Fitzherbert was in his thoughts, and that the inquiry into the transaction* was to be the instrument of deterring the Prince from a further prosecution of his project. It pro- duced, however, a contrary effect, and gave the Prince an occasion of serving his cause with the public most materially by a flat denial of the im- puted marriage. The ground was then changed; and Mr. Pitt declared his meaning to be that it would be necessary to have the items of the debt incurred before the public, and also the private correspondence with his father. On the Prince's part, the challenge was instantly accepted, and the turn of the debate and the impression it made was for the first time evidently in his favour. A new circumstance now occurred. Mr. Pitt opens a correspondence with the Prince, and declares in general but intelligible terms, that he has the strongest wish to avoid every cause of personal * The marriage with Mrs. Fitzherbert. 41 G THE CORRESPONDENCE OP offence to him, and Mr. Dundas's favourable dispo- sition is indicated by circumstances, of which I need not trouble you with the details. From this period the business assumed a different face, and the Prince begins a most active canvass of the House ; applies by letter or personally to every little knot of members, and indirectly to almost every individual, offering to submit his plans and his interests to the country gentlemen, producing his accounts, showing every letter, and, by the specimen I have seen, he has been guarded to an extreme degree. In short, Mar- sham*, Powisf , Hussey, Pulteney, AstleyJ, and others of that calibre, became converts to his cause, in spite of their original dislike to it. On this footing the business rested, when, the night before the motion was to be made, Mr. Pitt acquaints the Prince, by letter, with His Majesty's gracious intention to comply with his wishes, and only hints at previous explanations being made by the Prince, by which it was understood that in future he was to be no party man; but, whatever interpretation was intended to be put upon them, the Prince instantly communi- cated his readiness to acquiesce, and personally to assure the King of his resolution to act in future as he would wish. The motion is, in consequence, laid aside, but to this letter, though four days have since elapsed, no answer was given till this morning, when the King signified his disapprobation to the increase of the Prince's allowance at all events, and also to the payment of his debts, unless the accounts to be pro- duced to him of the amount should prove satisfactory. The Prince has accepted this qualified offer, and promises instantly to send a precis of his affairs. § 1 am, dear Eden, ever yours, Beauchamp. * M.P. for Kent. t M.P. for Northamptonshire. + Sir Edward Astley, M.P. for Norfolk. § The Prince ultimately obtained an additional 10,0007. a year, and 161,0007. to pay his debts, besides 20,0007. for the repairs of Carlton House. WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 417 Lord Sheffield to Mr. Eden. Sheffield Place, May 10tb, 1787. I have been in London for some days, and did not meet any body who thought it worth while to notice you or the horrid system of which you have been the instrument. Indeed the Prince's business afforded full occupation, and its various changes have fur- nished excellent food for politicians. A letter from the Prince to his father received a harsh answer, which produced the precipitate measure commenced by the Alderman, unapproved by any considerable, and I may almost add inconsiderable, man in oppo- sition. Young as well as old wish to avert it. The Duke of Portland acted with great good sense, good temper and spirit. The Prince was eminently strenuous and steady. He had long talks with some leading men, and began to bend when Mr. Pitt certainly made a very material move towards him. Some time before this, the amiable Rolle*, with his usual elegance and good judgment, insinuated that the Church and State were in danger from the Prince's connection with Mrs. Fitzherbert, which Pitt not only adopted by nods and such like parlia- mentary applause, but even in a speech. The same evening, when another subject was before the House, he endeavoured to explain it away. On his return to Downing Street, he sent for Lord Southampton, who waited on the Prince next morning, with what is called an apology, from Mr. Pitt. The Prince told Lord Southampton he never received verbal messages except from the King. From this time he was eager to declare that he was not married, and Mrs. Fitz- Herbert insisted that she should not be considered. Opposition has gained credit, and deservedly, by its conduct in this business. Charles Fox, however, and a great part of them could not have avoided support- * M.F. for Devonshire, afterwards Lord Rolle. Mr. Rolle was con- tinually alluding to the secret marriage of the Prince of "Wales and Mrs, Fitzherbert. The "Rolliad" was named after him. VOL. I. !: E 418 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF ing Newnham's motion if it had been made. There would have been support from some quarters, and probably opposition from others where it was not expected. At the Carlton House meeting last Friday, it was the universal belief that the Prince's affairs were settled, and the public seemed to rejoice that the baneful difference between father and son was healed. Some think that Pitt has so bound himself that he cannot again break loose, but, from various appear- ances, it is believed that he hoped to find more suppleness in the King, and that, being disappointed in that expectation, he has fallen in with his master's way of thinking, in despite of the paper chains which, a few days ago, he imposed on himself. Last Monday produced the ultimatum from the King that he would not recommend an increase of in- come, nor even a payment of the debt, till he had com- pletely examined the particulars of it. The Prince has very properly considered the declaration as serious, and on Tuesday was to furnish a precis of his affairs ; but as the nature of the examination is not specified, nor the time it is to last, no sanguine expectations can be raised on the present appearances. If it should be thought necessary to resume the adverse plan originally intended, the Prince will then be well supported by numbers as well as by talents, and the King will trace great insincerity, at least in the conduct of those who surround him. But not even this business made half the impression on me which my visits to Lord North did. He has no hopes ; he says he has no expectations but of darkness. He held up his hand and said he could not see it. He was, however, pleasant, and with his usual ability took up the subjects of the clay. I was made the more miserable, as I expected to find him better. There is some consolation in his not being able to see the melancholy aspects of his family around him. My lady and I were very glad to hear your brattery is recovered, and that you talk of visiting us with WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 419 Mrs. Eden in autumn. You will find Gibbon here. If Mr. and Mrs. Trevor are at Paris, pray remember me very particularly to them. If the above account I have given should appear curious to you, you may communicate it to him, but be careful to whom else, as coming from me. Many thanks for the printed papers you sent. That on wool I had two years ago; but pray continue to send and collect for me. Sir Joseph Banks and I are busy on the wool subject. I must see the paper you sent him. We have frequent communications. 'Mr. Eden to Mr. Morton Eden. Seve, May 10th, 1787. My dear Morton, — Though we have found good health at Seve, we continue under an incessant course of wet and windy weather. I suppose that the Polignacs will have arrived at Bath before you receive this. I shall be glad to hear from you how they appear to amuse themselves at Bath. Mdme. de Polignac has long filled a principal space in this country, and her absence makes a considerable void. Though the parting was apparently amicable, it is supposed by many not to be temporary, but per- manent; and that she will never return to the same distinguished situation. I think it possible that some distaste had taken place either on the one side or on both, but it is uncertain ; and at all events the force of habitude may bring her back with more influence than ever. Both the Duke and the Duchess always used their faculties meekly, and were, consequently, subject to fewer enmities than generally accompany such situations. The ports open to-day on both sides pursuant to the Treaty, and, from the complication of the busi- ness and interests, innumerable complaints will arise, and innumerable explanations will be required. It is E E 'I 420 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF extremely disagreeable to me to continue the instru- ment of these irksome and fretful discussions after having completely done all that my commission required or me ; but I have not been able yet to obtain my liberty, though I have long and earnestly urged it. Yours affectionately, Wm. Eden. Mr. Storer to Mr. Eden. Golden Square, May 11th, 1787. Dear Eden, — Will you be so good as .to send the enclosed letter to whatever part of France the Bishop of Agcle is to be found in. There are, likewise, the Euripides, Theocritus, and Cicero printed at Oxford, which are sent to you, and which it is hoped you will be so good as to forward to this bishop. These books are a present to him from Lord North, who has com- missioned me to write a letter and convey the books. Belin, the bookseller, will give you notice of their arrival, and will undertake to do whatever you desire. I beg pardon for giving you this trouble, but, as. it is for Lord North, it is hoped you will excuse me. I return you a great many thanks for your two last letters. As everything is French now, we are inquisitive about what passes on the other side of the water. All the Polignacs are arrived, and are much as you can suppose them to be. They came to London on Sunday, and of course went to Adhemar's assembly, where all London went to see them. On Monday they went to see Mrs. Sicldons, and then slept at Lord Beauchamp's. On Tuesday, they went to the opera, Madame de Polignac in the Duchess of Devonshire's box, Madame de Vaudreuil in Lady Sefton's, Madame de Guiche in Lady Pembroke's, Mdlle. la Comtesse in somebody's box that I did not know, and afterwards to a ball and supper at the Duchess of Devonshire's. On Wednesday they dined WILLIAM, PIEST LOED AUCKLAND. 421 at the Duke of Manchester's. To-morrow they go to Bath. On Wednesday morning, too, they break- fasted at Carlton House. I suppose they contem- plated the unfinished works of His Royal Highness. The house is not, however, in a more unfinished state than his negotiation. This last week everything has been settled, and is now again unsettled. Last Friday Alderman Newnham did not make his motion, it being unnecessary, and now, as it is said, it is to be made next Monday. It is generally supposed that the Prince of Wales has gathered strength by the delay. He had a great meeting at Carlton House ; a very fine show of members, and his side of the question, which was at first only sanguine enough to imagine that he would have a good handsome minority, now thinks he will have a decided majority. Lord Gower is to come in for Staffordshire without any opposition. Lord Bolingbroke*, for his own and likewise the happiness of his family, is dead. John St. John has written a pamphlet about the crown lands ; it costs half a guinea, which will be an objec- tion to my buying it. I had rather have a proof print than essays on forests and chaces. You will wonder when I tell you that I shall even be able to apply Mr. Twining's advertisement to some use ; a collector has various ways of making curiosities ; it is true, that many things are curiosities to him, which are not so to the rest of the world ; but you will see some day or other a tea advertisement in Strutt's dictionary of engravers. The impeachment against Mr. Hastings was lodged in the House of Lords yesterday. Poor Laborde ; I am exceedingly sorry for him. Be so good as to write a line about Cherbourg. We are all airojr here to know if the works are o o relinquished ; the report here is " pendent opera interrupta, mintcque Murorum ingentes." f * Frederick, second Viscount Bolingbroke. Tlie Hon. John St. John was his brother. f JEneid, lib. iv. 1. 88. E jb3 422 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF Fawkener does not talk of going to Florence till August. He looks very well ; full as well, I think, as when he was married. Mrs. Eden will be sorry to hear this. I hope all your children are well. Give my best compliments, and Believe me most sincerely yours, A. Storer. WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 423 CHAP. XIII. Mrs. Fitzlierbert and Mr. Fox. — Bon Mot of George Selwyn. — The Polignacs at St. Paul's and Stowe. — Mr. Wedgwood's Letter. — The Duke of Dorset and his Secretary. — The Duke of York. — Lord Shef- field and Gibbon. — The King and Lord Lansdowne. — Lord Lough- borough's opinions with respect to France. — Calonne at Bushey. — Lord George Gordon becomes a Jew. — Trial of Sir Elijah Impey.— Curious statement of the Solicitor-General. — Great Boxing-match. The Archbishop of Canterbury to Mr. Eden. The message relative to the Prince of Wales, which the papers will detail to you, was received in both Houses yesterday without a word said upon it. In ours, as far as I could observe countenances, it seemed to be thought a necessary measure. Mrs. Fitzherbert's connections are abusing Fox, I hear, loudly, for having said more in the Commons than he had authority for, and commending Sheridan for the handsome things he said. This is to me very odd, as indeed I thought 1 he panegyric when it was uttered by Sheridan ; for he had certainly preceded it in the same language with Fox. She is more received than she was, I think, and stands more forwards. George Selwyn's appli- cation of Othello's speech I believe I mentioned to you before.* • It was a melancholy sight yesterday to see Hastings at the bar.f I could not help feeling it, considering the stations he has stood in, though I know him only * The Prince and Mrs. Fitzlierbert were living as man and wife. The Prince persuaded Mr. Fox to deny their marriage in the House of Commons. George Selwyn said that the Prince's request to Mr. Fox was conveyed in the language of Othello — " Villain, be sure you prove my love a !" — Auckland MSS. ■j- Mr. Hustings was called to the bar of the House of Lords on the 11th of May. E E 4 424 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF as a public man ; in which character, I believe, with many parts to admire, there are many to disapprove in him. The general appearance in a very full house was that of men very indifferent and unconcerned about what was going on. The talk of the world of late does not seem to forebode anything very alarming to him. His appearance was proper, — neither daunted nor insolent. I don't imagine much, if anything, likely to be said on the Prince's business to-morrow beyond the necessary statement. Both parties feel the ground tender. A shot or two may come from such a quarter as Rolle, but even that I doubt. When I make a conjecture, it must often amuse you to see how improvident it turns out. After all our impatience to see you here, perhaps your quitting France in the infancy of the execution of your Treaty might have been matter of concern to you, when pro- bably you would have found a hundred things going wrong in it for want of your presence there. The Polignacs saw a great deal in London in a short time. They were at St. Paul's to attend the choir music the day of the meeting of the charity for the Sons of the Clergy, on which occasion the eccle- siastics of all degrees meet the Lord Mayor and alder- men there. They dined at the London Tavern, I understand, a galanterie of Lord Nugent's. They desired to have no foreigners there, nor young English travellers. It was proposed by d'Adhemar to ask the Archbishop of Canterbury (probably a joke), but the decorous Nugent pronounced it indecorous. Their reception at Stowe was magnificent. They found rooms well aired and splendidly illuminated, good cooks, great plenty, and numerous attendants; in short, they found everything there but the master of the castle, which you will allow was well understood and comme il faut. My love to Mrs. Eden and your infantry. Ours are all well. Ever affectionately yours, J. Cantuar. WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 425 P.S. — Ford has been here, and thinks very favour- ably of Catherine j that her fever will go off imme- diately. Lord Loughborough to Mr. Eden. Bedford Square, 21st May, 1787. Dear Eden, — I am very sensible of your kind anxiety about me, though it is mixed with a little sharpness at my silence. You know how idle a correspondent 1 am in general, and the uniformity of my life has much increased my old bad habits. I have not stayed one day in town that was not employed in the business of my court. I have not been in a public place this season, nor given a dinner, and I have excused my- self from most of those that were given. In addition to these changes I had become a very eager sportsman, and by all these means I have got exceeding good health, which has borne me through my accident without the least cross turn, and I am now upon my legs again with tolerable ease, instead of being fixed to my chair for six weeks, which was the shortest period the surgeons had fixed for my walking again. You have been in so complete a bustle for some time that it makes one almost giddy to read of it in the foreign papers. The changes of scene have been shifted so suddenly on the stage where you are that the eye can hardly follow them, and the first article of open importation seems to have been our politics. It remains to be seen whether France has taken them all off our hands and robbed us of the manufacture. I have heard sometimes, and always with great satisfaction, of Mrs. Eden and you, from a correspon- dent of Lady Loughborough's, but I have been so little abroad that 1 have not met one person of the numbers arriving from Paris, not even Storer, who has likewise to accuse my negligence in writing. Give my best love to Mrs. E. and all her charge, and believe me, My dear Eden, yours very truly, Loughborough. 426 THE C0EEESP0NDENCE OF The following letter is from General Cuninghame, an officer of the Royal Household : — General Cuninghame to Mr. Eden. St. James's Place, 25th May, 1787. My dear Sir,- — Yesterday the business of the Prince of Wales occasioned no remarks whatever, although it was expected that Mr. Rolle and others were likely to produce curious conversation, the expectation of which thronged the drawing-room with members of Parliament. On Wednesday Sir Sampson Gideon* gave the most magnificent ball and supper have seen in this country, at least 400 persons were present, and I guess accommo- 300 sat down to supper, well dated, and a variety of excellent wines in profusion. The Prince sat at table with Mrs. Fitzherbert, and all her particular friends near him ; his attention to her has been more marked lately than usual. The Duchess of Cumberland sat at another table, and sent for Mr. Dundas to sit next to her. Mr. Pitt has conducted this negotiation with ability, and to the satisfaction of the Prince, it has, therefore, in my opinion, been a fortunate event for him. A Minister, at his time of life, to be on bad terms with the heir-apparent, was awkward. I am told the Prince is resolved never again to quarrel with his father. Yesterday the drawing-room was fine and crowded as a birth-day. The Prince's household all kissed hands. I believe no alterations have been made, unless Hotham's. The Queen and Princesses seemed delighted, and the King very cheerful. I hear, from tolerable authority, that there is the strongest disposition in Downing Street to do what may be agreeable to you. You know the Duke of Rutland directed his friends in Parliament to support Created in 1789 an Irish peer, with the title of Lord Eardley. WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 427 the Prince, and also Lord Lonsdale ; but of these circumstances you will have better information than I can give you. I have just now parted with the Duke of Marl- borough, who seems perfectly well, excepting the complaint in his eyes. You may well believe who know my late situa- tion, that I must be very happy at getting the 45th Regiment on the English establishment, and now at Granada. My brother* is no less so at getting Sir Joseph York's Dragoons. Some time next month I propose paying a visit to him. The report of the Post Office is to be made on Monday next ; but I am told it will end in no bad consequences to Lord Carteretf or A. B. Travers. Hatsell told me the House of Commons will finish their business on Wednesday next. I have the honour to be, my dear Sir, Yours most sincerely, James Cuninghame. P.S. — I met Charles Fox going to Court on Thurs- day when the drawing-room was almost over. I have just finished a letter to the Duke of Dorset. I hope to see his Grace here before I set out for Ireland. Mr. Wedgwood to Mr. Eden. Etruria, June 16, 1787. Dear Sir, — I have deferred writing to you for a month or two past, in consequence of the reports in the newspapers that you were expected weekly in London. I have at length desired Mr. Byerley to make inquiry, and though some of the papers still fix your return to the latter end of the present week, the last day of which is now closing, I find from him that I must not expect the pleasure of waiting upon you * General Robert Cuninghame created in 1796 Earl of Rossmore. t Lord Carteret was joint Postmaster-General. A committee bad been appointed to investigate the affairs of the Post Office. 428 THE CORRESPOXDENCE OF for some weeks to come, — for I intend to do myself that honour on your return to England, I hope you will be permitted to enjoy a summer's repose before you embark in the fatigues and embar- rassments of such another business as that which you have now so happily concluded. But I find your labours will again be called forth in the same way, and I congratulate my country on its having the very important object of a treaty of commerce with Spain committed to one who has so recently given universal conviction of his abilities and unwearied assiduity in promoting the commercial interests of his country. A merchant from Bordeaux called upon me a few days ago, and told me that the people in Manchester, which place he had left the day before, are a little disconcerted at finding their goods are to pay duty on importation into France, not ad valorem, but by weight, and I am directed by a person in London, who has bought some goods of me for the French market, to weigh the packages very accurately, that he may the easier ascertain the net weight of the goods. I have sent many packages to Paris and Bordeaux without this precaution, and hope there will be no occasion for it. I have made an engagement with M. Daguerre and Mr. Sykes at Paris, and mean to serve only those two in that place. Both these engagements are only for one year. I take a share of the risk along with M. Daguerre, and have sent a considerable assortment to Rouen, which I hope will be with him in a little time. I have likewise made an exclusive agreement with Mr. Sykes for the city of Bordeaux, to which place also I have sent a cargo of goods. I have refused many other correspondents, and am afraid I shall not be able to supply these two sufficiently in addition to my old friends. I have modelled two bas-reliefs, representing the commercial treaty with France. One of them consists of three figures, Mercury as the god of commerce, uniting the hands of England and France. On the WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 429 other bas-relief is represented the temple of Janus shut, and the door bolted by two caducei ; Mars in a violent rage is going to burst the door open with his spear, but Peace arrests his arm and says, or seems to say, that the door so bolted is not to be broke open. I hope you will have received the first pair I made, which I sent by the diligence for expedition, desiring M. Daguerre to deliver them to you. When his cargo arrives, if you see anything you should like to present to your friends, you know I shall esteem myself honoured by your acceptance of them. The Chamber of Manufacturers sleepeth for the present, but may be awaked at any time when its services are called for. My late antagonist, Mr. Walker, has quite lost himself at Manchester, and I may add through the whole island. I am highly flat- tered by your approbation of my last answer to him, which in my own opinion was the wisest and the best because it was the shortest I had made. I am told that my conduct has been much approved, at Man- chester in particular. I rejoice to find that all croak- ing against the treaty is at an end everywhere, except now and then a silly paragraph in some of the oppo- sition papers. I hope your young family has got safe through the whooping-cough, that Mrs. Eden's health has not suffered by the anxiety she must have been under, and that your own is perfectly re-established. I will not trouble you any farther now, only to beg your excuse for so long an epistle, and that you will believe me, with the highest esteem and gratitude, Dear Sir, Your faithful and obedient humble servant, Jos. Wedgwood. 430 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF Mr. Storer to Mr. Eden. Golden Square, June 22nd, 1787. Dear Eden, — I wrote to } 7 ou last Tuesday, and sent my letter down to the office, meaning that it should take its chance of an extraordinary courier to be sent to you. But as, perhaps, I have not sufficiently expressed my gratitude to you for your friendly application in my favour, I cannot help still dwell- ing on the same subject, and, begging you to accept every acknowledgment that it is in my power to make you. Your appointment to the embassy will become now a matter of more notoriety since Lord Walsingham has kissed hands for the postmastership. Till this event took place, he never would confess that he had relinquished all thought of his journey to Spain. However improbable it may seem, I do not think it at all impossible but what I may pay you a visit in that country. I do not hear whether Lord Frederick Campbell* has kissed hands, but it is gene- rally concluded, and it has been so for some time past that he is to be vice-treasurer of Ireland. To-day a curious event happened in the City. There appeared & forged Gazette extraordinary, giving an account of the march of the French troops into the Low Coun- tries ; it was soon detected ; but it was most probably intended to influence the stocks. Whether the belief of its being authentic continued long enough to have that effect I don't know, but the contrivance was ingenious. The stamp, and the house of the printer, as well as the style of the author, I suppose, were all happily counterfeited. There has been a great cricket match, in which Sir Peter Burrell does not as yet make any considerable figure. Most people are leaving town, as you may imagine. Lord North is going to Tunbridge ; but alas ! I am afraid, with no prospect * Lord Frederick was the third son of John fourth Duke of Argyll, who married the beautiful Mary Bellenden, maid of honour to Queen Caroline. WILLIAM, FIEST LOED AUCKLAND. 431 of ever recovering his eyesight. I hear of a com- mercial treaty going on with the Pope ; but this is a great secret, and you must not say a word of my knowing it ; perhaps, in fact, there is no such thing, but as I am informed of it as a secret, and as a thing that really exists, I must not be supposed to have revealed so important a matter. What do you think of sending me as Minister Plenipotentiary to his Holiness ? The gravity of my character will suit with such a mission perfectly well. I beg you will not consider it as a joke, but think of it seriously as a means of providing for me, and at the same time of procuring me the opportunity of seeing that cele- brated capital. Once more let me thank you for this act of friend- ship which you have shown me. Give my best compliments to Mrs. Eden, and believe me, with the greatest truth and sincerity, Yours, &c. A. Stoker. The Duke of Dorset to Mr. Eden. (Private.) Paris, July 12th, 1787. Dear Eden, — As I know your activity in interest- ing matters, I feel sure of hearing from Mr. Pitt in a very few days. You know what my wishes are, as well as those of my friends here *, and we none of us shall be thoroughly satisfied till they are accom- plished. The Dutch are driving Montmorin very hard, but nothing will be done for them till the mediation of England is determined upon, Hailes has brought me another sketch of his ideas for Lord Carmarthen, which he said he would not send without my appro- bation. He sticks to me very close, as the only twig remaining for him to hold by, and however little his * Mr. Eden was endeavouring to procure the Garter for the Duke of Dorset. Marie Antoinette was very anxious that the Duke should have it. 432 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF conduct to me is worthy of praise, I should be sorry to have him oppressed, as he has nothing to depend on but his present situation. Your children are all well at Seve. Storer called there yesterday evening. The Queen and the Polignacs go to Trianon the 25th of this month. We have not a great many English here at present. The Montmorins dine with me next Tuesday. The Baron de Breteuil has got a severe fit of the gout. The King is confoundedly out of humour with his Parliament. I have no other news but what I have written to Lord Carmarthen. I have received three or four complaints from Eng- lish merchants from Dunkirk and Rouen. Pray get Crawford sent as soon as possible. I beg my compliments to Mrs. Eden. I am, most truly and sincerely yours, Dorset. Mr, Hugh Elliot to Mr. Eden. Copenhagen, 16th July, 1787. My dear Eden, — I am much obliged to you for two successive short letters from Paris, and I consider Catherine's enclosure as a full confirmation of the prevalent report that you have already accepted the Spanish Embassy. May you meet with as great success in that undertaking as you have done in your first diplomatic achievement. It would ill become me to add either my approba- tion or dislike to a measure with the nature of which I am not competently informed, but I have sufficient faith in your judgment, both as public man and private individual, to allow myself to doubt of the propriety of the motives which have determined you to cross the Pyrenees with your numerous family. Convinced that you have rendered a reciprocal service to Great Britain and France, that you have prepared the happiness and prosperity of future generations in those two rival nations, that you have raised the only possible barrier against war and all its miseries, I WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 433 dare not regret that you risk much personal comfort in applying once more those talents with which you are so peculiarly gifted to give still greater efficacy to that system by extending its effects to the next powerful branch of the House of Bourbon. I trust our foreign transactions are consistent, and that we do not thwart our own negotiations in one quarter by a line of conduct diametrically opposite in another, though I confess I cannot entirely dismiss suspicions of the bad effects which may ensue from the unquiet and restless bustle of Harris, if he really possesses a degree of influence equal to what is supposed. It is the universal belief of the ignorant, of whom I am one, that our conduct in Holland is direct and avowed opposition to the House of Bourbon, whilst it appears probable to many that our aim in that quarter might be obtained by a less violent display of the old system of jealousy, and by an amicable and frank negotiation with those you are leaving. But all this you must know better than anybody, and therefore I persuade mj'self that your acceptance of the Spanish mission is a sure prognostic of the probability that public tran- quillity will not be disturbed. Once more then I assure you that not only my warmest wishes for your success will accompany you to Madrid, but that I thoroughly approve of this arduous and distant em- ployment of your natural abilities and acquired talents. May my dear Eleanor and her children carry health, happiness, and every blessing along with them. H. Elliot. The Archbishop of Canterbury to Air. Eden. Beckenliam*, Aug. 15tb, 1787. Having at last finished the business I was engaged in for N. Scotia, we have turned our backs upon the great city, and enjoy the repose, the sweetness, the verdure, and all the comforts of Beckenham most * The Archbishop was residing in Mr. Eden's house. VOL. I. F ! 434 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF exceedingly, — except George and Charles, the first of whom is now with Mr. Griffith at his living near Brighthelmstone, the other with Morton at Broad- stairs. We are all here, with the addition of Duley. Charles is said to have spoken well.* It was part of one of Tally's orations against Antony. I have heard much praise from the King, and a fair portion from others. The person I can most rely on for his judgment and accurate account, says that he began much embarrassed, but recovered himself completely after about ten lines, that he spoke very sensibly, and that his voice is distinct, strong, and harmonious. He spoke much like a gentleman, says the gentlemanlike Dr. Davies. Our weather is pleasant, but not hot. The Duke of Dorset was not arrived when I left London ; and as, when he does come, he will not stay in London, my only chance of meeting him is at court. On that occasion I shall be as civil as I can. You are very kind to write, for we certainly have great pleasure in every line from you or from Mrs. Eden ; but don't think me unreasonable on that point, for with your engagements it is a most un- fair thing to expect frequent letters from you, and I really do not. When you went away I thought your errand extremely embarrassing and critical on many accounts. A visit from Rose on the Nova Scotia business on Monday last, suggested to me that, without seem- ing too curious to know how you went on, I might pick up something from him. He saved me all trouble on the subject by starting it himself. " Mr. Eden is going on wonderfully well — a most efficient and pleasant man in business, etc. etc. ; everybody is satisfied and more than satisfied." The Duke of York does not come up to the expectations I had formed in his personal appearance. It is like that of any other young officer you meet, neither Vair noble nor militaire. He stoops much, which I never saw in a * At Eton. WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 435 German officer before, and therefore I wonder, be- cause he has been living with German officers. It is a misfortune that he has had no superior to look up to. You will see by the papers that his establish- ment is settled ; of course one supposes him to stay a good deal in England. He seems to be very shy and diffident. I hear nothing said decidedly of a royal visit to Blenheim. The idea seems to have arisen from its having been said last year that the King and Queen meant to repeat their visit, joined to the circumstance of a good deal lately done, and a sort of gala barge having been lately built there. Lord Sheffield to Mr. Eden. Sheffield Place, August 22nd, 1787. " And so it is that some people serve their country." Yes ; and without certain statements the country would not have been convinced on a certain question ; but le grand milord Sheffieldt likes very much to know what is said of his opinions in foreign parts, and is very thankful for the communication. I immediately enclosed the paper on dyeing, &c., with patterns, to Sir Joseph Banks. He is both attentive and intelligent on such subjects. I have not yet his answer. The assertion of the Parliament of Paris that the . Commercial Treaty is a bad thing for France may be true in many points, although the true friends of this country have shown that it will be pernicious to this country. Lest you should forget that you are mortal, it is proper to assure you that the export to France is not considerably increased. I went to London for a few days to conduct the Gibbon to this place. I saw but few people there ; but some, and those not inconsiderable, supposed you had not the least intention of ever going to Spain. It was too sublime for me. The Gibbon is settled here till winter ; he will reside witli us in Downing Street in winter and spring. The three quartos will appear in r f 2 436 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF the spring, but as to remaining in this country, he has not the slightest notion of it. He wrote a note to Cadell, saying he hoped he would think the three younger of equal merit with the elder brothers, and equally valuable, and thus the bargain was imme- diately concluded. He laments very much that he did not arrive before your visit to this place. I have not yet succeeded in infusing a proper political zeal into him. My lady had great satisfaction in Mrs. Eden's very obliging recollection and attention to her. The bon- net is in great, repute. Lord North has not been so well as he was when I saw him ; he is better, and the Gibbon and I intend to see him soon. Just as I was concluding, your interesting frag- ment on the banishment of the Parliament* arrived. The Gibbon and I received it very greedily, gra- ciously, and gratefully ; at least I did ; and it im- mediately furnished us with a good subject. Con- sidering the disposition towards liberality and bustle on the Continent, it is not clear that the constitution of France will remain exactly what it has been. I shall impatiently send to my acquaintance, Mr. Sneyd, for the Boston wool, on the 27th, on the day you mention. I am well pleased to hear of the letter from the Emperorf to the Stadtholder. I expect Lord Loughborough here. Yours ever, Sheffield, General Cuninghame to Mr. Eden. St. James's Place, August 28th, 1787. My dear Sir, — I congratulate you most sincerely upon your appointment to your embassy J, which gives general satisfaction. I am extremely obliged to you for your letter of the * The Parliament of Paris had been banished to Troyes by Louis XVI. f The Emperor Joseph. \ The Spanish Embassy. WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 437 25th instant, with the proces verbal. The lace I shall convey to Mrs. Cuninghame as you have directed ; and Lord Grantham's late servants shall be sent to, as you desire. Our eternal court-martial is likely to continue long, and takes up all my spare time. My brother says Orde is on his way to England ; if he does not recover he thinks the Duke of Rutland will not remain in Ireland. General Pitt and the Secre- tary are on the worst terms, and both cannot con- tinue in Ireland. Their quarrel impedes the public business. I saw the Duke of Dorset often when he was in town. His Grace seems perfectly satisfied with your good disposition towards him. I presume upon this combustion in France he will return from Canterbury races. I wish you would let me know if he is to return to France soon, or if there is likely to be a necessity for it. Some say the Lady and he are likely to part, and that Lord Pembroke has got possession, but of this I know only from report. On Saturday last they began buying at 74^,, and in an hour's time the stocks fell 2 per cent,, upon the idea of the Lmperor's joining France, and that the affairs of Holland had taken a very hostile turn. Yesterday the stocks did not vary, but the public became more apprehensive of war than ever. My friend Lord Lans- downe makes his appearance frequently in town ; some say he was with the King, and that from that time Mr. Pitt* took up the Stadtholder's cause with much spirit and energy, which sent the Marquis back to the country, disclaiming connection with Ministers. I shall be curious to know when you are likely to get forward to Spain. Beresford is returned to Ireland. The Duke of Rutland is galloping about the country, and the Duchess has resumed all her beauty in London. The Duke of York quite military, and is liked. He appears every day on the parade. Make * Mr. Pitt at first was disinclined to risk a war on account of Holland. f r 3 438 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF my best respects acceptable to Mrs. Eden, wishing you all possible success and happiness. I am, my dear Sir, Yours most sincerely, Jas. Cuninghame. Mr. Storer to Mr. Eden. Golden Square, Sept. 9th, 1787. Dear Eden, — I arrived last ni°;ht in town from Tunbriclge Wells, where I have been for the second time since you left England. As you observe, our country is perfectly quiet at present. There is no agitation but what France communicates. If we have any motion, it is par bricole. Your friends Lord Sheffield and Gibbon were at Tunbridge on Wednesday, and dined at Lord North's. Sir Robert Herries* brought us the news in his way from Paris of the advancement of the Archbishop de Toulouse, and the resignation of M. Castries and M. de Segur. As one devoted to the loyal party, you may fancy this a feu de paille ; but as an English- man who loves a little mischief in France, and as one, too, who likes a splendid spectacle, I wish that this flame, which the Parliament have kindled, may prove a more durable one. His Most Christian Ma- jesty seems perfectly in the right to have chosen a Governor. His dismission of Calonne has fully con- vinced me that he stands in need of one. Calonne lives in Panton's old house in Piccadilly. He expects his two nieces, as it is said, shortly in England. Lord Beauchamp went abroad about ten days ago, and he was advised by M. de Ptochambeau to go through Holland in his way to Spa. Old Cumberlandf, who came to Tunbridge last Wednesday, and was of the party who dined at Lord North's, told us that in London people supposed * The banker. t Richard Cumberland, the dramatist. WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 439 there would be no war. I give you his report, for I arrived in town late last night, and as yet, have not been out of my house — nay, not even out of my bed, having had the whole morning a violent headache. Gibbon has finished his history ; he has brought it down to the taking of Constantinople, and now he says that he shall lay down his pen, having blotted paper enough. The man's name to whom the Bishop of Agde's books were sent, is Belin ; he lives upon the Quay, with the other booksellers, and very near the Pont au Change. Give my best compliments to Mrs. Eden, and, hoping that all your children are well, I remain, Yours most sincerely, A. Stoker. Lord Loughborough to Mr. Eden. Woburn Farm, Sept. 12th, 1787. Dear Eden, — I remained in Yorkshire much longer than I had proposed, and had no letters sent down to me, so that I only read yours on my return to this place the night before last. The letter I wrote to you on the circuit has never been out of my portfolio, for your departure (of which I had an account at Windelstone) had put it out of all date, the chief part of it being an argument against your returning so soon to the continent. I thought it would be of consequence to you to see a little more of the state of things at liomethan you would know by distant communications. Your letter is an answer to the other part of my intended letter, which was a reasoning against your crossing the Pyrenees. That seems to be understood as a condition annexed to the letter written to you the morning before you set out. I read with great eagerness the French news in the "Leyden Gazette," and am much entertained to find that the commotions France has been raising in other countries are come home to her own bosom. The F F 4 440 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF Parliament is in the right, and I take the principle it has asserted to be true in the history of Imperial French monarchy, though the usage of many reigns is against it. The public creditors would be gainers by the establishment of the power of the States-General to grant ; for then it would follow that they could appropriate, and could also limit the expenses of the King. The principle, however, is new in practice, and the direct avowal that, by the constitution of France, no taxes can be imposed without the consent of the States, is not to be found (I believe) in any public act for the two last centuries. It will not be easy to efface that declaration ; and I should not think, with the courtiers, that a fire kindled with such materials will prove a feu de faille. The change of the ministry is not likely to help to smother it. I should be much obliged to you for any of the papers in this contest that fall in your way. My servant tells me that the wine cooper says the claret you were so good as to let me have, is the high- est flavoured of any he has tasted, but recommends it to be kept some time. If you should chance to meet at Bordeaux (in case you go there) with wine that has been long bottled, I should be very glad to share a little of it. The money shall be paid to Drum- mond's immediately. My best love to Mrs. Eden and all the nursery. Believe me, my dear Eden, Yours very affectionately, Loughborough. The Archbishop of Canterbury to Mr. Eden. Lambeth House, Sept. 21st, 1787. The wetness of the weather brought us to town yesterday, after having enjoyed the quiet and comfort of Beckenham five weeks. Perhaps I was the more decided to come by the present critical state of things, which it was impossible not to feel interested in to a degree that would not allow one to be quite easy at a WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 441 distance. You know so much better than I do what is going on here, that I will not touch the subject further than to observe, that, from some things I have heard, I suspect Grenville to have imbibed, while in Holland, rather too much of the heat of Sir James's * politics ; that his Grace of Richmond still has rather too much ardour for war ; and th#t they being almost the only persons whom Mr. Pitt has to confer with at present, it is but too natural that his mind may take a bias, under such circumstances, of high tone, which to the mind of a young man is always congenial. A vast deal seems to me to depend on your stay in France : perhaps war or no war may depend upon it. All things considered, there are circumstances to make you wish your recall, but I think infinitely more for not wishing it. They must see that you can't pro- ceed after October to Spain ; if, therefore, you are so late detained for public considerations, the consequence is plain that you must not go this winter, which, as your mother is not here to hear me, I may venture to say I am ready to vote for, even should it be added, nor the next. The Chancellor and Lord Stafford seem to take their journey, in obedience to the summons to Cabi- net, with a very dignified deliberation. They are not come yet, for which I should feel very indignant if I felt they would have much to say to the purpose when they do come. In a moment when so much rests upon the Cabinet, it is a sad thing not to know to whom to look for what is essential to wise discus- sion and determination in it. One sees in parts of it sufficient obstinacy, and in others perfect indecision. There is, too, an honourable mind, a fine understand- ing, with a disposition prompt enough to decide, but without experience, or, I fear, accurate knowledge suili- cient of the true temper of other countries. After all my fears of war, I am not for buying peace at too high a price neither: to give France possession of Holland * Sir Jamed Ilarrib. 442 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF is not a plan of mine. But to take a step, or let go an unmeasured expression, beyond what is necessary to prevent that, seems full of essential mischief. Adieu. Yours ever, J. C. Mr. fetor er to Mr. Eden. Golden Square, Oct. 5th, 1787. Dear Eden, — Out of charity let us on this side the water know a little of what is passing on yours, — I shall hold myself under a great obligation to your Excellency. This is not the first time that you have had a risht to that title, therefore there is no charm in it, nor can I flatter myself by using it, that I shall gain much. We ignorant folks out of secrets, as well as out of employment, know not what to conclude by admirals and ambassadors kissing hands at the same time, except it means to say that we are to treat sword in hand. Lord Howe appears in white uniform, and then the Duke of Dorset kisses hands and sets off di- rectly for France ; and I hear you are departing im- mediately for Spain. Wherever you go I wish you well ; but not to lose sight of countercharges, Bar- thelemi, too, delivers, or is rather to deliver, his cre- dentials to-day; and yet we are told that a war is inevitable. I own I was flattering myself that as his Most Christian Majesty was giving way to his Par- liament, he might as well do so by us, and give way a little more. The war is very popular — no opposi- tion from any quarter is made to it. The alliance of the Dutch, and the decided superiority Great Britain will derive to herself from it, strikes everybody in its full force. Will not our unanimity, and the dissen- sions in France, added to the deranged state of their finances, operate at all to make his Eminence of Tou- louse give up the Dutch, notwithstanding the repre- sentations of the Minister of Foreign affairs. Calonne says the French will not go to war, except Great Britain forces them into one. I am told by a spy at WILLIAM, FIRST LORD AUCKLAND. 443 court, that a great personage*, who knows a good deal of modern history, thinks that there will be no war, but all the same it is said he wishes it. The French Mi- nister here, as well as other wise politicians, think, that had it not been for Calonne's publication of the French finances, England would not have taken up this business in so high a tone as she has done. So much for politics. Pray let me hear from you before you set out for Spain. Give my best compliments to Mrs. Eden, and tell her that while I was Tunbridge I flattered myself with being able to give her an account, and an early one, of a match between Mr. Vyner and Lady Theodosia Ashburnham, but, notwithstanding all his flirtation, he went into Lincolnshire without saying a word. If this did not disappoint the lady, at least it did me, and I take it for granted disappoints Mrs. Eden too. Adieu. I am, with the greatest regard, Yours most sincerely, A. Storer. P.S. — When you are Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs I will L. I. M M 530 ILLUSTRATIONS. tioned in this and my former despatch are agreed to, the best effect may be expected from the joint mediation of the three Courts ; provided the great obstacle, which at present sub- sists, is removed, by procuring a satisfactory reparation to the King of Prussia, without which there is no possibility of restoring tranquillity. It is impossible to say how far events may have already taken place to make this no longer a sub- ject of negotiation ; but if that should not be the case, and if the Court of France can yet prevail upon their friends in Holland to offer such satisfaction as the King of Prussia can in honour accept, His Majesty will be sincerely desirous to see this point amicably arranged. From everything I have said respecting the several points of negotiation, you will perceive how nearly the principles laid down conform to the language which you have reported to have been at different times held by M . de Montmorin ; and I trust this circumstance will convince the French Court how sincerely His Majesty's ministers are desirous to take every practicable step for affecting an amicable settle- ment ; at the same time that it is become their indispensable duty to prepare for a contrary event. I have not thought it necessary to take notice of such expressions related in your despatch as might seem to imply a charge of insincerity against this Court. The French minister must, however, be sensible how little foundation there is for such a charge. The consistency and purity of His Majesty's conduct is sufficiently evinced by the bare reference to what has passed, and (whatever may be the issue of the present discussion) His Majesty's ministers wish to avoid any mixture of warmth or asperity. I am, with great truth and regard, Sir, your most obedient humble servant, Carmarthen. P.S. — I have just received your despatches, Nos. 82, 83, 84, by Flint. ILLUSTRATIONS. 531 The following is a list of the French navy procured by Mr. Eden for Mr. Pitt :— ETAT DE LA MARINE FRANCAISE. Paris, ce 18 octobre 1787 Vaisseaux de Ligne. A Brest. Canons. Canons. Les 'fitats de Bourgogne 118 Le Citoyen .... 74 La Bretagne 110 Le Diademe 74 Le Royal Louis . 110 LTllustre 74 Le Terrible 110 Le Magnanime 74 LTnvincible 110 Le Northumberland 74 Le Majestueux . 110 Le Neptune 74 L'Auguste . 80 Le Sceptre . 74 Le St. Esprit 80 La Superbe . 74 Le Languedoc 80 Le Zele 74 Le Due de Bourgogne 80 Le Temeraire , 74 Les Deux Freres 80 L'Argonaute 74 LAmerique . . 74 Le Patriote . . 74 L'Hercule . . 74 La Ferme . 74 Le Pluton . . 74 Le Leopard . . 74 L'Achille . . 74 La Victoire . . 74 Le Brave . 74 Le Reflechi . 64 A RoCHErORT. La Marseillaise . . 74 La Provence . . .64 Le Protecteur . 74 Le Triton . . 64 Le Genereux . 74 Le Brillant 64 L'Orion . 74 Le St. Michel . 60 LTmpetueux 74 Le Sagittaire , 50 L'Apollon. . 74 LAmphion . . 50 L'Aquilon 74 LAnnibal . . 50 Le Sophin . 64 A L'Orient. L'Audacieux 74 Le Tourville ... 74 Le Fougueux 74 L'Entreprenant ... 74 Le Boree . 74 A Toulon. Le Destiu . 74 Le Centaur .... 74 Le Suflisant 74 LTIeureux . 74 Le Puissant 74 Le Mercure 74 Le Dictateur 74 Le Heros 74 Le Conquerant 74 Le Dugue Trouin 74 Le Penseur . 74 Le Souverain 74 Le Guerrier 74 Le Triomphant . 80 L'Alude 74 La Couronne 80 Jl M 2 00 n ILLUSTRATIONS. Nota. — II y a encore a, Toulon en construction un vaisseau de 118 canons, qui se nommera, a ce qu'on croit, La Ville de Paris, et un de 74. II y a aussi en construction a Brest 2 vaisseaux de 74. Frigates. A Brest. Canons. Canons. La Resolution , . 44 L'Lmeraude du 12 26 La Consolante du 18 26 L'Engageante id. 26 La Nymphe id. 26 La Fine id. 26 La Venus . id. 26 La Felicite . id. 26 La Proserpine id. 28 LTphigenie id. 26 La Penelope id. 28 La Galathee id. 26 La Danae . du 12 26 La Gentille . id. 26 L'Amazone . id. 26 La Gloire id. 26 L'Amphitrite id. 26 La Resolue . id. 26 L'Astree id. 26 La Zemond . id. 26 L'Atalante . id. 26 La Surveillante . id. 26 La Bellone . id. 26 L'Active du9 26 La Cleopatre id. 26 L'Aigrette . du.8 26 La Calypso . id. 26 A Roci [EFORT. La Pomone . du 18 26 L'Andromaque du 12 26 La Gracieuse 12 26 La Courageuse id. 26 La Fleur de Lys id. 26 La Nereide . id. 26 La Ceres id. 26 La Railleuse id. 26 L'Harmonie id. 26 La Flore id. 26 La Medee . id. 26 La Guadeloupe du 9 24 La Fee id. 26 A L'( )rient. La Meduse . du 18 28 La Didon . du 12 28 La Driade . 12 28 La Capricieuse id, 26 A T< 5UL0N. La Minerve du 18 26 La Serieuse. du 12 26 La Turon . id. 26 La Precieuse id. 26 L'Iris 12 26 La Montreal id. 26 La Lieste . id. 26 La Sultane id. 26 La Vestale . id. 26 L'Aurore id. 26 La Frissonne id. 26 La Mignonne id. 26 La Lutine . id. 26 Cor A E La Plei'ade . vettes. REST. id. 26 La Blette du 6 20 Le Vautour du 6 20 La Blonde . id. 20 La Ceres id. 20 ILLUSTRATIONS. y o O ooo A Rociiefort. Le Rossignol La Fauvette La Perdrix . Le Tourtereau . Le David . Canons. du6 20 id. 20 id. 20 id. 20 id. 20 Le Chien de Chasse Le Storrnond L' Hypocrite 4 autres corvettes de Canons. du 6 18 id. 1 8 id. 18 20 A Toulon. La Fleche . La Semillante La Badine . , La Brune . La Poulette du 6 18 id. 18 id. 18 id. 18 id. 18 La Sardine . La barque l'Eclair Le brick la Suzanne Le brick le Gersant du 6 14 18 . 14 • Flottes. La Desiree. La Fille Unique. Le Perou. Le Dauphin Royal. END OF THE FIRST VOLUME. LONDON PRINIliB BY BPOIIISWOODI i5B CO. 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