quillity, and to make provision in the mean time against such events as may happen if she should have the misfortune to lose him. Here are two ministers, Don Josef de Carvajal, and the Marquis de la Ensenada. The former is first in place and birth. He is charged with the expedition of all foreign affairs; but being the son of a grandee, he, by the turn of this country, thinks it beneath him to take the title of Secretario, and is called Ministro del Estado. He is a mild, complaisant man, of a very dry conversation, full of projects for advancing the Spanish commerce, in which he has not been successful; seems a little embarrassed for want of more practice in the world, and timid from the circumstances of his situation; much wedded to his own opinion when he has declared it, but otherwise he passes for an honest sincere man; and from his natural disposition and his alliances is a much greater favourite with the King than with her Catholic Majesty. The Marquis de Ensenada, from a low beginning, which I remember, has, by a number of lucky events, raised himself to a more absolute pitch of power than ever was known in this country. He was employed as Secretary to the Finances and Indies in the late reign, and was in little credit at the commencement of this. But he soon found his way to Farinelli, and by his means, and by presents to the Queen, he made himself master of the whole. He turned out the Marquis de Villarias, and not thinking himself strong enough to take all the burden of 1749. 1749. the government upon him, he placed above himself in appearance his friend Carvajal, who, finding the King's inclinations grow strong towards him, made an attempt to be so in reality. And from hence arise these jealousies between them, which will cause the inconveniences and difficulties I must expect to meet with in my negotiations, both with regard to the method of proceeding, as well as to the substance of what I may have to treat upon. Ensenada is of a different turn from the reserved manner of Carvajal, affects a gaiety and ease, and is the most profuse man in his way of living that ever was known here. His rise and preservation are owing to his art in applying his presents; and it is thought that he only permits Carvajal to continue in his post, because he may possibly have more to apprehend from a successor than Carvajal himself, now he has whistled him down to the size he thinks proper. The King, they think, must soon be undeceived in his behalf, that his affairs are in the best posture imaginable; and though his minister, Ensenada, flatters his hopes, and frees him from troubles and difficulties, yet the Grandees in his service are daily attempting to leave their employments, on account of their dislike of the present proceedings. The next material point which, after the state and disposition of the court, will demand most attention, is inclination and affection towards France and I have had the satisfaction, since my arrival, to hear from the nobility, the officers who have served in Italy, and from all ranks of people, how tired they have been of the dependence they were under upon that country. The King, I am assured, is far from having any particular regard for them; the Queen still less, as she is thought not to forget she is of the House of Austria. But there still remains a sort of fear about them, which, if they had resolution to confide in his Majesty's friendship, they would easily recover from. I wish the Bishop of Rennes *, who, under pretence of his health, is not to return to France till Easter, had left this court. His stay, I imagine, proceeds from his orders, and perhaps his own ideas, to see whether, by the superiority he has gained here during the late reign, and in some sort over their present Catholic Majesties, against their inclinations, he may check their first motions towards coming to a sincere union between the two crowns and nations. And as he has been habituated for a long course of years to do us all the disservice in his power at this place, I cannot have so good an opinion of him as to think he will now begin to alter his conduct. Your Grace will have been informed that the Duke de Huescar, the Spanish Ambassador in France, has received leave to return to Spain; and that Don Francisco Pignatelli, a Lieutenant-General who has served with distinction during the war, • Ambassador at Madrid on him " a vain, officious, and domithe death of Philip. Coxe calls neering prelate." 1749. 1749. is named to succeed the Duke in that embassy. He is a mild, good-natured man, whom I have known many years, and I dare say will be glad to live in friendship with the Duke of Richmond. People were a little surprised at this choice on account of his age, and as he was never employed in a military capacity. Sir, THE DUKE OF BEDFORD TO MR. YORKE. Whitehall, February 27. 1748-9. 18th Feb. His Majesty having taken into consideration your separate letter of the 1st March giving a very particular account of the conversation M. de Puisieux had held to you a few days before, has directed me to acquaint you, that he is entirely satisfied with the answers you gave and the conduct you held in that conversation. The caution you took in avoiding the receiving any direct proposals from the French minister, by appearing to be entirely uninstructed, is in every respect agreeable to his Majesty, and it is his pleasure that you should, in all future conversations of this nature, except in cases with regard to which you shall have received his Majesty's express instructions, avoid entering into particulars as much as possible. The King doth entirely approve of the general assurances you gave M. Puisieux of his firm in tentions to adhere most religiously to the engagements he has now lately entered into with the French court, and his Majesty is fully determined to do every thing that depends on him that can any ways tend towards the maintaining that tranquillity which is now so happily established. The means proposed by M. Puisieux for the obtaining this desirable end seem very properly calculated to effect it, and it is not to be doubted but that the court of France may, in case she is well inclined, prevent, by making a proper use of the influence she must necessarily have with her allies, any storm that may be gathering in the north from breaking out; and his Majesty is so thoroughly persuaded of the fitness of a measure of this nature, with regard to orders to be sent to his own allies, that he has directed in the strongest manner his ministers at Vienna and Moscow to explain his sentiments to those two courts, upon the necessity there is to prevent any commotions from arising in the north upon the death of the King of Sweden, which it is apprehended may not be very far distant. As I flatter myself, your making known to the French minister these just and equitable sentiments of the King, my master, will entirely remove all suspicion with regard to any warlike measures being thought of in England, I think it quite unnecessary to make many observations on the suggestion thrown out by M. de Puisieux, either of our taking any part in these troubles or the affect 174.9. |