1749.

LORD SANDWICH TO THE DUKE OF BEDFORD.

Hague, January 6. 1749.

[Almost entirely refers to the jealousy between Sir Thomas Robinson and himself. In some papers styled very secret in Lord Braybroke's collection* is the following extract from a letter, dated November, 1748: "The Duke of Newcastle thought to throw a slur on Lord Sandwich by joining Robinson with him; but this latter, though he set out in a magisterial tone, has done no more than the other, nor do I think him capable of doing so much, with all his presumption."]

THE DUKE OF BEDFORD TO MR. KEENE.

Whitehall, January 12. 1748.

[Respecting some innovations made at the Custom House of Port St. Mary's in the entering some species of English manufactures.]

THE DUKE OF BEDFORD TO MR. YORKE.

Whitehall, February 16. 1748-9.

[The King will have great satisfaction in seeing the Marquis de Mirepoix at his court, and has

* Which have been most kindly placed at the disposal of the Editor.

under consideration the fixing upon a proper person to send to the court of Versailles.]

1749.

Sir,

8

THE DUKE of bedFORD TO MR. YORKE.*

Whitehall, February 16. 1748-9.

I received on Monday last your despatch of the 19th instant, which I immediately laid before his Majesty, who has been pleased to approve of your conduct in your conversation with M. Puisieux, and of the assurances you gave him, according to your instructions, of the King's desire and resolution to live in harmony and to preserve a perfect good understanding with his court: you very properly observed to that minister, that as the King had on his part most religiously observed and executed every condition of the definitive treaty, he had all the reason in the world to expect that the French court would, on their side, fulfil and complete their engagements, by not protracting any longer the evacuations of the four towns in Hainault. In consequence of the truth of this observation, it is his Majesty's pleasure that you should (in case you perceive any affected delay in the rendering up of these towns upon frivolous pretences of the Empress Queen not having fully satisfied the Genoese in relation to the 14th article of the definitive treaty) make the strongest remonstrances to M. Puisieux on this head, as the retaining any

• Third son of the first Earl of Hardwicke.

longer these towns must unavoidably occasion jealousies, and thereby in some sort endanger the happy union and harmony which is at present so happily established between the two courts.

His Majesty doth likewise entirely approve the answer you gave M. Puisieux in relation to his guaranteeing the last convention made at Brusselles; but as that affair is now entirely at an end, I shall not trouble you any farther on this subject.

Your conversation with M. Puisieux in relation to the Pretender's son, and your pressing that minister to oblige him to repass the Alps, in virtue of the engagements they are under to his Majesty, is entirely agreeable to the King; and it is his royal pleasure that you should (in case he still continues at Avignon) return again to the charge, and insist in the strongest manner that proper measures be taken by the French court to oblige him to repass the Alps.

As the French king gives audience in his closet to none under the character of minister plenipotentiary, and as his Majesty does always here give audience in his closet to all ministers who come accredited to him, you undoubtedly acted very properly in not producing your letters of credence, as it would by no means have had a good appearance that more distinction should have been shown to the French minister at this court, than could have been given by the etiquette of the court of Versailles to his Majesty's minister residing there.

I am, &c. &c.

BEDFORD.

THE DUKE OF BEDFORD TO THE KING.

[Respecting John Foster, convicted at the Old Bailey sessions for stealing 251. in money, and condemned to death.

This letter has the following endorsement.

"If the fact is as it is represented, I think it very proper this man should be reprieved till one knows more of the matter.

G. R."]

MR. KEENE TO THE DUKE OF Bedford.

Madrid, February 25. 1749.

I arrived here the 13th instant, and the day following visited Don Josef de Carvajal, his Catholic Majesty's minister of state, and delivered to him the copies of his credential letters, as his Majesty's minister plenipotentiary. The King gave me audience the 17th in the most gracious manner imaginable.

The putting an end to so destructive a war has been so agreeable to all ranks of people, that here is not a person of any distinction of one sex, but what has been to visit me, nor of the other sex that has not sent me compliments. And even the lower sort have shown their satisfaction at seeing me again in this country.

1749.

1749.

The King is grown very healthy and robust since I left this country; and by the exercise he takes, and the regularity of his life, is likely to make it a long one. His passion is music and la chasse; his intentions honest and upright; he wishes the good and relief of his people; but all his good qualities will be directed and applied according to the hands and hearts of those he confides in. He is excessively fond of his queen, who can sway him as she pleases, with as much power, but much less difficulty, than ever the Dowager did the late King, his father.

The reigning queen*, though not increased to such a size as had been represented to me, has a good deal more than embonpoint. The least motion puts her into a difficulty of breathing, and anxieties, which deprive her of her two favourite diversions, singing and dancing; and though both by her looks and her humour she appears to be in good health, I am told her physicians imagine she has tubercula in her lungs, which are the cause of her complaints, and may finish her days without giving any warning. She has parts, and is of a frank and easy conversation; is reckoned very covetous, and consequently not averse to presents; so fond of music, that the famous Farinelli is supposed to have her sole confidence; and her ambition seems only to aim at passing her life with the King in tran

* Maria Magdalena Theresa Barbara, daughter of John the Fifth, king of Portugal.