1756.

MR. FOX TO THE DUKE OF BEDFORD.

My dear Lord,

October 19. 1756.

I could write as long a letter as your Grace has honoured me with, in only endeavouring to express my sense of your great goodness to me, which is such that it surprises me as well, though not so much, as it delights me.

I had a conversation yesterday with his Majesty. He was calm, serious, full of anger, but determined not to show it. Because the chancellor did not come to town till last night, and till he came, the Duke of Newcastle (like Tom Thimble in the Rehearsal) knew not what to do nor what to say; and (I suppose) desired his Majesty to keep himself open to any conduct that might be thought advisable. Mr. Pitt is come to town this morning, and my place will, I doubt not, with any terms, be offered him. If he refuses, I may be applied to go on, but surely there is no danger that H. R. H., or any friend I have, should, after this, and the notoriety of my intended resignation, think it possible. I hope to-morrow evening to hear H. R. H. say it is not, and then, my Lord, I promise you I will not

serve any longer as I am. I may
be turned out,
but whether I am or no, the Duke of Newcastle's
reign is, I verily think, over.

I wish with him all difficulties would vanish, but
I foresee many. Your letter, my Lord, has in-
creased, not diminished, my desire to talk with your
Grace; for which purpose Rigby and I will dine
with your Grace on Saturday next. I cannot at
this time be absent more than two days, of which
Sunday must be one. We propose to lie Friday
night at Slough or Reading, and by that means
(bar accidents) hope to dine with your Grace at
your usual hour.*
I know not which way to learn
what passes with Pitt, but I may know before I
see your Grace. At all events, I may almost say
that what your Grace dislikes most cannot happen;
and that I have great hopes that I shall come as
much at liberty, as I am inclined to follow your
Grace's kind and good advice. Pray, my Lord, show
this to Lord Digby, and may I trouble you by telling
him in it that my wicked rebellion has so put the
court wheels out of order, that the Prince's establish-
ment has not yet been carried to him, and may
Pitt may have the new modelling it.

H. Fox.

be

I beg my best compliments to her Grace. I

Sunday, Bath

"Mr. Fox arrived here yesterday at two o'clock, dined with the Duke of Bedford, and set out this morning after breakfast, to

be at Holland House to-morrow
morning." Wilmot Correspond-
ence. MS.

1756.

204

1736.

don't believe there were more than a dozen French prisoners taken, and they were really Germans, or Swiss and Protestants. New difficulties concerning the foreign troops will arise every day.

DUKE OF MARLBOROUGH TO THE DUKE OF

My dear Lord,

BEDFORD.

Marlborough House, Oct. 26. 1756.

As I am obliged to go out of town to-morrow morning, I can't omit giving you this trouble: what you have so justly wished for, to save this nation by the present ministers being removed, is so well effected as to want nothing but a conjunction between Harry Fox and Mr. Pitt, which I imagine nobody could bring about so well and with so much authority as you; as this is purely my own thought, and what I have all the reason in the world to think you will approve of, I am sure

You will forgive this from your, &c.

MARLBOROUGH.

I cannot from my last conversation with Mr. Fox be sure if things are yet mature enough for this conjunction, therefore should wish you would see Mr. Fox before you take any step about it.

1756.

October 30. 1756.

MR. FOX TO THE DUKE OF BEDFORD.

My dear Lord,

Every word Pitt has said was in concert with Legge and Leicester House. The Duke of Devonshire went to him from the King to-day, and found him much more moderate. But he could not act with me as minister. He foresaw, I suppose, that my place would be the Treasury. I can't much blame him, my Lord; for in that case what would he be but paymaster again under another Pelham, with an employment of a higher rank? Does your Grace think I can refuse to act without I have Treasury, when my having less or more ambition may be the quiet or disquiet of the King and the public in this critical conjuncture? But nothing is determined. You have given me leave; and your Grace may possibly have a messenger before you are up on Monday to beg your Grace's company here with the Duke of Devonshire that day. You shall certainly have an express whether I shall be ripe for asking that favour of your Grace or not. I beg my best respects to her Grace. Will not her Grace begin to fancy it possible that I may not be quite so ambitious as she thinks me?

I am, &c. &c.

H. Fox.

1756.

DUKE OF BEDFORD TO THE DUCHESS OF

BEDFORD.

Bedford House, half-past three, Tuesday.

I am just returned hither from Kensington, my dearest love, and have received positive orders from the King not to go out of town till after a meeting of the Lords of the Cabinet, and other principal persons, which cannot be before to-morrow night, at Devonshire House, in order to propose a plan to Mr. Pitt, upon which an administration can be settled, which if not agreed to by him we are to go on without him; and indeed when I come to relate to you, the impracticability of this man, it will amaze you. I hope to be with you certainly by twelve or one o'clock on Thursday. I was in with the King this morning, and most graciously received, though I found his Majesty in great wrath, and that I think with reason, for the cavalier treatment he has received from Mr. Pitt. If your brother comes to Woburn time enough to be at Devonshire House to-morrow night, you are desired to send him up. Adieu, my dearest love.

B.

DUKE OF BEDFORD TO THE DUCHESS OF

BEDFORD.

Bedford House, Nov. 2. 1756.

When I wrote to you from your sister's, I

had no time to add any thing more to that letter,