1756.

so soon follow as your Grace's if you will deign to
give it him. His resolutions at present are very
honest and sensible, if he has firmness sufficient to
execute them; but from what has passed one must
doubt in short, he solicits your friendship, and I
think you may keep him out of Legge's hands.
Though I cannot say that I see much light, yet I
think sufficient to attempt something with him. I
had a great deal of conversation with Mr. Fox, who
will inform you himself of what passed better than
I can do. The resignations are to take place on
Thursday, and O'Brian is among the resigners.
The garrison of Oswego were not put to the sword,
for the governor of Canada has sent four or five
hundred of them to Plymouth with a genteel well
writ letter to the commanding officer of the port:
the rest are sent to France, and are to come to
England from thence. The day was barren of
events; the Chancellor and Duke of Newcastle
resign on Thursday: that act will give me implicit
satisfaction: the only one that can give me more,
will be to see your Grace and Mr. Fox invested with
their power.

I am your Grace's much obliged
and obedient servant,

GOWER.

*Percy Windham O'Brien, created Earl of Thomond.

LADY BETTY WALDEGRAVE TO THE DUKE OF

BEDFORD.

St. James's, November 16. 1756.

Will you forgive me troubling you with this to thank you for the apology you was so good as to think necessary to write me, with regard to your conduct in these times, and which would flatter me much if I was thoroughly convinced you took it as I meant it; which was only giving a little latitude to my own thoughts, to Lady Ossory, and wishing much to hear you take a share in conducting these men and measures; which seems at present almost necessary for our present salvation. You cannot blame Madame de Chevreuse for wishing success to her country, and being anxious to hear one she loves so much as you a principal actor in this scene. Farther would be impertinence. However I hope and think from what the Duke of D. told Peg today, things will go on at least better in the closet, for he says he finds things much more reasonable and easy since the departure of his Grace of N., who has now to all appearances taken himself quite away, and I hope never to return. They say Lord C-r (Lord Chancellor Hardwicke) will do the same thing on Friday next: I suppose he will expect a little douceur upon giving up eleven thousand pounds a year. The commissioners for the great seal are to be Sir Stafford Smyth, Judge Wilmot, and Lord Chief Justice Willes, and not the Master of the Rolls.

1756.

1756.

There is nothing new to-day; therefore I shall talk of a more pleasing thing to you, which is the dear Countess, who honoured me with a visit yesterday after Court, and enquired much after her Woburn friends; by her soul, nothing will make her so happy as to have you King* for her country, because it is honouring it so much, and that you will be adored there. I told her I would let you know how well you were with her. I assure you she is grown so grave and well behaved, that she is now really the decent Lady Coventry. Pray tell the Duchess she may possibly not hear of me in the way she expects this fortnight. I am very well, and my boys much better; owing, I believe, to your indulgence to them; I take the liberty to send them to Streatham to-morrow. Tavistock I saw on Sunday, and Gowran : they are both well. I should have wrote to the little countess to-night, but am prevented by company coming in. I am impatient for to-morrow fortnight, when I hope to see you and the rest of my friends well. I am glad to hear the Duchess has got so pleasant a horse. Pray tell them that the Duke is gone to-day to Newmarket to see a trial: I am sure he will enjoy this. I have nothing more to add, than to say I hope you love me as much as I really do you, which will make me quite happy.

Adieu, my dear Duke of Bedford.

* Alluding to the probability the office of Lord Lieutenant of of the Duke of Bedford accepting Ireland.

THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE TO THE DUKE OF

1756.

BEDFORD.

My Lord,

London, November 18. 1756.

I hope your Grace will excuse the liberty I take in troubling you, and not think the reason that induces me to do it, an impertinent one, as it arises from a desire of showing my great regard for your Grace.

Mr. Fox called on me since his return from Woburn, and I own I am sorry to find by him that your Grace is not yet come to a resolution with regard to Ireland. I shall not presume to mention my own wishes on that head, though certainly nothing could give me greater pleasure than to see your Grace take a part that would undoubtedly be of so great service to the King and this country. However, my Lord, as I am willing to flatter myself, that it is not yet impossible but that your Grace may still accept the Lieutenancy, I am desirous of taking no step in regard to that country without previously acquainting your Grace with it. During the course of the last session, I got the approbation of parliament to increase the force within that kingdom from 12,000 to near 15,000 men: before the levies were completed orders were sent from hence to embark for New York as many private men as were raised for the 24 additional companies, and to send the officers to England, who have since been placed in the new battalions, by which means the force in

1756.

Ireland was very near reduced to its former state.
I represented this to the King and Duke; and a
resolution was come to, to raise one regiment of
1,200 men and five companies of invalids of 100
men each. This was settled, and I was coming up to
town to carry it into execution, when the late
battle broke out. The King has since given me di-
rections to lose no time in this affair; but I have
delayed it, in order to inform your Grace of it, and
to know whether you would have any objection to
my going on with it, as the service requires that no
time should be lost. Give me leave to take this
opportunity of assuring your Grace that no man
can be more desirous of the honour of your friend-
ship than I am, and that nothing shall be wanting
on my part to deserve it, and to convince your
Grace of the respect and regard with which I am
My Lord, your Grace's

Most obedient humble servant,
DEVONSHIRE.

The Colchester is arrived, as also the four regiments that were in Minorca. The King has forbid the colonels to appear in his presence till their conduct has been enquired into, and has ordered Sir John Ligonier, and I think Haske and Cholmondely, to examine them and make a report of what they shall urge in their defence. My Lord Chancellor resigns the seals to-morrow: it is to be put in commission, and the commissioners are to be Lord Chief Justice Willes, Mr. Baron Smyth, and Sir Eardley Willmot.