tensions of the King of Prussia would not now make any part of the conferences, as he had been assured since, that the crown was in a way of being satisfied in her demands, as they had been secured to her by the treaty of Dresden. That these points once regulated, his Most Christian Majesty, so far from bringing any opposition to the proposed election, would then be ready to assist and forward it to the utmost of his power, as it would greatly concur to establish the general tranquillity, which he knew the King my master had much at heart. But he gave me to understand before he ended his conversation, that another condition would be expected, which was, an assurance from His Majesty and the court of Vienna, that they would contribute by every means in their power to secure the tranquillity of the North, which was so much the more necessary, he said, afin (to make use of his own expressions) de mettre du plomb dans la tête de ceux qui souhaiteroient de la trouble. * As M. Puisieux began this conversation with me, I made use, in answer to him, of the reasonings and arguments your Grace suggested to me in your secret despatch of the 13th December, which in that case I was directed to do; and as Count Kaunitz will in a little time be in a condition to speak to him, I thought it was proper, that in an affair which more intimately concerns his court, he should act the principal part; and therefore I re Trouble, s. m. 1751. 1751. ferred M. Puisieux to that ambassador on all such points that he desired to be satisfied in, as more immediately related to the affairs of the empire. Colonel Yorke having informed me by your Excellency's desire of all the material steps you had taken towards the discovery of the Pretender's son, and I having had the honour to lay before his Majesty your proposals for watching his motions so narrowly as to be able to fix him in some certain place, he has been pleased to approve of this design, and has directed me to inform your Excellency in this most secret despatch what measures you should take after you shall have obtained most undoubted intelligence of his haunts, in order to the getting him removed out of France. As it appears by May 24 your Excellency's letters of and September June 4 16 27 1749, that M. Puisieux did positively declare to you, that in case you could at any time give him information where the young Pretender was hid, he would immediately take care to have him put in arrest, and that he should be forthwith sent out of the kingdom; and as his Majesty is thoroughly satisfied that the intentions of the French king are in every respect the same they were, when those assurances were given, he makes no doubt of this demand (whenever it shall be in your Excellency's power to make it) being punctually complied with; and would, therefore, have your Excellency inform M. Puisieux that you have it now in your power to have the young Pretender's motions watched in such a manner as to be able to point out to him where he may be met with, and that his Majesty doth therefore insist that, in conformity to the treaties now subsisting between the two nations, he be immediately obliged to leave France. As it cannot be doubted but that the answer from the French minister must be a satisfactory one, after the many solemn promises made by M. Puisieux to your Excellency on this subject, it is his Majesty's pleasure that you do insist with that minister, that immediately upon the arrest of the Pretender's son (in order to prevent his returning back to France, as he did before, when he had been conducted by his Most Christian Majesty's orders to the frontiers of Savoy), he be sent by sea, either into the Ecclesiastical State, or to such other country at a distance from France as may render it impossible for him to return with the same facility he did before. This last I mention only to avoid his Majesty seeming to dictate to the court 1751. 1751. of France to what particular country he should be sent, as doubtless the Ecclesiastical State is by much the most eligible. I am, &c. THE DUKE OF BEDFORD TO MR. KEENE. (Most secret.) Sir, Whitehall, February 1750–1. I reserve for this most secret letter (which for precaution I have directed on the outside to be opened by yourself, and which I must intreat you not to suffer to go out of your own hands,) those hints and informations which I think may be useful to you in the great work you have now before you I mean the extinguishing for time to come those sparks which may be the most likely to kindle a war between this country and Spain, viz. the depredations on their part, and the contraband trade on ours. It may seem, perhaps, too difficult a task to undertake to root out the prejudices the Spanish nation has, for near three centuries past, imbibed of their exclusive right of navigation in the seas of the West Indies, upon which principle their present laws with regard to that part of the On this letter, evidently in "I think this letter will be the King's handwriting, are these very proper." words: I world, are founded; and it must likewise appear extremely difficult to obtain here, with the consent and approbation of the merchants, such an Act of Parliament as may effectually put a stop to all contraband trade carried on by his Majesty's subjects to the Catholic King's dominions in America. But without these two points being thoroughly effected it will be vain to hope for a long continuance of that harmony which it is so much the interest of both nations to cultivate. would therefore have you be turning in your thoughts the reciprocal concessions that must be made by each party for this good purpose, and the steps necessary to be taken both here and in Spain for bringing it to a happy conclusion. The several complaints I transmit to you by this messenger are, I fear, too convincing proofs of what I have mentioned above, that unless things can be regulated upon a surer foundation in America than they have been heretofore, depredations on one side, and illicit trade on the other, will soon put an end to that good will, and I think I may call it, natural affection between the two nations which is absolutely necessary to preserve the continuance of peace betwixt them. I must likewise, in the utmost confidence, inform you that there is very lately come to my knowledge, that orders have been sent from Ensenada to Wall, in which that minister makes great complaints of the illicit trade carried on by the English to the Spanish West Indies, and declaring to him that unless this trade 1751. |