the enemy, the want of guns, I have been utterly unable to move for this ten days, by a very awkward, uneasy, but not hurtful malady, nor am I yet able to use my accustomed exercise. News I never attempt to write, and indeed the public papers of the same date always reach Wotton sooner than the Hayes à la main could do. General Fowke's trial has had its nine days, in the wonder of mankind: how monstrous, either the conviction or the punishment! Utrum horum: my own opinion is fully formed, as to that alternative, on a mature consideration of the several orders, and I declare that no consideration can make me find in the General wilful disobedience to a clear positive order; but at most, innocent error concerning the ill-explained intentions of Government. We are all well here (errors as above excepted), and intend that our little colony shall, God willing, receive its increase in the pure air of our village; a better world to introduce youth to, than the great world that least and most despicable of all little things. I hope your own happy world (and let me call it ours) is in perfect health. Wotton, with all these showers, must be more than green; as we say his Most Christian, her most verdant Majesty must look like the Queen of all Pastures. I suppose the Bridge white, and from my couch it enlivens everything about it: deep shades of oak, softening lawns, and tranquil waters, like a lively smile lighting up a thoughtful countenance. I am growing poetical, and shall talk Phœbus very soon, so adieu.

W. PITT.

MR. POTTER TO MR. GRENVILLE.

DEAR SIR,

London, Saturday, September 11, 1756.

I have seen Mr. Pitt and Lady Hester; they both appear in perfect health.

The point disputed between Lord Temple and you is not yet clear to my satisfaction: as yet I have not been able to consult any authorities, but what I have seen inclines to your opinion.

There is much talk of an expedition, but the Ministers, I hear, deny there is anything in agitation. Two hundred transports are now in pay, artillery is preparing, and six or eight thousand slings (such as bargemen use to tow their boats, and with which soldiers draw cannon when horses cannot be used) are ordered forthwith. It is said, too, the Hanover troops are in motion. Some think the Ministers mad enough to attempt the retaking Minorca at this season. Others suppose it is calculated merely to stop the current of clamour, by pretending to do something.

The King of Prussia has certainly taken possession of Leipsic, and published his manifesto against the Elector of Saxony. Nothing is talked of but the high spirits of Mr. Byng and the Duke of Newcastle, though I was told this morning that his Grace, being on a visit a few days since to Lady C. Pelham', was somewhat alarmed at the indignation of the Greenwich mob, who saluted his Grace with dirt, and humbly proposed to his coachman to drive towards the Tower.

1 Lady Catherine, widow of the Right Hon. Henry Pelham.

This morning I heard the whole city of Westminster disturbed by the song of a hundred ballad-singers, the burthen of which was, " to the block with Newcastle, and the yard-arm with Byng." Their music alarmed my devotion enough to draw from me many a hearty Amen. I repeat it again here, and as I think it very probable that a letter from me to you will be opened at the Post Office, in order to inform his Grace what my dispositions to him are, I will subscribe my name in capitals. It is then no other than that of his determined enemy, and your determined and very affectionate friend, THOMAS POTTER.

MR. PITT TO MR. GRENVILLE.

Hayes, October 10, 1756.

DEAR GRENVILLE,-Lady Hester is as well as can be in her situation, after being delivered of a son' this morning, who is also well. She had a sharp time, but not longer than two hours and a half.

There was notice enough to have Hunter and all comforts about us. My joy, my dear Grenville, will so easily be imagined by one who experiences so many, that I will rather commit it to your thoughts and feelings than to my own words. Dear Lady Hester is so happy with her offspring, that her spirits would easily run away with her, if not beyond her strength, at least beyond the seasonable discretion of the sagest of the Sybils, Mrs. Tyson.

Mrs. Grenville, I am sure, and perhaps you, will excuse my talking nursery: the young man meets with

1 Afterwards John, second Earl of Chatham.

general applause for stature and strength: Nurse Creswell looks with satisfaction, and Nurse Long with envy, upon his quality and quantity. He is, however, as they flatter me, without appearance of heaviness, notwithstanding his size. I hope to have the satisfaction of adding soon a good account of Lady Hester in the critical time of her confinement.

I hope this will find all Wotton in perfect health.

I am, &c.

W. PITT.

(In the handwriting of Earl Temple.)

MINUTES upon Memory of a Paper dated October 15, 1756, laid before the KING by LORD GRANVILLE from Mr. FOX'.

SOME months ago Mr. F. told the D. of N. that he believed Mr. P. would not be induced to come into the K. service, at any rate without being S. of St.; and that if that was his M -y's pleasure, Mr. F. was ready to resign. Lord Bar-, ten days ago, came to Mr. Fox, to put him in mind of that conversation, and said that if the D. of N. thought it could be done without offending Mr. F., he would make an offer of it to Mr. P. the next day. To which Mr. F. said he thought it extremely right, and that he was perfectly willing; that Mr. F. now hoped that negociation with Mr. P. was in great forwardness, being the only thing could be of service in his M. affairs; that Mr. F. found his credit in the House of Commons sensibly diminished for want of authority there, and therefore, as he found it impossible to carry on the King's business, begged his Majesty's leave to resign it; and that if his Majesty thought him worthy

1 See Harris's Life of Lord Hardwicke, vol. iii. pp. 69, 76.

in that arrangement of any inferior employment not of the Cabinet, he was ready to accept it, and would support the King's measures to the utmost of his power, and give his best assistance thereto.

LETTER TO LORD CHANCELLOR

(inclosing the above paper).

I SEND you the inclosed paper, as it has probably given you the trouble of coming to town from Wimpole. At the time of Mr. Pelham's death I saw the impossibility of the plan then proposed; and when I took the seals in consequence of his Majesty's orders, I obeyed them with the greatest unwillingness. How I have behaved since, both to the King and the D. of N., I leave to the D. of N. to relate. I hope now the negociation is in great forwardness with Mr. Pitt, as it is the only party the King can take for the service of his affairs. I feel no resentment: if I had any ambition, the course of last summer would have completely cured me of it, and all possible resentment must be over with my ambition. I could speak to the D. of N. upon this subject with as much ease as any other man whatever. Some things, about the time of Mr. Pelham's death, made me angry, which I do not care to call to mind. I think it of consequence, as I cannot be of any further service to the King's affairs, that I should resign immediately, that it may not look like a struggle for power. I do not only say that under that arrangement I will support, but I will do it to the utmost of my power, and in any station I will support the King's measures in Parliament to the utmost of my power, except the measure of governing the House of Commons under the D. of N., which I need not mention, because the impossibility of it excepts itself.