naming me to the King. I am, with the greatest respect, &c.

TEMPLE.

MR. JAMES GRENVILLE TO MR. GRENVILLE.

December 20, 1758.

DEAR BROTHER,-The solemn conference between Proud Treasury and Lordly Admiralty was held according to appointment.

The poor Orphan bill had the good fortune to find a charitable friend or two, notwithstanding the defection of its great founder; and from the weakness of its enemies, as well as from the zeal of its advocates, it passed its time tolerably well. I went to school and endeavoured to get my lesson as well as I could from the moment I received your commands. I think I learned enough to speak about it with the appearance of seeming to know something of the matter.

Elliot, Forbes, Hunter, Hay1 were more able and not less cordial friends. In short, the only vivacities that made their sallies from the enemy, were certain blunt thrusts and hints from Lord Anson about desertion and unmanning the fleet, seconded by a gruff brightness or two from Admiral Boscawen upon the same topic. Upon the whole it was concluded that the 2,170,000l. granted on the head wages would sufficiently answer the purposes of the bill, and satisfy all the probable, if not absolutely all the possible, demands upon that head before next Christmas twelvemonths. If more should appear to be wanting upon a nearer view of things towards the end of sessions, a farther application might

1 All Lords of the Admiralty.

then be made, but it was agreed by all present that the sum already granted would, upon the most probable conjecture, suffice.

I have a statement in writing for you which is too long for me to insert here; I reserve it for your contemplation upon your coming to town. I am at present in too good company, and have upon my back my too fine clothes, and in my head a certain glass of too cheerful wine, to be fit for writing more accurately. Iam, &c., &c. J. GRENVILLE.

MR. JENKINSON TO MR. GRENVILLE.

London, December 26, 1758.

DEAR SIR,-I could not deny myself the pleasure of writing to you, though I have really nothing new to send you. The principal news we expect is from Holland, where the ferment is uncommonly great, and the health of the Princess Gouvernante is so very precarious, that the worst of news is to be expected. In short, the interested views of their merchants have obtained so great an influence in the republic, that I much question whether we shall be able to avoid coming to a rupture without giving up such of our rights as may be considered, perhaps, as too great a price for their friendship. The affair will at least require to be managed with the greatest delicacy and understanding.

In the morning after I had received the kind letter with which you was pleased to honour me, I saw the Duke of Newcastle, who gave me as good a reception as I could expect, and told me he should be glad to do anything for me; and I hear privately that he has spoken very warmly in my favour.

I had not, however, a proper opportunity, and therefore did not choose to enter into particulars. I have waited, indeed, for the effects of Mr. Legge's negociation; but I have been a little surprised that, after all which had passed between you and him, and after what he had in consequence of that promised to me, he has not yet spoken a word to the Duke of Newcastle about me. I have seen him three times since, and upon his not mentioning anything to me about it, I spoke to him. He confessed he had not as yet spoken-seemed to raise more difficulties about the affair than he had done at first-and seemed also to expect that the Duke should speak to him first; but, however, he then promised again expressly that he would open it to his Grace. I have not, however, as yet heard anything from him. I doubt not but he has good reasons, but this delay puts my whole affair at a stand during this delicate conjuncture. I hope, however, it may be capable of being recovered when my friends come to town: some comfortable provision on this occasion would make me the happiest man in the world, and would satisfy either my avarice or ambition. I shall tell you that Lord Hardwicke, who gave Lord Parker leave to introduce me to him, paid me personally compliments in such a manner that I think he would have promoted my interest if I could ever have gotten my affair once put in motion.

My Discourse is at present out of print, and I do not venture to publish it again 'till Lord Holdernesse comes to town, or signifies otherwise to me what he would have me do with it, to whom I have written on the occasion. As to the point of the Aggression, besides the manner of arguing, with which you was so kind as to furnish me, I think I can still strengthen

that point with another topic; for as we have formally made the requisition, and they have never returned any answer, the time of the execution of the Treaty coming to exist, there is from that instant a breach of it. We are not to suppose the objection 'till they make it, and may act therefore as if there was no objection at all, and whatever they may urge at present, it cannot concern what is past. I should tell you that a majority of the Province of Holland have, upon another occasion, declared as the aggressors, and they were willing to return an answer, but not in positive words declaring us the Aggressor, to the requisition we made; but as neither of these resolutions ever passed the generality, it cannot be considered as an act of the States.

There is another Pamphlet published on the same as mine, by a Proctor of Doctors' Commons. It is written in a dry unentertaining manner, but it contains many good materials; has hit off several new topics of argument, and has a good deal of merit.

I congratulate you on the Government's having at last acted properly in honouring Buckinghamshire with Lord Temple as Lord Lieutenant.

CHAS. JENKINSON.

MR. JENKINSON TO MR. GRENVILLE.

London, December 28, 1758.

DEAR SIR,—I find, since I wrote to you, that Mr. Legge has spoken to the Duke of Newcastle. I cannot tell precisely what answer His Grace gave him, as I have not seen Mr. Legge, but I believe it was favourable, though he (Mr. Legge) adds, that he has not yet

been able to fix the particular employment with His Grace, but that he will not leave soliciting 'till he has done it. This is what Mr. Legge wrote on Saturday last in a letter to Lord Harcourt, from whence I transcribe it, but I can hear nothing farther from him at present, as he is out of town, and does not return until the meeting of the Parliament.

We have no news. The prisoners of St. Cas are arrived: one unfortunate man, a Mr. Grant, a Lieutenant of Grenadiers, is left behind, having killed an Irish officer in the French service, and who in the last rebellion was in the service of the Pretender. He was reduced to this unfortunate step by the insolency of the Irishman, who added to abusive language at last a stroke with a sword over the head: the affair happened at Boulogne, and the other English officers, before they left that town, drew up a strong representation of the case to be sent to the French Ministry, who, it is hoped, will order Mr. Grant to be released, especially as the Governor of Boulogne joined also to represent the affair favourably. I am, &c., &c. CHAS. JENKINSON.

MR. JENKINSON TO MR. GRENVILLE.

London, January 2, 1759.

DEAR SIR, I had last night the honour of your very obliging letter: your goodness to me in assuring me of your application when you come to town in my favour, is more than I could possibly expect, and demands my most grateful acknowledgments. Your interest at all times would be both of credit and service to me, but it