THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE TO MR. PITT.

DEAR SIR,

Newcastle House, Wednesday, 10 o'clock. [February 15, 1764.]

MR. WEST and honest George Onslow came to my bed-side this morning, to give me an account of the glorious day we had yesterday (1), and of the great obligations which every true lover of the liberties of his country and our present constitution owe to you, for the superior ability, firmness, and resolution, which you showed, during the longest attendance that ever was known. God forbid that your health should suffer by your zeal for your

(1) On the 13th of February, the question of privilege, notwithstanding Wilkes's absence, came on to be debated. The House sat for eleven hours. At midnight, Mr. Grenville offered to adjourn, but Mr. Pitt begged not to eat or sleep till so great a point had been decided. On the following day the debate was resumed, when the House sat seventeen hours. On a division upon an amendment, the numbers were 207 against 197, leaving the ministers in a majority of only ten :-" Crest-fallen," says Walpole," they then proposed simply to discharge the complaint against Wood, for a breach of privilege; but the plumes which they had dropped, Pitt soon placed in his own beaver. He broke out on liberty, and, indeed, on whatever he pleased, uninterrupted. Rigby sat feeling the vice-treasurership slipping from under him. Nugent was not less pensive. Every body was too much taken up with his own concerns, or too much daunted, to give the least disturbance to the Pindaric. Mr. Pitt bore the fatigue with his usual spirit, and even old Onslow, the last Speaker, was sitting up, anxious for the event. I have heard Garrick, and other players, give themselves airs of fatigue, after a long part think of the Speaker- nay, think of the clerks, taking most correct minutes, for sixteen hours, and reading them over to every witness; and then let me hear of fatigue!"

country! As a faithful friend to it, I return you my most sincere thanks, with a most hearty prayer, that your great and glorious endeavours may meet with their deserved success.

I shall just call at your door, to inquire after your health some time this forenoon. I am, dear Sir, yours most affectionately,

HOLLES NEWCASTLE.

THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE TO MR. PITT.

DEAR SIR,

Newcastle House, Saturday morning. [February 20, 1764.]

I shall not be easy till I hear that you have not increased your pain and disorder, by your long attendance and the great service you did yesterday to the public. (') I shall leave a servant behind,

(1) On the main question, as to the illegality of general warrants, which was debated on the 19th, Mr. Pitt again attended:"All that the Crown had desired, and the ministers wished, had," he said, "been accomplished, in the conviction and expulsion of Mr. Wilkes; and therefore it was now their duty to do justice to the nation, the constitution, and the law." He denied that precedent afforded any justification; and said, that when he himself issued such warrants, he knew them to be illegal, but, preferring the general safety, in time of war and public danger, to every personal consideration, he ran the risk, as he would of his head, had that been the forfeit, upon the like motive. "What," he asked, "was there in a libel so heinous and terrible, as to require this formidable instrument, which, like an inundation, bore down all the barriers and fences of happiness and security? Parliament had voted away its own privilege, and laid the per

to bring me word how you do, after your great fatigue. I would not, however, omit thanking you, and congratulating you upon your great and glorious minority, before I went to Claremont. Such a minority, with such a leader, composed of gentlemen of the greatest and most independent fortunes in the kingdom, against a majority of fourteen only, influenced by power and force, and fetched from all corners of the kingdom, must have its weight, and produce the most happy consequences to the public.

I am, with the greatest respect and affection, &c. HOLLES NEWCASTLE.

MR. PITT TO MRS. ALLEN.

Hayes, July 4, 1764.

DEAR MADAM,

I TRUST you will pardon this early intrusion upon affliction, from one who truly feels your irreparable

sonal freedom of every representative of the nation at the mercy of the attorney-general. If the House negatived the motion, they would be the disgrace of the present age, and the reproach of posterity." Upon a division, the numbers were, for the motion 218; for the adjournment of the debate for four months 232; leaving the ministers a majority of only fourteen. Among the minority, was General Conway; for which vote he was deprived of all his civil and military employments. It was during these discussions, that Sir Fletcher Norton is said to have declared, that "he should regard a resolution of the members of the House of Commons, no more than he would do the oaths of so many drunken porters in Covent Garden."

misfortune, together with a sincere solicitude for your situation. Your share in the general loss I do not attempt to put into words: I will only say that, in Mr. Allen, mankind has lost such a benevolent and tender friend as, I fear, not all the example of his virtues will have power to raise up to the world his like again. Admiring his life, and deploring the shortness of it, I shall ever respectfully cherish his memory, and rank the continuation of the favourable opinion and friendship of a truly good man amongst the happiest advantages and the first honours, which fortune may have bestowed upon my life.

Accept, Madam, my constant wishes for your consolation and health; and believe me to be, with the most perfect regard, dear Madam,

Your most obedient, and

most humble servant,

W. PITT.(1)

I desire to present my compliments and condolences to all the family of Prior Park.

(1) Mr. Allen died at Prior Park on the 29th of June. By his last will, he bequeathed Mr. Pitt one thousand pounds. In a letter to Dr. Doddridge, written in February 1743, Warburton thus describes him:-"I verily believe Mr.Allen to be the greatest private character that ever appeared in any age of the world. You see his munificence to the Bath hospital; this is but a small part of his charities, and charity but a small part of his virtues. I have studied his character, even maliciously, to find where his weakness lies; but have studied it in vain. In a word, I firmly believe him to have been sent by Providence into the world, to teach men what blessings they might expect from Heaven, would they study to deserve them."

[In Lady Chatham's handwriting ]

Lady Chatham desires to assure Mrs. Allen of her sincere concern for her great loss, and to express to Mrs. Warburton and Miss Allen her compliments of condolence.

MR. PITT TO WILLIAM TAYLOR HOW, ESQ. (1)

SIR,

Hayes, July 4, 1764.

THE honour of your obliging letter from Spa brought me the melancholy news of Count Algarotti's death, together with the information of the last very affecting testimony of esteem which that gentleman has left behind him, in favour of one who only knew him in his works and in his fame, and who must now for ever resign the pleasing

(1) This letter is in reply to one from Mr. Taylor How, dated Spa, June the 12th, containing the following passage: "In a letter received last night, containing the afflicting news of Count Algarotti's death, together with an account of his having left me a testimony of his friendship by way of legacy, mention is likewise made of a Porta-foglio con varij bei desegni' bequeathed to you, Sir. Though it is highly probable, that either his heir or executors may have sent, or will very soon send, this intelligence to a person of your note and name; yet, relying upon the experience which I have ever had of your condescension and good nature, I presume to hope, that you will not think the information altogether impertinent from me. Should there be any difficulty about the mode of conveyance, I would offer myself a candidate for the honour of receiving your orders. The count died on the 24th of May,"