It is proposed that M. Sellon shall go over to England, without any character, as a private man, and upon his own affairs only, but with instructions, full, precise, and a sufficient authority to conclude, if a right understanding between the parties can be established. In order thereto, I am requested to desire that a passport of yours may be sent me with your answer to this despatch, that I should add a letter of my own, to introduce M. Sellon to you, by which I recommend him to the honour of your protection, as a near relation of mine, and as one whose character and personal behaviour, during his stay in England, I dare take upon me to answer for; and lastly, that in order to his going over from Calais to Dover, an English vessel, with a flag of truce and a number of French prisoners to be exchanged against as many English, may be sent over to Calais, about fifty days after the date of this letter, and that the master of this ship may be directed in his return home to take on board a Swiss gentleman with your passport, who is at Calais, waiting for a safe conveyance to England. It may not, however, be improper to add, that as it is not impossible, from the distinguished approbation the Duke de Choiseul has given to the elder M. Sellon's plan, but he may think of employing him in this commission, in case he can be persuaded to undertake it, the passport should be drawn up in such a manner as to serve for either brother; which may easily be done by making it in the name only of M. Sellon

de Genève, avec deux domestiques. I will only add, with regard to both, that they are men of unexceptionable character as to honour and honesty, of an ingenuous nature, incapable of dissimulation, artifice, and still more so as to any sinister design or purpose. They have no private end of their own to serve, and are solely influenced by the laudable ambition of being instrumental in promoting the public good, and by a spirit of benevolence for human kind.

I have now, Sir, had the honour fully to lay before you the subject of my meeting with the elder M. Sellon; in which and the several particular circumstances it was necessary you should be acquainted with, I have unavoidably run into a greater length than I could have wished, which I must beg you would excuse. I am willing to hope you will be of opinion, that I could not in my station decline the offer that has been required of me on this occasion; and if so, that through your favourable representation of the matter to the King, my conduct herein will be honoured with his Majesty's most gracious approbation, which is the great and principal object of my ambition. The only inference I will presume to draw from the whole is, that by the accounts M. Sellon of Paris has given to his brother here, of whatever has passed between the Duke de Choiseul and him, which have all been communicated to me, it seems plainly the French are in earnest, and have strongly at heart to get out of the war. Whether

you will approve the method here suggested of going to work in order thereto, is what I neither could nor would take upon me to say any thing to; but this far I have not scrupled to promise, which was particularly insisted on, that in case his Majesty did not relish this expedient, the proposal itself should be buried in oblivion.

I have the honour to remain, with the greatest and unalterable respect, Sir,

Your most obedient

and most devoted humble servant,

ARTHUR VILLETTES.

MR. PITT TO LADY HESTER PITT.

MY SWEETEST Love,

July 28, 1760.

I HAVE but a few minutes to tell you, that the glorious event of the immortal hereditary Prince() is only known en gros, from his own laconic report in four lines to his uncle; but though short, it is sweet and certain: his words are, "cinque battalions, le général Daubeitz, le prince d'Anhalt-Cothen, cannons, &c., tout est à nous les Anglois on fait mérveilles." The detail` he promises to Prince Ferdinand had not reached 1;

(1) The surprise and defeat of the French and Saxons under M. Daubitz at Ermsdorff, on the 16th of July; upon which occasion, Elliot's corps of light horse had the greatest share of the glory, as well as sufferings, of the day. Only seventy-nine of the allies were killed in the action, but of these seventy-one were of this single regiment.

it is known, however, that the two battalions of royal Bavarois, three d'Anhalt, et un battalion de Turpin, troupes legères, are prisoners. The hereditary Prince marched with his wound of the 10th (which was a musket shot under the shoulder) still open. He pierced five times the French infantry, at the head of Elliot's; his horse wounded under him, and a led horse behind him killed.

The King of Prussia has all at once appeared before Dresden, having returned, slipped Daun, and possessed himself of the suburbs. The place itself he was beginning to batter in breach the 18th; and it is hoped his Prussian Majesty will be master of Dresden before Daun can relieve it. The stroke is most astonishing; but, if it fails (and he has but moments to complete his work), he must be undone! (1)

(1) The King of Prussia commenced the siege of Dresden on the 13th of July; but M. Daun having, on the night of the 21st, succeeded in throwing sixteen battalions into the town, the King withdrew his forces from the suburbs on the following day. In a letter to the Duke of Newcastle, written from headquarters, on the 18th of July, Mr. Mitchell, who accompanied the army, says: "May your Grace never have an idea of what I have felt and seen these eighteen days past! The fatigue I suffer is the least part of my endurance. I fear we shall not be masters of Dresden, and the retreat will probably be dangerous: if we should, I fear we may abuse our success.' And again, on the 31st: "His Prussian Majesty sees and feels his situation, though he endeavours manfully to cover it, and to put the best face upon things that they will bear. We are now in a most critical and dangerous situation, which cannot long last. One lucky event, approaching to a miracle, may still save us; but the extreme caution of M. Daun, joined to that infinite superiority of numbers, gives but little ground to hope that such an event will happen.". Newcastle MSS.

I am now to impart the sad disaster of Lady Lincoln ('), which happened last night: she was seized with a violent cholic, went into convulsions, and expired before Lord Lincoln could arrive in town. This truly melancholy event has thrown a cloud over our joy. I grieve for poor Lord Lincoln, for the Duke of Newcastle, for a whole family that loved her. Who can be happy and not tremble! May the Almighty preserve my love -- her and hers!

Your ever loving husband,

W. PITT.

ANDREW MITCHELL, ESQ. TO MR. PITT.

SIR,

August 17, 1760. (2)

ALLOW me to introduce to you M. le Baron de Coccei, captain of the King of Prussia's guards. The news he carries (3), and the great prince he

(1) Catherine, eldest daughter and coheiress of the right honourable Henry Pelham.

(2) In a letter of the same date, addressed to the Countess of Holdernesse, Mr. Mitchell says: "Permit me to recommend to your ladyship's particular protection, M. le Baron de Coccei, one of the ugliest fellows we have in the whole army; but when one is acquainted with him, his conversation is agreeable and his figure forgotten."

(3) The defeat of the Austrians near Leiguitz, on the 15th of August. In a letter to the Duke of Newcastle, written two days after the victory, Mr. Mitchell relates the following conversation: "The King of Prussia, when he marched his army