ment. It is possible there may be an opposition, and impediments may arise; but I am not disheartened, nor shall I fail trying, on this account, if there is not a way of taking some measures with these people it is certain we have thought of it a little late. I do not know whether our court will come into it; but I think it my duty to propose what may be useful to us, and I judge it necessary without exposing the king.

GRIMALDI.

THE MARQUIS GRIMALDI TO THE COUNT DE
FUENTES. (1)

Paris, February 26, 1761.

LITTLE can be said in cipher, but I will tell you in a few words what is essential. The case is, that France having resolved for peace, in order to prevent greater misfortunes, is ready to offer it, and accept of it in statu quo. She has got over the courts of Vienna and Petersbourgh to renounce the greatest part of their pretensions; every thing has been communicated to me here. This project ought to be kept as a great secret from the ministry of England. It is possible yet that there may be quarrelling, or that peace may not take place; which is looked upon here as almost certain, on this footing.

(1) Endorsed, " translation of a letter in cipher."

In consideration of this and of our situation, I begin working, in order to see if we can make some alliance with France, which may protect us from those accidents we ought to fear: but whether we obtain it, or whether there are difficulties to be surmounted, (as it is said here, that we have waited till they are destroyed, and are consequently of no use) it is necessary to dissemble, and that they may not suspect our projects and negotiations. I add, that the court of Vienna submits unwillingly to what is desired here; but it cannot stand alone, and does not know how to answer the argument of these people, that they these three years have been sacrificing their in terests in America to serve the Queen of Hungary; that the time is come that they can do it no longer; nor is there any treaty to oblige them to it.

GRIMALDI.

JOHN WILKES, ESQ. TO MR. PITT.

SIR,

Great George Street, Friday, February 27, 1761.

MAY I for a few moments draw your attention from the interests of your country to the concerns of an individual, whose pride it is to have Mr. Pitt his patron and friend? I do not mean to be importunate, nor to cause the least embarrassment, but beg to submit to you every wish I have, and

every desire I feel, entirely acquiescing in your ideas of the propriety of what I am going to

mention.

I am very desirous of a scene of business, in which I might, usefully I hope to the public, employ my time and attention. The small share of talents I have from nature are such as fit me, I believe, for active life; and, if I know myself, I should be entirely devoted to the scene of business I was engaged in. I wish the board of trade might be thought a place in which I could be of any service. Whatever the scene is, I shall endeavour to have the reputation of acting in a manner worthy of the connection I have the honour to be in; and, among all the chances and changes of a political world, I will never have an obligation in a parliamentary way but to Mr. Pitt and his friends.

May I mention a circumstance, of no small importance to myself? If what I have taken the liberty of hinting be the fit and proper thing, I should wish that it might take place in the interval between the two parliaments, to avoid some very disagreeable circumstances attending a re-election at Aylesbury. (') I desire very truly to submit

(1) Mr. Wilkes was, a few days after, returned for Aylesbury without opposition. Besides this application for a seat at the board of trade, he made an unsuccessful one for the embassy at Constantinople, and was also disappointed in not obtaining the governorship of Canada. Wilkes's character, at this time, is thus strongly sketched by Gibbon, in his journal for the year 1762" September 23. Colonel Wilkes, of the Buckingham

every particular; only begging you would do me the justice to believe me, with the most sincere regard, Sir,

Your obliged and

devoted humble servant,

JOHN WILKes.

THE MARQUIS GRIMALDI TO THE COUNT DE

FUENTES. (')

Paris, March 5, 1761.

THREE messengers are already dispatched to our court, in order, by degrees, to sow the seeds

I will acquaint your

It appears to me of us to assure ourselves

of an alliance with this. excellency with the result. the utmost importance for of France, and engage her, before she makes her peace; for afterwards I do not know what inclination she may have to go to war again for our sake.

shire militia, dined at our mess. I scarcely ever met with a better companion; he has inexhaustible spirits, infinite wit and humour, and a great deal of knowledge; but a thorough profligate in principle as in practice, his life stained with every vice, and his conversation full of blasphemy and indecency. These morals he glories in; for shame is a weakness he has long since surmounted. He told us himself, that in this time of public dissension he was resolved to make his fortune. This proved a very debauched day: we drank a good deal, both after dinner and supper; and when at last Wilkes had retired, Sir Thomas Worsley and some others (of whom I was not one) broke into his room, and made him drink a bottle of claret in bed." - Misc. Works, vol. i. 142.

(1) Endorsed, "translation of a letter in cipher."

I return your excellency a thousand thanks for your advices concerning the English expedition. (') They are useful for the ministry here, and for our object. The Duke de Choiseul has charged me to thank your excellency in his name. Send us word of what you know. The notion of making proposals to England for a congress continues, and I believe will be executed; but, for all this, peace is not yet made.

GRIMALDI.

THE COUNT DE FUENTES TO THE MARQUIS

GRIMALDI. (°)

London, March 10, 1761.

SECRECY is of great importance; for thereupon depends that the whole be not rendered abortive. I do not understand how they are ready to offer and accept of a peace in statu quo, nor how this can be possible. I see that Vienna complies with an ill-will; upon which account, and of the King of Prussia, I have my difficulties.

It is certain that we have lost time; but it is likewise so, that this is our opportunity. France will lose nothing by continuing the war, if Spain enters into it, but has rather much to hope for; nor do we risk a great deal, if we assure ourselves by an alliance, stipulating that one shall not leave

(1) The expedition against Belleisle, which sailed from Spithead on the 29th of the month.

(2) Endorsed," translation of a letter in cipher."